At this, she sharpens, back a firm line, eyes slanted. And she offers, "Once, guided. I do not intend to give you full leave in my grandfather's private property and my ancestral home." And softer, "Nor do I intend to give you the opportunity to harm yourself, then claim it done against you and create a conspiracy of my injury of my cousin's champions."

Forgive her the inevitability of machinations. At least, her humour seems largely intact. "Speak with Wen Qing. But I implore both of you to exercise foremost discretion."

And she is not a woman accustomed to begging.