The Cining Palace Square Dance Troupe quickly became popular throughout the imperial harem.
Under the dual influence of square dancing and the handsome elder sisters, the imperial consorts showed great enthusiasm and formed a highly dedicated following.
Of course, one must not put the cart before the horse. Qu Dubian paid full attention to the physical condition of the elderly consorts, especially Consort Liang, and devised a plan for square dancing sessions every three or five days.
The rest of the time was for rest, with the grand consorts doing their routine exercises in Cining Palace themselves.
Square dancing opened up a new venue for communication and socialization for the imperial consorts and concubines, gradually becoming the activity they most looked forward to recently.
Many practiced extra in their own palaces, hoping to snatch the lead dancer position from Consort De, because the lead dancer received the most attention from the troupe members—
Most crucially, the lead dancer had three flowers to give to the troupe.
Heaven knows they only had one flower each time, making it really hard to decide who to give it to. If they gave it to this sister today, and didn't give it tomorrow, giving it to someone else instead, the one without a flower—just her wronged look alone made them feel terrible.
Alas.
The Seventh Prince is truly hard-hearted too. No matter how they took turns persuading him, he refused to give out one more flower.
With so many sisters, how could one flower ever be enough to share?
-
Zhiyi was writing a letter to Yuan Jie'er. Ever since the banquet at the First Prince's residence, the two had shown signs of becoming close friends.
With the connection of Consort Xuan between them, they were naturally somewhat closer.
She wrote furiously: "It'll be done soon, Xiao Qi. When you send it out, you must be careful. There are some dried flowers I'm sending inside too."
Qu Dubian was biting his pen, pondering several new problems Grand Tutor Fang had given him.
"Don't rush, Elder Sister. Take your time writing."
These problems were really tricky. They were all based on knowledge they had learned, but the questions were posed in a very peculiar way.
Zhiyi finished writing and sealed the letter.
"Xiao Qi, the Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, and Sixth Brother are all about to select their official study companions. Do you think I can still study with you all in the schoolroom?"
Qu Dubian: "Don't worry, Elder Sister. You can."
They had just discussed this matter when, at noon, Qu Dubian was summoned to the Zichen Hall.
"Consort Lan is selecting a study companion for Xiao Liu. I've picked a few good candidates. Your Fourth and Fifth Brothers will also need theirs. Your Fourth Brother is about to turn ten and will move to the Princes' Quarters. He'll definitely get to choose his companion first."
"You should also pick one first."
Emperor Chongzhao handed him the roster.
Qu Dubian didn't even look at it: "I don't want a study companion."
"Don't want?"
"Hmm," Qu Dubian said with feeling, "Father, I believe there is no better study companion in this world than Elder Sister."
Emperor Chongzhao: "?"
Qu Dubian counted on his fingers: "In the morning, Elder Sister wakes me up, occasionally even carries my book bag for me. When I'm sick, she brings me the homework the tutor left. She carries little snacks every day to feed me, helps me walk Da Hei, pushes the swing from behind..."
The Emperor's face grew darker the more he listened: "Zhiyi is your elder sister! How can you treat her like a palace maid?"
Qu Dubian: "This is Elder Sister's love for me. You wouldn't understand."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Can your elder sister live with you in the Princes' Quarters?"
Qu Dubian: "I still have four years until I'm ten." Moreover, with special permission, one could live in the inner palace until twelve. He felt he could obtain such permission.
Besides, selecting a study companion was another troublesome affair.
Following him out of the palace, following him in studies, following him to live in the Princes' Quarters—it was like having an extra surveillance device. If, after a long time together, they discovered something like Grand Tutor Fang did, where would he go to cry?
He had Ye Banban and Liu Liu. That was enough.
Furthermore, a study companion was essentially the first advisor in one's future princely establishment outside the palace, or a strategist grown up together from childhood, carrying the inherent nature of taking sides.
If it was about making friends, that was fine. If they got along, they could play together normally. But anything more than that, forget it.
"Quite the effort, using Zhiyi as a shield. Since you don't want to choose, I won't force you. We can talk about it when you do want to choose," Emperor Chongzhao suddenly remembered something, "Your elder sister has also reached the age where she should leave the schoolroom—"
Qu Dubian: "Ah, right, Elder Sister should also select a study companion."
