守得云開見月明 (Shǒu dé yún kāi jiàn yuèmíng) —Watch till clouds part to see moonlight

“Dawa of the Taban tribe greets Your Majesty.” Dawa solemnly spoke from her place on the ground in front of the Emperor of Li, Zi Renshu.

She was in his receiving chambers in the Phoenix Palace but she had expected him to come in person and bring her back...how much she still had to learn.

When Minister Hao told her that the Emperor had arrived at The Court to collect her, she expected the Emperor himself to be standing at the gates, ready to receive her.

To her surprise, an elderly, hunched-over man greeted her.

That’s odd... I thought the Emperor was a young man not that much older than me. Was he such an old guy? Have I been deceived???

“Young Maiden Dawa.” The elderly man spoke, his voice soft and steady. “I am Head Eunuch Lu. The direct servant to His Majesty. I will be taking you to His Majesty as per his request.” He bowed, once he stopped speaking.

Dawa stood in front of the Emperor’s receiving entourage, confusion clearly on her face. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Where is the Emperor?”

Every single person in the entourage raised their head incredulously while Head Eunuch Lu managed to stammer out, “H-his Majesty doesn’t leave the palace unless it’s for official business.”

Dawa, “Oh, then you guys should be more honest and say ‘a representative of His Majesty will come and receive you.’ But it’s all good.” She waved her hand to dismiss the thought. “This one is ready to be taken to the Phoenix Palace to become a consort of His Majesty.” She bowed in affirmation.

Head Eunuch Lu was stunned into silence. He knew that foreign women had different ideas of courtesy but he didn’t think this woman from the far west in the Western Plains would be so direct, almost to the point of rudeness.

“O-of course, please enter the carriage and we will be on our way.”

Dawa was taken through the town centre and past the Restaurant Quarter to the Phoenix Palace. The grand palace that was burned to the ground in the Taihelong Insurrection was rebuilt to reflect the sensibilities of the current dynasty.

While the previous Taihelong dynasty prided themselves on their physical strength and raw power, the now Xiafeng dynasty was into the Arts. The court of the Xiafeng Emperors had a lot of scholars, poets, storytellers and musicians. The young dynasty clearly wanted to show the people that they were not the usurpers that critics painted them to be. Being in touch with one’s emotional side made one a peaceful person who is strong enough to maintain the balance of power among the other cultivation clans.

Dawa had never seen such aesthetic in one place. Gorgeous paintings and calligraphy lined the walls of the palace that had been prepared for her.

Besides the main Phoenix Palace, each consort and concubine had their own palace with their own servants Dawa’s household had servants from the Western Plains who had come with her.

After settling in her palace, a messenger from the Emperor summoned her to his receiving chamber. It was very late at night but the Emperor’s order was absolute. She stifled a yawn as she kowtowed to the Emperor, whose back was facing her.

“You may rise.” A low voice rang out.

Dawa raised her head and came face-to-face with the man who had control over her life in the palace.

The second Emperor of the Xiafeng dynasty was a young man in his early to mid-twenties. He was an exceptionally handsome man with a strong brow and a sharp gaze. He was wearing an informal robe that clung loosely around his body, almost like sleeping wear. He looked at Dawa with a curious expression.

Dawa felt exceptionally nervous. She had heard stories about this man and his infamous temper. Thoughts raced through her mind constantly as he continued to scrutinise her.

I must look hideous. It’s late at night and I’m trying my hardest not to let my eyes droop. Heavens, I am soooo tired but I mustn’t yawn. I mustn’t!!!

Zi Renshu’s voice broke her from her thoughts, “What are you thinking about?”

Startled, Dawa blurted out, “Huh??”

Zi Renshu frowned, “You’re quite the insolent one, aren’t you?”

“I-insol—”

“Not listening to me when I asked you a question, then replied in such a rude manner.” Zi Renshu frowned.

Dawa panicked.

Did I not hear his question?? But more importantly that “huh” was really not-called for. Stupid Dawa!! No wonder Aunt Bora said your mouth might get me into trouble. I don’t know when to keep it shut!! Ah, if this is how I begin my stay here, then I’m gonna meet my ancestors by the end of the year…

“Forget it.”

Huh?

Dawa stared wide-eyed at the Emperor.

“Your rank is ‘Concubine’. You will need a Li name for the court to call you by. You are to come by tomorrow to decide that. You may leave.”

Dawa didn’t move for she was still dazed.

“Did you not hear me? Leave.” Zi Renshu sharply spoke.

Dawa finally regained her senses and bowed before leaving the receiving chamber.

Back in her palace, Dawa lay on her bed limbs akimbo in her sleeping robe. She had sent all her servants to bed after they helped her undress.

The Emperor is…has a very sour face. Father, Mother, I hope I can keep my head in line and not get into trouble. The tribe depends on my mission to ensure a favourable position. I don’t know if I can do it. We are such a small tribe with no major connections, even to our fellow Huayi people of Yhur.

Dawa had a restless sleep that night, with her mind wandering all over the place.

The next day, as requested, Dawa had tea with the Emperor and discussed her new name for the Li court.

“You are of the ‘concubine’ rank, you will need a name for that, as well as a personal name.”

Dawa drank her tea slowly, clearly in deep thought.

“This one wishes to be called Concubine Li.”

Zi Renshu raised his eyebrows slightly though his gaze remained sharp. “Why name yourself after this country?”

“This one does not mean to name after this country. It is the name of the trees in the garden is it not?”

At Dawa’s last day at The Court, Minister Hao told her that the trees surrounding the building are plum trees*. Although she didn’t immediately think of adapting the word as her name, she found out she really liked these trees — they were everywhere and were beautiful. Back in the Western Plains, she didn’t see trees that were this pretty. She did see the occasional lovely flower but not trees.

Plum trees were now her new favourite tree.

Zi Renshu looked at the garden outside his receiving chambers. He seemed to ponder the thought and after a few seconds of silence, he nodded.

“Very well, you may be called Concubine Li. What about your new personal name?”

“An’ning*.” Dawa replied.

Zi Renshu’s eyes widened, losing its sharp gaze. Head Eunuch Lu was watching the pair nearby. He was stunned — he hadn’t seen His Majesty lose his intimidating stare in a long time, not since his older brother, Zi Huize passed away suddenly.

“Why that name?” Zi Renshu asked.

“This one is but a minority in this great country. Being steadfast when challenged and having a peace of mind is best for me. I hope Your Majesty finds the name pleasing.”

Dawa’s heart thundered in her chest. She did not expect this response from the Emperor. Given what occurred last night, she was definitely not the peaceful or quiet woman that her new personal name describes. It was no wonder he was surprised.

To her greater surprise, the Emperor replied, “Very well, you may also have that name.”

As such, in the 6th month of Emperor Ai* of Xiafeng, Dawa of the Taban tribe became An’ning, Concubine Li.