The first thought in Jiayi's mind on her 19th birthday is panic. The night before, she settled on the floor by Xiang gui ren's bed. Usually, Jiayi would wake up when she felt her mistress shift in bed. Today, she woke up to sunlight bearing down on her, which was strange because Xiang gui ren's bedroom window only had so much sunlight during midmorning. Jiayi stumbled to her feet, wiped the sleep from her eyes, and searched for Xiang gui ren. Hopefully, she wasn't too upset.

In the receiving room, Xiang gui ren was sewing while Molan, Ping'er, and Pi'er were untangling spools of thread quietly. Thunder was snuffling at Xiang gui ren's feet.

Xiang gui ren put down her work when she caught sight of Jiayi, "Aiyo, the birthday girl decided to join us. How does it feel to be 19?"

"Good?"

Jiayi didn't feel all that different now that she was a year older.

"Is that a question? What I wouldn't do to be 19 again," said Xiang gui ren, "Back then, my knees didn't sound like a bag of marbles every time I stood up,"

Jiayi sat down and reached for some thread, "I'm sorry I woke up late,"

"We did that on purpose," said Molan as she tugged the thread away, "It's your birthday, and mistress is kind enough to let you relax,"

"I don't need to relax," said Jiayi, "It's just a day like any other,"

Xiang gui ren shook her head, "Wei Jiayi, I didn't know you could be so ungrateful. I order you to sit there and relax,"

"What if you need something?" Asked Jiayi.

"I'm sure the girls can handle fetching me tea and walking in the garden and other fantastic activities, Jiayi," said Xiang gui ren, "Just sit there and be good,"

Be good? What did that mean?

Jiayi jumped as a pair of hands covered her eyes. Judging by giggling in her ear, it was Molan.

"Surprise!"

When Jiayi was finally allowed to see, the table was filled with food. Braised fish, pork belly, dumplings, and longevity noodles!

"Mistress, is this for me?" Asked Jiayi.

"Who else could it be for?" Replied Xiang gui ren, "Those three over there cooked all morning in jiejie's little kitchen to make this,"

All Jaiyi could only stand and give Molan, Pie'er, and Ping'er long, hard hugs. Sinjeku didn't get longevity noodles. It had been so long since she'd had a bowl.

Jiayi sat down and pulled the bowl close, "This is so much food. You guys should eat with me. It's more fun that way,"

They all refused until Jiayi began to plate up their food for them. Thunder got a small plate as well. It was only fair. Jiayi still couldn't return to her usual duties when their bellies were full. It was time for gifts. From Xiang gui ren, Jiayi received five bolts of fabric that were too fine for everyday wear and one piece of Lajian paper*. Molan, Pie'er, and Ping'er each hand-sewed a fragrance pouch. Each one was unique and one of a kind.

"These must have taken forever," said Jiayi, "I didn't see you make a single stitch!"

She immediately replaced the ones on her hips with her new gifts. Jiayi didn't think the day could get any better, but then Xiang gui ren gifted her a tael of silver.

"Thank you for your grace, mistress, I'll go put it away,"

"Ah! Absolutely not! This is for fun," said Xiang gui ren, "I don't care where you go but you are not to save this money,"

"Mistress, that's so wasteful. I have all I need here,"

Xiang gui ren rolled her eyes, "Really now? Bolin!"

She pointed at Jiayi when the eunuch stepped inside, "Take Jiayi out. Don't let her back in unless she comes in with something she bought for herself,"

Jiayi looked at Xiang gui ren, aghast, as Bolin led her outside.

"Mistress–"

"Get something expensive!" Ping'er called out after her.

"This is so silly," said Jiayi.

"An order is an order," Bolin replied, not even trying to hide the smile on his face.

Jiayi had no choice but to do as Xiang gui ren said. The silver was heavy and warm in her palm. Jiayi had a savings stash like all the Forbidden City servants. It was mostly made of copper coins, silver bits, and the taels received as a reward. Jiayi had never thought of using that money for anything other than a rainy day. Now that she had an entire tael of silver to spend on frivolous things, she was frozen.

Jiayi ate very well. What Xiang gui ren considered to be scraps was always a small feast. Jiayi enjoyed drawing the beautiful embroidery and shimmering fabric of Xiang gui ren's dresses, but a maid could never be permitted to own something like that. Would it be silly for her to buy a bit of rouge or perfume? Or maybe something new for her hair? Perhaps a new ring...

