Anchee Min - Empress Orchid

“Think this way, Orchid,” Mother said, trying to comfort me. “Dying will be a relief for me, since I am in so much pain.”

I leaned my head on Mother’s shoulder and was unable to say a word.

“Try not to spoil the moment, Orchid.” Mother smiled.

I made an effort to look cheerful. It didn’t seem real to me that everyone was here for my son.

Kuei Hsiang had begun to mingle in the crowd and I could hear him laugh. I could tell that the rice wine had taken effect.

Rong was more beautiful but thinner than the last time I had seen her.

“Rong’s future has not yet been settled, and that worries me,” Mother said with a sigh. “She hasn’t been as lucky as you. Not one worthy proposal, and she is over twenty.”

“There is a man I have been thinking of for Rong,” I told Mother.

“I can’t wait to hear his name.”

“He is the newly widowed Prince Ch’un, Hsien Feng’s seventh brother.”

Mother was thrilled.

“However,” I warned, “‘widowed’ doesn’t mean that Prince Ch’un has no wives or concubines. It is just the first wife’s position that is vacant.”

“I see.” Mother nodded. “Still, Prince Ch’un would be an excellent opportunity for Rong. She would be the Nuharoo of Ch’un’s household, wouldn’t she?”

“That’s correct, Mother, if she can get him to be interested.”

“What more can a family of our background ask? A life free of hunger-that is all I ever wanted for my children. My marriage with your father was arranged. We had never met before our wedding. It turned out nicely, though, didn’t it?”

“More than nicely, Mother.”

We were quiet for a time, our fingers locked tightly together. Then Mother said, “My thinking is, you and Rong could become close if this engagement works out. It’ll be my last wish on earth that you watch out for each other. Besides, Rong can be an extra eye for you regarding Tung Chih’s safety.”

I nodded at Mother’s wisdom.

“Go now to your sister, Orchid,” Mother said, “and leave me to spend a few moments alone with my grandson.”

I went to Rong and took her to the back of the garden. We sat down in a tiny stone pavilion. I explained my thoughts and Mother’s wish. Rong was pleased that I had kept my promise of finding her a suitor.

“Will Prince Ch’un like me?” she asked. “How should I prepare myself?”

“Let’s see if he will fall for you first. My question to you is-and this is crucial-will you be able to endure the hardships I have endured?”

“Hardships? You are mocking me, aren’t you?”

A sense of uncertainty rushed through my mind. Rong had no idea what I was talking about.

“Rong, my life is not what it seems. You need to see this. I don’t want to be the cause of your regret. I just don’t want to set up a tragedy.”

Rong blushed. “But Orchid, I have dreamed only of having the same opportunity you have. I want to be envied by women all over China.” She smiled broadly.

“Answer my question, Rong, please. Can you bear to lose your husband to others?”

Rong thought first and then replied, “If it is the way things have been for hundreds of years, I don’t see why I should be the one to have problems.”

I took a breath and gave my last warning. “When you are in love with a man, you will change. I am telling you from experience, the pain is unbearable. You will feel your heart being stir-fried in a hot pan.”

“I better make sure I don’t fall in love, then.”

“You might not be able to control things.”

“Why?”

“Well, because to love is to live-at least that’s true for me.”

“What do I do, then, Orchid?” Confused, Rong’s eyes widened.

Sadness filled my chest and I had to remain silent to control myself.

Rong put her cheek gently against mine. “You must have fallen in love with Emperor Hsien Feng.”

“It was… foolish of me.”

“I’ll remember your lesson, Orchid. I know it must be hard. But I still envy my elder sister. There hasn’t been a decent man in my life. It makes me think that I am unattractive.”

“You know that is nonsense, Rong. How unattractive can you be when your sister is an Imperial consort, the face of China?”

Rong smiled and nodded.

“It’s true, you have grown prettier.” I put my arm around her shoulder. “I want you to be aware of your beauty every minute from now on.”

“What does ‘minute’ mean?”

“It is a needle on a clock.”

“What is a clock?”

“Well, I’ll show you. Clocks are the Emperor’s toys. They tell time. Clocks hide in metal boxes, like snails in their shells. Each box has a little ticking heart inside.”

“Like a living creature?”

“Yes. But they are not alive. Most of them were made by men in foreign countries. You will own many of them when you marry Prince Ch’un.”

I took out my powder brush. “Listen, Rong,” I said, “as the sister of Hsien Feng’s favorite concubine, you should know that men are dying to possess you, but they might not have enough courage to walk up to you and say what is on their mind. I’ll talk with His Majesty about matching you up with his brother. If I obtain his blessing, the rest will be easy.”

By the time Rong and I went back to Mother and Kuei Hsiang, the music and fireworks had ended. Chief Eunuch Shim announced that the first part of the ceremony was over, and the second part, the Bath in Gold, would now start. At his call, four eunuchs carried out a tub made of gold. They placed the tub in the center of the courtyard under a blooming magnolia and filled it with water. Coal heaters were set around the tub.

A group of maids got down on their knees next to the tub while two wet nurses carried my son out. The maids stripped Tung Chih and placed him in the tub. He screamed, but his protest was ignored. The maids held his little legs and arms the way they would when skinning a rabbit. Everyone seemed to find this entertaining. My son’s every cry pained me. It was hard to sit still, but I knew I must endure. There was a price to pay for Tung Chih’s stature. Each ceremony would bring him closer to becoming the legitimate heir.

With a hundred pairs of eyes watching, Tung Chih had his first bath. He was getting more and more disturbed.

“Look, there is a dark spot under Tung Chih’s right armpit!” Nuharoo got up from her chair and ran to me. She had changed into her second gown for the occasion. “Is it an unlucky sign?”

“It’s a birthmark,” I told her. “I consulted Doctor Sun Pao-tien and he told me not to worry.”

“I wouldn’t trust Sun Pao-tien,” Nuharoo said. “I have never seen this kind of birthmark-it’s too big and too dark. I must consult my astrologer right away.” Turning to the tub, she admonished the maids, “Don’t try to stop Tung Chih from crying. Let him! He is supposed to feel uncomfortable. This is what the ceremony is about. The louder he cries, the better the chance he will grow up to be strong.”

I forced myself to walk away so I wouldn’t punch Nuharoo in the chest.

The wind blew. Pink petals rained from the trees. A couple of them landed in the tub. The maids picked up the petals and showed them to Tung Chih in an effort to quiet him. This picture of bathing under the magnolia tree would have been lovely if the baby were not in torment. I had no idea how long Tung Chih would have to sit in the water. I looked up at the sun and prayed that it would stay out.

“Clothing!” Chief Eunuch Shim sang stylishly. The maids quickly dried and dressed Tung Chih, who was so exhausted that he fell asleep in the middle of their handling. He looked like a rag doll. Yet the ceremony was far from completed. After the tub was emptied, the sleeping Tung Chih was put back in it. Several lamas dressed in sun-colored robes sat down in a circle around the baby and began chanting.