Lia (Bao Ji)
Again, the hands shook me.
"Lady Bao Ji," a girl's gentle voice called.
God.
"What?" I said, sitting up, opening just one eye. "Go wake up Bao Ji and let me sleep." I muttered, annoyed, ready to fall back down.
"Lady Bao Ji…" The girl's voice sounded worried.
Wait.…I am Bao Ji now.
I slapped my face. You stupid bitch. Who could be Bao Ji besides you?
I looked back at the girl.
Oh. My maid.
I smiled. "I'm awake." I stood up while fighting with my eyelids to stay open.
"You need to get ready for the morning greeting."
My eyes flew open instantly. "My what now?"
"To greet the Queen in the morning."
Oh!! Right. Like in dramas, where all the concubines go to pay respect. Why? Why is that necessary??
The maid started the morning routine: face wash, hands, and getting dressed with so many layers for this robe.
How can you even breathe in this thing? And what the hell is this bra? Can you even call this item a bra?
Everything felt uncomfortable. I missed my clothes.
Then came the hair and makeup. The makeup was light and natural — I liked that. But the hair… God, I hated it. So many ornaments. I'm not a Christmas tree, for goodness' sake.
"Why so many ornaments? Is it necessary?"
"My lady, this is the simplest hairstyle!"
If this is the simplest one, then I'm the president.
When I entered the hall, I was taken aback a bit. Besides me and Bao Si, five more concubines were there. I must admit — they were beautiful. I don't know how they can share a man. If the Emperor were mine in modern times, he would be dead by now.
"This servant greets Your Majesty this morning." I bowed slightly. I lifted my head and looked at Queen Shen, who signalled for me to sit down.
Thank god I didn't mess this up. I'm so proud of myself. I can actually adapt.
"Lady Bao Si's beauty is unmatched, naturally…" one concubine in a green robe said while fanning herself and looking towards my cousin sitting next to me.
I rolled my eyes and looked away. Feed Bao Si's ego. It's not like it isn't already over the roof.
My cousin, instead of thanking her, just took the tea and started drinking. Rude.
I took a quick glance at Queen Shen — she didn't look pleased with Bao Si's lack of manners.
I should add fuel… Maybe they'll poke her more. But I didn't know how. What to say?
While thinking, I grabbed my tea and sipped it. I hated the tea in this era, but I had to get used to it. Or at least pretend to enjoy it.
"Lady Yan, you shouldn't forget about Lady Bao Ji. She is beautiful too. In the end, they look a bit alike," another concubine in blue said.
I almost choked on my tea. Why drag me into this? What should I say now?
"Thank you for your kind words. Courtesy should never be forgotten," I said without thinking.
I looked at the Queen, and… she looked proud?? It lasted a split second, but I swear I saw pride on her face.
But when I looked at my cousin… oh boy. If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now.
Still — I was proud of my answer. I still had Bao Ji's etiquette in me; my wild personality just took over sometimes, and I say reckless things. Like now. I literally called out Bao Si indirectly for not saying thank you. But I said it with class.
Almost a proud smile escaped, but I held it in.
"Are you ready for your etiquette lessons?" Queen Shen finally spoke.
Oh god.
I looked at her with murderous eyes. She looked right back at me, then addressed all of us:
"You have one hour to get ready."
Then she stood, still looking in my direction, and slowly walked away.
Once the Queen left, I stood up to leave too. I didn't want to stay and hear their drama. It wasn't anything exciting anyway.
Before we arrived back, my maid whispered, "My lady, be careful. Instructor Mama is really strict."
I stopped midway, making my maid bump into me.
"How strict?"
"Very strict."
I turned in the opposite direction. "I'm not going."
My maid turned me back and gently pushed me forward. "You have to, my lady."
I grabbed my stomach, pretending to be sick. "My stomach… starts to hurt."
"My lady…" She gave me a knowing look. "You have to go."
At this point, I gave up. "Okay! Okay! I'm going."
