Chapter 6

His Majesty’s procession entered Chengxi Palace.

I hastily arranged the Noble Consort’s hair in a falling-horse coiffure.

A long jade hairpin inlaid with mother-of-pearl had never been taken out of her jewelry case. I carefully inserted it into her hair.

Looking back at the mirror, I saw dark clouds of hair and a flowerlike face. The long, swaying ornament gave her a touch of girlish charm.

The Emperor entered with his brow tightly furrowed.

Until he saw the smiling Noble Consort.

Her youthful manner and appearance softened his expression.

“Wanmei, I almost thought I was seeing you at eighteen again.”

Of course.

He and the Noble Consort had once shared the sweet innocence of childhood playmates.

Sadly, years of love and resentment had left them facing each other without the old affection.

Now her coiffure had taken them back.

I watched him smile and take her hand while she blushed shyly.

We servants slipped out without a sound.

The bright moon shone through the dark night.

It was the fifteenth, the night of the full moon and reunion.

Custom required the Emperor to visit the Empress.

Yet his procession had stopped at Chengxi Palace.

Matron Zhang slowly breathed out. “Yuan’er, you did very well today.”

Even her harsh face showed weariness now.

“Keep helping Her Ladyship like this.”

I nodded obediently and headed for our room.

Of course I would! The Noble Consort was my boss now, and the source of my food and clothing.

Like a dragon forced into deep water, or a tiger stranded on the plains,

even the proudest person had to keep her head down inside this palace.

Helping her meant helping myself!

After a night of imperial favor,

the Noble Consort emerged the next morning with a rosy glow.

She waved her lovely hand. “Everyone in the palace receives half a month’s pay today.”

The eunuchs and maids were jubilant.

When a mistress was favored, her servants benefited too.

Yesterday’s promised cherry pork was served to everyone.

Eating it, I nearly cried.

I wasn’t a devoted carnivore, but after a day and a half without meat, I missed it terribly!

After the meal, Jinzhi reluctantly came to find me.

“Her Ladyship wants you.”

Behind her, Matron Zhang shot her a warning look.

Then she quietly told me to “work hard” and spare our mistress worry.

Well fed and cheerful, I readily agreed.

Zhou Dafu led me toward the main hall.

Looking at the flower tucked into his hat, I couldn’t help asking,

“Eunuch Zhou, do you have a brother called Zhou Liufu?”

“…”

Belatedly, I realized I’d said the wrong thing.

“Forgive me if I’ve offended you…”

“How did you know?”

He was no longer young, but our mistress disliked ugly people, so naturally he had refined features. He often wore a little flower in his hat.

Now he gave me a smile that never reached his eyes. “There are six brothers in my family. The youngest happens to be called Liufu.”

“Oh, so you’re the eldest?”

I wanted to slap myself immediately.

Stupid mouth. Why couldn’t it say anything right?

Zhou Dafu looked equally speechless.

Without answering, he led me into the hall.

The Noble Consort was arranging flowers. Tall and short narcissi set off her red-painted nails beautifully.

Her mood was excellent too.

As soon as she saw me, she told me to rise.

“Yuan’er, what other ways do you know to attract romance? Tell me at once!”

Disaster. She actually believed in my accidental mystical method.

But how could I admit the truth?

A great philosopher once said there was only one truth in the world: materialism.

If my love-attracting methods didn’t work every time, she’d soon be disappointed and cut my head off.

Nihilism was no good!

Only methods within my own control were reliable.

I sidled closer ingratiatingly. “Your Ladyship, Confucius did not discuss strange powers or spirits. Attracting romance is secondary. Your peach-blossom beauty is what truly drew His Majesty here.”

“Your beauty could overthrow a city, but your usual clothes were rather restrained. That gave the others an opening. If you dressed beautifully every day, why worry about His Majesty staying away?”

My shameless flattery brought a radiant smile.

“You slippery little thing!”

Holding her silken black hair, I nodded seriously. “Today I’ll give Your Ladyship a moon-gazing coiffure!”

Fortunately, I’d once styled models in traditional Chinese dress and made a special study of hairstyles from different dynasties.

Giving her a different look each day was easy.

Soon the coiffure was finished.

She wanted her usual gemstone ornaments again.

I spoke up. “You wear that set so often. Why not let the other ladies see some different jewelry?”

She considered that sensible and gave reserved approval.

I found silk velvet flowers in her case and carefully put them on.

She was still unused to the look. “So plain?”

I nodded solemnly. “Simplicity sets off your beauty, like a fresh lotus after rain.”

She was satisfied.

She finished preparing and marched off in high spirits once more.

Today was a visit to the Empress Dowager.

Leaning against the doorframe, I watched her leave with Zhou Dafu longingly.

At such moments, I felt like a little pet, unable to go out or wander, waiting for its “owner” to return from hunting.

Your Ladyship, please have a successful hunt today!

Your poor child didn’t want another dry, miserable meal!