It was like nothing, and everything had changed at the same time. But now, their smiles were sweeter, and their hands closer. Jiayi and Prince Han laughed and talked and ignored how their time together was dwindling day by day.
Jiayi was beside herself. Prince Han liked her.
Prince Han, who had traveled far and wide and met all sorts of beauties, still chose her. And he said he would wait for her to be better. Perhaps Jiayi’s name wasn’t some sort of joke. Maybe she was allowed to be lucky.
Maybe she was allowed to be happy.
At least for a little while.
Jiayi wasn’t stupid. What she and Prince Han had wouldn’t be forever. How could it? When His Majesty decided it was time, Prince Han would marry a nice gêgê from a good clan and move into a Prince’s manor in the capital. Jiayi couldn’t possibly go with him. But the more she thought of it, the more she didn’t care. From the moment she was born, her life was not her own. She went from being someone’s daughter to His Majesty’s slave to Xiang pin’s maid. The leash around her neck was passed from master to master. Why couldn’t she hand that leash to someone of her choosing?
Even when it ended, and Prince Han forgot about her or she was given away to some stranger, she would have something that sometimes noblewomen never got.
Memories of a lover. Even if she and Prince Han did nothing more than hold hands, Jiayi would hold on to the memory like the sky held the sun.
“Furen, are you ready to go?”
Jiayi blinked. She was so deep in her thoughts that she had been digging through her chest mindlessly for some time.
“Sang'er," she scolded, “I told you to stop calling me that,”
Sang’er slipped inside, a wide smile on his face, “How can I call you by your name now? His lordship will have my head, furen. Now, are you ready? Prince Han is waiting,”
Neither Sang’er nor Chang daren seemed very surprised by the development between her and Prince Han. Chang daren sheepishly admitted that he assumed there was something between them from the start, which was mildly embarrassing.
Jiayi returned to unearthing the hairpin Prince Han slid into her hair when he first arrived at the inn. She tucked the jewelry into her hair and tied on her cape.
“Let’s go,”
Prince Han was in the inn’s waiting area, looking ever more like the prince he was, even in his nobleman costume. He was steadfastly ignoring Chang daren, who was making conversation with the inn owner’s wife. As he saw her, his face changed very little, but his eyes twinkled with the sort of warmth that made Jiayi’s face burn red.
“Thank goodness,” he murmured, “Any longer, and my ear would’ve fallen off,”
Jiayi smiled, “He’s just friendly,” she replied.
As they stepped out into the bustling streets, Jiayi couldn't help but feel a sense of surrealism wash over her. She and Prince Han were walking side by side, like equals, like lovers. It made her ecstatic. It made her nervous.
“What’s your favorite color?” She blurted out.
“Oh,” he said, tilting his head from side to side as he thought, “Black,”
Chang daren snorted from a few paces behind them.
“Really?” Jiayi asked.
Prince Han glared at Chang daren before turning back to her, “It’s elegant. You can make it flashy with a good hand, and it doesn’t show blood,”
“You’re very practical, my lord,” Jiayi replied.
Prince Han rolled his eyes and gently nudged her with his shoulder, “And you?”
Jiayi thought long and hard and came up empty. It had been a very long time since anyone had cared about anything she wanted or liked. Jiayi had been wearing what was given to her since she was a child.
“I think they’re all quite nice,” she said at last.
“You’re very diplomatic, my lady,” he replied with a chuckle that resonated in the crisp air, “No, really. If you had to choose,"
Jiayi shrugged lightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "If I had to choose... maybe yellow. Like the sun on a new day,”
"Yellow," Prince Han mused, his eyes drifting to the sky. "It suits you."
With her blushing cheeks, Jiayi felt like red suited her better. As they continued their leisurely stroll through the bustling streets, Jiayi was drawn to Prince Han's side, their steps falling into a comfortable rhythm. Prince Han, who had seen far more of the world than she could ever, happily pointed out all the ins and outs of the hustling, bustling streets before them. It was incredible. Jiayi was sure the Forbidden City had more people, but the roads here felt packed with far more energy. People were running and yelling and smiling! They laughed loud and proud with no overseer to cuff them in the head for disturbing the peace.
Their fingers brushed against each other now and then, sending a flutter of excitement through her. She wanted to grab his hand so badly now that she had the right, but she was sure her palms were horrifically slick with sweat. They paused their tour as Chang daren voiced his hunger.
