The servant who had been sent to get the chess set came into the room and set it on the table in the middle of the wooden couch then bowed and went back to their other work. Yuelan felt the timing was perfect and she turned to Guangfeng. “Do you want black or white?”

“How skilled are you?” Guangfeng countered, smiling. “I don’t think we’ve ever played each other before.”

“I haven’t played in a while, but I used to play with my dad,” Yuelan answered. “I don’t think I’m that good.”

“Then I’ll let you go first.” He offers her a small box with her pieces. “And perhaps give you some tips while we’re playing so you can improve.”

Yuelan gave him a small smile. “Thank you.” She started setting up the flat, white pieces with red characters on the board while he set up the ones with black characters. The pieces were all made of milk-white jade that matched the board. Lines were carved into the board to mark the spaces.

After they were done setting up the game, Yuelan made the first move. Guangfeng didn’t say anything during the first game as he gauged his fiance’s skill level. When the game ended with his win he started explaining as they played the second. The lesson took them until dinner and Guangfeng joined Yuelan for the meal at her request before leaving for his residence.

The occasional light-hearted story from Yun Cai along with the lesson and meal with Guangfeng helped Yuelan calm down. She headed to her courtyard and changed into her sleeping robe. While Camphor brushed Yuelan’s hair, Laurel made Yuelan some tea.

“This will help you calm down and sleep well, priestess,” Laurel explained as she poured the tea into a cup and offered it to Yuelan. “Camomile and lavender.”

“Thank you, Laurel.” Yuelan accepted the cup and sipped her tea. She finished it about the same time Camphor finished with brushing her hair. “Get some rest, everyone. Tomorrow I’ll need to attend court to speak up for those whose only ‘crime’ is being related to the first prince’s mother.”

The maids all saluted Yuelan and headed to their rooms to rest, except for Laurel who had the night shift and settled herself in a chair near Yuelan’s bed to be available if Yuelan needed anything.

***

The next morning, the three maids helped Yuelan into her white and silver priestess robes and did her hair up in a formal style with plenty of decorative pins. A silver chain with a large aquamarine centered in her forehead wrapped around and was braided into her hair, which was then wrapped carefully around wires into two loops atop her head. A dragon-shaped, silver headpiece was set where the two loops met in the middle, sitting on her head like a crown and small pear pins and other light colored gems were set along her wound hair.

Once all the preparations were completed, Yuelan headed out of her courtyard and, with the help of her maids, climbed onto Byakko’s back. The white tiger left her residence and headed for the imperial palace. Waiting for her at the palace gates was Guangfeng. Instead of helping her down from Byakko, he walked at the tiger’s side and led the way to the emperor’s palace where the trial was to take place.

“Did you get any sleep last night, Yuelan?” Guangfeng asked her.

“I did. Thank you for staying with me yesterday. I’m sure you had other things you needed to be doing instead.” Yuelan smiled down at him.

Guangfeng smiled up at her. “It was my pleasure. I was glad you asked for me to stay when you were feeling so distressed.”

Yuelan’s expression turned solemn and she sighed. “If not you, then who? You are the one I am closest to here. Though even if my father were here I still would have asked for you to stay as well.”

The question she had asked made Guangfeng nervous, but he relaxed when she finished what she was saying. “I’m glad to hear you say that. It’s reassuring to have you rely on me.” He reached up and took her hand for a moment before releasing it. “Are you ready for the trial?”

“I’ve been to one before, but I’m sure this will be very different from the ones I have seen.” Yuelan sighed.

“Everything will be alright. We will ask Father Emperor to seek justice for you and my mother together.”

I will also be with you, Byakko adds. I will take my human form once we are inside to quell any argument that you are indeed the priestess.

Yuelan pats Byakko and smiles at Guangfeng. “Thank you, both of you.”

The three stopped just outside the emperor’s palace and Guangfeng spoke to one of the guards before they were let inside and he showed her the way to the throne room. It only took a couple of minutes for them to arrive at the large, red, double doors that were open and waiting for them.