Meanwhile, the cause of this problem in the first place sauntered forward. Bo Tao picked up both her stone and Li Fei’s, turning to the Dowager Consort. “We cannot simply accept the rich ones,” he drawled. “It is unfair and will sow dissension among the bannermen. They have been promised that all their daughters will have the opportunity to entice the Emperor.”
Ji Yue waited with breath held. Would she pass throughthe doors? Would she be allowed the chance to compete to become Empress?
“Oh, very well,” the Dowager Consort finally muttered.
Yes! Her name stone and Lei Fei’s were tossed unceremoniously into a golden bowl.
But the Dowager Consort wasn’t finished. “It will be on your head, Sun Bo Tao, if they cause more disasters in the future.”
If the Master of the Festival responded, Ji Yue didn’t hear it. The blood was rushing in her ears with excitement. She and Li Fie were allowed into the Forbidden City! She kowtowed her thanks while her tears smeared streaks into her white face mask. To her side, Li Fei did the same. And then more eunuchs came to escort them.
Ji Yue walked quickly, part of her afraid that they would change their minds if she dawdled. But even so, she couldn’t resist one last glance backwards. She knew Bo Tao would be watching. She’d felt the chill of his gaze on her back all through her protestations of joy. And now, as she met his eyes, she felt fear slip into her blood.
There was a price to pay for his assistance, she realized. She could see it in his eyes–that cold calculating stare that promised retribution. And yet she felt an undercurrent of sexuality as well. It made her breath catch and her body hum in an extremely un-virginal way. He was Master of the Festival and in charge of all the virgins. Did he intend to seduce her and then discredit her? That’s certainly what his reputation suggested. She would have to think of a way to avoid him, to outsmart his devious plans.
But when? And how? She would be at his mercy for a week through the Physical Exam, the Family History Exam, and the Artistic Display. Only after those three were completed would she ever meet the Emperor and have her chance tobecome Empress. How could she avoid the Master of the Festival for a full week?
She didn’t know, but she had to find a way. She would not let one arrogant playboy destroy her chances. She had to become Empress. Her family’s future depended on it.
