At last he reached the Gate of the Vermilion Sparrow. To ensure public order a dozen bored soldiers inspected people crossing the Floating Bridge to Fouzhou on the far shore.
Lanterns glowed in the dusk-light. Shih paused, leaning on the parapet and watching the river below. The wood and bamboo bridge creaked continuously from the footfalls of passers-by.
Though he grew calmer, a dull ache beyond the power of needle or drug would not fade. Sickness of the spirit requires invisible cures. Often virtue is the only medicine. He recollected how Dr Du Mau’s spite had led to Lu Ying’s presence in his household – and Cao’s distrust, a thing he had never expected to see.
The river rippled in shifting patterns as he gazed down. It smelt of cleansing and decay, somehow fetid, even lewd. Then Shih imagined Lu Ying’s naked body beneath his own, her firm jade mountains and the fragrance of her black rose. Eyes reaching out and clasping. Murmurs and cries. So strong was the unbidden image that he felt dizzy leaning over the low parapet.
His heart raced. Control struggled for mastery.
By right he could possess her anytime he chose. Was she not his concubine? At least, if she forgot Peacock Hill – if she made that pact with him – if he could betray Cao who had surrendered her entire happiness to his care.
Another part of him asked coldly, was he not a man? Lu Ying might bear him a son. Her essential breaths reeked of warm health, and that implied fecundity. Yet if he took what dangled, he would lose something ineffably fine. Once water was poured into wine, neither could be itself again.
Dr Shih looked up at the battlements of Nancheng and recognised a silhouette against the thinning sun. At once he hurried after it, pursuing a shadow. Passing through the Gate of the Vermilion Sparrow, he climbed an earthen ramp. A dozen carpenters were working at the foot of the walls, sawing wooden beams. As many rope-makers arrived in a convoy of wheelbarrows filled with hemp coils. At last he spied his brother on a platform, observing the loading of a whirling tiger catapult.
Guang raised his arm and barked out a command. Twenty bare-chested men hauled on as many ropes, flinging a rock high over the battlements. An observer on the walls fluttered a yellow flag and Guang nodded happily. Finally he noticed Shih and summoned him with a wave.
‘Brother, did you see where that stone landed!’ exclaimed Guang. ‘Had it been a thunderclap bomb there would have been a dozen Mongol widows!’
Shih listened to predictions of burning ships and drowned men, his smile forced and fixed. At last Guang became aware of it.
‘Is something wrong?’ he asked. ‘Is Father unwell?’
‘Father is exactly as he was when you deposited him at my gates,’ said Shih.
‘Put it where I ordered! Over there!’ bawled Guang at a squad of soldiers carrying a huge crossbow. ‘What were you saying?’
‘It is not important.’
Guang scowled at the hammering and confusion around them.
‘This is all I hear from dawn until midnight! I say, let them get on with it. I can always mend their mistakes tomorrow.
Now Little Brother stands before me and I am thirsty. So let us drink.’
Soldiers saluted as they left the ramparts. Soon the bright doors of a large teahouse came into view, festooned with banners and glowing lanterns. The Five Breeze Loft occupied both sides of the street, a confusion of balconies and tiled roofs.
A flying bridge connected the two buildings and waiters with steaming dishes on lacquered trays scurried over the hats of people on the street below.
‘This place will do,’ said Guang. ‘The owner knows me.’
Shih hesitated. He could barely afford the simplest of dishes in so grand an establishment. Besides, he had heard Dr Du Mau often came here.
‘Don’t worry, Little Brother,’ said Guang. ‘You are my guest.’
The arrival of Captain Xiao caused a stir among the waiters.
They were led to a sumptuous private room, its balcony overlooking the rooftops of Nancheng. Across the river, Fouzhou was dotted with lights. Above the Twin Cities, constellations glittered in a blue-black sky.
Flasks of warm and chilled wine arrived, along with a dozen dishes.
‘
Now
I feel better,’ said Guang, downing his first bowl. ‘The truth is, I’m busier than a nest of wasps.’
Shih toyed with his wine for moment, then swallowed it in one. Unworthy feelings crept through his breast. He envied his brother’s apparently uncomplicated nature. That he seemed to live without doubt.
‘You might wonder why I’m so busy,’ continued Guang, swallowing a coloured egg stuffed with minced quail. Yellow crumbs clung to his moustache. ‘The truth is, we have received messages that the Army of the Right Hand is in full retreat. Our generals will not risk a fight, the dogs!’
