Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park Read Free Book Online

things about their laws that are in harmony with ours."
    Jade's father looked up from the ball, but his eyes were focused on some place or something not in the room. He continued to speak quietly. "I believe we have much to learn from each other. It is time for our people to look beyond our borders. We have kept to ourselves for too long."
    It was an uncharacteristically long speech—indeed, the greatest number of words Jade had ever heard her father speak. Suddenly he seemed to realize that she was still there; he glanced at her, replaced the ball carefully in its niche, and walked to the door. It was the signal that their meeting was at an end. Jade stood and bowed to her father.
    Her father nodded to her. As she prepared to leave, he said one more thing.
    "I do not forget, Daughter, that right behavior is only one of the Five Virtues."
    And the door closed behind her.

Chapter Thirteen
    Royal Decisions
    It seemed to Jade that she would never find the chance to speak to Tiger alone. It had been several days since her escape and then her conversation with her father—days during which her father had spent most of his time at the palace. Some days he had not returned home at all.
    Yesterday had been a momentous day. The King had heard from all those at the court who wished to express an opinion on the fate of the prisoners. Jade was sure that her father would have been among those to speak, and she felt almost frantic with desire to learn what he had said.
    For the first time in his life Tiger had accompanied his father to the King's court. He had been among the crowd inside the palace walls; he had heard everything that had been said. But since his return in the evening Jade had not seen him except while she served the men and boys their meals.
    Late during the following afternoon Jade loitered about the men's quarters, hoping to catch Tiger coming or going. Her efforts were at last rewarded; when Tiger came out of his room, Jade stepped forward from a corner.
    "Brother! Please, can we talk for a moment?"
    Tiger did not look surprised to see her. "I was just coming to find you," he said. "Come, let's go for a walk in the garden."
    They walked in silence until they reached the little bridge and stood there together as dusk strengthened the shadows. Then Tiger Heart began to speak.
    "I am to tell you what I saw and heard yesterday, Jade," he said slowly. "It is our father who requests that I do so."
    Jade's surprise was so great that her body stiffened; her brother glanced at her quickly. "Our father has told me that, as you already know, these events are not the affairs of women. But he also knows what you saw that day, and he believes that unanswered curiosity can build a road to danger. I will tell you what I know."
    Jade nodded solemnly, grateful beyond words for her father's understanding.
    "First, you must picture this: The King sits on a throne at the head of a wide set of stairs. His guards and ministers stand or sit on either side of him. Anyone who wishes to address him comes to the foot of the stairs and speaks to him from there. The rest of the room is full of other people—junior ministers, scholars, royal retainers, servants. I was lucky; as we had arrived early, I had a position near the stairs. Otherwise, it is very difficult to hear.
    "Many people spoke. I cannot remember everything that they said, but it was easy enough to see that most of the court wanted the prisoners beheaded. Adviser after adviser spoke to the King about their insolence and treachery—that they say there are kingdoms far greater than our own, greater than China, even, and that our Five Virtues are not enough. They speak of ten laws, written in a little book they all carry. The advisers believe they are enemies of the worst kind.
    "All day long such men spoke. Believe me, Jade—being able to leave our household is not always a wonderful thing. There were times yesterday when I thought I would die of boredom." Tiger turned to her with a