The Concubine Affair

by Quig Shelby

  Lawrence scrolled down his notes. He might have to adjust the doses. He wasn’t quite ready to explore his previous life; first he wanted to return to Cambridge, and unmask Bastille.

  ‘Wa Yu, what a surprise,’ said Heshen, staring into her carriage.

  They were outside the pavilion in the Summer Palace.

  ‘I wouldn’t rush my dear. The Emperor has found a new confidant,’ he said.

  ‘Then I am pleased for him,’ said Wa.

  ‘And are you pleased for Bik too?’

  ‘Of course,’ answered Wa.

  ‘You know you beat me to the Emperor’s ear,’ said Heshen ‘I was hoping to tell him of your love for Bik Dong Fang.’

  ‘Well fortunately the Emperor has learned for himself how captivating Bik can be,’ said Wa.

  ‘Indeed he has, and let us hope you are not hiding any more secrets Wa, now you are no longer the Emperor’s favourite.’

  ‘Are you accusing me of anything Heshen?’ she asked.

  ‘Just consider it friendly advice my pretty concubine. And since you now have Zhen Wong’s ear, perhaps you can pass a message onto Fu Chung Soo.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘The Emperor is holding a banquet in three days’ time, and he wants to impress a noble family from Manchuria. Tell Fu to be at his best.’

  ‘I shall pass on your message,’ said Wa ‘is that all?’

  ‘No. He can forget ever leaving the Imperial Court. It appears our beloved Emperor has taken quite a shine to his tricks.’

  Heshen was disappointed, he’d wanted to relieve Fu of all his illusions, and let one of the young guardsmen he fawned over become the Court’s magician.

  Chapter Thirty

  ‘So this is the great Fu Chung Soo,’ said Hui scathingly, looking at Orvid.

  Orvid and Alain were in Hui’s flat by appointment. It was the afternoon, and the blinds were lowered to keep out the strong sunlight.

  ‘I here you now make animals from balloons master magician,’ said Hui disdainfully.

  ‘It appears the magician’s new skills are a match for the priest’s sobriety,’ said Yi.

  Alain and Orvid looked uncomfortable with the sarcasm.

  ‘Forgive us,’ said Hui ‘you are not to blame, but rather your previous lives.’

  ‘And even then we had a choice,’ said Yi ‘though it was a difficult one.’

  ‘Perhaps if we had known the outcome we would have acted differently,’ said Hui.

  ‘But we were dragged along by events,’ said Yi.

  ‘The moment we knew of the affair we should have reported it, and not concealed the matter,’ said Hui ‘but we helped the two lovers, and conspired against the Emperor.’

  Alain looked guilty.

  ‘Of course we escaped thanks to Fu, but the ones close to us were not so fortunate,’ said Hui.

  ‘They paid the price because we could not,’ said Yi.

  ‘Two hundred and more years trapped inside the vase, whilst waiting for everything to come around again,’ said Hui, looking tired.

  ‘It is a long time to reflect,’ said Yi.

  ‘What happened to Fu?’ asked Orvid.

  ‘Killed alongside Zhen,’ said Hui.

  Orvid looked sick.

  ‘How?’ he asked.

  ‘Drowning,’ replied Hui.

  Orvid was dispirited; he couldn’t even escape his problems in a past life.

  ‘But can we really change the past, and do we need to?’ asked Orvid.

  ‘And what if you and Karin were to drown in her houseboat?’ asked Hui.

  ‘And Alain and Verity were torn apart, slain,’ said Yi.

  ‘You’re sure it will be repeated?’ asked Orvid looking for a lifeboat.

  ‘You don’t have to believe us. You can leave now, and never hear from us again. But be sure of this, like you have never been certain of anything, if you don’t change the past then everything as before will happen once more,’ said Hui.

  ‘But why can’t we just change the present?’ asked Orvid.

  ‘Because you, Fu, trapped our souls,’ said Yi.

  To save them, Fu had spirited Hui and Yi into the Emperor’s gift, the Qianlong vase. His only oversight was his own death, and the tragedy of Wa and Alain was etched onto the vase that became a prison.

  ‘The past is stuck, and it will keep repeating until it is changed,’ explained Hui.

  It appeared the great Fu’s last trick had not been so magical.

