Empress in Danger

by Zoey Gong

  I nod at Yanmei’s wise words. She is right, of course. At least, to an extent. As long as Honghui is happy with me, there is little Liling could do to hurt me. Especially now, since she will be busy with her new baby. I can’t prove that her son is not Honghui’s child, so I cannot allow the possibility to trouble my mind.

  “You are right,” I tell Yanmei. “I will do my best.”

  “How is your head?” she asks. I reach up and lightly touch the back of it. I grimace when I feel the soft spot.

  “Still tender,” I say.

  “Rest,” Yanmei says. “Lie on your side and sleep for as long as you need.”

  I look to the window and see that the sun is rising. Yanmei notices it as well.

  “Sleep all day and night if you must,” she says.

  “I will,” I say.

  Yanmei fluffs my pillows and smooths my blanket before kissing me on my forehead and closing the door to my room behind her. I snuggle down into my bed and close my eyes, determined to sleep. But all I can see in the darkness of my mind is the face of the ghost woman who is missing her baby.

  24

  “So, will the little prince have a baby brother or sister soon?” Xiuying asks, looking around at me and all the other consorts as we sit in a circle and embroider together in the warmth of my sitting room. Everyone is present except Lihua. Since the weather is cold, the doctors advise her not to leave her palace as much as possible.

  The women giggle and blush. Honghui seems eager to have another child as soon as possible, taking a woman to his bed every night. Even I have been to his bed chamber recently. My heart and mind are still troubled. I fear letting my guard down and worry about Lihua constantly, but I do my best to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself, pressed way down deep inside my gut so that no one else knows how I really feel. After all, Yanmei is right. Keeping Honghui happy is paramount. If he is happy, that is when I am safest, no matter what Lihua might do.

  “I am sure Heaven will bless us soon,” I say. Though why none of the girls are for certain pregnant yet, I have no idea. Of course, if Lihua’s child is not Honghui’s, it could be because he is incapable of having children. But then I remember that Dongmei is his daughter—I’m sure of it—so he is certainly capable. It will just take time.

  “Actually…” Yanmei says, not looking up from her embroidery, “I’m pregnant.”

  Everyone gasps and shrieks. Some clap their hands and several girls rush over to Yanmei’s side to touch her still-flat belly. But then, everyone seems to remember that I am present and they all go silent, looking at me for my response.

  “Are you sure?” I ask her. I think back to the many months that I thought I was pregnant and am hesitant to be anything more than skeptical just yet.

  “Yes,” she says. “I’ve had three doctors and two midwives confirm it.”

  “What?” I ask. “How did you manage to do so in secret?”

  “It wasn’t exactly secret,” Yanmei says. “His majesty knew. We arranged for the doctors to come and examine me on nights that he summoned me to his bed. We didn’t want anyone in the inner court to know until we were certain.” She looks at me, her eyes wary.

  “You mean, you didn’t want me to know,” I say.

  She shakes her head. “I didn’t want to worry you. I didn’t want to upset you.”

  “Oh, Yanmei,” I say, tears coming to my eyes. “You know that I couldn’t be happier.” We both stand up and hug each other tightly. There is a sigh of relief among the other ladies, and then there is much cheering and celebrating.

  I feel immense relief as well. Of course, part of me is hurt that some people thought that I would react badly to Yanmei’s announcement. But then, they had no reason to think I would react otherwise. I did react badly to Lihua’s pregnancy and birth, there is no denying that. And no one but Yanmei knows the truth of why. Almost everyone thought that I was reacting out of pure jealousy. They didn’t realize how afraid I was. But this is my chance to set everything right. To show everyone that I am not jealous but am truly happy for both Yanmei and Honghui.

  I immediately send a note of congratulations to Honghui and to Fenfeng. In fact, I go so far as to invite Fenfeng to my palace to celebrate. She declines the invitation but sends a bolt of silk to Yanmei in imperial yellow to start making clothes for the baby.

