Even with all her teachings, Shen huang gui fei was still coming up short. The dates she chose for Huabao's wedding were horrific! The Empress Dowager couldn't believe that anyone in the ministry would dare choose these days. She would have to urge His Majesty to investigate the Astrology department if these were the sort of things they come up with.
The Empress Dowager tossed the list onto her side table with a huff.
"Your Highness," said Jerjer, "The other dowagers have arrived,"
Hopefully, the morning greetings would take her mind off of Shen huang gui fei's foolishness. Since it became apparent that the other dowagers were here to stay, The Empress Dowager decided to put them to use and do something she could never do during The Late Emperor's time: be the one who was greeted in the morning.
At her highest, The Empress Dowager had only been a paltry Consort when The Late Emperor died. She had always been the one bending and bowing to someone else. Now, she was The Empress Dowager. She had no master.
She took another look in the mirror, making sure the fresh flowers and pearls in her liangbatou were still in place. It was the start of the eighth month* now, and it was hot enough that the paint was nearly melting off the walls.
"Anything interesting?" The Empress Dowager asked as Jerjer led her out to the main hall.
"Doesn't look like it, Your Highness," Jerjer replied, "The other dowagers do nothing but follow after Dowager Noble Consort Ling,"
The Empress Dowager fought off a huff at the thought of the Han clanswoman. It was as if Dowager Noble Consort Ling was some sort of benevolent goddess. As old as the other dowagers were, how hadn't they realized that so much of their poor luck was because of that woman's scheming?
When she stepped into the hall, the quiet chatter came to a halt. The dowagers hefted themselves out of their seats and bowed to the best of their ability to pay their respects to her. The Empress Dowager would have preferred them all on their knees kowtowing properly, but even His Majesty would take the time to scold her if she went that far. Especially if she endangered his precious Dowager Noble Consort Ling.
"Wishing Her Highness The Empress Dowager peace," they chorused.
The Empress Dowager took her time getting situated in her seat. Making sure her skirts flared out just so and that her sleeves hadn't ridden up too far but were far up enough that no one could miss the Imperial green of her jade bracelets.
"Rise," she said when she took as much time as she could, "Take a seat, meimei,"
She knew it rankled most of the other dowagers when she called them family of any kind. The Empress Dowager didn't find it palatable herself, but the bitter taste wasn't so strong, knowing how much it pained the others.
"Thank you, Your Highness,"
The dowagers moved their old bodies off the floor and into their chairs. The Empress Dowager laid a critical eye on their clothes and decoration. Now that they had returned to the Forbidden City, The Empress Dowager's personal budget hadn't been as robust as usual. It would obviously reflect poorly on His Majesty if the dowagers ran around looking shabby, but why was it her responsibility that they didn't? As much as she wanted to argue, The Emperor had already decided. The only thing she could do was "graciously" allow her dear sisters a small piece of her allowance so they could live out their days "comfortably."
"I could hear you chatting all the way in my bedroom," The Empress Dowager said, "Did something exciting happen? Another grandchild, perhaps?"
They glanced at each other before Dowager Noble Lady Yu spoke up, "It's about Xiang pin,"
The Empress Dowager very much wanted to roll her eyes—another living example of Shen huang gui fei's lack of gumption. Xiang pin, after all this time, was still under The Emperor and Empress's skirts like a bloodthirsty tic. The Empress Dowager was old and somewhat out of touch. Could anyone blame her that Xiang pin kept slipping out of her grasp? Shen huang gui fei was young and constantly in the know of the back palace–the fact that she couldn't do something as simple as get rid of Xiang pin was a sorry sight.
"Yes," Dowager Noble Lady Mei continued, "She's had it with one her maids,"
"Which one?" Asked The Empress Dowager.
"You haven't heard, jiejie?" Asked Dowager Noble Consort Ling, a smug smile on her wrinkled lips, "Are your people not keeping good enough watch?"
The Empress Dowager flashed Dowager Noble Consort Ling something close enough to a smile, "My people? My dear meimei, no one in my palace would go so low as to spy. In the back palace, if my royal daughter-in-law does not inform me, then I don't have to know. She knows how important my duties are,"
She enjoyed the frowns and poorly concealed eye rolls her little speech brought about. It was only the truth. Her duties were very important. She was The Empress Dowager, and they were simple peons living on the generosity of her blessed son. While they had time to peck at the world around them like the old hens they were, The Empress Dowager had more meaningful things to do.