I still planned to run away, but I knew that consequences here weren't light at all.
Arriving at the same time as the other concubines, we quickly stood in line.
Instructor Mama looked at each of us. She was an older woman, maybe in her 50s, but she still looked attractive for her age. Judging by her serious face, you could tell she was strict.
"Today, we will play the flute," she said.
Bao Ji was good at that. I remembered how nicely she played. Now that I merged with her, being in her body, maybe muscle memory would help.
Everyone played beautiful melodies… And then there was me — the most horrible one.
Come on, Bao Ji. Help me out a little.
Instructor Mama came in front of me. "You're doing it wrong."
No shit, Sherlock. I know that too.
"You will stay behind after class until you get it right," she said.
"What?" It slipped out instantly. "But—"
With her wooden ruler, she lifted my chin, forcing me to look into her soul.
"You dare to defy my order?"
"No." I gulped hard.
While the others left one by one, the concubine in blue approached me.
"My condolences," she said.
I tried to smile but probably failed horribly, judging by her amused grin.
"Concubine Lin, you are done for today," Instructor Mama said.
So her name was Lin. I couldn't even thank her because she was already gone.
This would be torture for me. Kill me.
– Emperor Zhou –
Today I dismissed the court earlier than usual. The officials kept talking, but I couldn't pay attention.
All I could say was that I would revise the matter and let them know next time. I don't think they were happy, but I didn't care.
All I could think of was my beautiful Bao Si.
I wondered what she was doing. How she was getting along. Were the concubines giving her trouble? When would her lesson end?
I called the eunuch.
"Your Majesty."
"Has the etiquette lesson finished?"
"Replying to His Majesty — not yet."
I grew impatient and stood up, walking away.
"Your Majesty!" the eunuch shouted, trying to keep up.
"I'm just going for a stroll."
Lies. I just wanted to see my beautiful Bao Si.
But when I arrived where they usually held lessons, I found only Instructor Mama… and Bao Ji.
I stopped at a safe distance so they wouldn't notice me.
I turned to the eunuch, annoyed. "You told me it wasn't finished yet."
"This humble servant didn't know. My apologies, Your Majesty. Usually it doesn't end this soon."
I wanted to punish him badly… but I refrained. I needed him to go find where Bao Si was.
Then I turned back to watch Bao Ji.
She was struggling with the flute — badly. Her tones were wrong every few seconds. Whenever she messed up, Instructor Mama hit her palm with the ruler.
It shouldn't have been funny… But the way she mumbled under her breath when Instructor Mama wasn't looking and her ridiculous facial expressions — it was funny.
I found myself giggling.
I had heard she was good at the flute. So what happened now? Why was she making so many mistakes?
I didn't even notice when the eunuch left, but suddenly he was beside me again.
"Lady Bao Si is back in her room."
I stared at him. When did he leave? When did he return?
I shook it off. "Let's go."
We walked away.
"Call Lady Bao Si for tea," I said.
I sat in the garden pavilion impatiently. When she finally arrived, I lost my breath.
She was in a red robe.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," she said humbly, with her usual cold demeanour.
"No need for formalities." I signalled for her to sit.
Her maid poured tea, then moved aside to give us privacy. The eunuch did the same.
"How was today?" I asked, watching her take a sip elegantly.
"It was good," she replied.
That voice. I could listen to it forever.
"Did they give you a hard time?"
"Not at all, Your Majesty."
"You can tell me. You don't need to hide it."
"I do not lie, Your Majesty."
"I've heard you are really good at playing the qin. Do you mind playing a melody?"
"I would be honoured."
I signalled the eunuch. Soon, a servant brought a qin.
Her hands—they were made for this instrument. With such ease, she played as if she'd been born with it.
Like it was a part of her.
Later that day, I still found myself thinking about my Bao Si playing the qin. She looked like a goddess.
I wanted to spend the night with her. But I wanted her to fall for me first. I wanted her to want to sleep with me too.
I didn't want to force her.
I wanted to make her happy.