Chapter 22
My desires to see Baba and protect Ren warred with each other as I watched the elder prince sweep his younger brother into a hug.
“Dage,” Ren gasped, weakly patting Liqin’s back, “what are you doing here? Did you come to find me?”
Anshi stopped beside me, hand hovering over the hilt of her sword. Even without looking, I could sense how stiffly she stood. It was clear we shared a similar distrust toward the man before us.
But Liqin’s body language and tone radiated only relief as he gripped Ren’s shoulders and leaned back to study him.
“Of course I came to find you. I had to after I learned you were alive. I have ears all over, you know, and I couldn’t bear to wait in the capital for your return.
So I came to Baimu and happened upon this monastery while I waited. ”
I clenched my staff. Master Zhang had mentioned we were being watched, and the Jings’ agreement with the crown had proven the possibility of spies. Liqin must’ve guessed I’d stop by my family home on our way through Baimu. He’d cleverly twisted dishonesty into dependability.
“Are you well, xiaodi?” Liqin continued, eyeing the Fu talisman covering half of Ren’s face. “You seem fatigued. And drenched.”
“I’m fine,” said Ren, his cheery tone belying the truth. More solemnly, he added, “I’m sorry my disappearance has caused so much trouble for you and Father.”
Liqin smiled wanly. “It’s all right. It’s just the timing wasn’t ideal, what with the missing seal.”
“Has Father decided to give it to you?”
I bit my lip, wondering how I could yank Ren away from Liqin without drawing the elder prince’s wrath.
“He’s hinted as much. But our government is ruled by nothing if not law and tradition.” Liqin held Ren’s stare. “Which is why I must ask—do you have any idea where the seal might be, or who might’ve taken it? I don’t mean to accuse you of anything, but it vanished around the same time you left.”
“Actually, I—”
I grabbed Anshi by the arm and wrenched us both down to the ground. Bowing with forced respect, I said, “Your Highness, forgive my insolence in cutting short this conversation. However, Prince Renshu only recently recovered from a fever. If you’ll permit us to go inside and dry ourselves—”
“Ah, of course,” said Liqin, gesturing for us to rise. “In my excitement, I wasn’t paying attention. You’re the priestess, yes, who brought my brother home?”
I stood and inclined my head. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“And who’s this?” he asked, nodding at Anshi.
I squeezed Anshi’s arm in warning. “A friend. She offered protection during our journey.”
He didn’t catch my lie, and thankfully, no one else exposed me. Smiling, he said, “Then you both have my gratitude, mistress. Please, help my younger brother. While I wait, I’ll be in the prayer hall, expressing my thanks to the gods.”
I could’ve scoffed at his display of humility. Instead, I dipped my head, teeth clenched. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
With Anshi following at my heels, I nudged Ren past the eldest prince and down the porch wrapping around the temple. Liqin’s hand shot out and grabbed my arm, startling me. I consciously ignored the instinct to yank myself free.
“Thank you again for taking care of my brother,” he said, holding my stare. His eyes were warm but artificial, like overly sweetened tea. “You’ve done the royal family a great service.”
Despite his words and charming smile, I felt far from appreciated—or safe—standing so close to him with my arm still trapped in his grip.
“Of course, Your Highness.” I forced my own smile. “It’s my honor to do so.”
He nodded and finally released me. I was quick to guide Ren and Anshi around the temple to the western corridor. My thoughts darted between my father, whom I was desperate to see, and the princes demanding my attention. I felt on the verge of shattering.
“You were uncharacteristically formal with my brother,” Ren teased when we were out of view. “He won’t bite, you know. You’re my savior, after all.”
I very much doubted that promise.
“Aren’t you freezing?” I said, changing the subject. “I think my father might have some clothes that will fit you. Anshi, you can borrow mine.”
“Priestess,” Anshi said as we approached the living area, “you two have stalled long enough.”
Ren spoke up. “Siying, why didn’t you tell my brother about Anshi? We can say she has the seal—”
“I already told you I’m not going along with that foolish plan,” she interrupted. “I trust both your father and brother as much as I would a fox in a chicken coop.”
“Now, that’s not—”
“Be quiet, both of you. We can argue after we’re dressed and warm.” I cracked open the doors to the guest room, usually reserved for travelers on pilgrimage, and gently pushed Ren inside. “Wait here. I’ll bring a change of clothes.”
I shut the door on his protest and proceeded toward Baba’s room. When I peeked inside, my heart stumbled at the sight of the empty bed. But that was a good sign, wasn’t it? It meant Baba was well enough to be on his feet.
