It’s now T-minus 6 days until the sendoff party. So far I have used every scrap of my memory from being a maid and I tried to not to get caught checking the etiquette books by the staff.
I’m sure Tai noticed, because he reorganized them in my locked desk drawer. But he hasn’t brought it up, so I don’t think he cares.
After I found out the updated schedule, I threw all the staff into a flurry of work. Even though they have thrown parties many times before, this time is different. They are all conscious of the fact that this time I will not just personally check every detail but will know the names of whomever is responsible.
It’s been a major flex that I know their names already. It’s not important that Lin’s memories gave me a head start. All that matters is that they find it disconcerting.
None of their previous Lords and Ladies could keep even the department heads’ names straight and referred to them strictly by job title. But I’m more detail oriented. After all, the devil is in the details.
One of the first things I did is get a list of who will be serving the night of the dinner. Then I made them drill. We need to look like we belong in the Golden Bamboo Palace, and not Podunk Wolf Country.
We all went to the banquet hall where a circle of small tables rings small stage. This dinner is going to be different than anything I ever ate as Ellen and fancier than anything Lin ever worked at. Heaven knows the late Lord White Fang didn’t roll out the red carpet that often.
Then I made them practice entering and exiting for each course. Carefully measuring the placement of every plate and cup. Counting their steps. The goal is to show military efficiency in all aspects of Jun’s household to the VIPs attending, who Jun is trying to wring some last minute support out of.
I left the head butler to drill them the way only a psychopath can and promised to check in on their well being later. But it’s been two days. They can probably wait a bit longer.
First thing on today’s to do list is go and check on housekeeping. The seamstresses are stitching like demons. I’m careful to only disturb one of them to ask if they need anything.
She says in a small fearful voice, “We have everything we could need, milady. We promise to get everything done in time.”
The others nod in agreement. They personally measured Jun’s whole squad and me for new clothes. We need to match, so we look like a united front. And the outfits must be the equivalent of white tie formal.
Yesterday the tailor showed me the designs and I approved them because they seemed to fit all the requirements the book I read suggested. But they seem a bit crazy to me with their extra layers, weird sleeves and bonus embroidery.
Everything is in white, green and gold for both White Fang and the Golden Bamboo Palace. We had to hire a few extra girls to help with all the embroidered embellishments.
They thought I would want the honor of emblazoning a growling tiger for luck across the back of Jun’s robe. I had to fib my way out of explaining why I wouldn’t be working on any of it myself. Since I can barely sew on a button, I left it to the professionals.
So far the hardest part is the guest list. I tried and failed to keep it a small and intimate affair. Instead, I’m maxing out the capacity of the banquet hall. It’s a good thing all the fine china and silver found their way home, because there is no way to source enough locally.
All the local people important enough to invite do not care that the date as moved up. They are all attending, because they value their lives, and all requests of the White Fang Manor are viewed as compulsory until further notice. Not a single complaint has reached my ears.
When I asked Luan if he had any thoughts about attending the banquet with so many guests, he said, “Jun is the legitimate Lord White Fang, and these events go with the title. He certainly isn’t some barbarian conqueror. It’s just one night after all.”
Between those lines is something about also being legitimate for the Golden Bamboo Palace, but I don’t think I’m going to understand the fine print.
The most important people coming are all merchants Jun still wants supplies from. These three VIPs deigned to accept our invitations and plan to stay at the manor.
Tai has conveniently provided dossier on each of them and I’m trying my darndest to cater to these weirdos.
The head of the first merchant group came a week early for “reasons.” She hates the smell of burning wood because of some trauma involving burning buildings. Luckily it’s summer and there is no need to use the fireplace. I put her entire entourage furthest from the kitchen.
The next VIP scheduled to arrive is on some sort of super special diet, which involves eating nine times a day and has a list of will and won’t eat foods. So, her rooms are down the hall from the kitchen, because heaven forbid a single course arrive cold.
The head chef and I basically made a battle plan around her eating schedule and a corner of the kitchen has been dedicated just to her. I made it clear that failure is simply not an option should the head chef wish to continue living in her current position.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
And the last VIP appears disturbingly normal according to the dossiers; however, I won’t be caught unawares. I assign the nosiest butler to him and made it clear I expect regular reports once he arrives the day before the party.
After I go check that everything in the guest rooms is now ready for the last two VIP arrivals, I head over to the banquet hall.
I arrive to silence. The head housekeeper swore that the butler was still drilling today. So, I quietly open the door and peer inside.
There are two columns of butlers and maids processing around the tables in lock step. Not a foot fall is heard as they approach the tables. Not a plate is clattered nor a drop spilled.
Then they walk in unison to their assigned stations behind each little table and stand at parade rest. The head butler then goes to each table and measures the placement of the tableware down to the angle of the spoons.
After he has measured two tables, I enter the room and stand just inside the door. The third table takes longer to measure.
He stands up straight and shouts at the maid responsible for the placement, “Another demerit. This spoon is not only crooked, but far too close to the cup.”
