Jiayi felt tears well up in her eyes when she stepped through the gates of Xianfugong. The dizzying mixture of happiness, relief, and fear made her hands shake, and knees wobble. Pie'er was standing at the doors, head pointed to the ground.

"Little Cutie!" She called.

Pie'er wasn't prone to raising her voice or making sudden movements, so when the young girl screamed Jiayi's name and barreled her way into her arms, Pie'er nearly knocked her to the ground. She buried her face in Jiayi's chest and burst into tears.

"Don't cry, don't cry! I was only gone for two days!" Said Jiayi, hugging her tight.

Through her tears, Pie'er said, "Susu said that you weren't going to return! She said they would hang your body outside the divine gate to teach the other maids a lesson!"

"She was just trying to scare you," said Jiayi, "I'm already back,"

"Mistress! It's Jiayi! She's back!"

Two more pairs of arms crushed Jiayi before she could raise her head.

"Jiejie, you're back! You're back!"

Ping'er added to Pie'er tears while Molan's mouth was running a mile a minute. Try as she might, Jiayi ended up with tears running down her face as well. She couldn't help it. It was overwhelming to know that these girls loved her as much as she loved them in such a short time.

"Jiejie, you're not allowed to leave again," Pie'er said, a wobbly glare on her red face.

Jiayi nodded.

"You wild girl, where did you run off to?" said a familiar voice.

Jiayi wiped her face and gently extracted herself from the sobbing pile of girls. She kowtowed to her mistress.

"Xiang gui ren, I've returned,"

Xiang gui ren helped Jiayi to her feet and then tweaked her nose, "So unruly. You kept those girls up worried for you day and night,"

Her mistress' lips wobbled as she spoke, and an errant tear welled up in her eye before she dashed it away.

"I'm sorry for worrying them," replied Jiayi.

"Xiang meimei, His Majesty will scold you again if you make a stir about leaving. Hurry back inside before someone notices!"

When Jiang gui ren caught sight of Jiayi, her face when slack with shock; a second later, she smiled.

"Meimei! Your maid is back! What good news," said Jiang gui ren.

Jiayi greeted Jiang gui ren properly and did her best not to slap her. How dare she behave like she wasn't almost the reason for Jiayi's death?

Jiang gui ren went as far to pet Jiayi's face to play the role of a concerned friend. It made Jiayi's skin crawl.

"Xiang meimei was so scared for you! Thank goodness you've returned,"

"This servant isn't worthy of your concern," replied Jiayi.

"Nonsense! In fact," Jiang gui ren slipped a jade and copper ring off her finger and pressed it into Jiayi's hands, "For you, to celebrate your return,

Jiayi quietly thanked her. Being touched by Jiang gui ren made her feel even dirtier than she already was after spending two days in The Office of Careful Punishment.

Susu cleared her throat, "Mistress, you have to change. His Majesty is waiting,"

"Right. Congratulations, Xiang meimei, His Majesty has learned the truth. I'll come back and celebrate with you later, okay?"

Jiayi glared at Jiang gui ren's back before Molan tugged at her, "Jiejie, is that...blood on your sleeve?"

It probably was.

"Oh," Jiayi said, inspecting her dirtied clothes, "I'll go wash up,"

"You're lucky. Pretty just finished setting up my bath," said Xiang gui ren.

Jiayi shook her head, "Mistress, I couldn't use your bath. All I need is some water. I can bring it myself,"

"Aiya, all the trouble you've caused, and you still have the nerve to talk back?" Said Xiang gui ren.

Molan and Ping'er dragged Jiayi inside before she could protest, "Jiejie, you'll love it! There's pearl powder and rose petals. It's so fancy,"

There wasn't much Jiayi could do but undress and step into the bath. Molan was right; she did love it. However, the delicious warmth from the fragrant water couldn't melt away the ice that had settled in her heart. Jiang gui ren was more dangerous than she thought and Xiang gui ren needed to know.

