After Wang gugu left, Jiayi laid on the ground crying bitterly. She wished she had never left the hard labor camp. Even if Su gonggong thought about being cruel, she was sure she could muster up the strength to fight him off. Not to mention the man was near 70 years old! Her suffering would've only lasted five years or so. Shorter, if she became impatient.
Here, being unfair to a palace maid was like treading the ground beneath you. It was nature. As much she wanted to curl into the carpet and cry, Jiayi knew that Wang gugu would expect all three of them to up and ready to work in a few short hours. There was no point in crying any longer.
Biting back a scream, Jiayi sat up. She tipped her head back, closed her eyes and remembered. She remembered bathing in the rivers with her nanny as a child. She remembered how she felt like water cleansed her of all her worries. Jiayi clutched that memory in her sweaty hands and stood.
"I'll boil some water for a wash," she said before limping away.
She didn't bother to pick up a lantern and walked into the pitch blackness of the courtyard. She walked until her knees hit the edge of the well and pulled up a bucket of fresh water. When she stepped back inside, an older maid was there to meet her.
"Good," the stranger said, "Is the water clean?"
"Um...I have to heat it,"
"Hurry up then!" She said before delving deeper in the rooms.
Jiayi didn't have the energy to question the sudden appearance. She carried the warmed water to the maids' room.
Two other elder maids were in the room, leaning over Ping'er and Molan who face down on their beds, stripped to only their underpants. Several medicinal bowls were boiling away over small braziers.
"Finally," The older maid said. She took the warmed water and nodded to the medicines, "Fan the fire, but don't let it boil over,"
Jiayi picked up the fan lying by the medicines and got to work. It looked like Wang gugu sent a few gugus from the Imperial Hospital to check on them. Wang gugu knew that it was more work than it was worth to find an entirely new set of maids to keep readying Xiang gui ren's rooms.
"Idiot," the gugu said, pulling her upright, "Why didn't you say anything? Strip down, lie on the bed. Quickly!"
Stripping out of her clothes was monumental task. The dried blood had glued her clothes to her back. By the time she was topless, she was bleeding all over again.
"Not as bad as the others," the gugu tutted, "It's good that you're not so delicate,"
The gugu wiped her back down in warm water and layered a foul smelling paste on the wounds before wrapping them in gauze. Nasty as it smelled, the paste numbed her pain enough so she could change into her nightclothes. The gugu gave them each a bowl of bitter medicine to drink.
"Wang gugu was very merciful to you three," One of them said as the packed up, "Make sure to behave yourselves in the future,"
Jiayi, Ping'er and Molan struggled to their feet.
"This servant understands," they chorused.
Ping'er crawled back into bed, weeping miserably, "I want to go home," she cried with big gasping sobs, "I want my mother!"
Jiayi was painfully reminded that Ping'er was only slightly more than a child. Both she and Molan had been in the Forbidden City for years and understood the suffering that came from being a servant. Less than a year ago, Ping'er was probably still hiding behind her mother's skirts.
"It's alright," Jiayi found herself saying. She crawled over to Ping'er's bed and clutched her hand, "It's going to be alright,"
Ping'er shook her head, "I want to go home," she said again.
"Don't worry," Molan said, stroking Ping'er's hair, "The worst is over now,"
Jiayi nodded, "Things will get better, I promise,"
To Ping'er it seemed like being in The Forbidden City made you a hopeful woman but truly, it just made you into a better liar.
✺
They were no where close to healed but Wang gugu put them to work right away. When there was nothing left to do in Xiang gui ren's rooms, the three of them, plus a quiet mousy maid named Pie'er were loaned to Jiang gui ren for the time being.
"I'll make sure these slaves don't slack off," Jiang gui ren told Wang gugu.
Jiang gui ren made good on that promise. Her rooms were cleaner than they had ever been, as they were forced to scrub and wash every surface, every day. Jiayi's wrists had never been more sore as Jiang gui ren needed to be fanned at all moments. Susu enjoyed doling out slaps for fanning too fast or not fast enough. Each morning, she decided that each one of her many changfu needed to presented in front of her before she chose. When any of Xiang gui ren's servants presented something to her, they had to drop to their knees.
