“For which son?”
Bo Tao frowned. He’d forgotten that Han Du Yu had three sons. “He didn’t even say.”
“He is an idiot.”
Bo Tao leaned forward, trying to impress his Emperor with the importance of his next words. “He is a corrupt official and an idiot.”
Yi Zhen threw up his hands and drawled, “Because that is so rare in China.”
“Three hours from Peking on a fast horse. So close to you and filled with such corruption.”
“It is an unimportant piece of land for all that it so close. And none there would dare rebel; we would hear of it too easily.”
Bo Tao growled in his frustration. “You do not understand! If you countenance such blatant idiocy so close to you, then what is it like where you have fewer eyes? No wonder the Taiping caught us so unaware. If you cannot manage so close to home, then how can you rule the far reaches of your empire?”
It was a valid point, and he could see the message filter into his friend’s mind. In the end, Yi Zhen sighed. “How much of an idiot?”
Bo Tao hefted the ugly carving. “This was his bribe.”
“It looks like a badly made stone phallus.”
Bo Tao twisted it around, his brows contracting as he saw what his Emperor had. “No doubt that was the appeal.”
Yi Zhu waved it away. “Go and see to your duties with the virgins.”
Bo Tao hesitated, though that was exactly what he wanted to do. “I cannot continue this way, Yi Zhen,” he finally said. “I value what I do for you and for China, but I am a grown man. It is time I saw to my family name.”
“You wish your appointment.” It was not a question. “So you can have a wife.”
Bo Tao nodded, though he did not miss the hard tone in Yi Zhen’s voice.
“Very well. Complete your duties as Master of the Festival with honor, and I will see to your appointment.”
Bo Tao nearly groaned. Another promise to be fulfilled after another delay. How many times had he heard these same words? Just one more task, and he would get an official title. Just one more month, one more something, and all his wishes would be fulfilled. Bo Tao no longer believed in his best friend’s promises.
“Yi Zhen,” he began. “What title do you offer–”
“Idiot!” Yi Zhen roared as he abruptly pushed up from the table. “Do you see what I look at?” He gestured at the maps and the military reports strewn on the table before him. “Do you think the Taiping are finished? Why do you press me now? Get out! Get out!”
Bo Tao bowed, his life tasting like ashes in his mouth. But what were his options? His life was subject to his Emperor’s whim.
“And take that ugly thing with you!” the Emperor snapped, indicating the ugly carving. “It’s my gift to you in thanks for your great service!” Then he laughed with cruel humor as Bo Tao grabbed the thing and departed.
There was no time left. The Dowager Consort’s entertainment was set to begin within moments. Still carrying the ugly piece, he rushed through the twisting pathways of the Forbidden City to the Dowager’s main garden. He made it there barely in time. The servants were just now clearing the area of the meal. Immediately afterwards, Ji Yue would dance.
He scanned the crowd of faces, not even bothering to smile. The Dowager had her courtiers there plus all theremaining virgins–over three dozen at last count. Add in eunuchs and other servants, and the number of bodies crammed into the garden was daunting.
There! He spotted Ji Yue as she limped toward the center. She limped? Bo Tao stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he searched her face. Even from this distance, he could tell her cheek was swollen beneath her paint. She likely had bruises or scratches in other places as well. But why was she walking so oddly? Graceful one moment, then halting and jerky the next. And she was about to dance before the Dowager? She would fail the Artistic Display and be expelled for sure!
This was exactly what he wanted! He slowed his step, knowing that all he needed to do was wait for the inevitable disaster. He could wait and watch her dreams be destroyed in a painful and humiliating display. He would stand back and watch Ji Yue be crushed and expelled, then pray that her parents would accept her back into their home.
Just wait a few minutes more, he told himself. But he couldn’t do it. Having just had his own hopes crushed, how could he visit such a thing on Ji Yue? He couldn’t. Even if it meant that she stayed an imperial virgin and he never, ever had a chance to court her.
He had to stop the Artistic Display now, but how? She was already arraying herself in the opening position. Then she lifted her head and blinked, obviously trying to hold back tears. The sight of her face looking so brave and yet so tragic broke something deep inside him. He did not care the risk to his career if he singled her out; he had to stop this farce now!
“Chen Yi Jue!” he bellowed.
The excited chatter abruptly stopped. All looked at him in shock.
