Gaoshun watched them both with exasperation. It would do Jinshi no good if Maomao got too tense. He sat back down. The petite serving woman bowed her head and made to leave the room, but then she stopped. A branch of red, trumpet-shaped flowers decorated the room. “Hongniang put them there earlier,” Jinshi informed her. “Indeed,” Maomao said. “What a great burst of blooms.” She took one of the blossoms, broke off the stem, and put it in her mouth. Jinshi, perplexed, approached slowly and did the same. “It’s sweet.” “Yes. And poisonous.” Jinshi spat out the stem and covered his mouth as Gaoshun
...more
