A Silken Tether for a Dragon - Chapter 3

By the time Suyu found me, I had finished grooming the white lion.

It studied itself in the mirror. Every golden marking shone; every strand of fur was untangled, airy and fluffy as a dandelion.

It was very pleased.

“This groomer, Xu Changying, is excellent,” it told Suyu. “I want her again next time.”

Suyu froze, then bowed. “Yes. As you command.”

The lion glanced at me.

The light in its golden eyes was thick as molten rock.

It said nothing, walking elegantly away.

Outside, it grew to more than ten times its size, as large as when I’d first seen it.

Then it rode away on a cloud and soon vanished beyond the horizon.

Only after it left did Suyu dare breathe deeply.

“XU CHANGYING!!!”

Her roar nearly shattered the ceiling. “Didn’t I tell you that you were suspended?! Does everything I say go straight out the other ear?! I suspend you, and you immediately go straight back to work?!”

I rubbed my red, tearful eyes. “Is loving my job a crime now…?”

“Loving your job! Tell me! How many of its secrets did you pry out?! I’m warning you, this guest is far beyond your ability to offend. Whatever it told you, you must not write a single word! If you let so much as a scrap slip, even I can’t save you!”

“Who is it, anyway? Look how scared you are…”

“You spent hours on end with it and don’t know who it is?”

“I only know its name is Ren’er. Nothing else. Its mouth’s sealed shut.”

Suyu blinked.

“…You couldn’t get it to talk?”

“No. I don’t even know its species.”

She stared for a moment.

Then erupted in thunderous laughter.

“Hahahahahaha!!! Hahahahaha!!!”

My face darkened.

“Enjoying my humiliation, my lady?”

“At last, someone can keep you in line!”

She looked thoroughly vindicated. “Worthy indeed of… hahaha!”

“Of what? What is it?”

“Why should I tell you?”

She shot me a sidelong look. “Don’t ask questions you have no business asking. Off with you. Reflect on what you’ve done. Until the bad rumors about you die down, you’re not returning to work.”

“Waaaaah…”

“By the way, what lovely things did our guest give you?”

My hands flew protectively to my treasure pouch.

“W-why should I tell you? I didn’t offend it! What it gave me is mine!”

“I’m merely curious. I don’t want your things.”

“Don’t ask questions you have no business asking.”

Suyu: “…”

The lion must really have liked my work.

A few days later, it returned.

Suyu recommended other groomers. It wouldn’t even look at them.

It specifically requested me.

“I told you last time that I wanted her on my next visit. You agreed readily enough. Why have you changed your mind?”

Suyu’s face tightened.

“Well… er… the thing is, Xu Changying, she… she…”

“Is she ill?”

“No, not ill.”

“Then why?”

“…”

Suyu shut her eyes and said helplessly, “It’s nothing. Please wait. I’ll fetch her.”

—

I came skipping over.

Spotting the lion from far away, I threw up both arms and waved excitedly.

“Ren’er! You’re back!”

Suyu’s expression changed.

“Xu Changying! How dare you address our honored guest by name?!”

I went rigid.

Before I could speak, the lion said, “It doesn’t matter.”

Suyu: “…”

I grinned triumphantly again, hurried up to the lion, and stroked its fur.

“It’s only been a few days. How did your coat get so damp again? Where have you been?”

It said nothing.

Suyu drew a finger across her throat. “Xu Changying… Do your job. No unnecessary questions.”

I pursed my lips.

“All right, I know.”

I turned to the lion. “This way, honored guest!”

It strode gracefully into the temple ahead of me.

As I followed, Suyu grabbed the back of my collar.

“I’m warning you, Xu Changying. You have no business investigating this guest’s background. Curb that habit before you get yourself killed and drag Tianyi Pavilion down with you!”

I rolled my eyes helplessly. “I know, I know. I can judge what’s serious and what’s not, my lady. You can trust me.”

“I think you’re describing someone else.”

“If you’re so worried, get someone else to do it.”

“It insists on you! What can I do?!”

“Then stop worrying. I’ll finish up quickly, and everything will be fine.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Suyu released my collar.

“Xu Changying, you really must watch your mouth. Don’t go poking into things you shouldn’t.”

“All right, all right.”

I waved and walked jauntily inside.