Page 10 of The Cinders

‘It’s alright, Daiyu.Please, go on.’

He gave her an earnest smile and was relieved to see her concern smooth from her brow.

‘Very well, take care, your highness.’

‘You too, do not endanger yourself.’

Daiyu raced out the door, closing it behind her gently, so as not to make a sound.

Xian was alone with the shoemaker, who had turned his attention to Xian’s feet.He asked no permission to remove one of the muddied slippers, but Xian stayed silent, letting him slip them expertly away.Leaving Xian barefoot and with his skirts pushed high; he struggled not to think too hard on how exposed he was, keeping the fluttering of panic held tight.Time was against them here.He had no time for painful modesty.

Heng returned with the huangjiu — two cups stacked on the bottle’s neck — and set them down beside the toolbox.She removed the cloth that was draped over her shoulder and rested it on the upturned lid of the box.

Lim muttered beneath his breath as he studied the dirty shoes, then, as he seemed prone to do, he tossed them towards the startled cook without a word of warning.She rightfully reprimanded him, catching one and stooping with an angry tut to collect the other from the floor.

‘Use the pig soap, and cool water, not hot.’Lim instructed.‘Then get them in front of the largest fire you have, soon as you can.The fabric won’t take long to dry.’

With a nod for the blunt shoemaker, and a bow for Xian, Heng rushed away.

Song Lim poured himself a drink, downing it in one gulp, before he looked to Xian.

‘One for you?I highly recommend it, under the circumstances, to ease your nerves.’

Xian eyed the small cup the shoemaker held.‘Master Song, I must appear as though perfect for the ceremony.’

Song Lim poured out two cups of rice wine and handed one to Xian.‘Lucky for you then, highness, I am a master of perfection.’

CHAPTER FOUR

XIAN TOOKanother gulp of the huangjiu from his chipped porcelain cup.The enamel was worn, the design all but caressed away by many years of use.His vision swam as he pretended to study it, regretting his first cup drunk so quickly on an empty stomach.Song Lim sat on the floor nearby, sewing up the ripped cuff of Xian’s overcoat.

The shoemaker’s thick fingers made surprisingly fast work of the task, and he hummed to himself as he worked.A melody that he was clearly inventing as he went along.Xian’s mother would have approved, always telling Xian there was more to be discovered in music if it was allowed to wander free.

Behind them, the fire crackled beneath a pot of something heavily spiced with nutmeg, and Xian’s stomach gurgled at the scent.He’d not eaten since early this morning; a couple of dim sum and a quick cup of green tea.

‘Heng could serve you up some of those noodles.You’re hungry,’ Song Lim said, causing Xian to startle.

‘I’m not hungry.’

‘Hmph.’The shoemaker cast him a sidelong look, then returned to his work.

Xian blamed too much huangjiu for making him feel guilty for lying to the shoemaker.‘Well, what I mean is, I cannot risk eating.’He gestured at his gown.‘There is not time for more accidents.’

‘’Spose not.’Lim bit at the thread, and examined his work.‘I’m almost done.I expect you’ll have more than enough to eat once the feasting begins.’

Xian took a hurried sip.The rice wine was creamy, and really quite delicious.His belly was warm, and his tensed muscles now slack.‘I shall likely not be there at the dinner.I am to oversee the preparation of the rooms, for the esteemed members of the envoy.’

Song Lim rocked to his knees.There was a purposefulness in his moves, as though he knew exactly where he intended to go, always.

He jerked his chin at Xian.‘Up now.Best you put this coat back on, I don’t trust any of the surfaces here in Heng’s kitchen.’He cast a scurrilous glance towards the doorway, where the cook had taken the slippers to another room, and presumably a bigger fire.‘She’s a talented cook, but not one for thorough cleaning, though she’d skin me alive for saying it.’

They both rose in unison, Song Lim far more forcefully than Xian, for whom an empty belly, huangjiu and tiredness did not seem to be a decent mix.He swayed.

‘Easy there,’ Song Lim said.‘Best I take that cup from you I think.’He didn’t wait for Xian’s agreement, tossing the overcoat over his own shoulder and grasping Xian’s hand.

‘No, don’t touch me.’

Song Lim removed his hands at once.Concern brought his brows close together.‘My apologies, your highness.’He leaned into a shallow bow.‘I intended no harm.’