And just like all those times before, I thought,I’ll be carefree when I am actually free of cares.
I swatted away my irritation like flies around my head and continued aloud, “As I was saying, the truth is Ineedyou to go to Hulin with me. I’ve been promised a large sum of money by the official, but only if I complete my part.”
“Why does a priestess care so much about money?”
Frustration needled my back. “It’s not for me. It’s for my father.”
“Your father?”
I’d said too much, more than I wanted to deal with.
When I held my tongue, he raised a brow and said, “You know, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me the truth.”
That made me scoff. “Youhelpme? Between the two of us,you’re the one who needs help, Your Highness. Did you not hear what Mistress Ming said about your qi?”
He frowned, acknowledging my point. “How much is the official offering you?”
“He already paid ten thousand silvers. Thirty thousand when I deliver you.”
I’d expected him to be surprised, even impressed, by the numbers. I understood the official’s generosity now that I knew who my assignment truly was.
But the prince grimaced at my answer, as if I’d thrust a knife through his foot.
“Most of my clients pay less than a thousand,” I said, thinking him insulted.
He shook his head, the talisman fluttering back over his eyes. When he pushed it up again, his dismay was gone, artfully ironed out by a sly smile. He was annoyingly handsome when he smiled. “How about this? If you agree to help me replenish my qi, I’ll pay you extra in addition to what the official is promising.”
“Why me?”
“Several reasons,” he replied, as if it were obvious. “Given that my mother wasmurderedby a culprit still on the loose, I can’t rely on help from the palace. I suppose I understand now why my father put me under such heavy guard after her death…” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, her killer may very well be a member of the court, and I want to be in top condition before I return to investigate. Also, it’s your talisman keeping me alive, so I’d probably die without you. Lastly, as a holy servant, you must know how to gather qi, right?”
I did, but only because Mistress Ming had explained it to me not an hour earlier. Of course, I wasn’t going to admit that.
I thought for a moment, then said, “How much extra?”
“What would be fair?”
“I want double the official’s offering,” I said without hesitation.
His jaw twitched. “That’s quite the amount.”
“If you’re truly a prince, such an amount should mean nothing to you.” I bit my cheek, then added, “Besides, I’m risking my safety to help you. I’d like to think my life is worth something, Your Highness.”
“Quick-witted, aren’t you?” He sighed dramatically. “Very well, double the official’s payment it is. Would that satisfy the cost of your aid?”
I concealed my excitement behind a stone-smooth expression. I was prepared for, at the very least, some haggling. But it seemed the royal family truly had money flowing out of their pockets. Money that I could put to better use than they ever had.
With what I was going to earn, I wouldn’t just be able to help my father. I could also hire laborers to renovate our monastery’s worn-down structures. I could set aside a generous dowry for my sister, Lilan. My family would no longer have to be troubled by our dwindling finances. And I could be truly free from care.
But I wouldn’t say yes so quickly, in case the prince thought me easily led.
Stamping my staff against the ground, I said, “Before we confirm our agreement, I’d like to set some conditions.”
“Of course you would.” He waved the hand not holding back the talisman. “Let’s hear them, then.”
“Frankly,” I said, ignoring his smirk, “I don’t know you well, and I’ve nothing to rely on save for your word. So, if I’m to help you, you must do it my way.”
The prince cocked his head. “Go on.”
