"Well… then perhaps we could start with swordfighting."
That was not the reaction I had expected. I thought he would delay, test my patience, perhaps mock me.
Instead, Cao Renshu pushed the blade into my hands, his expression quietly eager, almost boyish.
There was no going back now.
"This sword is heavier than usual," I said, turning it over. "Not ideal for a duel. And this stone—" I pointed at the dark red jewel embedded at the hilt's joint "—makes it harder to grip it."
He frowned. "It looks formidable. Great for someone as powerful as me!"
"It looks impractical." I replied.
He did not like that answer. His jaw tightened. "Whatever, changes to a sword can be made in a day, changes in skill is what I want from you. And this sword is great either way."
With a single hand he swung the blade. The air trembled under its weight. One strike could shatter bone, if it ever landed. His movements were powerful but sluggish, easy to escape.
"You should fight with both hands," I said carefully. "It will give you speed, and cost less stamina."
He stopped mid-swing. "What do you mean faster? This is already faster than most. And I have enough energy, I am not tire—"
"Sir Renshu." I cut him off before his pride flared further. "If you doubt me, then you may dismiss me."
His expression hardened, the boyish eagerness gone, replaced with cold silence. For the next two hours, he trained as I directed, both hands on the hilt, strikes shorter, more controlled.
He grew faster, but that sword was too heavy to ever strike quick enough to trap me.
More slashes and strikes. I imagined myself duelling with him, whether I could escape his strong attacks or not.
By the end, sweat ran down his temples. His breathing turned rough.
"Hot night, isn't it?" he asked, gasping faintly.
His stamina was excellent, I admitted. With better technique, he might have left more than a shallow scar on my arm that night. Good thing no one taught him too well.
"Do you know how to talk, Meilina?"
This was so sudden I wondered why he said it. Perhaps the training made him more annoyed at simple things.
"I assumed it disrespectful to speak before spoken to."
"I have told you a hundred times—we are equals."
"No matter how many times you say it, it cannot be true. One word from you, and my head and body is separated forever."
That silenced him. His face shifted, unreadable. For once, I felt a small sting of pride, I had finally struck a nerve on this childish man.
"You have my permission," he said at last, stepping closer. "Speak freely, even when I do not address you."
I tensed. Being close to him was dangerous. Too close to someone who could stand beside the emperor without fear.
"My teaching is finished for tonight. Next time, bring a lighter sword. No stones." I turned sharply and left before he could reply.
Dawn had not broken yet. So I managed a single hour of sleep before returning to work. Miss Shuyin rarely gave me heavy tasks ever since we had gotten closer, but my body felt like it had wore armor.
I was not given much work as usual. So I decided to pay Lanling a visit.
When I reached the common maids' quarters, a familiar voice rang out.
"YAY! Meilina, you're back!"
Lanling bounded toward me, her face bright as the morning sky. Thirteen, cheerful, too loud for her own good. Even at sunrise, she was brimming with energy.
"Good morning, Lanling," I murmured. My eyes stung with exhaustion.
She grinned, oblivious. "Did you know the maids don't pick on me anymore! They even talk to me now!"
"That's… good to hear."
Small talk never came easily to me. Silence was safer, especially with my upbringing. Still, her joy was oddly nice to listen to.
The sun blazed above, burning the skin. No clouds, no flowers—maids' quarters did not deserve such beauty. Just bare earth and hard labor and dirty bushes here and there.
A few more talks with Lanling and I realized something. The consort might notice that I had not been working in the morning...
"I should go," I said at last. "Lady Qinglan will notice my absence."
"Bye-bye, Meilina!" Lanling chirped, waving wildly.
I quickened my steps back to the Lanxuan Pavilion.
The worst awaited me.
"Where were you?" The consort's cold voice sliced through the air. She sat in silk, hawk-like eyes fixed on me while her attendants giggled.
My heart thudded. Punishments were never light. And if I faltered, even Shuyin could be cast out.
"I—I was searching for maids willing to work here," I blurted, too quickly.
Her gaze narrowed. "And who told you to do that?"
"Miss Shuyin. She asked me to look for literate ones. There has been a shortage."
A long pause. Her eyes felt like claws raking over me.
"Tell Shuyin I need no maids who read. I need maids who clean. Now take your ugly face out of my sight."
I bowed low, relief bitter in my chest, and fled.
The following days passed in silence. I worked relentlessly under her gaze, until her suspicion dulled. I avoided Renshu for three nights, but knowing his patience would not last I decided to pay him a visit soon.
Once again I dressed in those same clothes that had a torn piece from the time I had tried to give it to Renshu for the scar on his neck.
On the fourth night, I slipped into the storehouse once more, cloth wrapped tight, scar still hidden. He was waiting.
He still had that wound.
"You're early," he said.
And thrusted something hard against my chest.
"Here. Your sword."
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Chapter 20: "The curiosity of Cao Renhu and the truths of Meilina filled the air with a silence. A silence that could bring them closer, or tear them apart forever."