110 You Reap What You Sow (1)

Although leaving this matter to Long Zhan would be quicker—he is close to the Emperor, and if one day he leads the Emperor to discover Lin Tanwei’s affair with another man, Lin Tanwei would surely meet her doom—I still harbored some concerns about involving Long Zhan. If this implicated him, how could I find peace of mind?

Yet Long Zhan was resolute, and I could no longer change anything. All I could do was pray that everything would go smoothly.

Having achieved our goal, Zhang Bitong and I could no longer avoid paying respects to the Empress in the Kunning Palace. Lin Tanwei had been taking medicine for ten days straight, two doses daily, so the effects were evident.

That day, Zhang Bitong took Yun Qing and me to pay respects to the Empress. Upon entering, we saw no sign of her, only Ming He’s voice saying, “The Empress is unwell today and has yet to rise. Her Majesty has graciously decreed that if the ladies wish to wait, she will come shortly. If you have other matters, you may return to your palaces without concern; the Empress will not mind.”

Hearing this, Zhang Bitong was ready to leave, rising from her seat, when Lin Tanwei stood up and asked, “Aunt Ming He, how is the Empress’s health? Has the imperial physician been consulted?”

Ming He replied, “She merely caught a slight chill, so she rose late.”

“In that case, we must wait until Her Majesty rises before we can rest easy.”

Jiang Ziqian chimed in, “Of course. It seems Bitong was about to leave?”

Caught off guard, Zhang Bitong’s face flushed slightly as she sat back down, smiling, “Sister Zi, what nonsense are you talking about? I was rising to say the same to Tanwei, but she spoke first. The Empress has always treated us like sisters; now that she is unwell, how could I leave without seeing her? I must be assured of her condition.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Ziqian gave a sly smile, glancing at Lin Tanwei, then said, “I heard recently you were unwell. I thought you might be truly pregnant and wanted to visit!”

Zhang Bitong responded, “The imperial physician examined me. Alas, I am not so fortunate to be carrying the Dragon’s heir—just a little unwell, so I rested in the palace for a few days.”

Jiang Ziqian laughed triumphantly. “I told you—it’s not so easy to conceive the Dragon’s heir. Isn’t that right, Sister Tan?”

Lin Tanwei smiled absentmindedly but soon her expression turned suspicious.

Once Zhang Bitong confirmed she was not pregnant, Lin Tanwei would begin to doubt the medicine’s efficacy.

Her gaze turned to us. I remained composed, but Zhang Bitong could hardly conceal her smugness: “Tanwei, why that look when we mention the Dragon’s heir? Do you long for it every day yet cannot conceive? Such matters are fate. If it’s not meant to be, no miracle medicine can help.”

A chill ran through me. Zhang Bitong was becoming reckless; once she sensed progress, she grew arrogant. With a little thought, Lin Tanwei could piece together much. Fortunately, the prescription was sound; even if the medicine was tampered with, it would be impossible to trace who had meddled.

I silently stood beside Zhang Bitong, unwilling to meet Lin Tanwei’s eyes.

“Enough of this talk about heirs,” Jiang Ziqian interjected. “None of us bear the Dragon’s heir, so what’s the point? By the way, have you seen the Imperial Concubine Ya, the Xiongnu princess Huyan Ya, whom the Emperor recently honored?”

Lin Tanwei withdrew her gaze. “Princess Ya has been in the palace nearly two months now but has never paid respects to the Empress. It seems she holds the Empress in no regard.”

Zhang Bitong scoffed, “She must be an uncultured girl. The Xiongnu are barbarians; they know nothing of etiquette.”

Lin Tanwei said softly, “Bitong, be careful with your words—walls have ears. No matter how rude she is, the Emperor does not blame her. It shows how much he favors her.”

Zhang Bitong sneered, “I’m not like you, timid and fearful. Favor or not, once the Emperor tires of her, she’ll be nothing. If she weren’t a Xiongnu princess, she’d be scrubbing clothes in the laundry bureau by now.”

“Whose clothes would a princess bother washing?” A proud voice interrupted as Huyan Ya entered, attended by a palace maid.

Zhang Bitong flushed with embarrassment and looked away.

Jiang Ziqian rose, smiling, “Ah, speak of the devil and she appears. I’ve heard of Princess Ya for some time but see her for the first time today. Such a stunning beauty!”

Huyan Ya’s face lit with pride at the compliment. She turned to the maid beside her, “Jialin, wipe off the chair for me.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The maid Jialin was demure and beautiful.

As she cleaned the chair, Jialin accidentally bumped Huyan Ya’s backside. Huyan Ya immediately slapped her, “You’re so clumsy! Is this how palace maids serve in Great Jin?”

Jialin covered her mouth and bowed quickly. “I know my mistake, please forgive me, Mistress.”

“Step back,” Huyan Ya said impatiently and sat down. “I have been here some time but am unfamiliar with Great Jin’s palace rules. Today I learned that it is customary to pay respects to the Empress daily, so I came. Since the Empress is the model of virtue, surely she won’t begrudge me?”

