in the corner. Fei Long prayed the censor missed the sudden movement.
‘Pearl is still very distraught over our father,’ Fei Long replied calmly. ‘The pain of leaving our family is difficult enough. If I may humbly request that she be allowed to remain at home until the time of the journey to ease the transition?’
‘The emotional nature of women,’ Tong snorted.
Cao raised a hand to silence him. ‘Listen here, Fei Long does have a point. Young Pearl has been tasked with a great duty when her family has suffered such tragedy. He’s only acting as the new head of the Chang clan. At the same time—’ Cao turned to Fei Long ‘—Inspector Tong also has a good point. The court would want to insure that your sister is prepared for her duty as a foreign bride. Let me propose that Inspector Tong be allowed to pay your family a visit in a week or so to speak with the lady. That way, we can be assured that young Pearl is receiving the proper instruction.’
Fei Long let out his breath slowly. It was a temporary reprieve only. They had less time to prepare Yan Ling than he had thought.
‘A just decision, Minister Cao,’ he said, fighting not to show any hint of anxiety. ‘And I assure you, my sister is receiving the very best instruction possible.’
Chapter Six
‘Lengthen your step and walk slower.’
Bai Shen stood with arms folded beneath the shade of the circular pavilion in the rear courtyard. He had her strolling from one side of the garden to the other while he watched like a hawk.
‘Never hurry. The audience waits for you,’ he barked out.
He turned out to be as strident as Fei Long when giving orders.
Yan Ling stepped carefully, trying to concentrate on keeping her head up, her steps fluid. By the time she reached the rock sculpture at the end of the garden, she felt as if she’d been running tea from table to table during the afternoon rush rather than strolling like a lady in a tranquil garden.
‘Again,’ he commanded.
She tried to turn around as elegantly as she could.
‘Not so straight,’ he complained with an impatient up-down wave of his hand. ‘Sway a little. Like a young bamboo in the breeze.’
What was he talking about? He kept on telling her to look natural, which became impossible when she was concentrating so hard. Her muscles were tense and aching. The more she tried to follow his instructions, the more awkward she felt.
Bai Shen rubbed a hand over his chin thoughtfully as she came towards him. He stepped down from the pavilion to intercept her.
‘Where did Fei Long find you?’ he asked.
Find her. As if she were someone’s discarded shoe.
‘In a teahouse.’ She dabbed at her forehead with the edge of her sleeve and wondered if ladies were allowed to sweat. ‘I was a servant there. I fetched and carried, brewed tea, swept the floors.’
His expression grew intense. She could see why audiences were drawn to him. Every movement of his body was graceful, controlled and compelling.
‘I would make myself as small as possible if I were playing a tea girl,’ he went on. ‘She would always be placed at the back of the stage and only appear when needed. Most importantly, she would never, never draw attention away from the leads.’ His eyes lit up. ‘You don’t like being watched.’
‘Not at all.’
‘Your fear shows in every movement. You have always been the mouse.’
‘Well, I am afraid.’ She threw her hands onto her hips in agitation. ‘I can’t walk, I can’t talk. I don’t even know how to drink tea, which is the one thing I should know. And in two months I have to convince everyone that I’m fit to be a princess.’
Despair gripped her and held on tight. She should tell Fei Long it wasn’t possible and that he needed to find someone else, but the thought of disappointing him sickened her. She’d sworn to Fei Long that she wouldn’t abandon him.
‘You need to become something grand.’ Bai Shen puffed out his chest.
She tried imitating him by pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin up.
‘Not just outside, but in here. In spirit.’ He placed a hand over his heart and miraculously seemed to grow in presence before her. ‘Become a phoenix.’
A phoenix? He was mad. ‘You’re mad,’ she said.
‘There is a light that comes from you when you’re angry.’ He tapped her nose impetuously. ‘Why only then? Don’t you know, my pretty lady? There is a