Three Memorials

August, Capital City.

Scorching heat had swept through the Capital City by the end of July, and August brought stifling humidity. Like any capital, it was densely populated; streets and alleys stood packed together like the teeth of a comb, making the heat feel fiercer still.

Great Zheng's sea and canal routes were open. Boatloads of watermelons, bamboo fans, rush mats, cooling pillows, honeysuckle, and other things to beat the heat arrived at the docks, where they were snatched up at once.

Wealthy households with the means had laid in ice early. Their consumption over this stretch alone amounted to a staggering sum.

In the Imperial Palace, the consorts in the other residences received their allotted ice for the summer, just as the emperor and empress did.

In past years, Consort Wu's palace had been a picture of prosperity. No order from above was needed; the servants had delivered fine ice to her early.

But this year, Consort Wu had lost favor. She was still confined to her palace, ordered to reflect on her conduct behind closed doors, and the emperor had not visited Fragrance Palace again. The servants' attitude toward the place had gradually changed.

One item came up short, another was of inferior quality. Even the ice amounted to no more than her allotted share, without a single extra block.

If she wanted more, she had to pay more than the other mistresses to get it.

It made for a stiflingly miserable life.

Yet Consort Wu forbade the people of Fragrance Palace from letting Princess Xinping know, lest her daughter run to the emperor again, raise a great fuss, and bring down more trouble.

Consort Wu did not want her daughter to cause another disaster, but some who had long envied the favor mother and daughter enjoyed were