No. Jiayi would look silly with such things. Spending it on something useful like a new brush or inkstick would be better. However, it wouldn't hurt to take a look.

The momo in charge of the cosmetics didn't look thrilled at Jiayi's window shopping but didn't shoo her away. Jiayi pressed her hands close to her stomach as she passed the beautiful pots of powder and perfumes on the shelves. Before her fingers got too itchy, Jiayi made her way to the Treasure Pavilion. If the one thing she wanted wasn't there, she would leave, go to the Imperial Warehouse, and find a few furs to edge her blankets and robes with.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

She asked the eunuch about the earrings she'd coveted for a few months. Dreamy blue pieces of glass in the shape of water drops. She tried not to feel crushed when he told her they were sold last week. It was just as well. She didn't need them anyway. Jiayi didn't spend too much time at the warehouse, picking out a few furs that were good enough. Xiang gui ren wouldn't think much of them, but they were miles ahead of anything Jiayi ever owned. It was her own business if she was still left with a few pieces of silver afterward.

It was the best birthday she ever had in the Forbidden City. It would've been the best even if the day were no different than it had been for the last few months. When Jiayi begged Fung gonggong to be a palace maid all those months ago, she only wanted to be away from Su gonggong. Now, she lived a life she couldn't have dreamed of. She had a kind mistress, friends, and warm food to fill her belly. It was the sort of life people died every day to have.

By the time Jiayi was finished with her shopping, the sun was beginning to slip away. With nothing left to do, Jiayi started the trek back to Chengqiangong. She turned a corner and found Prince Han leaning against a wall, alone. Jiayi hadn't seen much of him since their meeting in the Imperial Garden. After he sent her away, Jiayi waited for her punishment to begin, only to discover that Prince Han hadn't said anything to Xiang gui ren about it.

"Good evening, my lord," said Jiayi.

"Jiayi," he replied with a nod. He looked at the furs in her hand, "Birthday shopping?"

"Yes. How'd you know?"

"Yiqiang made sure to let me know. He's been worked up for all week trying to find a good present for you,"

Jiayi hid a smile in her pile of furs, "I apologize, my lord. I didn't mean to be a distraction,"

"No, it's good that Yiqiang is so fond of everyone in Chengqiangong. It means that you all care for him earnestly,"

They lapsed into silence.

"Um," Jiayi said, "I'll take my leave then,"

"Wait. Yiqiang painted something for your birthday but was too shy to give it to you," Prince Han said, handing her a piece of parchment.

"Oh! It's Thunder!" Said Jiayi.

Sixth Prince was so sweet. Since Thunder's arrival, Jiayi had become very fond of the little dog and spent as much time holding, brushing, and playing with her for as much she could get away with. It was good to see that Jiayi's painting lessons weren't going to waste either. Thunder's visage wasn't the most accurate, but Sixth Prince's grasp on brush strokes and shading was excellent.

"Do you like it?" Prince Han asked.

Jiayi nodded, "Thank you for delivering this on behalf of Sixth Prince. I'll treasure it,"

Prince Han laughed, "That's good. I asked Yiqiang how he would feel if you didn't like it. He almost cried,"

A laugh slipped out of Jiayi before she could smother it, "Even if it were hideous, it was enough that Sixth Prince thought of a lowly servant like me,"

"There's...there's another gift," said Prince Han, "Here,"

Jiayi took the small lacquered box from his hand and opened it. She gasped softly. The earrings!

"Do you like it?" Prince Han asked.

Jiayi ran her fingers across the carved glass, "I love them,"

"That's good," Prince Han cleared his throat, "Goodnight,"

Jiayi rushed to send him off, as he all but dashed away. Odd.

Later that night, as Jiayi helped Sixth Prince get ready for bed, she thanked him for his gifts.

"Thunder looks very beautiful in your painting," she said, "I'm going to hang it up in my bedroom,"

Sixth Prince blushed, "Good. Her ugly face will scare away any ghosts,""And the earrings are so beautiful. It must have been fate. I wanted those them for months now!"

Sixth Prince frowned, "What earrings?"

