set down his cup and the lid rattled from the impact. ‘Your father’s name is enough. What need is there for qualification?’
Cao erupted again in laughter. ‘Inspector Tong, you are always playing like that. Young Fei Long is more than qualified. Why, he passed the military exams with excellent marks. You should see him with a bow and arrow. I’m sure we can get a dispensation on the civil exams.’
The thought of serving in the administrative court made Fei Long’s chest constrict. He didn’t have the wile or charm for it. If he dared to accept, he’d be exposed as a fraud.
‘Minister Cao, I must confess I have no talent for politics. It pains me to refuse such generosity, but my duty is with the imperial army.’
‘Worthy! Very worthy. See?’ Cao rapped his knuckles against the table. ‘I told you the son was a man of honour, serving the empire so dutifully.’
‘So he is,’ Tong said, his tone flat.
Cao poured the next round of tea himself, a great courtesy coming from the senior official. From that gesture alone, Fei Long knew there was another reason he’d been invited.
‘How is your sister, Pearl?’ Cao asked.
Fei Long kept his expression neutral. ‘She is saddened by our father’s passing, but otherwise she is well.’
Tong stared back at him, his face a stone wall as he scoured Fei Long for any sign of weakness.
Cao nodded gravely. ‘Only two months until the journey to Khitan. A tragedy that Old Chang couldn’t see his daughter wed.’
The senior minister bowed his head and Tong followed his example, but it was only a cursory gesture. Inspector Tong was working deliberately to get Fei Long’s guard up. It was the sort of subtle power struggle that Fei Long had learned early on he had no knack for and one of the reasons he’d opted for the provincial garrison rather than the politics of Changan. His work in the imperial army was honest and straightforward, even if it was without glory.
‘I apologise, Inspector Tong. I have been long away from the capital. I’m ignorant of how you knew my father?’
‘The apology is mine. I should have introduced myself properly.’ All the words that came from him were cold and correct. ‘I serve in the Censorate.’
Tong let the silence take over so there could be no mistaking the seriousness of his purpose there. Fei Long should have guessed from the title that the dour-faced Tong was an imperial censor. These officials were responsible for investigating the inner workings of each of the government ministries.
‘Inspector Tong has been assigned to oversee foreign affairs. He’s been telling me about all the preparations for the caravan. The Emperor has bestowed a bounty of treasures for young Pearl’s dowry. Silks, gold, jade treasures—’
‘We have heard some disturbing news recently,’ Tong interrupted. ‘Rumours that Lady Chang has objections to the wedding. So much so that she may have left the city.’
‘Rumours. Rumours.’ Cao made a shushing noise at Tong’s indelicate approach. He was the quintessential statesman, toiling away at keeping the peace. Even so, the senior minister looked at Fei Long expectantly.
‘Who has started such vicious lies while our family still mourns for our father?’ Fei Long demanded, while his palms began to sweat.
‘Inspector Tong means no offence,’ Cao soothed and Tong mumbled his apology.
Fei Long felt sick to his stomach; first for the lie he needed to perpetuate and second for using his father’s death in such a way. He’d discussed the strategy with Old Man Liang and it was the only way they would be able to avoid scrutiny.
‘My sister is in mourning at home. Pearl is very deeply stricken.’
Cao turned to the younger official, showing that he still held rank here. ‘I told you there was nothing to worry about. I’ve known the family for over these twenty years.’
Fei Long had no doubt that it was Cao who had suggested Pearl to the imperial court as a candidate for heqin. There was more than his family honour at stake. Minister Cao’s reputation also rested precariously upon it.
‘I never expected such scandalous rumours to be true,’ Tong deflected. ‘It’s good to hear that my expectations were correct.’
Twisting like a snake.
‘Let us move on to more practical matters,’ Tong continued. ‘The date is approaching quickly. Normally, the heqin bride is a member of the imperial court. Under these unusual circumstances, the Censorate has suggested it would be wise to bring Lady Chang into the palace to complete her preparations.’
Old Man Liang jerked his head up