He nodded to her with cool formality. “Lady Meiling, what has this attendant done to earn such a harsh rebuke?”
A soft sigh slid from her as her shoulders drooped. How frail and lovely she appeared right now, like a rose stripped of its thorns.
“Your Highness, I have always treated those who serve me as though they were my own family. What you witnessed was just a slip in my temper, caused by this attendant’s repeated offenses.”
Strangled sounds emerged from my throat which I choked back down. Prince Liwei’s expression was inscrutable. Did he believe her? And why did my spirits sink at the thought?
“How has she offended you?” His tone was pleasant, yet he did not give Lady Meiling permission to rise.
“She spoiled my favorite garment and tried to lie her way out of it.”
“I did not lie!” I cried out, all decorum forgotten.
Prince Liwei’s back stiffened a little. Did he regret being drawn into this trivial squabble? Such were my days at the Golden Lotus Mansion; an incessant stream of pettiness which wore away and gnawed at me. But no more, I decided. My encounter with the prince—inexplicable though it was—had reminded me that I did not need to meekly walk the path set before me. I would seek and use all the advantages I could find, even that of his position now.
“Did you see her ruin your garment?” he asked Lady Meiling.
She hesitated. “No, I heard from—”
His hand flew up, cutting her off. “Lady Meiling, you appear quick to cast blame without proper investigation.” He took the cloak from me and looked at the blot, which all my efforts so far had failed to lessen. The air warmed as golden light streaked from his palm into the silk. The stain disappeared, the cloak drying as though it had never been wet.
His magic was strong! As was the ease with which it flowed from him. How I wished I could do that. The gale which had sprung up to snatch Ping’er to safety seemed a distant dream. If it had come from me, I had no idea how to do it again. When I closed my eyes, I still caught tantalizing glimpses of the lights within me, but they darted away the instant I reached out. My attempts were halfhearted at best—the sight of them stabbed me with fear and remorse. If only I had not drawn the empress’s attention, I would still be home. Maybe Ping’er would have eventually taught me how to use my powers. I thought, bitterly, what use was magic when it was untrained? And there would be little hope of advancing my skills as long as I remained here.
In the Golden Lotus Mansion only the most favored servants were taught to channel their magic to perform rudimentary tasks, to aid their chores. The guards were instructed in attack and defense enchantments, from raising shields of protection to casting bolts of fire or ice. While the rest of us were expected to labor as the mortals did. Admittedly, most of the other attendants possessed a weak lifeforce, unlikely to ever become strong enough to ascend the hierarchy of immortals.
Perhaps it was true for me as well, but deep down, I did not think so. It was my powers which had drawn the Celestial Kingdom’s attention. It had been my bane, but perhaps I could turn it into an advantage—if I found someone willing to train me.
Prince Liwei passed the now pristine cloak to Lady Meiling. “I trust there will be no need to berate anyone further.” His tone hardened. “Any senior attendant in your household, or even you yourself, could have fixed this without resorting to these measures. Such behavior from a position of privilege does not reflect well upon you.”
Two red spots burned in Lady Meiling’s cheeks. A petty part of me relished watching her get reprimanded, but what would happen when the prince left? As a new voice rang out, that of Lady Meiling’s father, my anxiety increased threefold.
“Your Highness.” He hurried to where we stood, likely alerted to the Crown Prince’s presence by a vigilant attendant. Sinking to his knees, he performed a formal obeisance, touching his brow to the ground. “If my daughter or this servant has offended you, I plead for your forgiveness.”
“I was disappointed to see how Lady Meiling treats those in her household,” the prince said. “Such behavior has no place in my court. When I return, I intend to rescind the invitation to your house for the selection of my companion.”
I stifled a gasp. Lady Meiling had spoken of little but this, ever since she was chosen as a candidate. The Crown Prince had arranged this competition to choose a study companion, one who would learn alongside him. Was this what he meant by stretching the constraints which chafed him? Was he tired of his friends in the palace? It was said the prince wished to open the opportunity to the entire kingdom but was overruled. Now each candidate had to be sponsored by a noble household, who then proceeded to put forth only their kin.