The Last Concubine

address me as Ning. And now, Princess Lan’xiu is weary from our journey and would rest.”
    “Of course. Follow me.” Jia flapped her hands at the two younger women, who giggled and fled to the back of the house, peeking back at the princess all the way. “Pay no attention to them, Ning-xiānsheng. They are young and silly, and have never seen a princess before. I, however, have served in the greatest of houses and know how things should be done. Please follow me, Ning-xiānsheng.” She turned and led the way upstairs.
    Lan’xiu had to smile as Ning puffed out his chest at the title of respect that Jia had conferred upon him, even though she did not feel very merry. However she did let out a small gasp of pleasure at the sight of the beautiful room designated to be hers.
    The rosewood bed was massive, standing in the center of the room with a full canopy and corner boards intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes. Enamel paintings of fields and streams decorated the arched canopy boards overhead. Yellow silk bed hangings glowed in the warmth of the oil lanterns and the small ceramic stove. Matching yellow silk swathed the windows, and the puffy down quilt covered in spring green satin made the room seem cozy. Soft, lavender-colored pillows adorned the bed. A dressing table of rosewood with a matching chair with a yellow cushion stood in the bow of one window. A thick carpet of intricate design woven in tones of cream, yellow, and green, with touches here and there of salmon red and cobalt blue covered the wooden floor.
    Jia opened the door to a rosewood wardrobe that extended the length of one wall to show that Lan’xiu’s clothing had been carefully hung up, while more intimate garments had been folded and placed in drawers.
    She went to a door concealed behind drapes on the same wall as the bed and opened it to reveal a large, well-appointed bathing room. “The pump brings the water inside. And if her ladyship wishes for a bath, a fire may be lit under the tub to warm the water.” Jia indicated the giant copper vessel. The room was a marvel of ceramic tile and copper, using the most modern of plumbing engineering.
    Then she opened another door on the opposite wall that led to a smaller room. “I assume you will wish to sleep within call of her ladyship,” she said, addressing Ning. She had still not looked directly at the princess.
    “That will do excellently,” Ning said. “I am very pleased. You have thought of everything to make the princess comfortable.”
    “Thank you, sir.” Jia dropped a curtsey and stole a glance at Lan’xiu, stifling a gasp at her beauty. Then the housekeeper withdrew, closing the door behind her.
    Lan’xiu and Ning stood still, listening intently. Ning tiptoed to the door and opened it. The hallway was empty. He shook his head at the princess. “I will have a look,” he said, picking up one of the lanterns. He searched both the bathing room and the room designated for him before issuing forth into the hallway.
    Lan’xiu wrapped her arms around her body to still her trembling, waiting for him to return. Or worse, for someone else to enter, perhaps splattered with his blood, to bring her news of his death. She was unaware she’d been holding her breath until the door opened to reveal her faithful servant returning to her.
    “We are the only ones on this floor,” Ning said quietly. “The attic is empty. I have discovered no way of spying upon us, but we had best be careful.”
    “Careful!” Lan’xiu laughed bitterly.
    “Shhh,” Ning warned. “You are tired. You would be better in bed. Shall I contrive a bath?”
    “No!” Lan’xiu shuddered. “Not here! Not now. And you must find a way out. If neither of us sleep again, you must escape.”
    “I will not leave you, my Lady,” Ning said in great distress.
    “Even though I have been delivered to my death, there is no need for you to share the same fate,” Lan’xiu said. “You cannot save me. You must save yourself.”
    “You never know, this may not lead to your death,” Ning said hopefully.
    “Always the optimist, my Ning. For you the teapot is always half-full.” Lan’xiu gave a shaky laugh. “But you know my brother. It would have suited him to simply throw me off a cliff, but in this way he will attain my death with no visible stain upon his hands. You know he will find some way to use my assassination to his advantage.”
    “The governor has not chosen to come to you tonight,” Ning