To be able to personally raise a prince in your palace instead of letting them fend for themselves with their momos in the A Ge Sou was a privilege that many concubines would never have, but currently, Shen huang gui fei wished Yizhong and Yiru were far, far, far away from here.
Crying, crying, crying. They were always crying. Shen huang gui fei didn't remember Huabao crying so much at this age. All day and all night, all they did was cry. Sending the momos to the other side of the palace did nothing to dampen their noise. Even though Shen huang gui fei had frequently ordered the momos to take Yizhong and Yiru away when they worked themselves up like this–they insisted that Shen huang gui fei could soothe them.
A mother's touch, Su momo said.
Please. The momos were as lazy as the day was long.
Shen huang gui fei decided to hide away in her bedroom. She hadn't had a moment to relax since Huabao's engagement. She didn't understand why things were so difficult. Everything was falling into place! If there were ever a time for her to feel at ease, it would be now!
But she was nowhere near that. Usually, when things got this way, the one thing that would calm her down was spending time with His Majesty. When they were together, it was like they were in their own world. It was as if they were husband and wife, like it was truly meant to be. His Majesty wouldn't hesitate to fit her into his schedule, no matter how busy he was. Yes, at times, they quarreled, but what pair didn't? They always found their way back to each other.
They used to, at least.
In truth, it had been months since Shen huang gui fei had said more than two words to His Majesty that weren't in passing. You would think he would take so much more interest in his firstborn daughter's wedding, but he had claimed–in a message from Zhang Wei–that she and The Empress were more than equipped to handle it. He hadn't flipped her tag or visited Zhongcuigong to see the children either. Whenever Shen huang gui fei found the free time to see him, he was either occupied by Xiang pin, one of her little trollops, or state affairs.
"Ouch!" She snapped, yanking her foot from a maid's hand.
Jingse slapped the maid on the back of the head and shooed her outside. A'Fang picked Shen huang gui's foot back up, inspecting it for marks.
"Sorry, Your Highness," said Jingse, "I thought Limei could handle a simple task like a massage,"
"Limei? When did a Limei come into my palace?"
"She came in with the other girls to help with the wedding, Your Highness," Jingse replied.
Shen huang gui fei huffed, "Don't let her attend to me again,"
"Yes, Your Highness,"
Shen huang gui fei resumed her brooding, motioning the eunuch at her head to pick up the pace with his fan. To make matters worse, Bai gonggong was making zero progress. It was making her regret approaching him at all. She hadn't thought to give explicit instruction because she assumed Bai gonggong was a veteran at this sort of thing. Seeing as there hadn't been any change in Xiang pin at all, that was wrong. Now, she had to go through the entire process of finding a way to get rid of him. She would have to figure out if he used anyone else in his scheme and then try and find a way to dispose of them all in one fell swoop.
Shen huang gui fei let out a miserable sigh. As if she didn't have enough to do! Being with His Majesty would do wonders for her mood at a time like this. There was no point in trying to reach him, though. The eunuchs at Yangxidian sent a message saying that Xiang pin and Lian fei had been inside all day.
She wasn't surprised that Lian fei had magically forgotten her ire towards Xiang pin for the chance of His Majesty's favor. As old as she was, the window to have anything resembling a healthy child was closing fast. Shen huang gui fei could only imagine how insufferable Lian fei would become if she did manage a pregnancy. Just thinking about it made her head hurt more than it already did. She was about to have Jingse take down her hair for a nap when she heard a commotion outside.
Shen huang gui fei nudged A'Fang with her foot, "Go see who's making all that racket,"
Before A'Fang could get to her feet, Chen momo burst inside.
"Your Highness," she said, stumbling down to her knees, "Its–It's 11th prince!"
Shen huang gui fei shot to her feet, "What? What's wrong with him? What have you done?!"
She didn't bother to wait for Chen momo's explanation and ran outside. Yizhong was whimpering pitifully in Li momo's arms while Yiru was lying limply in Tan momo's arms, letting out hoarse and hiccuping croaks. His eyes bulged, and his face turned a furious red as he coughed and coughed.
"What have you done!" Shen huang gui fei asked again, snatching him into her arms.
"Your Highness, he–"
"Have you called for the doctors?" Shen huang gui fei said, turning Yiru over and smacking his back.
Was he choking? Why was he making that noise?
"We did, Your Highness; we told Xiao-Ling to say it was an emergency," said Su momo.
