C26 (1/2)
Yun Zhong Ge: Chapter 26: Foreboding Storms
And heave, ho here we go! The exciting set up for the dragon slide fall begins. It's a very short chapter so I'll try to post updates throughout the day as and when I'm done with a part. Should be done before I need to leave for dinner, methinks.Yessss, finished this with time to spare. I need a bath.
Everyone should be s.h.i.+tting bricks for Yun Ge right now, but there she is, still oblivious, enjoying the night, her moment with Liu Fu Ling. Sigh. The next chapter is going to be very long (almost twice as long as normal chapters), but also very exciting, so hold on tight!
Update: CHAPTER COMPLETE
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The front hall at Wei Yang Palace had been redecorated for the New Year Eve festivities. Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, as Xiao He once said to Liu Bang ‘The son of Heaven calls the whole earth His home, and must be grand beyond measure’, ‘How will the world know how respectable the son of Heaven is if they don’t witness his grandeur?’, so even if the country is weak and its people poor, like during Emperor Gaozu of Han’s reign, or thrifty like Emperor Jing of Han, Emperors spared no expense when it came to Imperial festivities. It was true for this upcoming celebration too, Liu Fu Ling lived simply, but every year when it came to throwing banquets he still followed the old protocol, choosing not to follow Emperor Wu of Han’s style, but rather Emperor Jing of Han’s.
The atrium draped in red, the throne to be painted. With bronze as connectors, white jade as steps. The pillars were painted in yellow gold, at the top hung a painting of nine golden dragons in the cloud bringing rain, golden dust painted the eaves with all kinds of grains, praying for the coming year to bring favourable weather to the crops, and a good harvest.
Liu Fu Ling had to wear his grandest clothing today too. Liu Fu Ling finally put on his clothes, and crown with ta.s.sels with the a.s.sistance of Yu An and three other eunuchs after an hour. His dragon robe was embroidered with the sun, moon and dragons on his shoulders, the stars, and mountains on his back, and fire, pheasants, tigers and monkeys on his sleeves. Pearls from the east sea hung from the ta.s.sels of his crown, twelve strings each, using 288 pearls each in front and back, each pearl an exact copy of the next.
Yun Ge thought: I wonder how long they took to find pearls the exact same size from the tens and thousands of pearls available. Liu Fu Ling’s eyes were half hidden behind the curtain of pearls, his expression unclear, only when he moved occasionally could his face been seen with the sway of the pearl curtain; but the pearls reflected light, as a result his face only seemed blurrier. When he stood still, he exuded grandeur and authority like the G.o.ds; looking incredibly high, and all who looked at him will feel terribly low.
Yun Ge rested her chin on her hands, staring blankly at Liu Fu Ling. She finally understood the meaning of Xiao He’s words. Thegrandeur and authority he exuded right now could not be imagined if one didn’t see him for oneself. When he stepped on the jade steps, and stood on the highest point of Wei Yang Hall’s front hall. When hundreds of officials knelt as one. When the whole of Chang An, the whole Great Han, and even the whole world is at his feet.
All the earth at his command! Yun Ge finally understood the power of this phrase. And…. The distance that came with it.
Yu An reported ‘Your majesty, all is ready. The imperial carriage has been prepared.’ Liu Fu Ling waved lightly, dismissing him. He walked over to Yun Ge and pulled her up. ‘What are you thinking?” Yun Ge smiled, reached out to pull on the pearl curtain of Liu Fu Ling’s crown. “Whenever I saw portraits of you Han Emperors in the past, I often thought, why the pearl curtain? Wouldn’t it affect your line of vision? Now I understand. With that, it is a lot harder to read an Emperor’s thoughts.” Liu Fu Ling remained silent for a moment, then said. “Yun Ge, I want to hear you call my name, just like how I call you.” Yun Ge’s head was half raised, staring at him, stunned. As they were standing very close, the glimmer of the pearls didn’t make his features anymore vague, but instead set off each tiny expression of Liu Fu Ling’s. The things she saw in the black pools of his eyes were things she knew and were familiar with, he….. wasn’t far at all.
Outside, Yu An softly said. “Your majesty, the auspicious hour is approaching. All the officials have already gathered at the front hall. The imperial astronomer must offer the sacrifice to the G.o.ds at the appointed auspicious time.” Liu Fu Ling showed no sign of giving way, only calling out softly. “Yun Ge?” Yun Ge pursed her lips, then after a few moments of hesitation, “Liu…… Liu Fu Ling.”
The nervousness and uneasiness she felt at first saying the name no one dared to call vanished completely. She smiled ”But I'm not used to calling you that, Ling Ge Ge.”
Liu Fu Ling held her arm as they walked outside. “The person in charge of this celebratory banquet is a talent, a newcomer to the Ministry of Rites, I heard there will be no shortage of fun tricks, the cook has also been specially summoned for this occasion, you’ll definitely not find it boring. As expected, Yun Ge perked up at the news, excitement full on her face. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” “If I did, I’m afraid you’ll be running off to the imperial kitchen every day and I will be troubled by the missives I’ll receive every day.” Yun Ge didn’t understand. “What?” “Not only will hundreds of our court officials be in attendance for this banquet, but also amba.s.sadors from other surrounding nations, there cannot be a single mistake. The preparation before the banquet is not something like you’ve ever seen, if you keep chattering on to the cook, wouldn’t I be receiving missives from the Ministry of Rites every day denouncing your actions?”
