When the conversation turned to the Golden Enclave Tielin waved his wife Jing over. "His Majesty here wishes to know more about the Golden Enclave" Tielin turned the conversation over to his wife.
"The Golden Enclave is technically my private little domain. It was built to be seperate from the Palace around 1800 years ago. At that point the Dragon-Emperor was said to have ten wives, twenty Concubines and countless children with just a few mistresses thrown in. Having them here at the Palace meant that he was unable to carry out his day to day duties so it was determined that a separate Palace should be built. The problem was each of these wives would need their own quarters, as would the Concubines, there would need to be schoolrooms for the children and all the other various things a royal would need. It meant that the idea of a Palace became redundant rather quickly and so instead a small town sprang up. Then concerned that the outside world would target his women the Dragon-Emperor threw up thick defensive walls around it and it became a place were access was strictly controlled and rules on etiquette and the like were determined by the Dragon-Empress. It became her territory within the Empire and her rules applied. I've already had problems with some nobles marrying their daughters off at a very young age and changed the rules there to take any noble girl who enters under the age of 16 as being a member of my household. Therefore they can not get married without my say so. The Enclave is like a small town, our servants live there, we have schools for the little ones, we have recreation facilities, even our own market. The entry of anyone from outside is strictly controlled and even my husband must have permission to enter in theory. Not that I would ever deny him such. As my husband takes more wives they will live in the Enclave and visit the Palace here regularly, as he takes Concubines he will visit them in their own apartments within the Enclave. The region I suspect is best described as the Queen's domain and the place where visitors of the State are best entertained......speaking of which we should be going."
The group made their way back to the foot of the hillside where the Palace sat and a fleet of vehicles were waiting for them. Thankfully it was a short drive to the Enclave, just a ten minute cruise down the valley and there the imposing site of the thick grey walls came into view. It was rather ironic that the place was called the Golden Enclave when to most casual observers it was a place of greyness however very few other than the nobles got to see inside the place. A huge red double door marked one of four gatehouses at the cardinal points that gave access to the Enclave and men in ceremonial guards armour stood either side with spears held upright, brightly coloured pendants streaming from the ends. Seeing the Dragon-Empress emerge from the vehicle they snapped to attention and the gate slowly swung open on huge hinges that squeaked slightly in the early evening quiet. Tielin stood next to Heydar, "It is custom that the women enter first, after all it is there home." He began explaining. "You'll notice the doorway has a raised entrance, its only an inch or so but its taken me by surprise a few times be careful of it." He warned the King after all the last thing he'd want to see is photos of a foreign dignitary falling on their face. "Also, and this is up to you when we enter it is customary to bring good luck for men to enter with their left foot and women with the right. Its simple to remember this rule." A slight grin spread across Tielin's face, "Just as in life women are always right" he had heard and told the joke countless times in his life but he still found it amusing. "Please follow my wife and your step-mother"
Ahead Jing had linked arms with the Whilom Queen and passed on the same information only omitting the silly joke that had brought her husband his amusement. She stepped into the Enclave her right foot crossing the threashold first as was custom for women and then waited for Katerina to join her. The Enclave inside was like stepping back into a semi-time warp. The buildings were all made of wood and white plaster. The wood painted a deep red colour. The streets themselves were cobblestoned and it was easy to see why cars did not enter. A kind of road ran around the perimeter inside the wall, this would have been wide enough for a car or even a lorry however once off this it was into streets barely wide enough for a horse and cart. Even the perimeter was grey cobblestone. They headed into one of the streets the Empress leading the way but flanked by armoured guardsman. People were out on the streets going about their business some socialising, some heading to the small stores that existed within selling everything from gorgeous silk robes to fresh fruit while others sat outside their homes in the small gardens three or four homes shared playing games like chess or Mahjong. Many were dressed in traditional attire however the younger folk seemed more attired for the 20th Century rather than the 16th. The street crowd parted to allow the Dragon-Empress and her group through and bowed deeply waiting for her to pass before resuming their business. After passing by eight or so houses the street opened up into a square where six of seven market stalls were set up. "Each day we allow trusted traders into the various squares through the enclave like this. They are permitted to sell to the nobility for the day. Some come once a week, some a few times a year. Its an honour to be invited in and two nobles must sponsor you're entrance, or of course I can have whoever I wish." She stopped at one stall where they were selling jade jewellrey. Jing looked down and spoke quickly to the stall holder who bowed and removed two ear-rings from off a cushion and popped them into a small leather bag before passing them to a guard of the Dragon-Empress. Without another word Jing lead them off again, "It is important we be seen to take an interest" she explained to Katerina before turning to the Guardsman, "Please have those delivered to my daughter" she said loud enough for those watching her to hear. Now as they left the square the street had narrowed again but not so much as before and trees lined the road. "In spring when the blossom is out this road is so pretty." she explained. Ahead of them about 100 meters away was a series of three terreaces which lead up to a single floor building. It was golden in colour its plaster painted to resemble the metal. It was from here that the Enclave took its name as this was the ancient central hub. "That is my own home away from my husband" Jing explained, "While it has only a single story unlike his Palace it does have several underground floors meaning I have ample space. I have my own ballroom, my own banquet hall and a throne room similar to the one in the Palace." By now they had reached the first of the steps and the guests would have noticed they were once more in a huge square with only two buildings inside of it, the Dragon-Empresses palace and a ground level sprawling building off to the right. "That there is the Concubines Quarter" Jing lead the way up the stairs. "It is the only place within the Enclave I am not permitted to go. It is said to have space for a huge number of girls to live. I have heard it is like a Palace and a Barracks combined."
