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Ultimately the problem was not that Tang Fan had to go undercover as a lady once more. The problem was that the emperor summoned him to the palace immediately, and Wang Zhi did not provide him with a change of clothes.
His Majesty, by his divine graciousness, did not laugh outright at Tang Fan, though he did turn his face and smile, which made Tang Fan die on the inside. Just a little. How could he ever hope for a promotion when the Emperor’s last memory of him is in the soft, delicate robes from the Huanyi Brothel?
Tang Fan’s only saving grace is that the night had fallen, and in the small pavilion overlooking one of the many Royal Ponds the presence of servants is minimal. The lanterns lit up the small stone pavilion, illuminating only the three figures within. It is Tang Fan’s hope that any curious eyes would believe him to be an actual lady and in no reality associate this young maiden to be Tang Fan, once court official of Shuntian Prefecture, and now with the Ministry of Punishment.
Tang Fan’s wish came true. And that was the problem.
-
Empress Dowager Zhou is readying for bed, her night servant carefully removing her hair ornaments, when the royal palace’s latest news reaches her ears.
“My Emperor Son has summoned Wang Zhi to bring a maiden to him in the night?” The Empress Dowager muses at this interesting little detail from the Eastern Depot.
The servant keeps his head bowed low as he addresses her. “Yes , this one has seen her with his very eyes. They were in the Eastern Garden Pavilion. His majesty even told all of the servants to retreat away.”
“How is her appearance?”
“I saw her profile from the garden paths. Demure, respectful. Her clothes are not of a royal cut, and she is tall with wide shoulders, but they divulge a trim waist. A slender neck. I was not able to approach, but her features must be fair if His Majesty favors her.”
Empress Dowager Zhou contemplates. A commoner that the Emperor has deemed worthwhile to bring into the palace. “She may not qualify to be a consort, but it has been a long time since my Emperor son has added to the Inner Palace. She can be his next concubine.”
Her servant bows. “I will find out her identity.”
She waves him away as she retires for the evening, all the while contemplating. Wang Zhi was stepping a fine line. She wanted to be there when Noble Consort Wan finds out her little pet had orchestrated the Emperor’s latest tryst.
-
Noble Consort Wan is displeased.
Wang Zhi could tell from the tiny furrow in her brow, the way her eyes lingered for the brief second longer before she told him to rise.
“I hope you have come to me with more than apologies, Wang Zhi.”
“Your highness has heard some rumors--”
“Rumors are whispers of falsehoods that the Western Depot trades its worth in gold. I want the truth,” Noble Consort Wan interrupts him, a scold in her voice and above all, disappointment. It strikes a bitter fear into Wang Zhi’s heart.
Wang Zhi keeps his head level and his voice calm. There is little that would raise Noble Consort Wan’s voice than the fear of someone playing with His Majesty’s heart. “Forgive Wang Zhi. I should have sent word before I entered the palace. The one I brought before His Majesty is none other than Official Tang.”
Noble Consort Wan blinks.
Wang Zhi waits.
Noble Consort Wan blinks again. And then she laughs. And laughs. Wang Zhi approaches with a silk cloth to wipe her tears. When she finishes laughing, Wang Zhi’s heart is at peace. The Noble Consort keeps her face serene to prevent the laugh lines, but Wang Zhi thinks she is most beautiful when she is smiling.
“Official Tang,” Noble Consort Wan repeats. “He does have rather fine features, and from what I heard, a fairly delicate waist.” She raises her hand to hide another smile. “The Empress Dowager will be making her move. If she pushes His Majesty, this can cause a bigger problem. I don’t want to make him worry. Can I rely on you, Wang Zhi?”
Wang Zhi smiles as he always does for her. “Your highness, you never have to ask.”
-
“What did you say?” Empress Dowager Zhou asks sharply.
He drops his head. “Your royal highness. The lady who met with His Majesty was dropped off at Brocade-Guard Sui Zhou’s estate.”
She frowns. “Summon him to the palace.”
The audacity of her great-nephew to tryst with the Emperor’s woman.
But Sui Guang Chuan has always been a fidel child, and after that unfortunate attempt of pairing him with Lady Yu--perhaps he has simply been lonely, and affection goes where the heart wants to wander.
