Upon coming to the court Yang Yuhuan had grown both arrogant and bolder than ever before. She loved the Emperor and became jealous of anyone he shared his affection with. He too had fallen victim to the same jealousy.
A sunny day in early spring, Yang Yuhuan slept late, woken only by the sound of orioles at her window. She was admiring herself in the bronze mirror before her when the Emperor entered her room, grinning at the sight of her.
“It’s such a beautiful day, why don’t we take a trip to the Qu River?”
“Yes!” she paused then, and added, “I haven’t seen my three sisters ever since I came to the court, could we invite them to come along?”
“That is very considerate of you,” laughed the Emperor. “I’ve heard that your sisters are all very beautiful but have yet to see them with my own eyes. Yes, let’s invite them.”
That day was the Shangsi Festival[1] . This is a day devoted to repelling misfortunes and praying for blessings. The banks of the Qu River were lined with green willows, colorful flowers, and shops filled with all kinds of goods. Laughter filled the streets and musicians were performing and poets chanting. People were dressed in elaborate clothing and swarmed the riverbanks.
Drums announced the Emperor’s arrival. Royal guards riding horses led the procession. The head carriage in red decorated with dragons and phoenixes carried the Emperor and Yan Yuhuan, followed by a sliver one with Lady Gui, the third one in pink held by Lady Qin and the fourth one painted yellow for Lady Han. Behind them were the carriages adorned in rich colors for Yang Guozhon and the other officials with their families. The
[1]The Festival, also known as the Spring Purification Festival, was an ancient tradition in China during which people would go for an outing by the water, during the third day of the third lunar calendar month, where they would enjoy themselves at a picnic, pluck orchids, and to rid themselves of any bad luck. It was also a day for invoking cleansing rituals to prevent disease.
people of the town flocked to the streets to catch a glimpse of the magnificent procession.
Once they arrived at the Spring-Gazing Palace by the Qu River, the sisters came to pay their respect to the Emperor and Yang Yuhuan. Upon looking at Lady Guo, the Emperor became fascinated by her pastel clothing, charming face and intense eyes. In secret he instructed Gao Lishi to take the Ladies Han and Qin to dinner in the side hall, so that Lady Guo could join him and Yang Yuhuan.
The Emperor’s decision caused Lady Guo to feel honored but her sisters not as happy. Yuhuan became both jealous and angry. The people of the court were talking all around her and she overheard a piece of gossip about a new concubine. She listened more closely only to discover that the Emperor had met with Lady Mei in private only a few days prior. Her jealousy got the better of her as she went right up to the Emperor. Yuhuan’s behavior greatly embarrassed the Emperor, causing him to lose his patience with her. In a fit of anger he demoted Yuhuan and sent her back to the Prime Minister’s Residence.
