Chapter 2

It was still dark when I woke the next morning.

I had barely begun to sit up when he woke too. “So early? Why not sleep a little longer?”

“I’ll fetch water and help you dress,” I said softly.

Before I entered the chancellor’s household, Mother had specifically taught me that once I became the eldest young master’s personal concubine, I must serve him well and win his favor, so he would help secure my brother’s future.

I supposed it was the same here.

I started to get up, but he drew me back with one arm. “The palace servants will do that. Just lie down.”

So I lay down. This bed was so much softer than my old straw mat that I was reluctant to leave it anyway.

As the sky gradually brightened, he called the servants to help him bathe and dress. His black robe and great cloak matched his ink-black hair. Only his strikingly pale face stood out, and it was terribly handsome.

Seeing me stare, he curved his lips, came over, and touched my cheek. “Xiaocao, do you like it here?”

I nodded.

“Good. Then you’ll live here from now on.” His smile deepened. “No one else must know what you told me last night. Understand?”

After I said yes, he left. Surrounded by the lingering trace of his scent, I drifted back to sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, it was broad daylight. A girl came in and introduced herself as Juxia. She would look after me from now on.

She ordered several exquisite dishes and pastries brought in, saying the emperor had requested them.

I had never seen so many delicious things. Holding my chopsticks, I could hardly bear to start. Juxia smiled. “Don’t worry, Lady Sang. You’ll have these every day. Tell me what you’d like, and I’ll have it made.”

Reassured, I happily ate the entire table of food.

Afterward, someone came to announce an edict. The emperor had bestowed on me the name Fusang. From today onward, I was Lady Sang, residing in Xuanling Palace.

Juxia took me into the garden and pointed to a clump of beautiful red flowers. “Look, My Lady. Those are hibiscus flowers—fusang.”

I gazed at them, lost in thought, and did not notice someone approaching.

Juxia tugged gently at my sleeve. I came to myself as someone snapped, “How dare you! Why aren’t you bowing to Consort Tong?”

Before I had even seen what Consort Tong looked like, I dropped to my knees.

Glancing up, I saw the delicate embroidery on her rose-red hem and the gleaming pearls on her shoes.

How beautiful. They must be expensive.

“Hah.” Consort Tong laughed lightly. “The chancellor’s third daughter kneels so readily. No backbone at all. Did His Majesty spend last night with you?”

I nodded. The maid behind her snapped again. “Such poor manners! Answer when Her Highness speaks!”

“Never mind. She’s just entered the palace. Of course she knows no manners. I’ll have to trouble myself to teach her.”

Consort Tong said lazily, “Kneel here for two hours. Then you may return to your palace to eat.”

I looked at her, hesitating. She raised an eyebrow. “Ask if you have something to say.”

“I only have to kneel for two hours, and then I can eat?”

“Hm?”

She frowned, apparently not understanding.

I gestured as I explained further. “I don’t have to chop firewood while kneeling, or braid ten cords… or anything?”

Her beautiful face looked even more puzzled. After a moment, something seemed to occur to her. “You can braid decorative cords?”

“Yes.”

She cleared her throat twice and made a show of disdain. “A trivial skill. Very well, don’t kneel. Come with me. I shall teach you proper conduct.”

She took me to a splendid palace. A maid brought out a box and took from it two translucent jade cicadas.

“The cords on these have come loose. Make me two more, with lovers’ knots.”

I took the silk thread and asked as I worked, “Weren’t you going to teach me manners?”

She glared. “You’re only a lady of the palace. I’m a consort. You do work for me. Those are the rules!”

“…Oh.”

I obediently fell silent and soon finished both knots. Consort Tong examined them from every angle, fastened them at her waist in satisfaction, and had a maid bring me fine pastries.

“This isn’t to thank you. It’s a reward, and you must thank me for granting it.”

Watching me eat so intently, she looked disdainful again. “Since you like them, take some more home afterward.”

I left her bedchamber with a full stomach and more food to carry. Before I went, she asked, “Did you have to chop your own firewood in the chancellor’s household?”

“Yes.”

She scoffed. “The chancellor’s household is that poor, and Qi Yuxian still has the nerve to show off in front of me? Pah!”