Xiang gui ren was getting on Shen huang gui fei's last nerve. What little joy she could've gotten from His Majesty's favorite whore kowtowing to her was stolen by Her Highness, displaying a trove of gifts that The Emperor had nothing to do with. The look in The Empress' said it all.

Look, my newest pawn has won so successfully. Can you believe that His Majesty forgot about you already? Doesn't it sting?

It did sting, but Shen huang gui fei didn't dare give her the satisfaction. She comforted herself with the fact that Xiang gui ren only managed a small win. All of The Empress' women had a few small wins, a few good years before Shen huang gui fei got rid of them. She assumed Xiang gui ren would be the same until His Majesty said something that made her heart grow cold.

While she dressed him one morning that he mention he would visit Xiang gui ren at the A Ge Suo after court. As sweetly as she could, Shen huang gui fei asked what Xiang gui ren was doing there. His Majesty then informed her of the disgusting news of Xiang gui ren supervising her maid as she taught her daughter and Second Princess. When Shen huang gui fei suggested that she supervise the lessons as well, The Emperor waved her away, stating that The Empress and De gui fei already had it handled.

It made Shen huang gui fei mad enough to spit.

Jiang gui ren didn't take the news any better and came crying to Zhongcuigong about the injustice of it all.

"How is she able to be in A Ge Suo and see First and Second Princess every day?," asked Jiang gui ren, "Jiejie, even The Empress is bending the rules for her now!"

"Must you harp on it?" Shen huang gui fei snapped. She turned to A'Fang, "Can't you fan faster?"

Jingse attempted to pat her mistress' sticky skin with a cool cloth but Shen huang gui fei snatched it away and did it herself. It was well into the seventh month* and the air in her palace was thick with heat, no matter how many boxes of ice were delivered. Her anger at The Empress and Xiang gui ren's favor made her run even hotter.

The palace rules stated that concubines had to request and be approved by The Empress to visit their children at the A Ge Suo. Special occasions needed no request but there were only a set amount of visiting days allowed for all, including The Empress. Not even a sick child could guarantee a visit. But somehow, because Xiang gui ren's maid had a bit of talent for painting, Xiang gui ren was able to spend more time with her daughter than she ever did. And The Empress was right behind her, claiming some nonsense about supervising the lessons.

"I can't even see my Huaguang," said Jiang gui ren, "Xu-niang said she hasn't been sleeping,"

"Don't worry so much about it. Children are like that at that age," said Shen huang gui fei.

Her words were terse and sharp, but Jiang gui ren paid no mind to it.

"I would never leave my Huaguang in that bitch's care. I've seen her maids flirt with His Majesty. Who knows what kind of nonsense that maid is teaching First Princess and Second Princess? It can't be anything good!"

Shen huang gui fei sighed and massaged her temple. Jiang gui ren had a particularly annoying voice.

"Someone like her," Jiang gui ren continued, "Probably only teaches her maid how far back on the bed to lay to get the best benefits from her master. She probably brought a bunch of nasty things from her old place of business. Disgusting!"

Shen huang gui fei paused. There was a nugget of gold in all the rubbish Jiang gui ren was spewing.

"Yes," Shen huang gui fei said with a smile, "It certainly wouldn't be anything tame. I think the horses where she's from were particularly well trained,"

Jiang gui ren shook her head in disgust.

"Imagine if The Empress Dowager found out what sort of nasty things her maid showed the princesses? Not even His Majesty could save her,"

Shen huang gui fei always considered Jiang gui ren to be a little slow when it came to things like this but she could pinpoint the exact moment an idea formed in that empty melon Jiang gui ren called a head.

She hoped Xiang gui ren savored her victory.

It would be her last.

✺

Jiayi guided Second princess' arm across the parchment, helping her complete the curve of a crane. Smooth lines were still a bit of a problem for her. Jiayi quickly went to First Princess' table to see her progress on her painting of a magnolia. She was having a bit of trouble with blending her colors.

All in all, Jiayi didn't mind spending her afternoons with the princesses. The Empress was alright. She stayed and chatted with Xiang gui ren for a few moments before visiting Third Prince and Seventh Prince who would be at the A Ge Suo for the midday meal. It was De gui fei who was a bit of a problem.