Ming He replied, “Your thoughtfulness is enough. The Empress often says that sincerity is what matters in paying respects; it needn’t be daily.”

Huyan Ya smiled and nodded. “Indeed, the Empress of Great Jin has true grace. But when I entered, someone said I lacked manners and should be doing laundry. Who was it?”

“That would be Concubine Bitong,” Lin Tanwei said, clearly amused by the unfolding drama.

Zhang Bitong was called out and said, “So what if I said it? Didn’t you, Tanwei, once err and get sent to the laundry bureau to serve?”

Lin Tanwei smiled, “That was long ago, but I’m glad Bitong remembers. I was foolish then and accepted the Emperor’s discipline. But Princess Ya is a Xiongnu princess and new to the palace; ignorance of the rules is excusable. I don’t see why Bitong should punish her.”

Zhang Bitong was about to speak when Huyan Ya interrupted, “I did not come to pay respects, and even the Empress did not scold me. Who are you to complain? Are you higher in rank than Her Majesty?”

“You—”

“Besides, there is the Emperor above all. He never reproves me, so what right have you to speak? If anyone should be sent to the laundry bureau, it will be you.”

“Do you dare send me to the laundry bureau?” Zhang Bitong was now thoroughly enraged, standing to glare at Huyan Ya.

“Why not? You’re younger but not more beautiful or skilled in martial arts, and certainly not better at serving the Emperor,” Huyan Ya retorted.

This drew red faces and suppressed laughter among the others.

“How shameless,” Zhang Bitong muttered, rubbing her silk handkerchief.

“Enough,” Ming He stepped forward. “The Empress is unwell and has decided to rest longer. The ladies should return to their own palaces. Quarreling here would only disturb the Empress’s peace.”

As Ming He finished, the group bowed and prepared to leave.

Zhang Bitong flung her silk handkerchief in frustration but stopped by Huyan Ya’s side.

Her pause signaled she was about to stir trouble again.

At that moment, Zhang Bitong stood towering over Huyan Ya and said coldly, “Aunt Ming He, in the harem, when a consort of lower rank defies one of higher rank, regardless of status, what is the punishment?”

“Your Majesty, severe cases are punished with the whip; lesser offenses with a slap,” Ming He answered.

Hearing this, the other consorts paused, sensing more drama unfolding.

“Princess Ya, though you are a Xiongnu princess, you have married the Emperor and become a subject of Jin. Here in the harem, hierarchy and etiquette are strictly enforced. You, a noble consort, insulted me, your superior, with no greeting and arrogant words. Since this is your first offense, you shall administer twenty slaps to yourself. Of course, if you refuse, your attendant may do it for you—ten slaps will suffice.”

I felt a chill. Huyan Ya was proud and arrogant, clearly not one to slap herself. Zhang Bitong had just dug a trap for herself.

As expected, Huyan Ya stood, unable to contain her fury, raising an eyebrow. “I am a princess! You dare make me slap myself?”

“Bitong, you’re too harsh. Princess Ya is new here; why stoop to her level?” Lin Tanwei stepped forward, playing peacemaker.

“Even if I weren’t new, you have no right to lecture me. Who do you think you are?” Huyan Ya snapped.

Zhang Bitong had no way out and commanded, “Yun Qing, Xiaozi, teach Princess Ya a lesson.”

Yun Qing hesitated. Even under Zhang Bitong’s orders, she dared not strike a noble consort rashly.

Huyan Ya glared at Zhang Bitong, “If you have the guts, slap me yourself! What’s wrong? Afraid?”

“My rank forbids such behavior. I wouldn’t stoop to that,” Zhang Bitong replied, knowing well that Huyan Ya was skilled in combat and she would not act personally.

She then asked Ming He, “If the princess refuses to punish herself or have her maid do it, what should be done?”

Ming He leaned in and said, “If the offender refuses punishment, the matter may be handed over to the Imperial Household Department for discipline.”

Huyan Ya sneered, “I am a princess! You cannot just order me around or send me to the Imperial Household Department. Let’s see who dares come near—I won’t be polite.”

Zhang Bitong’s anger swelled with Huyan Ya’s arrogance. She abandoned decorum and said, “Yun Qing, Xiaozi, what are you waiting for? Must I do it myself?”

Jiang Ziqian stepped forward with a smile. “Bitong is a noble lady; why waste time on petty quarrels? Show mercy to Princess Ya this once and demonstrate your magnanimity. She enjoys the Emperor’s favor—none of us can touch her. If you spare her, I’m sure the Emperor will admire your grace.”

“I don’t need her to compete for favor. If you won’t act, I will.”

No one expected that, provoked, Zhang Bitong actually struck Huyan Ya across the face. Caught off guard, Huyan Ya only realized when the slap landed.

“How dare you strike a princess?” Huyan Ya, furious, lifted her leg to kick Zhang Bitong.

Zhang Bitong was terrified, her face pale, when a commanding voice rang out, “Stop!”