The Last Concubine Read Free Page B

spoke with the servants, directing several to prepare the largest bedchamber for the princess, another on how to bestow the luggage, and still another to set up a table with the trays bearing food. Then he ordered them all out of the room.
    “Come, Princess Zhen Lan’xiu, sit and eat. You must be weary and hungry.”
    “Ning, why are you talking like that?”
    Ning jerked his head to the door and cupped a hand to his ear. “Break your fast, my Lady. And then I will escort you to your bedchamber and put you to bed.”
    Lan’xiu gave him a rueful smile and sighed. “I fear I am not very hungry.”
    Ning sniffed at the dishes longingly and insisted, “You must have something to eat.” He lifted a cover and said, “Here is rice with bits of golden peach.”
    “Very well,” Lan’xiu said, resigned. “You may serve me some of that.” She picked up her chopsticks and ate sparingly. Then she stared hard at Ning, whispering, “Eat, you idiot, don’t wait for me. I know you’re hungry. Stop pretending.”
    “Yes, my Lady,” Ning said loudly, before hissing, “They must be made to treat you as you have a right by birth.”
    “Oh, Ning. What would I do without you?” Lan’xiu stretched out a slim hand and patted his arm. “I am so glad you chose to accompany me.”
    “Nothing could keep me from your side, Lan’xiu,” Ning said quietly. Then he began to eat hungrily, choosing pork and rice and vegetables to fill his bowl. When he’d had his fill, he looked up to find Lan’xiu watching him. He placed a finger before his lips. “The bedchamber is upstairs. You need to rest.”
    He opened the door and peered into the hall. In their absence, the servants had been busy. The rest of the house was warming up and the lanterns were lit. By their light, he could now see the staircase that curved up to the second story landing. Three eunuchs and three women were lined up silently in the hallway, as if awaiting them. “My lady will now retire to her rest,” Ning announced.
    The oldest female servant clapped her hands and the three eunuchs filed to the door. They went outside and the two soldiers followed them. In the silence, Lan’xiu and Ning could hear the grate of the key in the lock and knew that they were now imprisoned within the luxurious house.
    “Show me to the bedchamber,” Ning ordered boldly.
    The oldest woman dropped into a curtsey and spoke for the first time. “You are her highness’s slave?”
    “I am her personal servant ,” Ning stressed. “I serve her in all ways.”
    “Allowances have been made,” the woman responded. “No male is permitted to stay the night in any of the houses. However, it is seen that your customs are different. My name is Jia, and I shall be the Princess Lan’xiu’s housekeeper. I am at your service. These stupid girls are Din and Miu. You need not concern yourself with them. You will convey any necessary orders to me, and I will have it seen to.”
    Ning bowed. “I am Shu Ning. You may address me as Ning. And now, Princess Lan’xiu is weary from our journey and would rest.”
    “Of course. Follow me.” Jia flapped her hands at the two younger women, who giggled and fled to the back of the house, peeking back at the princess all the way. “Pay no attention to them, Ning-xiānsheng. They are young and silly, and have never seen a princess before. I, however, have served in the greatest of houses and know how things should be done. Please follow me, Ning-xiānsheng.” She turned and led the way upstairs.
    Lan’xiu had to smile as Ning puffed out his chest at the title of respect that Jia had conferred upon him, even though she did not feel very merry. However she did let out a small gasp of pleasure at the sight of the beautiful room designated to be hers.
    The rosewood bed was massive, standing in the center of the room with a full canopy and corner boards intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes. Enamel paintings of fields and streams decorated the arched