He thought for a moment and said, "Sister Yuan from the Xie family is quite good. Elder Sister gets along very well with her."
Emperor Chongzhao: "The Xie family girl... No, what I meant was, since study companions are being selected, and your elder sister is growing up, it's no longer suitable for her to remain in the schoolroom."
Qu Dubian's eyes lit up: "Is it time to study 'Admonitions for Women'? Is it, is it? Perfect, after the older brothers' companions arrive, we can all study it together!"
"..." Emperor Chongzhao, "How have you not forgotten about that?!"
He took a few deep breaths, his mind involuntarily picturing what the officials would think of him, the emperor, if they knew the children they sent as study companions were learning 'Admonitions for Women' in the palace, practicing orchid-shaped finger gestures and waving handkerchiefs.
Emperor Chongzhao covered Qu Dubian's expectant face with his palm and said coldly, "Don't even think about it. She won't learn that. However, palace etiquette and princess diplomatic manners must be studied. It's already been delayed for three years; it cannot be delayed any further."
"But I still have tasks for Matron Su. How about changing Elder Sister's teacher?"
At this point, Emperor Chongzhao hadn't yet realized what Matron Su being busy implied. He just asked, "Do I need to recruit another female tutor?"
"No need. Do you remember Zhang Chansi, the Deputy Director of the Astrological Observatory, the one who teaches me mathematics?" Qu Dubian said, while maintaining a disappointed expression, "She is also very capable."
A woman who could outcompete all the men and women of her generation in her family and successfully become the successor of the Astrological Observatory would certainly have palace etiquette and rules as fundamental skills.
Teaching Zhiyi would be no problem for her.
"And you don't have to pay two salaries~"
Emperor Chongzhao thought for a moment, suddenly feeling something was amiss, and asked suspiciously, "Why are you being so enthusiastic?"
Qu Dubian squirmed: "That way, I won't have to have Ye Banban go to the Astrological Observatory every few days to fetch new problems for me. Elder Sister can just pick them up for me on her way, and even hand them in for me."
Emperor Chongzhao was both amused and exasperated: "Still having your elder sister run errands."
He waved his hand, "Let me think about it."
Qu Dubian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. That was close; he almost gave himself away. If his cheap father found out he was deliberately preventing Elder Sister from learning 'Admonitions for Women', her current carefree days would come to an end.
She would definitely be locked up by Matron Su to memorize texts.
Qu Dubian had dinner with Emperor Chongzhao.
The next day.
Emperor Chongzhao found a moment amidst his busy schedule and made the decision to find a study companion for Zhiyi. He first asked Consort Xuan if the Xie family girl would be willing to enter the palace as a companion.
There had been princesses with study companions in the past, so this wouldn't seem out of place for Zhiyi.
Consort Xuan sent someone to ask the Xie family and, after receiving Yuan Jie'er's definite reply, informed Emperor Chongzhao.
Emperor Chongzhao then decided not to move Zhiyi from the schoolroom. Instead, he issued an edict ordering Zhang Chansi, Deputy Director of the Astrological Observatory, to be responsible for teaching the princess palace etiquette.
The princess was to receive instruction at the Astrological Observatory every three days.
Upon learning she didn't have to leave the schoolroom and could keep Yuan Jie'er company, Zhiyi was overjoyed for a long time.
She said, "When Yuan Jie'er arrives, let her learn the Cining Palace square dance and spread it outside. We're always inside the palace and can't go out. There must be many people outside who need exercise, just like the grand consorts and the imperial consorts."
"If it could spread, it would surely be a good thing."
Qu Dubian nodded with a smile: "Hmm, a great idea."
If word got out, the square dance culture he brought from the future would probably be gradually swallowed up, assimilated, and transformed by this era into a form more palatable to the masses.
After another two busy days...
Emperor Chongzhao finally allowed himself a moment of relaxation.
He finally remembered the consorts in his rear palace who had been waiting for him so anxiously. Attendant Ding's massage and acupressure techniques were quite excellent.
However, he rarely visited the rear palace, and the few times he did, he went to Attendant Ding's quarters. This seemed rather unfair to the other consorts.