Each night Jiayi went to bed sore and aching. However, going to bed was now a luxury. In case Susu needed a light to get up to serve Jiang gui ren, Jiayi was ordered to kneel outside the bedroom, holding a candle above her head. Not once did Susu wake to serve her mistress.
During the day, Jiang gui ren strolled through the streets of Forbidden City showing off her trumped up troop of servants.
A Noble Lady was entitled to four maids and four eunuchs. To have eight each instead, even just for a little while was a physical reminder of The Emperor's favor for her. Jiang gui ren decided to thank him in person a few days after receiving this honor.
At that time in the afternoon, The Emperor was at Yangxindian*, working on state affairs. Stepping through the gates, Jiang gui ren saw the familiar figure of Lian pin. Lian pin had been a constant thorn in her side since their arrival to the palace eight years ago. They both arrived as first-class attendants but there she was, an Imperial Concubine with an honorary name personally given by His Majesty, while all Jiang gui ren had was a small promotion even after the birth of her auspicious daughter.
Everyone knew that Lian pin was nothing but window dressing that was lucky enough to have three brothers who had successful military feats. The heavens kept score by making her barren, at the very least.
"Lian jiejie," Jiang gui ren greeted, walking up the stone steps, "Enjoying the weather?"
Jiang gui ren could tell that Lian pin had been waiting outside for some time. Despite how hard her maid was fanning her, beads of sweat were welling up on her forehead.
"His Majesty has been too busy with state affairs to visit us so I thought bring him a bowl of cooling plum soup," said Lian pin.
"You haven't seen him?" Jiang gui ren said, feigning confusion, "How strange! I've seen His Majesty several times. If you'd like jiejie, I'll ask if he has time to spare for you,"
"Meimei is so kind," Lian pin replied with a smirk, "We can tell him together when he calls for us. Zhang Wei said that His Majesty isn't to be disturbed,"
Jiang gui ren smiled in response before walking to the doors. Instead of stopping her, the eunuchs stepped to the side and bowed. Jiang gui ren turned back and smiled wider at Lian pin's outraged face.
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"I'll take my leave, jiejie," she said with a bow.
Only Susu walked inside, Jiayi and the rest of of her servants waited in the courtyard. Lian pin stormed off, her servants trailing behind her. Jiang gui ren servants spent the afternoon baking in the heat. Ping'er looked close to fainting when Jiang gui ren emerged again. On their return to Xianfugong, Jiang gui ren was in a tizzy. The Emperor would be coming to dine in her rooms that night.
"Send for milk for my bath, I'll be serving his Majesty tonight," she said.
"Are you sure that His Majesty is flipping your tag?†" Susu asked.
"Who cares what tag he flips?" Jiang gui ren replied, sitting at her vanity, "A night with me is a night with me. No one else matters,"
"Of course," Susu replied. She turned at barked at Ping'er, "Hurry and present Jiang gui ren's clothes!"
One by one, Ping'er gently unfolded Jiang gui ren's silken robes and presented them to her. Jiang gui ren had close to 100 outfits. It wasn't long before Ping'er began to flag. She pulled up a pure white changfu. As she began to present it to Jiang gui ren, she stepped on the hem and crashed to the floor.
"Please forgive this servant!" Cried Ping'er, crawling to her knees.
"Idiot!" Susu snatched up the changfu and presented the damage to Jiang gui ren, "Mistress, this is your favorite dress,"
Jiang gui ren ran her hand over the tattered and wrinkled hem.
"Cheap bitch! His Majesty personally granted this to me for my birthday!"
Ping'er collapsed deeper into the floor, "This servant is useless, please forgive me! Please forgive me!"
Jiayi looked on, conflicted. She didn't want to get involved but she couldn't stand to see Ping'er treated this way. It had been days since Ping'er had the energy to crack a smile. Susu was too much of a coward to bully Jiayi and Molan too much, so Ping'er took the brunt of her abuse.
Jiang gui ren grabbed at Ping'er's hair and jerked it back and forth, "You couldn't pay for this dress with 50 of your lives! I should drag you outside and let them beat you with rods!"
