Read Online Empress Orchid by Anchee Min - Free Book Online

today. Concentrate and look harder.”
    “But I have been, haven’t I?”
    “Then why can’t you make up your mind? Perform your duty, my son. Before you are the best maidens the kingdom can bestow on her Emperor!”
    “I know.”
    “It is your big day, Hsien Feng.”
    “Every day is a big day. Every day a long metal stick is driven into my skull.”
    The Grand Empress sighed. Her anger was about to spill over. She breathed deeply to control herself. “You liked Nuharoo, didn’t you?” she asked.
    “How would I know?” The Son of Heaven rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “My head is full of holes.”
    The mother bit her lips.
    His Majesty ran his fingers through the remaining bamboo chips, making a loud noise.
    “My bones are screaming to have me lay them down.” The Grand Empress stretched in her seat. “I have been up since two o’clock this morning, and it is for nothing!”
    Shim shuffled up to her on his knees. His arms were up in the air, holding a tray with a wet towel, a powder box, a brush and a green bottle.
    The Grand Empress took the towel and wiped her hands and then picked up the brush to touch up her face with the powder. After that she picked up the green bottle and sprayed a mist onto her caked face.
    A heavy scent filled the room.
    I took the opportunity and raised my eyes. His Majesty was looking at me. He squashed his nose and mouth together as if trying to get me to laugh. I didn’t know how to react.
    The mocking continued. He seemed to be more interested in getting me to break the rules.
    My father’s teaching came to my mind: “Young people see an opportunity where older people might consider it a danger.”
    The Son of Heaven smiled at me. I smiled back.
    “This summer is going to be nice and breezy.” Emperor Hsien Feng played with the chips.
    The Grand Empress turned her head toward us and frowned.
    My thoughts went to the girl who had been beaten to death, and my back was instantly wet with sweat.
    The Emperor raised his right hand and pointed a finger at me. “This one,” he said.
    “Yehonala?” Chief Eunuch Shim asked.
    I felt the heat of the Grand Empress’s stare.
    I lowered my eyes and endured a long, unbearable silence.
    “I have done what is required, Mother,” the Emperor spoke.
    The Grand Empress offered no comment.
    “Shim, did you hear me?” Emperor Hsien Feng turned to the eunuch.
    “Yes, I did, Your Majesty, I heard you perfectly.” Eunuch Chief Shim smiled humbly, but his intention was to give the Grand Empress the opportunity to say the final word.
    The “yes” finally came.
    I sensed His Majesty’s elation and Her Majesty’s disappointment.
    “I … I wish Your Majesties ten thousand years of life,” I said, struggling to gain control over my trembling knees. “Your luck will be as full as the East China Sea and your health as green as the Southern—”
    “Wonderful! My longevity has just been shortened,” the Grand Empress interrupted me.
    My knees gave in and my forehead was on the ground.
    “I am afraid I just saw the shadow of a ghost.” The Grand Empress rose from her chair.
    “Which one, my lady?” Chief Eunuch Shim asked. “I’ll catch it for you.”
    “Yes, Shim. Let’s call everything off.”
    Suddenly there came the loud clang of a bamboo chip being throwninto the golden plate. “Time to sing, Shim!” ordered the Emperor.
    “Yehonala stays!” Shim sang.
    I couldn’t remember much after that, only that my life had changed.
    I was startled when Chief Eunuch Shim got down on his knees in front of me and called me his mistress and himself my slave. He helped me back onto my heels. I didn’t even notice what became of the other girls or when they had been escorted out.
    My mind was in a strange state. I recalled an amateur opera back in Wuhu. It was after the New Year’s feast and everyone was drunk, including myself, because my father let me sip the rice wine so I could see how it tasted. The musicians were tuning