  I take the lead in honoring Yanmei, organizing her move to a larger palace—that also happens to be closer to mine—and work with Fiyanggu to increase Yanmei’s allowance and hire more servants. Honghui praises me for my positive attitude and the good example I am setting for all women. While everyone is happy that a new child is on the way, it is clear that some of the other concubines are disappointed that they have once again been passed over by the gods for such a blessing. I do my best to comfort them and pressure Fiyanggu to make sure all of the women are rotated equally as Honghui’s bedmate. I make sure that the women are not wasting their money on bribes by overseeing Honghui’s schedule personally.

  I know that Lihua is frustrated. I avoid talking to her as much as possible, but when I do, her face is usually sour. Even though she should have everything her heart desires, she complains that she has not be invited back to Honghui’s bed. That, however, is beyond my control. Tradition dictates that she not be touched for six months after the birth of her child. I try to use this to my advantage, though. I hope that as many of the concubines as possible will become pregnant in that time. I even give up my nights with the emperor in order to give the other girls more chances.

  Two months later, three more girls are pregnant.

  It becomes exhausting, celebrating and organizing and preparing for so many new babies. They will all need wetnurses and nannies and eventually their own palaces and staff. I’m so busy and so happy, I hardly have time to even worry about Lihua. I try my best to put her out of my mind and work on being the best empress I can be.

  I’m working late, going over the accounts with Fiyanggu to try and allocate more money to all the pregnant consorts while still keeping our expenses as low as possible.

  “We can always cut back on their food,” Fiyanggu says. “They don’t eat most of what they are given anyway.”

  “But the leftovers go to their servants,” I say. “I don’t want to take food from them.”

  “What about their silk allocation?” Fiyanggu asks.

  “No,” I say. “Winter is coming, so they will need more silk than usual to sew warmer clothes.” I sit back in my chair and rub my forehead.

  “You should rest, your majesty,” Fiyanggu says. “It is the middle of the night.”

  “Is it so late?” I ask, looking at the window and seeing only darkness outside. “I’m sorry. You should go. I know you must get up early. I’ll work on this.”

  “No, majesty,” Fiyanggu says. “I can’t sleep while you work. I’d never get any rest. The guilt would eat me up.”

  “But we can’t make good decisions if we are both tired,” I say.

  “It’s my responsibility—”

  I’m thankful when there is a knock at the door to stop our bickering.

  “I’m sorry, your majesty,” Nuwa says, entering the room. “But the dowager empress has requested your presence.”

  “In the morning?” I ask.

  “No,” she says. “Now.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I don’t know,” she says. “I only know that one of her maids says that she wants to see you immediately.”

  I can’t imagine what Fenfeng would need to see me for so urgently. We barely speak, especially lately since I’ve been so busy. But I suppose that is even more reason to go and see what she needs. It must be important for her to summon me, especially so late at night.

  “Fine,” I say. “Summon a sedan chair and help me dress.”

  I had only been wearing clothes fit for staying at home and working, but now I step into a pair of pot-bottom shoes and a nicer outer robe. Nuwa styles my hair nicely, but I don’t bother with a headd
ress. As soon as I am presentable, I go to the waiting sedan chair.

  “You can stay here,” I tell Nuwa. “It’s late and I’m sure I won’t be out long.”

  As the men carry the chair, rocking me slowly from side to side, I start to feel drowsy and have to prop my head up to keep from falling asleep. I should have checked the time. How late is it? Why is Fenfeng summoning me so late? It can’t be good news. Perhaps I should have brought Nuwa with me.

  The chair stops abruptly, and I realize I must have been dozing. One of the men helps me step out of the chair, and her guards bow to me as I pass through the gate. The entire Forbidden City is quiet at such a late time, but Fenfeng’s palace seems especially quiet. The few lights that are burning are dim. None of her servants come out to greet me, nor do I hear any shuffling about. Since Fenfeng summoned me, I expected to be welcomed properly. But it is as if the whole palace is asleep.

  I consider leaving and coming back in the morning when I hear…something. A sound. A yelp? A scuffle? I can’t be sure, but it sets the hairs on the back of my neck on edge.

  I step into Fenfeng’s palace and call out softly, “Hello? Is anyone here? Anyone awake?”

