无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

“How did she get a headache? Ah!” the Emperor exclaimed angrily, “How are these servants attending to her? Don’t they know that Concubine Jin is most afraid of pain?”

The eunuch dared not speak.

Concubine Xian stood up, gently patted the Emperor’s back, and said softly, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. Concubine Jin’s headache is an old ailment, and it will be fine after a while. Let me serve you to rest.”

“No. How can I sleep?” the Emperor frowned, “I must go see her.”

With that, he began to walk out.

Concubine Xian, a little anxious, grabbed his arm, “Your Majesty, you hardly come to visit me. Please go see her tomorrow and let her rest now.”

The Emperor glanced at her, feeling somewhat guilty, but still removed her hand, “I will visit you next time. Concubine Jin’s headache might be serious, and I won’t be at ease without visiting her first.”

“Your Majesty…”

Concubine Xian followed him and watched him leave without looking back, stomping her foot in frustration, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don’t go!”

She had worked so hard to prepare for this night, and now he was just leaving!

He was beckoned away by Concubine Jin’s mere mention of a headache.

He left without any hesitation.

And at such a moment.

Concubine Xian was angry, embarrassed, and anxious, tears streaming down her face.

A palace maid entered to serve her, whispering, “Your Highness, please come inside, His Majesty has already left.”

“Why did he have to leave?”

“Because of Concubine Jin…”

“Because Jin Zhuzhu fell ill with a headache!” Concubine Xian interrupted her, her voice shrill, “Every month, the Emperor stays with her for seven or eight days, even more than with the Empress! How many women are there in the harem? Over a hundred! She monopolizes so many nights; how can other women live?”

Her heart was filled with jealousy and anger; her face stained with tears, “Fu Liu, do you know? I haven’t served the Emperor in bed for eight years, seven months, and twenty-one days.”

How lonely were those nearly three thousand days and nights?

Concubine Xian, face streaked with tears, covered her face, leaned against the door, and slid to the floor, sobbing inconsolably.

“I want but this one night, just one night… Why can’t Jin Zhuzhu even spare me that?”

The palace maids knelt beside her, weeping with her.

The women of the harem were truly suffering.

Concubine Xian sat on the floor and cried for a long time until her tears dried and couldn’t flow anymore.

A palace maid whispered to comfort her, “Your Highness, there is still a long way to go. Today Concubine Jin said she has a headache and lured His Majesty away. Surely she can’t have a headache every day? His Majesty will come again next time.”

Concubine Xian’s expression was dispirited, “I’ve grown old; I can’t wait that long.”

“Your Highness, you are not old at all, and you won’t have to wait too long. Next month, His Majesty will come. Today, when His Majesty left, he seemed a little guilty. Maybe he will come back in just a few days.”

Concubine Xian looked up, “Will he?”

“His Majesty is not a heartless man.”

“You’re right.” Concubine Xian wiped her tears, “His Majesty said that I still look the same as thirty years ago, and that I look good in pink.”

“Yes, His Majesty will still reminisce about your appearance today after he returns. He will definitely come back.”

Concubine Xian’s eyes showed a glimmer of hope.

Fu Liu helped her up, “Your Highness, let me help you wash your face, remove your makeup, and rest early. Rejuvenate yourself so you can serve His Majesty again next time..”