Moma Liangshan

Chapter 120, Floor 23: The Late Emperor's Concubines

All ninety-two well-known tailors in Tokyo received woolen fabric gifted by Wang Hao and submitted their works three days before the fabric exhibition. Li Rongshang, to cooperate with Wang Hao, had already ordered Fanlou to close down. All the submitted works from various parts of Tokyo were displayed in the hall and corridors. Wang Hao and Li Shishi walked side-by-side, with Li Rongshang and Han Shu following closely behind, while Zhang Ju and Ma Cao stood on either side, inspecting the results of the past few days. Wang Hao asked, "How many garments did the tailors in Tokyo submit in total?" Zhang Ju replied, "One hundred and forty-two garments were submitted, of which seventy-six were kept at Fanlou by Miss Shishi." Wang Hao was slightly surprised and said, "Why did you return nearly half of the garments, sister?" Li Shishi looked speechless and said, "Brother, are you holding this exhibition to welcome all kinds of people, the more the merrier?" Wang Hao smiled and said, "Exactly!" Li Shishi shook her head helplessly and said, "Brother, don't forget, we are holding this exhibition within the Imperial Palace. The people we invite are all wealthy and powerful, but most of the tailors in Tokyo serve ordinary people. If we display the clothes worn by ordinary people in front of high-ranking officials, wouldn't we just be ridiculed?" Wang Hao suddenly realized and quickly said, "Thank you, sister, for controlling things at every level, otherwise it would really ruin the whole thing!" Seeing Wang Hao's sincere attitude, Li Shishi's anger dissipated and she said, "Brother, you've been traveling all year, so it's understandable that you don't know much about a woman's appearance and attire!"

After walking another ten steps, Li Shishi said, "These are the top three I selected from seventy-six ready-made garments, and I also ordered the tailors to work overnight to add other colors." Wang Hao was surprised and said, "Sister, you are so thoughtful!" Turning around the corridor, Wang Hao went up to the third floor and saw dozens of ready-made garments neatly arranged. Seeing Wang Hao's surprised expression, Li Shishi said, "These clothes were designed and sewn by the sisters of the 23rd floor of Tokyo. Are you satisfied, little brother?" Looking at the colorful clothes, Wang Hao thought to himself, "The clothes sewn by tailors are dignified and elegant, with exquisite workmanship, but when dozens of them are placed together, they give a stiff and wooden feeling. The clothes designed by courtesans are completely unrestrained by feudal ethics. Some are novel and lively, some are delicate and charming, and some are bold and unrestrained." After a moment, he said, "The clothes on the second floor are like the officialdom, silent and dull; the clothes on the third floor are like the marketplace, a hundred flowers blooming, vying for beauty." Li Rongshang said cautiously, "Young master's exhibition is held in the palace, and the participants are all princesses and noblewomen. Being too trendy may cause controversy!" Li Shishi did not speak, but waited quietly for Wang Hao's response. Wang Hao didn't care at all and said, "When the mighty Han Dynasty first drove out the Xiongnu and then conquered the Western Regions, did it ever force women to bind their waists and feet and stay at home? During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, with its tens of thousands of miles of rivers and mountains and hundreds of countries paying tribute, we could still see Hu women pressing wine and young girls breaking willow branches! Life should be like this, why put yourself in shackles?"

Li Rongshang looked worried and said, "Young Master, you should know that the opinions of the world can be incredibly powerful!" Wang Hao smiled and said, "Truth is only held by a minority!" Li Shishi smiled but remained silent. Li Rongshang hesitated, then sighed softly. Seeing this, Wang Hao explained, "It's not that I'm acting on my own whim, but this exhibition is unprecedented in the Song Dynasty. How can we be hesitant and lose our splendor?" Li Rongshang's expression softened slightly, and he said, "Even in calm times, scholars keep a close eye on the palace. Now, Young Master, you've spent lavishly, not only using the royal gardens but also having the Empress herself preside over it. Such a spectacle is unprecedented. Millions of eyes across the land are watching you! With such attention, you could achieve great success or suffer utter defeat!" Wang Hao said, "There are no perfect solutions. Do your best and leave the rest to fate!" Wang Hao's spirit unconsciously influenced everyone. Li Shishi looked at Li Rongshang. He said, “When I was nine, my family was destroyed, and I was left to wander the streets. I was kidnapped by human traffickers and sent to Fanlou. You only spent five strings of cash there. Later, you bought twenty-two more girls like me. We, the twenty-three sisters, lived and ate together for five years. During those five years, you not only provided us with fine clothes and delicacies, but also invited many famous teachers to teach us music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and various musical instruments. When we were fourteen, the sisters were sent to twenty-three brothels. You, Li Rongshang, almost single-handedly controlled the entire brothel industry in Tokyo. Back then, you would have gone all out if you had even a sliver of a chance of winning. Now, only five years have passed, and wine and women have not only emptied your body but also eroded your will.”

Li Rongshang shook his head and said, "Back then, I was all alone, with no ties, so I could act recklessly. Now, with both a son and a daughter, enjoying the bliss of family life, I naturally have more concerns and less courage. But since I've decided to follow you, I will know my place and consider the bigger picture!" Wang Hao finally understood the grudge between Li Shishi and Li Rongshang, and said, "Master Li is mature and steady. His words were just to prevent us from being greedy and rash, and from losing our sense of proportion. Please don't be angry, sister!" Li Shishi's anger subsided, and she said, "There are still a few garments ahead, brother, please move along!" Wang Hao smiled and said, "Please lead the way, sister!"

