A loud rap on the door startled us. “Goddess of the Moon. Queen Suihe requests you and your daughter to attend to her in the great hall,” a voice called out.

I exchanged a guarded look with my mother. “We will gladly attend to Her Majesty. What is the occasion?” I spoke steadily, to avoid arousing suspicion.

“Our honored guests have arrived, and they wish to meet with you,” the messenger replied.

“Guests?” My mind leapt to terrifying thoughts of the Celestial Emperor.

“His Highness Prince Yanxi of the Eastern Sea.”

My tension eased as I sagged against the table. Had he accompanied his father for the meeting of the monarchs of the Four Seas? Prince Yanxi was a friend, while his brother Prince Yanming had been in my care during our campaign in the Eastern Sea. Despite the danger and my near death, I had cherished those weeks—for the first time experiencing what it might be like with a younger sibling.

“We will come shortly. We must change our garments first,” my mother replied, buying us a fragment of time.

“Send word to Shuxiao,” I told Liwei and Wenzhi, after the messenger had gone. “Don’t let anyone see you, and wait for us outside the palace.” I hesitated, thinking this was an undeniably bad idea to leave them together, but my father would prevent any foolishness.

“Xingyin, be careful.” Liwei warned. “Make haste, but do not appear to be in a rush.”

“Queen Suihe is most astute; little escapes her notice. You must give her no reason to suspect you,” Wenzhi cautioned.

I nodded grimly. “We will leave as soon as we can.”

As soon as the queen allows us to, my mind whispered.

Chapter 21

We walked toward the throne room, our measured steps masking our trepidation. As a close ally of the Celestial Kingdom, would Prince Yanxi be aware of our situation? Would he be obligated to inform Queen Suihe? I could not refuse the queen’s invitation, though my bow, wrapped discreetly in a piece of silk, was a comforting weight against my back.

The queen’s throne was flanked by brocade-lined chairs and red-lacquered tables. Porcelain tea sets rimmed in gold were laid upon each table, alongside plates of crisp seaweed, glistening walnuts roasted in honey, sesame-encrusted pastries, and almond cakes topped with a flaky crust. The amber pillars shimmered like sunstruck gold and the carpets were newly enchanted, the embroidered silver waves undulating in a soothing rhythm. Crystal vases were filled to the brim with glowing shells, emitting a sweet floral fragrance underlaid with the opulence of musk. A haunting ballad was sung by the performer in a corner of the hall, her painted nails expertly plucking the strings of her pipa, its rippling strains the perfect accompaniment to her pure tones.