"What's that face for?" Asked Xiang gui ren as she sat near the tub, "Sick of us already?"

Jiayi shook her head, "Mistress, did His Majesty tell you why I was arrested?"

"No!" Ping'er butted in, "When Mistress went to ask, he wouldn't tell her and then locked her in her rooms!"

Ping'er quieted down at Xiang gui ren's glare, "Jiang gui ren was happy to let me know what everyone was saying,"

Jiayi took a deep breath and began to talk. The bath water had long grown cold when Jiayi finished her tale.

✺

As the Phoenix-Luan Spring Favor Carriage ambled towards Yangxindian, Xiang gui ren fumed. She wanted to say that Jiang gui ren was the target of her fury, but she was indeed the most furious at herself. She had been a fool, thinking that Jiang gui ren was a jealous child with nothing more on her mind outside of stealing His Majesty's favor. Women had been killed at the brothel for things like a better room or a few silks. So why had Xiang gui ren thought Jiang gui ren wouldn't kill to have The Emperor's favor? The gentle rocking of the carriage was at odds with her whirling mind.

Jiayi had identified Jiang gui ren as the mastermind of entire debacle, but Xiang gui ren couldn't wrap her head around that. Where did Jiang gui ren get those lewd pictures? Or that paper? Did The Empress Dowager help her? Did The Empress? Frankly, it could've been anyone. Even if it wasn't said out loud, she knew she wasn't the most popular person in the back palace.

When she lifted the carriage door after it stopped, Zhang Wei was waiting to escort her inside.

"His Majesty is eager to see you," he said, leading her up the steps, "He instructed the kitchens to make those pea-flour cakes that you're so fond of,"

In fact, everything in The Emperor's rooms that night looked to be catered to her preferences. Her favorite incense, her favorite tea; His Majesty was even wearing an outfit in orange, her favorite color. His Majesty was doing his best to please her. Xiang gui ren could use this to her advantage.

"This concubine greets His Majesty," she said. She had only touched the ground before The Emperor was pulling her upright.

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"You can do away with the formalities, dear," he said.

"Can I?" Replied Xiang gui ren, "How can I believe that with how you treated me these few days?"

"It was for your protection. It showed that you weren't swaying the investigation,"

"How could I sway an investigation that I didn't know existed? You arrested Jiayi and locked me up. I was–" Xiang gui ren stopped and bowed her head, pretending to be contrite, "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I've been too wordy,"

The Emperor raised Xiang gui ren's chin, "Speak," he said.

Xiang gui ren threw herself into his arms and squeezed out a few tears.

"I was so scared. I thought...I thought that you lied to me. That everything you told me in Nanjing meant nothing,"

The Emperor tightened his arms around her, "Never. We will leave peacefully and grow old together. I knew from the start you would never do something like this. But I am The Emperor before I am your husband, so the law must be upheld. Had I not investigated, I wouldn't have known a few disloyal servants tried to harm you,"

Running her hand across the silken fabric of his back, Xiang gui ren replied, "You've found the culprits, then?"

"The Empress is investigating," he said, "Enough of this talk, come,"

The Emperor led Xiang gui ren into his bedroom. He sat her at the vanity and began to pick the accessories out of her hair. Xiang gui ren fought to keep the downtrodden look on her face.

"Jiayi told me that Jiang jiejie's servants did this. I always knew she was too nice,"

The Emperor paused, "What do you mean?"

"Jiejie has a good heart, but she's really still so young. She treats her servants like family, and they take advantage. Hopefully, Her Highness gets to the bottom of this, or I fear something like this will happen again,"

Xiang gui ren sighed as The Emperor finally pulled her hairpiece free. Next, she removed her jewelry and rubbed her neck.

"When did Your Majesty get so good and undoing hair like this?" she asked

With a quiet laugh, he bent down and kissed her neck, the soft bristles of his mustache tickling.

