Golden Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

upon your decision.”
    With that, the overseer turned and ascended the stair to the Middle Court, leaving Sunan barefoot on the stones below.
     

 
     
     
     
     

     
    Despite anything Overseer Rangsun’s sources might say, Lord Dok-Kasemsan wasn’t dead. Not yet. And if he did die, it would not be of gold-leaf poisoning.
    “Indeed, Honored Mother, while he will know some discomfort for months to come, the dosage I gave him is not lethal.”
    Princess Safiya smiled at Jen-ling, the oldest of the Golden Daughters and the winner of today’s test. The girls stood in a line across from their mistress, each maid painted to look exactly like her sister, all individuality imperceptible save to the trained eye. Even the number of flowers in their hair was the same.
    But Jen-ling stood a step forward from the others and gave her report. The unconscious body of Lord Dok-Kasemsan lay on the floor between her and Princess Safiya.
    “And tell me, Jen-ling,” said the princess, “how did you discern both assassin and target in the crowded Butterfly Hall?” She already knew how Jen-ling had done it. But she asked the question for the benefit of Ambassador Ratnavira, who stood behind a painted screen nearby, listening eagerly. Princess Safiya could almost hear him twisting his too-tight rings.
    “Lord Dok-Kasemsan asked for a second pot of tea,” Jen-ling said, “though I knew he had drunk but a single cup from the pot he was served upon his arrival.”
    The girls were trained to watch for any such small incongruities. Their perception for detail seemed as natural to them as basic sight or smell. Furthermore, they not only picked up on variances, but also kept any number of them listed in their heads. Jen-ling could easily have had her eye on twelve or twenty suspects at a time.
    And the Golden Daughters knew to treat everyone as a suspect. There needn’t be an apparent crime for them to spot an apparent criminal.
    Jen-ling went on to explain how Lord Dok-Kasemsan had slipped poison into his teapot under the pretense of stirring the brewing leaves inside. The gold flakes had been up his sleeve in a pouch, and he had shaken them out delicately as he stirred. Only someone who knew what to look for could possibly have seen it.
    Jen-ling had. She also saw him exchange the pot for another on its way to Ambassador Ratnavira’s table. He had calculated brilliantly, Jen-ling admitted, waiting to send it until exactly when the Ambassador’s cup was near-empty. Indeed, the girl’s voice was full of admiration for the foe lying unconscious at her feet.
    It had been but the work of a moment to switch teapots and send a measured portion of Lord Dok-Kasemsan’s own poison his way.
    Princess Safiya felt the excitement emanating from behind the screen. Ambassador Ratnavira stood to gain many great rewards from his prince for bringing home so worthy a bride.
    “As you have already surmised,” Princess Safiya said, “this was a test of your skills. You, Jen-ling, have passed. Your reward is a contracted marriage to Prince Amithnal of Aja. Your training is complete, my child. Your life’s work as a protector of your master will now commence.”
    Jen-ling bowed, and not even Princess Safiya could read the expression behind her painted mask. This was, after all, the whole purpose of the Golden Daughters: Marriage that was no true marriage; a life of service; secret honor, the more valuable for its secrecy.
    “You may go and prepare yourself for your upcoming journey to Aja,” Princess Safiya said. She rose from her seat and stepped around the prone body of Kasemsan to kiss Jen-ling solemnly upon the brow. “You have satisfied my every wish for you, child. And you have brought still greater honor to the name of your mighty father. May Anwar and Hulan shine bright upon your path.”
    So Jen-ling retreated, and eight of the other girls followed. Only Sairu remained, her hands folded within her sleeves, her head bowed. And that same smile