KNEEL BEFORE ME

[ EMPRESS DOWAGER YANG OF CHINA ] ( 李陽太后 )

[empressyang]

@nihonoji​

“Leave us,” slipped quietly but imperiously from the Empress Dowager’s lips as her advisor walked into the pavilion tent. Her gaze drew along his figure, as though inspecting every inch for imperfection. Or perhaps her gaze merely liked to wander when it came to this particular subject, the world might never know. As the last of her eunuchs and virgins left the tent and it’s entrance was drawn shut, her gaze lifted back to meet the other’s. “What think you of these unfortunate events, dearest advisor? What ill-timing. My peonies have just grown into bloom. Do send our sincerest regards to the Russians, at least these flowers will be put to use, and...” she paused, her fingers clasping the arm of her makeshift throne a little more tightly. “Have you heard from our wretched neighbors? It is an insult to us that the King of Switzerland has tolerated — no, invited their presence here.”

[empressyang]

post count this week ( mar 15 - mar 21 ) : n. of replies ( 6 ) + n. of tasks ( 1 )

point gained: 5 points (in-character replies) + 1 bonus points (per five replies) + 3 points (task) = 9 points

point allocation:  + 9 influence

health total: 66/150

tracker page / tag

influence : 24

intelligence : 17

wealth : 10

luck : 10

physical : 5

[simulacrist]

with: @empressyang

there was, in the air, the smell of spring: dew-touched blades of grass coupled with the breezy scent of flowers, the fresh smell of newly-picked fruits, the aroma of ambrosian honey. if augustinus was ever a superstitious man—and god knows he isn’t, mostly as a result of all that old-school catechism, but still, if—then he could say that the changing of the seasons might herald a new chapter in the narrative that was their excursion here in this swiss idyll. yet being who he was, he cannot escape the dawning realisation that this, much as it claimed otherwise to be, is just like any other day in the tepid affair that was the affaires politiques. 

whatever the case, he has to make a mark, as is his due as the heir to that ever-imperial throne, that glittering reichskrone that crowned his father’s head. he pays his dues to the empress dowager with a note written in mellifluous words that ultimately mean nothing at all   (  save, of course, for what one wishes to read into it  )  and heralds his arrival with the bringing of freshly picked flowers.   ❛  您好皇后殿下,  ❜  he greets, though the smile that adorns his face is less polite and more playful, as if he is saying: isn’t this all just a bunch of worthless theatre ?  but the question, if indeed it was ever entertained in that head of his, is never voiced.  ❛  it is not gold and jewels, true,  ❜  he continues,  ❛  and for that you have to forgive me, but i do come bearing something that is perhaps more important.  ❜

he lets his eunuchs bring his flowers forward: they were, themselves, his message to her. there was alstroemeria for friendship, ranunculus for a playful touch of commenting on her beauty  (  a much more exciting choice than dahlias and whatever other flowers there are  )  , snapdragons for an exciting addition  that also means graciousness, and protea for an eye-catching message of change and transformation. 

❛  forgive my presumptuousness in insisting that we meet personally for this gift,  ❜  augustinus says, though he doesn’t sound that apologetic at all.  ❛  yet the changing of the seasons always herald a new dawn, no ?  ❜  a tilted head, a coy smile.  ❛  does the empress dowager wish me to translate ?  i’m unsure if this fair art has reached your land—or, even if it has, if we would put the same meaning to the multitudes of flowers.  ❜

[empressyang]

Yang sat upon her makeshift throne atop the dais inside her pavilion tent, her hands clasping each side of the chair, looking down at the silhouette of the Archduke as he dared to approach her silk curtains. The meeting had been set in advance, yet regardless it felt like an intrusion. What cared she for the pretenses of peace exchanged upon the two empires. The curtains drew apart and she faced the imperial heir, and without moving an inch from her seat, without returning a smile (nor a single drop of emotion) for the other, two eunuchs accepted the flowers, and knelt in front of Yang to display it before her. She looked upon the flowers for barely a moment, before her gaze returned to meet the other’s. “The seasons change without respect to the matters of men,” Yang said, finally. “Symbols have their importance in our culture. Flowers, fruits, creatures bear meanings when delivered to another. I find it more than likely that they should bear different meanings across vastly different lands. Speak to me clearly, Augustinus of Bavaria-Munich. What is your message, and from whom does it originate? By that, I mean to ask whether the message is yours, or whether you have come as an emissary for your father.”