"Her Highness' hands tend to swell when she's pregnant. Lucky for you, I helped her first, so we don't have to call for help when I tangle your hair,"

He stepped away so his servants could undress him. Xiang gui ren did the same. When their jobs were finished, the servants left, and the couple crawled under the covers. Xiang gui ren laid her head on The Emperor's chest.

"I wonder what I'll look like when if I get pregnant," she said before peering up at him, "Would you still love me if I become all swollen and awful?"

"Of course,"

"Even if my hair fell out?"

"Of course,"

"Even if teeth went brown?"

"Of course,"

"Even–"

The Emperor cut her off with a sweet kiss, "Huifen, we can worry about this when you get pregnant,"

"When?" She said against his lips, "Your Majesty, at my age, you know that might not happen,"

"I'm The Emperor. If I want it to happen, it will," He rubbed a warm hand across her cheek, "And I want this very, very much,"

✺

Jiang gui ren pressed a peeled grape to The Emperor's lips before returning her attention to the stage before her. Since the investigation, she had been sitting on pins and needles, waiting for the other shoe to drop. For two weeks Wang gugu and Shiyi gugu trawled through the Forbidden City, sniffing for clues. In the end, only two people were punished, some no-name maids from the A Ge Suo.

She was annoyed that things didn't turn out even with Shen huang gui fei's help, but there wasn't much she could do about it now. At the very least, His Majesty was spending more time with her. Of course, she would've preferred that he flipped her tag, but watching an opera together was fine, too.

"Your Majesty, aren't you bored seeing the same opera over and over again?" She asked.

The Butterfly Lovers was her favorite opera. In her eyes, nothing could compare. His Majesty had put the play on at her request so often that Jiang gui ren recited the words in her sleep.

"I'll put it on 1,000 times more to see you smile," The Emperor replied.

Jiang gui ren hid her face behind her fan, embarrassed by his bold words, "Your Majesty is too gracious,"

"Oh? So you don't want the gift I have for you?"

A gift?

Perhaps it was a promotion? That little thing, Fan gui ren was tossed one for sticking her nose where it didn't belong. There was no reason she couldn't get one, too! Jiang gui ren glanced at Susu, who looked just as eager to see the gift as she was.

"Your Majesty, don't tease," said Jiang gui ren with a pout.

The Emperor laughed before nodding his head.

Wang gugu clapped her hands, and a stream of servants filed into the courtyard. They were older, with bowed backs and grayed hair.

"These folks used to serve The Late Emperor. They did their jobs so well that each of their families was given good land and a stipend to retire on"

"This servant doesn't deserve Your Majesty's grace," the servants replied.

The Emperor smiled, "Cui momo and Yao gonggong were some of the Late Emperor's closest servants. I saw them as much as I saw him. Seeing them now brings back many fond memories,"

Jiang gui ren nodded along, confused.

"What do you think of them?" The Emperor asked.

"If Your Majesty speaks warmly of them, they can only be good," said Jiang gui ren.

"Good! They're yours," The Emperor declared.

Jiang gui ren smiled. She would have eight servants again! And this time, they wouldn't be on loan. That would put Xiang gui ren and that rat Fan gui ren in their place. She bowed to him.

"This concubine thanks you for your grace,"

"Rise,"

Susu helped Jiang gui ren back into her chair.

"Guards!" Called Zhang Wei gonggong, "Seize them,"

Jiang gui ren watched in shock as the guards rounded up her servants.

"Wait!" She said as she jumped out of her chair, "What are you doing?! Wei gonggong, you can't do this!"

Zhang Wei bowed his head with a soft smile, "Jiang gui ren, these lowly slaves are rebellious and unruly. They dared to frame Xiang gui ren. His Majesty has granted them death,"

Jiang gui ren flinched a Susu's loud whimpers.

A heavy hand dropped onto Jiang gui ren's shoulder. She turned to The Emperor and grabbed his arm.

"Your Majesty, what's happening?" She cried.

