The Jade Temptress

Wu stood just outside the doorway, presenting a striking figure in the lantern light. “I don’t speak unless it is important.”

There might have been a rebuke there, but she didn’t sense one.

“And most of what I say is worthless banter,” she remarked.

“Not entirely worthless.”

He said it more in agreement than denial and Mingyu bit back a smile. Of all the people in this wide city, Constable Wu was the first to make her smile in a long time.

Usually she took such pleasure in the nuances and ambiguity of conversation, but his blatant disregard for politeness was undeniably exciting.

Wu looked about the deserted alleyway where they found themselves. “Are you unable to be seen with me even here?”

“A few lanes from the Pingkang li and no one even knows my face. Don’t mind Madame Sun. She simply likes to be demanding.”

Mingyu moved to his side and they started down the alley at a leisurely pace. Though the stroll couldn’t progress very far, it was pleasant to be headed nowhere for the moment.

They could still hear the muted hum of activity from within the tavern. The truth was, Mingyu preferred it when they were alone together. Then there were no requirements for either of them.

“I didn’t know you entertained at public drinking houses,” he remarked, returning his attention fully to her.

“Several of my courtesan-sisters are still in training. Madame wishes for me to teach them everything I know. Then she can have four girls just like me and be a rich woman.”

“I hear there can be bitter rivalries among women.”

She snorted. “And there aren’t bitter rivalries among men? There’s always a higher mountain, they say.”

“Or someone who feels the need to exert their superiority,” he agreed.

The constable’s openness surprised her, as did the hint of bitterness in his tone. He said nothing more though and the burden was on her to keep the conversation flowing.

“If men didn’t constantly fight for position among one another, my role would be highly diminished,” she mused.

“Your role?”

“I’m wondering whether I should forgive the skepticism I hear in your voice, Constable.”

“I thought a courtesan’s duty was to play music and convince men to imbibe more wine than they would when drinking alone.” He paused to grant her a sideways glance. “And to be beautiful.”

And Mingyu had thought she was immune to compliments. Of course, she wasn’t quite certain that Wu’s statement was a compliment. Maybe that was why her stomach fluttered the way it did.

“A banquet mistress’ task is to promote harmony and balance. She can perform her duties through playing an instrument or conversation or sometimes a look given at the right time to the right person.”

They had reached the end of the lane and Mingyu paused to grant him an evocative look to make her point. She thought she saw Wu’s hard mouth break into the faintest of smiles, but it was too dark to be certain.

Passing the time with Constable Wu wasn’t unpleasant at all. Mingyu slowed her step to prolong their return.

“At a gathering, if I find an honored guest is reluctant to speak, I make him comfortable and draw him out,” she continued. “On the other hand, if a guest oversteps his bounds, then I have to put him in his place.”

“A constable’s duty is not nearly so complicated,” Wu replied. “He detains criminals and drags them to the prison house.”

“But that isn’t all you do.”

What little she had seen of Wu’s interaction with the magistrate told her he played a much more important role.

There was a long pause before he spoke. “It seems lately I’m the one who has overstepped his bounds.”

“In what manner?”

Wu chose not to answer. “Did Deng Zhi often wear his sword?” he asked instead.

“His sword—” The sudden shift in his tone startled her.

“Was he usually armed?”

“I...I believe so. General Deng wore his sword in public for appearances.”

“And in private?”

He was the exacting constable once more. Mingyu had to think back. It really had been a long time since she’d last seen the general.

“Rarely for private meetings,” she concluded.

“You told me he was always prepared for danger. Deng Zhi was a soldier and a general.”

“But he was a statesman first. Openly carrying a weapon in certain circumstances would be seen as a sign of fear.”

His expression grew serious as he considered the information. “So Deng did rely heavily on his bodyguards.”

Mingyu had the impression that Wu was no longer truly with her, taking a stroll in the autumn evening. His head was back in the investigation as he pondered suspects and evidence and other grim and unpleasant things.

When they reached the back door of the tavern, the warmth she had felt between them had faded. Perhaps it had never really been there.