[empressyang]

cyclusion‌:

bayezide is, for a moment, glad for the empress dowager’s anger. it almost incites a smile in him, before he realises what an utter misstep that would be in her presence under the light of such a tragedy.  ❛  i, too, am much aggrieved by the insult on our persons,  ❜  he says, for were they not royal and imperial ? did they not enjoy their respective mandates of heaven, and for that were not threats against them not only a political insult but also a moral one as well ?  ❛  if it is the king’s uncle that is at the root of this, then i must confess that such a judgement need implicate the king as well, if not by association due to action, then by sheer neglect alone.  ❜  these are probably words that the empress did not need to hear, but it gives him great delight in speaking them, in fanning toward the flames of warfare and conquest.  ❛  we cannot let such an insult slide.  ❜  the words, in and of themselves, were a promise, one that he sought to enjoin the empress with.

the board set up, the instructions made clear, bayezide nodded as her speech ended.  ❛  i must confess that my personality and demeanour would have me take up red,  ❜  he says, and though the words speak to a brand of humility, they are enlaced with braggadocio and a certain kind of confidence in his abilities. even with having never have played, he considers his prior experience in chess and other such war games to perhaps be experience enough.  ❛  do you not think it interesting,  ❜  he comments as he makes his own move,  ❛  how people, despite professing wishes for peace, always seek to mimic warfare ? this game being but an imitation of the battlefield, for example.  ❜  he takes an unorthodox approach, bringing the cannon out almost immediately, an aggressive approach which only sought to underline the force of his personality.

Bayezide’s inquiry drew a hum from the Empress Dowager. “Man becomes restless in peace.” The results of the game did not matter. It was the journey that interested her, and indeed her sole point of interest was how the would-be Sultan traversed through brimstone and fire to the ends which he sought. The game was long but fruitful, filled with near-wins that fuelled excitement. Yang herself played a game of subterfuge — she would let the other near his victory, think he was winning, and then she would strike for the kill. In the end, as their pieces dwindled to the very last, Yang claimed her victory. 

“I admit, I have the advantage of knowledge and experience,” said she, her hands moving together once more to rest beneath her sleeves. “But you fought valiantly and tirelessly. I commend your aptitude. You will play this game until you win. I will see to it. For now, I am satisfied. And, young one, it would benefit you and, ah, future games, if you learned the Chinese tongue. Have you any further concerns, before I dismiss you?”

[empressyang]

[ BASIC INFORMATION ]

FULL NAME 

Li Zhiyi (neé Qian Zhiyi)

MEANING 

name

ZHIYI

—zhi

From Chinese 志 (zhì) meaning "will, purpose, ambition" or 智 (zhì) meaning "wisdom, intellect", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

— yi

From Chinese 宜 (yí) meaning "suitable, proper", 毅 (yì) meaning "resolute, decisive, firm", 义 (yì) meaning "justice, righteousness", 益 (yì) meaning "profit, benefit", 怡 (yí) meaning "joy, harmony" or 仪 (yí) meaning "ceremony, rites"  

surname

LI

From Chinese 理 (lǐ) meaning "reason, logic", 立 (lì) meaning "stand, establish", 黎 (lí) meaning "black, dawn", 力 (lì) meaning "power, capability, influence" (which is usually only masculine) or 丽 (lì) meaning "beautiful" (usually only feminine).

( QIAN

A common Chinese family name. The name literally means "money". )

MONIKERS / NICKNAMES

YANG (regnant name)

From Chinese 洋 (yáng) meaning "ocean" or 阳 (yáng) meaning "light, sun, male".