Shen huang gui fei turned Yiru back around and stared at his mottled face. This couldn't be happening, not now! If Yiru died under her care, it wouldn't matter if Shen huang gui fei blamed each momo, maid, and eunuch in Zhongcuigong–it would still be her fault. She would be the one responsible for killing one-half of His Majesty's most auspicious children. At Shen huang gui fei's age, there was no chance she could redeem herself with another child. Even worse, The Empress would find a way to accuse her of doing it on purpose, and Yizhong would be taken from her as well.
A doctor who wasn't Hwang taiyi stormed into the room. He greeted her shortly before taking Yiru from her arms.
"What happened?" He asked.
"We don't know," said Chen momo, "He woke up from his nap and was fussy and a bit warm. 11th prince has two new teeth, so I didn't think much of it. He's been like this off and on for weeks. He had a small cough, but never this bad!"
The physician squinted before his face turned grave, "10th prince cannot stay here," he said.
"What do you mean?" Asked Shen huang gui fei, her heart stuttering.
The physician sighed and returned Yiru to her before opening his medicine case and rifling through the bottles.
"11th Prince is suffering from the cough of 100 days*,"
Shen huang gui fei would have fallen to the ground had Jingse not been by her side. The last time the cough afflicted Forbidden City, two princes and three princesses died. It had been nearly 30 years since the last sickness. Why was it back now? And why with her son?
Su momo's eyes widened, "But Cao taiyi, it's the middle of the summer. This cough only comes in the winter!"
Cao taiyi shook his head, "Sickness comes in all seasons. Quickly, we need to get this decoction made. Momo, is 11th Prince still drinking?"
A'Fang took the herbs and raced to start a fire.
Chen momo nodded, "He nursed this morning,"
"Good, good. 11th prince's cough is still at stage one. Stage two is more severe, but we can stop the progression if we can clear the heat from his lungs and release the pestilence in his qi. While the decoction brews, we should give him a steam bath to break up the abundance of phlegm,"
Yiru had been wheezing noisily in Shen huang gui fei's arms as Cao taiyi worked when his body tensed, going ramrod straight before he began to cough again. Pinkish spittle ran down the corners of his graying lips as he desperately sucked in air that he couldn't find.
Shen huang gui fei's feet were rooted to the rough carpet beneath her feet as Yiru trembled and twitched. Yiru was going to die. She knew that children as young as Yiru could survive the cough, but the odds weren't in his favor. Would he truly recover from this if he suffered too long? Would it be worth it to have an invalid son for a prince? It was better than dead, wasn't it?
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Wasn't it?
Shen huang gui fei thanked her blessings that she was given two sons instead of one. Yizhong was still healthy and she needed to keep it that way.
"What did you say about Yizhong? If he can't stay here, where can he go?" She asked Cao taiyi.
As Tan momo carried Yizhong over to the steam bath, Cao taiyi said, "Fortunately, most His Majesty's Imperial heirs are old enough that if the cough spread, it wouldn't be fatal. However, it could still strain the lungs badly. We can't send 10th Prince to stay anywhere in case he infects the other children, but he can't stay here lest he be infected by 11th Prince,"
A'Fang wrung her hands, "Your Highness, what are we going to do?"
Shen huang gui fei didn't know. There were so many choices, and just one misstep could result in not just Yiru's death but the death of Shen huang gui fei's favor.
No.
She decided she wouldn't be making any decisions at all. She was only Yiru and Yizhong's foster mother. Technically, she had no say in their lives at all.
That was their Royal Mother's job.
✺
"The Emperor arrives! The Empress arrives!"
When the servants announced His Majesty's arrival, Cao taiyi had just finished forcing the decoction down Yiru's throat. Shen huang gui fei nearly dropped the child in surprise. She hadn't thought he would accompany The Empress.
The sight of The Emperor brought Shen huang gui fei to her knees.
"Your Majesty!" She cried, "It's terrible!"
She tugged at the smooth orange silk of his clothes and sobbed. She wanted to make sure he saw her distress. It was real, obviously, but she wanted every stranger who set foot in Zhongcuigong to know that her heart as a mother was hurting.
Zhang Wei helped her to her feet as His Majesty told them all to rise.
"Jingse, help your mistress to a chair and bring something cool and simple to drink," said The Empress.
