I nodded firmly. “One night.”
Slowly, she ate the fruit, relishing it—I could tell—and spat out the tiny pit. “One night with the Emperor. What a fine idea. If you bear him a son, you will ride a shortcut to his heart.” She peered at me. “Even if you have a girl, you will stay in the court as the mother of an imperial princess.”
What she said was true, but I did not care about that. All I wanted was his forgiveness, and then he would agree to search for Mother. “That would be ideal, except it does not happen very often. How long have you been bedding the Emperor?” I reminded her. She had yet to bear a child, and in fact, none of the Emperor’s concubines had conceived any since my arrival in the Inner Court.
“You are young.”
“You’re a mare who knows its way.”
Jewel picked up another lychee. “Very well. I shall return the favor I owe you. But on one condition.”
“What?”
“I want to be there.”
I could see a trap spread in the air like an invisible ladder waiting for me to climb. “Why?”
“In case you need my assistance.” She smiled. “I remember you don’t know much about the bedroom affair.”
“I know now.”
“Then I promise I will not disturb you.”
I studied her hard to detect any signs of trickery. I did not find any. Anyway, did I have another option?
“Come to his bedchamber tomorrow night.”
I was relieved. “I thank you.” I bowed and took my leave.
When I stepped into the courtyard, a group of women gathered around a birdcage glanced at me. From the way they tilted their heads and whispered, I could tell they had heard our conversation. They were the Pure Lady’s servants, and I was certain they would report to her the moment I left.
I knocked on the Noble Lady’s door. She was inside, working on her spindle wheel. Near the wheel was a desk where a few boxes sat. I knew what was inside without looking—spiders.
I explained my plan to win the Emperor’s affection.
“This is good news, Mei,” she said, smiling. “And you must be very persuasive to ask a night from Most Adored. Did she tell you why she wished to be there?”
I shook my head. The Noble Lady did not ask me if I had reviewed the scroll, and I did not tell her I had. It was better to leave it that way.
“I wish you the best of fortune, Mei. If you please him, you could keep your title and allowances, and perhaps much more.”
“I thank you for your kindness, my Noble Lady. I am already fortunate to have your help.”
“When are you going to see him?”
“Jewel says her night will be tomorrow.”
She nodded. “Good luck, Mei.”
I thanked her and left.
22
The next day, sunlight dimmed on the pear tree’s branches. The last patch of gold lost its luster and melted into a pool of murky gray. A temporary tranquillity mixed with an eerie silence descended on the courtyard, and gradually the tree’s sprawling branches thickened and joined the night’s darkness.
I tucked the scroll under my mat, dusted the dirt from my skirt, and walked to the Emperor’s bedchamber. I was ready. Well, not entirely. But I could not hesitate, because I might never be ready.
The Emperor’s candleholder, a dwarf, opened the door, a scroll in his hand. The fresh scent of ink wafted to my nose. The Emperor had composed a new poem, it seemed. Any other time I would have liked to know what it was about, but not at that moment.
I ignored the smirk at the corner of the dwarf’s mouth and went into the bedchamber. I coughed, to let Jewel know I was there.
“Is that you, Mei?” Jewel called from behind the screen.
“Yes, Most Adored.” I paused. The arrangement of the furniture looked different from what I remembered. The screens had been moved from near the brazier to shield half of the bed.
“Come.”
The Emperor seemed to be dozing on the oversize bed while Jewel lay beside him, her right hand supporting her head. The dim firelight flickered on her body. She was barely dressed, her breasts and long legs exposed in the candlelight.
“I’m glad you came. Would you read a poem for us?” she said.
I spoke, hoping my voice was calm. “Where is it?”
“There.” Jewel gestured with her foot to a futon near the bed.
I found the scroll, which reminded me of the paintings the Noble Lady had given me, and for a moment my face grew hot. I took a deep breath, sat down, and unfurled the scroll. Then I began to read by the light coming from the brazier. The poem was something about the strength of the grass would be known when the gale assaulted, and the loyalty of a minister would be tested during uncertainty. When I finished reading, the Emperor was still asleep. I did not know what to do. Would he sleep forever?
Then he groaned and sat upright.
My hands trembled, but I managed to sit still.
Jewel covered her mouth, tittering. “Don’t worry. I made him drunk. He’s most agreeable in this state. Believe me, you’ll be glad I did.” She lowered her voice. “You know what to do to make him happy, do you?”