The Last Concubine

service.”
    Touched, Lan’xiu looked to Hüi, who nodded acquiescence. “Captain Wen, it is my honor to accept your oath. I shall repay your loyalty with my own, as my life is now in your hands.”
    “Mind!” Ning cried out, “That means if Captain Wen orders you to get out of the way, you will jump! And don’t get yourself into a fix that puts your men at risk to get you out. And—”
    “That will do, Ning,” Lan said in a dignified way, although she was glaring at him. “Thank you, Captain Wen. Please tell me your men’s names.”
    Riding beside Wen, Lan’xiu was introduced to her new escort and nodded to each one, enslaving them instantly with her smile, if her riding had not already done so, although she was completely unaware of it.
    Then she rode back to take up her position beside Hüi Wei, who thanked Wen and asked her, “Shall we ride on?”
    “Hüi,” Lan said when they were out of earshot of the guard. “Where are we going and why do I need a guard?”
    “We are going to my summer palace,” Hüi said. “Jiang has allowed the rumor to get about that I am taking you to a specialist to see to the injuries Ci’an inflicted upon you.”
    “A specialist for my arm?”
    “The specialist will inform us that you will never be able to bear children.”
    “I could have told you that,” Lan said in a quiet voice. “I won’t have a doctor maul me about.”
    “There is no doctor, Lan,” Hüi said. “I want you entirely to myself. We will be here for three days, although it is not summer and will likely be rather cold.”
    She rode in silence for a time. “Thank you, Hüi. But what of Captain Wen and his men? Surely they will know—they will realize that no doctor has come.”
    “The mark of a canny ruler lies in gauging the loyalty of his followers,” Hüi said. “Even in my court, there are those who wish to do me harm, but sometimes it is better to keep them close rather than push them away. I underestimated Ci’an, and I do not intend to risk your safety again. These men have taken an oath of fealty to you . They will protect you no matter who comes to harm you.”
    Lan’xiu blinked rapidly and stared at the purple mountains in the distance. “How can you be sure?”
    “I didn’t have to rely entirely upon my own judgment.” Hüi laughed and jerked his head at Ning, struggling to encourage his sluggish horse to put on some speed. “Ning chose the men with Captain Wen. If any of them betray you, Ning will make certain they end up on a spike.”
    Lan’xiu still looked troubled but didn’t speak.
    “Lan, my love, all men of power hold secrets. Men who take the oath are sworn not just to preserve your life but to hold your secrets sacred. You are safe now.”
    “Thank you, Hüi,” Lan’xiu said. Then she laughed. “I hope we may find another horse for Ning. He will not thank you for mounting him upon that snail.”
    Hüi laughed with her. “I didn’t know if he could ride so I bespoke a quiet mount for him. However, he shall have another for the ride home.” His grin became teasing. “I remembered how well you rode me, so I had no hesitation in selecting a spirited horse for you.”
    Lan’s cheeks grew rosy with remembrance and embarrassment.
     
     
    T HE three days they spent at the summer palace were like heaven to both Lan’xiu and Hüi Wei. They spent almost every moment together, allowing Ning to slip away without query, as they had no wish for his constant companionship.
    They went for rides in the mountains and came back to warm themselves before the fire, caring little what or when they ate. They spent each night in the same bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. Hüi made love to Lan’xiu whenever desire sparked between them. He loved waking beside him, stroking his long hair, kissing him breathless and then taking him, hard or gentle as the mood struck him.
    If Lan’xiu noticed a certain starriness in the eyes of his friend, he did not tease Ning by inquiring too closely if Captain Wen was the cause. By this leniency, he hoped to gain leverage to stop Ning’s inquisitive attention into his own doings.
    It was so lovely to have Hüi all to himself that Lan’xiu fell into a melancholy the day they were to start back. After the freedom of wild rides in the mountains and the intimacy of dining and laughing with him, sleeping naked his arms, making love whenever they chose, Lan could not look forward to returning to his old life trapped within the harem.
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