Page 9 of A Forgery of Fate

My fingertips tingled, and I held them still by bunching up my skirt. “I see nothing amiss,” I lied. “I’ve seen plenty a Lei Wing piece with rivers like this before.”

“I haven’t,” said Mr.Jisan flatly.

“Which makes this piece all the more special,” said Gaari, wielding his silkiest tone. “Just look at the energy in the fisherman’s fingers. Those knuckles and knobs. Who else could paint hands like Lei Wing? And that expression on his face! Doesn’t he look like he might talk back at any moment? The piece will fetch a handsome price.”

I stared wretchedly at the river while Gaari covered up for me. Honestly, I barely remembered painting it. Then again, that always happened when I worked late and on an empty stomach. Such a simple mistake, but it could be the end ofme.

I’d have to be more careful.

“The detail is there,” Mr.Jisan allowed. “The pose is similar to theRice Farmer.”

“So it is,” Gaari said, twisting his lips. A token move that I knew all too well. With a sense of perfect timing, he started to roll up the scroll.

“What are you doing?” Mr.Jisan demanded. “I wasn’t finished inspecting—”

“I’m an honest man, sir,” said Gaari. “It’s occurred to me that you are less than enthusiastic about portraits, and I’m not here to waste anyone’s time. If you’d like to pass, simply say the word. I’ve an appointment with Lady Vee to speak with Mr.Wan, and we are running quite behind on time—”

“Mr.Wan?”

“Yes. He’s expressed interest in Lei Wing’s works many times. But we thought to approach you first, since you were so kind with the Chuli landscape that my associate sold you last time.”

“That was through you, Mr.Gaari?”

“Indeed.” Gaari bowed.

I held my breath as Mr.Jisan beckoned Gaari for my painting, and as he unrolled it onto his desk once more. I could feel my chest constricting, my lungs pinching and demanding new air, when at last Mr.Jisan gave a nod. “I’ll take it.”

“Wonderful news!” Gaari exclaimed. “You’ll not regretit—”

“But first,” said Mr.Jisan, waving Gaari away. “Enlighten me, Lady Vee. Just how did you acquire Master Lei Wing’s art?”

I closed my fan and lowered it to my side. The best lieswere spun with threads of truth, and the reason Lei Wing was my favorite painter to forge was because…

“He went missing at sea,” I replied calmly.Like Baba.“My father dabbles in trade and encountered a merchant who’d smuggled Lei Wing’s last works out of Kiata. When I heard about this piece, I wanted it.”

“It is a rare find,” Mr.Jisan agreed, but his look was still hard. “Why are you selling it now?”

Were I Tru, I would have told him to go piss in a dragon’s beard. I needed money, obviously. My family had been surviving off boiled cabbage dumplings and I would have kissed a rat to sink my teeth into something that had actual spice and crunch. But I wasn’t Tru; I was Lady Vee.

And as Lady Vee, I raised my sleeve and wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of my eye. “My father is often at sea, and my mother is superstitious. She believes Lei Wing’s work will bring ill fortune to our family.”

It was the first time I’d liked Mr.Jisan, the way he rolled his eyes at my fictional mother. “Then rest assured, we will find the piece a proper home,” he said.

At last, Sages be praised, he signed the verification papers and stamped them with his seal.

“It is genuine,” Mr.Jisan told his subordinates. “Add it to the list for the next auction today.”

I was so relieved that I forgot not to scratch at my wig. Before anyone saw, I quickly blew away the stray piece of blue hair that fell over my eyes.

Gaari nearly had to push me out into the courtyard. I knew the routine; he wouldn’t leave with me. He would see the transaction through, then find me afterward.

“Well done,” he whispered. “Lunch is on me.”

Thank Amana, I was starving. “At Luk’s?” I asked hopefully.

“You fancy noodles?”

“I always fancy noodles.”

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