Ping'er looked to be too exhausted to beg for her life. Thinking quickly, Jiayi dropped to her knees.
"Congratulations, mistress!" She said.
"You dare have a smile on your face when Jiang gui ren is suffering like this?" Susu said, "Do you want to go to the gates of hell with this useless thing?"
"Congratulations, mistress," Jiayi repeated, "This is an amazing opportunity!"
Jiang gui ren booted Ping'er away and walked over to Jiayi, "The next words out of your mouth better be straight from Buddha himself. If not, I'll cut your tongue out,"
Jiayi swallowed but kept the wide smile on her face, "Days ago, the tribute from the South arrived. It contained a small amount of shu brocade. The rumor is that this brocade is like nothing anyone has seen before. Its made from such delicate silk that one bolt took ten years to craft! They say that this shu brocade is so far above all others that it was immediately sent to His Majesty when it was completed,"
"So?"
"Of course His Majesty will have something crafted for Her Highness The Empress and The Empress Dowager. There should still be enough left to create one more outfit. Jiang gui ren, this accident gives you a reason to ask His Majesty for the shu brocade. Imagine, not only will be served by eight maids and and eight eunuchs, but you'll be wearing a garment personally granted by His Majesty that only The Empress was worthy of. Only you would be fit to wear it,"
Jiayi clamped her mouth shut after her little speech. Jiang gui ren was quiet for so long that Jiayi thought her and her tongue would be soon parted. Instead, Jiang gui ren sat back down.
"Ah, I suppose it's only right that the brocade is granted to me. I've suffered for much in my service to His Majesty,"
Susu nodded, "Yes, no one is as sincere towards His Majesty as you," she held out a cup of tea to Jiang gui ren, "Why don't you have an outfit and a pair of shoes made from the brocade? That way no one can pick through the scraps,"
Jiang gui ren nodded and sipped her tea, "Mmm, yes. That would very smart,"
She continued sipping her tea before glaring at Ping'er, "Get out my sight already, you ugly thing,"
Ping'er bowed her head again, "Yes,"
Jiayi couldn't search for Ping'er until Jiang gui ren went for her bath and found her in the back courtyard crying again.
"Ping'er," Jiayi said, as she walked over, "You have to stop crying. You'll upset Jiang gui ren,"
"I can't help it," Ping'er replied, "I'm so tired!"
Jiayi wiped at Ping'er's red face, "It's only for today, remember? Xiang gui ren arrives tomorrow. It's only for a little longer,"
Ping'er wrapped her arms around Jiayi.
"Only for a little while longer," Jiayi said again, holding Ping'er tight.
"I knew I would find you two slacking off back here,"
Jiayi and Ping'er sprang apart. Susu walked over to them, holding Jiang gui ren's damaged changfu.
"Susu jiejie, we were only taking a small break," said Jiayi.
"Break? Aren't you two living in the lap of luxury?" Susu replied with a snort, "I suppose you have done well enough serving Jiang gui ren, but this thing–" Susu dragged Ping'er by the ear, "Has done no such thing,"
"Go kneel in the front courtyard. Stay there until His Majesty leaves,"
"What if His Majesty spends the night?" Jiayi asked.
"Then she will spent the night kneeling," replied Susu. She slapped Ping'er on the back of the head, "Go!"
"And get rid of this!" Susu said, tossing the robes at Jiayi before stomping away.
Jiayi looked down at the fabric in her arms. She pulled at the frayed edge. The fabric was so strong but in a dim light, you could barely see it.
Such great fabric could be repurposed in many ways.
✺
Jiang gui ren had the servants kneel in the courtyard to await The Emperor's arrival. When Jiayi first arrived to the palace, she had a deep burning hatred towards him. Over time, the hatred transformed into numbness, but seeing him step through the gates of Xianfugong for the first time, the flames ignited once more. How dare this man, who ruined her life, her family, her clan, look so calm and well rested. Did he not feel shame? Guilt? Were people like her even human? Jiayi had to drop her head, knowing the look on her face was less than welcoming.
"This concubine wishes His Majesty holy peace," Jiang gui ren said, kneeling before him.
