The pajamas were finished.

Jiayi had haggled with gugu at the clothing house to get a nice piece of black brocade to edge the pants and the sleeves. It was easier than she thought to sew them in place. The fabric was a bit thicker and fiddly, but she got it together. It was a very handsome set, in her opinion. Prince Han would be more than happy with it.

There was nothing more to it.

Fung gonggong was buried and Bai gonggong had been executed.

The sun rose and set.

The birds sang.

The Forbidden City moved on, and Jiayi moved with it.

Like a New Year's firecracker, the feelings that had exploded with the news of Fung gonggong's death had turned to dust and ash. In the end, there was no guilt, sadness, or even relief. There was nothing.

Around her, the world was unchanged. Behind the double doors, Xiang pin was taking her afternoon nap. She could hear the murmur of a few other servants out in the courtyard, sweeping and chatting. Molan and Pie'er were embroidering quietly on the other side of the table, and Ping'er was dozing quietly on the ground by the bedroom doors, Thunder snuffling in her lap.

Smoothing the silky clothes, Jiayi folded the pajamas and tucked them into the basket on her lap. The reality of it slithered around in Jiayi's mind. How much blood had she spilled to live this simple life? How much more would it take to keep it?

And why did the idea of it not horrify her more?

Before she could answer the question, Thunder erupted into furious barks. He leaped from Ping'er's lap and trotted to the front door.

"Ah! Sixth Prince is back for lunch," said Molan.

Jiayi rushed to pick up Thunder, hoping she would quiet down and not disturb Xiang pin.

"Hush, you!" Jiayi said.

In all her defiance, Thunder continued to bark, only settling down when Sixth Prince stepped through the door.

"I'm starving," he whined, "I want hotpot for lunch,"

Jiayi guided him to the recently vacated table where Molan had already left a basin of water and a cloth for Sixth Prince to wash up.

"I apologize, Sixth Prince. Xiang pin said you've had hotpot too many times this week. Would you like some fish instead? Or dumplings? I can call for a nice spread,"

Sixth Prince huffed and scrubbed his face and hands. He leaned back to peer at Xiang pin's closed bedroom door.

"Just go get it for me," he whispered, "A-niang is napping. She wouldn't even know!"

"I absolutely would,"

Xiang pin's slightly sleepy voice cut through the room. Ping'er hurried to slide the doors open for their mistress.

Sixth Prince froze as his cheeks blushed red, "A-niang! You're awake!"

Xiang pin took a seat next to Sixth Prince and shared the basin and cloth to freshen up, "The only way I could sleep through Thunder's barking is if I was dead,"

Always happy to be included, Thunder shrieked and wiggled her way out of Jiayi's arms to paw at Xiang pin's feet.

Xiang pin clicked her tongue, "Who do you think you are trying to turn my girls against me? You've eaten so much hotpot this week there's bone broth coming out of your ears!"

Sixth Prince moaned in annoyance, nearly toppling off his chair with how far he leaned back.

"Little brat," Xiang pin hissed as she pinched his cheeks, "All you eat is lamb hotpot anyways! You'll become just as fat as Thunder with the way you're going,"

Sixth Prince shrugged, "I think I'd look good fat. And if lamb's the problem, let's do shrimp hotpot!"

When Thunder barked enthusiastically, Sixth Prince hoisted her into his arms, "See? Thunder wants hotpot, too,"

"Thunder would eat her tail if she could," Xiang pin groused, "She's just one big roll!"

The room erupted into laughter.

"Your Highness," Jiayi said once she had conquered her giggles, "How about braised chicken and vegetables? And then we can save the hotpot for a special occasion,"

"Like Prince Han's birthday!" Said Ping'er.

Xiang pin clapped her hands, "Yes! Be a good boy and wait for Prince Han's banquet,"

"That's so far away!" He protested.

