Imperial PDA

Prince White Fur finally leaves. Princess Snow Jade accompanies me daily with her sewing, begging my girls for their help. She is not one who enjoys sitting still all day. While I rest, she chatters and asks me about the land Prince White Fur comes from. I tell her about the scenery, the biting wind that takes your breath away and the warmth of the common people there. I tell her about the food and the way the royal family sometimes sits together around a fire to tell stories and eat with the common folk. Princess Snow Jade is entranced.

And then she leaves. I watch her train of carriages and gifts leave with lines of guards and soldiers. The lingering warmth of her embrace disappears with the wind that travels out the big doors of the Imperial Palace gates. Out toward a place of freedom, where I can no longer go. I am confined to these towering walls and thick doors. The scent of fresh pain still lingers and clings to them here and there.

"Don't worry," says a voice from beside me, making me jump and skitter. "She'll be well taken care of. After all, she is my little sister."

"Little Apricot Princess greets his Imperial Majesty," I recognise the golden robes before I recognise the man. Belatedly I notice the Empress standing on his other side. "Little Apricot greets her Imperial Serenity."

"Ah, forego the formalities," Emperor Far Sight waves at me. "Call me by the name you gave me. I like how you call me that way. I feel much more down to earth that way."

"Big Brother Far Sight," I accede. "Big Sister Serenity."

"That's better," Emperor Far Sight smiles down at me and rests a hand on my shoulder. I notice the Empress' lips and hands tighten at this.

Taking his hand, I rest it on the Empress' properly clasped hands. The Emperor sighs at us both, shaking his head.

"You're like a little sister to me," he complains. "I can't even touch you?"

"As a little sister," I tell him frankly, "I must tell you that you should keep your eyes and hands on one woman and one woman only. You should not be overly familiar with anyone else. The happiness in your life depends on it. As for this so called little sister," I gesture at myself and lock eyes with the Empress. "If I ever get in the way such that you want to get rid of me," I glance at the Emperor and correct myself, "if either of the Imperial Majesties want to get rid of me, please just make sure it's quick and painless. I don't care if you want me dead. Just make sure it's painless. I don't want anymore pain. Then I can go and reunite with my babies sooner."

"Little Apricot," the Emperor spins me around and his hands on my shoulders are joined with the hands of the Empress. Both of them look at me with concern, searching my eyes for I don't know what. I just gaze back. As empty as a blank sheet. "Little Apricot, don't say such things. Don't curse yourself. Who wants you dead? If anyone tries to kill you, both I and Serenity will hunt them down and kill them for you. Nobody is allowed to touch you."

"Oh," I rub my nose with the handkerchief that has miraculously appeared in my hand when. I hadn't realised I had been holding one. "If you say so. Then, Big Brother Far Sight, can I strongly suggest you spend more time with Big Sister Serenity? The whispers of the other concubines have reached my side palace and it makes me angry to hear them plotting against her or saying that she has lost favour with you. Big Sister Serenity works so hard to keep the peace in your harem. I heard them say she was sick for a few days because she got so angry. Try and keep the number of new women down. Please? Don't take in any more women. Big Sister is so good to me. If you love her, don't make life so difficult for her."

"Have I been making things difficult for my beloved wife?" Far Sight gazed down at Serenity with soft eyes. "This Imperial Majesty apologises and swears that from now on, I will not take anymore new women into the harem. If anyone gives you a hard time, make sure you tell me so that I can help you sort things out."

"You don't have to worry about anything in the back palace," Serenity smiled up at Far Sight, "I have it all under control."

They kiss and I creep away, hopefully unnoticed.

Catching up with Fluttering Bird, we hurry away to return back to the Apricot Side Palace, giggling to each other. In the evening, the Empress sends me a pot of new flowers that she had received from the latest tribute from the southern kingdoms. It smells nice and looks pretty standing by my window.

Along with the pot of flowers was an invitation for me to have tea with the Empress and a new young minister's wife. The Empress has requested my opinion on whether this lady will be a trustworthy supporter in the court. Not long later, the Emperor has requested me to invite the same young minister and his wife to have tea with me before the young minister visits him formally. The young minister is still of relatively low rank but his efforts in capturing an entire band of troublesome mountain bandits has brought him to notice.

This Imperial husband and wife sure have similar thinking.