Emperor Chongzhao stood up, rubbed his stiff neck, and looked out at the beautiful sunset. His mood improved even further. "We shall take a stroll in the Imperial Garden. Let's see who We might encounter."
Eunuch Yu recalled his visit to Shunning Palace a few days prior and, passing by, had glimpsed the unusually bustling Cining Palace.
Watching His Majesty's eager expression, Eunuch Yu hesitated, wanting to say something but ultimately holding his tongue. He ordered the attendants to follow.
The imperial procession halted in the center of the Imperial Garden.
Brilliant flowers were in full, vibrant bloom.
Emperor Chongzhao walked a full circle without encountering a single consort.
He stood in the middle of the path, listening to the birdsong around him, lost in thought. "Is it because We seldom come here, so they no longer hold any expectation of meeting Us here?" But that didn't seem right either. The flowers in the Imperial Garden were so splendid; there should at least be a few who had overeaten and come out for an evening stroll to aid digestion.
How could there possibly be none at all?
Eunuch Yu: "Perhaps... perhaps they are all occupied..."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Occupied? What could they possibly be occupied with? Surely not, like Consort Xuan, busy farming and picking vegetables."
The more he thought about it, the more something felt amiss. It seemed like the Zichen Hall hadn't received any pastries or tonics sent by the consorts for a long time.
Emperor Chongzhao narrowed his eyes. "Yu Decai, is there something you haven't told Us?"
Eunuch Yu sneakily glanced up to gauge his expression.
"Speak."
Eunuch Yu offered an awkward smile. "It's likely, perhaps, that they are all at Cining Palace at the moment..."
"?" Emperor Chongzhao, "Have they all gone to pay their respects to the Dowager Consorts?"
He waved his hand. "Never mind. Prepare the sedan. We shall go and see for Ourselves."
-
A quarter of an hour later.
Emperor Chongzhao stood outside the gates of Cining Palace.
The rhythmic "thump-thump-thump" of music reached his ears from within. He remarked, "So this is that... what did Little Seventh Prince call it... square dance?"
He had heard about it but never had the interest to come see. Since it was beneficial for the Dowager Consorts, he had permitted the boy to mess around with the Music Bureau.
Emperor Chongzhao said to the two palace guards at the gate, "We are going in to have a look."
Eunuch Yu began to wipe sweat from his brow.
The guards bowed their heads. "As you command."
Emperor Chongzhao entered Cining Palace and turned a corner.
In the largest open courtyard in the front, a spacious stage had been erected. Musicians were positioned on either side of the stage, and below was a group of dancing consorts. Leading the dance were Consort De and two Dowager Consorts.
Dowager Consort Liang was below, happily moving along to the music, though her movements were always half a beat slow.
The music came to an abrupt end, and everyone began a short break.
The consorts picked up flowers placed nearby and, with shy and coy expressions, approached the musicians on either side. "Your playing today was much better than yesterday's..."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Ladyship."
Several Dowager Consorts sat together, smiling and beckoning to a few musicians dressed as guards—who somewhat resembled men but could clearly be seen as women.
Dowager Consort Liang, beaming, pinched the cheek of the female head musician. "Your little face is even more tender. So pleasing to look at, so comfortable."
Her elderly companions nearby also laughed. "Indeed, when one gets old, one enjoys looking at the young. They are much handsomer than the proper guards, right? The key is we can look as much as we please."
"Absolutely, absolutely."
Dowager Consort Liang: "Little Seventh Prince's idea is truly wonderful. Look at those few over there. When they first arrived, they were so reserved. But after everyone got familiar and played together, isn't this so much better!"
The Dowager Consorts followed her pointing finger. They saw the 'Shy Scholar' giving Consort De a shoulder massage, the 'Aloof Lutenist' placing a flower in Consort Wen's hair, and the 'Silent Knight-Errant' teaching Attendant Ding how to play the flute.
An entire courtyard of people, incredibly harmonious, bustling with activity, filled with unceasing laughter.
Emperor Chongzhao: "........."
A pale green leaf drifted down, brushed past his shoulder, and landed leisurely on the ground.
On the burial mound of the late Emperor, spring was also flourishing with vitality.