Prince Han rolled his eyes, “A man of your profession should be able to go a few hours without food,”
“Furen,” Chang daren said, pulling at her cape like a child, “Take pity on this lowly one. I'm wasting away. Anything will do,”
Jiayi nodded, “Yes, yes. It wouldn’t do if we returned you to Molan all thin. Meimei hates skinny boys,”
As Chang daren sputtered, Jiayi found a steamed bun stand, “Ah! Those look good,”
The fluffy white dough balls stared up at them from the steamed bamboo basket. Decadently, Jiayi ordered one of each flavor for herself and a few for Prince Han, Sang'er, and Chang daren. Jiayi searched her purse while the vendor eagerly dropped the buns into a wrapped banana leaf. She had bought a few trinkets here and there since her arrival in the capital, but they hadn’t made much of a dent. But before she could pull the money out, Sang’er darted in front of her, coins in hand to pay.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Put your money away. Do you want me to look like a cad?” Prince Han whispered, leaning in close.
Jiayi scampered to collect their snacks, refusing to acknowledge the way Prince Han’s breath felt on her ear. The group of them sat on a nearby cluster of barrels and chairs. Sang’er and Chang daren dug into their buns with vigor. Jiayi picked up a steaming bun and tore it in half, belly rumbling at the sight of the glistening beef filling. The first bite was incredible, greasy, spiced, and offensively fragrant. She gobbled it up in no time. She wondered if she would look too greedy if she tried a pork bun when she noticed Prince Han had barely started eating.
Prince Han cursed and mumbled as he tossed the bun from hand to hand, struggling to tear off a piece without burning his elegant fingers.
"Here, let me," she offered, reaching out to help him. Their hands met briefly, and electricity shot through her at the contact. Prince Han glanced up at her, a soft smile curving his lips, and Jiayi felt her cheeks flush.
She broke the bun open and gave him a piece of banana leaf to hold it with.
Prince Han took a hearty bite and sighed, “Paint beautifully, repel fire–is there anything your hands can’t do?”
Jiayi shoved another bun in her mouth to prevent herself from saying something stupid. Like the steamed bun, her feelings were invigorating and boiling hot. She could get used to this.
✺
De gui fei hovered the magnifying glass over the figures in the book on the table before her. The records of the back palace’s costs were meticulously written but quite small. She scrutinized the excess of Zhongcuigong. It was only slightly less than The Empress’s.
“Your Highness,” De gui fei said, “Zhongcuigong's food costs are astronomical. And the amount of silk and brocade are outrageous,”
The Empress barely glanced up from the finance book on her desk, “Shen huang gui fei has young children to look after now. Of course, the figures are high,”
“10th Prince and 11th Prince are newborns still, Your Highness, this–,”
“Is something His Majesty takes no umbrage with," The Empress interrupted, "Leave it be,”
De gui fei gripped the magnifying glass handle in frustration but nodded her head, “Yes, Your Highness,”
De gui fei grew increasingly sick of The Empress’s apathy towards Shen huang gui fei’s misdeeds. De gui fei knew, as The Empress, the squabbles of concubines were nothing but trivial and petty to her. But The Empress had to know that Shen huang gui fei was wicked to her core! She wouldn’t stop until she had The Empress’s head on a platter. And she was one step closer now, with the acquisition of two sons.
“I’ve meaning to talk to you about something,”
The stark sentence made De gui fei pause, “Yes, Your Highness?”
The Empress let her maids clear the books from her table.
“Huahuan will be 16 soon. His Majesty has decreed that I find her a good match,”
It was only muscle memory that had De gui fei thanking The Empress and The Emperor for their grace. She couldn’t believe it. Her daughter, married? The thought of it made a pit open up in her stomach. Huahuan was a child still. She still snuck into De gui fei’s bed and spent her day running after Xiang pin's fat little dog and flying kites. How could that little girl be someone’s wife? Someone’s mother? It made De gui fei want to bundle Huahuan up, run into the wilderness, and never return.
“Meimei,”
De gui fei raised her head and flinched. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed that The Empress had walked over and stood right before her. The Empress held out her hand.
“Get up,”
De gui fei gripped The Empress’ hand, feeling awkward and ashamed. Ridiculous. A girl must marry. It was as natural as the sun rising! De gui fei’s hesitance would only ruin Huahuan. De gui fei let The Empress pull her to her feet.
“This is the sort of decision that can only be made by Huahuan’s mother,”
“You are–,” De gui fei began to protest.
