CH 18

XVIII The Pendant

The Yu River is separated into the Inner River and Outer River. The Inner River travels eastward through the capital from the west and abruptly curves around, forming the rippling, pellucid waters that is Lake Yu, the most bustling region on the Yu River. Since the ancient times, royalty and nobles have resided and literati and intellectuals have gathered near its shores. Then, wealthy businessmen began amassing and countless brothels were erected, and scores of pleasure boats float across the waters, making the area for beautiful courtesan to congregate. 

Faint wisps of smoke rise from a jade censer in curls like a hairspring, hovering so lazily in the room that fanning it does not make it dissipate. The thick aroma makes me dizzy and I push the red windows open. The evening breeze brings along the lake’s moisture as it blows in from outside, scattering the fragrance and also rattling the bead curtain. 

Looking down from where I am, the entire river is enshrouded by a thin veil of fog. The lights from the shoreline adorning the night are reflected in the water, illuminating and adding colour to it.Glazed glass lanterns hang from the yachts of various sizes as they traverse the lake, rocking along the ripples, making the lake as bright as day. The limpid melodies of instruments and voices of maidens echo from the boats, scattering upon the lake’s surface, appearing all the busier. 

The shadows of the lively maidens get dragged into different lengths by the lanterns, some even swimming in the water. Red buildings with green doors and windows, fan dancing and song performances—the capital’s Lake Yu is always this extravagant, luxurious and captivating. 

I lean on the embroidered ta and chuckle softly at the fabulous view of the lake. I can’t help but recite, 

“‘The sound of oars and shadows of lights stretch for miles; the singing courtesans and pleasure boats frolic along the waves.’” 

“It’s late. Close the windows,” says the gentle voice of a woman from behind the chiffon curtains. 

I sit up straight and push them out wider. “The fragrance in your room is too thick. I can’t really stand it.” 

The curtains are drawn before I finish speaking and out walks a young woman. She sits down beside me, smiling coyly. “What’re you talking about? You’ve never once said that you couldn’t stand it all those times you’ve been here before.” 

The woman before me has a clear, exquisite complexion and eyes like the autumn rain, twinkling and tempting. Ornate hair pins dangle from her luxuriant, coiffed hair. Her body is shaped like an hourglass and small dimples show when she smiles, which makes her even more attractive. 

I smile back at her. “I just came back from the war, Wang Shu. I’m used to the smell of blood.” 

Her pretty face darkens and she reaches over to my chest. “How was it? Did you get hurt?” I shake my head and lift her hand away, moving my gaze out the window. She sits closer, putting her hand on my shoulder. “You were away for so long and you never told me. I was worried for you every day.” 

There is a folk song sung throughout the city: ‘Only at the Jade House in the capital, can you behold Madam Wang.’ 

I chuckle and hold her hand. “Really?” She puckers her lips and leans in, a ghost of her scent drifting over. I tilt my head away. “Wang Shu, I’ve been missing your honey malt all this time. Could you bring me some?” 

She suddenly blushes and bites her lip, not saying a word as she takes a cup. I sit up, put on my jacket and take a sip of the tea that has long gone cold. Wang Shu rushes over and grabs my cup. 

“Don’t drink cold tea. It’s autumn, you might catch a cold,” she chides. 

I laugh it off and take the steamy brew from her. She circles around and gets on the ta, hooking her bare forearms that are peeking out of her purple silk georgette sleeves around my shoulders, and gently start leaning on my back. 

I glance sideways after swallowing. “Wang Shu, you’ve gotten a lot heavier.” 

She raises her brows, purses her lips and lifts a hand to hit me. “How rude! You’re still so full of beans.” 

I dodge her cute fist and retort. “I’d know since you’re lying on my back. Hurry up and get off before I get crushed to death.” 

She closes her eyes halfway and smiles lazily. “No way in a million years. You gotta make up for all the time you’ve been gone.” 

I laugh heartily while shaking my head. “You little rascal. Everyone sees you as the top courtesan, the most wanted of them all, but you’re really this cheeky little girl.” 

She giggles and starts play-fighting with me. She keeps rubbing herself into me and her painted fingernails slowly sneak into my shirt, touching my skin along with the night chill. 

Curious, she pulls out the red string that the jade pendant is hanging on and asks with her head lowered. “Han Xin, I don’t remember you having this one.” 

I take a glimpse and nod while I sigh in my mind. “It was a gift.” 

She takes it into her hand and studies it in strange silence. 

“From who?” 

I put my cup down and mull over what to say. 

“A… Friend.” 

♚♔

Life in the capital is as dull as dishwater, and as usual, no one gives a shit about me aside from my buddies. 

Maid Xiu returned to the palace without telling anyone on my second day back. Uncle hasn’t spoken to me much since that night and continues to be absent for most of the day. As for Master Liao, I still haven’t seen a trace of him. 

Ignoring the possible consequences, I asked Uncle where Master Liao was and he replied without even looking up from his book: “He asked for a two month leave. Said he was going back home to visit family.” 

He was obviously brushing me off. I was debating whether to ask him where exactly Master Liao had gone or not when the butler came in and bowed down to Uncle. Seeing that it wasn’t something I should be meddling with, I hurried up and left the study. 

Sitting in the gallery, bored to tears, I sigh for the hundredth time today. 

See, I’ve been grounded ever since Uncle saw me coming back from Jade House that night, and there has been someone keeping an eye on me every minute of the day. If I so much as step near the mansion’s front doors, the butler would pop out from nowhere and very politely ask me to go back. 

Motherfucker. 

I’m gonna leave this shithole once I get the chance. Go as far as I can, and go anywhere I want. 

I’m going off on a rant when my shoulder gets tapped out of nowhere and I almost fall over. I take a look only to see the butler smiling very politely. He points in a direction behind himself. “The master wishes for you to accompany him to the royal palace. Please prepare accordingly.” 

Immediately, I break out in a cold sweat. 

T-t-to the palace. To the palace?! 

T-t-to see that horrible old hag?! 

My god! Just lock me back in the log shed, please! 

♚♔

The sky is covered with clouds and a glow of crimson like flames burning bright. The sunset radiates off the dark green glazed roof tiles on Tai Qing Palace, casting ever-changing rays. Agarwood is burning in the two bronze tortoise-and-crane-shaped censors standing on each side of the grand hall. Thin strings of aromatic smoke float out from their mouths, making the palace seem like one in the heavens. 

Casting my gaze afar, I don’t see many people on the abandoned Imperial Path, only Golden Guardians standing on duty. I shiver as the chilly autumn breeze brushes past. Pulling my Guardian uniform tighter around me, I walk briskly behind Uncle and the palace attendant. 

We cross numerous palatial buildings, finally stopping at Yong An Palace. He bows to Uncle before proceeding through the palace doors. Soon, a purple-ranked attendant steps out from inside. 

“The empress dowager summons a meeting with Han Jun, the Archduke Jing.” 

Despairingly, I watch as Uncle’s figure slowly disappears behind the palace doors, leaving me alone to endure the brisk wind’s assault. 

Seriously, I can’t fathom why he has to bring me along to the palace and since he did, he should tell me what’s going on. I mean, don’t stay hushed as if it’s something super duper mysterious. 

I take a scan around. Where the hell are those palace maids who dress all fancy that are usually here? I can’t see any of them now. Sigh. I can’t even find anyone to chat with to kill some time. 

To ease my boredom, I pull out the pendant around my neck and study it. It’s a hard and compacted piece of white nephrite carved in relief with a very smooth surface. Two interlocking phoenixes join in a loop and short bamboo-ridges line the insides. The lightest percolated parts have a pale, buttery hue, almost like lard.