‘That is bad,’ said Shih, dully.
‘If only I was there! Try one of these chicken wings, Little Brother, the sauce is a wonder.’
For the first time, Shih smiled. Sometimes Guang reminded him of a guileless boy who draws one into his games through sheer enthusiasm.
‘I’m glad of your company, though,’ continued Guang. ‘I need a wise head, and a discreet one. What do you make of this?’ He bent forward to whisper. ‘My patron, Prefect Wang Bai, constantly asks what properties we are confiscating. He’s even given me a long list of places. The strange thing is, half the houses have no military value. And once they’ve been seized, I’m forbidden to pull them down. Some say that he packs them with tenants as soon as their owners have been evicted. Of course, that cannot be true. Yet I suspect a dirty business.
Corrupt officials must be to blame. What do you say?’
Shih shrugged and drained another large bowl. His third.
‘No doubt,’ he said.
Guang stroked the wisps of his beard thoughtfully.
‘You’re thirstier than a clam tonight,’ he said. ‘How is Father? Still talking to the fishes, eh?’
‘To Lord Yun, I am Khan Bayke’s hired gaoler,’ said Shih.
‘He refuses to acknowledge me as his son. Well, there is nothing new there. But he asks after you, Guang, really you should visit him more often. It might help him rediscover his true nature.’
Other reproaches could have been added. That the one they called Captain Xiao in honour of his filial piety neglected his own father. That the old man was a burden in every possible way. But some truths may not be spoken, so he took Guang’s advice and tried a chicken wing. The sauce was indeed a wonder.
‘I hear you spend much time with your new lieutenant,’ said Shih. ‘The fellow who helped you escape the occupied lands.’
‘You mean Chen Song!’ said Guang, warming. The mention of Father had dampened his spirits. ‘Now, there is a fine gentleman, Shih! Without his assistance in Chunming we would surely have been taken prisoner. I tell you, Chen Song is a man for difficult times. He is both scholar and soldier – and fine company, too.’
Shih glanced out of the window. Jealousy of one who had saved the lives of his dearest relations was surely ignoble.
‘I’m glad you take pleasure in his company,’ he said, stiffly.
‘Yes, we’ve had a few wild nights since I got back.’ Guang leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘When we visit an oriole flower hall. . . Well, let us say the welcome is warm.’
He chuckled and splashed more wine into their cups. Shih felt oddly disconcerted. Though he knew Guang intended nothing by it, half of Lu Ying’s name meant
oriole
. Against his better judgement, he began awkwardly:
‘Actually, I would welcome some advice concerning a lady.
You know about the Pacification Commissioner’s concubine, who has joined my household?’
‘Who does not know? Try these snails, you won’t be disappointed.’
Shih persevered. After all, Guang was Eldest Brother. It was his duty to offer useful advice.
‘Today Lu Ying caused a quarrel in our household,’ he said.
‘Even with Cao. . . Well, especially with Cao.’
Guang’s chopsticks froze in their work of pouncing on snails.
‘No need to say more! I always take Honoured Sister-in-law’s side! She is jade to me, solely for her loyalty to you. This Lu Ying must be kept in her place. If need be, drive her from your doors.’
‘Matters are slightly more complicated than you suggest,’ said Shih. ‘I fear the Pacification Commissioner would hardly forgive our family for throwing her on the street.’
Guang nodded.
‘You are right. Then lock her in a small room for a day.
That’ll teach her a lesson.’
‘Is she a criminal?’ asked Shih. ‘Am I to be a gaoler as Father believes? You see, I pity the lady. Of course I have not felt it appropriate to enter into
relations
with her. It would break Cao’s heart. I try so hard to do well by everyone, Guang. But that seems impossible.’
Guang tugged at his chin, then poured more wine.
‘I met the lady myself today,’ he said. ‘She was wandering round the streets, dressed like a peacock. Perhaps she is mad.
You must keep a tighter grip on her, Little Brother! She claimed to be looking for you, but it was nearly a bad business. A crowd had gathered to stare at her as though she was a puppet show!’
Shih frowned.
‘No one told me,’ he said.
Somehow he did not welcome the thought of Captain Xiao talking with Lu Ying. The two brothers downed another bowl to fill an awkward silence.
