Gao Ling stands up with an effort, pointing a finger at Wu Mei. "Wu Mei. How could you?"

Wu Mei shrugs daintily. "What do you mean, Gao Ling?"

Wan En inches closer to me. I step back to give Gao Ling space. She continues "I told you everything. I told you that His Honoured Majesty wanted to talk to me.But you- you didn't tell us. You just kept quiet! Why are you so sly?" Gao Ling bursts into tears.

"Don't be so weak. The Palace is no place for friends. I've always told you that," Wu Mei responds coldly, indifferently.

Can't she see the pain Gao Ling is in? Gao Ling just got rejected! There are no second chances, the Emperor won't give her another chance.

"Wu Mei!" Gao Ling cries. I wince at how high it sounds. "I thought we were friends!"

Looking at Wu Mei, I see the real her. Wu Ze Tian. She's just like any other woman in the palace. She just wants power. It all comes back down to the same thing, right? Power. And that's why people kill, why people hurt others. All for power.

Wu Mei smiles sweetly. It almost makes me sick. "I'll ask His Honoured Majesty to see you again."

Then she turns and walks away. I can still her the swish of her dress.

Gao Ling crouches on the floor, sobbing bitterly.

Just at that moment, a servant comes in, holding a scroll. I nod at her and she unrolls it. "The Great Emperor Taizong, His Honoured Majesty, hereby invites you to a party he is holding for the new 7th and 8th concubines, three days from now."

I have no choice but to accept. Gao Ling, crying pitifully, runs out of the room and ignores Wan En and me.

----

"I don't wish to go," I say to Wan En, lowering my voice.

"Shush. You have to," Wan En says as she styles my hair into an elaborate hairstyle. She adds in pins of ivory and gold and fusses around with my dress. She did everything, I just sat back. 

"You look beautiful, my lady," She whispers.

I don't bother to look in the mirror. I'm tired of this palace stuff already. 

Wu Mei isn't here anymore. She moved to the 7th Concubine's old quarters, faster than I could blink an eye. I haven't seen her since the day Gao Ling fought with her. No doubt she will be very well dressed.

It's time for the party.

----

Wu Mei and I both take a seat. The Emperor and Empress are seated in the middle of the room, surrounded by servants. Around the room are the other members of the royal family. 

I am next to Wu Mei and a young girl, who I assume is the princess. I heard the Emperor has not been successful in having sons so far. Only two girls, one from the Empress and one from the 2nd Concubine Mai. No wonder she is so smug. At least she has a child, even if it is a girl. 

The young girl taps me. "Are you Concubine Wang?"

I nod. 

She smiles at me. "I'm the Crown Princess Li Hua."

"Uh, I don't know what to say," I tell her honestly, forgetting my etiquette lessons. 

The Crown Princess waves her hands. "It doesn't matter. I don't care about such stupid stuff. I just want to leave this palace."

"I too," I say.

Something about this girl is making me say what I truly think, not just what I think is appropriate. 

Next to me, Wu Mei coughs. I look up and see the Emperor himself. 

His gaze is fixed on Wu Mei. I might just not be there. 

"How lovely you both look tonight," he greets us. We both curtsy.

Wu Mei smiles at him. How come she never smiled like that to Gao Ling and I before?

The stupid Emperor isn't like Liang Wen at all. Liang Wen would never have so many women. He'd love only one. And he'd treat her like gold. 

I find myself hating the Emperor.

"Who shall I spend the night with?" the Emperor faces the room and asks. 

Laughter. Some raise their wine glasses and toast him. My face feels hot. Spend the night?

I knew it was part of becoming a concubine. But...so soon? No.

And yet I have to try and win the Emperor's favour, right? Wu Mei is trying so hard. I have to try, right?

There's a pain in my heart when I think of spending the night with the Emperor. I always thought...I always thought I'd be with Liang Wen. 

Concubine Mai shoots me a poisonous look from across the room.

I rearrange my face to be smiling like crazy. Hopefully it looks like I'm enjoying myself. 

The Emperor turns to me now. "I've decided. I'll be with you tonight, my dear Wang Mi. After all, there is still lots of time. My dear Wu Ze Tian, I promise I'll spend two nights with you."

Wu Mei smiles happily. She looks so pretty. How can I ever compare with her? She's natural at all this. 

And I'm dreading it. Tonight sounds terrible. 

It is my karma. It is all meant to be. I just have to go through it.