Clinging to a Powerful Patron Brings Rich Rewards

In the fourteenth year of the Jin Yuan reign, I was only fourteen years old. I was born the very year His Majesty fought for and claimed the throne. That year, the Emperor stained his hands with his own brother’s blood, and my mother died as well.

My mother was only a concubine taken by my father; her death was as insignificant as snow in winter.

My father served as a minor magistrate in a small county, a seventh-rank official with little power. I had an elder sister, a year older than I, named Xiao Ruo, born of my father’s principal wife.

That winter arrived especially early. It was just past the tenth month when the first snow of the season fell. As it came down, I was in the backyard washing clothes, my hands red and raw from the cold.

The chill had already set in, yet I didn’t have a single cotton-padded jacket for winter.

It was almost time for the annual selection of palace maidens. My father and stepmother were in a flurry of preparations, hoping for my sister Xiao Ruo to be chosen for the palace. There was much to arrange, many palms to grease.

Indeed, Xiao Ruo was beautiful, but beauty alone could not open the palace doors. Before standing before the Emperor, one must pass through many layers of scrutiny, each requiring silver to smooth the way.

My father, being a lowly magistrate, did not have much to spare. Fortunately, my stepmother’s family had some means, but even so, it cost a small fortune to prepare for the selection.

“Azhi, come see if this dress looks good on me?” The voice rang out, clear and sweet as bells; it was my sister Xiao Ruo.

She wore a pink jacket and skirt, her hair fashioned into twin buns, her figure delicate, her face as lovely as a blossoming peach, strikingly beautiful. Even her shoes were new, embroidered for the New Year.

I smiled and nodded. “It’s beautiful, very beautiful!”

Xiao Ruo came closer, noticing my red hands, and said with concern, “Azhi, why are you out here washing clothes? You’re of age now. You could join me in the palace selection.”

I drew my hands back. “Sister, you’re enough. I’m not pretty; the Emperor wouldn’t choose me.”

“Nonsense, you’re not ugly. Every daughter of the Xiao family is a beauty.”

Her praise warmed my heart a little, though I knew the selection had nothing to do with me. Comparing myself to Xiao Ruo was like the heavens to the earth. Why would the Emperor favor a toad squatting in the dirt?

“I’ll tell you something!” Xiao Ruo said excitedly, “I just had my portrait painted. Father said officials from the palace are coming today. They’ll pick those they like and take them to the palace at once. Do you think I’ll be chosen?”

I nodded. “If you’re not chosen, then those people must be blind.”

Xiao Ruo pretended to glare at me. “Don’t speak nonsense. They say someone important from the palace is coming!”

“Who?”

“It’s—”

Before she could finish, my stepmother, Qin Fang, hurried over and pulled Xiao Ruo away. “What are you doing here? It’s cold and damp—you might slip! You’re going to be a lady of the palace one day!”

“Mother, I’m fine. Look, Azhi’s hands are frozen. Don’t make her do these chores.”

Qin Fang cast a scornful glance at me. “That’s her fate, not yours. She’s destined for servitude. If she doesn’t do these chores, who will? We can’t afford extra maids.”

“But Mother, aren’t there others in the household who—”

“That’s enough,” Qin Fang cut her off. “No more of this. The palace officials are coming today.”

“Really? Father’s brought them?”

“Of course. A meal and some wine, a few gifts, and soon, you’ll be in the palace. Just wait and see!”

“Mother, is it true?”

“Would I lie to you? Hurry back and tidy up—you’re flushed from the cold.”

“Alright.” Xiao Ruo let herself be led away, but after a few steps, she turned and waved. “Azhi, I’m going ahead. When I become a consort, I’ll bring you into the palace too!”

“What nonsense,” Qin Fang scolded as she pulled her away.

A consort? I couldn’t help but smile. When the Emperor ascended the throne, he was already over thirty. Fourteen years later, he was well past fifty. I had no desire to be his wife.

If I were to marry, I’d marry the Crown Prince and become the Empress. No, I wanted to become the highest official, not someone’s wife! I would not share my mother’s fate.

