It happened more than thirty years ago, but it still plays vividly in my mind.
Snow blanketed the capital that day. The palace glittered like glazed glass under the frost, while carriage wheels churned the road into thick mud. Beyond the many courtyard walls, the chief eunuch looked out, his voice sharp and nasal like all eunuchs: "When the Golden Blade Princess returns, you'll be the one to serve her. She's not like the others stay sharp. Report anything unusual right away."
I lowered my head and listened, though I had no desire to take the task. No one wants to serve a traitor.
The eunuch turned back, his eyes pausing on me like he could read my thoughts. "The last maids who served her were careless. After she ran off with the Golden Blade, they were all flogged to death. Think of them before you act."
Ten years ago, the Golden Blade Princess left without permission and ran off with a Han man. It was a shame that disgraced our entire Liao tribe. His Majesty flew into a rage and had all her servants beaten to death their cries echoing, their blood staining the stone. Remembering that, I could only bow and accept.
Her return wasn't exactly a cause for celebration.
First, she not only eloped with a Han man but had two sons. The eldest is missing, but she brought the younger one back. Second, the honor of the Golden Blade Royal family is in tatters she returned with only the blade; the sheath and her eldest are lost in Song territory.
I saw her in the hall. She really was as beautiful as the rumors claimed, though grief for her lost husband and son had dulled her glow. Holding her younger child, she looked more like a fragile Han woman. But when she turned to face me, her gaze was icy and sharp not just at me, but at the whole palace.
I didn't mind. I gave her a faint, cool smile and said softly, "When you fled before, all the palace servants were put to death for failing their duties. From now on, I'll be the one to serve you."
She must have already sensed that this palace holds no less hatred for her.