"Perhaps an apt way of describing it." Tielin said to Heydar as they followed the women up the steps. "It is though probably a lot more comfortable than a barracks" he shrugged. By now they had reached the top terreace and the huge open archway of the Dragon-Empresses home gave a view inside. Hundreds of people sank to their knees and bowed their heads each of them dressed in old traditional garments. The only person to not bow in such a manner was a young woman dressed in a red robe and she simply bowed from the waist. "That is the Lady
Dandan." Tielin announced to Heydar, "I will be marrying her at the next full moon, as such she is treated almost as important as the Dragon-Empress, she will become Queen and recieve some title connected to our nations stories of the Dragons." Tielin bowed to her and motioned for her to follow the Dragon-Empress so that they now advanced as a group down a path cleared in the hallway much like there had been at the start of their tour at the Palace. Even the line of yellow tiles marking a "Royal Only" path through the entrance hall was there. They walked along it now, Jing and Katerina leading the way with Dandan two steps behind, meanwhile Heydar and Tielin brought up the rear. As they passed the kneeling subjects of the Dragon-Emperor they stood but remained bowing from the waist until the group had passed through a doorway and into the banquet hall. Ten long tables ran the length of the room connecting to a table running the width of the room that marked the high table. At the centre was a raised platform which had six seats upon it. "You shall sit here" Tielin motioned to Katerina to take a seat in the left central of the six seats and then waited for his wife to take the right hand one. Tielin could see a crowd gathering at the door to see inside as the guests for the banquet massed. "And Your Majesty here" Tielin motioned for Heydar to take the seat next to Jing while he himself sat to the left of Katerina. The two outermost seats were so far empty and Jing then spoke to Dandan.
"Lady Dandan of Hohot, future Queen of the Empire, please be seated." The young girl bowed to Jing having been invited to take the seat on the extreme left next to her future husband. The act of being invited by Jing showing the assembled crowd that the youngster was being accepted by the Dragon-Empress which was a good sign for the upcoming marriage. Once Dandan was seated a noise at the doorway attracted everyones attention as another figure stood there dressed in all blue. Infront of her knelt an older lady who waited for the sound to ease before speaking loudly.
"Your Imperial Majesty Dragon-Empress Jing" the kneeling woman began, "I am Shai, Keeper of the Concubine's Lodge" Jing knew this already but formalities had to be observed, "As instructed I have brought
Huian, Imperial Lady of the Emperors Chamber. May she approach the Majestic Dragon-Empress?" The girl standing behind the kneeling woman looked nervous, all the eyes of the waiting guests were on her and she was standing largely alone in the huge hall dwarfed by its huge red columns and long tables.
"She may approach" Jing announced and Shai stood and took Huian by the hand leading her to a point about twenty paces away from Jing's table before kneeling again. Huian meanwhile stood standing but with her eyes on the floor.
"If it pleases your Imperial Majesty" Huian spoke softly her words barely audiable to those at the door. Jing gave a small gesture to get her attention and placing her hand at her throat extended her fingers up towards her jaw and extended the fingers outwards hinting that Huian should speak more loudly. The girl nodded obediently. "If it please your Imperial Majesty" the words now carried to the doorway and the Dragon-Empress smiled approvingly. "I would be honoured to accept your kind invitation if you would allow me." She stood waiting for a response still nervous that despite this being a pantomime Jing would now say no. In truth Huian didn't really want to be here and was still finding this new role confusing and embarassing. She had once been a young noble girl destined for a good marriage and a wealthy family. Now she was essentially a glorified prostitute for the Dragon-Emperor destined to be a mother for his children at some point. Until now Tielin had only given those in the Golden Enclave the impression that they shared a bed instead spending those evenings sleeping in her suite's lounge on the sofa. She suspected though at some point he may demand she fulfil her duties for real but as of yet he had been kind to her, as had Jing and so she was more than willing to do her ceremonial duties such as tonight.
"Imperial Lady of the Emperors Chamber you are welcome to sit at my table." She gestured to the seat next to King Heydar on the extreme right of the high table. Huian walked and sat down after giving the Seleucid monarch a deep bow. Jing now took her own seat as Shai retreated from the hall her role done. Once she had left a band began playing some relaxing music as the various nobles entered the room. Huain sat silently while Jing addressed Heydar. "I hope that this is acceptable. Perhaps we should have asked. In some cultures they may see Huian as a mistress or even worse but in Lijiang she is doing an honourable duty. She will perhaps one day help us have a large Imperial Family. I know you have placed great weight on family in your own lands we do so here too." She hoped she was making sense. " Now for tonight you will I hope experience our cuisine for the first time. We shall then dance, enjoy music and celebrate our nations new friendships. How have you found my little mini Kingdom so far?" she asked the Seleucid monarch.
Over on the opposite side Tielin spoke first to a plainly timid Dandan, "You look pretty tonight" he reassured her before taking hold of her hand and resting them both on the arms of the chair between them thus showing the nobles now taking their seat that he was looking forward to his marriage. He then turned to Katerina. "Now I do hope you will forgive me." he addressed the Whilom Queen, "The title, Whilom Queen, I known it means literally Former Queen but it is a rather unique title, does it carry any specific duties or responsibilities or is it merely an honourary thing. How does the Whilom Queen of Royal Seleucid fill her time?"