Chapter 3

When I returned to my residence, Liyang appeared in my chamber again. As the maids changed my clothes behind a screen, I heard him ask from the other side, “I hear His Majesty has bestowed a marriage on Princess Ronghua and the Duke of Jing’s heir?”

I gave a disinterested murmur. After a moment’s silence, he asked, “Are you not upset?”

By then I was dressed. I came out from behind the screen and stretched lazily on my chaise.

My cat leaped up, and I stroked its soft fur affectionately. “What is there to be upset about? There are a dozen or so of you in this residence. Every one of you knows how to please me better than Lin Mo.”

Liyang fell silent. His usual flippant air had vanished.

I dismissed the maids and beckoned him closer. “You seem the more upset by their marriage. Is it Pei Shuangshuang you like, or Lin Mo?”

The teasing did not ease his expression. Now that we were alone, he lowered his voice. “Your Highness, I cannot help feeling that Pei Shuangshuang’s return is a signal of some kind.”

His eyes shone with a startling intensity wholly unlike a pampered favorite’s. I laughed softly. “Of course it is.”

“Are you prepared?” He watched me intently.

“I will keep my promise to you.” Propping my head on one hand, I scratched beneath the cat’s chin. It closed its eyes in bliss. “Do not be impatient. I have everything in hand.”

A few days later, I took it into my head to go boating on Emerald Lake in the capital.

I had reserved a pleasure boat well in advance, but when I arrived, I found a disturbance at the landing. Xiayu went to investigate and reported, “Your Highness, it is the Duke of Jing’s heir. Apparently, he reserved a boat, but there is none available for him today.”

I nodded and looked out through the window. Sure enough, Lin Mo stood frowning, arguing with an attendant about something.

“Invite him over,” I told Xiayu.

When he came aboard and saw me, his expression cooled again. “My respects, Your Highness.”

I inclined my head. “You have come to enjoy the lake as well?” He murmured assent. “I arranged to meet Princess Ronghua.”

No wonder he had been arguing. I laughed softly. “She has not arrived yet?”

“I came a little early.”

I regarded him with interest. “In that case, you may have my boat.”

He looked surprised. I added, “But since Ronghua is not here yet, will you admire the moon with me for a while?”

He was about to refuse, but I smiled at him. “Are you afraid I will eat you?”

“I would not presume.” He saluted and sat, keeping his eyes lowered, observing every courtesy owed to a princess by her subject.

I rested my chin on my hand and looked up at the moon. Gentle light spilled over the lake, setting the rippling water aglow. It was lovely.

“Ronghua owes you much for looking after her during her years among the common people.”

His head jerked up. “You knew?”

My smile did not change. “It is hardly something shameful.”

I was no ornament. My sources might be better informed than his. There was scarcely anything in the capital I could not learn if I wished.

Lin Mo and Pei Shuangshuang looked so plainly in love that I had not even needed to investigate. Someone had naturally brought me the news.

During his travels, Lin Mo had happened upon the young Pei Shuangshuang and brought her back to the capital, settling her in a separate estate.

A bond that began at eleven had now lasted twelve years.

I smiled faintly. I had long known he had a childhood sweetheart. I simply never imagined she would turn out to be my imperial sister.

“Ronghua is your own sister. She is pure and kind, and I have loved her for a long time.” His expression softened as he spoke of her. “She is the finest woman I have ever known. I hope Your Highness will give us your blessing.”

He went on at some length. As I listened, I began to suspect he was politely warning me not to harm Pei Shuangshuang. I could not help smiling. “My lord, surely you do not think I still have feelings for you?”

He stiffened, then said nothing. Suddenly, I found it rather funny. “You flatter yourself.”

My merciless words brought a look of embarrassment to his face.

Outside the window, a carriage with a princess’s escort was approaching the lake. I rose. “Of course I wish you and Ronghua every happiness. Provided you do not come to regret it.”

He tensed again, looking as though he feared I would do something to her.

Without another glance at him, I walked straight off the boat. Pei Shuangshuang greeted me with a smile. “Have you come boating too, Sister?” She looked around. “All alone? How lonely. Why not join us?”

And watch you and Lin Mo dote on each other? I was silently scoffing and about to refuse when a clear voice rang out beside us. “Jiayu already has an engagement with me. Princess Ronghua need not trouble herself.”

I looked over. It was Pei Jiangyue, Prince of Yingyang.

With strong brows and brilliant eyes, he wore black and had brought only two attendants.

He was just three years older than me, though his striking looks would have persuaded anyone he was twenty. Newly returned to court, Pei Shuangshuang naturally did not know him. I smiled. “Ronghua, this is the Prince of Yingyang.”

At the sight of his face, she stared for an instant. Perhaps she had never imagined that someone so young and handsome could be our imperial uncle.

But she recovered quickly and offered a perfectly proper greeting.

Since Pei Jiangyue had come to my rescue, I would not embarrass him. I boarded his boat.

“What brings you out on the lake today, Uncle?” I asked.

He smiled. “I was merely afraid that seeing Ronghua with the Duke of Jing’s heir would distress you.”

Perhaps because we were so close in age, he never stood on his seniority with me.

I took a sip of peach-blossom wine. Its fragrance lingered in my mouth, lifting my spirits. “Why would it? Lin Mo belongs to a time when I was young and foolish.” Pei Jiangyue watched me for a moment, then slowly smiled. “Good.”

I tapped my fingers lightly, unaware of the gaze fixed intently on us from outside the boat.