Empress Orchid - Anchee Min [29]
I tried to keep a cheerful face, but tears welled up in my eyes.
The manfoos begged to learn what was bothering me.
I said, “It’s hard for me to rise when my mother is on her knees.”
“Orchid, you must learn to get used to the etiquette,” Mother said. “You are Lady Yehonala now. Your mother is honored to consider herself your servant.”
“It’s time for Your Majesty’s bath,” one of the manfoos said.
“May I now rise, Lady Yehonala?” Mother asked.
“Rise! Please!” I cried, and jumped off the bed.
Slowly Mother rose. It was obvious that her knees were killing her.
The ladies of honor quickly moved to a side room and started to prepare my bath.
Mother led me to the tub. It was a giant bucket, which had been delivered by the head eunuch. Mother closed the curtain and dipped her hand into the water to feel the temperature.
The manfoos offered to undress me. I pushed them away and insisted that I undress myself.
Mother stopped me. “Remember, it will be considered an embarrassment to His Majesty if you do any labor yourself.”
“I’ll follow the rules once I am inside the palace.”
Mother wouldn’t listen, and the manfoos finally stripped me, then excused themselves and retreated quietly.
Mother applied the soap to my skin. She started to rub my shoul-ders and back and ran her fingers through my black hair. It was the longest bath I had ever had. By her touch it felt as if she were having me to herself for the last time.
I studied her face: her skin pale as a radish, her neatly combed hair, the wrinkles spreading around her eyes. I wanted to get out of the tub and embrace her. I wanted to say, “Mother, I am not leaving!” I wanted her to know that without her there would be no happiness.
But I uttered not one word. I was afraid of disappointing her. I knew that in her mind I represented my father’s dream and the honor of the entire Yehonala clan. The night before, the rules had been explained to me by the head eunuch. I would not be permitted to visit my mother after I entered the Forbidden City. Mother had to apply for and obtain permission to see me, but only in an emergency. The minister of the Imperial household had to verify whether the matter was urgent or serious enough before granting permission. The same rule applied if I wanted to leave the palace to visit my family.
The idea of not being able to see my family frightened me, and I began to cry.
“Chin up, Orchid.” Mother took a towel and began to dry me. “You should be embarrassed for weeping like this.”
I put my wet arms around her neck. “I hope that happiness shall enhance your health.”
“Yes, yes.” Mother smiled. “The tree of my longevity has shot up a foot since last night.”
Rong entered the room dressed in a pale green silk robe with golden butterflies on it. She got down on her knees and bowed to me. Her voice was filled with delight when she said, “I am proud to be an Imperial relative.”
Before I could speak with Rong, a eunuch outside announced, “Duke Kuei Hsiang is here to see Lady Yehonala.”
“Honored.” This time the words got out of my mouth smoothly.
My brother stumbled in. “Orchid—uh, Lady … Lady Yehonala, His uh … His Majesty Emperor Hsien Feng has …”
“On your knees first.” Mother corrected his manners.
Kuei Hsiang clumsily adjusted his pose. His left foot caught the corner of his robe and he fell.
Rong and I started to giggle.
Kuei Hsiang made sloppy bows. His hands were folded below his chest, which made him look like he was nursing a stomachache.
“About one candle-time ago,” Kuei Hsiang said after he settled himself, “His Majesty finished dressing and entered his dragon chair.”
“What does his chair look like?” Rong asked with excitement.
“It has nine dragons under straight-handled canopies of yellow satin. His Majesty went to the Palace of Benevolence to meet with the Grand Empress. By now he should have completed the ceremony