LOTUS

CHAPTER XV: BITTER WOMAN

“The emperor has arrived!” a eunuch announced.

All the people present in the event bowed low and acknowledged their ruler. After taking his seat , with a wave of his hand his faithful subjects rose to their feet.

“Today, each household will present their eligible daughters to participate in the empire’s tradition of selecting it’s future empress. All invited noble ladies ,kindly walk to the center and take your places.”

One by one the ladies walked gracefully standing in line based on their status. Since the Shu family is the prime minister’s, naturally Shu Fei Ling stands infront of all other ladies. The noble men who were present were secretly wishing for her not to be selected at the thought of having the chance to ask for her hand. She is after all a woman who has it all. Status and beauty is the weapon only women can wield.

“As the future empress of the empire, all ladies must be educated in the way of the palace and must be proficient in the skills an empress should have. Tests will be held to assess and eliminate those who are not worthy of such honor and responsibility.”This was expected so no one was  shocked at the least.

“Your first test will commence now and only ten of you will be given a chance to step foot and live within the palace.”

This however shocked the crowd, whispers are slowly escalating.

“It will be decided by a game of Go” the eunuch blurted out.

The twenty noble ladies were shocked at the choice however no one dared to question.

Bei Wei smirked, she’s standing at the back since the Xue family is not of high status even among the noble.

“so they want to see if we are at least capable of making decisions, more like to know if we are not stupid.”

After the announcement has been made, a bunch of eunuchs appeared carrying the needed equipments.

“its not even held inside? They sure are stingy ”

Bei Wei’s thoughts were interrupted when the eunuch announced something again.

“The pairings will be decided by taking draws, please line up get your turn. Every stick has a number and you shall be against the one with the same number as yours.”

All the ladies walked towards the eunuchs holding the draw sticks and picked one to decide their opponents. When everyone was done, each number were called and the ladies who possessed it should walk in front to be assigned their table.

Eight pairs were already called and Bei Wei has yet to find out who will be the lady to play against her.

“10!”

Bei Wei looked at her stick and found the same number. She walked in front and came face to face with the same girl that caused a commotion the day of the banquet.

“oh?” Bei Wei mentally laughed at the turn of events.

The woman was looking at her menacingly like they are not about to play Go. She just stared at her with a blank expression which seems to rile her up even more.

“This way please young misses” a young servant lead them to a table.

Right after they sat down the bitter woman striked with her words.

“I sure hope miss Xue will atleast entertain me, in my household there’s no one as proficient as me when it comes to playing Go” with all arrogance the young miss of the Lu household bragged in broad daylight.

Bei Wei only smiled at the nonsense the woman is shamelessly spouting all for a fruitless effort to make her mad.

“How naive”

“Then please go easy on me” she replied, blatantly ignoring the taunting.

Young miss Lu gritted her teeth in anguish. She never wanted to crush someone before as much as she do right now.

“The young miss of the house of Xue wins” the presiding eunuch for Bei Wei and miss Lu announced.

“Oh perhaps young miss went too easy on me, I am grateful for your consideration, truly” Bei Wei nonchalantly said to miss Lu who was turning red from anger.

Standing up, Bei Wei did not wait for a reply and left the seething woman to wallow in defeat.

 Walking towards the area were ten seats are set up to let the winners sit , Bei Wei immediately caught sight of a familiar woman.

Reaching the seats she sat down and looked straight ahead.

“Oh hello miss Shu”

 But right after she sat down and the ceremonial drums sounded and a crucial thought came to her mind. She was so engrossed in playing that she forgot her main objective.

“I forgot I have to lose to go home, ”  she face palmed at the realization and sent a silent apology to her awaiting father.

“You will have to forgive me father ”