Chapter 5

Liu Yingying really did have a talent.

I had no idea what she did, but in just two nights she had Qi Lei so thoroughly charmed that he forgot all about his aching purse.

She didn’t even come to pay her respects to me.

I restrained my indignant maid and went to the newly furnished east wing myself.

The maid behind me carried a full set of official robes, complete with black gauze cap, jade belt, and court boots.

Liu Yingying was removing her hair ornaments before the mirror. She did not bother to rise when I arrived. “What brings you here at this hour, Madam?” she asked languidly.

After a pause, she gave a little laugh. “Our husband has had too much wine and decided to stay here. Are you upset because I’ve kept him to myself for three nights running?”

In fact, her people had intercepted a drunken Qi Lei at the inner gate and taken him to the east wing.

I ignored her smug display and told my maid to put the court robes on the table.

“I’ve brought our husband’s court clothes.”

Looking at her bewildered face, I spoke solemnly.

“From tomorrow, you’ll need to rise at the fourth watch every day to help him dress, wash, and eat, prepare his carriage, and see him off to morning court. That duty is yours from now on.”

“The fourth watch?” Her voice rose to a shriek. “I have to get up at the fourth watch?”

I nodded gravely. “Morning court is no trifling matter. If he’s late, he may get off with a reprimand, or he may be beaten. You’re his dearest love. He values you so highly that he paid a great price to bring you here and even made you an honored concubine. Naturally you should prepare him for court. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Liu Yingying opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She was an honored concubine. Of course she should attend to her husband.

I smiled warmly. “Thank you for your trouble, my dear. Oh, and when he wakes, remember to have his sobering soup ready. Also, the robe on the left has a loose seam at the cuff. Put a few stitches in it now. We can’t have him losing face at court.”

The next morning, Qi Lei had barely left for court before I sent word that she was to accompany me to pay our respects to his mother.

“Madam,” Liu Yingying said, biting her lip and barely suppressing her resentment, “I accept that I must prepare our husband for court. But morning and evening greetings, attending to his parents—those are the lawful wife’s duties. I’m only an honored concubine. I need only attend to our husband. I should not have to wait on his parents.”

My face hardened.

“Lady Liu, it chills my heart to hear you say that.”

She stared. “Why would you say so, Madam?”

“Do you know why our husband made you an honored concubine? Because you’re more sensible and virtuous than other women. The important word is ‘honored.’ How does one earn that honor? By easing the mistress’s burdens and fulfilling a son’s duties on her husband’s behalf. If you attend only to him, how are you different from a bedchamber maid?”

Her lips moved. Nothing came out.

I kept stoking the fire. “Besides, our parents-in-law are getting on in years and need someone to care for them. Now you’ve joined the household, this is your chance to show your filial devotion. If you win their favor, our husband will only respect and cherish you more. Where do you think rewards and standing come from? The elders’ approval.”

Her resolve began to waver.

“To be perfectly frank, you’re young and our husband loves you. If you win his parents over as well, who in this house wouldn’t think more highly of you?”

I looked down at her, cold as frost.

“You refuse? Then what qualifies you to be an honored concubine?”

She bit her lip. “But… Old Madam…”

“Old Madam is kindness itself.” I patted her hand. “Go along, speak sweetly, work diligently, and you can’t go wrong.”

Between my coaxing and my threats, Liu Yingying finally nodded.

By the time she was ready, dawn was only beginning to break.

Before she could even take a sip of water, I said, “Let’s go.”

“Now?”

“Naturally. As an honored concubine, you’re practically half a daughter-in-law to Old Madam. You certainly can’t be excused from the morning and evening greetings.”

Her face fell.