The Last Concubine

reminder of her sonless state. Perhaps she remembered the rebuke Mei Ju had given at the previous party and didn’t want to run the risk of another, or perhaps she wasn’t finished with the other wives, but she bit her lip silently before turning again to Lan’xiu, leaning forward to elbow her in the ribs. “You simple innocents have no idea how to keep a man interested. If you liked, I could share some secrets of how to fan the flames with Hüi. The first night after he left me, I couldn’t sit down the day after. My sheets were red with blood.” She looked meaningfully at Lan’xiu and winked as she said it.
    Ci’an’s laugh made Lan’xiu want to take a bath.
    “I’ve noticed it remains quite dark on your side of the square. Now that Hüi has made the ritual visit out of politeness, he obviously plans to have no more to do with you. I’m sure you could settle for a nice little flirtation to fill your time, like Fen and Huan have.” Ci’an waved a hand at the chair where the two girls sat together as usual. “You can only plead innocence for so long, or perhaps you’re too stupid to see which way the sun sets? Choose a nice young man from the guard. Some of the soldiers set to watch us are quite virile and not so focused on their responsibilities that they can’t put those assault skills to use closer to home. Isn’t that so, Liang?”
    One of the pair of soldiers who accompanied Ci’an everywhere flushed red but continued to stare into space without comment.
    “Or perhaps you prefer the company of eunuchs? I see you have a tame one of your very own.”
    “Most eunuchs are very good company,” Lan’xiu said. She could not defend Ning by boasting of his prowess with a sword, but she was tiring of Ci’an’s unending stream of malice. “Perhaps you might find it profitable to make the acquaintance of one or two before you insult them.”
    “Oh no, my sweet innocent. They are very well to serve brainless consorts, content to lie upon their backs and spread their legs—”
    “Second Concubine!” Mei Ju rose to her full height, which wasn’t very tall at all, but she was impressive in her indignation. “You shame only yourself with your vulgar ramblings. I order you to leave my house at once! You! Guards! Make yourself useful and escort this woman to her home. Ci’an, I hope a period of solitary reflection may restore your humor!”
    Ci’an gave Lan’xiu a wink and hauled herself up out of her chair. “Get your eunuch to procure you some porn, with illustrations, Princess of Stupid. You have much to learn if you wish to hold the attention of our husband. You would look lovely with your heels over your head, all red in the face while he pumps away at you, I’m sure.”
    Lan’xiu felt the color mount to her cheeks, humiliated that Ci’an would plant such images in the minds of the soldiers who stood there listening, but she made no reply, deeming it useless to involve herself in a verbal brawl. When she replied with a dagger, Ci’an beat her down with a battle-axe.
    Even Bai did not care to answer that parting jibe, and Ci’an was escorted out in a chilly silence. Her dismissal did not seem to discompose her; in fact she appeared rather amused to be shunned by the other wives, as if it gave her some advantage.
    Mei Ju seated herself and leaned forward to touch Lan’xiu’s sleeve. “My dear, don’t let that witch bother you. Your earrings are very pretty.”
    For some reason that comment made Lan’xiu want to laugh when she had been holding back her tears, but she couldn’t appear to make fun of First Wife. Mei Ju was a tender soul, and Lan could tell it cost her to stand up to Ci’an. “I am very fond of these earrings.”
    Bai put in, “It really doesn’t matter what you wear. You could wear the poorest cotton cheongsam and no jewelry at all, and you would still outshine the lot of us.”
    “I have no desire to—” Lan’xiu started to exclaim.
    “You cannot help your face. You are as the stars and gods made you,” Bai said, sounding serious for once. “Unearthly in your beauty, like a star shining in the night sky.”
    “I think you are quite pretty and your earrings too,” Alute said placidly. “Ci’an is just mean.”
    “Thank you,” Lan said, blinking rapidly at the tears that threatened to fall. For the first time she felt like one of them, even though she couldn’t have been further from them.
    Mei Ju lifted the teapot. “May I give you tea, my