Garrett got up before dawn. Living in Plum Terrace Palace hadn't changed that. Now, however, he wasn't packed into a room with a dozen other men. He had his own space. It was larger than his room back home. Taking advantage of that space, Garrett practiced tai chi stances. The Royal Guard's Jade Wall Iron Fist focused on close-quarters combat and enduring any punishment. Even practicing the forms alone was brutal. Many called for Garrett to punch his own body.
Bruised and covered in sweat, Garrett headed for the communal bath. He was the only person in that wing of the palace to get up so early, so Garrett had the communal bath to himself. In Plum Terrace Palace, even the communal bath boasted limitless hot water. The air was always steamy. The Fourth Prince had even offered to let Garrett take a bath toy. Garrett had yet to take up the opportunity to realign his bottom chakras. But he was thinking about it. Realigning his bottom chakras might boost his internal energy flows and thereby improve his tai chi.
Using the bath toys would take time, however, and Garrett had a schedule to keep.
He dried off, got dressed, went outside, and ran. Three terraces of plum trees surrounded Plum Terrace Palace. After careful consideration, Garrett had identified the most arduous routes up, down, and around the terrace staircases. Finished with his run, he peeled off his shirt and cooled down in the mist blowing off a waterfall. Assuming that he had timed everything right, Peresefu-no-kami Rangiku, the Sixth Princess, would show up right about….
"So handsome!" said the Sixth Princess. "But do you always get up this early?"
"Yes," said Garrett.
"It's nice having someone to help with the trees," said Rangiku. "Have you noticed any more spots that need tending this morning?"
In fact, Garrett happened to have spotted several patches in need of tending that morning. Without putting his shirt back on, he led the Sixth Princess to each one. He wasn't just trying to show off. His shirt was soaked with sweat, and that sweat had gotten cold while he waited for Rangiku in the waterfall's mist. Rangiku's mhoddim component had an exoteric – rather than esoteric – bias. She affected the external world, but her capacity for combat was limited. Warriors with strong internal force would still appreciate having the princess around, however, because her healing techniques were strong.
Those same techniques allowed her to make plants grow and blossom in fantastic ways.
If Garrett could spend the rest of his life pointing out spots in need of tending to Peresefu-no-kami Rangiku, that would be great. Unfortunately, his other responsibilities took over after lunch. While the Sixth Princess was friendly, it was the Fourth Prince who appeared most determined to forge a lifetime commitment with Garrett through naked rock climbing.
Garrett wasn't going to lie. Climbing rocks was good exercise. Renjie excelled at not only the act of climbing, but also at instructing others. He was patient, stuck to key points, and never picked terrain beyond Garrett's abilities. Whenever they were on a rock, Renjie even kept his hands where they belonged. While Garrett refused to go full bare essentials, climbing around on granite rocks in reduced clothing made him look quite good.
"So handsome," said the Sixth Princess later in the afternoon.
Jade Palace Mound created strong shadows in the afternoon. Shadows made it difficult for others to see Renjie's body. The prince therefore went off to read naughty illustrated novels in his baths. When that happened, custody of Garrett reverted to Rangiku.
For the Sixth Princess, afternoon meant entertaining. Her events brought the children of nobility together with rising artists, intellectuals, and performers. Garrett stood near the princess to help distribute refreshments and coordinate activities. Of royal princesses, only the Fifth still resided on top of Jade Palace Mound. She was Consort Jin's youngest child. Like her mother, the Fifth Princess was tall, elegant, and refined. The Fifth Princess had no interest in men or marriage, but adored Rangiku and her parties.
"I bring news," she announced upon arrival. "Don't panic."
"You know that telling me not to panic makes me panic," said Rangiku.
"My brother has worked out a deal," said the Fifth Princess.
"With That Man?" asked Rangiku. "About Renjie?"
"Yes," said the Fifth Princess. "I don't know the details. Parsifal will come here tomorrow. Because of your brother's idiosyncratic temperament, it was thought I should give you a heads up."
"You must have an itty bitty clue what the deal involves," said Rangiku.
"It involves climbing around on rocks," said the Fifth Princess.
"Renjie won't say no to that," said Garrett.
The Fifth Princess looked at him as if she hadn't realized he was there earlier.
"You are…," she said, "the Guard who broke that impasse?"
"He is," said Rangiku.
"His body is honest and hard-working," said the Fifth Princess. "Is that what the Fourth Prince finds appealing enough about this young man for them to be on a first name basis?"
"The only thing Renjie finds truly appealing," said Garrett, "is Renjie."
Rangiku snorted. It was an adorable sound.
"He's not wrong," she said. "According to Princess Iba Algi, displays of strength disrupt the signals bouncing around inside Renjie's head. Normally, displays of strength mean muscles. Garrett does have wonderful muscles. I think it's his personality, however, which Renjie finds intriguing."
"It took strength to get That Man out of a bind," agreed the Fifth Princess.
"Are you talking about me?" asked Renjie.
He was dripping wet and as underdressed as possible.
"Garrett," said Rangiku.
"On it," replied Garrett.
He intercepted the Fourth Prince's advance, put an arm around Renjie's wet shoulders, and turned him around. Renjie protested that he couldn't leave the party after having only just made his grand entrance. The other guests would be disappointed if he didn't slide around in his socks. Garrett informed him that there was a plan that should be discussed in private. When that didn't work, he slapped Renjie's tiny butt. That tiny butt was so hard it hurt to slap. The sound stopped conversations. Blinking in shock, Renjie allowed himself to be picked up. Once picked up, the Fourth Prince became an obedient, giggling bundle of coy flirtatiousness.
"I like this Garrett person," said the Fifth Princess.
"I know, right?" said Rangiku.