A Plate of Steamed Dumplings

The first week I spent at Shen Li Gong went otherwise peacefully. I kept to myself in the kitchen, only speaking to Xiang and the head of staff when I needed to. The other two servants kept to themselves, since they slept together with Xiang anyway.

The 18th Prince and Yi Liang stayed in the main hall most of the time. The uneven roads must make going anywhere a horrible experience, so I could understand why the Prince would choose to stay in.

There were no visitors. After Xu Rui was exiled from the Palace, Shen Li Gong only had a total of 7 people in the retinue of servants. Horribly small number, knowing that the Crown Prince had over 80 people at his beck and call.

I was relieved that my cooking skills were enough to satisfy the Prince. I had served him the other half of the Osmanthus cakes that I didn't lose to the dirt, and he enjoyed it without complaint. I set about to making different pastries. Congee was another thing I made often. Each time I cooked, I wondered how the Prince would feel. Having to depend on a new servant to feed him, when the Imperial Kitchen was supposed to be the one to do so.

Eventually, it was time for the 18th Prince to enter the East Palace for his weekly dinner with his brother. They had taken a break from the routine after being together so often in the Summer Palace. But routine was routine. I was summoned to the Prince's main hall at noon, and I entered the Prince's living space, wary and cautious.

"You have done well in cooking, Lan Ying." The Prince was at a desk he had placed right next to his bed. He had scrolls and scrolls of paper stacked on top of each other on the desk, with a still wet brush dripping into an ink well. Yi Liang was grinding the stone to make ink across the Prince at the table, not looking up. I couldn't help but stare at the man who looked like Yun.

"Lan Ying?" I forced myself to face the man speaking, blushing. "F-forgive me, sire. You honour this servant."

He was in a light yellow set of robes this time, and he rolled himself backwards from the desk and towards me, cocking his head as he took me in.

"Your wound is better," he observed. I nodded, staring down at his shoes. A pair of silk shoes in the colour of cream. They looked shiny and new, unused on his feet, which were poised on the feet rest of the wheelchair.

"You don't talk very much, do you?" A tone of amusement had crept into the Prince's voice. I shook my head in answer, choosing rather to remain silent lest I spoke wrongly.

"Ah - I scared you, didn't I? The whole situation with Xu Rui?" Realisation seemed to dawn on him. "N-no!" I protested, raising my head to deny the claim.

There was a smile on the Prince's face as his eyes caught mine. There was no animosity there. But I couldn't forget the smile he had given Xu Rui, a wolfish snarl that made him look less than human. It would serve as a reminder that I was at his mercy. I cannot ruin my chances of returning home by offending my Master.

"Well, then. My royal brother has summoned me to the East Palace. I should bring something to him for dinner. Do you know how to make steamed dumplings?" I nodded in answer, heart leaping at the hint of the chance to do what I was sent here to do.

"Good. Prepare what you can. You will come with us this evening." The Prince waved his hand to dismiss me and I curtsied in understanding. Before I left, my eyes couldn't stop from seeking out Yi Liang. He was rolling up scrolls this time, packing them neatly to place on the low shelves the Prince had on the other side of the hall.

"Do you have anything more to ask?" Another flush crept up my neck as the Prince turned my way again. "No. Sorry -" Mortified, I hurried out of the main hall.

Get yourself together, Yan Qing! I hurried to the kitchen, slapping my cheeks to try and wake myself. Then I got to work.

***

I placed five dumplings on a plate and put it carefully into the two-layer container that I would bring to the East Palace later. There was a total of ten; the perfect number. Leaving the container beside the dying fire, I plated the last five and brought it up to serve the 18th Prince. There were still a few moments before having to leave for the East Palace. No harm in getting him to try some.

None of the other servants were around, but I could hear the 18th Prince's wheelchair rolling against the floor from within the main hall. "Sire? This is Lan Ying. May I come in?"

There was a pause. "Come in, then."

I slid the doors open, holding the chopsticks and plate carefully. The Prince was looking at the full body mirror he had placed on the far left of his hall, right in front of an undecorated changing screen. He adjusted his cuffs, tugging them so that they straightened.

