Chapter 5

I had no means to resist yet. Without a word, I walked to the matron, lifted the contraceptive draught from her tray, and drained it.

Then I put down the bowl and tucked the letter into my sleeve.

My obedience softened Qin Yiyi’s expression a little. She rose and returned to her room. The servants scattered at once.

With the letter hidden in my sleeve, I went back to my own room. I looked all around, and once I was certain I was alone, I hurriedly pushed my fingers down my throat.

The medicine surged back up. I coughed and choked until I had brought up almost all of it, then collapsed on the bed, utterly spent.

I clenched the letter in my hand. I had to endure. A little longer. Only when I conceived an imperial child would I have the standing to fight Qin Yiyi, and something with which to protect Mother and myself.

Two hours later, the young eunuch arrived with an imperial decree. I had been granted the rank of Beauty and several attendants. But I was still to share Qin Yiyi’s courtyard.

She must have interfered. She was only a Lady, without the rank to preside over a palace residence. By rights, I ought to have moved out of her courtyard. This change was clearly intended to keep me under her eye: I would help retain the emperor’s favor while she watched me.

Inwardly, I sneered. We would see who found the arrangement harder to bear.

After that, I was sent to attend the emperor once every ten days. Each time I returned, Qin Yiyi sent the contraceptive draught. I drank it readily every time, and afterward forced it back up.

Two months later, I realized my period was more than ten days late. Secretly pleased, I said nothing. I pretended to feel unwell and called an imperial physician for a routine examination.

He felt my pulse and considered for a moment, then smiled. “Congratulations, Beauty Yao. You are with child. A month along already.”

At last, I could breathe. I stroked my belly. My leverage had arrived. Now it was my turn to strike back.

Within minutes, the entire inner palace knew I was carrying an imperial child. Qin Yiyi was right next door and naturally among the first to hear. Supporting her nearly four-month belly, she stormed into my room with a matron’s help and a retinue behind her.

“You slut!”

The instant she saw me, her eyes reddened and she lunged forward to attack.

The matron caught her hurriedly. “Don’t upset yourself, my lady. Think of the little prince you’re carrying.”

The words “little prince” restored a little of her composure. She gave the eunuchs beside her a cold order. “Beauty Yao has shown me disrespect. Give her ten strokes. Pay particular attention to her belly!”

Her face was full of venom. “I never realized you had such ambitions, you whore. Today I’ll teach you that even with an imperial child in your belly, you’re still a plaything I can do with as I please. Beat her!”

The matron tried to dissuade her. “My lady, we cannot answer for harming an imperial child.”

Qin Yiyi snorted. “It’s an imperial child once it’s born. While it’s in her belly, it’s only a lump of rotting flesh. Beat her. I’ll take responsibility. I’m carrying an imperial child myself. His Majesty won’t do anything to me, for my child’s sake.”

Encouraged by her words, several eunuchs stepped forward. Two of her trusted men had already produced heavy wooden clubs from behind their backs. They had clearly come prepared.

I watched them coldly, counting the moments. Unless something had gone wrong, the real spectacle was about to begin.