Chapter 36: I Was Never Meant to Be Here

"You knew," said Ming. "From the first day." They were in her room. It was past the fourth watch, and the brazier had gone out, and she hadn't relit it. She was standing by the desk with the tissue rubbing in her hand, the white name on the gray, and he was standing by the door, where he always stood now. "Yes," said Nine. "When he came to my desk. When he touched my inkstone. You stood there and bowed to him." Her voice was quiet. "The longest bow I ever saw you give." "Rule one," said Nine. "One is extremely polite to Magistrates." "Don't." He didn't. He stood there. "Why didn't you tell me?" she said. For a while he didn't answer. Then he did, and his voice was level. "The morning he delivered me," said Nine, "he stood in his chambers and poured me a cup of tea.…