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Xiaolan had the worst luck, truly. How does one explain her predicament? She was an ordinary serving girl. Not a concubine, or Princess. Not even a lady in waiting.
So tell her, please, why she was currently pressed between two of those such ranks?
“Maomao, stop squeezing her! I don’t want her to be all purple!” Concubine Loulan whined, whined. Why was this concubine whining over her?!
“I’m not squeezing, I’m simply assessing her. There’s a difference.” Said Maomao, Princess of the La clan. Who currently held her chin, turning Xiaolan this way and that. Her hair was pinned ornately, Xiaolan longed to reach out and touch it. But her hands were far too sorely to ever lay upon the princess.
Maomao’s brow raised. “Ah, do you like it? It was a present from my father.” She tucked a strand of Xiaolan’s hair behind her ear, pulling at her ribbon until her hair fell free.
“So soft!” Loulan marveled. She grabbed a fistful, careful not to pull. Xiaolan felt her ears burn as the concubine grabbed a brush. “I could touch it for hours.”
“My lady, please.” Xiaolan protested. It was too much, really. They should not fuss over her. They had much more important work to be doing. Why should two goddesses worry over a silly ant?
“My lady? What happened to Lou-lou? You had no problem saying it earlier.” Maomao piped up. Xiaolan turned her head to face her.
Invigorated, Maomao tilted her head back. Her voice took on a high pitch, “oh Lou-Lou! Please, I need more! Maomao! Yes there!” The princess laughed at Xiaolan’s gaping mouth.
“She’s right, but she shouldn’t tease you.” Loulan took careful work, guiding her hair up, taking the time to press her nose into the strands. “You were right kitty, this shampoo does smell divine on her.”
Maomao joined her, resting her head on Xiaolan’s shoulder. “I always am.”
Xiaolan sighed. How foolish she was. She’d been so excited to meet her new friend. A quiet serving girl such as herself. They often spoke over tea, sharing stories of palace gossip. Then, curious Shisui joined their duo. How full they made Xiaolan’s life. Filling her free time with laughter and joy. No longer were her days so lonely. No, instead of going to bed with that bone chilling ache, her mind was filled with the warmth of her dear friends.
One day Master Jinshi called for her, waiting patiently as Xiaolan collected herself. What a gorgeous man! He calmly held up a paper, her contract.
It had been generously paid off. Xiaolan could hardly believe her luck. How amazing! She would be free to leave! But…where would she go? With no further employment lined up, Xiaolan would have nowhere to turn to. That’s when a cough came, causing her eyes to travel to the young woman in the chair.
Only to find her dear friend, who smirked at her knowingly. Except, she appeared much different. Gone were her simple robes, her endearing freckles. No, red were her lips. Sparkling were her eyes as she rose from her seat. Xiaolan knew she was among someone higher, a woman sent down from the heavens. She bowed her head, not daring to speak until her chin was roughly grabbed.
“There will be none of that. I want to see that cute face.” She tapped Xiaolan’s nose, chuckling as it wrinkled. “Hm, yes. We will have much fun.” She took Xiaolan’s hand, tugging it sharply.
“Good day, Jinshi. Thank you.” She nodded to the man, pulling Xiaolan away.
“Yes my lady.” Xiaolan heard the strained reply as she was taken for her new life.
Her dear friend was Princess Maomao. A terrifying beauty who took down anyone in her way. Much like her father, cunning and cut throat. She took on a disguise, to gather knowledge of the working girls. But, she became fond, “too fond.” Maomao had muttered.
“I normally don’t indulge, but you were far too sweet. I had to make you mine.”
“Ours Maomao!” A familiar voice said from behind Xiaolan. Warm breath tickled her neck, arms circling her waist.
“I bought her.” Maomao countered. Xiaolan fought her way to look up, gasping as she saw Shisui. Only, not.
Gone was her twin tails. Instead, she looked as if she was plucked from a portrait. Jewels causing her green eyes to shine somehow brighter, drawing Xiaolan in further.
“I’m so confused…” she whispered. Where were her dear friends? They were not here. Not with eyes so cold, calculating. Like a cat stalking its prey. Not with voices so demanding, they sent shivers down her spine.
“I know pet. But you’ll see, in time.” Shisui, no, Loulan said.
“We’ll make you see.” Maomao added. She came up to press her lips to Xiaolan’s cheek. The touch was shattering, pushing through the frost of her gaze.
Underneath it all, they were still hers. When Xiaolan fell, they were there. Holding her at night when she twisted uncertainly, whispering she was enough. The frost concealed the true storm. Fire so warm it scared her, how could someone, let alone two, feel so strongly about her?
“Hold still,” Maomao delicately plucked the pin from her hair. She steadied Xiaolan’s cheek as she slid the pin into Loulan’s delicate hold.
“But it’s from your father! He’ll be angry!” Xiaolan worried.
Maomao rolled her eyes. “That imbecile? No, I don’t think so. Besides, I do what I wish. And what I wish is to take care of you.”
“You're important to us kitten. You're worth everything.” Loulan took her hand.
They kissed the tears that fell from her eyes, reassuring Xiaolan’s importance each and every day. Xiaolan spent her time in companionably bliss. Hand in hand with her great loves.
Knowing she was always enough.