Jinxiu stood on the platform and looked out over the assembled guests. She had never met any of them in person, yet she could identify most of them at a glance — for they had all had their identification photos taken, and the household registry machine produced remarkably clear photographs.
Their seemingly casual distribution across the room, their unhurried exchanges of greetings, followed a discernible pattern. The women from each of the three courts clustered among their own, while the daughters of prominent noble families and great merchant houses occupied the middle ground between them, like a buffer zone.
This was hardly surprising. After all, everything these young women possessed derived from the status of their fathers, and so the political configurations of the world outside had naturally extended themselves into this room. That the daughters of the imperial court and those of the Ming Emperor's faction might find themselves in easy, cordial conversation — that would have been a wonder indeed. By the time the banquet ended, rumors would likely have spread that some great figure was on the verge of defection.
Still, now that they were here, the labels they wore would have to be gradually washed away. Most of these young women would, in all likelihood, spend the rest of their lives in Dragon City.
"I apologize, everyone — affairs kept me, and I'm afraid I've arrived rather late. Thank you all for your patience."
A chorus of polite protests rose at once: they had only just arrived themselves; Miss Jinxiu was not late at all; she was far too considerate.
"I've invited you all here today for two reasons. The first is simply for everyone to get acquainted — we may well be seeing a great deal of one another going forward."
"The second is to speak with you about the life that awaits you here. Many of you may be residing in Dragon City for quite some time, and I hope to show you what this place has to offer. Sitting at home day after day, after all, can become rather stifling."
"You have all been raised as ladies of good families, with no shortage of rules and proprieties to observe. Here, none of that is necessary."
"I would encourage you all to spend some time studying at our schools."
"If it interests you, you are welcome to try your hand at working — at the government bank, or elsewhere. Whatever you wish, you need only say so."
"Working as I do is not a bad life, in fact. My lord has always said that women are in no way inferior to men."
"He has told me: so long as a woman has worth of her own, she need not depend upon any man. She can decide for herself how she wishes to live — and then go and live exactly that way."
Many of the young women's eyes lit up.
"I realize that what I've said may strike some of you as dangerously unconventional. That doesn't trouble me in the least."
"What I want you all to understand is this: here, anything is possible."
"If you love the life you have always known, then keep it. But if you wish to try another kind of life, I am giving you that choice."
"Now — I am not one for lengthy speeches. All around you are delicacies from every corner of the country. This is a buffet; please help yourselves to whatever you like."
"I find I'm rather hungry myself, so I shall start eating. Let's all talk over the food."
Jinxiu set the example herself, selecting a few of her favorite pastries and eating a small, graceful bite. Then she moved to the next table and took something else.
Seeing their hostess eat freely, the other young women abandoned their reserve. And there was so much here — so many things they had never tasted before, all arranged with remarkable artistry. There were no servants watching, and everyone here was more or less of equal standing, so one could afford to be ever so slightly less concerned with appearances.
Only when she saw everyone helping themselves did Jinxiu pause. She lifted a glass of light fruit wine from a passing attendant's tray and took a small sip.
"You must be Cui Yingying — the eldest daughter of the Cui family?"
Cui Yingying looked up in delighted surprise to find Jinxiu addressing her in passing.
"Yes, Miss Jinxiu. I am Cui Yingying."
"I've seen your file. You appear to have quite a gift for mathematics?"
"Yes, Miss Jinxiu. While still at home, I arranged to have the Dragon City primary school textbooks brought to me, and I worked through them on my own."
Li Chengqian: ???
"Admirable. If you have any interest in working at the bank, just let me know."
"Miss Jinxiu — truly? That is truly possible? Then yes — yes, I would!"
"Very well. I'll send someone to call on you at your lodgings so we can discuss the details."
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Miss Jinxiu."
Jinxiu gave a small nod and moved on to the next person.
She had made her way around most of the room, exchanging words with a dozen or so guests, when she suddenly caught sight of something that gave her a start — a face absolutely covered in cream.
A girl of thirteen or fourteen stood holding a plate heaped with cake, her mouth smeared from ear to ear.
Jinxiu couldn't help laughing out loud. The nearby young women startled — whatever could have put Miss Jinxiu in such a mood?
They watched as Jinxiu approached the oblivious little creature and, remarkably, produced a tissue and wiped the girl's mouth.
"You little one — I think you and Jinwen and Jinyuan would get along wonderfully."
"Your family is in trade, if I recall correctly. Your name is Jin Shanshan, isn't it?"
Jin Shanshan, still entirely absorbed in her cake, looked up at Jinxiu with a blank expression. It took a moment for her cream-filled mind to clear, and then, catching sight of Jinxiu properly, she seized up with sudden self-consciousness and stammered, "I — I'm sorry, Sister Jinxiu. It was just so good, I couldn't help myself."
Jinxiu smiled again and finished wiping the girl's face clean. This one reminded her of those two little rascals back home. Rather endearing, actually.
"There's nothing to apologize for. A good appetite is a blessing — you're a lucky girl."
"Though, being a young lady and all, you do want to mind your appearance a little."
"Since you clearly enjoy your food, I'll have some sent over to you. But out in company — do be careful, won't you?"
Jinxiu patted the girl lightly on the head, smiled, and moved on.
Jin Shanshan stood there looking dazed, while the other young women watched her with barely concealed envy. Did Miss Jinxiu have a particular fondness for the simple-minded? Perhaps one ought to appear a little more...
This Jin Shanshan, it should be noted, was the same girl who had arrived in Dragon City with an entourage of over a hundred servants and attendants.
After the meal, Jinxiu invited her guests to enjoy the spa, take tea, play mahjong, and have their feet massaged. Each young woman was presented with a card and told that this establishment had been built for them — they were welcome to come whenever they pleased. No men would ever set foot here; they could enjoy themselves as freely as they wished.
He was in no hurry to arrange introductions between his brothers and these young women. He intended to observe them properly first. He couldn't very well do his brothers wrong. If he misjudged even one of them and let some scheming vixen through the door, the Zhao family compound would never know another moment's peace.