The White Viper / the Snake Empress

TITLE 

1. Lady Qian Zhiyi 2. Noble Lady Xiu (sixth rank consort)

— xiu

From Chinese 秀 (xiù) meaning "luxuriant, beautiful, elegant, outstanding"

3. Concubine Xiu (fifth rank consort) 4. Consort Xiu (fourth rank consort) 5. Noble Consort Xiu (third rank consort) 6. Imperial Noble Consort Xiu (second rank consort) 7. Empress Li, formally Empress Xiaoyanwei

— xiao

Xiao is a unisex Chinese name and has many meanings including 'dawn, morning', 'little' or 'respectful, reverent'. 

— yan

From Chinese 艳 (yàn) meaning "beautiful, gorgeous" (which is usually only feminine) or 岩 (yán) meaning "cliff, rocks"

— wei 

From Chinese 威 (wēi) meaning "power, pomp", 巍 (wēi) meaning "high, lofty, towering" or 伟 (wěi) meaning "great, robust, extraordinary"

8. Empress Dowager Yang (current title)

GENDER & PRONOUNS

cisfemale, she/her

ETHNICITY

Chinese.

DATE OF BIRTH & AGE

29 November, 1508.

51 years old.

ZODIAC SIGN

Sagittarius.

ORIENTATION

Bisexual Biromantic.

MARITAL STATUS

Widowed.

OCCUPATION

Empress Dowager.

CURRENT LOCATION

Sasso Corbaro Castle, Switzerland.

[ BACKGROUND ]

PLACE OF BIRTH 

Guiyang, China. 

RESIDENCES 

The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

RELIGIOUS VIEWS

Taoist, with an inclination for Confucian teachings.

EDUCATION

Apart from her education in dance, strict, exacting, and fully self-imposed, her only other education consisted in training to be a wife. As little as the education she received was, she mastered both to their furthest extent. It was only in her time as a concubine that she was able to access learned scholars and eunuchs and vast collections of scrolls. When she was not dancing, seizing the favor of the Emperor, or manipulating her way through the harem, she learned from the scholars and the eunuchs. She educated herself in the Seven Military Classics and other works in warcraft, and from her surroundings in the Forbidden City how to navigate the complex politics of the Empire, honing her political will until she had fully (by the force of her own hand and no one else’s) put herself in the place of master puppeteer. In many other aspects, she is uneducated. 

LANGUAGES SPOKEN

Mandarin Chinese and various dialects of Chinese, Mongolian, Sanskrit, Latin, Arabic, Portuguese — anything else, she has a eunuch translate for her.

ALLEGIANCES 

First and foremost, above everything else, her country. There is no doubt about Yang’s dedication to China, above all allegiances. (Except, of course, that to the power that she wields. She believes none could control the Empire as well as her; and so the fate of China rests with her.)

The Li Clan and the Ming Dynasty.

The Ottoman Coalition and its member countries. 

FAMILY

Xuanzhong Emperor (deceased) — husband.

Crown Prince Yu — son.

Princess of the First Rank Xuanji — daughter. 

[ APPEARANCE ]

FACECLAIM

Lucy Liu.

HAIR COLOUR / STYLE

Long, black hair that goes to her waist. When in public, held up in the traditional style with a bun, threaded with elaborate combs and gems.

EYE COLOUR / SHAPE 

Dark brown, almost black. 

HEIGHT

5′3″

BUILD 

Lean and petite, graceful — honed perfectly and sharply for dance. 

SPEECH STYLE

Yang speaks softly, almost in a whisper, yet imperious. It is incumbent on the room to quiet down and listen to every word that she has to say.

RECOGNIZABLE MARKINGS

None.

BEAUTY HABITS

Keeping up appearances is important for the Empress Dowager. For her entire life, she has complied in toto with the beauty standards of the Empire. Her feet bound, her body stripped from hair, meticulously maintained to be free from odor, even correcting any habits that may be seen as imperfect, such as snoring.

[ PERSONALITY ]

TROPES

Femme Fatale, The Grand Dame, Manipulative Bastard, the Evil Matriarch, My Beloved Smother, Regent for Life, The Man Behind the Man, President Evil, From Nobody to Nightmare, Rags to Royalty, The Vamp, Sleeping Their Way to the Top

INSPIRATIONS

Empress Dowager Cixi (historical), Yang Guifei (historical), Nüwa (Chinese mythology), Gaia (Greek mythology), Lady Macbeth (Shakespeare), Claire Underwood (House of Cards), Empress Chabi (Marco Polo), Petyr Bailish (ASOIAF), Olenna Tyrell (ASOIAF), The Evil Queen (Snow White)

MBTI

ISTJ.