They had already walked to the front of the imperial carriage, and Liu Fu Ling could no longer walk with Yun Ge, but he didn’t get on the carriage, only silently gazing at Yun Ge. Yu An hurriedly said. “Rest a.s.sured, your majesty, that your servants have made all due preparations. Liu Shun and the rest will take good care of Miss Yun.” Liu Fu Ling knew he couldn’t delay any further, his hand brushed across Yun Ge’s cheek longingly before he turned and got on the carriage.
Yun Ge couldn’t describe the emotions in her heart either, and didn’t notice Liu Fu Ling’s action. Since they met again, they were always in tandem, seeing each other day and night. This would be the first time they were be forcibly separated while in the same great hall. Only when she glimpsed Mo Cha making teasing winks at her did she come to her senses. Liu Fu Ling’s actions just now seemed too light and frivolous for this occasion, and didn’t match the dignified state an Emperor should have. Yun Ge’s cheeks pinkened, turned to Liu Shun and Fu Yu saying, “Let’s go! We’ll go to the front hall, and not bring Mo Cha along.” Mo Cha quickly rushed forward. “Your servant will never again dare to do such things. I will listen to Miss Yun’s words in future, only laughing when Miss Yun gives permission to, and not laughing when Miss Yun doesn’t allow me to do so; at most I’ll just keep my laughter inside……”
Yun Ge ignored Mo Cha’s teasing, feeling dazed.
What will leaving feel like after the year is up?
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The imperial astronomer sounded the bell and chimes. The sound of the bell reverberated around in waves, moving beyond the corridors of the great hall to the streets and alleys outside Wei Yang Palace. The happy sound brought the promise of hope to everyday, promising blessings, health and happiness for the coming year.
Yun Ge looked up to see Liu Fu Ling slowly ascending the Tian Ming platform at the great hall, first praying to the heavens, then the earth, and finally the people, accompanied by the song sung by the imperial astronomer for favourable climatic, geographical and human conditions.
All officials knelt as one. It wasn’t Yun Ge’s first time attending an imperial banquet, but it was her first time experiencing such a grand Han rite. Mo Cha pulled her down, only then did Yun Ge react, hurriedly kneeling with the rest, but it was too late, and everyone noticed her. Meeting various gazes, Yun Ge’s eyes clashed with a very familiar pair of eyes, her gaze like a sharp needle, sending cold s.h.i.+vers down her spine. Across the headdresses, clothes and perfume of n.o.blewomen and other wealthy daughters, Huo Cheng Jun and Yun Ge locked eyes.
Did I ruin her happiness or did she ruin mine? Yun Ge couldn’t answer her own question. Neither smiled, only staring at each other for a moment before averting their gaze, but s.h.i.+fting it to the same direction, unconsciously landing on the same person.
Meng Jue’s t.i.tle was outside the first hundred official positions, so his position was unique. In addition, with his striking features, there was no need to search for him; one only had to scan the crowd with a glance to find him. Despite billowing sleeves and wide robe of a Han court official and his high headdress, he didn’t lose his elegance under all that solemnity, making him seem free and unrestrained. There were many maidens in attendance who have long heard of Meng Jue but have yet to see him; at this time, many people were sneaking glances at him. Even Mo Cha, kneeling beside Yun Ge, was mesmerized, thinking to herself, so this is the man who is not afraid of the Huos, a steely interior must reside under his warm and tender façade.
It was time for the kowtow to end, as Meng Jue got up, he snuck a glance sideways. He seemed to have known where Yun Ge stood beforehand, his unwavering gaze landing straight on her. Yun Ge didn’t have time to react, as their eyes met, she felt pain welling up in a certain part of her heart again.
I’ve tried so hard to forget, why do I still hurt so?
Her mind a blank, she didn’t notice that everyone had stood, and she was the only one still kneeling in a daze. Mo Cha, in a moment of carelessness, had already stood. It wasn’t right for her to bend to pull her up, so in a moment of anxiety, she didn’t think too much about it, and stuck her leg out to kick Yun Ge from under her skirts. This woke Yun Ge up from her reverie and she stood up hastily.
The black whirlpools in Meng Jue’s eyes parted, and he actually seemed happy.
The long, endless rites were about to end and the banquet about to start. After one more round of kowtowing, everyone was seated according to their rank and status.
Mo Cha didn’t dare to let down her guard this time; she kept her eye on Yun Ge, throwing out reminders for every action. As she remembered how she dared to kick Yun Ge, she felt faint; but there was this magic about Yun Ge – everyone she interact with would forget their status and just be very comfortable around her.
The male and female guests were separated, and each seated accordingly with the help of the eunuchs and palace maids.
Yun Ge, still feeling the effects of the events that had just transpired, was feeling listless. She was just about to turn back to rest when she spotted Liu Bing Yi trailing behind; the last of the hundred officials, then all her previous excitement came flooding back. Liu Bing Yi smiled, nodding his head in acknowledgement from a distance, and Yun Ge returned his smile sweetly. She whispered to Mo Cha “If officials come, does it mean their wives would too?”