-
Sui Zhou arrives in the palace with his unconcerned fare. He has no wrongdoing, he assumes the Empress Dowager is inviting him for tea.
Perhaps he should have known something is up when Wang Zhi stops him in his path to give him a wisdom pouch. “Open it before you reach the Empress Dowager’s palace,” he murmurs before stepping away.
Sui Zhou frowns. He does not like it when the Commander of the Western Depot plays his games, but then again, they have inadvertently saved each other’s lives countless times. He would no doubt play again. The wisdom pouch only has one line for him: Lady Tang is Official Tang’s sister.
Sui Zhou makes a face. Tang Yu is Tang Fan’s sister. What kind of advice is this? Imagining Tang Fan’s outrage if he was to receive this advice , he grins.
As he approaches the Empress Dowager’s Tranquil Longevity Palace, Sui Zhou schools his face into something more respectfully appropriate. Which quickly broke into something akin to stupefied confusion when he sits down by Her Empress Dowager’s leave, picks up his tea, and she says, “Zhou- er , I heard there is a lady living at your estate.”
The tea sloshes in the cup, and luckily it had not yet reached his mouth or he would have choked. Where did this come from?
Lady Tang is Official Tang’s sister .
Wang Zhi’s words echo in his mind. “Yes…” Sui Zhou answers slowly, hoping to betray as little information until he could figure out exactly what was happening. “Lady Tang,” He answers as he thinks of Tang Yu, who is now living at his estate with her son Cheng’er.
“Is she of noble lineage?”
“No, but her family is honest and respectable.” If you ignore her status as a single parent. But Doctor Pei seems as if he may rectify that soon. And Tang Fan is now in the Ministry of Punishment.
“Has she been living at your estate for long? How many people know?”
Sui Zhou wonders why the Empress Dowager is enquiring after Tang Yu. She is nothing but a simple woman living in the capital trying to survive with her family. Sui Zhou sees no reason to be untruthful. “It has been many months. Her presence has not been a secret.”
The Empress Dowager hummed, and tsked, and then sighed in disappointment.
“She must be virtuous to have your attention, but it will not do for my Emperor son to be associated with someone whose chastity is called into question.” She shakes her head. “No, she cannot enter the palace. I am disappointed in you, Zhou- er . How can you dishonor a maiden like so without giving her a position in your household.”
Sui Zhou has so many questions. His Majesty would be associated with Tang Yu? Is Tang Yu serving as his guest-slash-pseudo-housekeeper a dishonor? His rent is probably the cheapest in the capital, and he doubts Tang Fan would let him treat her with any less respect.
“I--”
“It was unfortunate what happened with Lady Yu. But that is no excuse to have a lady at your estate with no title. She cannot be your wife, your mother and father would never forgive me. But you deserve a woman at your side.”
Sui Zhou knew he should say something, but he was beyond words at this moment.
“You do not have to say anything, my great-nephew. I will take care of this for you. I will speak to His Majesty, and Lady Tang will be your concubine.”
Sui Zhou wondered if he could find Wang Zhi to shake some answers before Tang Fan murders him. Doctor Pei will probably assist.
-
His Imperial Majesty summons Wang Zhi, Sui Zhou, and Tang Fan to his Royal Study. He has a bemused smile on his face.
“My subjects, perhaps by now you will have heard the news of upcoming nuptials.”
Sui Zhou, very cautiously, avoids Tang Fan’s wide-eyed gaze.
The Emperor looks at Tang Fan’s confused face and elaborates. “Tang Fan, you have caused quite a stir in the palace,” he pauses, “as Lady Tang.”
Tang Fan frowns at Sui Zhou and Wang Zhi, both who are not quite meeting his eyes. “Your majesty, I don’t understand.”
The Emperor smiles. “It is simple. The Empress Dowager wants a wedding. If you marry into the palace, Noble Consort Wan will be unhappy. If you don’t marry Sui Zhou, the Empress Dowager will be unhappy. We don’t want them unhappy.”
Tang Fan opens his mouth. And closes it. And opens it again. His mind is looping ‘if you don’t marry Sui Zhou’ on repeat.
Sui Zhou is equally shocked and relieved that the Tang he is to marry is not Tang Yu. A second pause makes him realize that means he would be marrying Tang Fan , and somehow he is not upset.
