Chapter 144 — Brother Shi
CHAPTER 144
Brother Shi
Sima Yu arrived without a royal carriage.
He wore a plain pale robe, although the material cost more than most of Kang Liu's furniture. One servant remained at the gate. The Crown Prince came upstairs carrying a narrow wooden box.
Shi Feng left the door open and moved the second chair away from the table. There was enough room to sit without either man's sleeve touching the other's.
Sima Yu looked at the modest furnace, the notes beside it and the sword within reach.
“You're still working tonight,” Sima Yu said.
“The furnace hasn't entered the tournament,” Shi Feng replied.
Sima Yu gave a brief laugh. It didn't survive long enough to warm the room.
He placed the box on the table. Shi Feng didn't reach for it.
“Brother Shi,” Sima Yu said. “There have been many unpleasant things between us.”
Shi Feng waited.
The prince looked toward the open doorway, where the corridor was empty.
“This gathering matters to Great Liang,” Sima Yu said. “Two representatives fighting each other in the second round is a waste. I have arrangements with people who can help our kingdom once I enter a Great Sect.”
“Say your conditions,” Shi Feng said.
Sima Yu lifted the lid. Inside lay a jade document seal and a small purse.
“I can clear the Ling family's outstanding court obligations,” Sima Yu said. “Their supply duties, the disputed land levy, the delayed appointment your wife's father wants settled. All of it can be made simple.”
Shi Feng looked at the seal. The prince's personal authority had been reduced after his misuse of royal service, but enough connections remained to inconvenience a clan that depended on court approval.
Sima Yu hadn't come offering something entirely imaginary.
“What would I do?” Shi Feng asked.
“Concede tomorrow,” Sima Yu replied. “A strained meridian, a problem after refining medicine, anything dignified. You don't even need to appear on the platform.”
“And the purse?” Shi Feng asked.
“A token of goodwill,” Sima Yu said. “You won't leave without compensation.”
Shi Feng closed the box.
“No,” Shi Feng said.
Sima Yu sat very still.
“You haven't asked how much,” Sima Yu said.
“It doesn't change the condition,” Shi Feng replied.
The prince's fingers moved against his knee. He had clearly prepared several stages to the offer and disliked losing the first before completing it.
“The Ling clan will remember who made life easier for them,” Sima Yu said.
“Then make it easier,” Shi Feng replied. “You don't need my defeat to do that.”
Sima Yu leaned back. The friendliness left his face in small, careful steps.
“You know your wife has been under pressure,” Sima Yu said. “You could remove some of it.”
Shi Feng felt the old hurt stir, but it didn't pull his judgment aside.
He and Ling Qingzhu were separated. They were still married. Neither fact entitled Sima Yu to use her family's difficulties as a handle on his throat.
“If you have an official debt to collect, collect it lawfully,” Shi Feng said. “If you invented it to reach me, keep your box.”
Sima Yu's gaze sharpened.
“People with no place at court sometimes misunderstand how obligations work,” Sima Yu said.
“I understood Guo Zhen,” Shi Feng replied.
The room became quiet.
Outside, Kang Liu called down to the cook that a guest wanted more hot water. The ordinary voice carried clearly through the open door.
Sima Yu didn't look toward it this time.
“Guo Zhen acted badly,” Sima Yu said.
“He tried to kill me,” Shi Feng replied.
“Servants can exceed their orders,” Sima Yu said.
“And Cao Wenshu?” Shi Feng asked.
The prince's answer took a little longer.
“The court already addressed that matter,” Sima Yu said.
“The court addressed your use of an office,” Shi Feng replied. “I'm speaking about the man who came for my life.”
Sima Yu reached for the box. The jade seal clicked against the wood as he closed it properly.
He hadn't brought an apology. Even now, he seemed offended that Shi Feng could distinguish between lost court privileges and a dead assassin.
“You may regret making everything personal,” Sima Yu said.
Shi Feng stood. The movement was unhurried, but Sima Yu's hand stopped beside his belt.
“You sent it to my door,” Shi Feng replied.
For a moment, the prince looked at the sword. Shi Feng didn't touch it. An attack in the inn would endanger ordinary guests and give officials a reason to intervene before the lawful match.
Tomorrow was close enough.
Sima Yu rose with the box under his arm.
“Then we meet on the platform,” Sima Yu said.
“Yes,” Shi Feng replied.
The Crown Prince walked out. His steps remained measured until the turn in the stairs, where they grew faster.
Shi Feng closed the door after the gate below had opened and shut. He moved the second chair back against the wall.
The room looked exactly as it had before the visit.
He found that steadiness useful. No threat, promise or royal seal had changed what he intended to do.
Kang Liu came up later with the requested hot water. He set the kettle on the table and glanced at the empty chair.
“The important guest left early,” Kang Liu said.
“He finished speaking,” Shi Feng replied.
Kang Liu seemed satisfied with that. The prince had paid for no room and broken no furniture, which was about all an innkeeper could ask of an unexpected royal visit.
“Will you eat before the morning matches?” Kang Liu asked.
“Yes,” Shi Feng said. “The same breakfast.”
“More meat?” Kang Liu asked.
“More meat,” Shi Feng replied.
The innkeeper left to write it down.
Shi Feng poured the hot water and washed the cooling sand from his fingers. Sima Yu had looked at the furnace and seen another possible excuse for surrender.
Shi Feng looked at it and saw work he would continue after the prince was gone.
He put the kettle aside, sat down and steadied his qi before sleep. The night didn't require a speech to himself about courage.
He had already said no.