Wang gugu came to stand in front of Jiang gui ren.

"The Empress investigated the incident involving Xiang gui ren and the princesses and found that Haoyu gonggong paid a cleaning maid to slip the paintings into the gifts Xiang gui ren sent over."

The Emperor squeezed Jiang gui ren's shoulder softly, "It won't do to have someone of your standing served by such people. So I asked The Late Emperor's former servants to travel back to the Forbidden City to serve you,"

"Susu and Haoyu would never do something like that, Your Majesty," said Jiang gui ren, her voice shaking, "They're innocent. Your Majesty–"

The sound of the opera reached a screeching crescendo that blighted Jiang gui ren's ears. The Emperor slid his hand away and stared down at her.

"Her Highness was merciful for not finding fault in you for having such treacherous servants. Was she wrong?"

Jiang gui ren swallowed. There was nothing she could do.

"Of course not, Your Majesty," said Jiang gui ren.

A maid that Jiang gui ren didn't remember the name of cried out, "Have mercy, Your Majesty!"

The dam burst, and then all the servants began begging and lamenting for mercy as they were dragged away. Jiang gui ren clenched her fists and smiled blankly at the stage through tears.

✺

When Jiang gui ren arrived that night to serve His Majesty, Wang gugu almost couldn't believe her eyes. The woman who stepped out of the carriage was wearing a plain white chenyi, dotted with pink flowers. Her hairpiece was modest in size and there wasn't a single bit of gold to be found. This wasn't unusual attire for a Noble Lady, but for Jiang gui ren? It was practically a joke. Clearly, her new servants dressed her based on her status and not her ego. It almost made Wang gugu smile. There was a sullen pout on the concubine's face and her neck was pink with embarrassment.

Wang gugu led Jiang gui ren into The Emperor's bedroom and closed the door behind them. She nodded to Zhang Wei, who was standing just outside the doors.

Standing a few feet away, Wang gugu thought of her tasks for the next day. The Empress Dowager's birthday was in two months, so the time to source gifts was now. The Empress Dowager was a very particular woman regarding gifts, especially from The Emperor. At 68 years old, very few things dazzled her anymore. So perhaps Wang gugu would suggest the Emperor see if a few Western trinkets would interest in her or maybe an addition to Cininggong would be better.

"Zhang Wei!"

The Emperor's voice rang out into the night, startling Wang gugu from her musings. Zhang Wei jumped to attention and darted inside the bedroom. Wang gugu crept closer, wondering if she had imagined the panic in The Emperor's voice.

Zhang Wei stumbled back outside and waved her over, "Gugu, come inside, please,"

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"It's Jiang gui ren,"

She followed after him. The Emperor stood by his bed, looking down at Jiang gui ren.

"Your Majesty," Wang gugu greeted.

The Emperor ran a hand down his face and nodded towards Jiang gui ren, "Attend to her,"

He held out his hand, and Zhang Wei led him outside.

Wang gugu stepped closer to the bed where Jiang gui ren was writhing under the covers. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the concubine was writhing but itching. Wang gugu brought a lantern close to the bed, dragged down the sheets, and fought back a gasp.

The blush that Jiang gui ren was sporting earlier wasn't a blush, but a rash. The bright pink splotches covered her skin and was accompanied by small weeping pustules. Jiang gui ren's face fared no better. Her lips and eyes were swollen with irritation.

Biting back a sigh, Wang gugu called for the servants. Whatever was happening to Jiang gui ren couldn't occur in the presence of His Majesty. Yangxindian would have to be scrubbed top to bottom because of this.

"Jiang gui ren is ill," said Wang gugu to the junior eunuchs that filed inside the bedroom, "Take her back to Xianfugong. Burn your clothes and wash yourself well when you return,"

The eunuchs rolled Jiang gui ren up in the blanket and hoisted her away. Wang gugu called for the maids and told them to burn the sheets and pillows and open all the windows.

It was going to be a long night.