Jiayi gestured to the ones dangling from her ears already, "These,"Scoffing, Sixth Prince let Jiayi do up his clothes, "Those are so boring and small. If I gave you earrings, there would be way more gold! I didn't give you that,"

If Sixth Prince didn't buy them, then Prince Han...?

✺

"Your Highness, Shen huang gui fei is back again. Are you still tired?" Asked Jerjer.

The Empress Dowager had been too "exhausted" to see anyone but The Emperor and The Empress since they returned from Mulan. Secret messages revealed that Shen huang gui fei was less than useless. The Empress Dowager sent her to the hunt with specific instructions to place certain girls in front of The Emperor, but instead, she spent the time rolling around in his bed. Shen huang gui fei had forgotten who had allowed her to become an Imperial Noble Consort in the first place.

The Empress Dowager needed to remind her.

The Emperor was her son, and she knew he was a coward. Most likely, Shen huang gui fei hadn't been informed that First Princess was left behind in Mongolia until they were steps from the capital. In the letter The Empress Dowager wrote to The Emperor, she suggested that the First Princess be left behind to get in touch with her ancestors and to release some of the burdens Shen huang gui fei had for caring for a still disgraced daughter. She queried whether the stress was affecting Shen huang gui fei's womb.

The Empress Dowager didn't think the letter worked until Shen huang gui fei kept frantically asking for an audience since her return.

"Hmm," said The Empress Dowager, "How did she look?"

Jerjer smiled, "Very well put together, Your Highness. But I heard she almost collapsed in public when The Empress told her about First Princess,"

The Empress Dowager stroked the bear pelt tucked over her lap that was personally brought down by His Majesty. What luck that The Empress was the bearer of bad news.

"How do I look?" Asked The Empress Dowager.

Jerjer smirked, "Now that the eleventh month† is finally here, Your Highness is afraid of cold and wind. If Shen huang gui fei were to spread bad air here, Your Highness could fall sick. Perhaps it would be better for her to come back next week? Or after the new year?"

"What a devious mouth you have!" The Empress Dowager said with a laugh, "No, bring her in,"

As Jerjer said, Shen huang gui fei was immaculately put together in her purple fur-trimmed chenyi. But by the harrowed look in her eyes, Shen huang gui fei certainly wasn't well. The Empress Dowager offered her a seat.

"You've been very eager to see me, huang gui fei,"

"I've been away from you for many months, Your Highness. I only wished to ask if you've been well,"

"Did you? It didn't matter much to you in Mulan," said The Empress Dowager, "You were far too busy taking care of yourself to even think about taking care of me, and perhaps it should stay that way."

Shen huang gui fei dropped to her knees, "Your Highness, I know my wrongs. I'm dimwitted and foolish,"

The Empress Dowager curled her fingers around her hand warmer and stared silently at Shen huang gui fei.

"Your Highness, if His Majesty's heart is closed to me, how can I serve you in earnest? Not for a single moment have I forgotten what you've done for me and...Huabao,"

Tears began to slide down Shen huang gui fei's face at the sound of her daughter's name."This time–this time, The Empress has gone too far. She's never forgiven that my daughter is hale and whole while hers rests with the Gods. She forced His Majesty to abandon Huaboa in Mongolia,"

Shen huang gui fei pressed her forehead to the ground, "Your Highness, grant me this mercy and bring Huabao back. I don't know if I can live without her. Please, Your Highness!"

Even if The Empress Dowager was unaware of it all, the odds of Huabao returning to the capital for good were zero. The princess was 16 already. His Majesty would most likely marry Huabao to whichever tribe made the most merits or needed the most placation. Would Shen huang gui fei be permitted to attend the wedding?

Probably not.

"What can I do?" The Empress Dowager sighed, "The Empress may bend her knee to me, but she's still The Empress. If His Majesty doesn't oppose her, what can I do?"

"Your Highness–"

"Perhaps you could have avoided this if you had spent less time trying to raise your family's status and more time paying attention to The Empress' hand. If you want Huabao back, you must do it yourself,"

Before Shen huang gui fei could continue begging, The Empress Dowager held out her hand to Jerjer, "I'm tired. You can find your way out,"

––––

*A very famous traditional handmade paper used primarily for imperial edicts, scripture, calligraphy, and painting

†Between November 22 – December 22