Page 39

Voices carry across the distance, surprising at this hour. I gesture in their direction, using them as an excuse to stop the guards from following me. “There’s no need. I will join my friends for a walk.”

I stride from the courtyard, my pace quickening once I’m out of sight. Then I cross a long corridor, passing a garden of yellowing gingko trees, heading west to where the Royal Treasury is said to be.

A wide strip of lawn separates the treasury from a grove of trees. The circular building is surrounded by a black marble wall ringed with iron spikes, its gray-tiled roof sloped from the center. A troop of guards watches the entrance, more stationed across the grounds. Every time I try to get closer, another patrol of soldiers appears, and I have to keep ducking back into the shadows to avoid discovery.

I stare at the treasury, frustration mounting within. I can’t steal my ring back from there; even if I could, there’s nowhere to run to. I’d be cut down before I cross this lawn. My ring is so close, yet it might as well be an ocean away. The mark on my finger throbs with greater force, the lines seeming to darken. I need my ring back, and Jin is my best chance.

If I can find what he wants.

I turn from the treasury, heading toward the main square. Maybe I’ll learn more about the Shadow Wing there. Closer to it, loud thuds ring out. The place blazes with light, dozens of workers toiling hard at this late hour, some carrying long bamboo poles welded together with iron. A tower is partly constructed, gleaming beneath the moonlight, spindly ladders leading up each tier—is this for the tournament the prince announced during the ball? As the wind blows, the structure shudders, the workers crying out in alarm. Even for me, this would be unnerving, infinitely more perilous than climbing the trees at home.

Just in front, a small group of people heads southward, perhaps the voices I heard earlier. A tall woman walks before them, her gold headdress catching the light from the lanterns—Princess Chunlei. I should hide but then a guard breaks away to approach me. At once, I hurry toward the group like I’m part of it. As a few of the attendants glance curiously at me, Princess Chunlei turns. At once, I bow to greet her.

“Miss Yining, you are out late tonight,” she remarks in her gentle way.

“I couldn’t sleep, Your Highness.”

“Nor could I,” the princess says, her face clouding. “Today’s events unsettled me. I am going to visit Anli, the serving girl who was punished.”

In the Shadow Wing? “May I join Your Highness?” I ask, masking my eagerness. “I have some medicine that might help ease her wounds.”

Her smile is warm. “Are you a physician too, Miss Yining?”

“No. Just someone who is familiar with such injuries.”

She pauses as though considering my request. “My brother might not approve. He won’t reprimand me, but as for you—”

“I won’t mention it to him,” I say quickly.

“Then neither will I,” she assures me.

I fall behind, recalling Madam Lau’s instruction to let royalty walk ahead. But the princess gestures for me to join her, maybe because she’s without her usual companions tonight, just the attendants and guards.

“Life in the palace can be hard for those unused to our rules. Is there anything you’d like to know?” she asks.

“Are such punishments a regular occurrence?” I wouldn’t dare ask this of the prince, but her kindness lowers my guard.

“It’s not easy to rule a kingdom,” she replies with a sigh. “One must walk a delicate balance between earning the people’s love and respect, alongside their fear. There are times my brother must do what is needed, rather than what he wants.”

“I always thought royalty acted as they wished, that they didn’t care how they appeared—” I catch myself, hoping I’ve not offended her.

“That may be true for the one who wears the crown.” She slants toward me, her face half cast in shadow. “Even then—no one, king or pauper, likes being made a fool of.”

These words sink in, almost a warning. “Are you close to your brother?”

“Of course,” she replies, a faraway look in her eyes. “Growing up, there were few I could trust.” She holds up two fingers. “Myself and my brother.”

“You are lucky to have each other.”

“Do you feel lucky, Miss Yining?”

The question takes me by surprise, except there is only one answer. “Yes. It feels like a dream.” I remember entering the palace, almost giddy with wonder… trying not to think of how I feel now.

Her gaze is penetrating—does she read more in my words? “I wish for my brother to find happiness. You may have heard the rumors that he is expected to marry soon. It was my father’s wish for Zixin to secure the succession and strengthen our kingdom.”

She is staring at me like she expects me to be upset. While my emotions are twisted and tangled, there is an undeniable flash of relief. “Who will His Highness marry?”

Her smile is knowing, almost sad. “Zixin is expected to take several consorts, most for political reasons. But among them, I hope he will choose one who can bring him joy.” She pauses, then asks, “Could you be happy here?”