The noble consort was so...severe. She sat in a corner of the room watching the princesses paint, doing her best not to take her eyes off for a second. She also didn't hesitate to peer over Jiayi's shoulder at any given moment. The first time that Xiang gui ren brought Jiayi over to the princesses' rooms, De gui fei had given her a 20-minute speech on all of the things the girls were prohibited to draw. She then spent another 15 minutes reminding Jiayi of proper conduct between a servant and a master.

Xiang gui ren, however, found De gui fei interesting and was an expert at making the other woman let down her hair somewhat. Xiang gui ren was skilled at drawing De gui fei into light conversation. Jiayi was sure that De gui fei even laughed once! Besides the princesses, the only other person that could make De gui fei behave like something other than a statue was Prince Han.

Prince Han often joined Xiang gui ren in teasing De gui fei and wouldn't hesitate to steal a piece of parchment to write a poem lauding her beauty, intelligence, or expertise in helping The Empress raise him back in the Old Manor. The only time he didn't have a smile on his face was when his injuries flared up but those moments came less and less. Prince Han had been in the Forbidden City for nearly a month and a half now. His legion of fans lamented the day that His Majesty sent Prince Han back out of the palace.

Today, Prince Han was lounging in the courtyard, right outside First Princess' rooms. The doors were wide open so every time Jiayi lifted her head, she caught sight of him, flipping through a book or teasing his eunuch.

"This is a very handsome painting," said De gui fei, "The maid drew this?"

The painting that De gui fei praised so gently was one that Jiayi was quietly proud of. Xiang gui ren had wanted the painting to dazzle De gui fei so she gifted Jiayi a lacquered box of colored ink sticks and handcrafted brushes. Jiayi had never seen anything so beautiful and surprised herself by bursting into tears. She tried to hide it by kowtowing to Xiang gui ren but ended up being teased mercilessly for it.

To get the picture as perfect as possible, Xiang gui ren spent any time that wasn't in the A Ge Suo or with His Majesty, in Dafuge†, so Jiayi could study each and every portrait of Guanyin bodhisattva†† housed within. Jiayi drew and drew until her hands ached until the final painting was finished.

Guanyin bodhisattva stood in the middle of a calm lake, the strokes so vivid that De gui fei could hear the sound of the waves babbling. The white robes that flowed around Guanyin glowed. At her feet, thousands of lotuses bloomed. The rich dark hair that Jiayi had fussed over, glistened in the sun.

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"If you like it, you can keep it. I can have Jiayi draw more," said Xiang gui ren.

De gui fei shook her head, "I don't know. Something like this should be kept by Her Highness or His Majesty. The Empress Dowager even," she gently ran her fingers across the painting before shaking her again, "No, no. I can't take this. Deliver this to The Empress Dowager instead,"

Hupo, De gui fei's maid, nodded and left to drop it off.

Xiang gui ren sighed and said, "Aiya, the momos who taught me really weren't joking when they told me about you,"

"Told you about me?"

"You didn't know?" Asked Xiang gui ren, "All I heard back there was 'De gui fei would never' or 'This is how De gui fei behaves'. They were your number one fans!"

De gui fei's neck turned red, "Nonsense, how could they say that?"

"Xiang gui ren!" Prince Han called, "Are you bothering De gui fei?"

"Yes! Are you coming to save her?" Xiang gui ren.

Prince Han scoffed, "No! Let me come closer so I can join you!"

Xiang gui ren burst into laughter, while De gui fei shook her head.

"That boy," she said, "Always so cheeky!"

Sang'er tried his best to give Prince Han a hand, but the prince was stubborn. He no longer walked with a limp, but still fatigued easily. Prince Han stepped inside, clearing the high sill easily, only to stumble on the raised edge of the carpet. Before he could bash his head open on the edge of the table Second Princess was using, Jiayi grabbed him around the shoulders and set him upright.

"Uncle, are you alright?" Second princess said, pushing Jiayi out of the way.

"You're always running around!" First princess griped, a frown on her face.

