She blinked. She could not imagine more. Then he lifted his head, his eyes twinkling in the darkness.
'Did you not hear Tai Lai?' he asked. 'She said, 'Again. This time slower.''
Chapter 8
SHE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND! Bo Tao cursed himself for a fool, and not for the first time that day. Thinking back over the way he had stroked her again and again, he realized that Virgin Chen Ji Yue had been so caught up in the wonder of what they did, in the sensations flooding her body, that she'd never understood his message. And he had become hypnotized by watching her reach ecstasy time after time that he'd forgotten his original purpose.
He'd meant to show Ji Yue the horrible life of an imperial concubine. Most concubines never lost their virginity, never enjoyed family or children, never had anything of meaning in their lives. They were reduced to performing sex shows for their amusement. He'd wanted to show Ji Yue an empty future so that she could choose a different path now, before it was too late. She could leave the competition of her own volition. Instead, she hadn't heard and he'd become enraptured by the sight of her shattering in his arms. He'd forgotten everything but giving her pleasure, and so the message was lost.
What was the matter with him? Why could he not just take her and be done with it? He could have had her. More than once, most likely. Around her, his dragon organ was always ready for more. And then when he was done, he could have dropped a word to the dowager consort and Ji Yue would be expelled by morning. Easy. Unless, of course, the emperor found out. Then Bo Tao would be killed for daring to touch one of Yi Zhen's women.
So he had held off. He had walked Ji Yue back to the virgins' palace, ready to carry her again if her legs did not support her. He had kissed her once more as they hid deep in the shadows, then he'd turned away. Now he was heading to the emperor's palace with his root so thick he had trouble walking.
He'd tried to hide his affliction, but Yi Zhen noticed immediately. The emperor had been coming down the stairs, seen his friend, then started laughing so hard he gripped his sides from the pain. Bo Tao called his emperor an ass and then stormed off to the room he used when politics kept him too late in the Forbidden City to return home. His emperor followed, though, laughing with every step. But by the time they reached Bo Tao's bedroom, his eyes had gone deadly serious.
'They are
'I know,' Bo Tao groused. 'Why do you think I am like this?'
'Because you are a true friend and a loyal bannerman.'
'Go fuck a dog,' Bo Tao retorted, then he flopped down on his bed. Yi Zhen laughed again, but Bo Tao wasn't fooled. Yi Zhen did not like sharing. Those virgins—Chen Ji Yue included—were his, and Bo Tao would be smart to remember it. Otherwise, his life would end much too young.
Eventually the emperor grew tired of laughing at him and left him to sleep. Unfortunately, his affliction prevented that. So he lay in bed wondering what to do with a mouthy virgin who made him hornier than when he'd seen his first 'harem show.' She didn't understand, damn it! Did she really want the hideous life offered to a concubine? Of course not! No sane person would want to endure the constant backbiting, petty rivalries and outright danger of living in an imperial harem.
But he had never found much logic among the female population. And though Ji Yue appeared more intelligent than most, she still hadn't heard his message. And he didn't know how he could make it more plain! So he thought and thought while at the same time remembering how she'd undulated over his hand. Passion made her throat flush and her breath short. And, oh, he ached for her.
But it wasn't until the earliest streaks of light touched the sky that he remembered something else. He recalled what she'd said to the emperor to begin this whole evening's debacle: something interesting about rebels and servants and the underlying cause of the revolt.
That intrigued him. He found it strangely perceptive, especially from a woman. Had she overheard someone say that? Maybe her father? Or had she thought of it on her own? He had to know, but he had to be subtle. It wouldn't do to bring more attention to himself or her.
He waited another hour until the sun rose, then went about his duties while surreptitiously searching for her. He found the women's doctor instead. He only now remembered that he had forgotten to dismiss her last night. He had summoned her for Ji Yue, but had never brought the girl in. One look at the physician forestalled his words of apology.
'You look exhausted,' he said with shock. Then dismay blossomed in his heart. 'Was there some emergency last night? Something I wasn't notified about?' Something that happened while I was in a tree making an imperial virgin spill cream over and over again?
Xie Yan glared at him. 'Emergency?' she snapped. 'No. Just endless complaint after stupid complaint. Was there a riot last night?'
He frowned. 'They attacked Chen Ji Yue because the emperor complimented her hair pin.'
The doctor rolled her eyes. 'I did not see Chen Ji Yue. But I saw every other ridiculous scratch and bump these cosseted babies could think of. They miss their mothers!' she snapped. 'Girls who wish to be empress should not miss their mothers!' She kept muttering as she stomped away from him. At the last moment she shot a glare over her shoulder. 'I am going to bed. Do not call for me again unless someone is in childbirth.'
He nodded. No chance of that, especially since the day would be spent discovering family histories and fortunate horoscopes. During the family history exam, the virgins would be questioned about their birth, their parentage, their parents' births and beyond. The information was never officially recorded, but he wished to be sure that no imposter accidentally became empress. As much as possible, their answers would be verified before any girl entered the final Festival of Fertility. With that thought in mind, he headed to the place where Chen Ji Yue recounted her lineage.
It took some time to find her. A dozen other tasks had to be dispatched before he arrived, but he was there for most of her recitation. She was indeed the person she claimed to be: Chen Ji Yue, the daughter of a red bannerman, the lowest of the aristocracy. She recited correctly the list of her father's, grandfather's and great- grandfather's accomplishments. She also knew the astrological fortunes of their births and deaths, their lives and that of all their sons.
When Bo Tao asked, she also recited the names of her mother, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, though the interrogator looked at Bo Tao strangely for the question. Bo Tao ignored him, stepping forward to ask more personal questions.
'Your father passed the civil service exam and now lives here in Peking as a legal advisor to the Dragon Throne?'
Ji Yue nodded. 'He works very hard and is extremely loyal.'
Bo Tao waved aside the standard words. 'Have you ever assisted him with his work?'
Her expression turned wary. 'What do you mean? I am a woman. How would I ever help my father?'
'But you do, don't you? And your mother, as well.'
'Of course not!' she said with a shudder. 'I would never do such a thing!'
She was lying. He was sure of it. But he couldn't press further with the interrogator in the room. With a slight bow of apology, he decided to make amends. 'I had to ask, Chen Ji Yue. Your father's work is most brilliant.' Another lie. Ji Yue's father was an acceptable lawyer, but not a great one.
Ji Yue was still affronted. 'You cast aspersions on my father's good name! Such a suggestion could ruin him!' The fear in her tone was real, and he made another attempt at apology.
'Sometimes I ask groundless questions to see how a woman reacts. I swear to you, neither I nor Mr. Wu believes your father to be anything less than a most honest and loyal man of great capability.' He glanced at the inquisitor. 'Is that not true, Mr. Wu?'
The man nodded, his eyes huge. Bo Tao made a mental note to step into a few more interrogations and ask ridiculous questions just to cover his tracks. He straightened and smiled genially at Ji Yue. 'The questioning is done. Thank you, Mr. Wu,' he said to the inquisitor. 'I am sure you would like a break now. Go to the kitchens and ask for some tea. I believe they are making fresh pork bao this morning.'
The man's eyes lightened and he rose quickly. Mr. Wu was known to be a great lover of pork bao. Ji Yue rose, as well, bowing to them both as she started to withdraw. Then Bo Tao snapped his finger.