The Emperor offered her his arm and pulled her upright, "Your courtyard is crowded these days," he said.
Jiang gui ren shook her head, "Crowded? Your Majesty, I think these are just the amount I need. You should leave them with me for good,"
The Emperor laughed and stroked her cheek, "You'll have plenty of servants like this soon. For now, you'll give them back to Xiang gui ren,"
Pouting, Jiang gui ren took The Emperor's hand and led him inside, "You Majesty should've come earlier. Huaguang is already sleeping,"
Jiayi and the rest of the servants trickled back into Jiang gui ren's rooms. Jiayi had complained of hunger to Susu so the other maid forced her to kneel right outside the dining room so she could drool over the scents of the food. Head pointed to the ground, she fiddled with the thin silken rope in her hands. In the romantic lighting of Jiang gui ren's rooms, it look like Jiayi was simply fidgeting. The other end was tied to a side table a few feet across from her. A heavy jadeite Buddha sat on top.
"I see Huaguang often enough," The Emperor replied. He looked over at the table covered in delicious food, "Some of these look new,"
"My father told me of this dish he had on his travels so I had the kitchens learn the recipe. Would Your Majesty try some,"
Jiang gui ren brought her chopsticks to her mouth and lost a piece of food.
"Mistress, take care," a maid said, patting at the stain.
"It's just like my luck to have two changfu ruined in one day,"
"Two?" asked the Emperor.
Jiang gui ren shook her head, "Your Majesty is tired from working all day. I won't tire you with my little problems as well,"
"Speak,"
"Earlier today one of the little maids damaged the changfu you gifted me for my birthday,"
"The white one?"
"Yes. I didn't have it in my heart to punish her too much even though I loved it,"
The Emperor nodded, "It was only one set. I'll send for a new one,"
Jiang gui ren smiled, "Your Majesty is too kind," she stood and refilled his cup of wine. As he drank, she stood behind him and massaged his shoulders, "I've heard that Your Majesty received a few bolts of shu brocade. Could some be spared to make me a new outfit?"
"If there's any left over, I'll send it over to you,"
Smiling, Jiang gui ren bowed, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for his grace,"
"Rise,"
Jiayi looked up from her place on the floor as the savory smell of mutton wafted through the room. Susu had just entered holding The Emperor's favorite dish, spicy hotpot. She walked to the dining room, head held high, the heavy tray blocking her feet. Jiayi waited until Susu stepped right in front of her, wound the silk rope around her fingers and pulled.
Susu crashed to the ground, the brass pot of bubbling broth sailing through the air. It smashed into the dinner table, sending the plates flying and splashing every which way. Jiang gui ren screeched as her clothes was splattered with dinner.
"Your Majesty are you alright?!"
The Emperor's servants darted into the room, terrified that their master was a casualty of the commotion. Zhang Wei, The Emperor's senior eunuch, headed the pack.
He looked down at Susu was cowering on the floor.
"Men, take this servant to the courtyard and beat her to death,"
"Zhang gonggong, wait a moment please!" Jiang gui ren said. She kneeled before The Emperor, "Your Majesty, Susu is my dowry maid. She only made a small mistake. Please forgive her!"
"Small mistake?" Echoed Zhang Wei, "This was an attempted assassination! His Majesty's royal body was harmed!"
He cradled The Emperor's hand that was now covered in small red splotches where the broth had splattered on him.
The Emperor sighed. Zhang Wei used a towel and began wiping The Emperor's clothing and checking for any other wounds.
"No harm done," he said, "Susu has served Jiang gui ren for many years. Just send her to the Department of Careful Punishment for a few floggings,"
"This concubine thanks Your Majesty for his grace," Jiang gui ren whimpered, "Your Majesty let me help you–"
The Emperor stood up and strode out of the room.
"Men," Zhang Wei said again, "Drag her down,"
Susu whimpered as a pair of eunuchs grabbed her.
As The Emperor walked passed, Jiayi said with a clear, steady voice, "Sending Your Majesty off with respect,"
–––––––––––––
*Hall of Mental Cultivation
†The Emperor is given a tray with the names of his concubines written on a tag. If he flipped a certain tag, that woman would spend the night with him