The Last Concubine

named ‘Shark’. Weakness is like blood in the water to her, and she will hunt you down ruthlessly if she senses any vulnerability.”
    Lan’xiu looked alarmed but said, “How would she manage that, guarded and hemmed in as we are?”
    “She would find a way, have no fear, or she would if Hüi Wei did not take care to have our doors locked at night.” Mei Ju clapped her hands. “I have sent for tea and cakes. It is cold without, but we sit by a nice warm fire within and should enjoy ourselves. You will address me as first wife before others, particularly my husband, Hüi Wei, but my name is Mei Ju and I would like you to call me that.”
    “Beautiful chrysanthemum,” Lan’xiu murmured. “That is a lovely name.”
    Mei Ju sighed. “Yes, named after a common chrysanthemum that may be found anywhere. And round like the flower.” She patted her curved hips with regret.
    “But chrysanthemums are cheerful and bring much happiness. Forgive so forward a comment in one who does not know you, but comfort clings to you like a silken garment. It is impossible to feel unhappy in your presence.”
    Mei Ju stared at Lan’xiu in astonishment once again. She could see no guile in the girl’s face; in fact, she did indeed look a bit happier than she had when she first came in. “How very odd,” she said.
    “That was an odd thing to say?” Lan’xiu asked anxiously.
    “No, it was a beautiful compliment and gracefully said. The odd thing is, that is precisely what my husband tells me,” Mei Ju said softly.
    A welcome diversion came in the shape of five children who burst into the room. “Mama! Mama! Where are our cakes?” they shrieked.
    “Quiet, you bad children, you must be patient and wait to be invited,” Mei Ju scolded with no real expectation of being taken seriously.
    The three boys immediately tumbled over the long divan, wrestling their way onto the floor while two little girls came to Mei Ju’s chair and snuggled into her embrace, one on each side.
    Lan’xiu laughed with delight at their antics, and Mei Ju beamed at her. “You like children?”
    “I love them,” Lan’xiu said, chuckling at the boys’ exploits.
    “I hope the gods grant you many,” Mei Ju said formally.
    A flicker of pain crossed Lan’xiu’s face, and after a slight pause, she replied, “That is very kind of you. I hope so too.”
    A servant arrived just then, bearing a tray with a steaming pot of tea, cups, and several plates with a variety of cakes.
    “Red bean cakes,” the plumper of the two girls said in a pleased voice. “And sesame!”
    “You may each have one, but you will need to wait for Princess Zhen Lan’xiu to make her selection first,” Mei Ju instructed.
    “A really, truly princess?” the other girl asked, staring at Lan’xiu.
    “Yes,” Mei Ju said, forestalling Lan’xiu. “She is the new wife to your father. She has just come to us. You may get your tea and your cake and then return to the playroom.”
    “Must they leave?” Lan’xiu asked.
    “They must if we do not care to wear our tea rather than drink it,” Mei Ju said firmly.
    Lan’xiu smiled as she watched the children fall upon the tray like ravening vultures and then tear out of the room clutching their cakes. When the sound of the childish voices faded, her smile did as well. “They are all so beautiful. Are they all yours?”
    “I have six still living,” Mei Ju said with understandable pride. “My eldest son trains to be a soldier and diplomat, like his father. All my sons stand in line to carry on Governor Qiang’s noble heritage and serve the emperor as he does.”
    “You have indeed been blessed,” Lan’xiu said.
    Mei Ju looked at the beautiful face. This girl was intelligent, that was clear. In fact, being a gambling woman, Mei Ju was almost ready to back her against the machinations of Second Wife Ci’an already, without even knowing how this girl might think. With all her intelligence, an innate sweetness radiated from Lan’xiu. Despite her apparent misery at being consigned to the lowly position of seventh concubine of a man with whom she had never yet exchanged a word, Lan’xiu seemed genuinely happy that she, Mei Ju, first wife, had supplied their lord and master with four fine, healthy sons and two beautiful daughters.
    Lady Mei Ju was also willing to wager that when Lan’xiu bore her own sons, she would accept their position as lesser sons and would not lift one of her slender fingers to advance them within