Xueyin points to a few cold plum trees in the corner of the wall. "Some people say that red is the color of wealth, but Xi'er thinks that it is the color of blood."

she's alluding to the palace. It's the most glorious place in the world, but it's too bloody. Others see wealth, but she sees darkness and blood. Behind any concubine who is respected by her status, she steps up with the blood and tears of countless women. When I was young, I thought about how to please the emperor all day long; if I gave birth to a prince, I thought about putting my son on the...