She stared at him in shock as he forced the linked combs out of her hands. With a quick twist, he released the catch, then dropped the dragon comb into an inside pocket. The tigress comb was offered back to her.
“B–but Emperor,” she stammered. Then she lifted her chin and pointed. “Did you see Li Fei? She will do everything you want. And she will never talk to you of...of servants or peasants. Ever.”
He craned his neck a bit to see where she pointed. “Hmm,” he murmured. “Li Fei?”
She nodded, and as she watched, he waved a negligent hand at a eunuch then started moving on. Ji Yue wanted to follow him. She wanted to run after the man and demand her comb back. How could he just take it? And now Bo Tao would think that she had selected power over him, that she wanted the Emperor of China over him.
It wasn’t true!
But it was too late. As soon as the Emperor moved on, scores of eunuchs scurried directly behind him. Between one breath and the next, she became completely cut off. And now the Emperor had her comb! If Bo Tao was right, she was about to become the next Empress of China, but it wasn’t the choice she wanted!
She stood there helplessly watching the backs of all the people who trailed her future husband. But he was already gone, well beyond her reach or influence.
She began to cry.
#
The selection was complete. All the virgins assembled in the main palace to hear the results. The virgins would be separated, the newest Empress revered.
Ji Yue waited, her heart skipping and tripping inside her chest. One moment she was elated at the idea of taking her place beside the Emperor of China. The next she craned her neck to see Bo Tao, to silently tell him that this was not her choice, that she had chosen him. But as the disgraced Master of the Festival, he was no where to be found.
Then she remembered how little use she would be as Empress: watched on every side, in constant battle with the Dowager Consort, and completely ignored by her husband. At that moment, her mood crashed down in despair. Why had she set herself to want such a ridiculous thing? This was insane!
But then the excitement of the moment, the pomp and the majesty of the palace filtered into her thoughts, and her spirit quivered in excitement. Empress of China! Her mother would be so proud! Her brothers and father would have no need to worry ever again!
Then the moment of glory was at hand. The new Master of the Festival stood before the Dragon Throne, a scroll in his hands, and he began to call their names. This girl–middle harem. Hua Si, her evil roommate–lowest harem. Li Fei–favored concubine. Li Fei was one of the four favored women! Ji Yue was happy; she looked forward to having a friend so close to her.
Then Ji Yue was called. The sound of her name echoed through the palace walls and sent a thrill down her spine. Soon she would be Empress Ji Yue. Her hands were shaking, her mouth was dry, but she was prepared.
“Lowest harem!”
Ji Yue blinked. She couldn’t possibly have heard correctly. She was supposed to be first wife. Empress! She stood there stupidly staring at the Dragon Throne. It could not be true. But then hands grabbed her arms and roughly dragged her aside to the place for the lowest and most forgotten harem. She was pushed to stand right next to Hua Si. And as she stood there, she still could not comprehend what had happened.
She was not going to be Empress? But Bo Tao had said! And at the thought of him, more realities came crashing down. Not only was she not going to be Empress, she was not going to be with Bo Tao either. She was, however, going to be tormented and reviled by the Dowager Consort, Head Eunuch, and Hua Si as well! For the rest of her life!
It was all she could do not to scream and plunge a knife into her chest.
