accost the senior minister and steal all his clothes.’
‘I told you nothing that would get you thrown in jail or I would disown you,’ Fei Long protested.
‘Disown me?’
‘No, honourable judge. I’ve never seen this man before,’ Fei Long intoned.
‘That’s because it was dark and I was dressed as a woman.’
The crowd hooted at Bai Shen’s jest.
‘He said I was as pretty as a spring flower,’ Bai Shen finished, to the roar of the audience.
Fei Long’s deep laughter resonated beside her. It filled the room wonderfully and warmed her even more thoroughly than the wine.
‘You should laugh more often,’ she told him before she could stop herself.
He regarded her closely. The laughter remained in his eyes as he gently pried the cup from her hands and set it aside. Bai Shen went on to describe the elaborate show they had performed before Minister Cao, but she was more curious about Fei Long.
‘How long were you studying for the imperial exams?’
He had to lean in to hear her and she repeated the question.
‘Only a year,’ he replied.
‘Is that long?’
The spirit of the room was boisterous and full of joy and celebration. Fei Long had also relaxed. He seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself, as if this night wasn’t just a chore and a duty. The clamour of the others around the table pushed them closer together. Her knee brushed up against his, but he disregarded it. Her pulse skipped faster, swept up in the recklessness and the gaiety.
‘It’s common to study for the exams for two or more years,’ he said. ‘But I never took the civil exams.’
‘Why not?’
‘I decided to go into military service instead.’
‘Are there exams for that as well?’ she asked.
‘There are indeed,’ he said. ‘There are military classics to study and then the physical tests. Horse riding, archery, sword skill.’
Casually, he reached behind her to pull one of the pillows closer for her. She leaned back against it, before realising how odd the gesture must have looked to anyone who was watching. She was supposed to be his servant.
‘Why did you decide to change? Your father was already a highly respected official.’ She became a bit flustered when she realised how much it seemed like she was questioning his decision. ‘I mean, your military appointment took you so far away from home.’
Fei Long frowned and for a moment she feared she had been too impertinent, but he was only considering her question.
‘Perhaps I didn’t mind seeing what was outside of Changan. Otherwise I might have drowned in the pleasure quarters with these fools here.’ He nodded indulgently at the crew surrounding them.
‘I don’t believe that,’ she said.
‘No?’ He leaned closer to her as they spoke, the crowd jostling them together. ‘I was young, brash, with no knowledge of limits—’
She giggled at that. ‘As if you’re so old now.’
He shot her an admonishing look, but there was a warmth behind it that made her toes curl happily.
‘I found I wasn’t any good at being a scholar,’ he confessed.
‘Fei Long!’ The man who played the King called out from the other end of the table. ‘Are you still a master with the bow and arrow? I won a lot of money at that match.’
Their conversation had been overheard. For a moment, she was embarrassed that she had been quite so personal with her questions, but Fei Long never spoke so openly when they were alone.
‘Our Lord Chang is like the legendary Houyi,’ Bai Shen boasted.
Fei Long waved his hand in modest denial. She lit up when he turned back to resume their conversation rather than banter with the others.
‘They’re talking about the Great Shoot,’ he explained. ‘I competed in one before passing the military exam.’
The hard lines of his face had softened. Usually she grew anxious whenever he focused his attention on her, but tonight he wasn’t looking to instruct. Fei Long was more relaxed and they could speak as if they were…she didn’t know what they were. Friends?
‘Is it dangerous being in the imperial army?’ The question brought on a bout of shyness. She tried to mask her concern behind simple curiosity.
He paused to consider it. ‘I’ve sworn to protect our land, but we have been free from rebellion for many years now. And this Emperor prefers diplomacy to warfare with the neighbouring kingdoms.’
‘Like with the peace marriages?’
His gaze fixed on her, the sudden depth of it making her stomach flutter. The knot in his throat lifted and lowered as he swallowed.