"Her senior maid. The one she whipped," cut in Dowager Imperial Concubine Da, "Now, she's starving and beating the poor thing day after day. I was just telling Hua jiejie that Xiang pin won't even let the girl see a doctor,"
"And I was saying that it was strange. All I've heard about this Xiang pin is that she was such a kind mistress to her servants. Treating them like a little family and all," said Dowager Noble Lady Li.
"Hmph," said Dowager Consort Hua, "Didn't His Majesty bring her back to the Forbidden City a year ago by now? She probably just learned how these servants really are. You give an inch, and they take a mile,"
Dowager Noble Lady Mei nodded, "Its true! I heard that this maid actually tried to slip into His Majesty's bed,"
"Oh, well, that makes sense, then!" Said Dowager Consort Hua, "You can expect her to live with that sort of vermin,"
"Why waste the time doing all of that?" Asked Dowager Noble Lady Li, "Just send her to the hard labor camp and get on with it,"
Dowager Noble Consort Ling glanced at The Empress Dowager, "Some people just like a more hands-on touch. Right, jiejie?"
If she thought she could rile up The Empress Dowager by bringing up the maid of two she got rid of decades ago for doing the same thing, Dowager Noble Consort Ling would be sorely disappointed. The idea of Xiang pin being driven to madness by her servants tickled The Empress Dowager immensely.
"Some servants are hard headed and need to be made an example of," said The Empress Dowager, "It wasn't so long that Xiang pin was even lower than the lowest slave–it's no wonder they don't respect her,"
"Now," she continued, "In a few weeks, His Majesty will depart for the mid autumn hunt. We need to send word if there needs to be an extra yurt if any of you would like to go. I know that many of you were never granted the opportunity, so I'd be happy to give you this once in a lifetime experience,"
Dowager Noble Consort Ling laughed, "I think once in a lifetime is a bit of a strong description, jiejie. The Mongolian grasslands are beautiful, yes, but it is, in its essence, just a grassland,"
It was incredible. The Empress Dowager's little sister always had something to say. How had the late emperor every put up with her?
"You wouldn't know much about the riches of the grassland, would you meimei?" Replied The Empress Dowager, "But how can I blame you? You're a Han clanswoman. We don't share the same ancestors. You can truly never understand what those grasslands did to nurture the Great Qing. It's a shame you never learned this after being here for so many years,"
Dowager Noble Consort Ling's eyes narrowed, "Jiejie, are you saying that Empress Xiaodechengshun** was lax in educating me about the Great Qing and its accomplishments?"
The Empress Dowager froze at the mention of her late mistress.
"Jiejie, you couldn't possibly mean that about Empress Xiaodechengshun," said Dowager Consort Hua.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"I didn't mean anything because I didn't say anything about Empress Xiaodechengshun," said The Empress Dowager, "If Ling meimei wants to make up reasons to become outraged, it's hardly my job to stop her,"
Dowager Noble Lady Mei cleared her throat, "Your Highness, perhaps you shouldn't mention something like that again. We're sisters here. We know you wouldn't dare speak of Empress Xiaodechengshun's memory like that, but if someone looking to cause trouble heard that, it would be a different story,"
The Empress Dowager pursed her lips, fighting the urge to screech that she said nothing of the sort! She hadn't even mentioned that old bitch Xiaodechengshun and suddenly, with one tap of Dowager Noble Consort Ling's crippled feet, The Empress Dowager looked like some sort of unfilial villain!
Taking a deep breath, The Empress Dowager nodded, "True. I wouldn't want anyone to think I do anything but honor and worship Empress Xiaodechengshun's memory daily,"
"Really?" Dowager Noble Consort Ling said, "Would you like to join us in making prayer flags for Empress Xiaodechengshun, then? We're trying to make as many as possible before the anniversary of her passing. We could always use an extra pair of hands,"
The Empress Dowager would have liked nothing more than to step down from her chair, throw Dowager Noble Consort Ling to the ground, and wrap her hands around her sagging neck. That woman knew very well that The Empress Dowager would sooner spit on Empress Xiaodechengshun's tomb before making a prayer flag for her.
"What a lovely idea, meimei. I'll be sure to make as many as I can and send them to dafuge," she said instead.
"We actually make them together every day after a late lunch. Shall we save you a seat, jiejie?" said Dowager Noble Consort Ling.