"Yes, Your Highness,"
As His Majesty and The Empress were led into the main hall, Shen huang gui fei could feel the familiar twang of bitterness coat her mouth. Gangs of foreign envoys and ambassadors had been traipsing in and out of the Forbidden City, and everyone knew that along with the proclamations of continued loyalty to His Majesty, came tributes from all corners of the world. Pearls, gems, perfumes, fabrics, and furs of all kinds had been laid at His Majesty's feet. Of course, The Empress Dowager had first rites to pick through and snatch up anything her magpie'd eyes wanted. And then the dowagers and then The Empress. Shen huang gui fei hadn't thought much of it. His Majesty knew of her affinity for furs and pearls. There was seldom a tribute where she didn't personally receive something far above her station and sometimes even above The Empress' station.
How often did His Majesty whisper that the ring he slipped onto her finger, the fur wrapped around her shoulders, or the interesting bangle he pressed into her hands had caught The Empress' eye, but he had saved it just for her?
When Zhang Wei came to her doors to deliver the gifts instead of His Majesty, it hadn't worried her. When she opened the lacquered box and saw a smooth silver clock with diamonds on the hands, she had been struck dumb. Where were her rings? Her furs? She had rattled out her thanks to get the eunuch out of her palace so she could have her tantrum in private.
A'Fang had wondered if perhaps The Empress Dowager and her lot had taken all the goods, and this was what was left. It had been a sound theory until she had seen The Empress during the morning greetings dripping foreign jewelry. There were silver earrings with pearls the size of quail eggs hanging from her ears and an array of diamond rings dotting her fingers. Had it been winter, Shen huang gui fei was sure that The Empress would be sporting an exotic new fur cape. The luxury bordered on obscene. The same earrings glittered as she took a seat next to The Emperor.
Cao taiyi bowed and informed The Emperor and The Empress of the predicament.
"I don't know what to do," Shen huang gui fei said, "I don't want to send Yizhong away!"
"What do you think, Empress?" Asked The Emperor.
The Empress tapped a finger on her thigh, "Perhaps it would be better for Yiru and his momos to move closer to the Imperial Hospital for treatment. Yizhong can stay here, and Shen meimei can keep a close eye to make sure he hasn't caught the cough as well,"
Shen huang gui fei had to admit that The Empress' choice was sound enough. If anything were to go wrong, the blame would fall on the Imperial hospital, the momos, or The Empress.
The Emperor nodded and turned to Wang gugu, "Take Yiru and his momos and prepare a side hall,"
The Empress stood, "I'll accompany you,"
Once The Empress and her retinue had filed out of the room, Shen huang gui fei was dismayed to see that The Emperor looked like he was planning to leave as well. He'd only just arrived!
"Your Majesty–"
"Your Highness," A'Fang interrupted, "10th prince is fussy. Li momo couldn't settle him,"
By the look on Li momo's face, that was a complete lie, but Shen huang gui fei took Yizhong into her arms anyway. If there was one thing that could hold His Majesty's attention for a little while, it was an Imperial Heir.
"It's probably just another tooth," she said.
"Another one?" His Majesty asked, "Let me see,"
Shen huang gui fei eagerly passed Yizhong along. She parked herself at The Emperor's side as he gazed down at his child.
"He's growing well," The Emperor said, gently bouncing the baby in his arms.
Shen huang gui fei rested her head on his shoulder, taking a deep breath of his smell.
"Yes. He and Yiru look more and more like Guang meimei every day,"
"Really?" he paused and peered closer at Yizhong, "I can't tell,"
"You calm him so easily," said Shen huang gui fei, "He loves being in his royal father's arms,"
Laughing, The Emperor stroked Yizhong's bouncy cheeks, "I remember when Yian was this age, he'd already started walking,"
"Perhaps he'll start soon," she replied as The Emperor began to pace around the room, soothing Yizhong.
What a perfect sight. It was late in the day and Shen huang gui fei was sure the excitement had taken a toll on His Majesty. Wouldn't it be lovely if he stayed for dinner?
"Your Majesty–"
"Don't wait so long to inform me about this sort of thing again," he said.
Shen huang gui fei reeled from the sudden scolding.
"Yiru and Yizhong are young and vulnerable. Wasting time quibbling instead of consulting The Empress was foolish,"
"This concubine apologizes," said Shen huang gui fei said as she knelt on the ground, "It won't happen again,"
"See that it doesn't," he said.
The Emperor handed a sleeping Yizhong to Chen momo before finally letting Shen huang gui fei rise to her feet.
And then, as swiftly as he came, The Emperor was gone again. Shen huang gui fei watched Chen momo softly lay Yizhong in his crib. She peered down at his ruddy cheeks and softly rising chest as a realization bared down on her skull. If Yiru didn't survive, neither would she.
✺
Jiayi thought it would have been harder.
