Third Virtuous Concubine.

At last, Wei Dao asked, "You have nothing to say to Honored Husband?"

Hsieh regarded the prince and princess in thoughtful silence, until a smirk of amusement flickered briefly across his lips. "No, to surprise of everyone in Hall of

Supreme Harmony, profits of Ginger Palace are most sat- isfying. Even Emperor notice."

Tang's stomach started to writhe and chum. The good news would only make it more difficult to admit that he had allowed someone to kidnap the Third Virtuous Con- cubine.

"Do not look so troubled, Prince. We will talk after I

see Lady Feng." Hsieh's uncovered eye narrowed in mild rebuke. "I am most anxious to hear why Ministry of

Spices does not know about Ginger Palace's poison trade."

Tang rose and accepted the mandarin's admonishment with a polite bow. "I am most anxious to make report on anything you wish." He fixed his eyes on the silver- trimmed hem of the mandarin's maitung, then took a deep breath and forced himself to speak again. "But first,

I must relate regrettable truth about Lady Feng."

Even a seasoned bureaucrat like Minister Hsieh could not prevent the blood from draining from his face, thereby betraying his shock. "Something has happened?"

Wei Dao was on her feet and speaking before Tang could continue. "When Prince Tang says Lady Feng is not here, he means not in Ginger Palace."

Hsieh's jaw fell, and when his brow furrowed this time, the rebuke was not a gentle one. "Then where is Third

Virtuous Concubine?"

Again, Wei Dao answered for her husband. "She tends to sick friend in Elversult."

The mandarin scowled and, apparently resigning him-

self to having all his questions answered by the princess, turned directly to Wei Dao.

"It is most indecorous to have Emperor's consort wan- dering about outside her palace, especially in land of bar- barians." Though his face showed no sign of emotion, there was a dubious edge in his voice. "Why not bring sick friend to Ginger Palace?"

"Friend is too sick to move."

Hsieh's eyes narrowed; then he whirled back to Prince

Tang. "Who is this friend?"

"Very important-"

Hsieh raised his hand to silence the princess. "I ask

honorable husband."

Tang glanced at his wife, who wisely made no attempt to communicate what she had intended to say. Though the mandarin's gaze was riveted on the prince, his adju- tant was watching Wei Dao from the comers of his eyes.

Tang could not bring himself to answer. He was too blinded by fear to see the escape toward which Wei Dao had been driving. Lying to a mandarin was both a crime as terrible as treason and an indelible stain on the honor of his ancestors, yet now that his wife had shown him the way, he wanted nothing more than to avoid admitting his

ignoble failure.

"Who is Lady Feng'8 friend?" Hsieh demanded.

Tang realized that his wife could have intended to give only one answer. "Lady Feng visits Moonstorm House in

Elversult." The prince felt as though he would retch; his stomach was turning somersaults and his jaws were aching. "Queen of city is very ill, and her priests ask for help of Third Virtuous Concubine."

Hsieh's face did not soften. "Then why does constable woman harass Shou caravan? Making hostage of

Emperor's servant is poor way to show appreciation."

As badly as he wanted to, the prince did not look toward Wei Dao. Certainly, she had already thought of an answer to this simple question, but the mere hint of coaching from her would be enough to condemn both

Tang and his wife to slow and dishonorable deaths.

"Barbarians have strange customs." Tang knew that his response was a feeble one, but he needed time to think of something better. "Vaerana Hawklyn does not trust after- world magic and accuses us of causing her queen's illness."

"Have we?"

Tang tried to swallow and found that he could not.

"Why do you think that, Minister?"

The minister splayed his fingers, then began to tick off the names of poisonous plants that had been hidden in the Ginger Lady's cargo. "Oleander… lantana… castor bean… pink pea… Shou berry." He reached his little finger and stopped. "Need I go on?"

Prince Tang shook his head. "We only sell poisons, not use them. Yanseldara's condition is not our fault."

Hsieh lowered his hand. "You know I do not care if it is, as long as your reason is good. But if you are lying-"

"Never!" Both Tang and his wife spoke at once.

Hsieh raised a cautionary finger and continued, "If you lie to protect Lady Feng, I have no mercy."

Tang's head began to spin. "To protect Lady Feng?" he asked, truly confused. "How does lying-"

"We do not lie." Wei Dao stepped around the table to her husband's side. "We send a company of guards to inform Lady Feng of your arrival. Perhaps you wish to send Yu Po along?"

Hsieh considered the offer, then shook his head. "That is not necessary. If there is anything I should know, it is certain to come to light."

The mandarin rose and honored them with a shallow bow, then led Yu Po and his guards from the room. As soon as their steps faded from the corridor outside, Tang sent the servants away.

"Why do you lie to mandarin?" he demanded, turning to his wife. "You dishonor ancestors and condemn us to

Chamber of Agonizing Death!"

"Only if Minister Hsieh discovers abduction of ven- erable mother."

"How can he fail?" Tang's legs were trembling. It made him feel ashamed and weak. "Any servant tells esteemed mandarin everything he wants to know."

"True, but Minister Hsieh is sure to ask wrong ques- tions," Wei Dao replied calmly. "He thinks venerable mother has lover, and any servant he asks certainly tells

him that is nonsense."

The princess's reassurance did little to bolster Tang's courage. "But how do guards bring Lady Feng home from

Moonstorm House? Cypress has mother, not Vaerana

Hawklyn!"

"Yes, but now we have fresh ylang blossoms." Wei Dao grabbed her husband by the wrist and started toward the back of the palace. "Now come. We have no more time for your cowardice-or your foolishness."