Chapter 2

That night, Wen Rong did not come to my room.

While Father still held office, Wen Rong had sworn never to take a concubine. He slept beside me every night, and we were a loving couple.

But the moment Father resigned, he brought home four or five concubines.

One of them, Lady He, had been a courtesan. She was also his favorite.

I learned only later that he had kept her hidden outside the estate for years.

Unable to sleep, I took my maid for a walk in the garden.

From a nearby courtyard came bright lamplight, laughter, and the music of strings and pipes.

I stopped, then followed the sound.

It led to Lady He’s courtyard.

The whole place blazed with light, servants standing all around with lanterns in their hands.

Wen Rong, dressed in an opera robe, was singing for amusement with Lady He beneath the courtyard’s scholar tree.

Her waist was so slender it seemed one hand could span it. Clad all in white, she knelt against Wen Rong’s knees and called to him in a tearful voice.

“My lord—”

Her voice wound around him, soft and lingering. Listening closely, I recognized the tale of Han Ping and his wife.

My maid bristled.

“The young master hasn’t visited your room in ages. That courtesan has kept him ensnared all this time.”

“She’s monopolizing him on purpose. How are you ever supposed to conceive? What if she bears him a son before you do—”

I gave a quiet laugh and said nothing.

She did not know that on the very day Wen Rong brought Lady He home and tried to force me to accept her as his concubine, I began slipping a colorless, tasteless drug into his food—one that would make him sterile.

Wen Rong would never father a child.

I had thought my mother-in-law, frail from years of vegetarian fasting, probably had only a few years left.

Wen Rong had long since ruined his health with his debauchery.

After a few years, I could adopt a child from a collateral branch and raise him as my own.

Once my mother-in-law and Wen Rong were gone, I would naturally rule the senior household.

I had not expected this so-called immortal flesh to appear out of nowhere.

If it truly granted eternal life as the rumors claimed, my misery would never end.

I was about to leave when Lady He finished singing. Draped over Wen Rong’s knees, she asked in a silken voice,

“My lord, I heard His Majesty bestowed immortal flesh upon the family. They say it can grant eternal life. Is that really true?”

Wen Rong lowered his gaze, stroking her cheek with pale fingers.

“Of course it is. His Majesty and the empress have both eaten it. How could it be false?”

“How wonderful.” Lady He tipped her face up. “If only I could remain by your side forever. But someone as lowly as me can only dream of such a thing.”

Wen Rong smiled, then lowered his voice.

“Don’t worry. His Majesty awarded us two more pieces. They’ll arrive soon.”

“I’ll ask Mother for one and give it to you. Then we can be a loving husband and wife for all eternity. Wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Lady He looked surprised. “How can there be two more pieces?”

“All thanks to my dear younger brother.” Wen Rong’s smile faded. His face vanished into shadow, and he seemed to sneer.

“He has made quite a name for himself and rendered distinguished service. When His Majesty asked what reward he wanted, he requested a piece of immortal flesh for every member of the family—even his sister-in-law. How very thoughtful of him.”

“And what about your younger brother himself?”

“Him? Immortal flesh is rare, and you have to eat a full half-jin for it to work. He’ll win plenty more battles. He can simply ask His Majesty for another piece later.”

“Then what about your wife?”

Wen Rong laughed.

“She doesn’t know my brother asked for a piece on her behalf. We simply won’t tell her.”

Lady He’s lips curved up, then drooped again. “You are so good to me, my lord. But if we both live forever while your wife alone grows old and dies, wouldn’t that be pitiful?”

Wen Rong said with disgust, “She’s as dull as a block of wood. If I had to spend eternity married to her, she’d be the death of me.”

“Better for her to go early. Once she dies, I’ll make you my principal wife. Then we can be true husband and wife, a devoted pair who never part…”

He lowered his head and buried his face in Lady He’s robes.

Wet sounds began to rise.

The trees cast looming shadows. The lantern light was deathly pale.

All around them, the maids bowed their heads and stood as still as statues.