Page 32 of The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Enchantment

She smiled brightly, placed her own stone. “A virtuous woman does not indulge in self-regard.”

Lord Xingzhou drooped at this answer. His face was a tangle of helpless consternation. Feifei couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up her throat, so she hurriedly covered it with a coughing fit.

After placing his next stone, he said, “As husband and wife, it is important that we share common values. Master Kung’s teachings dictate that women stay within the home.” He paused, as if waiting for Feifei to reply.

“Women are base and prone to foolishness, thus we must rely on men to guide us in life.” Feifei smiled insipidly as she placed her stone, capturing a group of his.

He stared at her openly before remembering himself and dropping his gaze to the board. “Master Kung also taught us that a woman’s virtue is the highest form of filial piety.”

“True, true,” she said agreeably.

“Then do you also agree with Master Kung’s belief that women are unruly and jealous?” There was an edge to his words, as if he were challenging her.

He placed a stone.

Feifei’s lip quirked at his careless move. Another three stones captured. “Master Kung is infinitely wise.”

Lord Xingzhou blew out an exasperated breath. “Master Sun taught us that to avoid peril, one should know oneself as well as one’s opponent.”

At the mention of Master Sun, Feifei snapped her gaze to his before realising he spoke not of her Master Sun, but the one who wrote The Art of War. He stared at her with a strange intensity, bordering on anger.

Meekly, she said, “I am unfamiliar with this gentleman. Is he an acquaintance of yours?”

He shook his head. “It’s not important. I wanted to speak with you candidly. You do not seem willing to show me your true self, nor do you appear keen on this match. However, it is the wish of our parents. As a gentleman of honour, I assure you that as first wife, you shall be treated well and with all due reverence and respect.” He placed his stone with a clack.

A sea of black surrounded her white stones. When had he—?

The two sacrifice moves. He’d tricked her, and she’d been too busy gloating to notice. She scoured the board for a way to turn the tide, but found nothing, which only stoked her fury.

Oblivious to the storm brewing opposite, he said, “You should know I hold someone else dear in my heart—”

Under normal circumstances, Feifei would have been surprised by his honesty. Maybe even impressed. This was not new knowledge, after all. But as she scowled at the two options on the board – mutual survival or suicide – suddenly her betrothed’s words enraged her.

“I know,” she bit out through gritted teeth.

He stared at her, jaw slack. “You do? How?”

“I’ve seen her.”

She should have noticed his confusion but was too busy feeling indignant and offended. Slamming her bowl of stones on the table, she snapped, “I admit defeat.”

Taken aback by her show of aggression, he seemed caught between wanting to ask more and not wanting to upset her any further. Finally, he blurted, “It was an honour to play—”

Feifei growled some thing unintelligible, knowing her rudeness breached decorum but unable to rein in her temper.

A maid arrived and curtsied. “Lord Liu and Lord Yang have finished their discussion. Please return.”

Feifei didn’t wait for Lord Xingzhou, but stomped back to the hall.

It was done. The wedding was set for three weeks’ time.

Feifei flung herself onto her bed. She’d have to resort to pustules. Unpleasant, but needs must. In the meantime, at least she had her meeting with Brother Shuang to look forward to.

* * *

That night, masked and wearing her youxia disguise, she left early for her rendezvous. She wanted to watch Brother Shuang undetected. Partly out of curiosity, partly out of precaution. She climbed the tower, and hidden behind the ruined windows, she waited.

Brother Shuang arrived masked and wrapped in black, searching eagerly for her like an overgrown puppy. After waiting a while, he pulled out a wrapped parcel from inside his robe.