Chapter 23: Nothing Hidden

The bedchamber had six lamps, and Lanyin had lit all of them.

Ruoxi stood inside the door in her new robe with the plum cords.

For once she did not know what to do with her hands.

Mingzhu sat on the edge of the bed with her hair down.

The phoenix comb was on the dressing table where it belonged, and her face was clean of rouge.

"Come here," she said.

"I have a confession."

"I don't think I can take another."

"It is a small one. It is very small."

Ruoxi crossed the room and sat beside her.

The mattress dipped, and their knees touched.

"I do not like pear soup," said Mingzhu.

"What?"

"Or lily bulb. Or sour plum, or steamed bass with ginger. I ate all of them for six years."

Mingzhu's mouth shook with laughter.

"I only liked watching your face when you named what was in them."

Ruoxi stared.

"You told me it was sweeter when I'd had it first."

"It was. Because you had."

Ruoxi put her head down on her own knees and laughed until her ribs hurt.

"Every day," she gasped.

"Every day, you sat there eating things you hated."

"I would have eaten stones."

"You are mad."

"I am in love," Mingzhu said.

"It is the same thing, only more embarrassing."

Ruoxi sat up, wiping her eyes.

"I have one too," she said.

"Tell me."

"I was jealous of the Marquis's hand on your sleeve."

"And I was jealous of the cook's daughter I kissed at nineteen, even though I haven't thought of her since I was twenty."

"And I'm jealous of every lamp in this room that has been allowed to look at you."

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