“Mistress Kang,” Anshi tried again as I searched through my father’s drawers. “Prince Renshu clearly intends to give the seal to his brother. Wen aside, do you genuinely think that’s a good idea? It’s suspicious that he was here waiting for us. I could tell you were on edge when we met him too.”
“It is suspicious,” I admitted, pulling out a pair of trousers. “There are a lot of things about Prince Liqin that don’t feel right.”
Anshi grabbed my shoulder. “Then tell Prince Renshu! Let’s work together to make sure he doesn’t guarantee both Wen’s and Sian’s destruction.”
We want the same thing, Ren had told me. It seemed he was right. But they couldn’t agree on the method, and I wasn’t confident enough to choose either side.
“I’ll talk to him,” I said at last. “But I need to make sure he doesn’t die of pneumonia first.”
Anshi let out a frustrated growl, which I ignored. I had concerns greater than Anshi’s displeasure. After bringing the clothes to Ren, I led Anshi to my own room and offered her one of my ruquns. We’d both just finished changing when someone knocked on the door.
I snatched my staff and flung open the door, startled by my sister’s equally concerned face. Lilan’s complexion appeared paler than usual, her dark hair tied back in a practical bun. She wore an old, stained apron over her cotton dress, looking much older than fifteen since I’d last seen her.
“Lilan!” I said, taking her hand. “Tell me what’s happened.”
“I was about to ask you the same thing.” Lilan shot Anshi a curious glance.
“She’s a friend,” I said, echoing what I’d told the eldest prince. It was simplest for now. “But tell me: What is Prince Liqin doing here?”
“He arrived yesterday,” Lilan said. “He said he was here to meet you and his brother. Did you know that your client was the second prince? No wonder that official offered you so much money.” Her wonderment grew. “But is it true that the prince is alive?”
“Yes.” Anticipating follow-up questions, I quickly said, “Where’s Baba? How is his condition?”
“We just finished dinner,” Lilan said. “Baba was well enough to host Prince Liqin, but I think it tired him. I left him in the kitchen with a pot of tea.”
I nodded. “I’ll go see him.”
“No,” Anshi said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You must talk to the prince first.”
“Which prince?” Lilan asked. “Oh, jie, you must tell me everything about your trip.”
I grimaced at Lilan’s enthusiasm. I didn’t have time to peel apart each layer of the problem. I didn’t want to make Lilan panic either.
“I’ll tell you everything later,” I said, exhibiting a calm I didn’t feel. “Right now, I need you to go to Baba and stay with him.”
Her face fell. “But—”
“Do as I say, mei. Please.” I turned to Anshi. “You return to the temple and keep an eye on Prince Liqin. I’ll check on Ren.”
Anshi nodded, for once keen to obey.
I watched the governor’s assistant trail after my sister, hoping Anshi wouldn’t do anything reckless, like threaten the prince or engage with him at all. The repercussions of her revealing her identity would be too terrible to imagine.
Focusing on a different set of worries, I spun in the opposite direction to find Ren. He was stepping out of the guest room when I arrived. Changing into fresh clothes already made him look more revived.
“Wait,” I said, taking his hand and tugging him back inside. I locked the door and lit two candles in addition to the one already warming the chamber. Then I retrieved a quilt from the corner basket.
Ren glanced between me and the locked door. Playfully, he said, “I know we’ve gotten rather close, but is now really the time for a tryst?”
I fixed him with an unamused look, throwing the folded quilt at his chest. “Stop making jokes and sit down. I need to prepare you a new talisman since that one is soaked through.”
He knelt across from me, the blanket’s corners pinched around his throat.
“What’s worrying you?” he asked as I removed the talisman from his forehead and withdrew a new one from my pocket.
“Why do you think I’m worried?” I said, placing the yellow slip over his brow. My fingers brushed his skin as I checked for signs of fever. Fortunately, it was cool to the touch. His bout of dizziness also seemed to have receded for the moment.
“You keep biting your lip,” he said. “And tugging on your hair.”
I dropped my braid, not even realizing I’d grasped it. How observant of him. I reached for my staff and chimed the bells, murmuring the incantation to avoid responding immediately. When it was done, I placed my hands on my lap and looked squarely back at Ren.
“I have to tell you something,” I said. “It—”
“I have to tell you something too,” he cut in. I noticed then that it was his turn to chew on his lip, his eyes flicking nervously between me and the door. In the candlelight, his neck appeared flushed. Or maybe it was the way he was rubbing it with his hand.