"It gives you more time to think of a present," Xiang pin said with a shrug. She nodded at Bolin, "Go fetch lunch. Braised chicken and vegetables,"

Sixth Prince groaned, "I'll starve!"

"I'd hope so! Aiyo, every time I turn my head, you're sprouting another inch. If I send for another set of clothes for you, the embroidery maids will riot. No! Eat your chicken and starve,"

As Sixth Prince began to quibble with Xiang pin, the room came back to life with noise and color. The floors squeaked as the servants went to and fro to finish their tasks and chatter flowed around them like water.

This is why Fung gonggong's end bothered her so little. How could it not be worth it when this is what it got her? All the strife and worry faded to nothingness as she watched their little lives play out before her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to live out the rest of her days like this. After doing so much to have it, why wouldn't she fight to keep it?

✺

The characters on the document on the desk were beginning to blur in front of The Emperor's eyes.

"Your Majesty,"

The Emperor blinked to clear the fuzziness from his sight. Zhang Wei was standing opposite the desk, holding a covered tray.

"From Shen huang gui fei," the eunuch continued.

The Emperor fought back a sigh. He was in no mood but gave a nod.

Zhang Wei placed the tray on a nearby table, lifted the cover and presented the golden plate to The Emperor.

"Bai tang gao*, Your Majesty,"

The Emperor stared at the glistening white, diamond shaped cakes topped with pale pink camellia buds.

"Shen huang gui fei is also asking if you plan to visit Zhongcuigong tonight,"

He then understood the motive behind her gift.

The Emperor shook his head, "Faithfulness and longevity," he said with a laugh.

Taking a bite of a cake, he shook his head again. Too sweet. There was always a misstep with Shen huang gui fei these days. The flower was a poor choice as well. Bai gonggong's investigation was thorough–her actions made it clear who she was faithful to. Not to his legal wife and, therefore, not to him. How could she claim such a thing after her small-mindedness ended with the murder of his father's most beloved eunuch?

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

He knew that as a concubine, there would always be bitterness in Shen huang gui fei's heart, but she was becoming unruly. The Emperor had spent many years pampering her and promoted her to a status that someone from her family background rarely had. She had privileges and a lifestyle that women worldwide would kill to have.

And this is how she decided to behave.

He washed the cloying taste of sugar from his mouth with a mouthful of tea. There wouldn't be a point in scolding her. Shen huang gui fei would deny, argue, and find someone else to blame. There was no chance for punishment either. The news of it would be a blight on Huabao and her marriage. It would sour his relationship with the Fuca clan if they thought they were given the daughter of a criminal.

In any case, the Gods had taken care of her retribution in his stead. As much good fate as The Emperor had, it didn't always trickle down to his children. If Shen huang gui fei were smart, she would take Yiru contracting the cough right before Bai gonggong's crime as a sign to stop her nonsense. Unfortunately, The Emperor wasn't sure Shen huang gui fei was up to the task.

He pushed the plate to the side and returned to his work.

"I'll stay here," he said.

There was nothing but the sound of flipping pages and the song of the crickets outside until Zhang Wei interrupted him, again.

"Another gift for you, Your Majesty,"

The Emperor didn't look up from his work, "Put it on the side table,"

"I'm not sure she'll fit, Your Majesty,"

"Send her away. She can come back in the morning,"

"Are you sure you don't want to see me now, Your Majesty?"

The voice that came through the door quenched a thirst that The Emperor didn't know he had. It was familiar. He yearned for it daily.

"Your Majesty," the voice sang sweetly again, "Don't you want to see me?"

The Emperor heard the doors swing open, and the soft hush of dainty footsteps grow louder. It was like a Tang dynasty goddess glided into the room wrapped in yellow and gold silks. Even with her face covered with a round fan, The Emperor knew who she was.

"This concubine wishes The Emperor peace,"

"Lower your fan," he said.