Tears start streaming down her face. In a trembling voice, she says, “I am so sorry sir. Please, I won’t fail again. I – ”
He cuts her off and says, “Now come back up here and do it correctly this time. I doubt our lady came to watch you’re continued failure.”
She rushes up to the table and sets everything back on her tray. Then puts it back on the table. The butler measures again and this time she earns a nod. However, she keeps practicing the placement, as the butler goes on to the next table.
Three more are found lacking and are at least as traumatized as the first. Each is required to practice the placement at least ten times before the drill can continue. Once the faulty staff return to their stations, the butler rings a tiny gong. Then they all silently clear the tables and walk in unison back towards the kitchen.
After the room is clear, I approach the head butler. He gives me a deep bow.
I say, “Give me an update.”
“Yes milady, so far we have only three quarters of the serving staff up to your standards. But at the rate of improvement, we will make in time for the banquet.”
“I am aware that you also have other duties. Have you only been drilling for the past several days?”
“Thank you for your concern milady. I have made arrangements to have a few of the other senior butlers take over for me while I take care of milady’s priorities. With such a large event and so many guests, we were able to pull a few experts out of retirement to help.”
Basically, he shoved he duties onto his father and uncles so he can make the servers cry. But as long as everything gets done I’m beyond caring on the how.
I remind him, because I don’t have time to find out what a demerit means. “They still need to be in good condition come the banquet. No visible bruises, no scary post-crying eyes and no mysterious absences. Do I make myself clear?”
“I understand milady. They will be ready in time.”
“And I will need a few of them sooner as the last two VIPs arrive.”
“Don’t worry milady, I will make sure they are ready.”
I sigh. “Then I won’t hold you up any longer.” He gives me another bow as I leave.
My next stop is a meeting about the sendoff party for the troops. This one is significantly less important than the banquet. As long as there is sufficient, booze, beer, and scantily clad dancers it’s apparently going to be a hit.
Over lunch today, I am watching a dancing troops perform like an interview. I sit down in the rose courtyard. Food is put in front of me. Before I can start eating, Zhen sits right next to me and takes my plate.
A maid rushes off to get me more food. I say, “What brings you this way today? I thought Jun had you up to your eyeballs in work.”
With a mouth full of food, he says, “Oh he does, but if all goes to plan he won’t realize I steped out for a quick break until I’m back to where I’m supposed to be.”
“You wanted to see these dancers so badly?”
“Of course, they are all my soldiers have been talking about all week. And being their officer, it’s only right that I should get to watch them first.”
My food is placed in front of me, and I motion the dancers to start. The drummer and some sort of string instrumentalist start playing as the dancers walk in three women and two men.
There is no mystery why the troops are so excited. Between the five dancers, there is probably enough fabric to make one of my dresses.
They start to dance very erotically, and Zhen is so enraptured he stops shoveling food into his mouth. Instead, he’s staring slack jawed and food is falling out of it.
In a loud voice, I say, “I’ve seen enough.” The courtyard falls silent, and Zhen turns to me about to argue. I hold up my hand and say, “You’re hired. Zhen you can stay, and I watch if you choose. But I think I’ll be taking my lunch in my office today. Thank you for the demonstration.”
I don’t have time to watch the White Fang equivalent to a pole dancers with Zhen ever. My life will never be long enough.
The dancers look a little shell shocked, but the troop leader gives me a deep bow and the others follow after a quick moment. The maid scurries out and picks up my food to carry it to my office.
Once there I find finalized menus and pricing for the troops party as well as the banquet. I’m stretching the budget, but I’ll find a way to make it work. All the extras are adding up quickly.
I am about half way through my soup, when there is a knock on my door. I put my veil on and say, “Enter.”
In walks Jun. He motions me to stay seated and closes the door behind him. I stay quiet while he sits down across from me.
In my professional flight attendant voice, I say, “Hello Jun, how can I help you today?”
He chuckles. “Ellen, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to miss our tea later today. So, I thought I would stop by here while I has the chance.”
I bet Zhen wrecked his schedule. “I can call for some tea if you like.”
Before I can reach for the bell, he shakes his head no. “Unfortunately, there’s no time. But I want to let you know that you’re doing a great job prepping for my most important guests. Lady Wong appears to be almost too comfortable despite arriving over a week early.”
He has been spending a lot of time schmoozing with Lady Wong. Despite his icy demeanor, he appears to be very effective in keeping Lady Wong talking. I’m not sure if that means it’s going well or not.
“Let me know if you need me to change anything.” If he wants her less comfortable, I can easily make that happen. Happy is hard. Disturbed and sleepless is only one night away.
With a generous smile, he says, “There is one change to the schedule. I wanted to help by keeping all three of them busy for you before the banquet. So, I’m going to parade my troops through town all morning on the day of the banquet. It should keep them out of your hair for any last minute emergencies.”
Only six more days and now I have to redo the entire banquet day schedule. “Alrighty then. I will make sure to update my schedule.” I resist screaming.