I spoke more gently. “The truth is the best chance for you to leave here unharmed.” However, if he had schemed to hurt us, he would find little mercy.

He nodded jerkily. “Queen Fengjin is not my patron. My wines are the best in the kingdom, but those arrogant palace stewards refuse to give me a chance. Her Majesty enjoys osmanthus wines and I … I wanted to win her favor. Master Gang visited my shop and told me of the osmanthus trees on the moon, each flower in perfect bloom. In return, all he wanted was a small favor. It seemed harmless enough, and it was customary to bring one’s hostess a gift.”

“The wine.” I chided myself for drinking it. Master Gang must have added something to it, to put us all to sleep. If I had drunk it last night, I would have slumbered through, ignorant of all that had transpired.

As I glanced at Master Haoran, his skin a sickly pallor, my anger at him dissipated. He had been used as a mask—his petty lies distracting me, allowing the true villain to roam unhindered. By fixing on a single sapling, I had lost sight of the forest.

“What else did he tell you?” Liwei pressed.

“Only that he needed to retrieve something which belonged to him. I didn’t think there was any ill intent.”

Master Gang had said as much when I confronted him. I had thought it bluster, a lie to excuse his actions.

“Who is he?” I probed.

“He didn’t say and I dared not ask.” Master Haoran gnawed his lower lip. “The first time we met, he wore a jade ornament carved with the sun. I haven’t seen it since.”

The symbol of the Celestial Kingdom. Liwei inhaled slowly as my chest squeezed tight.

“I know nothing else. I swear.” Master Haoran’s voice trembled.

“Let him go. He was tricked too,” I said to Liwei.

As his binds vanished, Master Haoran slumped to the ground, shaking, yet his gaze lingered on the silk bundles scattered around the room.

“Take the osmanthus. You are free to go,” I told him.

“Thank you.” He bowed to us, then snatched up as many bags as he could cram into his arms. Without a backward glance he fled the room, the wind outside rustling as his cloud shot into the skies.

Silence stretched taut between us. “Many people wear such an ornament,” Liwei said. “Even if he was from the Celestial Kingdom, it does not mean he is here upon my father’s command. My father has no need for such devious measures. The moon falls under Celestial rule. If he wished, he could have commanded your mother to accept Master Gang’s presence.”

Not if he wanted his interest to remain a secret. But I nodded, eager to grasp at this sliver of comfort. I had no urge to confront the Celestial Emperor again.