The Last Concubine (26 page)

“How exciting! I have always wanted armor,” Lan said. He put his hands up to touch Hüi’s face, caressing each cheek. “But not as much as I have wanted you.”

“I have missed you, Lan’xiu,” Hüi said in a throaty growl. He picked up the slight young man and, holding him, went to the bed where they fell upon the mattress together. The bed frame gave out a loud groan and Lan’xiu giggled.

“There goes my reputation,” he said.

“The only reputation you need is that everyone knows how much I love you and want you,” Hüi said.

He bent his head to take Lan’s mouth in a deep, probing kiss.

H
ER
heart was pounding when she rapped upon First Wife’s door. Ning had argued that it could only cause both her and First Wife pain should Lan’xiu make this duty call, but she could not go without first thanking Mei Ju for her kindness.

Much had changed within the household. Mei Ju must have heard by now that Princess Lan’xiu, concubine of the first order, was being taken to live within the palace. Most likely Hüi Wei had done First Wife the courtesy of telling her himself. Lan’xiu steeled herself to face anger and hatred, knowing how she would feel in Mei Ju’s place.

When the servant came to the door, she opened her eyes wide in surprise at Lan’xiu standing alone and uninvited upon the step. However, she permitted the princess to come inside while she went to announce her to Mei Ju.

To Lan’s surprise, the servant came back and said, “Please follow me, Princess.”

She was ushered into a small room on the second floor, where Mei Ju was sitting, staring out the window, dressed in a white gown of mourning, her empty hands resting on the arms of her chair.

Lan’xiu bowed low in respect. “First Wife, I have come to thank you for your kindness to me.”

Mei Ju turned an implacable face to Lan’xiu, her eyes hard and dry. “And this is how you repay my kindness? You steal my husband’s heart from me?”

Miserably, Lan’xiu stood silent. There was nothing she could say in answer to this ravaged agony; no defense she could make. She knew how she would feel if someone took Hüi from her now.

Mei Ju merely sat waiting for a response that never came, her hands clenching the carved arms of her chair. “I knew, when first I saw you, that you were too beautiful for a mere man to resist, but I did not think Hüi would raise you to supplant me. You played your cards very well, pretending to be so modest and sweet.”

Lan flinched and her face worked with emotion. “I am so sorry, First Wife. I did not—”

“Be silent!” Mei Ju’s voice was harsh, like shattering glass. “I don’t care to listen to your excuses and apologies.”

“Perhaps I should not have come.” Lan’xiu waited a moment, but Mei Ju’s face did not soften. She turned to go. “Please believe me, First Wife, I did not come here with any intention of causing you pain.” She went to the door and opened it.

“Princess Lan’xiu! Wait!”

Lan’xiu froze and then turned to face Mei Ju, unable to conceal the torment on her face.

“I—I must apologize to you,” Mei Ju said stiffly. “The gods have dealt me a cruel blow, but that is no excuse for me to visit my bitterness upon you. You have done nothing wrong.”

Lan stood with her head bowed, not knowing what to do. “You are most gracious, First Wife.”

“My—Hüi Wei has informed me that you had no choice when you were sent here, that your brother expected him to reject or kill you.” Mei Ju shook her head, as if she still couldn’t fathom why this would be so, but it was of little importance. “I knew when we met that you were in the grip of dread. I could tell you were innocent, that you possessed no arts to enslave Hüi’s mind and heart.”

“Lady First Wife, if there was anything I could have done—”

“I know.” Mei Ju held up a hand. “Come, Lan’xiu, sit down by me. And call me Mei Ju.”

Uncomfortably, Lan’xiu crossed the room and sat cautiously on the edge of the chair. There was nothing she could think of to say to assuage the pain of a woman whose heart had been direly injured, through no fault of her own but entirely because of her.

Mei Ju stared out over the tile roofs. “I knew he would love you. I thought I had prepared myself for it, but there is no way to anticipate the depths of pain… I thought he would always return to me… we have been such friends….”

“He will return to you,” Lan 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 back at her. “It was my lord general’s idea, but I saw to it that his intention was carried out properly.”

