“Many things, but nothing about you.”
“That’s not a surprise. But were you frightened when he mentioned the dead?”
She knew more details than I had supposed. I kept a straight face. “What dead?”
She stared at me, her eyes still as the frozen pond. Then she looked away. But a glimmer flew across her eyes, and I caught it—a glimmer of unease, or perhaps even of pain. It was faint, subtle, fleeting, and it died the moment it was lit. I had a feeling she had found what she had been looking for, but I did not know what it was or what I had done or said to give it away. I was disappointed.
“I bid you good day, Mei.”
“How did you make Secretary Fang speak for you, Jewel?”
She shook her head. “Better luck next time, Mei.”
I did not expect anything from her anyway. I turned to leave. But how did she know what the Emperor said on my night? And why did she look troubled after she heard my answer? I paused and looked back. She was still there, standing under the eaves, staring at me.
But she was no longer alone. Beside her stood a slim figure with a sharp, triangular face.
Rain.
My heart dropped. I hurried on.
AD 643
the Seventeenth Year of Emperor Taizong’s Reign of Peaceful Prospect
SPRING
28
There was a feast tonight, I was told, even though it was not a festival occasion. Following behind the other ladies, I went to the feast hall. The moment I walked in, I knew something was awry.
The ministers had come, and the musicians lined up at the door. On the tables sat many bouquets of flowers carved out of watermelons, oranges, and pears. Next to the Emperor sat Jewel, cloaked in a red damask gown printed with patterns of peach blossoms, vermilion birds, and parrots.
I took my seat among the Talents as the servants brought trays of food to the table. Bird’s nest soup in ceramic bowls painted with bamboo leaves. Broiled camel humps in rectangular plates. Stewed bear’s paws in small pots. Steamed, silver-striped mullets from the Po Sea with tangy ginger sauce. And many of the Emperor’s favorite foods and rare delicacies I had only heard of. Jewel covered her nose and waved the fish away. I frowned, and my eyes caught her other hand stroking her stomach. My heart sank.
How had I missed it?
Jewel was pregnant.
“Heaven be blessed! Finally! My blood. My progeny!” The Emperor’s voice shook the hall. “I have a great announcement to make!”
The servants behind me asked me something, but I was so shocked that I hardly heard them. They removed the food from my table and brought out small saucers containing bites of meats.
“Heaven promises me another child! Let it be a son, who shall be a witness to the halcyon kingdom I have created.” The Emperor’s whiskers shook as he shouted. He looked in high spirits. “Counselors! Listen up. I shall bestow the crown on this woman, who brings me honor and pride. Yes, this is my woman, and she will be the next empress of this kingdom!”
I could no longer see people’s faces or hear the waves of deafening praise. The only sound I heard came from inside me.
Jewel. Empress.
In the corner, someone strummed a lute, the sound a deep groan like a dying wolf. The voluptuous Lady Obedience rose and moved to the center of the tables. She clapped her hands, signaling the musicians to play music, and swung her arms like graceful wings. The sound of guzheng, jovial flutes, and the clear tinkling of bells filled the hall. It was the song of “Towering Mountains and Trickling Streams.”
The ministers lined up before the feast table to deliver their praises. The Ladies followed. The Noble Lady toasted first. Slowly, she walked, her face ghastly pale and her eyes teary, as though she were in a funeral procession. But what a remarkable lady she was. As soon as she approached the table, she smoothed her gown and bowed deeply.
I could not watch. Jewel did not deserve the Noble Lady’s bow. She did not deserve anything.
Lady Virtue, her eyes also red from crying, looked away from her bronze mirror and came to bow too, and then Lady Obedience. The Pure Lady was absent as usual.
Next came the Ladies-in-Waiting. Beauties. Graces.
My turn came. I gave Jewel a bow and held out the cup to toast her. “Gong xi.” Congratulations.
“I shall accept your good wishes from the bottom of my heart,” she said.
I bit my lip.
“After the coronation, I shall need some personal attendants.” She sipped her wine.
“There are many girls in the Inner Court for you to choose from,” I said.
She shook her head. “Not them. They’re too pretty and clever.” She gazed at me, her catlike eyes glinting. “Clever girls are troublesome. They’ll distract me and the Emperor. I will not allow that. I think they need to step aside, and I will summon some new maidens from the kingdom. I need to have new faces around me.”