The Last Concubine

chickens have lost their lives in the name of virginity? Rumor has it one disappeared the next morning from the kitchen gardens.”
    Her cheeks flaming, Lan’xiu sat up even straighter. She opened her mouth to retort and then closed it. Just because Ci’an seemed incapable of following the rules of polite society, it was no good reason for her to sink to the same depth. Instead she managed to reply calmly, “I am fond of chicken dumplings.”
    Bai burst into laughter. “I like a good chicken dinner myself. With rice and cashews! What is your favorite nut, Lan’xiu?”
    “I am partial to almonds,” Lan’xiu said, turning to Bai with a slight smile of relief.
    “No, the right answer should have been me, Bai!” Fifth Wife giggled at her own wit.
    “Almond milk is good for the skin,” Alute piped up. She stroked her fingers over one of her own smooth cheeks with pleasure.
    Ci’an rolled her eyes. “Always the bright one, isn’t she? And Bai will now tell us how her favorite nuts are the ones within the nutsack that hangs between the legs of our husband, and Fen will lecture us on how the peasants put nuts by for the winter and give us recipes that substitute nuts for meat as if we were ever expected to cook a meal ourselves, and then Huan will applaud her and tell us again how brilliant and forward thinking her dear friend Fen is.”
    “When did you start to study gastronomy?” Bai inquired. “But then, you have so much time on your hands to study.” She fluttered her lashes while giving Ci’an a disingenuous smile.
    Lan’xiu had to admire Bai’s imperviousness to Ci’an’s venom. Nothing seemed to daunt her, and it seemed a good habit to acquire if one were forced to consort with Second Wife.
    Ci’an appeared to be simmering with rage, but then she laughed instead of lashing out. “Bai, I vow you alone know how to spike my guns. If only the others were smart enough to learn from you.” With exaggerated courtesy she bowed to Lan’xiu. “It was my most humble honor to meet you, Princess Lan’xiu. I hope you will be as happy a captive here as I within this gilded cage.” With that she swept from the room, knocking over a small table bearing her teacup as she went, not even reacting when it shattered on the floor, splashing the tea everywhere.
    The two soldiers fell in beside her and presently Lan’xiu caught sight of them carrying umbrellas to shield Second Wife as she returned to her home next door.
    “Lan’xiu, I apologize on Second Wife’s behalf for that extremely vulgar display.” Mei Ju gave a delicate shiver. “If only Ci’an could find some comfort in the company of the rest of the wives. I fear she is a very miserable woman.”
    “Or deranged,” Huan snapped.
    “In which case there should be some provision made for her. Perhaps she should be removed to a home for lunatics,” Fen said seriously. “What do you think, Alute?”
    “Oh yes,” Alute agreed vaguely. She had been looking at her reflection in the shiny silver tray on the table.
    “ What a party!” Bai crowed. “Fen, have I ever told you about the time—”
    Lan’xiu stifled a giggle. Despite the disagreeable way Ci’an had expressed herself, she seemed to be sadly correct about the predictable dullness of the household parties.

Chapter 10

    L AN ’ XIU tried not to be obvious about it, but he had taken to standing at his window, watching for the servant who lit the lanterns. He had not seen Hüi Wei nor had any message from him since their first and only night together, when Hüi had taken his flower. This night no torch had been borne into the harem square and no lantern had been lit. He sighed with disappointment mixed with a tiny bit of relief. At least he would not have to watch Hüi Wei enter the house of another wife and torture himself with thoughts of Hüi making love to anyone but him.
    He wondered if, after all, Hüi had found him revolting and resolved never to return to him. Perhaps death would be preferable to rejection. To have known physical love for the first time, to have felt that powerful body against his, taking him… he shivered as a thrill went through him. Their one night together had been heaven. If that night were all he would ever have to remember, it would have to do. It was more than he had ever hoped for in his life, even if he was destined to spend the remainder of it sequestered behind these prison walls, alone, but somehow the memory didn’t seem very comforting in the