Volume 7, Chapter 22: A Head Maid’s Responsibility (1/2)

In preparation for the garden party in the next couple of days, Gyokuyou was finalising her choice of outfit with her maids in the room.

“Gyokuyou-sama, is it too plain after all?” Infa tilted her head as she matched the accessories to the outfit. The colour of the dress was the same hue she wore during her time as a consort, red, but slightly darker. “Isn’t it kind of dull?”

“It goes well with the colours of the banquet. More importantly, we’re thinking of finding a good balance with his majesty.” Honnyan, who had been combing Gyokuyou’s hair, answered.  As if she, too, found the shade too composed, the head maid set down the comb and headed for the dressing room. She added another kanzashi hairpin to the accessories in Infa’s hands.

Moderation was probably difficult.

If it were the time they were in the inner palace before, it would be natural to steal the march on the other consorts. So, with some common sense in mind, the maids had looked forward to how they can add some fun to it, but the circumstances were a little different this time.

“Honnyan-sama. Can we add that?” Infa looked at the kanzashi Honyan brought over disapprovingly

“Oh my, does it look strange?”

“I also think it’s okay, but hasn’t she worn it before? Back then, the empress dowager’s maid was scrutinising her outfit.”

“We can’t use this then.” Honnyan returned the kanzashi.

Fundamentally, outfits worn in large banquets are not used again in another large one. Extravagant outfits will be altered down to trifling stylish wear for tea parties and such.

As for small accessories, they can be used many times, but they cannot have people think that they only use the same things.

“But it’ll look too plain like this.”

“I agree.”

The two of them groaned.

Gyokuyou didn’t not understand their views. “Colours aside, I want something that leaves a flashy impression. Like a large gem or the like.”

Jade, they have in abundance, but it doesn’t complement her current outfit. Something more transparent and draws attention would work better.

“Like crystal.”

As well as.

“Like polished diamond from the West.”

“Searching for it at this point in time will be difficult. If we do have some, we’ll have to rush an artisan to make it though.”

Though she said that, she was going to take a look. Honnyan headed for the dressing room again. Although Gyokuyou is said to be more modest than other consorts, she is currently the empress nonetheless. She’ll have one or two crystals.

However–

“It’s a little boring like this.” Gyokuyou stuck out her tongue.

Amusements have decreased since leaving the inner palace. It was fun to pass the days with her children, and there were various worries from the position of the emperor and empress.

But Gyokuyou is a woman still not much older than twenty. She still retained her inquisitiveness from her younger days.

“If we must, something amusing would be good.” She grinned and got up from her seat.

And then she stealthily went off to get a certain thing. The two maids didn’t recognise what Gyokuyou went to get and where she went.

“Honnyan. Infa—”

“Yes, what is it?”

The two immediately came over. Gyokuyou showed them the rocks that had been wrapped up in cloth. There were three stones, highly transparent crystal; they could see through to the other side.

“…we had crystals like this?” Honnyan was bewildered.

On the other hand, Infa’s eyes widened and she compared Gyokuyou to the crystal. Gyokuyou winked, and as if she knew what Infa wanted to say, raised her index finger out of Honnyan’s notice and replied,

“I want it in this shape.”

Gyokuyou went to the table for a brush and drew a simple picture. It was a picture of a kanzashi in the shape that resembled a ground cherry, that resembled a lantern. Have it in the shape of a cage and have the crystal visible inside it. She added an explanation to the two people and passed the crystal and paper to Infa.

“Infa, go request it at once.”