The Last Concubine

said, her soft voice hiding her own pain at the thought.
    “Of course he will. Hüi Wei is far too kind to ignore the mother of his children.” Mei Ju put her hand over her mouth in dismay and turned to Lan’xiu. “I’m sorry, I had forgotten. The special physician said that you will never be able to bear Hüi Wei a child after what Ci’an did to you. I am sorry for you.”
    Lan covered her eyes for a moment. Mei Ju’s sympathy was almost more than she could bear. “I will never give him a son,” she acquiesced.
    Mei Ju leaned forward and twined their fingers together. “Then you know how bereft I am, as I know your pain.”
    For a moment, Lan felt deep shame and guilt that this woman was so deceived as to what she was, but then the regret that she truly could not bear her lover children made her lips tremble. “At least he has your children. You have given him many fine sons and daughters.”
    “At least I have that. You are generous to say so.” Mei Ju smiled through her tears. “I will always have that honor.” She leaned forward to search Lan’xiu’s eyes. “Do you truly love him?”
    All grandiose thoughts of how to compare her love deserted Lan. “Yes,” was all she said, but it satisfied Mei Ju.
    “One cannot force a man to love where his heart is not engaged,” Mei Ju murmured. “At least I had him for many years to myself.” She looked at Lan’xiu again. “Forgive me for venting my anguish upon you. It is not your fault.”
    “Believe me, Mei Ju, I never wanted to cause you pain—”
    “I know, hush, my dear.” Mei Ju patted Lan’s hand and sat back in her chair. “Will you come to see me and the children every now and then?”
    “I would love to,” Lan said sincerely. “Aside from my mother and Ning, you are the first person ever to be kind to me.”
    Mei Ju laughed regretfully. “Not so very kind today. But I shall become accustomed in time, I dare say. One can become accustomed to anything, even having one’s heart rent asunder.”
     
     
    W HEN Lan’xiu emerged from the visit with Mei Ju, she felt that she wanted nothing more than to retreat to her bed and sleep for days, but she no longer had a bed within the household square, and it was not fitting behavior for a warrior princess anyway.
    She stood upon the step of the house, wondering where she was to go and what she was to do. Fortunately, Ning came to greet her. Her lips twitched as he bowed obsequiously to her, knowing it meant they were under observation.
    “Princess Lan’xiu, if you will accompany me.”
    She nodded and followed Ning, becoming aware that soldiers were falling into position around them. It would have made her nervous but for the fact that she recognized them as members of her guard. She gave them an almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgement and marched with Ning to the big iron gate where Captain Wen stood at attention.
    “Open the gates for the princess!” he cried out proudly.
    Two of the household guard unbolted and unlocked the gate, and Princess Lan’xiu retraced the steps she had taken her first day as a prisoner within these walls, except this time she walked as a woman of rank and consequence, surrounded by her own guard.
    Captain Wen led the party to the same door by which Lan’xiu had the left the palace, an unimportant side door, rather than to the two grand doors at the front reserved for visitors of state. Lan’xiu was glad of it. She had lived most of her life trying not to attract attention, and now when she felt unsure of the future was not the time to boldly march in at the front door.
    Once inside, Captain Wen spoke briefly with Ning who pointed up the stairway.
    “Follow me, Princess,” Ning said.
    Aware of the men who never left them, Lan’xiu climbed the stairs and followed Ning down a hallway that curved to the back of the building, counting the number of doors they passed so she would not be totally lost on her own. The way her guard remained close to her, however, she was beginning to wonder if she would ever walk alone again. Then she recovered her sense of humor; as a woman and a princess, she had never been permitted to be entirely alone except within her bedchamber. The difference was that she was accustomed to Ning and he knew her secret.
    Ning stopped before a tall door and opened it, bowing low, by which she understood he wanted her to go inside.
    Once inside, Lan’xiu stopped short and smiled in delight. “Ning, did you do this?”
    Ning smiled