My Fair Concubine - By Jeannie Lin Page 0,31

you and Pearl close?’

‘Our relationship was a harmonious one.’

Her nose wrinkled. ‘Harmonious?’

What else could be said? He and Pearl had got along well enough.

‘I’ve never had a brother or a sister,’ Yan Ling insisted. ‘It would help to know what it’s like.’

‘Miss Pearl worshipped her older brother,’ Dao supplied helpfully.

‘Fei Long was very strict about her upbringing.’ Bai Shen chimed in, his voice muffled. He was resting his head against his hand as if it had become too heavy to lift.

Fei Long shifted uncomfortably in his seat. How had this conversation become about him? He thought of how his sister had depended on him. Their mother was gone and there was no one else in the household to ensure her education and well being. When Pearl had been betrothed to Khitan, she’d written him impassioned letters. He’d assured her it was a great honour and the marriage promised a bright future for her. Even when she’d begged for his help, he’d remained steadfast.

‘Pearl was always diligent in her studies,’ he told Yan Ling. ‘Sometimes she was impetuous, but only because she was young. She was well-mannered, thoughtful and obedient. Remember that and you’ll do well presenting yourself to Inspector Tong, I’m sure of it.’

Yan Ling absorbed each description with quiet concentration. He always admired how seriously she took her role. So much depended on it.

He moved closer and considered taking her hand, but decided against it. ‘If I had seen you for the first time today, I would have never known that you were that impulsive teahouse girl from the provinces.’

Her hopeful gaze held on to him. ‘Really?’

‘Yes. That’s the truth.’

* * *

The scouting mission was underway the next morning. To Fei Long’s surprise, Bai Shen appeared at the gates with a determined expression and they ventured together to the Administrative City. On foot, the journey took them the first half of the hour and they arrived at the section gates once the many offices and functionaries had had a chance to settle into their daily routine.

They watched from the street as the army of clerks and messengers travelled between the various offices. A good portion of the northern part of Changan worked for the imperial government in one form or another.

‘I can’t imagine you working here,’ Bai Shen remarked.

‘It’s reputable work,’ Fei Long argued. His father, his grandfather, and on and on back, his line of ancestors had held government positions in one form or another.

‘Unlike the theatre.’ Bai Shen tossed him a sideways glance before continuing along the colonnade toward the central ministry buildings.

The imperial palace had moved just beyond the city walls at the start of the dynasty, to a secluded area cordoned off by more walls and gates. These government offices were the closest most citizens would ever come to being in the presence of their imperial ruler. Of the illustrious officials of the Six Ministries, only the most senior and highest-ranking were ever given an audience within the palace itself. Unlike the bureaucracy of the ministries, the Censorate reported directly to the Emperor, which was why men like Tong were treated with such care.

They passed by a patrol of city guards without a blink in their direction.

‘It should be easy to blend in,’ Bai Shen assessed.

Fei Long smirked. ‘Not in those robes.’

As usual, Bai Shen was the most colourfully dressed in the crowd. He dismissed the comment with a wave.

‘The Ministry of Personnel resides in that building with the green rooftop.’ Fei Long gestured toward the towering assembly hall at the end of the avenue. ‘Minister Cao is there every morning overseeing special petitions.’ He turned to Bai Shen. ‘Are you still in good with that crew of rascals?’

‘Everyone loves Li Bai Shen.’

‘Can you position yourselves near Minister Cao’s offices that morning?’

‘A diversion.’ Bai Shen looked thoughtful. ‘Yes, a

grand one.’

‘No. Not a grand one.’ Fei Long stared him down. ‘Just delay him.’

He imagined having to stand before the magistrate on behalf of Bai Shen and his entire acting troupe. It was something Fei Long had done years ago when the crew had been thrown into prison after being disrespectful to the city guards. Loudly and drunkenly disrespectful.

‘And nothing illegal,’ he added on the heels of the unpleasant memory.

‘Of course. But you’re going to owe us a round of drinks after this.’

They walked the perimeter, with Bai Shen surveying the gates and exits as if planning a siege.

‘We’ll need to be sure he doesn’t slip past us,’ the actor said. He peered intently down the deserted