Jiayi flinched as flames erupted from the fire breather’s mouth. The New Year’s banquet was well underway, the courses flowing in and out like water, and each performer was more talented than the last. Xiang pin laughed happily, clapping and cheering. The other guests were just as entertained, eyes wide and mouths hanging open. It looked like everyone had forgotten about The Empress Dowager’s fall just as quickly as it happened. Jiayi couldn’t imagine that a woman like The Empress Dowager made many friends. Jiayi was sure that everyone had stood up, not out of care, but just to see how badly she was hurt with their own eyes. Xiang pin put on a crafted face of concern but had to hide her smile behind a handkerchief all throughout the first course.
After The Empress Dowager had been carted out, the merry energy didn’t take long to return. Even her seat at the head of the hall wasn’t empty for long.
Dowager Noble Consort Ling looked out of place up there next to The Emperor. The Empress Dowager was fundamentally flashy, forcing every eye to gaze upon her jewels, gold, and silk, while Dowager Noble Consort Ling existed in a state of gentle regality. Of course, she wore rings and gold and jade, but it wasn’t an assault on the eyes to look at her. There was one strange thing about her, though.
Her feet.
They were lotus feet.
At first, Jiayi had thought that perhaps Dowager Consort Ling was fragile in her old age when she needed two servants and a staff to help her up to the elevated platform, but when her skirts lifted, a pair of pointed childlike feet poked out. Jiayi hadn’t known that the late Emperor had a Han clanswoman as one of his women, let alone one that reached such a high status. Jiayi’s eyes danced away from Dowager Noble Consort Ling and settled on Prince Han. He sat stiffly between his brothers, sipping quietly at his wine as they talked over him. He glanced over at her, and Jiayi smiled softly at it. He smiled back, hiding the curve of his lips behind his cup.
The fire breathers left the hall, and a beautiful group of dancers swanned in, decorated in soft, flowing silks. The tempo of the music changed, preceding the crashing symbols and transforming into a sweet, gentle tune. The dancers swirled about, twisting and stretching their lean bodies, their skin glistening under the candlelight. Jiayi couldn’t watch the end of the performance as another course began, and she busied herself serving Xiang pin. When she looked across for Prince Han again, his chair was empty.
Jiayi thought nothing of it. She waited for him to return, but his chair remained vacant after two more dances and another course. Unfortunately, Prince Han had already tired of the festivities and excused himself.
With the clash of the gong, the acrobats flew into the air, sending Thunder into a fit of hysterical barking in Xiang pin’s lap.
An pin sighed loudly, “Xiang meimei, can’t you do something about that dog? It’s giving me a headache,”
It was the first thing An pin had said to Xiang pin all night.
Xiang pin fed Thunder a bit of food from her plate, “She’s just being a fine patron of the arts and showing her appreciation, jiejie,”
An pin rolled her eyes, “It can’t show it’s appreciation somewhere else?”
“Well, Thunder should stretch her legs. Here, Jiayi, take her back to Chengqiangong,”
Jiayi tucked Thunder under her arm and left the hall. She took a hearty lungful of the night air before beginning her trek. When they were barely past the courtyard, Thunder began to squirm and huff. Jiayi wrapped a cord around the dog’s neck and let her sniff around. She led Thunder to a patch of grass. Thunder sniffed and sniffed but made no moves to go to the bathroom. Thunder pulled at her leash, straining to go back in the direction of the banquet.
“We can’t,” Jiayi said.
She pulled Thunder back into her arms, and the pug released an unholy screech. The sound must have been alarming because before Jiayi knew it, she was surrounded by a charge of red-coated Imperial guards. She dropped Thunder to the ground, who snuffled and went quiet.
The fierce look on their face morphed from fury to confusion in a flash when they realized the source of the horrific noise was a fat, little dog.
“Keep that thing quiet,” A guard ordered before they made their retreat.
“I’ll go with her, sir,” a voice from the back of the crowd said.
Jiayi stiffened. She didn't want an escort of any kind with her. Her mouth opened to protest but turned into a smile when Lingxiu stood before her.
