11

"The Prince is going to Jungpi?"  Bingquing couldn't believe her ears.

Her maid reiterated it with her head bowed.  "That's what I heard from the other housemaids miss.  The other maids and I were wondering if we would continue to serve you or not."

Jungpi was where father was. 

On the surface, anyone who was looking at her would assume that she had spent the last month in relative happiness.  Ning Ren was crafty.  Every pleasure he created for her was a test to try to figure out her identity.  He would bring different wines from all the territories to see her sensibilities.  The cook would rotate cuisines to see which plates she finished or asked for again.  The books she found in her room also reflected this -- poetry, politics, religion.  The cage was beautifully made -- but the bars were still present.

She did not wish for him to know who she was.  It was still unclear who had ordered the massacre of her house.  Bingquing was not naive enough to believe the prince whose manor she served was incapable of such a task.  The royals were always embroiled in plots to overthrow one another.  No one still did know the details of Ning Ren's exile to the borderlands.

Bingquing longed to go to the market and for companionship.  Her father would often allow her to roam the palace or to dress like a man to take classes at the scholars academy.

"Madam?"

"Yes, Fuxia."

"Mam, you are favored by his highness.  He is an exceptionally kind master.  If you are alone in this world, I would consider his offer carefully.  Even if you are to lose favor he would not treat you unfairly.  I have served him for many years, he is odd but not like you would expect of one of royal bearing."

"Fuxia, if you were in my position, you would become a concubine?"

The maid lowered her head, "I am from a poor border town, miss.  I wish to add to the fortune of my family."

"You're a very honest person."

"That's why I hired her . . ." Fuxia and Bingquing immediately bowed deeply as Ning Ren strode into the room. "Fuxia, leave us.  Ask the guards to leave as well.  If anyone is within a corridor, sent the order that they will be killed."

Bingquing recoiled as she heard these words, "Your majesty I--"

Fuxia gave her a look of fear before she shrank away.

After she had retreated a sufficient distance did Nin Ren speak, "Have you considered my offer, Qing?"

Bingquing raised her chin to look at the Prince, "I have heard your proposition if I leave, your highness.  I have wondered for these past few weeks what it would be if I stayed."

"You would be a wilting flower in an abandoned house.  A starved cat looking for food.  I am asking if you are wanting to serve my purpose, further my ambitions.  The servants have let slip as I instructed that we are headed to Jungpi.  If you so desire, you will become a lady's companion.  A stable life for yourself.  That lady is going to become a new flower in my garden.  She will manage the other flowers to make sure they keep their health."

"Or she many destroy any flower planted like a vine will leech away the health of a tree.  Why would a gardener want such a flower, your"  Bingquing said softly.

"What a sharp tongue.  The emperor has bid me to start a garden.  I'm asking you to help me look at the possible flower."

Bingquing was aghast, "Highness, I am neither qualified nor cultured enough to make that kind of judgement for you."

"All I ask is for you to be my eyes and ears.  I imagine you like a cat slinking through the womenfolk.  I want to know how she is.  I want to know where she goes.  I want to know everything about the air she breathes."

Jungpi.  The capital of the idiot king.  A place for the idiot minded . . . And what an idiot is Bingquing?  She closed her eyes as she breathed in, "How long?"

Ning Ren caressed his face as he stared at her, "I am hoping less than a month.  I only need to convince her--then you can have your carriage and gold.  Since we are working together as much money as you need for the rest of your life."

Bingquing knew then, she could take her father away if he was in torment.  To be able to hold the power of a man in her hand--to be money making.  "I will do as you command for as long as I am no one."

"No one?"

"If I am a cat, let others think I am a street cat who wanders outside rather than one attached to a Prince of Caiwong."