"Very well," snapped The Empress Dowager, already fed up by the sight of Dowager Noble Consort Ling, "I'm off to see my royal daughter-in-law. You can all leave first,"
The dowagers rose to their feet and bid their farewell. When the hall was blessedly empty, the Empress Dowager huffed and stomped back to her bedroom. She didn't need to see The Empress today. It was an excuse to get those old bitches out of her palace. She kicked off her shoes and laid in her bed, stewing. What she wouldn't do to get rid of Dowager Noble Consort Ling again. Damn her foolish son for even granting that bitch the title of a dowager in the first place! For granting all those bitches the title of dowager!
"Please calm down, your Highness," said Jerjer, "Don't let Dowager Noble Consort Ling's small-mindedness frustrate you. It could make you ill,"
Jerjer gestured to a nearby maid who came to The Empress Dowager's bedside with a cup of tea. The Empress Dowager took the cup and flung it across the room.
"Get out! Everyone out!" She screeched.
As her useless servants shuffled out, The Empress Dowager fumed. One day, she'd be rid of Dowager Noble consort Ling and the rest of those bitches. She just had to wait for the right moment to strike.
✺
The purpose of a palace maid was to be invisible. Walk quietly, speak sparsely, and take your place in the shadows gratefully. So when all eyes began to swing to Jiayi anytime she left Chengqiangong's gates, it felt like a thousand tiny needles were repeatedly piercing her body. Jiayi couldn't blame them; if she were on the other end, she'd stare, too.
She was a dead man walking.
To covet your mistress's husband was one of the greatest sins a maid could commit, and the entirety of the Forbidden City now knew what Jiayi had tried to do so many months ago. Now, when they heard about Xiang pin beating and starving her, her mistress came out the victor. They'd do the same to Jiayi if they were in Xiang pin's place. From the whispers Jiayi heard, there was a countdown to when Jiayi met her untimely end or simply disappeared. Not 'if', but 'when'. As lowly as palace maids were, they were still from banner families. The average concubine wouldn't be able to get away with putting one in the grave, but everyone was sure that with His Majesty's favor, even if Xiang pin were given a demotion, it would be reversed in as little as a year. Maybe even 6 months.
Jiayi kept her nose pointed to the ground and her arms strong as she ferried a batch of candied nuts back to Xiang pin. Her nose tickled, but she couldn't risk rubbing it against her shoulder. It would smudge the makeup. The second act of her performance was a group effort. Molan had nearly wept when she found out that Xiang pin wasn't really out to get Jiayi, and Bolin had heaved a heavy-bellied sigh of relief. There had been real fear at the thought that Xiang pin had transformed into the archetype of the cruel concubine overnight.
The tales of Xiang pin beating Jiayi? The work of Bolin, who fearfully recounted his mistress' tantrums to anyone nearby. The starvation? Ping'er and Molan let the seams out of her clothes and helped her smudge bruises under her eyes.The choice to publicize her "failure" of becoming The Emperor's woman had been Jiayi. They needed to create a reason that she hadn't been able to get Xiang pin to use the poisoned rouge. They needed the illusion to draw Bai gonggong back to Jiayi.
Jiayi had been sure that as soon as it became apparent that Xiang pin wasn't using the rouge, Bai gonggong would corner her again. But it didn't happen. She had been sure, again, that after the rumors of Xiang pin's cruelty became well-known, he'd finally resurface—still nothing. Jiayi wasn't foolish enough to think that Bai gonggong would forget about her or let her go. He had chosen her as his sword to cut down both Xiang pin and The Empress, but he knew that the blade could turn on him at any time. If he changed his mind, he could not leave Jiayi alive. After so much waiting, Jiayi decided to find him first.
She crept through the Department of Internal Affairs' courtyard and asked the first eunuch she came across if Bai gonggong was inside.
"Come back later," he said, "He's having lunch with Fung gonggong soon,"
"I'll be quick," Jiayi begged.
The eunuch huffed before shrugging, "Fine. Piss him off if you like,"
Jiayi followed him, clutching the tray of snacks tightly. The eunuch stopped before a door and said, "He's in there,"
He didn't bother to stick around to see what Jiayi did and walked off.
Jiayi pushed the doors open and peered around the empty room. She followed the muffled sounds of shuffling and clanging dishes to the back of the hall and found Bai gonggong fussing with a table set with food.
"Bai gonggong!" She cried, dropping the candied nuts on a nearby table before running to him.
"Gonggong, you have to help me," she pleaded.
