Chapter 12: The Queen's Tutor
In a residence within the city of Chengdu, a woman dressed in fine silks held half a gourd, scooping water and sprinkling it over the potted flowers in the courtyard. Suddenly, a frantic voice sounded from outside the door. “Wife, hurry, quickly bring out all the money and valuables we have saved—hurry…” If Liu Tan were here, he would certainly recognize this man as his invaluable assistant.
“What?” The woman, hearing her husband instruct her to gather their valuables, grew flustered at once. The half gourd slipped from her hand, spilling water across the ground.
Looking up, she saw her husband already at her side and cried out in panic, “Shanlang? Has Wei invaded?”
“What are you talking about?” Li Shan shook his head. His wife continued, “Then is it Wu who attacks?”
Li Shan shook his head again. “No—don’t ask so many questions, just hurry and gather our things! If you’re too slow, we’ll fall behind!”
“If there’s no enemy, why do you want me to pack up our valuables?” She patted her chest, releasing a breath. “You frightened me—I thought we’d have to flee again!”
Li Shan said, “The Chancellor’s northern campaign is decided. I must donate nearly half of our family’s wealth to support it.”
“What?” She exclaimed in shock. “Li Shan, have you lost your mind? If you give away our money, what will we live on?”
Li Shan replied, “I’m leaving a portion behind, isn’t that enough for you to eat and drink?”
“It’s not just food and drink—I need money for my clothes too!” she protested.
“Today, the Chancellor marches north, aiming straight for Cao Wei, sword pointed at the world. Even as scholars, we must do our part for the nation. Besides, even His Majesty has donated! Obey me. Go fetch it, quickly!”
“No!” She clung to her husband’s arm, pouting as she always did when she wanted him to relent.
But this time, Li Shan shook her off with force and shouted in anger, “If you don’t fetch it now, I’ll divorce you! If you can’t understand what’s right, and don’t support your husband, what use are you to me?”
She froze, stunned—her husband had never spoken to her so harshly. Fearful, she finally agreed, “Fine, I’ll do as you say.” Her face full of grievance, she turned back to the rooms.
A short while later, she emerged carrying a wooden box, a foot square and half a foot high, and set it on the ground with a mournful expression.
Li Shan knelt and opened it. Inside were fragments of gold and silver, as well as strings of iron coins. After rummaging through, he gathered all the gold and silver into his arms, leaving only the iron coins behind.
He turned to go, but his wife barred his way. “Li Shan, you can’t take all the gold and silver and leave me nothing but iron coins!”
“Move aside!” Li Shan’s tone was unyielding.
“No!” She balled her fists. “Leave me at least a pound of gold—or else… or else I’ll die right here before you!”
Li Shan looked at the gold and silver in his arms, glanced at the iron coins in the box, and sighed. He took out some gold and silver, stuffed it into her arms, and hurried out the door.
Scenes like this unfolded across the city of Chengdu—not just here. No one deviated from the proportions declared in court: each household donated its wealth to the Chancellor’s mansion!
From Zhuge Liang’s return to his residence until night fell, people continued to bring their donations.
All this, of course, was unknown to Liu Tan, who at this moment was sitting in the hall with the Empress and two imperial consorts. The four of them gathered at the dining table, which no longer offered the earlier lavish fare—only four simple dishes and a soup.
Liu Tan waved his hand, smiling. “There’s only this much food, but plenty of rice! Ha! Since I issued the decree, I must set the example myself!”
The Empress and the consorts Li and Wang both nodded in agreement.
After court that day, Liu Tan had the Empress summon the two consorts to join him. Now that his health had improved, it would be remiss not to see them.
He’d thought political marriages would yield little beauty, but to his surprise, all three of Liu Chan’s wives were as lovely as flowers.
The Empress, now dressed in splendid brocade with a golden phoenix crown, sat demure and elegant even at table. Consort Li wore a pale pink gauze gown, her long hair trailing to her waist, her figure tall and willowy, her face delicate and her lips small and red. Consort Wang, in purple, her bangs just brushing her brows, was slightly fuller than Li, but no less graceful.
Each had her own charms, and Liu Tan found himself quite tempted.
He mused that even in political alliances, a daughter of poor appearance would hardly be offered to an emperor.
With this, Liu Tan’s heart settled. Having achieved much at court today, his mood was thoroughly content.
After dinner, as night fell, the eunuch Wang Li ordered the palace maids to light all the lamps in the Hall of Tranquility.
Leaning close to Liu Tan’s ear, the Empress whispered, “Your Majesty, I have already bathed.” She gave him a plaintive glance. “Last night, Your Majesty slept alone, leaving me quite forlorn.”
She turned to the two consorts. “Today, sisters, you may return for now. When His Majesty has recovered a few more days, he will summon you again.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” With a bow, they withdrew. To dine with the emperor and be summoned to his presence was satisfaction enough for them.
Liu Tan opened his mouth, thinking to suggest all four share the night, but reconsidered. Though ancient customs allowed multiple wives, the idea of a dragon and three phoenixes sharing a bed was perhaps too scandalous.
Hand in hand, Liu Tan and the Empress entered the adjoining chamber, where maids had already prepared the bedding. The Empress murmured softly, “Allow me to undress you, Your Majesty.”
It was autumn, and as Liu Tan shed his robes, he shivered, quickly slipping under the covers. The Empress removed her phoenix crown, set aside her brocade, and gently untied the white cloth of her undergarments, revealing shoulders as pale as dawn and a red silk bodice hanging from her neck.
Liu Tan’s gaze grew fixed. The sight of the bodice, a rarity in the modern world, held a beauty all its own, even if it was less beneficial to a woman’s development.
“Come here, Empress,” Liu Tan beckoned.
She smiled, stepping gracefully onto the bed. Yet to his slight disappointment, ancient women wore no underwear as he knew it. The Empress’s long white trousers diminished the effect, leaving him a bit regretful.
She slipped into the bed, resting her head on Liu Tan’s chest. “Your Majesty, it’s been more than half a year since I last served you at night.”
Liu Tan rolled his eyes. “Wasn’t I just afraid you’d pull my ear?” he said, though he thought inwardly, what man would wish to share his days and nights with a shrew?
“I won’t dare again!” she promised, nuzzling against his chest.
Feeling the Empress’s soft form, Liu Tan’s hand slid up her jade-like thigh. She trembled at his touch, shivering as his grip tightened, closing her eyes to silently endure his advances.
“Ah, Empress, don’t be so still!” Liu Tan said helplessly. “Are you planning to play dead?”
He was at a loss. At first, he thought she was just shy, but after so long—his hands having roamed her body again and again, her bodice and trousers now removed—she still lay motionless, biting her lip, not a sound escaping her. Was this how a married woman should behave?
“Your Majesty! Mmm—” At last, the Empress parted her lips and let out a soft moan, though she quickly stifled it.
“That’s it, don’t hold back—let yourself go!” Liu Tan urged.
Ten thousand words omitted here.
When peace finally returned, the Empress lay nestled in Liu Tan’s arms, eyes closed in embarrassment. “Your Majesty, you never used to be like this. I have never felt such happiness as tonight.”
Liu Tan chuckled, whispering in her ear, “That was only a few methods—I know at least seven or eight more. Would you like to learn them, Empress?”
She snuggled closer, whispering so softly it was nearly inaudible, “Yes.”
A moment later, she asked, “Your Majesty, were these skills also bestowed by the gods?”
Liu Tan paused, momentarily speechless.