"What is that music outside?" Qian Long asked

After a while, He Jia came back to report: "Your slave made enquiries and learned that all of the famous courtesans of Hangzhou will gather on the West Lake this evening to choose what they call the 'Top Candidate of the Boudoir', as well as second, third and fourth ranking candidates

"How dare they make fun of the Imperial Civil Service Examinations in such a way!" Qian Long said, amused"Ridiculous!"

Seeing the smile on the Emperor's face, he advanced a step and added in a low voice: "I heard that the Four Beauties of Qiantang River will be there

"And who are the Four Beauties of Qiantang River?"

"Your slave was talking to a local just now who said that they are the four most famous prostitutes of HangzhouEveryone out in the streets is trying to guess which one will be the Top Candidate of the Boudoir this year

"The Top Candidate in the Imperial Examination is chosen by meWho chooses this Top Candidate of the Boudoir? Don't tell me there is an Emperor of the Boudoir as http://www.enluxury.com/category_4_Dolce-Gabbana_1.html" target="_blank well?"

"I hear that each prostitute sits in a flower boat on which are displayed the gold and jewels presented by her customersThen the winner is chosen by some of Hangzhou's most eminent gentlemen

"When do they play this game?" Qian Long asked, fascinated

"It starts soon," He Jia replied"As soon as it gets a bit darker, the judging will beginIf Your Highness is interested, you could go and watch"I'm afraid people may laugh at me," he said"If the Empress should hear that I chose the Top Candidate manner which suggested there was still much he could tellWen had said there were two important pieces of evidence hidden somewhere and he wondered what the evidence could beHe was already almost certain he was a Chinese and not a Manchu, but what good could come of such knowledge leaking out?

He paced about the room, extremely angry that he, the Son of Heaven, should be out-witted by a band of brigandsIf they discovered his secret, would he be forced to submit to them for the rest of his life on pain of having the secret revealed? The more he http://www.enluxury.com/scategory_2_Chanel.html" target="_blank thought about it, the angrier he became, and he picked up a large porcelain flower vase and threw it violently to the floor

The guards and eunuchs waiting outside heard the crash clearly and trembled in their boots, not daring to enter

Qian Long passed most of the day in a state of mental confusionTowards evening, he heard the sound of gentle music drifting in from outsideThe music moved closer and closer, passed by the gates of the Yamen then gradually recededA moment later, another musical troupe passed byHe had always been very fond of music, and hearing it now, his mood suddenly changed

"Servants!" he shouted

A senior bodyguard named He Jia, who had recently come to favour, hurried inHearing the Emperor's call, the others had pushed him forward

"What is that music outside?" Qian Long asked

After a while, He Jia came back to report: "Your slave made enquiries and learned that all of the famous courtesans of Hangzhou will gather on the West Lake this evening to choose what they call the 'Top Candidate of the Boudoir', as http://www.culuxury.com/category_6_Fendi_1.html" target="_blank well as second, third and fourth ranking candidates

"How dare they make fun of the Imperial Civil Service Examinations in such a way!" Qian Long said, amused"Ridiculous!"

Seeing the smile on the Emperor's face, he advanced a step and added in a low voice: "I heard that the Four Beauties of Qiantang River will be there

"And who are the Four Beauties of Qiantang River?"

"Your slave was talking to a local just now who said that they are the four most famous prostitutes of HangzhouEveryone out in the streets is trying to guess which one will be the Top Candidate of the Boudoir this year

"The Top Candidate in the Imperial Examination is chosen by meWho chooses this Top Candidate of the Boudoir? Don't tell me there is an Emperor of the Boudoir as well?"

"I hear that each prostitute sits in a flower boat on which are displayed the gold and jewels presented by her customersThen the winner is chosen by some of Hangzhou's most eminent gentlemen

"When do they play this game?" Qian Long asked, fascinated

"It starts soon,"He Jia http://www.ooluxury.com" target="_blank replied"As soon as it gets a bit darker, the judging will beginIf Your Highness is interested, you could go and watch"I'm afraid people may laugh at me,"he said"If the Empress should hear that I chose the Top Candidate of the Boudoir, she may have something to say about itHa, ha!"

"If Your Highness dressed up as a member of the common people, no one would know," He Jia suggested

"All right, we'll go and have a quiet look and then come backBut tell everyone not to attract attention,"said Qian Long

He Jia quickly helped Qian Long change into a long silk gown and a closely-embroidered jacket, the attire of a member of the gentryThen they left for the West Lake together with Bai Zhen and several dozen bodyguards

Once at the lakeside, a bodyguard steered a boat up to meet themMusic and singing could be heard coming from different parts of the lake, while the multitude of lanterns provided a sumptuous sightThey watched as more than twenty flower boats glided lazily back and forth over the water, each boat draped with silk curtains and http://www.irluxury.com/scategory_2_Chanel.html" target="_blank lanterns