Tang Fan, however, once his brain catches up to his mouth, is full of complaints. “Your Majesty! Sui Zhou is of noble lineage. I cannot--”
“You cannot?” The Emperor raises a fine brow, cutting Tang Fan’s words at the start.
Wang Zhi speaks up, “What Official Tang means is that he cannot believe His Majesty’s blessing, as he is so unbelievably grateful.”
Tang Fan is imitating a goldfish, and he should be glad Sui Zhou thinks goldfish are rather adorable.
“Your majesty!” Tang Fan says, digging a hole and climbing in. His voice is soft and sad and just creeping at the line of whining. “I can serve you best as your court official...”
Perhaps he is lucky that the Emperor finds his hole-digging amusing. He says, “As you should be. So it is unfortunate that Lady Tang is so unwell. After the wedding she will spend most of her time in the sickbed, rarely leaving the estate.”
The Emperor gestures to a lacquered box on his desk. “Medicine for Lady Tang.”
Wang Zhi retrieves it from the Emperor’s desk and places it in Tang Fan’s hands. He slides the box open until a sliver can be seen.
Tang Fan stares at the box’s contents, then smiles wide. He casts a sly look to Sui Zhou, and then announces with utmost glee, “Your majesty, I humbly accept this marriage!”
-
A marriage blessed by the Emperor is a big affair in the capital city. The fact that it is a wedding involving the Sui family makes it even more notable.
However, Sui Zhou is not the Sui heir, and it was him taking his first concubine. Given Sui Zhou’s preference for private affairs, and the way Sui Zhou stepped menacingly towards the matchmaker in full Brocade Guard uniform when she suggested a city-wide celebration, it is ultimately decided to be a more intimate affair.
As Tang Fan slides the red wedding silks over his bare skin and his sister cinches that final bow over his waist, he prays that the event would be even smaller. Maybe just him. Who needs a husband to get married anyway.
Tang Yu smiles as she presses a hint of rouge across his cheeks. She coos, “Run Qing, you look so beautiful.”
“ Jie ,” Tang Fan whines. He can’t believe she would hurt him like this.
“Don’t pout! You’ll ruin the color on your lips.”
“Why do I need rouge, there’s a veil!”
Tang Yu giggles, “This is a fortuitous event! A marriage arrangement by the Emperor himself!”
“To Sui Zhou!”
“That isn’t the problem is it? You’re already living with him. He cooks you dinner every night. When you are low on money, don’t you ask for his wallet?”
Tang Fan’s cheeks warm. Why did she have to phrase it like that?
“Ahh...Run Qing, I never thought I’d get to see you wear the red. Let me have this.”
“ A-jie, I’m a man! A man!”
“Yes you are,” she says, as she delicately floats the veil over his face, and the world shutters from view. “Now, now. The marriage sedan is waiting for you. Let’s join your husband before we miss the auspicious time.”
-
With his vision limited by the red veil, Tang Fan is only able to see his feet as he takes small steps towards the ceremony, led by the matchmaker. He keeps his ears open. Surprisingly, he doesn’t hear choked laughter from Old Pei, or tiny giggles from Dong -er . Perhaps worse, he hears instead appreciative murmurs from the gathered guests, compliments of his slim figure, and speculations of his beauty.
Tang Fan suddenly feels very lucky that the veil does not come off until the bedroom. Tang Fan almost stumbles, and tries not to follow that train of thought.
He has reached Sui Zhou’s parents when the matchmaker instructs him to kneel. Sui Zhou kneels down beside him.
Abiding by the matchmaker, they bow.
They bow to the Heavens.
They bow to his parents.
Then they turn, face each other, and bow.
Tang Fan had been staring into his lap until he sees Sui Zhou’s sword-calloused hands take hold of his hand, and help him stand.
Then the matchmaker takes hold of Tang Fan again, and he is led to Sui Zhou’s bedroom and told to wait for his husband.
As soon as the doors close behind him, Tang Fan lifts the veil, and sits down at the table, propping one leg up onto the adjacent stool. He fumes and bemoans, “I’m so hungry.” It’s so unfair. Sui Zhou is enjoying all the fine delicacies outside with the guests, drinking to their happiness. Why does Tang Fan have to wait for him inside?
