Golden Page 4

  All political considerations flew from my head as the Emperor slid into me. With my knees planted on either side of him on the chair, I stared down into his harsh face, smoothing my fingers over his cheeks, around his mouth, trying to erase the lines of worry and responsibility. To think I was making love to the Emperor outside his bedchamber in a public reception room.

  He chuckled at the wicked mirth in my eyes. “Any public room can become private when one is the Emperor.”

  I didn’t argue that hundreds of servants waited just around the corner, straining to hear a single squeak. The same people had been listening outside his chambers last night. I tried to think of something to say, but his fingers kneaded my flesh and he surged so deeply inside me that I couldn’t hold a coherent thought in my head. He pulled me down to kiss me, his tongue stroking mine. The change in position made me moan as it applied delicious, exquisite pressure to my core. Clamping a hand on the back of my neck and one on my lower back, he pinned me against him. He ground against my center until I shook with release. On a low, pleased groan, he released inside me and tucked me against him.

  It seemed like the whole encounter took only a few seconds, but it could have been hours. When I was with him, I lost all sense of time and pride. I couldn’t remember if I’d screamed or not. I didn’t even care that soon I’d have to walk through all those waiting people even more disheveled than when I’d arrived.

  Damp with sweat, we simply sat heart to heart, still wrapped around one another while we waited for our bodies to calm. His heart beat strong and sure beneath my cheek, his hands gentle on my back, playing in my hair.

  “I shall gladly give you all you can possibly want,” he whispered against my temple, his lips a caress that made my heart lurch. “I’ll allow your plots to unfold without interference. In fact, I anticipate the drama and look forward to what your clever mind has contrived. But hear me now, Jin. Do not attempt to force me to choose or act. You would not like my choice then, lovely one.”

  I snuggled closer beneath his chin. “I hear and obey, Your Majesty.”

  Chapter Five

  For a few blissful weeks, I had the Emperor’s full attention without any interference from my husband or the Empress. It wouldn’t last, so I made several acquisitions and subtle power shifts while no one was yet concerned about my rise as the Emperor’s favorite consort.

  After the Emperor’s demonstration, my husband ceased to recognize my existence, and I’d be lying if I said that bothered me in the slightest. We passed in the hall and he treated me like an invisible servant. I certainly didn’t want him ordering me prepared for his bedchamber, or for him to ask where I might be each and every night.

  I used the favors the Emperor bestowed on me to acquire a few spies of my own. After careful consultation with my nurse, we selected a eunuch high enough to gain access to Her Majesty’s chambers. He was my obvious spy, the one I was sure the Empress would identify without much effort and deliberately use to misdirect my attempts to break her power.

  My true spy was a lowly servant, the woman who washed the Empress’s dainty feet, folded her laundry, carried the hot water for her bath and added flowers and oils to perfume her skin. Most importantly, while performing these duties, she managed to be invisible.

  Everyone expected eunuchs to gossip and bribe one another. Many families had made an industry out of mutilating their young sons and gaining a foothold in the imperial court. The first persons to be ordered out of the Empress’s chamber when she had secrets to divulge would always be the eunuchs, unless she deliberately invited my spy to share planted information with me. On occasion, she would forget the constant, silent servants, especially my plain, steady girl with no looks to distract from her duty.

  Over our daily tea, I discussed plans with my nurse. Her question, as always, was, “How will she eliminate you?”

  We both knew that my tryst with the Emperor would not be a secret to her. She had too many spies throughout the palace, as well as too many enemies who would delight in telling her exactly what the Emperor did with his new woman, regardless of my status in the court. Empress Lei would be determined to rid herself of me before I could hinder her plan.

  It would be twofold. First, she wished to convince the Emperor to name her firstborn son as heir apparent instead of my husband. She must accomplish this shift of power before I managed to conceive an heir for the Crown Prince, for the assurance that the Emperor’s bloodline would be continued would certainly make it exceedingly difficult for him to disavow his son.

