My first inkling that something unexpected had happened was when Fengying knocked on the door. When I opened it, she gestured for me to follow her, saying, “Lord Yulin is here with Prince Baiyu. They’re waiting in the reception room.”

“Uh, did he say why?”

She shook her head. “My lady, they’ve brought a lot of gifts with them.”

“Oh my.” I paused to smooth my hair. “Do I look okay?”

“We’ll get you ready.”

Before going to meet my guests, we dropped by my room where, with practiced ease, Fengying undid my hair and fixed it into a simple bun hairstyle, but with two dangling jade and gold hairpins. Then she helped me into an elaborately embroidered silk jacket and wrapped a belt hung with tinkling ornaments on my waist.

“Thank you,” I said.

At the main hall, Prince Baiyu and his father, Lord Yulin, were seated side-by-side drinking tea. They both rose when I entered, and we bowed to each other while exchanging the usual polite greetings. Two attendants were standing beside them, loaded down with silk-covered packages.

Members of the White Tiger clan tended to be slender or wiry, with white hair and blue eyes, though there was considerable variation. They looked exactly like humans, apart from their pointed ears. Prince Baiyu and his father had the same classic coloring the clan was famous for, and they resembled each other closely, except Lord Yulin was older and brawnier. Also, Prince Baiyu had a purple birthmark in the shape of a lotus flower on his forehead.

My boyfriend was wearing his long white hair down, and his plain white cotton robes were masterfully painted with a bamboo design. Lord Yulin was in red silk robes.

When we were done with the formalities, we sat down and Lord Yulin took the lead in explaining the things he brought with him. “I know you refused to accept gifts from the clans, but, strictly speaking, these are not gifts. Everyone who fought in the battle has been given their proper rewards. This is all in accordance with our military merit system.”

An attendant came forward and presented the first box to me, opening it to show a silver tablet with many characters inscribed on it.

Lord Yulin smiled, showing a row of brilliant white teeth, and said, “This is a merit plaque awarded for outstanding service.”

Fengying bowed to the attendant, took the item, and handed it off to a maid who placed it on a side table.

The next item was a simple fly whisk with a wooden handle and hairs made of plant fiber.

Seeing my surprise, Lord Yulin explained why I was given this gift. “I see you’re not familiar with our traditions. The whisk symbolizes sweeping away bad health.”

He also elaborated on the meaning of the other symbolic items.

The tall staff topped with jangling metal rings was a “tiger staff” that was originally used by monks to scare off wild beasts. Symbolically, it was an item that drove away misfortune.

The ruyi, a jeweled scepter with an s-shaped handle and cloud-shaped head, was a symbol of political power and leadership since it was a fancy version of a speaker’s staff, an object that was passed around in a meeting to indicate which person’s turn it was to talk.

“My lord, you do me too much honor.” This was a stock phrase that all nobles were taught to say when accepting a gift.

“Not at all. The honor is mine.” Lord Yulin paused. “I heard your home was graced with a sacred herd of qilin. They left behind some jade tablets?”

“They did, actually.”

“May I examine them?”

“Yes, of course.” I nodded to Fengying.

This must be the real reason why he came with Prince Baiyu.

Fengying took the tablets from the display case, and Lord Yulin painstakingly inspected each one, even pulling out a magnifying glass and then a jeweler’s loupe to study the finer details.

Meanwhile, the maids served some snacks, which Prince Baiyu and I ate as we made small talk about the weather and travel.

Finally, Lord Yulin put the jade tablets down and sighed. “I don’t suppose you would consider selling this to me?”

I shook my head. “Sorry, but no. I could let a few of your scholars examine them here in my house if you like.”

“Excellent.”

The qilin’s items really did seem to be the goal of his visit because after that he left immediately after a few more polite remarks.

“What was that about?” I asked Prince Baiyu.

“You know that qilin are said to appear during the reign of a just ruler. He was looking for any prophecies or words of wisdom that could be hidden in the tablets.” He leaned sideways on his seat towards me and smiled. “You look lovely today. I missed you so much.”

I blushed, and the ever-tactful Fengying didn’t need to be told to give us some privacy. She left with the maids straight away. The royal attendants did likewise, and I knew my housekeeper knew to offer them food and drink while they waited.

“I missed you, too,” I said. “You must be tired. Let’s finish the food, and I’ll show you to your room.”

We quickly ate the rest of the snacks, gulped down our tea, and made our way to the guest rooms. At the third courtyard, the central open space had a small garden with large pots containing cloud trees, dwarf maples, boxwood plants, ornamental grass roses, peonies, and hibiscus flowers all blooming out of season since they were from the Cash Shop.

Prince Baiyu's rooms were elegantly decorated with light and dark wooden furniture either upholstered for comfort or strewn with colorful silk cushions for a homey feel.

“Alone at last.” He closed the door behind him and pulled the window curtains closed. “I’ve been longing for privacy like a man dying of thirst.”

He put his arms around me and seemed to deflate, resting his head on my shoulder with a soft, yet dramatic sigh.

I embraced him. It felt nice, but…

“What’s wrong? And why do you smell of alcohol?” My lips twitched in anticipation of another humorous story about military camp life.

“I’ve been drinking for three days straight! The clans all have been partying, and I couldn’t refuse.” He lifted his head and let go of me before sinking down on a sofa and leaning back on it as though he was exhausted. “My mom couldn’t drink because she’s pregnant, so I had to drink her share.”

“You poor thing.” I sat down beside him and stroked his forehead.

“Those Vermillion Bird clan members never stopped partying!” He gestured languidly. “They have this drink they call rotgut, and, by the gods, it’s the worst thing man ever created.”

“Oh dear.” I covered my mouth with a hand, but I still couldn’t stop the laughter from escaping when I imagined him being cornered by a bunch of overly-enthusiastic clan members,all looking to show off their strongest and most exotic alcoholic concoctions. “How do you feel?”

“I have a terrible headache.”

“Maybe you’re dehydrated. Try this.” I poured him two glasses, one of orange juice and one of water, which he drank with the air of one who was at the end of his rope.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. It was Fengying with a maid carrying a tureen of hangover stew.

“Thank you very much,” said Prince Baiyu.

When they left, I said, “Fengying is worth every penny I pay her. How did she even know you need this?”

“My guards must have told her.”

He looked marginally better after eating Deming’s hangover cure. “My dear, forgive me, but I think I need to lie down and rest.”

“Of course.”

I stood up, but he took hold of my hand and said, “Join me?”

“In bed? You naughty prince!”

“Alas, I’m in no condition for you to threaten my chastity.”

I giggled and pulled him up from the couch. We went to the guest bedroom arm in arm.