Bai gonggong tsked and said, "Why should I? I gave you one task, and you couldn't even do that. I've seen Xiang pin–she looks no different,"
"I tried my best, gonggong," Jiayi said, her voice miserable and whiney, "She used it for one day before I made her angry, and she tossed it against the wall. Gonggong, can't you give me something else?"
"Do you think that sort of thing grows on trees?" He snapped.
Bai gonggong let out a breath and shook his head, "Perhaps we should just part ways here. No harm done. We'll pretend this never happened,"
Of course. Bai gonggong would pretend so well it would send Jiayi to an early grave.
"Gonggong, please," she said, reaching up to grab his arm, "You must have heard. Xiang pin has gone crazy! She's whipped me and starved me, and look at my face! I can't spend another day with her. Please gonggong, please help me,"
Bai gonggong sighed and shook her off to sit down at the table.
"What did you bring?"
The sudden question brought Jiayi to a halt, "I don't..."
"You had a tray when you came in, didn't you?" He said, moving the plates and cutlery on the table bit by bit, "Bring it here,"
Jiayi crawled up off the floor and brought the candies to him. Her stomach roiled with nervousness as his spindly fingers slowly picked through the pile of honeyed treats.
He chewed loudly and leisurely, pausing to gulp down a cup of tea.
"Why should I bother with you again? Xiang pin doesn't trust you anymore–she doesn't even care for the sight of you. She'll see right through you in a second. You're wasting my time,"
"I'm not gonggong, I promise. She still lets me bring her food! Couldn't we just poison her that way?"
Bai gonggong sighed again, "You really are stupid!" He said, slamming his hand on the table, "Wouldn't she figure that out immediately since you're the only one who could have tampered with her food? Are there even brains in your head?"
He wagged his finger in her face. Jiayi had the urge to bite down until she tasted bone.
"Sorry," she said instead.
"Well, there's nothing you can do about your nature. We can only hope your future husband is endeared by it,"
"Does that mean you'll still help me?" Jiayi asked, pouring as much glee into her voice as she could.
Bai gonggong smiled widely, "I'll have to think of something, but yes, I will help you. From one servant to another, if anyone deserves to escape from these palace walls, it's you,"
"Thank you! Thank you!" She said, bowing low, "What should we do now?"
Whatever Bai gonggong meant to say was interrupted by Fung gonggong opening and slamming the door shut behind him. Jiayi had only glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and before she knew it, she was flat against the ground, her left temple throbbing.
Bai gonggong had struck her.
"Ah, master, you're here!"
Fung gonggong grunted and walked around Jiayi's sprawled body to take a seat at the table.
"I'm here at the same time everyday, A'wen," he said. He looked around at the food around the table before freezing at the sight of the candied walnuts. He snatched up a silk napkin and pressed it to his face.
"What is that?" He hissed.
"Forgive me, master," said Bai gonggong, "This foolish girl brought them in. I only just caught her!"
Fung gonggong glared down at her.
Did he recognize her? Bai gonggong said something about Fung gonggong thinking she wouldn't last but Bai gonggong was a liar. What if he did recognize her? Would–
"Get out!" Fung gonggong said, shooing her away, "And get that away from here. Now!"
Not wanting to take any chances, Jiayi scooped up the tray of walnuts and sped out of the room. The doors shut softly behind her, muffling Fung gonggong and Bai gonggong's voices, but only slightly.
"You didn't let her come close to the tea, did you?" Asked Fung gonggong.
"Absolutely not, master. I would never let anyone else prepare your tea, you know that," replied Bai gonggong.
"I know that? You let enough walnuts in this room to kill me 10 times over," Fung gonggong said with a huff, "Aiming for my job again, I see,"
"Master, I would never..."
Bai gonggong's voice faded away as Jiayi trudged out of the courtyard. Her skull was still buzzing from the knock to her head, but it wasn't the only thing that was making her head spin.
Fung gonggong was allergic to walnuts.
Badly allergic, judging by the way he acted. And from what it sounded like, Bai gonggong was one of the last people to put their hands on his lunchtime meals. If something were to go wrong, only Bai gonggong could take the blame.
Jiayi decided to be that something.
––––––––
*Between August 23 – September 23
**The filial, moral, capable, and prosperous Empress
This is a temple name. Which are posthumous titles given to members of the monarchy to aid in ancestor worship. I made it up and it's most likely incoherent because I'm not Chinese and the logistics of temple names are so intricate and even if I researched this for 10 years, I'd still wouldn't know much so nobody's allowed to be mad at me!