"Why should I?" The Goddess said, shaking her gilded mountain hair**, "You wanted to send me away,"

The Emperor laughed and went to help Huifen off the ground. As she came to her feet, she tilted the fan, revealing the face of a bygone beauty that he had only ever seen in a 9th-century scroll. A glittering, lotus shaped huadian† brought out the charming red she had powdered her face and lips with.

"I've never seen this costume before," he said.

Huifen giggled and spun around, and the stamped shawl around her arms fluttered in the wind, "I thought after seeing so many Qing dynasty beauties that a Tang dynasty darling would be more exciting,"

Yes, watching Huifen's milky breasts dance under her blouse and skirt was far more exciting than ruminating over Shen huang gui fei's blunders.

The Emperor tugged her into his arms, inhaling the soft scent of the rose powder Huifen tended to dust her neck with.

"You like this sort of dress? I'll have an entire wardrobe made up for you and just you,"

The Emperor would strip every other woman in the palace naked and clothe Huifen in pearls and jade if she only asked.

But she would never ask.

Whenever he went to play outside the palace walls and found himself in a brothel, there was a game he liked to play. He'd dress like a wealthy nobleman, giving out silver taels like they grew on trees. Each time, a cunning girl would latch onto him, declaring her love and devotion, aiming to be his kept woman or, better yet, his concubine. When he was sure the girl had already planned how to decorate her courtyard, he would tearfully confess the "truth" of the money being stolen or borrowed or some rubbish. The look on their faces...so typical.

The truth he rustled up for Huifen, had been, in his opinion, the best lie yet. He was a disgraced merchant who lost most of his money on bad investments. He came to spend what little he had left at the brothel and when his pockets were empty, he was going to kill himself.

Instead of the screaming, crying tantrums his confessions usually incited, Huifen had laughed! Not only did she laugh, but she also asked him how he planned to die. Wrong footed, he blurted out that he aimed to poison himself. Huifen then said that if he gave her what was left of his money and let her sell his fine clothes, she'd have them use the best wine for his last drink and play a lovely song on the guzheng for him to leave to.

A soft, sweet-scented hand pulled him from his memories. Huifen stared up at him, her painted eyebrows furrowed.

"You look so tired, Your Majesty," she said as she stroked his beard, "Shall Zhang Wei and I ready you for bed?"

The Emperor sighed, "If I only I could be so lucky to slip into bed with you, but there is always work to be done,"

Huifen pouted, the strangely dark stain on her lips glistening, "I suppose I'll have to spend my night with the thought of you, Your Majesty. I shouldn't keep you from your work,"

The Emperor tightened his hands around her slender waist, "You are the strangest concubine. I lament over the hard work I have left and you don't even offer to keep me company. Huifen, do you even love me?"

Huifen rolled her eyes, "Aiya, I love you very much, but all the love in the world can't make watching you read military strategy or whatever it is interesting. I'm a woman, Your Majesty, not a God,"

"You're a brat!" he replied.

Huifen gasped, "Your Majesty! How could you?!"

She dramatically pulled herself from his arms. "I came all this way to dazzle you with this costume, and you treat me so poorly. Ah! I'm going back to Chengqiangong to cry in my jiejie's arms,"

The Emperor laughed at the dramatics of it all. Huifen joined in, coming back to press a quick kiss to his lips.

"Maybe we'll get more use out of this outfit when I serve you tomorrow night, Your Majesty,"

"You're so sure I'll flip your tag?"

Huifen looked up at him from beneath her full and feathered lashes, "Just a guess, Your Majesty. I'll take my leave,"

One of his life's ultimate cruelties was watching Huifen leave. At least he could comfort himself with the thought of spending the night with her soon. Returning to his desk, The Emperor caught sight of Shen huang gui fei's bai tang go. It almost made him laugh. Had his Noble Imperial Concubine had the opportunity to distract him, she would've jumped at the chance. Nothing was ever enough for her.

