The Last Concubine

put the earrings on and tilted his head to watch them sway. He felt happy and thought he looked rather pretty in this dress. “Compared to death, not having much jewelry isn’t so much of a hardship. Come, Ning. Stop your sighing and do my hair.”
    Ning stood behind Lan, his quick hands straightening the unruly locks and using the sticks to pile her hair high. “You should adopt the phoenix for your good luck charm. You have arisen from the flames to a new life here. May it be a long one.”
    “Thank you, Ning. I wish the same for you.”
    Their eyes met in the mirror, and Lan said, “Please tidy up those things and then leave me, if you would be so kind.”
    “Yes, your Highness,” Ning said, using the term of address that had been left unsaid between them since Lan’s brother, Wu Min, had forbidden it. He hung up the cheongsam Lan had discarded and closed the drawers. Then he closed the door to the wardrobe and drew the curtains across the windows to ensure there were no cracks where anyone could spy in. He lit the lamps and the fire, bowed to Lan’xiu, and withdrew, tactfully keeping silent for once.
    Lan’xiu seated himself on the bench at the end of his bed to await his lord and master. His feet were planted square on the floor, his legs and knees together. His back was straight and he placed his hands on his knees. After Hüi Wei’s secret visit, Lan understood that for some reason, Hüi did not want to admit to his attraction. Otherwise, why conceal a visit to a concubine he owned and had every right to take his pleasure with?
    That was the lot Lan had chosen when he made his choice to live as he did, and he did not expect Hüi to share the burdens of that choice. He would have been content to receive his lord’s occasional discreet visit and keep it secret, bearing the taunts from some of the other wives when it became obvious he had not captured the general’s interest.
    But now his lantern had been lit. Hüi Wei had chosen him , knowing everything about him, and he was announcing his acceptance publicly to Lan’xiu’s narrow little world. However painful it would be to see the lantern lit elsewhere on the morrow, tonight Hüi wanted him, Lan’xiu, to spend his time with.
    With that thought, Lan’xiu felt his palms start to flutter. He never knew what to expect when Hüi showed up. Last time his clothing had been ripped from him and Hüi had taken him roughly, making him a prisoner by using his ruined dress as a restraint. Later he had made love as gently as if Lan had been untouched.
    It was too soon for Lan to know the moods of this man; perhaps there were too many for him to ever be able to anticipate. So far he had enjoyed all Hüi had chosen to do to him, and it was his part to wait and to accept.
    His inexperience made him anxious that he did not possess the arts to please Hüi, but asking one of the other wives was out of the question, especially after Ci’an’s cruel jibe. He would have to rely upon Hüi to guide him to do what he enjoyed.
    His cock was getting thicker, pushing against the silk of his panties. He could feel the fluid form at the tip and dampen the fabric. He moved his shoulders to feel the heavy embroidery of his corselet rub over his nipples. Lan liked that feeling, too, it added to the anticipation of waiting for Hüi.
    His breath was coming shorter and his heart pounding when he heard the click of the door as it opened. Lan looked up, not realizing his face wore an expression of joyful anticipation.
     
     
    T O H ÜI , Lan’xiu was the picture of beautiful submission as he sat waiting before the bed, as if suggesting his willingness to either sit and converse or to be thrown upon the mattress and fucked as hard as Hüi Wei wished.
    Say what one would about the willingness of women, there was a strength to Lan’xiu that made his submission that much more pleasurable for Hüi. He was a strong man, and he was uneasily aware that his passions could make him lose control. With Lan’xiu he never worried about hurting him.
    The roughness of their last encounter had been much on his mind. In fact, rather than visiting with another wife to take care of his need, he had preferred to be alone with his memories and imaginings until his yearning grew too strong to resist.
    Speaking with Jiang and finding acceptance of this different choice had calmed Hüi. He had come to Lan’xiu not to ravage this time, but to ravish. All his plans flew from his head when he saw the