  Now that I possessed the Emperor’s ear in his bedchamber, she had to be nervous that my favor would keep him from agreeing to this change in power. Not only must she eliminate me before I conceived—whether the Emperor claimed my child as his or his son’s—but she must also find a way to neutralize Ping. All without angering the Emperor so severely that he ordered her death.

  Unfortunately, she would have a great deal of leniency in that regard. He had come to the throne through his auspicious union with her powerful family, which silenced his strongest critics. Without her and her family, he would find himself exposed and challenged. War would prove too costly both to the coffers as well as his allies, and my warlord cared little for politics.

  Simplest, of course, would be for the Empress to poison me and persuade him that her son was the best choice for heir apparent. I would agree with her on the latter. By all accounts, Ping would be a miserably ill-prepared Emperor.

  To my nurse, I replied, “I think it time to change my tea’s formula.”

  “I agree.” She smiled in that all-knowing way that told me she’d foreseen the same danger and already taken steps to protect me. I picked up my cup and inhaled its contents, but my nose could not make out the exact herbs she might have used. “Her ways are known. The most common antidote is simple to prepare and harmless to ingest. Just in case.”

  “Just in case.” I smiled back and drank the steaming brew. Ah, more bitter than usual, but a price I was more than willing to pay. “Let’s see if anyone in the Imperial Physician’s employ might be persuaded to inform us if any unusual orders are delivered to Her Majesty.”

  My nurse grunted and gave a small, telling jerk of her head toward my cup. “Already done, my lady.”

  A slight scuff of a slipper outside my chamber alerted us to visitors. Few would care to speak to me. I gazed steadily into my nurse’s eyes and took deep, calm breaths to center myself. The game had begun with the first lash of the bamboo. I could not falter. Lifting the cup to my mouth, I drained every drop.

  “Her Majesty Empress Lei arrives.”

  I rose gracefully but not quickly, making it clear whose chambers these were and who exactly was the visitor, despite her status. Yet I would not make pitifully weak slights to Her Majesty. I might have been from humble ancestors compared to the ancient and prestigious bloodline of her family, but I had been taught to honor and respect our ways. I would not shame my family, but I would certainly stoop to using flattery and truth with hidden barbs.

  “Such a small room!” Empress Lei exclaimed. “My dear, I insist you move to more spacious and comfortable rooms befitting your station.”

  Which station would that be? First wife of the Crown Prince or current favorite consort to the Emperor? I knew which she meant, of course, but she would not say it aloud and gain me any attention, however slight, from the servants and attendants eagerly following in her wake like hungry ducks hoping for a carelessly dropped crust of bread.

  I bowed low. “Thank you, Your Majesty, but please do not concern yourself with such a trivial matter.”

  The Empress smiled and her beauty struck me like a blow from forged steel. Golden butterflies danced in her high-swept hair and fluttered across the brilliant red silk of her gown in painstaking detail. Even her eyebrows, plucked and repainted in indigo, resembled wings. Butterflies were her personal symbol, and no one would be trusted to stitch those prized wings but her.

  She waved her hand, indi
cating I could rise. “Nonsense. These rooms are cramped and dingy.” She eyed my loose, unadorned hair, plain sleeping cot and my nurse’s at the foot of mine with exaggerated horror. “Why, you don’t even have a decent place for your servant to sleep! This is wretched, my dear. Please, let me select a new room for you closer to mine.”

  I barely suppressed a shiver. “Please, no, Your Majesty. I would feel out of place among such magnificence. I’m much more used to simple living. My delicate sensibilities will be overwrought if I had to manage more than myself and my beloved nurse.”

  She inclined her head slightly and her attendants backed out, leaving her in my humble abode. My nurse ignored that subtle shout from her regal head, pretending age-dulled senses and dense peasant sensibilities. It would be beneath the Empress’s notice to make an order to my elderly servant, and so she merely sharpened her smile and sat across from my now-empty cup, ignoring my nurse entirely.

  “I hope I didn’t interrupt your tea.”

  I sat, too, without her invitation, and smiled at her with wide-eyed innocence. “May I have the honor of serving you, Your Majesty?”