Tang Fan is imagining. Minimum eight dishes. Roast suckling pig, crisp out of the kitchen, with the skin crackling as you take the first bite. Shark’s fin soup, a taste of the ocean with every spoon. The earthy gamey flavor of wild squab, served whole. A whole sea bass steamed with ginger and green onions, it’s meat tender and flaking.
A soft knock pulls him from his thoughts. He quickly throws the veil back over his face. “Who is it?” he calls out cautiously, his voice pitched high.
“Tang- dage !” A loud whisper from a familiar voice.
“Dong-er!” He opens the door and almost cries when a basket smelling divine is thrust into his hands. “You have not forgotten your Tang-dage!” Tang Fan hugs the basket like a most precious child.
“Sui- dage told me to bring it to you. He even made the noodles himself! But Doctor Pei says not to eat too much.”
Tang Fan is rummaging through the basket’s contents. Roast duck, suckling pig, abalone! Even his favorite minced meat noodles! “Why?” He asks, distracted.
“Doctor Pei says you should not be too full on your wedding night,” Dong-er replies.
“What do you know of adult things?”
“I know enough from your novels.” Dong-er dodges the basket cover. “I have to go now! Congratulations again Tang- dage on your marriage to Sui- dage !”
Tang Fan ignores her words in light of the food. And just because of Old Pei’s words, Tang Fan makes sure to finish every last bite.
By the time he clears the last plates, the candles have burned halfway, and the night has fallen. Tang Fan wanders the room. This wasn’t the first time he had been in Sui Zhou’s bedroom, but it looked different draped in red, with words of happiness and fortune pasted on the windows.
Tang Fan is close to rifling through Sui Zhou’s stuff in boredom when he finally hears noise outside. Considering the racket, it seems the rowdier of Sui Zhou’s Brocade-Guard brother-in-arms have escorted him to his room and are rooting for his ‘wedding night.’ In any chance that they might enter with him, Tang Fan lowers the veil once more.
The noise dies down, and Sui Zhou falls into the room. He smells of liquor, his gait is unsteady, and he is thoroughly drunk. Sui Zhou closes the door and locks the room.
“Guang Chuan. How can you drink so much before drinking with me?” Tang Fan teases. He tugs Sui Zhou until he sits down at the table. Between them, red candles are alight, and ceremonial wine awaits.
“Wait,” Sui Zhou murmurs. He stands up again and approaches Tang Fan. With trembling fingers, he lifts the veil.
Tang Fan sees Sui Zhou. His eyes are glassy but his gaze strong and unwavering. As Tang Fan cranes his head back to look at him, he cannot remember if Sui Zhou was always that tall, his shoulders ever so broad. The candlelight flickers shadows across the arches of his face, highlighting the strong brows, the soft lips. Tang Fan has many teases prepared, but somehow his lips part and no words come forth.
Sui Zhou goes to his dresser where a brass bowl holding water awaits. He wets a cloth, and brings it to Tang Fan’s face. Every gentle swipe removes the rouge from his cheeks, the soft kohl from his brows. His movements are slow and methodical, and they stay silent until he is done.
Sui Zhou drops the cloth and gazes at his face. “I prefer Tang Fan like this more.”
Tang Fan smiles wide. “I think I like you drunk. You are much more free with compliments! Let’s drink some more!” He pours the wine into the two cups, and then offers one to Sui Zhou.
To his surprise, Sui Zhou doesn’t take the cup--instead he picks up the untouched cup, and loops his arm around Tang Fan’s arm, creating the perfect picture of a newlywed’s first drink together. Tang Fan laughs. He curls his arm so his cup is at his lips, and together they drink.
They continue to drink, and reminisce about their adventures, and laugh until the bottle runs empty. By then, they’re no longer across the table, but leaning against each other, heads lowered in a drunken bliss.
Tang Fan looks at the bed. He wonders if he’ll be able to sneak back to his room.
Sui Zhou stands up and says, “Take the bed. I will sleep in the chair.” He walks towards it, but finds a hand grasping the back of his robes.
“That’s stupid. The bed is big enough. We’re both men. And even if we weren’t, we’re married now aren’t we?” Tang Fan laughs again, and together they stumble to the bed.
Sui Zhou is asleep almost immediately. Tang Fan manages to remove their shoes with great effort. He will demand Sui Zhou cook him something delicious as payment for that tomorrow.
