His voice dropped lower, and I changed the subject. “Taizi’s leg was broken during the game. How is he doing?”
“He will be fine. Can’t stand. The physicians ordered him to lie in bed. He is angry, threatening to wring their necks when he’s well.”
“He certainly is capable of doing that.”
“He’s a good man.” His voice was guarded. “Whatever you’ve heard about him is not true.”
Pheasant did not understand I was jesting. “What are you saying?”
“Forget what I just said. I know you don’t mean it. I’m tired of people’s gossip, that’s all. There are people who do not wish Taizi to be the emperor. They spread rumors and say he is unfit for a ruler.”
“I heard he’s a champion wrestler?”
“The best kind. No one is better than he.”
I was quiet for a moment. “What do people say about him?”
“Many things. Some hold it against him that he did what my mother liked, acting like a Turk.”
I understood why Pheasant felt the need to protect him. Of course, the heir of the kingdom must remember whom he would rule in the future. “Who is against him?” Pheasant did not look like he wanted to talk about it, so I said, “You trust me, don’t you, Pheasant?”
“It’s my great uncle. He delivered a speech in the Audience Hall, saying my brother had night parties in a yurt, doing Turkic funeral dances. He said he was out of control, and there are also the other princes…”
Prince Yo. I touched Pheasant’s hand. “They cannot harm him. He is the heir, your brother. No one can change that.”
Pheasant breathed out. “I know. That’s what I have been telling myself. I don’t like those gossips at all. Why do people fuss about what my brother does and what he likes? He’s the best man I know! But I’m glad I talked to you, Mei. I’m glad.”
I was relieved. Together we stood and listened to the song of our heartbeats. The night was too short, and I did not wish it to end.
Near the hour of midnight, we agreed on when to meet again and also agreed on our secret signal—a small rock. When the rock leaned against the wall, we would see each other; when it lay flat on the ground, it meant one of us could not come that night. Then I left first.
I climbed up the wall and landed on the other side of the garden. Carefully, I dusted the dirt off my skirt. I had gotten better at flipping over the wall but still needed to be careful to keep my skirt clean, or when I returned to my bedchamber, people might ask what had stained it.
Leaves rustled nearby, and I raised my head.
A hooded shadow dashed down the narrow path near the grove. I froze.
“Who’s there?”
I ran after it, but the shadow had already disappeared. Blood rushed to my head. Someone was spying on Pheasant and me.
? ? ?
At the end of the month, I did not receive my Talent’s allowance.
I asked the distribution eunuch what happened, and he replied that Most Adored had decided to keep it for me. When I asked Jewel, she smiled and shook her head.
I knew what was going on. Jewel, knowing I had lost my bet, must have realized it was an opportunity to strip me of my title. I felt sick. The Emperor had not officially denounced me, and I had hoped he would forget about it. After all, he had more important things to do than deal with a low-ranking concubine. But Jewel would not let it go.
I went to visit the Noble Lady. She was examining a bolt of silk the Imperial Silkworm Workshops had delivered to her.
“If I were you, Mei, I would make sure Most Adored could not take what belongs to me,” she said after I told her my problem.
“What do you suggest I do?”
She dismissed her maids. “Enchant him. Keep his eyes on you. Then his ears will turn to you too, and Jewel won’t have her play.”
She wanted me to seduce him, but I could still hear the slave’s scream in my ears, and besides, I did not know how.
“You are young and beautiful. He will like you.” The Noble Lady smiled. “You will succeed.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Well…”
“I shall do anything I could to help you, Mei.” She picked up a piece of yellow cloth and fingered the silk, feeling its texture. “I hope you know that.”
“I know…my lady.”
She sighed. “He has long lost interest in me. He no longer summons me for the night. The last time I was in his bedchamber was five years ago. I do not know what he likes now.” She smoothed the silk imprinted with medallions. “And I heard he has changed since he was wounded.”
“Changed?”
Her plump cheeks grew pink. “Well, I heard he summoned three women last week, all dancers. You know Lady Obedience? She was there, and they performed…indecently. He did things to them… Never mind that now. But he was still angry, kicking them out without bedding them.”
“Why?” The Noble Lady kept clearing her throat, looking embarrassed. I felt my face heating up as well. I liked her, but I was not yet accustomed to discussing such intimate details with her. Yet I needed to know.
“You’re too young, Mei. You’ll understand better when you’re older.”