If only her family could see her now. She who had slept on her brother’s floor, who had been servant to her father and barter for the Wong cohong. She would be carried before the English prince and greeted by great men and women.
Tonight was her triumph. It was also her heartbreak.
Tonight, she would end things with Max. If she could keep him, she would. If she could serve in his household, she would. If she could slip into his bed at night, she would.
But all these things were denied her, not because she couldn’t find a way to achieve it. After all, she had already pulled him into her bed. But because he was a great mandarin in England. And like all men of power, their choice in bride was never their own. It was why the Chinese had concubines. The first bride was chosen for political reasons. Sometimes even the next brides. Eventually, a great man would marry the woman of his choice, pulling her into his household as a concubine. She could have alittle or a lot of power, depending on the situation. But she would also have him.
Yihui would have readily accepted such a situation. She loved Max that much. But because the English did not have concubines, that was not an option. The only thing she could do, the only action allowed that would show her love, would be to set him free.
And the best time to do it would be tonight.
The carriage stopped and a footman opened the door. She and Max waited while Emmaline and the duchess climbed out. And then he slid his arms beneath her and squeezed her tight.
“You’re going to be magnificent.”
She didn’t have the strength to answer. Too many emotions choked off her words. Indeed, she feared she would soon lose her command of English if she didn’t get a hold of herself. She simply nodded while Max scooped her up and gently carried her to the waiting palanquin.
The remade carrier was everything she could wish for. And his footmen were strong and steady as they lifted her and headed inside. He walked beside the litter, resplendent in black, white, and gold. A single huge emerald glittered in his cravat, a reminder of when she had told him to wear more colors. She did not know the English names for his clothes. Only that they emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and the length of his leg. Unlike the many layers of garments that the Chinese men wore, his was tight across the belly to show his trim figure. And if she wasn’t required to sit absolutely straight, she would gaze at him as she would a sunset or a mountain.
Instead, she watched his every step from the corner of her eye. And she resolved to be exactly what he wanted. Magnificent.
She entered the palace on a litter meant for a princess. The doors of the palace were thrown wide as she was carried inside. They did not wait with the others who stood in line to enter themain reception. They were pushed to the side as she was carried in.
She heard gasps and whispers, and knew the sound of jealousy. She felt her lips curl in delight. Let them look, let them seethe in their envy, for she had Max in a way most of them never would. She had had him in her bed, in her arms, and in her body. And they could only look on and wish for such a thing.
She was carried into the throne room and down a long red carpet, then introduced by a majordomo with a booming voice. Finally, Max pulled the door to the palanquin wide.
The Queen of England sat in her throne, her lips pursed in interest. Her son Prinny sat beside her, his attention well and truly caught. The mad king was miles away being treated by his doctors.
The next step was hers, and so she performed it to the best of her ability. Fortunately, she had practiced it with Olivia, who scooped her up and carried her easily forward.
“Your Royal Highnesses,” Yihui said, her voice gratifyingly strong. “I am injured and so I cannot greet you in the English way. Therefore, I shall have to show my respect in the Chinese way.”
At that, Olivia gently lowered her to the ground. The woman was extraordinarily strong to manage it, even with Yihui helping as best she could. Olivia set her down on her hands and knees, and then Yihui dropped flat into a kowtow, banging her forehead on the carpet loud enough that the dull thud could be heard.
Once, twice, thrice.
She would not do the Grand Kowtow because these royals did not rule China. But three kowtows were enough for the prince regent and the queen.
She heard the shocked gasps of the people around them, but mostly she was surprised that Max made such a sound aswell. Did he think that she would embarrass him? Or had she miscalculated?
When she straightened up from the floor, she scanned the room to see if she had erred. Most of the courtiers were whispering their surprise. The prince, however, was obviously pleased. And even the queen’s lips curved in secret delight.
“Yes, yes,” the prince said. “Extraordinary. Wonderful. Get her up, Max, and bring her over there. I’ve set a place for us to chat.”
Olivia knew her business and bent down. They had done this dozens of times throughout the last few weeks, so the movement was easy despite the layers of clothing. Olivia wasn’t Max by any means, but she did very well and Yihui was grateful.
Soon Yihui was seated in a chair. Max stood beside her, and a larger, more imposing chair was brought for Prinny. Then, to everyone’s shock, a second even larger chair was set for the queen.
Yihui waited to be addressed before she spoke. She waited politely, then answered the questions put to her, adding a bit of flattery because all kings and queens liked that.
Yes, she found London to be a wonderful city.
The palace was extraordinary, and she’d never seen its like before.
The duke and duchess had been most kind. She hoped that the duke recovered from his illness soon.
The duke had indeed been drinking special teas that she had mixed herself. She credited them with the improved function of his right side.
