“You would allow me to listen?” gasped Mama. “To serve the First Minister even though I am a woman?”
He laughed, the sound full and hearty. “I see worth wherethe Emperor merely sees breasts and a womb. Do you wish to work, Madame Chen? Do you wish to help your daughter and son-in-law?”
Mama didn’t answer in words, but her eyes shone with hope.
“Do not stint your husband,” he continued. “And I will hear no insults to my wife!”
“I would not dream of such a thing!”
“The women’s area in our home is under Ji Yue’s charge. I will not gainsay her.”
Mama nodded vigorously. “As is right and proper for a good husband.”
“Then we are agreed?” Bo Tao asked. “My wife is perfect in every way?”
Mama bowed her head. “My daughter is most fortunate in her husband.”
Bo Tao laughed as he pulled Ji Yue close into his arms. “I am the fortunate one.” Then he glanced nervously at the street. “The ambassador will be here soon.” He glanced significantly at his mother-in-law. “You must go now. There is not room behind the screen for more than one.”
Mama nodded. “I will leave immediately,” she said as she rushed away.
Ji Yue watched her mother leave, amazement filling her heart. “You have given her new life, new purpose. Papa’s career could never adequately use her talents.”
“I meant what I said,” Bo Tao murmured as he twisted her to rest flush against his body.
“Yes,” she murmured, growing more distracted by the minute. “Mama will make an excellent assistant.”
Bo Tao pulled her face to his. “I meant what I said about you. You are beautiful and brilliant, and I am the most fortunate of husbands.”
Warmth flooded her heart. “I love you,” she said as she pressed her lips to his.
“And I love you,” he answered. “Plus, I am the most fortunate of husbands for another reason entirely.”
“Oh?” she asked as he pushed her backwards against the wall.
“The English ambassador is not due for another hour.”
She giggled as her husband began to touch her in ways that only he knew, taking her to places they could only find together. Then just before she completely surrendered to his caress, she realized something enormous.
She had won!
She wasn’t Empress of China, but she had won something far more important: the love of a good man. And that, she decided, was a far, far better prize.
#
Li Fei sat at her dressing table, trying to decide on today’s gown while in her head, she fretted herself into a knot of anxiety. She had been chosen as a favored concubine to the Emperor. That was glorious indeed, but it had been a week since the selection and she had yet to see the Emperor. He had not graced her bed. Indeed, they had not exchanged more than a brief look with one another during the selection. How could she ever carry his child if she never saw him?
On the upside, she had been moved into her own palace. That was wonderful. More space than she’d ever had in her life, and more servants, too. She had plenty of food, excellent clothing, and so many eyes spying on her that she despaired of ever feeling at home.
She’d already made progress. The head of her household was a conniving old eunuch. They’d managed a tentativepartnership. After all, his status improved the moment she conceived. But he was not so well placed in the eunuch hierarchy to arrange for her first night with the Emperor.
It had only been a week, she reminded herself. Plenty of time yet to build a way to the Emperor’s bed. But how?
She was still thinking when her head eunuch knocked.
“Yes?”
He bowed deeply as entered, and when he stood, there was excitement in his weathered face. “Mistress, you are summoned.”
