Carps Out of Water
Zheng watched as I hung the clothes I had just washed. My hands were red from the cold, but I didn't make a noise in case he told me not to do the chores anymore.
Xiang was off to the Inner Bureau to get the monthly allowance for Shen Li Gong. Even if the other staff weren't busy, it didn't feel right to let the elders do the hardest work.
It would be mean of me to ask Xiang either way. She was leaving in two weeks.
Zheng had come into the kitchen after breakfast, dressed impeccably in his dark blue robes. He came in alone, having waved Yi Liang away at the door.
Yi Liang protested, but it lacked the usual spark. He probably realised it was fruitless to argue with his master after so many failed attempts. The guard left after giving me a warning look.
Zheng had been talking about teaching me how to write. I've succeeded in pushing it away, still unable to stop associating the study hall with our kiss.