Bao Ji (Lia)
The Queen's wine tasted so good that I completely lost count of how much we drank.
Judging by the way she kept refilling our cups, I had a feeling she lost count too.
But it didn't matter.
At that moment, the only thing that mattered was the wine.
"This wine is the best," I said, trying very hard to sound normal.
"I knew you would like it," the Queen replied with a smile.
"Did you?" I asked.
"Hm?"She hummed, taking another sip.
"You're my favourite person," I said, smiling at her.
She froze for a second, clearly caught off guard by my words. Then, without warning, she stood up and hugged me tightly.
"You're my favourite person too," she said softly.
I hugged her back without hesitation.
After pulling away, she sighed. "Those other concubines… all they do is get on my nerves."
"I don't know how you put up with them," I said seriously. "If I were you, I would've killed them."
After a few seconds of silence, I added, "Okay… not kill them. But at least punch them."
The Queen burst out laughing.
"If you punch one, let me be there to see it," she said. "I'll even reward you."
My eyes lit up. "Really? For real?"
She lifted her chin proudly. "Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"
I nodded. "True. You didn't lie. You just… threw me under the bus."
"Under what?" she asked, confused.
Fuck. Ancient times. My brain wasn't braining anymore.
She stared at me, waiting for an explanation.
"Well… uh…" I took a few sips of wine and said, "Like when you blame me. For example, when you took me to see the garden in the beginning, knowing damn well Bao Si would be there with his majesty. And then you told His Majesty that I wanted to see the garden, when it was actually your idea."
The Queen said nothing, but guilt immediately appeared on her face.
"Well…" she muttered, looking away.
"Well, what?" I leaned toward her, though everything was slightly doubled. "Come on. Let's hear your excuse."
"I just wanted to see your reaction, I guess." she admitted quietly.
"You guess?" I asked.
She didn't answer, just gave me an embarrassed side-eye.
"I have many questions," I said, taking another sip, "but I'll let it go. For now."
Then I grinned. "But back to punching—can Bao Si be the first?"
"Yes!" she answered far too happily.
"Why do you hate her?" I asked.
"I don't really hate her."
"Then?"
"She just… gives me bad vibes."
My face must've shown I still didn't understand because she sighed and continued.
"Usually, I don't care what kind of concubines he keeps. I became his wife because he liked my beauty. It wasn't love."
"And you're not sad watching him revolve around other women and give you zero attention?" I asked.
"At first, of course I was," she said. "Which woman wouldn't be? But slowly, I accepted it."
"Why?"
"Even when he's unreasonable, he still gives me respect. He tries to give me at least an hour of his time."
She drank again before continuing. "He isn't a bad person. He's just ruled by his emotions. He can't control them. But he's kind. Too kind for Bao Si." Then she added, "I didn't pay much attention to the other concubines; all they want is to sleep with him and have a child. But Bao Si …"
"Is different," I finished.
"Yes," she said quietly. "Her being near him is dangerous. If it were you, I wouldn't mind. You don't care about status. You're pure. But Bao Si… all I feel from her is danger."
She had no idea how right she was.
Bao Si ending up with him would mean the end of the dynasty.
But I couldn't tell her that.
"I agree," I said instead.
"You do?"
"Yes. I grew up with her. There were… situations that taught me to be careful. She'll push others into trouble just to save herself." I mean, I saw through Bao Ji's eyes how it was for Bao Si growing up. I guess that counts as growing up with her.
"So that's why you try to separate her from the emperor?"
"I just don't want her to end up with him and cause problems."
Before we could continue, someone rushed in.
I turned my head and squinted at the figure kneeling beside me. "Who are you?"
I looked to the Queen for an answer, but her eyes widened. She stood up immediately.
"Your Majesty", she said, bowing.
She nearly lost her balance.
I burst out laughing.
I looked back at the man in front of me. "He does look like His Majesty," I muttered. "But why would he come?"
"How much did you drink?" he asked calmly.
Too calmly.
The kind of calm that hid a storm underneath.
"Damn", I muttered. "He really is the emperor."
"Come", he said. "I'll take you back to your room."
He lifted me up in his arms, bridal-style, and started walking.
I looked back at the Queen. "I'm sorry," I said sadly. "He's taking me away."
She didn't answer, but the sadness in her eyes matched mine.
He came exactly when we started opening up.
I glared at him.
"Why are you upset?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
"You're upset because I took you away?"
"If you know, why ask?" I snapped, turning my head away.
"You can come tomorrow," he said. "Right now, you're really drunk."
"I am not drunk," I protested. "Put me down."
"No."
"I said put me down."
"No."
I struggled uselessly, like a fish on land. He didn't budge.
So I bit his neck.
He hissed in pain—but didn't drop me.
I stopped and looked at him sadly. "Please."
"We're almost there," he said.
"There where?"
"Your room."
"My room?" I blinked. "Why not yours? I've never seen your chamber."
He stopped walking in surprise. It took him a few minutes to continue walking.
His ears were red.
"Are you shy?" I asked. "Or am I seeing things because I'm drunk?"
"You're drunk," he said.
When we arrived, he placed me gently on the bed and pushed me down.
"Go to sleep."
He sat on the edge of the bed. "I'll stay until you fall asleep."
"You're upset," I said softly.
"I'm not."
"You are."
He exhaled. "Yes. I am. Why did you drink so much? What was the Queen thinking?"
"You're scolding me," I whispered, tears forming.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. You don't want to see me happy," I cried, sitting up and hitting his chest weakly.
"I want you happy," he said quickly.
"No, you don't. You're bad," I sobbed.
"I'm sorry," he said, holding my hands. "My fault."
I stopped crying, though tears still fell.
"Will you forgive me?" he asked.
I nodded. "On one condition."
"Anything."
"Don't scold the Queen."
"I promise, I will not scold her." he said, wiping my tears.
I smiled. "Good."
He smiled too.
"Now sleep."
I lie down, still holding his hand.
"I never thought you'd play such an important role in my life," he whispered. "Every day I wake up afraid I won't see you again."
Half asleep, I smiled. "It's not that easy to get rid of me." I giggled softly. "Besides… no one else would scold you and get on your nerves like I do."
I heard him murmur something—but sleep took me before I could understand it.