“Lingxiu,” she said, “Molan didn’t tell me you were here. I hope you know she’ll be very mad you didn't tell her your shift changed,”
A rosy blush appeared on his cheeks, “Just-just don’t tell her. Worry more about this beast,”
He leaned down to pet Thunder, but she had none of it and viciously snarled at him. The dog huffed before tugging on the leash again.
Jiayi sighed, “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She bothered An pin, so I had to take her away,”
“Let her sniff around. She’s so fat she’ll tire herself out,” replied Lingxiu.
Personally affronted, Thunder nipped at his boots. Jiayi let Thunder lead them around the side halls while Lingxiu waxed poetic, in his own way, about Molan, their mothers, and how much his feet hurt standing around.
“They sound worn out,” she said with a sly smile, “You should ask Molan to sew a new pair for you,”
While Lingxiu sputtered, Jiayi realized that Thunder had led them to a storage shed in the furthest corner of the courtyard. Thunder scratched at the door, whining.
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“Stop that,” said Jiayi, trying to pull Thunder away.
Thunder strained against the leash, grunting and snorting. Jiayi sighed. She would just have to pick up Thunder and suffer through the squealing. Maybe she could sprint out before the guards scolded her again. She braced against the door to grab Thunder, and for a moment, it sunk inwards before snapping taught.
As if someone was pushing it from the inside.
Jiayi stood up and pushed against the door. It creaked open for a second and then snapped closed.
“Someone’s in there,” Lingxiu said.
He knocked on the door, “Open up,”
There was no response.
“Open up,” he said again, “Either deal with one Imperial guard or 20. Your choice,”
There was more silence before the quiet night was interrupted by a harsh sob. It was a woman.
“Guniang,” Jiayi called out, “Don’t fret. I’m a maid from Chengqiangong. Do you need help?”
The sobbing stopped before the door was wrenched open.
“Hupo?” Was the only thing she could utter before Hupo threw herself into Jiayi’s arms.
“You have to help me!” She wept in Jiayi’s chest.
“What’s wrong?” Jiayi asked.
Hupo tearfully recounted stepping away from the banquet to use the bathroom and being grabbed by a group of eunuchs. They tossed a bag over her head before she could see who they were. They dragged her to the shed, stuffed her inside, and barred the door. She didn’t know how long she was stuck inside the dark room before the door was wrenched open, and a man was shoved inside.
“A man is in there?” Asked Jiayi, "With you?"
Hupo peered up at her, her eyes wild, “It’s the truth. I’m not lying–I swear, I swear,”
She stopped her babbling to sink to the ground.
“You have to believe me,” she begged, “Please,”
Jiayi helped Hupo to her feet. She understood the desperation. If word got out about this, not only would Hupo be put to death for adultery* but it would be a heavy stain on De gui fei’s reputation as well.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you,” said Jiayi. She looked at Lingxiu, “Could you look inside?”
He nodded and walked into the shed, his lamp held high. There was a muffled curse.
“It’s Prince Han,”
Jiayi gasped. Prince Han hadn’t left the banquet at all. Someone had taken him!
“Is he alright?”
As much as Jiayi wanted to rush in and see for herself, Hupo was barely keeping herself upright.
“He’s breathing,” Lingxiu replied, “But there’s something wrong. It’s like he’s drunk, but I can’t smell any wine on his breath,”
"Was he beaten?" Jiayi asked, lips trembling.
Lingxiu came back outside.
"No, not that I could see," He paused, "Prince Han looks...drugged,"
Drugged?
The dots connected in Jiayi’s head so quickly that it made her head spin.
“You have to get him out of here,” she said.
"What?” said Lingxiu.
“You have to get him out of here!”
✺
Shen huang gui fei fought to keep the smile from her face as she trailed leisurely behind The Empress. When the time came, she would run to The Empress’s side, aghast at the shocking sight of De gui fei’s maid and Prince Han caught in the act. What a scandal! The only thing that would make it better was if De gui fei were also here to see it in person. Well, she would soon see the haughty look wiped off her little sister’s face. She wondered what the most appropriate punishment should be for harboring a whore for a maid.
Flogging?
Should she have Jingse slap De gui fei across the face in front of the entire back palace?
Demotion?
Taking away her honorary name?
