"If you’re quick with a ssage, I can add a note from you in the next pigeon that goes to Commander Bai," the Emperor watched ili’s response keenly.
"Really! Oh thank you, my Lord. I’ll have a note ready in a few minutes," her face lit with delight, and she ran to a small table in his study that was used by scribes.
Ever guileless, this girl, he thought with pleasure. It was good to see that even the Palace hadn’t yet managed to corrupt her, despite her being targeted by nefarious forces more than once.
ili sat down and scratched out a few quick lines for Bai Li.
Dear Li,
I was so happy to hear the good news of your victory today. Congratulations to you and your n! There was never any question that your talent and bravery would win the day. I know you and First will keep the pressure on our enemies and you will prevail.
Stay safe and keep my brothers safe for . I miss you and am anxious day and night for you all.
Don’t worry about . All is well here at the palace and the Crown Prince, and the Emperor protect .
Counting the days until you co ho,
ili.
"Here’s my ssage," ili rushed across to the Emperor’s desk. "I’m not too late am I?"
He gave her a small, toothless smile. "No, you’ve just made it. Bao, take these two ssages straight away. They can go with the sa bird."
Feng Bao gave his Lord a small bow and the two exchanged glances. The Chief Eunuch knew this look to an that he was to read Miss i’s ssage and report the contents back to the Emperor.
"Don’t forget I’m visiting Purple Cloud Temple today, Lord," ili reminded the Emperor.
"How could I forget? You’ve reminded about fifty tis since I agreed to let you go there," the Emperor scowled at her. "Leaving to fend for myself all day. You heartless girl!"
"You know you’ll be incredibly well looked after by your personal servants, Lord. You’re just trying to make feel guilty," she accused him.
"Oh!" he mock clasped at his heart. "I stand wrongly accused! How could you say such a thing to the Son of Heaven?"
"I say it because it’s true! And you know it too," she wagged her finger at him.
"Now she even waves her finger at ! Where’s Feng Bao? I need a witness. I could chop that finger off for that disrespect you know, girl."
"If you want my finger it’s yours, Lord. As is my head."
But not your heart, woman, he thought. You’ve let it roam elsewhere, ungrateful girl.
He was jealous despite himself. Though it looked more and more likely he may have to reward her to another man, it didn’t an that he was impervious to her charms, nor that he didn’t secretly wish she had feelings for him. He was a man after all, and a man with a considerable ego.
"I will gladly lay down my life for you, Lord, so what is one finger?"
"And yet you would leave alone and without your care all day. How do your words match with your actions, ili?"
She pursed her lips and sighed deeply. "You know I need to go to the temple to pray for my brothers and Commander Bai and their n. And for you, Lord. I will bring you back an amulet. I’ll be back in ti to play guqin for you this evening. Don’t make it hard for ."
"Last ti you tried to visit that temple you were attacked by assassins, as I recall."
"You have kindly agreed to send plenty of guards to accompany , as has the Crown Prince, who insists on accompanying . I will definitely be back on ti to play for you this evening, Lord."
"Off you go then," he said coolly, picking up a morial and starting to review it without looking up to say goodbye.
"Yes, Lord," she said respectfully, curtsying and backing out of his study with Tricky at her heels.
She knew from hard experience that his mood would not improve, and she needed to make a break for it while he was still in agreent with the idea, otherwise he could change his mind on a whim.
What a moody man he could be when he didn’t get his own way!
When she reached the Gate of Divine Might, she showed the guards her pass and they stepped aside to let her leave.
The i family carriage was parked just outside the Gate, and the Crown Prince and a group of his n were mounted and waiting for her alongside the carriage as she erged through the gate.
She curtsied to the Crown Prince.
"Your highness, thank you so much for accompanying to the temple today," she called up to him. "It’s really not necessary though. Your Emperor Father has already allocated ten guards to protect . There’s no need for you to lose a day of work, though it’s very kind of you."
"i ili, let’s not have this discussion again. Humour ? I won’t be able to work anyway for worrying about you. Let’s not forget what happened last ti you planned to visit this temple. Besides, it’s good for to get out of the capital and get so headspace from the craziness. I’ll be more productive on my return."
She nodded. "Alright, if you insist, then I thank you for your care and protection."
She really was thankful to have him alongside her, the mory of the assassins’ attack on the mountain was still very fresh...
But she was conscious not to get too close to the Crown Prince, knowing how he felt about her. It was impossible for their friendship to be the sa as it was before he had confessed to her.
She really didn’t want to make things worse with him by letting him think there was a chance she would change her mind.
Not to ntion that this was a man she had never managed to keep in line, and who was constantly over-stepping the bounds of propriety...
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