Chapter 4

After spending the day on my own affairs, I went to the academy early the next morning.

There was much to prepare. The banquet grounds had to be leveled; the aging Wind-and-Moon Pavilion needed repairs; flowers had to be arranged; a menu chosen; even the servants attending the event had to be assigned.

Yang Ling came every day to run errands for me. Song Yin came too, but always with other people.

Two days later, a foreman brought workers into the academy. I supervised and gave instructions. Even when I rested, I could not be bothered with a proper meal and merely ate a few bites of flatbread.

Then I saw a party coming down the path toward me, clustered around the Princess of Qingyang.

She stopped before me and looked down at me imperiously.

I rose. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

She sneered. “I hear you are arranging the academy’s anniversary banquet. How capable. An ordinary woman could never manage such coarse labor.”

The princess covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief against the dust.

Her maid laid a cushion on a stone stool inside the pavilion and hung curtains after driving the workmen away. Only then did the princess seat herself at leisure.

“Keep eating, Mistress Xu. I am waiting to say a few words to someone, then I will leave.” She paused. “I am not disturbing you, am I?”

I smiled faintly.

Song Yin arrived quickly. His face stiffened when he saw me.

I slowly ate my flatbread without looking up at him.

“Yuying.” The princess called Song Yin by his courtesy name with intimate warmth. Smiling coyly, she said, “Grand Secretary Xu is coming to my home for wine tonight. I came to take you there.”

After more chatter, she lowered her voice. “Someone from the Eastern Palace will be there too.”

“Oh. Yes—yes, of course!” Song Yin stumbled over his words.

“We should go now. My carriage is outside. Don’t ride in that shabby thing of yours; it jolts terribly.” The Princess of Qingyang smiled up at him, charming and playful.

Song Yin glanced at me, then nodded.

“Oh!” The princess suddenly rose on tiptoe and wiped Song Yin’s cheek with her handkerchief. She smiled. “So dirty. Yuying looks like a little tabby.”

“Th-thank you. Then we—we should go now, before it gets late.” Song Yin turned and left the pavilion.

His retreat looked almost like a flight.

I rubbed my brow. “Take down the curtains and call the workmen back.”

She had come to flaunt her victory. Did she imagine I still cared?

A faithless, dishonorable man was not worth my longing.

“Mistress Xu.” Yang Ling appeared from somewhere. The look he gave me held barely restrained sympathy.

“What is it? I am fine.”

“Good.” He released a breath. “I will get back to work.”

I sighed.

After my father died, Song Yin had promised to shelter me from wind and rain. I never imagined the first true storm I faced would come from him.

The fifth month passed in the blink of an eye, and the academy banquet was ready.

The headmaster inspected the grounds. I checked the guest list with him and finalized the food and wine. With that, the preparations were complete.

“You must attend that day.” Since hearing what had happened with Song Yin, the headmaster had grown even kinder to me. “You may be a woman, but your abilities surpass those of many men. I wish to introduce you to someone.”

I told him there was no need.

He lowered his voice. “The imperial suppliers are short-handed. I can recommend you.”

At that, I naturally agreed.

On the tenth day of the sixth month, I acted as host beside the headmaster and managed everything inside and out.

Song Yin entered with a party of guests. At their head was a strikingly tall man in a court robe embroidered with pythons, with swordlike brows and bright eyes. His bearing was elegant and composed.

He came with his hands clasped behind his back, every measured stride commanding attention, noble and dazzling.

It was the Crown Prince.

The headmaster personally went to greet him and bowed.

The Crown Prince helped him up, his voice clear and gentle. “There is no need for ceremony, Teacher. Here, I am your student. How could a teacher be made to welcome his pupil?”

The headmaster protested that he would not dare presume.

I bowed from beyond the crowd. When I raised my eyes, my gaze collided with Song Yin’s.