  I hear a whimper, like someone crying, so I walk toward it. Still, other than the noise, the palace is quiet. Where is everyone?

  I turn a corner and open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. A woman is stumbling toward me. She is wearing a white sleeping gown and her long, dark hair falls around her shoulders. For a brief moment, I think it is the ghost woman, returned to haunt me. But then, I realize that it is Fenfeng. I’ve never seen her so unkempt, but then I realize she must have been prepared for sleeping. Then why did she summon me?

  She lets out a moan of pain and leans against the wall with one hand. I then see the knife sticking out of her stomach and the red blood dripping down the front of her white shift. I run to her and she leans against me.

  “Fenfeng! What has happened?”

  She coughs up blood and I feel her stumble. “He-he-help me.”

  I lay her on the ground and she reaches for the knife. I pull it out and then use the voluminous cloth of her sleeping gown to staunch the wound.

  “Who did this to you?” I ask her.

  “Don…don…don’t trust her,” Fenfeng says, blood seeping from the side of her mouth. She reaches up and grabs my collar with a bloody hand. “She will kill us all…”

  “Who?” I ask as Fenfeng loses strength and falls back to the ground. “Fenfeng! Who?”

  I hear a scream from behind me and look back to see Lihua standing there.

  “Hurry!” I say. “Get help!”

  “The empress is at it again!” Lihua yells. “The empress has killed the dowager!”

  Suddenly, everything becomes clear to me. Fenfeng never summoned me here, Lihua did! Lihua has killed Fenfeng and wants me to take the blame! But I don’t let her, not this time. Not like she did when she claimed I was trying to hurt her baby. I won’t let her get away with it.

  I jump to my feet and charge after her. Lihua screams and turns and runs far more quickly than I do. I realize she’s wearing slippers. I kick off my pot-bottom shoes and continue chasing after her, but she reaches the door before I do.

  When I exit the palace and enter the courtyard, I have to hold my hand up to shield my eyes from so much light. There are a dozen guards present and countless servants, many of them holding torches, making it appear as bright as day.

  From somewhere in the crowd, I hear that familiar voice. “Stop her! She’s trying to kill me!”

  25

  I feel a sudden rush of rage that Lihua would be accusing me of trying to hurt someone again. I take a step down from Fenfeng’s palace, heading toward Lihua’s voice, but all of the guards seem to take a step toward me, their weapons drawn. Swords and spears and even a few guns are leveled at me, and the men holding them look afraid.

  “How dare you!” I say, taking a stomping step toward the guards. They all jump back, but still they hold their weapons firm. Are they really going to try and physically stop me? Try to kill me? For Lihua? The guards’ threats do nothing to calm my anger. In fact, it only enrages me further.

  “Get out of here!” I tell the guards. I can tell that they are sweating, even though the night is cold. “You have no authority here in the inner court,” I say. “Get out, now, or I will have all of you arrested and executed for treason!”

  It’s not fair, I know. They are tasked with keeping the emperor’s women safe. But they are also under my command. What are they to do? Several of them lower their weapons, others hold them shakily.

  “What are you doing?” Lihua asks. “She killed the dowager empress! Stop her!”

  “Shut your mouth!” I order, pointing in the direction of the voice with the bloody blade still in my hand.

  Lihua screams. “Oh! Save me! Help me! She’s gone completely mad!”

  “What is going on here?”

  Everyone in the courtyard drops to their knees at the emperor’s voice. Honghui looks at me, and all the anger and strength I felt rushes out of me when our eyes meet. His jaw drops and his eyes go big.

  “Daiyu,” Honghui says. “What have you done?”

  I drop the dagger and it clatters to the ground. “Nothing,” I say. “I’ve done nothing.” I take a step toward him, but he holds out a hand to stop me.

  “Where is the dowager empress?” he asks.

  I shake my head as my eyes well with tears. I’m not sure why. I didn’t like the woman. I’m certain that she was behind the assassination attempt on Empress Caihong. I’m sure that Lady An died because of her treachery. Perhaps I am not crying for her, but for myself. Fenfeng is dead, and I am sure to get the blame. Everyone has seen me with the bloody knife. I look down and see that the front of my gown is soaked with blood. It must have happened as Fenfeng fell into my arms.