  As though she would ever dare to drink a single drop prepared by my hand. “No, thank you. I took the liberty of bringing a delightful tea for us to share.” Raising her voice, she called and the screen slid back to allow two servants to enter, carrying between them a wooden tray. “We should get to know each other better, dear. I’ve been so busy that I neglected my son’s wife most dreadfully.”

  Ping was no more her son that I was the Emperor’s daughter, but I gave her the wide, happy smile she seemed to expect. In the first weeks of my new marriage, it would have been nice indeed if she’d bothered to have this talk with me. The only reason she came now was to decide how dangerous I might be as a rival for the Emperor’s affection. “Then I should call you Mother as he does.”

  Her left eyebrow rose sharply. I had landed a hard blow to her pride.

  She still managed a small smile, but sweet acid dripped from her words as she poured two cups of tea. “That would be delightful, Daughter. You are such a sweet child! Please do try these pastries. Cook is only allowed to prepare them for me, and His Majesty, of course, though the Emperor doesn’t have the taste for sweets like I do.”

  No, His Majesty’s taste tended to the sharp, hard and bitter. Pain, sweat, and blood not sugared tenderness and honeyed words. I shivered with a soft inhale of breath, unable to hide my intense reaction. I couldn’t guess what she might make of it.

  I allowed her to place one of the flaky crusts on a plate for me, but I made no move to taste it. “Your gown is lovely, Mother.” Another twitch of her eyebrow. “Who stitched all of those lovely butterflies? Such detail! The feathers and jewels are such a unique touch to the design. I would love to have such a gown, but alas, neither my nurse nor I are accomplished with the needle.”

  Lies, again, but I was curious to see if she knew about the stitching I’d done for the Emperor. I had kept my gowns simple though well made—the better to highlight my golden eyes—in direct contrast to her lavish embroidery. I would be remembered for more than fanciful butterflies stitched on my silks.

  “How strange. The chief eunuch told me that the new robe hanging in His Majesty’s chambers was embroidered by none other than you.” The Empress took a bite of her pastry and licked her sticky fingers, shocking me with her manners. “Come now, dear, you and I both know you aren’t as dim-witted as you’d like me to believe.”

  I held my eyes so wide open that they ached. I allowed my bottom lip to quiver slightly. “I have no idea what you mean, Your Majesty. If I offended you with my silly prattling, please forgive me. My nurse always says I talk too much. I once asked her how to make a sword, and we practically lived in the smithy for weeks while I learned everything I could about metal shaping and warfare. I’m single-minded that way. Once my curiosity is roused, I’m unable to stop until I know everything there is to know.”

  The Empress didn’t bother to try and hide her knowing smile. “Indeed, I am quite the same, Daughter, and I find you very curious indeed. I can’t help but wonder why the Emperor is so fond of you.”

  I let out a trilling laugh. “His Majesty is fond of the grandchildren he hopes to gain from me, and nothing more.”

  “Now that would be truly miraculous. You haven’t been to the Crown Prince’s chambers in months.” She finished her pastry and brushed crumbs from her lap like a peasant. As if I would not have the experience or knowledge to recognize such poor manners. “Somehow I don’t see any grandchildren in the Emperor’s future.”

  No, but I see a son.

  The image rose unbidden in my mind of a healthy, strong son with gleaming golden eyes bouncing on the Emperor’s knee. The very same vision I gave myself each and every night as I fell asleep.

  “Do you know where I’m from, Daughter?”

  “Of course, Your Majesty. Everyone knows of your esteemed family. Some still argue that they should be on the throne instead of the usurpers.”

  Even though the usurpers had taken the throne three generations ago.

  “So you can imagine how crucial it is for the Emperor to have me at his side. How soothing my presence and strength as Empress might be to my people.”

  She did not need to explain the intricacies of political power to me. The Emperor would find it difficult to dispose of her without causing his three strongest rivals for the throne to unite against him in rebellion. He could not rid himself of her without causing a war, unless she died of natural causes. Any overt action against her would require his immediate and forceful retaliation.

