The Poison Taster Who Outlived the Princess's Dinners novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Her Mother's Hall

The Hall of Everlasting Peace was nearly dark.

One lamp burned beside the carved screen, and behind the screen sat the Empress Dowager, a shape in heavy gold.

Ruoxi knelt on the cold stone with her hair still down her back.

She had not had time to pin it.

"Du Ruoxi," said a dry old voice. "My daughter's taster."

"Your Majesty."

"You have been in her service six years."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"In six years, has anyone tried to harm her?"

Ruoxi's mouth opened and shut.

She thought of the Marquis, of his cane and his smile and his tea.

She thought of the princess's head against her palm, and the heartbeat under the silk.

If she said yes, nothing was lost.

If she said no, the post was nothing, and she was only a girl in the princess's bed.

"There have been dangers, Your Majesty," she said. "I have thrown out four spoiled dishes this season alone."

"Spoiled. Not poisoned."

"A spoiled dish can kill."

"So can a bad envoy," said the voice, almost fondly. "The Marquis tells me you are devoted. He says she keeps you very near."

"The princess is kind to those who serve her."

"Hm." A heavy sleeve moved behind the screen. "My daughter was a sad child, you know. She would not eat. She sat in her rooms and wrote decrees to herself. I let her have her toys."

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