  “She is dead, your majesty,” I say, tears running down my cheeks.

  “Why, Daiyu?” Honghui asks, his own eyes rimming with red as he tries to control his emotions. “Why did you do it?”

  “I didn’t!” I say. “She summoned me to her palace and when I arrived, someone had stabbed her.”

  Honghui’s eyes flit to the knife on the ground. “You stabbed her.”

  “No!” I say.

  “Then who?” he asks.

  I open my mouth to accuse Lihua, but the words die in my throat. I believe it was Lihua, but I didn’t actually see her do it. I suppose one of her servants could have done it on her behalf. But still, I’m sure Lihua is responsible. But I have no proof. If I blame her without evidence, Honghui might just take it as another example of my jealousy. Of my jealousy driving me crazy. But I can’t let him think that I really am the person who did this terrible thing.

  “It was Liling,” I say. “She was there when I found Fenfeng.”

  Honghui looks at Lihua, who I can see better now that many of the servants have dropped their torches. Honghui grabs Lihua by the arm, dragging her to her feet. “Is this true? Did you do this?”

  “No!” Lihua cries. “I loved her majesty! I was her lady-in-waiting. That is why I was here. I was attending my lady.

  “I was in the next room, preparing tea, when I heard the empress arrive. She and Fenfeng argued, but I could not hear the exact words. Then, there was a scream. When I went to see what was wrong, I saw the empress kneeling over the dowager, the knife in the empress’s hand.”

  “Lies!” I cry in desperation. “All lies! Fenfeng was already dying when I arrived!”

  “Then why is the knife in your hand?” Honghui asked me.

  I look down at my bloody hands and the knife on the ground at my feet. “I…I…I don’t know. I was trying to save her.”

  “Save her?” Lihua asks. “Everyone knows you hated the dowager.”

  “I didn’t want her to die,” I say. “I never hurt her.”

  “Enough!” Honghui snaps. Then he takes a step toward me. “Daiyu, something is terribly wr
ong with you.”

  “No,” I say, taking a step back. “You can’t possibly think I did this.”

  “I don’t know what to think anymore,” he says. “But ever since Liling became pregnant, you haven’t been yourself. You haven’t been…right.”

  Tears run down my cheeks at his words. “I’ve done everything right. You will soon have three more children because of me! I am a good wife and a good empress.”

  Honghui runs his hand over his mouth, and I can tell he is torn about what to do. Someone killed Fenfeng, and someone will have to answer for that. And I’m the only person with blood on my hands.

  “I’m sorry,” Honghui says. “But I can’t take that risk.”

  “What risk?” I ask. “Do you think I’m going to kill someone else?”

  “I don’t know,” he says. “I need time to think.” At that, he motions the guards forward. “Take the empress to the Cold Palace and lock the door.”

  “No!” I scream. I run toward Honghui and fall to the ground at his feet. “Please, please don’t send me there!”

  “It’s for your own good, Daiyu,” he says, taking a step back from me. “You’ll be safe there.”

  “I’ll die there!” I say.

  He ignores my pleas as two guards grab my arms and pull me up to my feet, dragging me toward the gate of Fenfeng’s palace.

  “Don’t send me there, Honghui!” I cry out after him even after he is gone from my sight. “Please, help me!” I try to pull away from the guards, but they are much too strong for me.

  “Your Majesty!” I see Nuwa and Yanmei huddled together, watching in horror as I am dragged past them.

  “Help me!” I call to them. “I didn’t do it! It was Liling! It was Liling!”

  I kick and scream the whole way to the Cold Palace. At the doors, the guards loosen their grip. Did they expect me to just walk inside? I push one of the guards away and kick the leg of the other one as I try to run away, but they quickly catch up with me and drag me back. This time, they toss me through the doors, causing me to fall forward on my knees in the main room of the Cold Palace. I get to my feet and try to rush the door, but I’m much too slow and the door is shut and barred. I bang on the door with my weak fists. I know I can’t break out, but I refuse to be locked away without a fight.