Lament at Long Gate Palace

Six

Disclaimer: This is a translation of the Chinese novel 长门怨 by Qiao Xi/乔夕 and not my own work.

Translated by: Catharcity
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Not long after, with an impassive voice, you told me that you would be conferring Wei Zifu the title of your consort. You were firm and you were resolute. I was not given a chance to protest.

In that instant, the hatred and injustice which had accumulated with my heart exploded. I shouted at you. I said, what kind of person was she? She was merely an inferior woman, a vixen with a bag of tricks to enthrall you. I said, did you love her because she could spin a captivating dance? But so could I. Did you want to see?

Never had I seen your expression become so twisted. You said that you were disappointed with me. That with such a narrow heart, I was unfit to be the Empress. That no matter if I agreed or otherwise, your mind was set.

When you left, it was with a heart full of anger – an Emperor’s wrath.

I chased you, asking if you wanted to see me dance. Did you? Do you?

You did not even bother to respond.

But you did not realise that that was the first time I had lowered my pride to plead with you.

That night, I shut myself within the room and danced till dawn.

In the end, I finally understood why a dance was meant to be performed for another.

Because without another person to appreciate, even the most enthralling dance would also became a picture of loneliness.

Very soon, Wei Zifu became your new favourite within the palace. When that happened, you stopped coming to Changmen Palace. All the servants and slaves huddled together in groups as they laughed at the miserable end of the woman who lived within the golden palace.

It came as no surprise when the newest topic of discussion was when the woman named Wei Zifu would become the new Empress.