ENNEAGRAM

Type 1 (the Reformer) with 1w9 wing.

ALIGNMENT

Lawful Evil

TEMPERAMENT

 Choleric.

HOGWARTS HOUSE

Slytherin.

POSITIVE TRAITS

conscientious, observant, perfectionistic, politically shrewd, elegant, patriotic

NEGATIVE TRAITS

manipulative, ingenuous, abusive, power hungry

HABITS

She clasps her hands together. Though hidden behind the elaborate sleeves of her garb, they squeeze together often, especially when matters grow pressing.

HOBBIES

Yang likes to play xiangqi. She also reads, although it is less a hobby than a necessity for her goals. She used to dance, though as she has risen through the ranks her public performances have gone down to none. She now dances alone to non-existent tunes, careful not to be seen.

USUAL DEMEANOR

Each and every movement is made with careful precision. Her words carefully measured, even the tilts of her head and the gestures of her hand. She appears imperious and stoic, ever exacting and ready to find fault. Once she speaks, her interlocutor finds that her voice is soft, but they carry behind them a force. 

[ HEALTH ]

PHYSICAL AILMENTS

None so far. 

NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION

Neurotypical. 

PHOBIAS

Yang is careful not to show weakness. Wanting to maintain an image of almost inhumanity, she would never falter and show fear of anything. However, when the rain comes and lightning rumbles through the storm, the Empress Dowager is unusually tense.

ALLERGIES

None that are poignant.

SLEEPING HABITS

She sticks to a strict schedule. She sleeps and wakes at the same time every night, save for emergencies and occasions that require the Empress Dowager to think late through the night. A light sleeper and a still sleeper, she makes no sound and is quick to jump at the slightest movement.

SOCIABILITY

Facially sociable, especially when she was a dancer and a concubine rising through the ranks. As the Empress Dowager, she ensures that she has the loyalty of her eunuchs and handmaidens, and remains in good standing with the aristocracy, pleasing them to keep control of the political machinery of the Empire. 

ADDICTIONS

Yang steers clear from vices. She doesn’t decline to indulge for ceremonial purposes, but never to excess. She likes to keep a clear head at all times. 

If addiction to power counts, then there’s that.

[holstcin]

Garden party | Dorothea & Yang

She had never liked public tragedies, and what was an execution but a tragedy? Dorothea did not want to see the face of the man who could have cost her so much; her entire family, if they had been at the wrong place in the wrong time. But, she counted her lucky stars that God was smiling upon Germany, as no one of the royal family was lost to them - there were a few scratches here and a few bruises there, but nothing serious, nothing deadly, and she had nearly fainted with relief at seeing her family, including the bastard side of the line; her brothers Matthias and Ferdinand.

Her chambers started to feel a little suffocating to her, but she did not want to venture outside to watch a man lose his life, even if he has cost countless people theirs. But, she could not stay cooped up inside or she would go mad with either boredom or restlessness. Gardens seemed like a safe place to go and she spied a lonely, secluded bench not far enough from the castle’s inner courtyard - and thus, she was outside, but not really outside. Carrying with herself a book on philosophy, Dottie sat on the bench and began to read, focusing on the page and not on the grisly affair going on in the town at the very moment.

However, Dot’s seclusion did not last for too long, and when footsteps echoed through the garden, the princess closed her book, curious to see who was approaching. There was a woman, surrounded by stoic looking men and Dorothea watched them working around something, while to woman stood in her proximity. It prompted the princess to softly call out; “Would you like to join me on the bench? There is enough room for the two of us, if you do not mind sharing.”

@empressyang​

[empressyang]

All the philosophies prescribed patience. Patience will win wars, Yang knew. But as the eunuchs conferred and she stood without word, Yang’s patience grew thin. A voice, unknown and soft, called to her, and she shifted to look at its speaker. A face barely known, and so she called first to one of her eunuchs: “Sanbao,” she said, her voice a mere whisper, but at its approach each and every of her subjects paused to hear what she had to say. The eunuch called for approached her, and the others watched. “Who speaks to me?” she asked, and in their tongue the eunuch replied with a name, a country, and pertinent facts. “I see,” Yang said. “Do continue with your discussion. Allow me to converse with the daughter of Germany.” 