The Empress shook her head, “I’ve watched Huahuan take her first steps, say her first words, and sing her first song, all thanks to you. You raised her into a wonderful young woman. Only you can make this decision,"
The heartfelt words brought a tear to De gui fei’s eyes, “Your Highness is too kind,”
The Empress laughed, “It’s barely a kindness, meimei. Come, His Majesty’s ministers have sent a few recommendations for Huahuan,”
De gui fei took a seat next to The Empress behind her desk.
“Those ministers…They’ve chosen these men for the strength of their clans and the silver in the coffers. That’s not all there is to a good man, let alone husband,”
“Don’t fret,” said The Empress, “Shiyi has investigated each candidate thoroughly,”
That did give De gui fei some comfort. Shiyi gugu rarely left a stone unturned when it came to an order from The Empress.
“What about Huabao?” De gui fei asked, suddenly remembering her daughter’s shadow.
De gui fei was ashamed to say that she rarely thought about the girl. The poor thing was living proof of chickens coming home to roost. Would Huabao be where she is today if her mother hadn’t invited evil into her life with her actions? Even so, it wouldn’t do for Huahuan to get married before Huabao. Exiled as she was, Huabao was still the first princess.
“His Majesty thought of her as well. I sent someone to call Shen huang gui fei here to discuss this, but that was nearly an hour ago,” replied The Empress.
Just then, a maid scurried inside, a letter in her hands.
“From Shen huang gui fei, Your Highness,”
De gui fei watched as The Empress’s brows furrowed as she read the message. She let out a sigh and handed the letter to Shiyi gugu.
“Apparently, 10th prince and 11th prince have both fallen ill. Shen huang gui fei can’t bear to leave their sides,”
How convenient. Shen huang gui fei was growing bolder and bolder. Shirking her duties, blowing off The Empress–she had the nerve to only attend the morning greetings once a week!
“No matter. Shiyi?”
Shiyi gugu nodded, “As Her Highnesses ordered, I sent people out of the palace to inquiry about the candidates here. Of the options His Majesty sent, Eje of the Tunggiya clan and Pan Weimin of the Hoifa Nara are quite appropriate,”
“Didn’t His Majesty send anyone from the Fuca or Niohuru?” Asked De gui fei.
“Yes, Your Highness, Hu Shi of the Fuca and Laimbu of the Niohuru. But they are no good. Hu Shi is the second legitimate son of Hu Fa. He is educated and upright, but his household is already in disarray. He has two ce fujin, and one is as cruel as can be. The servants were tight lipped about which one, but they couldn’t hide how many maids were being buried during their time there. Neither first or second Princess should set foot in such a place,”
The Empress nodded, “What about Laimbu?”
Shiyi gugu tsked and shook her head, “A glutton. He’s the first legitimate son of the vice-secretary minister of revenue and was born to a powerful clan. He passed the Imperial exams but only barely. His manor is bursting with concubines, and not a ce fujin in sight! He doesn’t lack children, of course, but people talk of the ones that live in and out of his manor,”
“Disgusting,” said De gui fei, “Why would His Majesty agree to this kind of person?”
“The vice-secretary is very good at his job,” replied The Empress, “He was the one who unveiled the embezzlement of the treasury all those years ago. Pity that his son didn’t grow from the same garden,”
A pity indeed.
“Tell me about Eje and Pan Weimin ,” said De gui fei.
According to Shiyi, both men were of good stock. His Majesty valued their fathers greatly, and they themselves were righteous and moral. Eje was 22 and had one concubine and a bedmaid. Pan Weimin was 20 and had only one ce fujin. They lived near enough to the Forbidden City that neither Huabao nor Huahuan would need to travel far to visit.
“Eje,” De gui fei said, rolling the name around in her mouth, “As in bull*? Is he very much like his namesake?”
Shiyi gugu smiled, “I wouldn’t say so. Quite slim and fair,”
De gui fei pulled the portraits of Eje and Pan Weimin closer, “Neither Huabao’s or Huahuan’s birthdays conflict with either,”
“Don’t rush,” said The Empress, “You’re welcome to as much time as you need,”
“Thank you, Your Highness,”
“Your Highness! Your Highness!” A eunuch zipped into the room.
“Impudent! How dare you disturb The Empress!” Said Shiyi gugu.
“It’s bad, gugu! They just pulled Her Highness Xiang pin out of a lake!”
––––––––––––––
*Eje=bull in the Manchu language.