He thrust his feet into the water. They made squeaky noises as he rubbed, and then he leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling. For a moment he seemed to be soaked in a stream of thoughts, and then he closed his eyes. Soon, soft snores rose into the air.
A strand of damp hair fell over my eyes. I tucked it behind my ear. It seemed ironic to me that the Emperor, who conquered the vast land for the kingdom, would sleep on a stool.
I found the cover and tied it around me. I was glad he was asleep so I could study him. He had long, curled whiskers, which shook gently as he breathed. His skin was dark, leathery, and wrinkled, and there were some dark specks around his cheekbones, like smeared flies. He did not have much hair on his head, and a deep scar snaked from his neck to his chest where his underrobe failed to cover. Still, judging from his square face and straight nose, I could tell he had been handsome once, and with his broad shoulders, he must have been a fierce figure on the battlefield, a frightening presence when he commanded an attack.
He was a powerful ruler, the first emperor who had conquered the troublesome Eastern Turks, forcing their neighbors, the Western Turks, to flee to the farthest northern border, and expanded the edge of our kingdom to the snowy mountains near Tarim Basin. He was also known as a cunning strategist. When he faced the undefeated elephant armies of the Champa kingdoms in the south, he had trapped them in pits and shot the elephants with crossbows, causing them to trample their own soldiers in fear.
But he was old now, so withered and unattractive. If I passed him on a street, I would not look at him twice. And to want to please him? Forget about it. But he was the Emperor, whose words could change my family’s fate. I must do whatever I could to make him love me.
Suddenly, he gazed at me, his eyes bright like a wolf’s eyes sparkling in the darkness.
My knees grew weak. He could order my death for staring at him.
But his eyes rolled and then snapped shut, and as though he had not noticed me, his head lolled to one side and his snores filled up the chamber again.
Perhaps the Emperor was testing me. Or perhaps he was indeed sleeping? For a long time, I stood rigidly, not daring to move. But he did not wake again.
Flames burst in the brazier and danced in the air. The fire cast my shadow on the wall scroll and covered the couplets. Slowly, I walked to a mat near the brazier and sat down, my head resting on my knees.
Something was wrong.
Yes, I had been late for the summons. But where were the servants and the bookkeeper who was supposed to record my night with the Emperor? And why did he treat me like I was a servant?
I looked around, searching every corner of the chamber. The incense sticks had burned halfway down, the fire in the brazier was burning bright, and the cushions on the floor were stacked against the wall. Everything appeared neat, and no one else was around.
The door squeaked. A woman stepped over the threshold.
I could not believe my eyes.
“Mei?” She was shocked to see me too, her hand frozen on the cover she wore, a cover similar to mine.
My hands turned cold.
Jewel had stolen my summons. She had come in my place to meet the Emperor, who had mistaken me for a maidservant. The bookkeeper and servants were absent because the bedroom affair was already over, or perhaps the Emperor had sent them away.
So that was the secret she had shared with Eunuch Ming. She had bribed him to bring her to the Emperor’s quarters. No one would know it was not me, since she was wrapped in the cover. But the deaf eunuch, unaware of their scheme, had carried me to the Emperor’s chamber.
And she had drugged me.
“What are you doing here? Go to your chamber.” Jewel stepped forth and held my shoulders. “I will explain later.”
“There’s nothing to explain.” I shook her hands off. A fire burned inside me. Pretending to be my friend. Bathing with me. Deceiving me. Jewel was worse than the Xu Girl.
“He’s here. Don’t be foolish.” She glanced at the Emperor on his stool.
I did not care. I shoved her with all my might. A loud thump. She crashed onto the foot of the bed, and the screens toppled to the floor. Water splashed. The basin, spinning, flew to my feet.
“What is it?” the Emperor roared, standing up. “What’s going on?”
I kept my eyes on Jewel. When she rose, I would slap her and make her suffer. And I did not care that the Emperor was watching.
She did not rise. Instead, she slipped down the bed, her head drooping, her arms sprawling.
“What’s this?” The Emperor walked to her. “Rise now.”
No response.
I blinked. Did I hurt her? Did she…?
The Emperor shook Jewel’s shoulder, but she wobbled like a lifeless doll. Frowning, he pulled her into his arms. Then he pinched her cheek and patted her face. Jewel made no movement.
He stood up and turned to me. “What did you do?” he bellowed. “Who are you?”
“I…I…” Blood rushed to my head, and the room swam before me. Jewel was dead? But I had not meant to harm her. I was angry. That was all. She had deceived me!
There was a groan like that of a small animal, coming from somewhere. Like that of a cat. I recognized the voice.