De gui fei rushed over and led Prince Han to a chair chastising him all the while. From the courtyard, A'Fang turned and high-tailed it back to Zhongcuigong.

✺

As much as Jiayi loved painting, it became a tad tedious after doing it for hours at a time. After the princess' lessons, Xiang gui ren came back to Xianfugong to rest before lunch. Jiayi took the time to paint a few more portraits of Guanyin bodhisattva for De gui fei and the princesses. They certainly weren't as good as the original but they were worthy of being hung. Jiayi also picked a few flower paintings that she drew in the Imperial Garden to be delivered as well. Each bunch of paintings were put in a handsome silk box.

Before Jiayi could send Bolin or any of the other eunuchs to deliver them, Xiang gui ren woke from her nap, needing to be dressed. Soon after that, Gaung da ying, Fan da ying, and Zhang da ying arrived at Xiang gui ren's doors. They were three of Xiang gui ren's most persistent admirers. Fan da ying had the luck of serving The Emperor in bed thanks to her habit of inviting herself into Xiang gui ren's space whenever she pleased. The first thing she did after asking Xiang gui ren to play of few songs on her guzheng§, was thumb through the paintings Jiayi set out.

Jiayi knew that Xiang gui ren wouldn't deny them. In her eyes, Xiang gui ren didn't take much seriously, but when it came to playing the guzheng, it was like she was another woman. There were no coy looks and playful chatter when Xiang gui ren played the instrument. Only an artist.

It only took a few moments to set up the guzheng in the courtyard that was delivered to Xiang gui ren's rooms while they were out. It was a beautiful bleached wood, with glistening jade swirls and silk strings. Jiayi had never seen anything like it. Bolin and the other eunuchs set up a table and some chairs for the first-class attendants to spectate.

Xiang gui ren slipped on her gold-tipped guzheng nails and began to tune her newest instrument.

"Fan jiejie," said Zhang da ying, "Doesn't Xiang jiejie look like a famous master like this?"

"Yes! I heard that no one in the Changyinge¶can even compare to Xiang jiejie," said Guang da ying.

They burst into giggles.

"Goodness! What's all this commotion in my courtyard?"

Jiang gui ren stepped through the gates, an arrogant smile on her face.

Fan da ying greeted the older woman as disrespectfully as she could before sitting back down.

"Xiang jiejie is going to play us a tune on her new guzheng," she said.

"New guzheng?" Asked Jiang gui ren.

Fan da ying giggled and covered her mouth, "Oh, you haven't seen His Majesty in some days. Of course, you haven't heard about it. His Majesty just had the Changyinge gift this beautiful guzheng to Xiang jiejie,"

Jiang gui ren made a point to inspect the coral and gold ring around her finger, a gift from The Emperor, "Yes, I didn't hear about that. I also haven't heard anything about your promotion. Did I miss that, too?"

Fan da ying slammed her hand on the table, "You–!"

"Aiya! This is Xianfugong! Xiang-fu-gong! How can this be the palace of universal happiness if you both start fighting?" Said Xiang gui ren.

"Fine, I suppose I'll sit and join in on the fun, too," said Jiang gui ren.

Jiayi offered snacks and tea to the concubines before standing aside and basking in Xiang gui ren's music. Today, her mistress was playing a warm tune, a perfect companion to the summer evening.

"Ah," Jiayi said softly. She called Ping'er and Pie'er over, "Take Bolin and deliver the paintings I finished today. The tray with the lily painting is for De gui fei, the one with the roses is for First Princess and the one with the plum blossoms is for Second princess,"

The younger girls nodded and went to fetch the trays but before they could get very far, Jiang gui ren stopped them.

"I haven't had dinner yet, so let me borrow you two to bring my meal back from the Imperial Kitchen. My maids will clear the table and follow you,"

Pie'er and Ping'er glanced at Jiayi.

"Is she your mistress now?" Jiang gui ren snapped, "Go!"

Jiayi sighed as they jumped to do Jiang gui ren's bidding. She would have to leave Molan here on her own and deliver the paintings herself.