Between them, Hüi Wei and Ning had had the furnishings from the bedchamber in the seventh house in the square brought here and installed in this much bigger room. The yellow curtains Lan had so loved hung at the windows and the same rosewood wardrobe and bed stood within the room.

A few more chairs were positioned about the room, and also another table, upon which stood a jade and silver casket with a lock wherein Lan found her jewels. The same bench stood at the foot of the bed, and Lan crossed the room to sit upon it, thinking about the time Hüi Wei had made love to her on it.

“Look, Lan’xiu.” Ning pulled open the doors of the wardrobe to reveal many pretty new dresses hanging there.

She merely smiled. At this point, the thought of her new armor excited her more, but she was touched at the evidence that despite the fact Hüi had not visited her at all during the past week, she had yet been in his thoughts.

“Through here is the bathing room, and beyond—” Ning wiggled his eyebrows and gave a hastily concealed leer, as if he’d only just remembered Captain Wen’s presence. “—you will find my lord general’s bedchamber. If you wished to, ahem, speak with him.”

Lan glared at her servitor with an expression that promised later retribution, but only said, “Thank you, Ning.”

Captain Wen bowed and said, “Princess, two of my men will be stationed outside in the hallway, at a distance where they cannot overhear conversation. But if you need them, they will be there within calling distance. Is there anything else I can do?”

Lan’xiu stood up and smiled at him. It startled and touched her to see how pleased he seemed that she was speaking directly to him. “Captain Wen, I thank you. You have done much to keep me safe and comfortable, and I thank you for your allegiance.”

“It is my pleasure, your Highness.” Captain Wen bowed again.

“If you really wish to please me….”

“I do!” he assured her.

“Take this servant of mine somewhere and regale him with a good meal, much liquor, and a story of your great prowess in battle.”

Captain Wen glanced uncertainly between Lan’xiu and Ning, but then a smile crept over his face. “Shu Ning-xiānsheng, would you care to accompany me?”

“Where?” Ning asked.

“Does it matter?” Lan’xiu demanded. “Go! You deserve a respite from watching over me, and I shall come to no harm here in the palace with two soldiers outside the door.”

At last Ning smiled at Captain Wen. “Thank you, Lan’xiu.”

Although he was wearing a different dress, having gone to Mei Ju more somberly clad in respect for her, Lan’xiu took up the same pose on the bench as he had the day he awaited Hüi Wei in the seventh house. 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.

Remembering the occasion when he’d waited on this bench for Hüi before, Lan’xiu felt his palms start to flutter with anticipation. 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 came shorter and his heart pounded 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
, the sight of Lan’xiu waiting for him reminded him of the beginning of their love, and he hoped the rush of emotion would never change.

Once the thrill of being master of such beauty excited Hüi Wei; now it was love that made his heart pound, and fear of what was to come. Resolutely, he pushed away the dread thought of what he was risking by allowing Lan’xiu to accompany him to war, knowing his young lover preferred to face danger with courageous laughter.

He paused to drink in the joy and love on the beautiful face. “Do you like the room?”

“It is beautiful, Hüi. I thank you for thinking of me.”

“When am I not thinking of you?” Hüi came to Lan then and sat on the bench beside him. “I fear we have little time to enjoy being so near before we must depart.”

“But at least we have tonight.”

Hüi raised his hand to caress Lan’s cheek, stroking down his smooth throat and working his way under the layers of silk to find a nipple, rubbing gently over it to feel the flesh harden beneath his fingertips. He loved watching the muscles in Lan’s throat work, the way his lids veiled his eyes and his lips parted to catch his breath. “We have tonight, and we will have many more nights, my love.”

“I never thought, when I was brought here to be a concubine, that this could happen to me,” Lan said softly, arching into Hüi’s touch.

Hüi withdrew his hand and stood up, sweeping Lan up into his arms to kiss him deeply. “The last concubine. I shall never take another, for all that I need I hold here in my arms, princess of my heart.”

He bore Lan to the bed and laid him gently upon the mattress, sinking down next to him to take his lips in a tender kiss.