The Dowager Huai stared at me as if hoping a softer woman would climb out of my face and embrace her.
No such miracle arrived.
I lifted my hand. "Clerk," I called, and the man jerked as if I had yanked a string. "Two lines."
His brush hovered.
"Line one: 'By request of Dowager Huai, the former betrothal between Sun Longzi and Miss Huai is dissolved by mutual convenience. Treasury to settle accounts within seven days.'" I paused until his wrist stopped shaking. "Line two: 'Interference with imperial appointments is punishable by death. This matter is closed.' Stamp both. Deliver to Rites and Treasury. Deliver a copy to the Huai gate by dusk."
The clerk's brush started moving like a man who had just remembered his job saved his life.
Dowager Huai breathed through her teeth again. "You dare—"
"I prefer 'I rule,'" I returned. "Dare implies risk. This is simply order."