  But her intentions against me were not nearly so confined.

  She watched me with narrowed eyes dark with intent. Poison waited on this table. I could almost smell it. She’d eaten the pastry but neglected to drink her tea, but that told me nothing. She would have simply ingested the antidote prior to coming to my chambers.

  The same as I had done.

  Yet the risk tightened like a noose about my neck. If I’d assumed incorrectly and she’d used some other poison…

  Courage. I cannot protect my son if I’m unable to make a decision for fear of making a mistake.

  “The Imperial Family is very lucky to have such a venerable lady at its helm.” I gave her my sweetest smile, even though she saw through such a thin disguise. She expected me to play the country peasant, overwhelmed by her brilliance and too stupid to know the danger. “I’m overwhelmed with your generosity, Your Majesty, and honored that His Majesty saw fit to give me to his son. I never imagined that I would be the Crown Prince’s wife!”

  A very true statement, delivered with an overabundance of youthful and foolish vigor. The Empress inclined her head, but she couldn’t hide the faint sneer marring her carefully painted lips. The words I did not say were just as blatant and dangerous to her cause. When the Crown Prince takes the throne, I shall be the next Empress.

  Oh, but I didn’t want to be his Empress.

  I picked up my cup. Her lips curved and a tiny glint of satisfaction brightened her eyes before she smoothed her brow and nodded.

  I gave her a small, secretive smile like a child holding a surprise behind her back. “To think that such a poor girl of no consequence shall be the mother of the next Emperor!”

  Her eyes flashed daggers at me, but as soon as I took a long sip of tepid, bitter tea, she smiled like I’d pronounced her the most beautiful and wonderful woman ever to grace this earth. “Indeed, dear girl. I think we shall get along very well together.”

  I set the cup back on the table, refusing to allow my hand to tremble. I prattled on about silks and embroidery and other nonsense, while I frantically listened to my body. If I had poisoned my unborn son, I deserved a thousand cruel deaths in twisted agony. I would never forgive myself.

  As moment by moment passed, the Empress’s anxiety betrayed her.

  “Do you feel well, child? Your eyes are overbright.”

  Only joy made my
eyes shine so brightly, and relief that I had not made a terrible mistake. I smiled and popped the delicate pastry she’d given me into my mouth, devouring it in one delicious bite. “I’ve never felt better, Your Majesty. In fact, I find myself extremely hungry.”

  Frowning, she jerked her head toward the doorway, and the silent, unseen attendants immediately rushed inside. Before they could remove the tray, I snagged another pastry from the plate.

  She must have treasured the little cakes, for she glared at me for daring to eat another. “Well. We shall have to do this again sometime.”

  “Of course. You are always welcome, Mother. Thank you for visiting to share the boundless wisdom that can only come with age and experience.”

  Another blow, for now her own attendants heard me referring to her age as though she were an elderly grandmother. She sniffed and refused to look at me.

  Sharper yet was my final blow. “I will express my delight to His Majesty this evening.”

  She hissed at me like a venomous serpent. “I hope your stomach doesn’t suddenly rebel. I’ve heard several ladies complaining about ailments this morning. I hope you don’t disappoint him and miss your little visit.”

  I smiled more genuinely, letting her see more of the Jin I’d hidden away for so long. “Only death could keep me from answering when His Majesty calls.”

  Now that the Empress had shown her hand, my vigilance must be ceaseless. I tucked vicious little knives inside my sleeves and beneath my sash. I would not last long against a warrior in a fair fight, but I would not give an assassin enough time to kill me fairly.

  Even seated with the Emperor in his private chambers, I couldn’t relax completely. His guards would protect him without question, dying if need be to save his royal life. I could not count on such loyalty. I had no powerful, ancient family behind me, no army willing to stand against anyone, even the Emperor, to keep me safe. The Empress had these and more. She could surely find assassins willing to creep into the imperial bedchamber to silence me. If nothing else, she would relish the embarrassment such an “accident” would cause him.