‘Why do you want to know?’ She crosses her arms and gives me that look. Damn. She’s calling my bluff.
I think fast. ‘Fine. I had a tiff with that Soo b—’ I press my lips together and try again. ‘I had a disagreement with Lady Soo and I want to make sure I am nowhere they might be.’
Gigi isn’t stupid, and she’s irritatingly observant. She doesn’t answer, just tilts her head and scrutinises me. We both turn as Mr Lee returns in his changpao. I’m out of time.
He strides towards us with the grace of a panther. How did I not notice that before? The changpao isn’t baggy like the jacket. It sits neatly across his wide shoulders, flowing over his muscled chest.
Before I can say anything, Gigi prowls around him, trailing her fingers across his back. He twitches at her touch and I’m inordinately pleased at his discomfort, though I don’t like the stink-eye he throws my way.
‘Dashing,’ Gigi says, standing far too close to him.
I suck my teeth and step between her and Mr Lee, shoving my sword into his arms. ‘Hold this,’ I say and snatch the suit from him.
I start unbuttoning my dress.
‘Jing!’ Lady Gi’s tone is shocked.
‘What? You’ve seen me change plenty of times.’ I wave dismissively at her.
‘I don’t mean me, I meanhim,’ she says, giving Mr Lee a disapproving glare.
Mr Lee is red as a firecracker.
‘Oh. Turn around if it bothers you,’ I say.
He spins on his heel and covers his eyes for good measure. I can’t help giggling. Honestly, it’s like he’s never seen a woman’s body. I change quickly. The trousers are huge on me, as is the shirt. But Gigi passes her hands over the fabric, and it immediately shrinks to fit.
‘Much better,’ she says. ‘You can turn now, mortal.’
Mr Lee does as she says. I move into the basics of the Big Dipper sword form, to check I can move freely. It’s better than I could have imagined. I gather my qipao and take the sword from Mr Lee.
He looks away. ‘It suits you. You look nice.’ His tone is flat. He’s clearly still angry with me. Is he lying, or does he really mean what he said?
The compliment throws me. I don’t know what to do with my hands. I pull at the suit, then put my hands in my pocket. Finally, I just turn away.
Gigi smirks at me. ‘They’ve been talking about going to the dumpling house opposite Madame Meng’s while they’re here. They seem really excited about it, so I suggest you stay well away if you want to keep your handsome mortal to yourself.’
I splutter, grasping for a response while also being pleased she gave me the info. I didn’t think she would. Puzzle pieces slot together – the dumpling house is next to the Treasury. Theyaregoing to try to steal the dragon pearl. I knew it.
Mr Lee offers Gigi another deep bow. ‘This unworthy one offers your exalted glory one thousand years of abundant gratitude for your borrowed light.’
The ridiculous verbal acrobatics makes me snort long and loud. Gigi pulls the same frog-frown that Horsey does.
‘Jing, you are so uncultivated,’ she says.
I slap my fist into my hand and give her a melodramatic bow. ‘A cornucopia of gold orchid gratitude for the honourable, fragrant one. Stay your beautiful steps; this humble one weeps as the lone petal falls from the plum tree and retreats from your glorious light.’
‘Oh, please. Humble one? What a load of turgid shite. You don’t have a humble bone in your body. Get out,’ she says, but her words lack bite. She’s already sifting through the piles of fabric on the table, no doubt preparing a wardrobe for her boyfriend’s visit.
I skip out of her house, pleased at my successful sleuthing, and at my new trousers. I practice different walks. Lifting my legs high, spreading them wide, squatting low. These trousers are genius. I’m never going back, no matter what Horsey says.
Though the night sky never lifts, the songbirds know it’s morning and tittering fills the lanes of the Old City. Their tiny wings flash against the ever-gloom of Hell like twinkling stars. A coral-throated sunbird flits across the narrow lane, its jade green tails dancing on the breeze. I watch it soar over the grey tiled eaves.
‘You lied to me, again.’ Mr Lee says.
I ignore him and keep walking, but he doesn’t follow. He’s stopped in the middle of the lane with his arms crossed, face impassive.Tian. Pandering to his ego was not part of my deal.
‘You were safe enough,’ I say, annoyed at having to justify myself.
