The Last Concubine

might think when she saw the new ruby earrings. After the spiteful comments from Second Wife about her single pair of earrings, Lan knew the woman was sure to notice, if she decided to honor Mei Ju with her presence. To Lan, Ci’an appeared to be in robust health, showing no sign of the weakness that demanded attendance from the physician. She speculated that boredom rather than ill health was the true reason Ci’an often chose to send her excuses.
    Just to be on the safe side, Lan’xiu had Ning strap the dagger to her arm, knowing the sleeves would conceal the weapon. She felt just a bit safer with it on her person.
    But today she felt she must show off the new earrings Hüi had given her. She had worn them, alternating between them every day since he gave her the gifts, but with only herself and Ning to admire them. Even though she knew they would excite the envy of the other wives, she couldn’t help herself. She felt so beautiful and loved wearing them, and the brush of the ruby beads against her neck made her feel as if Hüi’s fingers and lips caressed her in public.
    The only regret Lan had was the pain it might cause First Wife Mei Ju to see that Hüi had given her so magnificent a jewel, especially when she remembered the jade bracelet. Although it was sweet, there could be no comparison.
    But Lan’xiu had enough competitive spirit to enjoy the prospect of proving to Ci’an that their husband did hold her in some esteem after all.
    Ning made sure to wrap her up well, as the snow lay deep upon the ground. Lan’xiu was borne around the square in a chair, but Ning had to trot along behind and Lan bethought herself that she might request a pair of boots for him. The slippers he wore would surely be soaked through.
    Excited chatter met Lan’xiu’s ears when she entered the sitting room at Mei Ju’s home and she found that each of the other wives were eagerly showing off new pieces of jewelry to each other. Mei Ju’s kind round face shone under an incongruous new headdress with many dangling gold charms, and Bai had a rope of pearls around her neck that reached past her waist. Alute wore a coral bracelet with an enameled silver clasp, while Fen and Huan each wore intricately carved matching jeweled combs in their hair, save that one was ivory and the other ebony.
    Lan’xiu was amused by Hüi’s crafty strategy. To camouflage his gift to her, he had also given something to each wife, so that their attention would be upon their own presents. Mei Ju kept touching her headdress and shaking her head to make the ornaments jingle to the extent that she did not even notice the magnificent earrings in Lan’s ears.
    Bai, however, noticed them immediately and nodded acknowledgement. Lan’xiu glanced at her pearls and smiled back, pleased to have won the friendship of this dainty, mad girl who winked and tapped one of her own earlobes without a hint of envy.
    Holding her head high, Lan’xiu prepared to enjoy the quiet gathering with the confidence her new dress and earrings gave her. She liked her earrings best and surprisingly found that it made her feel safer to realize Hüi had guarded her by devising gifts for each wife. It didn’t even make her jealous; after all, these women had been here long before she came. Hüi knew each one of them, but she could not doubt that she and Hüi shared something special after what he had said to her, and the tone of his voice when he said it.
    Dreamily remembering their last night together, Lan’xiu startled and jumped to her feet upon hearing the sound of Ci’an’s shrill voice. Having done so, she could think of nothing better than to go to the window, partially concealing herself behind the curtain, hoping the wintry chill of the glass would cool her heated face. All her newfound confidence drained away in the dread of knowing that Ci’an would find some way to call attention to her new earrings.
    As Second Wife moved into the room, she could see Ci’an’s person loaded down with so much jewelry it was difficult to tell the color of her gown. Lan’xiu knew intuitively that somehow news of Hüi’s gifts had come to Ci’an’s ears. Considering what Mei Ju had told her, Lan guessed that Ci’an had received nothing from Hüi, and this was her defiant attempt to exhibit her wealth and thumb her nose at the rest of the wives.
    “Don’t stand there hiding in the shadows, Lan’xiu. Come out and let us see you. You are so pretty to look at,” Bai called at