And so she turned her attention to Dorothea, and spoke in a tongue perhaps more familiar to her. “Your offer is well-received,” the Empress Dowager said, as she sat upon the place beside the younger woman. “It is good to meet you, Dorothea. Do send your father my regards. If you do not mind my imposition, what is it that you are reading?”

[duchessfriederike]

@empressyang​

Despite the fact that she was built for rebellion, despite the fact that she had wanted to buck against the match, and despite the fact marriage was the last thing Friedi had ever wished for, since meeting her betrothed, she hadn’t needed to pretend to play the part of an excited bride to be. She was every inch that woman. It wasn’t just that he was handsome, though that was certainly a nice addition to the Sehzade’s list of qualities, but he had exuberated a steadfast strength that drew her to him. The words spoken between the two of them had danced around an ambition she had never before dared to possess, but now she couldn’t help but ponder on it. A future that once was filled with nothing but dread now sparked hope, and she ached to prove herself a deserving wife, worthy of all that he had claimed he could give her. 

It was in the engagement that Friedi realised how little she knew of cultures that were not her own. The courts of Germany, Russia, and even the Catholic states were second nature to her, but what lay to the east was shrouded in mystery. She could do little else but absorb all the knowledge she could, to try to learn the languages that felt alien on her tongue and read and remember what she could from lessons she had scorned as a child. 

Book under arm, she searched for somewhere secluded where she could study. She grew tired of her own chambers, but Sasso Corbaro offered little respite. She noted the drawing room she had shared food with  the duke of Barcelona. It had been empty then, and perhaps would be again now. However, upon entering, she found that wasn’t the case, though she tired of endlessly trudging the halls. “My apologies,” she offered. “Do you mind if I join you by the fire? I promise to be quiet as a mouse, if you are busy.” 

[empressyang]

The Empress Dowager was rarely alone, and this night was no such exception. However, her crowd was reduced to a few handmaidens, who whispered stories to each other while Yang contemplated, her gaze far into the crackling fire. Her long hair was down, dressed more humbly than her elegant, intricate clothing in the daytime. She had required a walk; she could not think in her room. In the palace, she would have defaulted to the gardens, but Yang could but take what she could. Upon the interruption, her gaze was slow to move. She finished first her thoughts, neatly knotting threads to put away for later. When finally, she looked upon the disturbance, a small, yet imperious nod came from her in approval. “I do not require you to be quiet, unless it is your wish to be so,” she said. “Do introduce yourself to the Empress Dowager, young one. I wish to know, at the very least, to whom I speak.”

[empressyang]

heartpiercd‌:

x i n n i n g has ensured that her appearance is impeccable; there is nothing to critique about her silks or her coif, but she would be surprised if yang did not find something about her to raise her hackles. as the empress dowager dismisses her bow and bids her to sit, she addresses her by name— yet another disregard for her already lower station. whatever distaste xinning feels, she does not show it.

« princess seonhwa and prince youngbin mourn their uncle, » she says neutrally, « and they are even now overseeing his funeral. we can only pray for his soul now. » she accepts the teacup, but uses the pause yang’s question to put it to the side.

« until now, we have very much enjoyed this foreign land, as crude as it may be. » xinning sighs, delicately folding her hands in her lap. she knows she does not move with the dancer’s grace that yang possesses, but rather with the kind of elegance of a warlord parrying the first blows of a sword. « we will follow your lead, empress dowager. the more stubborn of the europeans may still foolishly suspect that great ming had a hand in the attack; it is more important to be united here. »

“A day in the mainland will be set out for his mourning. Do see to it that the young prince and princess are well-comforted.” It seemed to her that it was a task better delegated. She would deign to visit them for her personal condolences, of course, but a continued effort was better left to one more... motherly. “It is always wise to appear united,” Yang relented with a wave of her hand. The word, appears, was carefully curated. Unity was a façade, but it was integral to their purposes. “Very well. Continue to enjoy this land, and allow your children to do the same. We will remain steadfast until our ends are met — I did not travel for many arduous months in vain. But I ask you — to what ends do you aspire, Jing? I have heard whispers that you clamour for peace. Have I been misled?”

