China by Edward Rutherfurd (historical books to read TXT) 📕

so humiliating. “Oh, please, Highness,” I begged her.

She pointed to a screen in a corner of the room. “Go behind that,” she told me. Then she turned to one of her ladies. “Look, and tell me.”

So I did as I was told and stripped down. It was bad enough having one of the court ladies look at me, but at least it wasn’t all of them, and particularly the Noble Consort Yi.

“All gone,” the lady called out in a singsong voice.

“You can’t be too careful,” the Noble Consort remarked to me when I was back at my work. “You certainly made a sacrifice.”

“It is worth it to serve you, Highness,” I said, and I went on with my work. I could see Shaking Leaf fidgeting, but I took my time. “Your slave has done all he can for now,” I said finally. I saw Shaking Leaf look relieved.

So this’ll be it, I thought. Back to the chamber pots for me tomorrow.

“You seem to have done a good job,” the Noble Consort said. I saw her nod to the lady who’d inspected me. I understood what was coming: a silver coin or two, thank you very much. Goodbye. Unless I could pull off one more trick.

“May your slave speak?” I said. Shaking Leaf gave me a warning look. I ignored it. The Noble Consort nodded, so I pressed on. “Often the palace people are given training in all manner of skills and arts. Your slave believes, with the skills he already has, that he could quickly learn the arts of manicure and serve you in that capacity.”

She gazed at me. “Cheeky monkey,” she remarked. She seemed to be thinking.

“Such training is provided only to trainees who show great aptitude, after several years,” Shaking Leaf reminded her. “And then more years of proof are necessary before a palace person may be considered to serve a member of the royal family.” He spoke softly, but I could see he was terrified.

“Well,” she replied tartly, “so far you’ve provided me with a servant who broke my nail, and then you beat her to death, which nobody told you to do.”

“It was not I who beat her, Noble Consort,” he said nervously.

“You’re in charge while Mr. Liu is away,” she retorted. “So it’s your responsibility.”

I felt quite sorry for him, actually, because I knew what a pickle he was in. And what he said about the employment rules was true, of course.

“Your slave meant no disrespect.” I made a low bow first to her, then to Shaking Leaf. “Your slave was so eager to serve that he forgot himself. It is true that it is far too early for me to think of such an honor. I only beg that in the years ahead Your Highness may remember me, if I am worthy.”

She might remember me, I thought. You never know. She might.

“There are also certain objections to this person,” said Shaking Leaf.

Looking back, I’ve often thought that if he hadn’t said that, she probably would have given me up—for it wasn’t of any consequence to her, really. I’d have been dismissed.

But anxiousness had made him overplay his hand, and she’d picked up on it at once. Her instincts were excellent. “Objections to him? Then why did you bring him here?” she demanded.

“It was an emergency, Noble Consort. I wished to serve you quickly.”

“What objections?”

“It would be best to ask Mr. Liu when he returns,” he murmured.

“Did his mentor complain of him?”

Shaking Leaf was in a bind now. He didn’t like to lie. I could see that. Dangerous to lie, too. She’d be furious if she found out—and he was already in trouble.

“No, Noble Consort.”

“How was his mentor’s report? Good, poor, or indifferent?” She wouldn’t let go.

I looked at him—not as if I’d contradict him, and not an imploring look, either. I just looked at him.

“Good,” he said reluctantly.

“How good?” She was like a cat with a rat.

“Very good, Noble Consort.”

“So I should speak to Mr. Liu?”

“It would be best,” he said miserably.

“Then I shall. It’s settled.” He looked relieved. “In the meantime, however,” she continued, “he is to be trained in manicure at once. And he will attend to my nails each day so that we can see if he is learning anything.”

“Noble Consort…” Shaking Leaf tried to interrupt her. He was in agony.

“Just until Mr. Liu returns,” she said with a smile, and dismissed us both.

—

He was away for fifteen days. Fifteen blessed days. Every morning I went to the palace to attend to her nails, but the rest of the day I spent with a manicurist in Beijing. “Find me the best manicurist in the city,” I’d told my father, and sure enough he had: an old man who’d been amazed how fast I learned. For if you have talent and your entire existence is focused on a single object, you can learn ten times as fast as a normal student will.

I paid for that apprenticeship myself, using some of the money I’d hidden. I could have asked the palace to pay, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to surprise them. And I did. By the end of the fifteen days, the Noble Consort said I was the best manicurist she’d ever had.

“It’s because your slave was a lacquer craftsman first,” I told her.

“I’m giving you a new name: Lacquer Nail,” she said. “Do you like it?”

Not that it would have made a difference if I didn’t.

“Your slave is honored,” I said, and bowed low. I did like it, in fact.

So that is how I got the name of Lacquer Nail.

—

She usually talked to me as I worked. And she was always curious. Naturally, one of her first questions was about the head eunuch. What had he got against me? Why didn’t Shaking Leaf want to tell her? I’d known she’d ask, and I’d prepared my answer.

“Highness,” I said, “you know your slave wants to obey you. How could it be otherwise? But if Mr. Liu thinks that I