Tomorrow. He’ll just close his eyes for now.
Once actually in the bed, Tang Fan realizes that perhaps the bed isn’t that big, but the night is cold, and Sui Zhou is an unmoving, breathing, warm rock. He shuffles closer, and finally lets the sweet embrace of sleep take him.
-
Sui Zhou wakes up to an armful of Tang Fan. That is not an exaggeration, because Tang Fan sleeps like a baby panda holding its first bamboo. His head feels like a thousand knives behind his eyes, and he drops his head back down. He could stay here for a bit longer.
He feels when Tang Fan wakes, because he hides his face further from the sun, his mouth warm and damp against Sui Zhou’s neck. Sui Zhou hears when Tang Fan’s mind wakes, because his breath hitches, and his limbs stiffen. Then very slowly they untangle from him. “Guang Chuan?” he whispers.
“Yes?” Sui Zhou asks, still laying in bed.
Tang Fan bolts into awakening, not expecting a reply. “Guang Chuan, you scared me! Why don’t you move when you wake up?”
“How could I move with you holding me?”
Tang Fan, an actual child, tries to push him off the bed. Sui Zhou huffs, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll divorce you? Abusing your husband on the first day.”
“Divorce me? Aren’t you more afraid? This marriage is blessed by His Majesty himself!” Tang Fan pauses. “Speaking of that….Guang Chuan, why did you agree?”
“It is His Majesty’s order, do we have a choice?”
“You can at least ask for a reward.”
Sui Zhou huffs in amusement. Tang Fan is the only person who sees the Emperor and thinks he can ask for a reward. “My family will not push me to marry now. It is not so bad.”
“What if he selected a real lady for you to marry?”
“It did not happen, I will not think of it. Nothing has to change now.” Sui Zhou tugs his shoes back on. “We should have Tang Yu help with the rouge. You will need to serve tea to my parents this morning.”
Tang Fan shudders at having to put on the disguise once more, in broad daylight, with no veil. “Ah, ow. Ow. I’m in too much pain. I can’t go out today.”
“You’re bad at acting, did I ever tell you?”
“How dare you? Ow, you were too rough with me last night. I can’t leave the bed.” Tang Fan climbs back in, resting his hand across his forehead, a playful grin on his face. As his robes shift, he feels something hard dig into his leg from his sleeve. Oh, he forgot he had kept a piece of candy in there. Undoing the wrapper, he pops it in his mouth.
“What did you take?” Sui Zhou does not put it past Tang Fan and Doctor Pei to come up with a crazy scheme to keep him bed bound until his parents depart from his estate.
“Medicine!” Tang Fan answers. “His Majesty’s gift.”
Sui Zhou steps up to the bed. “What was in the box?”
“Come closer,” Tang Fan says, still laying down.
Sui Zhou leans over, seeing if His Majesty had adorned him with a piece of jade, when Tang Fan grabs him by his collar, and pulls him down. Tang Fan’s hand is warm against his chest, and his eyes are open. Sui Zhou can see every long lash framing his brown eyes. Tang Fan pulls him even closer, until their lips are a hair’s breadth away.
“Can you guess?”
His words are loud up close, even if they are barely whispered. Sui Zhou feels like his heart is pounding in his ears. This close, the smell is distinct, unmistakable. If Sui Zhou were to close his eyes, he could perhaps even taste the sweetness of the Scholar’s candy on Tang Fan’s lips.
Sui Zhou closes his eyes, and pulls back. Tang Fan’s fingers slip from his robes, letting him go. Sui Zhou takes a deep breath. “I will tell my parents you are unwell. Then I’ll bring breakfast.”
Tang Fan pulls his blanket up to his chin, wriggling happily into the sheets. “I want rice porridge with fish. And youtaio !”
Sui Zhou shakes his head and thinks of what fresh fish he can get from the market, and of what excuses he can make to his parents. It won’t take much before they depart for their own estate. Dong-er and Tang Fan will want something sweet after the porridge. He can make mung bean cake.
As he closes the doors behind him to let Tang Fan rest, Sui Zhou smiles. The reason he did not refuse the Emperor’s order, was that despite the wedding, despite having taken the three bows, and worn the red--nothing has changed.
He has found his family, and now he can keep him at his side.