Page 26 of The Cinders

‘The Marchioness is unhappy that I evaded her this afternoon.’Xian teetered on the edge of his panic once more, hurrying to fix his veil but fumbling with it as his fingers caught in his hair.‘Perhaps it is a good thing I shall ride for Manhao.Her eyes will never leave me otherwise.’

Lim had only to recall the lecherous way the captain had regarded Prince Xian to think it was not a good thing at all.

‘Here, let me help you.’When no protest came, Lim quickly lifted the loop and slipped it over Xian’s ear.‘There it is done.Now let us sit down and pray, that is what she wants to see, is it not?’

‘Young man, could you pick up my walking stick.’Wenming gave them more time, something Lim gave thanks to the goddess for.‘My back won’t bend me enough to reach it.’

‘Yes, master.But then you’ll return to your abode.It’s too late and dark for wandering about.’

Xian swept up to Lim in a hush of skirts, his face behind the veil once more.‘You can’t stay here.I am to be in solitude.You must go.’

‘What if I had arrived after you?I’ve a right to pray, the marchioness can have no quarrel with that.’

‘Please, Song Lim,’ Xian pleaded.‘I would not forgive myself if she denied you those orders the Lady Tian has placed.You should not be punished, when it is I who has gone against her wishes.’

Lim had much to say on those wishes, and the woman herself.But now was not the time, not with Xian so clearly distressed.‘Very well.Is there another way out of the shrine?He’s too close to use the main door.’

He picked up the lacquered box.

‘Yes, yes.Back beyond the firebox.Please hurry.’Xian returned the cushions to a corner of the room.

Lim headed toward the side of the platform, where the goddess of mercy showed them none.

‘Thank you, kind man,’ Master Wenming called.‘You’ve been helpful indeed.’

‘Master, don’t shout so loud.I am right here.’

Xian cast him a panicked look.‘Go.’

Lim dashed to the back of the shrine, sliding the panel open at the same time the guard did for the entrance at the front.He ran out into the night, which had dipped cold and dark; racing away with his empty box, grateful that Xian had been too distracted to try to return the slippers.

Lim’s gift might again bring that wondrous smile to his face.

CHAPTER NINE

XIAN WOKEto banging at his door.Rousing from a heavy sleep, he found himself upon the floor of the shrine, with a cushion beneath his head, a blanket over his body, and a room warm with a well-tended fire.

‘That’s enough of that!’The cry sounded, to Xian’s muddled ears, to have come from the goddess, until Daoshi Wenming stepped out from behind the platform.‘You’ll disturb the spirits with your knocking.Give me a moment now.’

He looked down at Xian, giving him a wink with a heavy-lidded eye.‘Sleep well, your highness?’

Actually, he had.Dreamlessly and deeply.‘Thank you, yes.’

‘Good, but best you pretend to be wide awake now.This guard will have been sent to bother you, I’m sure.’

The daoshi made his shuffling way to the entrance panel, and slid it open to allow the smallest of gaps to speak through.‘What is it?’

‘Is Prince Xian here?’Xian recognised the voice of one of the marchioness’s faithful, a young guard with ambitions, who followed her orders with great relish.

‘He is.He’s tending the firebox right now.What do you want with him?’

‘Her Grace wishes him to start preparations for his journey, and then assist theguanjiawith the organising the banquet tonight.’

‘There are more than enough housekeepers to run three banquets at once, why does the butler need the prince to help him manage, when it is his role alone?’

‘Those are Her Grace’s wishes, master.’The guard laced his reply with warning.‘Will you inform the prince, or do I need wait here and speak to him myself.’

The daoshi huffed.‘Get on with you, I’m capable of passing on a message.But why another banquet so soon?They will all still be stuffed to the gills from last night.’