Chapter 8
Edward Quan ·
He radiated exhaustion.
He began with an accusation.
“Must you be so heartless? You’ve nearly tormented Ruyue to death!”
I was checking this month’s accounts.
I didn’t even look up.
“The household’s finances are tight. We must economize.”
“If she’s so ill, send her to an estate outside the city to recuperate. We wouldn’t want her sickness reaching Your Highness.”
“You!”
He couldn’t speak for anger.
“She’s cousin to both of us. Can’t you show a little compassion?”
“Compassion?”
I set down my brush and looked up.
“When you pity the Lius, do you think of Father shedding blood at the frontier?”
“Of my whole family’s loyal service to the country?”
“If you care for her so much, open your own private treasury.”
“Your father gave you plenty of treasures, I recall.”
“Sell a few.”
“That will keep the Lius going a while.”
His private treasury was the last of his dignity.
My words exposed his sorest point.
His face turned red as liver.
“Don’t go too far!”
“Too far?”
I rose and met his eyes.
“Yes, I’m bullying you. What of it?”
“Bullying you for having no power and relying on my father’s household.”
“For having no money or soldiers and only an empty princely title!”
“If you object, complain to your father.”
“See whether he believes you or the three hundred thousand troops under mine!”
He had no answer.
His chest heaved.
At last, like a deflated ball, he sank into a chair.
“What do you want… before you leave Ruyue and me alone?”
His plea was unmistakable.
I felt no pleasure at his state. Only endless grief and coldness.
My husband was lowering himself before me for another woman.
“Simple. Send Liu Ruyue away. End all dealings with the Lius.”
He looked up sharply, incredulous.
“Impossible!”
“Then there’s nothing to discuss.”
I lifted my tea.
“Please leave.”
He stayed seated, staring as though to read every thought.
We were like two fighting cocks, neither willing to retreat.
At that suffocating impasse, Shen Yi, commander of my guards, entered.
Father had left him with me. He obeyed only me.
“Your Highness, there is something I should report.”
“Speak.”
He glanced at Xiao Jingyan and continued without emotion.
“Yesterday, His Highness’s attendant Li Fu took his private seal to Duobao Pavilion in the west of the city. He seemed to intend to pawn several objects.”
“The proprietor refused because their provenance was unclear.”
Duobao Pavilion was the capital’s largest pawnshop.
It was also a Shen business.
I understood at once.
Xiao Jingyan really meant to touch my dowry.
Cold enveloped me.
Even my blood seemed to freeze.
I turned toward him.
For the first time, his face showed panic he couldn’t conceal.
“Qingning, I…”
“Xiao Jingyan.”
I interrupted, terrifyingly calm.
“You never cease to surprise me.”
I approached and looked down at him.
“Do you think I cannot live without you?”
“That without a princely husband, I’ll be the capital’s laughingstock?”