Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 118: Curing the Emperor’s Insomnia

Chapter 118: Curing the Emperor’s Insomnia

[Suggested song for this Chapter: A Gentle Sunlight by James Quinn]

"What can I do to support the campaign, Bai Li?"

Tan Bowen sat opposite Bai Li in his command tent. In the end it seemed as though Mei Meili was right... he would be dragged into the mess, whether he wanted to be or not.

Unfortunately she was accurate in her prediction; it was impossible to continue to enjoy his life as it had been in the past while his dearest friends were making such serious contributions to the Empire and the People.

"Are you serious Tan Bowen?" Bai Li asked with amusement written on his face. "You want to contribute to the war effort?"

The man nodded emphatically.

"Why?" asked Bai Li. "What’s gotten into you? You’re an artist not a soldier, as you’ve even told the Emperor in the past. You’ll do more good entertaining our troops with songs and poems than picking up a spear or a sword with those hands."

"That remains the case. Nevertheless, I feel the need to do my part to protect the Empire and the People as much as the rest of you are doing yours. You know my strengths better than anyone, Bai Li. I’m certain you can make good use of them. Tell me what I can do to contribute, in my own way."

"You really are serious?" Bai Li searched the man’s face for some sign he was joking in his usual light-hearted way, but there was none to be found.

Tan Bowen nodded again, "yes. I know it seems ludicrous, but there it is."

Bai Li looked intently at his friend. "This is not child’s play, Tan Bowen. You would be risking your life if you want to do anything real."

"I know that Bai Li. Don’t you think I’ve considered what I’m offering to do and the possible consequences?"

"It sounds like you’ve made up your mind then. If you have, I have a mission you would be perfect for. Let me tell you about it and then you can consider it and decide if you still want to do it."

Tan Bowen gestured for Bai Li to go on.

"We think that the Governor of Shanxi, Wang Jinshi, is colluding with Aruqtai. We need evidence of it in order to convict and remove him."

"You want me to be a spy?" asked Tan Bowen, incredulous.

Bai Li nodded, "yes, you would be a spy for the Empire. Not in the traditional sense of low lying intelligence gathering. The Governor has a daughter of marriageable age, Wang Feilin."

"And this is where I come in," said Tan Bowen with resignation. "Because there’s a woman involved."

"Women do seem to be particularly attracted to you, as I’ve seen on numerous occasions."

"Not the one who counts," Tan Bowen muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Go on."

"We would provide you with the right introductions to the Governor and other influential noblemen in Taiyuan Fu. It would be your task to engineer a meeting with his daughter. She attends social events about town. A seduction would gain you access to the mansion, then it would be up to you to find us the evidence we need."

"I see," said Tan Bowen, running a tense hand through his hair, causing it to fall into the foppish style young women seemed to find so attractive, and Bai Li was reminded why Tan Bowen was exactly the right man for this dangerous mission.

"There’s no need to answer me right now. Go home and think about it. You can let me know by messenger.

"No. I’ve already decided. I’ll do it."

-------------------

"This is a special blend I’ve prepared to help you sleep, Majesty," said Meili, handing the Emperor a cup of tea before he retired to his bed. "It has rose, lavender, peppermint and valerian, with a little honey to sweeten it."

"I suppose Feng Bao tattled to you that I’ve had some difficulty sleeping?" he gave his Chief Eunuch a hateful glare, and the man lightly slapped his own mouth three times to show the Emperor he acknowledged his mistake, though he didn’t regret it.

The Emperor gave the tea a suspicious sip, his face brightening on tasting the sweet brew. "Well it tastes pretty good. Not like that horrible sleeping draught the royal physicians have been preparing for me. We’ll see if this works. Miss Mei, for best effect would you play some guqin for me as I try to fall asleep?"

"Of course, Majesty," she said happily.

Meili was always happiest when she felt useful to the Emperor and imagined the difference this might make to the People’s lives. If she could help the man be rested and alert, he would be at his best when answering memorials and making decisions which could change the course of people’s lives.

She ran out to fetch her guqin, Tiger Roaring and Dragon Howling, which, after all, the Emperor had gifted to her. Tricky followed importantly at her heels, sensing his mistress had a serious job to get done.

If anyone should hear this guqin’s beautiful tones whenever they pleased, it was certainly her Lord, she thought. She hoped she could do justice to the famous instrument.

When she returned with the guqin, the Emperor already lay on his back in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. She could just see him through the thin gauze curtains that surrounded his bed.

Feng Bao had set out a mat on the floor for Meili to sit upon alongside the Emperor’s bed while she played for him. The eunuch didn’t tell her that the Emperor had insisted on adding a luxurious fox fur blanket, which was for Tricky.

Tricky seemed to know this divinely soft blanket was his and not meant for his mistress. He quickly lay down on the white fur and stretched out his paws in front with his hind legs stretched out flat behind him in a sploot, so that there was no room at all for Meili to share.

"Tricky!" she said, pretending to scold him.

He deliberately crossed his front paws and rested his head on them, closing his eyes.

"Naughty boy," she whispered, tapping him on the nose.

Meili began to play the instrument, a gentle melody called Quiet and Sweet Night, which instantly settled the Emperor’s too busy mind.

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