"You took the long route through the western pass because you knew I was staying in the village at the foot of the mountain."
Bai Li hesitated. "The road was quieter."
Yan Cijin's smile became triumphant. "You fell in love with me first."
"You sent me a letter asking whether I had recovered from a training injury."
"Because you were injured."
"You sent a second letter asking whether I had received the first."
"The courier was unreliable."
"And a third letter with a poem you claimed was copied from an old book."
Yan Cijin's face warmed. "It was an old book."
"You wrote it yourself."
"That has not been proven."
Bai Li smiled. "You fell in love with me first."
Yan Cijin narrowed her eyes. "We should establish a rule that no one is permitted to use evidence against me in my own home."
"That seems unreasonable."
"Then I shall make it a household rule."
"I will appeal."
"Your appeal will be denied."