The possibilities were endless and The Empress wouldn’t be able to do a thing to stop her. Not when her precious “son” was in the center of it. While His Majesty was fond of Prince Han, the moment the already circulating tales of his whoremongering hit the ministry, she was sure he would be demoted and exiled from the palace.
Two birds with one stone. Nice and tidy.
However, things became significantly messier when they arrived at the shed, the doors splayed open to see…
Nothing.
Shilan, the maid who informed Zhang Wei of the suspicious sounds, gaped at the empty shed before turning around and dropping to her knees.
“You–Your Majesty–“
“You dragged us out here for nothing?” The Emperor asked.
Shen huang gui fei glanced at Jingse and A’Fang. Where the hell did they go?
Shilan shook her head, “I wouldn’t dare. They–they must have escaped!”
“They certainly couldn’t have gone far,” Shen huang gui fei said, taking her place at The Emperor’s side, “Guards. Look for anyone running about where they should be and bring them back here. Quickly!”
Of course, things were going too well. Shen huang gui fei glared down at Shilan. Now, she would have one more thing to dispose of.
“Your Highness, look,” said Jingse, “The guards found someone,”
Shen huang gui fei peered into the night, hope welling in her. Running away from the crime scene was even better, wasn’t it?
Said hope was dashed when it became clear that guards had only found two girls. De gui fei’s maid and–
Xiang pin’s maid?
Shen huang gui fei prickled with rage. How had that bitch managed to foil her plans?
“It was her!” Shilan said, pointing at De gui fei’s maid, “She-I saw her go into the shed with a man!”
“Hupo?” Asked The Empress, “Where did you come from?”
“Replying to Your Highness, I felt sick and was in the washroom. I tried to make my way back to De gui fei, but I felt too weak. Jiayi found me and was helping me back to Chengqiangong to rest,”
“Your clothes look so rumpled, Hupo meimei,” said A’Fang, “And you’re so flushed. As if you’re in a hurry,”
“A’Fang jiejie is correct,” said Xiang pin’s maid, “The cold weather and the excitement of the New Year have made Hupo's…time of the month more difficult. She wanted to hurry and change as quickly as possible,”
The Emperor shut his eyes in disgust at the mention of the maid’s period. Shen huang gui fei despaired as she watched his shoulders relax. It was over. Xiang pin had bested her.
“Deceiving the Emperor is a crime,” Wang gugu said, looking down at the loose-lipped maid, “Guards, arrest her,”
As the guards grabbed Shilan by the arms, she pleaded her innocence and looked beseechingly at Shen huang gui fei. Before any nonsense could come out of her mouth, Jingse spoke.
“How dare you dirty His Majesty’s ears with such disgusting lies. Who knows what other stupid lies her tongue could spit out,”
Wang gugu nodded, “Quite,” she turned back to the guards, “Cut out her tongue,”
Shilan went white in shock, continuing to plead and scream as she was dragged away.
Shen huang gui fei swallowed her anger and put on a pleasant face for His Majesty. That bitch may have ruined her plan, but she could at least salvage the night by bringing His Majesty back to Zhongcuigong. As she brushed her hand against his golden cape, The Empress spoke.
“You’ve been standing out in the cold for some time, Your Majesty. Would you like to return to the banquet?”
The Emperor sighed, “The night’s already ended. To Yikungong,”
Shen huang gui fei kneeled in respect as The Empress managed to steal His Majesty away again. She must’ve stood there for some time because Jingse gently squeezed her hand.
“Your Highness, if you’ll hurt yourself if you kneel for so long,”
Taking a deep breath, Shen huang gui fei straightened. She turned around and looked at Xiang pin’s maid. She smiled.
“Thank goodness Hupo had the luck to run into you. Who knows what could’ve happened if that maid tricked The Emperor? You’re Xiang meimei’s Jiayi, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Your Highness,”
“Hmm,” Shen huang gui fei said, “Lucky indeed,”
––––––
*A palace maid was technically the lowest unofficial harem class (guan nu zi). So they still belonged to The Emperor (even if he never slept with them and they got to leave the palace after their 10 years of service). If they were caught having a relationship, it was considered cheating on The Emperor and that was a heavy crime.