The Last Concubine

“Fen has advanced ideas on the subject of rights.”
    “The… household there… was… different.” Lan’xiu did not wish to explain any of the details of her old home. It had been a relief when she was able to shake the dust of her homeland from her shoes, even if it meant facing an almost certain death in a strange land.
    “If I looked like you, I would dance and sing all the day long,” Bai said. “But your eyes are full of sadness. And yet your smile says there is happiness inside. What magic would it take to coax your joy to come out to play?”
    “You already dance and sing all the day long, Bai,” Mei Ju said affectionately. “I can’t think of a single thing that could elevate your spirits even more.”
    “Well, it would be nice to be so beautiful,” Alute put in placidly. “And a princess. Did you wear a crown?”
    Lan’xiu squirmed uncomfortably. “No, I usually dressed much plainer than I am today, especially when I was riding my horse—” She put a hand up to cover her mouth in dismay. She had not meant to reveal even that much.
    “I used to ride,” Fen said. “But only to the fields. And I led the horse home at the end of the day, because it had worked so hard and was as tired as I.”
    “It seems you might have liked a ride home yourself after a day’s work in the fields,” Huan said, staring intensely at her friend. “This life is more fitting for someone as pretty as you.”
    “Once I learned the rules here,” Fen said with an answering smile. “At first it seemed strange not to go to the fields, and to dress in one’s best every day.” She gazed admiringly at her hands, which were slim and shapely. “And now my hands are soft, not hard from work. And I am able to grow my nails long.”
    Lan’xiu noted with interest that Fen alone of the women wore jeweled nail guards on each finger, which unfortunately made her pretty hands look a bit like claws. With a little trepidation, she asked, “What rules must I follow here? I would cause no offense through my ignorance.”
    Fen and Huan looked at each other and giggled while Mei Ju looked both pained and embarrassed at their response. Alute seemed to feel she was not required to answer any question as long as the others were there to do so, but Bai knew no such shyness.
    “First Wife takes precedence in all matters and governs within the household. She settles any disagreement. Treat the other wives as you would be treated, except for Ci’an. It is not permitted to sneak outside and quench the flame that burns in another wife’s lantern—”
    “Bai!” Mei Ju exclaimed in protest. “No one has ever—”
    “Ci’an has thought about it. You know she has,” Bai said. “It is only her locked door that prevents her from doing it.”
    “I am sure the Princess Lan’xiu would never consider doing anything so ill-bred,” Mei Ju said, still shocked.
    Bai pointed to Lan’xiu, who had covered her smile. “See! A little bit of the happiness has leaked out! It was only a jest, Princess. I would never suggest that you would do such a thing—”
    “I wouldn’t,” Lan’xiu retorted and giggled again.
    “I just wanted to see you laugh.” Bai folded her hands with a satisfied smile.
    “You are a mischievous imp,” Mei Ju scolded, but then she smiled. “But I cannot be angry with one who always manages to make me laugh. Just take care you are on good behavior when my husband lights your lantern.”
    “He likes it when I misbehave,” Bai said with a sly smile. “He spanks me. I like it, so I am very bad sometimes. He says he knows just how to make me behave myself.”
    Aghast, Mei Ju turned to Lan’xiu. “Don’t listen to her, Lan’xiu. Bai is just teasing you. Hüi Wei would never strike a woman—”
    “Oh ho! He wouldn’t?” Bai chortled, delighting in the shocked look Alute was giving her. Fen and Huan were pointedly ignoring her, their faces flushed with embarrassment.
    “He is too gentle and kind. He is master here and we all strive to please him. There is no need for him to use force,” Mei Ju said sternly.
    “I hope not,” Lan’xiu said faintly. She was no longer sure who to believe. It seemed that each wife saw a very different man through the prism of her own experience with Hüi Wei. She dared to sneak a look at Bai, who gave her a knowing smile when their eyes met and rubbed her bottom with one hand as if it were still smarting.
    “Please have some more tea, Princess,” Mei Ju said,