Little Cardamom

During the Shangyuan Lantern Festival, the Emperor and Empress held a banquet in Yong Garden. Officially, it was a celebration for monarch and ministers to enjoy together — in truth, it was to select a consort for His Highness the Prince of Dingbei. At the banquet, the daughter of Marquis Cheng'en gracefully stepped forward and bowed, volunteering to perform "Waters and Clouds of Xiao and Xiang." When she finished, she coyly said, “I am unworthy and have made a fool of myself.” The man seated at the head, dressed in black brocade, coldly interrupted: “If you know it’s a disgrace, then don’t perform.” The entire hall fell silent. No one dared to speak up. From the furthest seat, the you...