"Stop,"

Jiang gui ren covered her mouth with a handkerchief and glanced at Fan da ying, "There are too many bugs flying about. Go bring some incense from my room to keep them away. Haoyu will show you,"

"Jiang gui ren I–"

"It will only take a moment," the concubine said, turning away.

There was no point in arguing. Jiang gui ren was obviously in a mood because of her chat with Fan da ying. Jiayi followed the eunuch into Jiang gui ren's rooms. Finding the bug-repelling incense took far too long. Haoyu dragged her from room to room and made her unpack and pack so many drawers that she swore that when she found the incense she was going to beat him over the head with it. It pissed her off even more when the incense turned up in Jiang gui ren's bedroom, under the vanity.

"Ah, so sorry Wei guniang, I'm so foolish for not seeing it there,"

Jiayi didn't bother to respond, doing her best to prepare the incense as quickly as possible. She walked back outside and placed the burner on the table in front of Jiang gui ren with a bow. Jiang gui ren began to fan the thick smoke in Fan da ying's face.

"Can you quiet down, meimei?" she said over Fan da ying's coughing, "I can hardly hear the beautiful music,"

Before the two got into it again, dinner arrived.

Jiang gui ren made a show of taking a big sniff as the servants placed the food on the table, "My little sisters should stay and eat with me and Xiang meimei. I know you don't have much as a second-class attendant,"

Jiayi helped Xiang gui ren remove her guzheng nails and take a seat at the table.

Fan da ying smiled, "That's true, us second-class attendants aren't as well-fed as you, Jiang gui ren. If I remember, you became a big fan of braised pork trotters, during your pregnancy with Fifth princess, right?"

She looked Jiang gui ren up and down.

"I see you still enjoy them!"

Xiang gui ren covered her laugh with a heavy cough.

"Have some shrimp, meimei," said Zhang da ying, terrified of the glare that Jiang gui ren was sending their way, "Try this bok choy, too!"

The glare turned into a sickly sweet smile as Jiang gui ren said, "Meimei, you're so..."

Jiayi sighed. She'd tell Bolin and the other eunuchs to take the paintings over later whenever Fan da ying and Jiang gui ren finished their little battle.

✺

For no paticular reason, Xiang gui ren was allotted for fabric for the summer weather. Jiayi and Molan fetched early the next morning from Imperial Household Department.

"These silks are so pretty," said Molan, lifting the tray in her hands closer to her face, "Mistress looks good in these colors but I hope she'll be able to wear more purple soon,"

Jiayi knocked her shoulder into Molan's, her own arms were full with fabric as well, "She's hasn't even been here for two months and you're expecting a promotion to Imperial Concubine? Is she a goddess?"

"His Majesty loves her so much! Mark my words, once she get's pregnant, Jiang gui ren will have to bow down to our Xiang pin," said Molan.

"Be quiet," said Jiayi, fighting a smile. She had heard Jiang gui ren's tantrums, but had never seen one in real life. The face Jiang gui ren would make if Zhang Wei came to promote someone at Xianfugong and it wasn't her...

An image of plucked chicken popped into her head.

Jiayi ducked her head to hide her laughter.

Molan smiled, "You did think about it! I bet–"

"Wei Jiayi," a thin lipped guard said, stopping in front of her.

Jiayi froze as a stream of red coated Imperial guards surrounded her and Molan.

"You're under arrest by order of The Emperor,"

Jiayi gasped as the tray of fabrics was knocked to the ground and her arms wrenched behind her back.

"But I-I–" Jiayi was trying to say she didn't do anything wrong. She wanted to say that this had to be a mistake. She wanted to say that she was innocent. She wanted to say anything at all, but the lies wouldn't make it past her lips. Jiayi knew why she was being taken away.

"Wait, wait! Why are you arresting her?" She heard Molan ask, "Jiejie didn't do anything wrong!"

It was over.

They realized that a corpse had been walking in the Forbidden City.

–––––––––––––––

*July 23 – August 23

†Great pavilion for Buddha Adoration

††The goddess of mercy and considered to be the physical embodiment of compassion

§Chinese plucked zither

¶ Hall of Pleasing Sounds