Page 9 of The Cinders
‘Any old thread?’Heng said indignantly.‘You are a cheeky fellow, Master Song.’
‘I know.’He gave her one of those smiles that set deep dimples into his cheeks.‘Now get on with that soap water, will you?’
He dropped some cushions at Xian’s feet and then went to his knees.Without a word of warning, Song Lim took hold of the hem of Xian’s qun, and lifted the fabric.
Xian was too shocked to do more than make a small sound of protest.
‘Master Song,’ Daiyu cried.‘What are you doing?’
‘Taking stock of the damage, as I was asked.’His squint enhanced the wonderful long taper at the edge of his eyes.‘How does one make such a mess, might I ask, your highness?’
‘You may not,’ Daiyu answered.‘By the Jade Emperor, are you mad?Would you dare such impertinence with her ladyship?’
Lim jerked with rough laughter.‘I’m not fond of a whipping.Of course I wouldn’t.’He glanced up from his study of the stained material.The drums seemed so much louder to Xian’s ear as he stared down into mischievously twinkling brown eyes.‘But his highness bears no relation to her ladyship, and I feel I am quite safe.Besides, you are all trembling like rice puddings, pushing me to get things done.I shall have to abandon formalities.’
‘As though you followed them to begin with.’Heng reentered the room, peering down at the two bars of soap she held.‘I found one made from honey locust pods.It might be gentler on the silk?’
‘The silk’s beyond gentle treatment now.It looks like you walked through a pig pen, highness.’
Daiyu dropped the wooden box right up close to the shoemaker, making him flinch.‘There was no pig pen, just the mud at the edge of a fishpond.Get on with your work, before I use one of your hammers to nail down your tongue.’
The shoemaker paid her violent threat no mind.He looked up at Xian, who shifted the tilt of his head to ensure the veil offered no glimpse of his face.
‘A fishpond?’Lim said.‘You were dressed like this, and ventured so near a pond.’
Xian owed him no explanation, none.And yet, his lips parted, his tongue shaped the words.‘I find them gentle places…soothing, watching the fish move about.They are very beautiful…there is a particular carp…’ He faltered, wondering where on earth this urge to speak up was coming from.‘Never mind that…you should get on.’
The shoemaker kept watching him.‘And you needed somewhere peaceful to be.’He nodded at his assessment.‘I understand your fascination for the water, and the fish.I miss living in Shanghai for that reason alone, the ocean kept me mindful, and my impatience calmed.But if that carp holds any responsibility for the mud, tell her next time to be more careful when you are near.’
Xian blinked down at him, guarded.If Song Lim had been in Lady Tian’s company, perhaps she’d have told him of Xian’s fondness for a cold-blooded fish, and would mock him, as she did, for such a strange relationship.But Song Lim turned to his toolbox, slipping its latches, already moving on.No mockery.Not even a smirk.
‘Herbalist’s daughter—’
‘My name is Daiyu.’
‘Why don’t you go?’the shoemaker said, toying with items in the box.‘Your pacing is giving me a headache.If people are looking for his highness, perhaps you can use your energy to turn them off our scent.You seem like you can tell a decent tale.’
Lim bunched up the folds of Xian’s gown, and again uttering no warning of what he intended to do, lifted the skirts up and settled them over Xian’s knees.
‘Master Song!’Heng cried, and Daiyu looked ready to follow through on her threat with the hammer.
Lim lifted his head, frowning.‘What’s wrong?Did I scratch you?’He studied his fingers, as though the culprit were simply a long nail.‘Can’t see how.I bite these down to the quick.’
The rhythm of the drumbeats continued in the distance, but a much closer sound brought a frigid chill sweeping through Xian’s blood.Guards could be heard shouting to one another, orders given for different paths to be taken.More urgent searches to be had.
‘Daiyu, they are close,’ Xian said, his voice thin with panic.
‘I’ll deal with that.Don’t worry.They’ll not find you.’She bowed.‘The blessings of all Seven Maidens be upon you, Xian.’Her gaze moved to Song Lim, who was frowning over a reel of thread in his box.‘If you fail his highness, I’ll tell everyone that your shoes gave me sugar toes.’
Lim snorted.‘I’ve lost count of the ways you are going to ruin me.Go on with you.I know what I’m doing.’He looked to Heng, who entered the room carrying a bucket of water, steam rising from its surface.‘When you’re done there, Heng, a bottle ofhuangjiu, if you please.Two cups.’
Despite his ill-feeling, the echo of the time-keeping drums paining him, Xian bit down on a smile.This man was confounding.
‘His Highness doesn’t drink,’ Daiyu protested.‘If that’s intended for him.’
‘Why are you still here?’Song Lim waved her off.‘Go.And he’s got a tongue, he can speak for himself I’m sure.’
Indeed, he could, but Xian had grown reticent to do so over the years.A truth that did not sit so well with him in the company of a man who might still talk if his head was cut from his body.