The next day, all the clothes were sent to the palace for Empress Zheng to inspect first. Inside a grand hall in Genyue, Empress Zheng and Consort Wang stared in disbelief at the rows and rows of fashionable garments. Over a hundred styles were too many to look at in a short time, and Wang Hao, as a foreign official, should not linger in the palace. Empress Zheng said, "Xianmeng has made so many fashionable clothes for our daughters; Consort Wang and I will certainly satisfy you with the rest." Wang Hao understood Empress Zheng's implication and said, "This humble subject will take his leave!" Empress Zheng replied, "Very well!"

After Wang Hao left, Empress Zheng said, "Invite the Empress Dowager, all the imperial concubines, and all the noble concubines and consorts to come. Let's have some fun in the palace."

Life in the palace was monotonous, day after day, year after year, with little novelty or joy. Especially for the late emperor's concubines, the solitary lamp and ancient Buddha seemed to be their only companions. Women, regardless of dynasty, age, or ethnicity, are inherently prone to ambiguity. Empress Zheng's arrangements were almost universally praised; an hour later, the vast hall was packed with people; only Consort Qiao and Consort Wei were still late.

Consort Qiao and Consort Wei's palaces weren't very close, yet they arrived together. Genyue Garden was beautiful, but having been in the palace for over twenty years, they had visited it countless times. This time, invited by Empress Zheng, they arrived leisurely, as if on a scenic excursion. Consort Qiao and Consort Wei walked side-by-side, with palace maids and eunuchs following about ten paces behind. Consort Qiao said, "Could Wang Hao be her illegitimate son? Otherwise, why would a mere country bumpkin occupy the royal gardens and run errands for him?" Consort Wei glanced around and cautiously replied, "She entered the palace with you and me, and was later betrothed to the Emperor by Empress Shenzong. She has never left the palace since. How could she have an illegitimate son living among the common people?" Consort Qiao retorted angrily, "Sister, you know I was just saying this out of anger, why do you still insist on mocking me?" Consort Wei, knowing Consort Qiao's narrow-mindedness, quickly said, "Sister, you've lost your composure. I apologize to you!"

Consort Qiao, who had never considered Consort Wei a rival, did not pursue the matter further, saying, "Her grand gesture of inviting the Empress Dowager, Imperial Concubines, and Princesses to the fabric exhibition in advance will surely bring her immense prestige!" Consort Wei, with far greater foresight, said, "Wang Hao is known for his unconventional and unpredictable actions, coupled with his abundant wealth. A few beautiful garments are naturally within his grasp. The Empress, as the mother of the nation, naturally needs to bestow favors from time to time. Rather than saying that Wang Hao is promoting fabrics among the powerful through the Empress's hands, it's more accurate to say that the Empress is using Wang Hao's name to win people's hearts." Consort Qiao, her face showing jealousy, said, "We originally thought that the Empress's private lending of Genyue to Wang Hao was already a violation of etiquette. We only needed to wait until the deed was done, and then everyone could say..." "Officials will use their influence, and even if they can't be forced into a corner, there will be a lot of gossip. Unexpectedly, Empress Zheng was one step ahead, winning over the hearts of the people within the palace first. In this way, everyone participated, and in the end, it was a case of everyone contributing to the success, and everyone praising her!" Consort Wei nodded in agreement, saying, "Sister and I are already late; we should hurry!" Consort Qiao scoffed, "We have our own legs; it's none of her business when we arrive!" Consort Wei said, "She is the Empress no matter what, and besides, the Emperor has shown her constant favor over the years. Sister, you mustn't violate the rules!" Consort Qiao sneered, "What use is favor to a woman who can't even bear a son?"

Emperor Zhezong died young without a son, so the throne passed to his younger brother, Prince Rui, Zhao Ji, who adopted the title Emperor Huizong. The Empress Dowager and Consorts invited to the banquet by Empress Zheng were all wives and concubines of Emperor Zhezong, and were slightly older than Empress Zheng and Consort Wang, among others. Empress Dowager Meng picked up a dark blue woolen overcoat and said, "This overcoat is just right for my age. I wonder if my sister would be willing to part with it?" Empress Zheng grasped Empress Dowager Meng's hands and said, "These hundreds of clothes don't belong to me, but to Lord Wang of Jiaozhou!" Empress Dowager Meng looked disappointed and hesitated before asking again, "How much does Lord Wang ask for?" Empress Zheng leaned closer to Empress Dowager Meng and said, "Sister, if you like it, just take it back to the palace, but please don't make a fuss!" Empress Dowager Meng, who had been devoted to Buddhism for many years, had long lost the scheming and intrigue of her youth and asked, "Why?" Empress Zheng explained softly, "It's not scarcity that's worrisome, but inequality!" Empress Dowager Meng understood and said, "Sister, don't worry. No one has visited my palace for months!" However, just as everyone was carefully selecting their favorite clothes, Consort Qiao and Consort Wei entered the main hall.

Search "Shuqi Bar" to read books!