[empressyang]

jingxvan‌:

even jingxuan knew to always be vigilant in front of the imposing empress dowager. he kept his posture straight, his breathing even, and made sure to have his cuts and bruises sufficiently hidden before entering her company. in truth, the empress had been nothing but kind to jingxuan, if not slightly sharp, but simply knowing the bare minimum of her feud with his mother was enough for him to stay on edge. “my injuries were luckily taken care of very swiftly. i am glad to see you are also in good health, your majesty.” the exchanging of platitudes is comfortable for him, there was no danger looming around its corners, no hidden meanings or complexity. as usual, however, the empress is one to toss them away as soon as they’re uttered. “i doubt there could be anything here interesting enough to pull me from my studies, do not worry.” jingxuan would be lying if he said that such compliments were not refreshing, that he did not derive validation from them.  it was not commonplace for his focuses to be commended, or even respected among those in the court, so he relished the praise he could get. at her request, he picked up the instrument beside him, his fingers plucking at the strings to form a light melody, memorized years before then. he spared a quick glance upwards, “is there a reason in particular you asked to see me?”

Yang tilted her head as the music began. Though she did not smile, she appreciated the soft tones of music. It reminded her of her youth, of the songs to which she had danced and entranced thousands. “No, child. I simply wished to determine personally the wellbeing of the subjects of China. After all, it is by my edict that you have been sent here.” Yang was silent for the rest of his performance, unsmiling and ready to frown at any instance that might be perceived as an imperfection. She did not clap her hands, but her head tilted in an approving nod. “You have done well in your practice, though you may still strive for perfection. Be careful that your fingers do not grow lazy, I noticed certain notes slur.” Yang leaned back in her seat and took a sip of tea. “Tell me, young one, have you made many acquaintances? I have met a daughter of Germany who shares your inclination towards great thinkers. You might do well to make a friend out of her — Dorothea is her name, if I recall correctly.”

[empressyang]

mxcimillixn‌:

from the messages that had been exchanged between germany and china, maximillian was pleased to acquaint himself with a formidable woman. he knew that the woman who reigned as empress was no fool. in a harem of thousands, it had been her to wear the title alone. while there were princes and men situated upon royal seats, they were all controlled by the careful hand of the woman king. and thus the achievement itself was power. a power that maximillian greatly respected. 

and thus when the invitation had been extended for him to visit, he accepted immediately. there was much to discuss, from trade deals to diplomacy, max was anticipating much. he hoped that her correspondence from these past years remained true to her character. he refused to be disappointed. as soon as he had been welcomed to her court, he was intrigued - a part of him stifled the physical awe. he knew china had always been impressive in their wealth, culture and colors. but to witness the elaborateness of their lifestyle with his own eyes displayed glory in it’s truest form. 

he returned a similar gesture, he had met a worthy match. “yes, they have been a luxury that my people enjoy. I hope the resources of copper and iron have been sufficiently provided in return, as per our arrangement.” 

“Your metals play an integral part in the lives of my subjects, and indeed, mine,” the Empress Dowager said, lowering herself to pour tea for the other. “You are a most valuable partner and ally, dearest Maximilian.” She offered the cup to the other, and regarded him with piercing eyes. “I must congratulate you on the engagement between your daughter and the ambitious young Bayezide. A wise move.” Yang did not tend to dwell long on pleasantries; an aspect Maximilian may have noticed in their correspondence. “As you have strengthened the coalition and your ties with the Ottoman Empire, I raise to you the idea of doing the same with mine. The Tenth Prince is a most esteemed scholar, and I have met a daughter of yours who seems to have an inclination for the philosophical. Dorothea, was it? They may, indeed, be a good match.” Not that it mattered, its effect on those who would partake in the engagement, but it was worthy enough to mention. “I do not offer this as a formal proposition, I only invite you to dwell upon it.” Taking a sip of her tea, she then said: “A more urgent matter confronts us. Tell me, Maximilian, of your thoughts on peace. Are you here, truly, to entertain the idea of peace?”