“Azhi! Azhi!” I saw my father rushing over, pulling me to my feet. “Why are you still here washing clothes? Didn’t your stepmother tell you to change and meet the palace officials?”

“Father, can I go too?”

“Of course. If both of you enter the palace, you can look after each other, and I’ll have peace of mind.”

At fourteen, I thought these were words of affection.

I changed into clean clothes and followed my father to the main hall. My stepmother’s expression soured at the sight of me, her gaze sharp enough to kill.

“Master, why did you bring her? Are you not afraid of disturbing our guest?” Qin Fang chided.

“I do not mind,” came a voice, shrill and piercing. It was the first time I heard a man speak so. The arrival of this man would alter the course of my life.

He was over fifty, streaks of white threading his hair. When he spoke, his lips pressed together, his eyes carrying both authority and a gentleness usually found in women.

He was a eunuch, a third kind in this world, neither man nor woman.

“Eunuch He, this is my younger daughter, fourteen years old, named Xiao Zhi,” my father introduced me.

Eunuch He frowned slightly. “Magistrate Xiao, you said only one daughter would enter the palace. Now there are two? This puts me in a difficult position.”

As he spoke, he lifted the hair that hung beside his cheeks. The gesture was coquettish, but coming from someone neither male nor female, it left me speechless.

My father leaned in to whisper something. Eunuch He glanced at me, and suddenly, his gaze changed. He extended a slender, orchid-like finger at me. “You, turn around for me.”

I stood still, but Qin Fang hurried me on, “When Eunuch He asks you to turn, do it! Don’t just stand there.”

I had no choice. For the sake of having a meal that night, I spun in place. Eunuch He’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me, the gaze of a man appraising a woman, of a predator eyeing its prey.

His body was neither male nor female, and his soul was twisted.

“From now on, Xiao Zhi is under Eunuch He’s care. As for Xiao Ruo’s entry to the palace…” my father asked cautiously.

Eunuch He replied readily, “Magistrate Xiao, I see your sincerity. Besides, Miss Xiao Ruo is fair and beautiful—a rare beauty. Entering the palace will not be difficult. Leave it to me. Prepare yourselves; tomorrow, accompany me to the palace.”

Qin Fang, my father, and even Xiao Ruo were overjoyed. Only I could not muster any happiness.

“In that case, I will take my leave. There are several other households I must visit,” Eunuch He declared.

“Eunuch He, wait!” My father stepped forward. “Since I have given my word, Xiao Zhi is yours. Let her go with you today.”

“Is that appropriate?”

“There’s no issue. Xiao Zhi’s things can be sent with Xiao Ruo tomorrow.”

“I understand your intentions, Magistrate. Xiao Zhi, you will come with me.”

I stepped back. “I won’t go.”

“You have no choice.” Qin Fang pinched me hard, pain shooting through me.

“Azhi, are you disobeying your father? Do you know the consequences? Not only would you harm yourself, but our entire family,” my father threatened, mixing sternness with sentiment.

I hesitated, standing rooted to the spot. Eunuch He said, “If Xiao Zhi is not ready, I will not force her. I will…”

Seeing him about to leave, my father stopped him in haste. “Please wait, Eunuch He. Xiao Zhi is spoiled, but she is not foolish. She will go with you. To serve you is her good fortune.”

He exchanged a glance with Qin Fang, who dragged me aside and whispered harshly, “If you don’t go today, you’ll sleep in the woodshed from now on, do all the chores, and I won’t give you a single warm garment this winter. Then I’ll marry you to some crippled, pockmarked old man.”

I admit, I was frightened.

Seeing my expression, Qin Fang put on a smile and led me back. “Eunuch He, Xiao Zhi is yours.”

I looked at this strange, ambiguous man and could not imagine what fate awaited me.

Sisters we might be, but our destinies were worlds apart. Xiao Ruo would enter the palace in splendor, while I was handed over to this creature, to become his plaything.

Silently, I clenched my fists and ground my teeth.