to pay if I’m dead. The only way to deal with a man like Zōu is directly.’
Fei Long had been recovering gradually over the last weeks and was finally able to speak and breathe without effort, but she knew he wasn’t ready for this.
‘Why now?’ she demanded.
‘Zōu summoned me. His letter came this morning.’
While his back was turned, Yan Ling waved frantically to Dao who stood near the doorway. She hoped the servant girl would interpret the sign to mean ‘do something useful to prevent him from leaving’. Either way, Dao nodded and darted away.
‘What was that?’ Fei Long regarded her suspiciously.
‘Oh, nothing. It’s very hot in here.’ She fanned herself. ‘If Zōu sent for you, haven’t you considered it must be a trap?’
‘The whole setup is already a trap. He doesn’t need another one.’ He sat on the bed to pull on his shoes. ‘Do you know he dared to remind me that my payment was late? Zōu said he would be generous enough to allow some extra time—for additional interest. That man is without shame.’
Her heart ached as she watched Fei Long’s laboured movements. She considered helping him, but that would be counter to her argument.
‘What’s your plan, then?’ she asked.
‘I’ve been thinking of this for a while. I’ll go to him directly and honestly. I will impress upon him that I will not continue these payments and we’ll negotiate an honourable deal.’
‘That’s it?’
He scowled at her doubtful tone. ‘I can be an effective negotiator.’
Despite his stubbornness, it was so good to see him out of bed and moving about. She just wished it wasn’t for the purpose of going out and getting his bones broken again. As Fei Long headed for his sword, she dashed to the wall ahead of him and snatched it off the shelf.
‘Yan—’ he warned.
‘Wait until you’re better,’ she implored.
His dark eyebrows slashed ominously downwards. ‘There are limits to how much impertinence I’ll tolerate.’
‘What use is a sword for you? You’re slower than I am.’
He stalked toward her. ‘Is that a challenge?’
She was caught in a dilemma. Losing face, private or public, was critical to Fei Long. Now that she had challenged him, he wouldn’t back down. If she ran and he chased her, she might cause him to re-injure himself. If she didn’t do anything, he was going to go ahead with his crazy plan.
At the last moment, she decided to duck towards the door, but Fei Long swept in to intercept her. He caged her easily, his arm braced against the wall, nearly pinning her with his body. Her pulse quickened.
‘See?’ he said softly. His face angled close to hers. ‘All better.’
The bruises had started to fade. Fei Long seemed himself once again: strong, formidable, hard-headed. Yan Ling wanted to believe he was recovered, but she caught the tension along his jaw. Sweat collected on his brow.
She reached out to him. ‘You’re in pain.’
‘It will pass.’ He spoke quietly, but with a tone of impenetrable command. ‘I know how this is done, Yan. The longer we wait, the more Zōu will believe he’s bested me. His tyranny will build and build, just as it did with my father.’
Fei Long had been fighting his convalescence for weeks. She knew that the unfinished business with Zōu had plagued him the entire time, yet she kept thinking of him lying crumpled in that forsaken alleyway.
‘Huibin and the stable boy are coming with me,’ he assured her.
She would prefer an entire patrol of city guards, but Fei Long insisted this was a private matter.
‘At least take some of your medicine,’ she urged.
His lips pressed tight as he nodded. ‘That might be a good idea.’
* * *
Yan Ling was still clutching his sword as she went to the kitchen to brew the herbal mixture, as if she feared that he would escape on the sly if she relinquished it. She returned with an entire bowl of the vile tea and stood by while he drained every drop. They exchanged sword for empty bowl.
‘Be careful,’ she ordered.
If anything happened to him, he was certain she would charge into Zōu’s den herself. She followed him to the front gate where the two attendants were waiting. Out front, Fei Long encountered another guardian.
‘I was in the area,’ Bai Shen said casually. ‘Buying radishes at the East Market.’
‘Radishes?’
He slung his sword over his shoulder. ‘I love radishes.’
Fei Long would remember never to underestimate the resourcefulness of women. ‘Why were you skulking outside?’