"Why is Sire alone?" I asked, bringing the plate forward and placing it on the desk behind him. The Prince raised his head and met my eyes through the mirror. "Yi Liang went off to do something I asked him to do. Xiang'er and the Matron were summoned to the East Palace first. Not sure what Royal Brother is planning, but they won't be back until I go over. Eunuch Cui has gone to get the palanquin."

The idea that I was truly alone with him was enough to make my stomach churn. "What's that?" the Prince asked, turning around to face me. "The steamed dumplings, Sire. Your servant thought it be best to let - let you have a taste..." I trailed off, wondering too late if I was doing too much. His instructions were only to make them, not to give him a share too.

A part of me wanted to whack myself. I admit that I only wanted to take another look at Yi Liang. But now I'm with the Prince behind closed doors...

The 18th Prince raised an eyebrow at me. "You want to give me what you made for the Crown Prince?" he asked. His tone was disbelieving. Horrified, I fell to my knees, knowing that I must've offended him. "F-forgive me, Sire -" I stammered out.

The 18th Prince groaned, rolling over to me. "By the Heavens, get up. I'm not berating you." He reached out a hand towards me as he leaned forward, offering me his hand. I blinked in confusion, looking up at him.

"And to think you denied being scared of me. Lan Ying, I am not going to whip you. Calm down." His fingers closed over my hand and tugged, much stronger than I would have expected him to be as the momentum made it easy for me to get back on my feet. He gestured to the plate of dumplings on his desk, letting go of my hand.

"Most of my old servants put on kitchen duty get too excited at the thought of making food for the Crown Prince. They never bothered giving me a plate. I don't care, since dumplings aren't my favourite." The Prince spoke like he was speaking to an old friend, casual as he picked up the chopsticks.

"But, since you brought it to me, I'm happy to try." The almost 19-year-old Prince gave me a grin, which made his whole face light up. I was filled with awe by how his face could change so much - from a snarling wolf to a delighted boy. That made me even more paranoid of how well the person before me could act - but then again, he had to to survive in a place that didn't want his existence.

"Ah-" He dropped the chopsticks suddenly, which went clicking and clacking onto the floor, rolling just out of his reach. "Oh!" I hurried to pick them up, dusting them off as best as I could. The Prince gave me a sheepish look.

"My wrist has been bothering me these days. Probably from having to roll around myself." I didn't understand why he would try to explain this to a servant, but I nodded, placing the chopsticks back on the table. They were too dirty, but it seemed silly to rush out to wash them, since we were to leave in a moment.

"If Sire cares not for dumplings, your servant will make something else for you another time. What do you like?" The Prince sat back on his chair, giving me a long look.

"The Osmanthus cakes you made were good. I don't really have much chance to have pastries, since all the other kitchen servants only knew how to make savoury dishes." There was more meaning behind his words, but I nodded my head. "Your servant will make more if you would like, Sire."

"Highness! The palanquin is here!" Eunuch Cui called out from outside. The Prince gestured for me to take his wheelchair handles, and I did. Heat exuded from his back as I stepped up behind him. "Don't worry. I know I'm heavy. I'll catch myself if I have to," he said without looking at me.

We went down the ramp, and I grasped the handles tight as his weight helped the wheels in motion. Thankful that I had trained to fight, I was able to keep myself from being dragged forwards with the strength that I had trained for.

Yi Liang stepped up to us after appearing from behind the main hall. "I'll take over," Yi Liang said gruffly. His hands brushed mine as I released the handles, and I jolted at the touch before stepping out of the way. Heavens, I got to stop thinking that Yi Liang was Yun!

Popping back into the kitchen to get the container of dumplings, the Prince was already in the palanquin when I came out. Eunuch Cui was pushing his empty wheelchair, and the rest of us was to walk beside the palanquin. Mei, the servant who was in-charge of tending to the 18th Prince's study, came along as well. I frowned as I caught sight of the red stains on her fingertips. Odd. Was she playing with red dye during the time I didn't see her around?

"Let's go," the Prince commanded. The seat-bearers hefted the seat onto their shoulders, and we began to walk. Clutching the container handles in my hands, I prayed that I was somehow getting closer to my goal.