Chapter 18
It took a moment for Bo Tao to realize the doctor thought Ji Yue had been raped by a white devil. It was a reasonable guess. All had seen Ji Yue on her back fighting those apes, and a surge of rage shot through him again at the memory.
“I came as quickly as I could,” he said. “I spent the day in the city and didn’t hear about the party until too late.”
The doctor bustled forward, coming to sit before Ji Yue, but her words remained for Bo Tao. “Nine virgins, Bo Tao. How could this happen?”
“Because the eunuchs are corrupt,” he snapped. “I kill the Dutch who bring in bribes of opium, then not one day later Han Du Ju brings in a case to bribe the Head Eunuch. With the Emperor away this night to dine with General Li, it was the perfect opportunity.” How stupid he had been to not guess that something like this could happen!
“Can you prove it?” the physician asked.
He shook his head. “Not yet. I merely guess. But it does not matter, does it?” He rubbed a hand over his face, his gaze on Ji Yue. Was there a way to save her life? The punishment for the loss of virginity was death. It did not matter the cause or fault, her honor was gone. She would have to commit suicide even if someone else pushed her neck into the noose that hung her.
The physician cursed under her breath. “How did youhear of it then? Duan Xu usually covers his tracks better.”
Because he had set a spy on Ji Yue, a eunuch he trusted to watch her every movement when Bo Tao was not there. Unfortunately, the coward had been too afraid to interfere against the two most powerful eunuchs in the Forbidden City.
“It was well planned by more than just Duan Xu.”
Ji Yue shifted, her words a near whisper. “The Head Eunuch was there. He pushed us through the secret door.”
Bo Tao grimaced, his fears confirmed. “He and the Dowager Consort are thick as thieves. They likely chose the girls together. They picked whom they wanted disgraced.”
“Bitch,” the doctor said under her breath. “There was no need to do such a thing.”
Ji Yue abruptly pushed up on the pallet. Her gaze remained panicked, but at least her body seemed composed. “How are the other girls?”
“Hysterical,” the doctor answered. “They all know their chances have been ruined.” She glanced at Bo Tao. “And there will be much blame attached to you. You are Master of the Festival. He could order–”
“I know.” He could be killed for failing to protect the virgins under his care. “I should have been here. I should have watched things more closely.”
The doctor sighed as she pushed Ji Yue gently back onto the bed. “Come, come. Let me see– ”
“No,” interrupted Bo Tao firmly. “You have examined her. She is like the others: high on opium, terrified, but not damaged.”
The doctor stopped with her hand on Ji Yue’s knee. “And if she is bleeding inside? Would you have her die in her sleep?”
That, at least, was one worry he could put to rest. “It was not that bad,” he said softly.
The doctor’s eyes narrowed on Bo Tao. She had knownhim from his youngest days. She had been at his birth and watched him run wild with Yi Zhen throughout the Forbidden City. She knew him, perhaps, even better than his own mother.
“She might escape death,” she said softly. “Perhaps a mercy marriage to someone else might be allowed.”
“No!” Ji Yue breathed. “The shame would be known by all. My father. My brothers!” She swallowed and gripped the woman’s hands, drawing the doctor’s attention back to her. “My family is...is not as wealthy as it might seem. A disgraced virgin would put an end to any work as an Imperial Scholar.” She shook her head. “My brothers’ education, my mother’s food, my father’s livelihood–they all depend upon our connection to the Forbidden City. If I were to disgrace myself...” Her eyes shifted to Bo Tao. “There are other scholars anxious to take my father’s place. Other scholars who do not have my taint.”
Her stricken expression cut at Bo Tao.
“Ji Yue,” he began, but she shook her head.
“My immorality will follow my whole family.”
She wasn’t referring to simply being thrown out of the Forbidden City. She was referring to his plan to run away, to escape and live with him in love.
Ji Yue looked down at her hands. “I cannot take my own happiness over the lives of my family. I simply cannot.”
Her words were a death-knell to all his hopes and dreams. Then the doctor made it all worse. “What if the Emperor demands honor suicides from you all?” she asked. “What good will that do when the eunuchs come with rope and tie your neck to a beam? Your family will still be damned.”
Bo Tao saw the shudder course through Ji Yue’s body. He took a step forward, wanting to soothe her fears, wanting to promise that nothing like that would happen to her. But he couldn’t. In truth, the soldiers might even now be searching for him. His neck was by no means safe. After all, he was Masterof the Festival, and he had allowed nine virgins to be tainted. “Think, Ji Yue,” he said to her. “Think ofallthe possibilities.” He willed her to look into his eyes. He silently urged her to remember what he offered–a ship ready to take them away, an escape for the two of them. To his delight, she did lift her head, she did meet his gaze, and he believed she understood what he offered.