He pointed his chin at the cakes, "The little eunuchs can have those,"

"Your Majesty is too kind," Zhang Wei replied, handing them off to another servant.

Yes. He was.

✺

Morning greetings were so dull. Nothing The Empress had to say had anything to do with An pin at all. Very few things kept her interested these days. Her work on Shen huang gui fei was slow going and without an earnest bosom buddy, she mostly spent her days wandering around from garden to garden with her shadow, Wang chang zai. An pin was so bored that she almost contemplated letting her be alone with Cao taiyi.

Only almost.

The explosion of glee that she felt when Yiru had fallen sick had already faded away. Shen huang gui fei didn't much worse for wear so An pin couldn't even take much joy from that. Yiru was holding on from what Cao taiyi was saying, and the other one was still perfectly fine. What was Limei doing in that palace? An pin had given her everything she needed to encourage her to act, and there was still nothing.

How had Shen huang gui fei been able to do this? With just a few perfectly put words, she could convince anyone that what she wanted was what they wanted to do all their life. Her hands never had to get dirty. An pin swallowed a sigh. She hoped that The Empress would run out of things to say soon so she could back to her palace and wallow.

An pin had just sat, up, waiting for the signal to leave when Lian fei spoke, "Your Highness, I have something to announce. I'm two months pregnant,"

How nice.

"What wonderful news, meimei!" The Empress replied, "The Imperial Hospital confirmed?"

Lian fei nodded.

"It's a shame you won't be able to come to Mulan, but it's lovely to see you finally be blessed with pregnancy. The Empress Dowager will be pleased,"

"Yes," said Shen huang gui fei, "Now that His Majesty's daughters are starting married life, another princess would go perfectly,"

Everyone knew that was as good as cursing the pregnancy but all Lian fei could do was thank her for the well wishes. Judging by the tightness in Shen huang gui fei's jaw, her jiejie wasn't pleased with the news. Not many in the room were. The main hall was stuffed to the brim with the new young girls that Xiang pin had been pawning off to The Emperor, and they were viciously jealous that an old hat had gotten pregnant before any of them.

"Congratulations, meimei," De gui fei said.

That set off an avalanche of well wishes, sincere or not.

"His Majesty will be overjoyed by this," said The Empress, "Prince or Princess, another child so soon after Yiru and Yizhong is a cause for celebration,"

"May I tell him, Your Highness?" Lian fei asked.

Before The Empress could reply, Shen huang gui fei said, "You should bring Xiang meimei with you to make sure His Majesty doesn't miss out on this joyous occasion,"

An pin had to hide her snicker behind her fan. Goodness, Shen huang gui fei had to be fuming to be so blunt. Usually an insult like that would've been wrapped in silk.

Ever the diplomat, The Empress jumped in, "I'm sure Xiang meimei has her plans for the day. Lian fei, why don't we wait at Yianxindian for His Majesty to return from court? You can tell him then,"

"Thank you, Your Highness," Lian fei beamed.

Again, An pin was readying herself to leave when The Empress said, "Shen huang gui fei, it's very kind of you to think of Lian fei, but I think it's best you spent your energy on making sure that Yizhong doesn't follow in his brother's footsteps,"

The air in the room vanished. An pin was baffled. Since when did The Empress speak like that to anyone, let alone Shen huang gui you fei? An pin looked around the room. More than a few mouths were ajar in the face of the callous remark, while many others were eagerly waiting for Shen huang gui fei's response.

She stared at The Empress, her face stony and impassive, before giving a brittle smile.

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness,"

"You're so welcome, meimei," said The Empress.

The Empress stood, "Let's hurry along, Lian fei,"

An pin and her fellow concubines kneeled to send her away with respect. When An pin glanced at Shen huang gui fei during the chorus, her lips were shut tight.

_________

* A type of Chinese pastry made from rice flour and white sugar.

** Tang dynasty noblewoman hairstyle, E Ji

† Traditional ornamental forehead makeup