She had spent so much of her time in the Forbidden City with a clench in her teeth that she had forgotten that so many of the servants here just...existed. They didn't scheme or spy or creep–they just swept and folded and ferried things from one end of the city to the other. They had no reason to wonder why an eunuch would carry a package to the Imperial Affairs Department. They received packages all the time. There was no reason to think it strange for a eunuch not to raise his head or stop to chat. A lower eunuch was always busy. There also wasn't any reason to question whether or not they'd ever seen a certain eunuch before. The Forbidden City was huge. Of course, you'd come across servants you'd never seen before.
So, no one stopped Jiayi in her borrowed eunuch's clothes. No one asked to see what she was carrying or questioned what she was doing. It wasn't hard at all.
She managed to return the borrowed clothes and return to Xiang pin's side without anyone being the wiser. And yet, her heart couldn't stop racing. What if someone had thought she looked suspicious? What if it didn't work?
The thought of it had Jiayi startling herself awake all night. When it came time to wait on Xiang pin the next morning, she could barely keep herself awake. After nearly stabbing herself in the hand with buyao, Xiang pin took notice.
"Are you alright, Jiayi?"
"Just a little tired, Your Highness. I had trouble sleeping,"
"Are your feet still bothering you?" Asked Molan.
Jiayi shook her head, "Just a bad night,"
Xiang pin dusted her face with whitening powder and caught Jiayi's eyes in the mirror, "Don't force yourself, dear. If it's too much, you can stay back from the morning greetings,"
"I couldn't do that!" As she pulled out Xiang pin's clothes for the day, Jiayi said, "What if you need me?"
Xiang pin rolled her eyes, "I'm sure Molan can handle helping me walk, stand up and sit down if push truly comes to shove,"
"I'll be fine," Jiayi insisted.
The trek to Yikungong shook the cobwebs out of Jiayi's head. Jiayi tried to comfort herself as she stood behind Xiang pin's chair and watched The Empress take her seat. Maybe her plan had worked, but she just wasn't privy to the outcome? There really was no reason for news from the Internal Affairs department to reach someone like Jiayi. Maybe no news was good news.
"Your Highness," said Shen huang gui fei, "You look troubled. Is everything alright?"
The Empress twisted the jade ring on her finger and shook her head, "It seems the Forbidden City is having a bout of bad luck,"
The statement had all eyes snapped to Shen huang gui fei. Everyone heard what happened to 11th prince.
The Empress huffed, "Yiru is fine. There was an incident at the Internal Affairs department,"
Jiayi's stomach seized.
"The Late Emperor's beloved Fung gonggong was murdered yesterday,"
A white hot flash of shock ran through Jiayi. That wasn't...how could that be?
"What happened?" Asked Lian fei.
"He was poisoned by his deputy, Bai Wen,"
"Poison? How awful!" Said Tong pin, "To think something that dangerous could be in the Forbidden City!"
"It's even more insidious than you think, meimei," said The Empress, "Fung gonggong was very allergic to walnuts. During the investigation, they found crushed walnuts in the dregs of the teapot,"
It was walnut.
One walnut.
Jiayi purposefully put only one ground walnut in the tea. It was just one! How much could it hurt? It was supposed to make Fung gonggong sick enough that he could point the finger at Bai gonggong, and Jiayi could wash her hands of him. Fung gonggong wasn't supposed to die!
"How devilish," murmured Jin pin.
"Hopefully, he's being dealt with properly," said Shen huang gui fei.
Jiayi wasn't surprised that Shen huang gui fei asked that question. Bai gonggong may not have succeeded in his scheming on her behalf but his punishment could be an easy way to tie up lose ends.
"An execution," replied The Empress, "His Majesty wouldn't settle for anything less,"
Jiayi swallowed around the knot lodged in her throat.
"His Majesty is wise," the concubines chorused.
"With the hunt on the horizon, I'd hate for this to continue. We should all do our best to ward off this bad luck,"
Jerjer gugu clapped her hands and a stream of servants filed into the room. They stopped in front of each concubine and presented a book.
"I've chosen some blessed sutras for each of you to transcribe to help ward off any evil that's managed to afflict us," said The Empress.
"Transcribe them well,"
"Yes, Your Highness," the concubines chorused again, the delicate sound echoing like a thunderclap in Jiayi's head.
What had she done?
–––––––––
*In 600 CE, a physician named Chao Yuanfang described a sickness that affected young children that he called the cough of 100 days. It could (researchers are divided) have been an early description of pertussis or whooping cough. Regardless, it was pretty fatal.