‘I have the answer,’ said Guang. ‘I shall admonish the girl sternly. Remember, I am Eldest Brother, and given Father’s condition. . . Well, let’s not bring Father into this. I shall command her to follow Cao’s instructions, as is only proper. Lu Ying will certainly obey me.’
‘Actually, the young lady is generally obedient to Cao,’ said Shih, hurriedly. ‘Thank you for your advice. There is no need for you to speak to her. I now see how to proceed.’
‘As you wish,’ said Guang. (Was there disappointment in his voice? Shih could not tell). ‘If her conduct gets worse, come and see me. I know a thing or two about women.’
Guang tapped his forehead, then drank another cup. His expression suddenly grew morose. Shih was used to such shifts of mood in his brother.
‘I have never forgotten how you and Cao helped me,’ said Guang. ‘You shared what little you had when all the world viewed me as a worthless, hungry dog on the street. Some would say it was merely your duty. But I have seen many betray their own brothers. Honour me by relating our conversation to Sister-in-law. Tell her I will always defend her.’
Then Guang’s flame brightened again. His frown smoothed and he returned to favourite topics: how he had overcome a thousand petty obstacles to gather thunderclap bombs; how he had gained praise from the Pacification Commissioner himself and even won the grudging respect of the Zheng cousins, those brave commanders who had initially opposed his promotion.
Guang arranged the flasks and bowls on the table to represent the Twin Cities, showing how an attacker would be ground like rice until the husks floated away down the Han River. Shih drank so steadily his head swam. He did not mention his troubles again; it seemed easier to listen and admire.
When he returned to Apricot Corner Court, he found that Cao had not waited up for him. Neither did she stir as he awkwardly undressed in the dark, or even when he murmured drunken endearments by way of good night. Her back was strangely rigid for one who slept.
*
Peace returned to his household the next day. At least, outwardly. If intimacy is two boughs fluttering beside one another so their leaves mingle, Shih sensed Cao’s branch lean away, and filled the empty space between them with sad thoughts. He also feared that she suspected his intemperate desires.
Lu Ying kept to her room and he wondered what she was thinking. Not of plain Dr Shih, that was certain. Yet, sometimes, he imagined she might wish him to approach her.
That afternoon, his duties at the Relief Bureau fulfilled, he returned home and mounted the stairs to the tower room. As he emerged on the first floor he found Lord Yun by the window, half-hidden by a bamboo curtain, peering like a watchful hawk down at Apricot Corner Court. Shih had little doubt what fascinated the old man. A few swift strides to the window confirmed his fears.
Widow Mu’s daughter, Lan Tien, was playing with her brothers round the apricot tree, bending and brushing back her fringe. Dr Shih released the curtain so that it fell with a clatter. The old man shuffled back a few paces, his sensitive almond eyes staring into empty space.
‘You demean yourself, sir,’ chided Shih. ‘The city has many noble sights. This is not one of them.’
‘Do not talk to
me
about demeaning oneself!’ replied Lord Yun. ‘You claim to be my son, yet what do I find? A doctor. A
peddler
.’
Shih went pale.
‘If I am
just
a doctor, as you say, then who is to blame? It is you, Father, who chose that destiny for me. Have you really forgotten?’
‘Ah hah! That is what Bayke taught you to say! I’m aware of your game! If only Guang was here, he’d make you grovel.’
‘Father, have you really forgotten how I came to be a doctor?’
There was pleading in Shih’s voice.
The old man pushed aside bunches of drying herbs that hung from the rafters and descended the steep wooden stairs. A door slammed below. For a moment Shih stood indecisively, wondering whether to follow. Drawing up a stool, he sat at his workbench and stared across the rooftops at Peacock Hill, listening to the children play outside.
Later he walked across Apricot Corner Court, nodding curtly to Lan Tien and her brother on the way. He found Widow Mu fanning herself in her dumpling shop.
‘I have come to enquire about your health,’ he said. ‘Among all these rumours of war and Mongols.’
She watched him cautiously.
‘As I told Madam Cao only this morning, with so many soldiers in the city, business has never been better,’ she said.
Shih realised his wife had been gossiping. Widow Mu probably knew more about their troubles with Lu Ying than he did.
‘So you are well,’ he said.
‘Even if we were sick,’ she replied. ‘Since you healed His Excellency’s son, we couldn’t afford your fees.’