[empressyang]

post count this week ( feb 23 - feb 29 ) : n. of replies ( 6 ) + n. of tasks ( 0 )

point gained: 6 points (in-character replies) + 1 bonus points (per five replies) + 0 points (task) = 7 points

point allocation:  + 2 intelligence, + 5 wealth

health total: 57/150

tracker page / tag

influence : 15

intelligence : 17

wealth : 10

luck : 10

physical : 5

[empressyang]

cyclusion‌:

the message surprises him, but it is a surprise he greatly welcomes. he has been wanting to converse with the chinese dowager empress for some time now, and perhaps this message is but a sign of goodwill from the hands of destiny, a signal that the time had now come for him to make some sort of mark and make moves of his own, beholden to nobody, authored by only himself. he nods to the eunuch and follows him to the empress.  as he enters her tent, a grandiose set-up that bears the symbols of her power, he bows deeply, letting out a greeting that he hopes would be pleasing: ❛  ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ‎.  ❜  although, of course, peace is last on his mind.  (  as is, he hopes, it would be in hers.  )  ❛  thank you for having me, your imperial majesty.  ❜  he looks to the board set up on the table and takes a seat across her.  ❛  i hope you will forgive me my rather lacklustre skill in this game, for i don’t believe i’ve ever quite had the opportunity to play this before.‎  ❜  of course, he’s not entirely blind to the possibility that the board game is just a front, and that it doesn’t matter what his skill level   (  or lack of it  )  is.  ❛  the journey must have been doubtlessly long,  ❜  he comments idly, watching as the eunuch set up the board between them.  ❛  i hope you have find yourself well-rested ?‎  ❜  here, he would ordinarily be the first to break ground on political overtures; but he is keen to keep in the dowager empress’ good graces, and he would not chance to lose it on being too hasty when he could take his time.

“وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ.” the words were fluent on her tongue; her gaze ever imperious, scrutinizing every gesture, every pause, every single fold in his clothing, before returning to meet her interlocutor’s gaze. “My travels were long and arduous.” Yang spoke truthfully and sharply; of what use were false pleasantries? “I arrived to the news of the death of my ambassador and many others. Including, if the news has reached me correctly, the death of your advisor. The King of Switzerland is foolish if it is his belief that such wanton negligence will be without repercussions. When it has cost, and may yet cost the lives and safety of my subjects and the subjects of my allies. It is not I, nor you, for whom peace must be prayed upon.” And yet she spoke these words softly, for Yang did not raise her voice — entire courts hushed to hear her speak. There was a pause as she sipped on her tea, before she gestured to the board in between them. “For now, we will play. It is much like your chess, of which I hear you are a formidable competitor." It pleased Yang so, though she did not voice this. It spoke of his ability in games that were much greater, to foresee disaster and act against it. He was better suited for the throne than his brother, as Yang was better suited for the throne than all others, and she had brought him here precisely because she wanted to see herself how he played the game. “Each piece moves upon a line. The river divides the two sides. This is the governor; he is your most important piece. His capture indicates your loss. His importance restricts him, and he may move only within his palace.” Her fingers traced over the nine lines that enclosed the governor. “Whatever power your other pieces may have, it is all in service of this piece.” Her finger moved toward the next piece, the dark piece embedded and lined with a golden character. “Your advisors, on either side. As well confined to the palace. These are your elephants, your horses, and your chariots. Your cannons. And finally, your soldiers. Each piece is integral to your success; this you already know.” Yang explained further the moved that each piece could make, and upon finishing, said finally: “Red plays first. I grace you the opportunity to choose, young Sehzade. Red or black?”

[empressyang]

@heartpiercd

Yang had no desire to see the Imperial Concubine, but duty did not always align with desire. It was only proper, that upon her arrival, she would call the younger woman to her audience. A sheer curtain hung from the ceiling of the pavilion tent, and stood a physical barrier between Yang and all others (except, of course, for her servants that tended to her). A barrier that remained even as Xinning arrived. She felt no need to show her face to the other. “Do sit, Xinning,” Not a request, as the facade of her words may allow such to be perceived, but an order. A servant poured tea for the Imperial Concubine. “It angers me viciously to hear about the death of our ambassador. I have sent notice and condolences to his family, though it will take months for them to receive it. The tragedy is reprehensible. Such wanton negligence cannot be tolerated, not when it has taken and may yet take lives of my subjects.” The thought came to her, of course, of the thought that the calamitous occasion had chanced upon the life of a different subject — and she would still be enraged, it would still be an act against her country, but... well. How much easier her life would be. (Easy. It had never been easy, not for her. She thrived in adversity, and the universe has never and still now does not give her the leeway to rust in complacency.) “How fare you and your children? Do you wish to continue your stay in this country?”

[empressyang]

@vitcrias

“The Infanta Vitória of Portugal,” the eunuch whispered in her ear, ever fastidious in his research. “Portugal?” Yang regarded the woman with interest, and after a few moments of thought, instructed her subject to call upon her. Portugal was not an ally, but their trading colony lay within their lands. Not for long, of course, not if Yang had her way. 

“Vitória, is it?” Yang said in almost perfect Portuguese. (They lived upon their lands and spoke their language, of course, it behooved Yang to learn the same.) “I extend my sincerest condolences for the death of your — “ She paused here, and the eunuch whispered in her ear. “ — cousin. Please forward my greetings to your father — I have yet to meet with him. It is my understanding that the rest of your family is relatively unharmed?” A fact which did not move Yang either way; their deaths were inconsequential to their hold over Macau. 

[empressyang]

@jingxvan

Yang’s gaze travelled across Jingxuan’s person, as though searching for any imperfections upon which to dwell. When she seemed satisfied, her gaze met his. “Jingxuan,” she said in greeting. “I am soothed to know that you are unharmed.” This was customary — Yang did not, in reality, care either way for the wellbeing of the Tenth Prince. Xinning’s children had that effect on her. “You have been here for some time. I hope you have not been lazy with your studies. China will suffer if it loses a most esteemed scholar.” Jingxuan accomplished himself as the least disappointing of the late Xuanzhong Emperor’s children, at least to Yang. Mostly because Yang expected nothing from him, and he had not disappointed her in that. “Will you play the lute for me, young one?”

[empressyang]

@mxcimillixn​

Yang did not approach others; others came to her at her behest. And behind her silk screen she ruled — but today she was not ruling, today she had sought an ally. After sending a eunuch to find and schedule a tête-à-tête with the King of Germany, whose reign she has supported from the beginning, who she had long known (even if only through letters and emissaries) and had long waited to meet. She sat quietly behind her silk screen, patient and deep in thought. When her esteemed guest finally arrived, she lifted her chin and waited through her introduction. “— ... of the Great Ming Empire.” On each side, courtiers slid the silken screen and revealed Her Imperial Majesty. She did not smile, but she offered the King a well-earned nod of respect, her head tilting just the slightest. “Leave us,” she instructed in Chinese to her subjects. Her gaze remained on the King as they flurried to leave the pavilion tent. “I am ardently pleased, Maximilian, that finally we have this opportunity to meet. Do sit.” She gestured to the tea set impeccably positioned in the table in between them. “The wares of the silk road travel long and far. Do tell me, has tea reached your land?”

[empressyang]

By a single step of the horse across the finish line, they had missed the death and destruction that had fallen upon Bellinzona. The Empress Dowager bristled at the thought of returning once more to China without a single victory for her ambitions. After all, as little as she cared for peace, there was much that could be accomplished with a meeting of allies. It was after the execution, where she sat within the pavilion tent in the Castle Grounds bearing her insignia and that of her country, that she saw a figure integral to her plans walk by. She whispered to her Eunuch, her favorite from the many tributes that the Ottoman Empire had gifted at the beginning of their alliance, indeed who had been crucial in her practice of the Arabic tongue. Sanbao, the Eunuch, gave her a nod in return, and made his way soon to the Ottoman across the Castle Grounds, bowing upon his presence.

“Greetings, Sehzade. Her Imperial Majesty invites you to a game of Xiangqi.”