  Alain’s had already made up his mind. He’d fallen in love with both Verity and Wa Yu, and he couldn’t bear any of them to suffer. But he had to let Orvid choose his own destiny.

  ‘With our help you can correct the mistakes that have haunted us all for centuries,’ said Hui to Orvid and Alain.

  ‘Please forgive our manners,’ said Yi ‘green tea anyone?’

  Over tea Hui revealed how Fu, and not Alain, had inadvertently put him and Yi in the firing line.

  ‘It was not purposeful,’ said Hui ‘but Fu could not prevent himself from using the lantern, and our role was uncovered,’ said Yi.

  ‘But Master Fu, Orvid,’ said Hui, trying to be conciliatory ‘you did give us all a second chance.’

  And he was nothing if not a man of second chances.

  ‘Still, it’s some trick,’ said Orvid.

  ‘Like genies into the lamp,’ said Yi.

  ‘Is it any wonder the Emperor was keen to keep you,’ said Hui.

  ‘The great Fu could do many wonderful things,’ said Yi. ‘Some even believed he was immortal.’

  ‘Now that beats pulling a rabbit from a hat,’ said Orvid.

  ‘Who needs immortality,’ said Alain ‘when life just keeps on repeating itself.’

  And to that they all drank.

  ‘But just how do we change the past?’ asked Alain.

  He didn’t want Marcus to kill him or Verity.

  ‘You still have the drug Alain?’ asked Yi.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied.

  ‘And you’ve already saved Cong Chu Cheng,’ said Yi.

  They really did keep up.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then you know that changing just one small thing can have immense consequences,’ said Hui.

  Alain nodded.

  ‘You both need to go back to the Imperial Palace, as perhaps do Verity and Karin, and change things,’ said Yi.

  ‘Don’t worry, your past lives will be totally unaware you are there,’ said Hui.

  This much they already suspected.

  ‘So what do we change?’ asked Orvid.

  ‘We will tell you closer to the time. But be warned, actions often have unintended consequences,’ said Hui.

  They bowed to their hosts and left. Alain was right thought Orvid, you just had to empty your mind and all the old customs came flooding back.

  Orvid couldn’t wait to get back to Karin. He was picking up a takeaway tonight, and wanted to impress her with his chopsticks.

  But Alain had a lingering feeling of dread; what if Dr Calder suddenly discovered he was Heshen?

  Chapter Thirty One

  Karin was seated in the houseboat as Orvid performed his card trick.

  ‘And now for my last trick I shall ....’

  Karin put her finger on his lips.

  ‘I know what the great Fu Chung Soo can do for his next trick,’ she said.

  ‘The balloons?’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Flowers from the sleeve?’

  She shook her head again, and Orvid shrugged his shoulders. Karin whispered in his ear, and Orvid quickly followed her to the bedroom. Poor Lauderdale would miss the rest of the morning performance.

 
Ivy was kicking him out of bed.

  ‘You’d better get back to her,’ she said referring to Verity.

  ‘Don’t say it like that,’ said Marcus ‘I thought she was your friend.’

  ‘I don’t do friends,’ said Ivy ‘everyone uses everyone else.’

  She really was from the school of hard knocks. But Marcus couldn’t argue; they were using each other.

  ‘When can I see you again?’ he asked.

  ‘Whenever you want: But remember, I’m not going to be one of your hookers. This is just a taste; if you want me then Verity goes.’

  She was tired of wasting her life on the likes of Roger, and saw her chance to catch a big fish. And who knows in ten years he could even be dead.

  ‘Oh for God’s sake Marcus, don’t give me that look. When was the last time you slept together?’

  ‘Last week,’ he said.

  ‘OK, when’s the last time you really enjoyed screwing her?’

  ‘I don’t know, last year, maybe.’

  ‘Baby I don’t want to be cruel but it’s me you deserve, not Verity.’

  She was certainly right there.

  ‘Don’t rush me Ivy, I like you a hell of a lot.’

  ‘I could tell that last night,’ she said.

  ‘But divorce?’ he asked.

  ‘Who said anything about divorce?

  Marcus looked at her.

  ‘She’s a schizo isn’t she?’ said Ivy.

  ‘Maybe, but she’s a lot better lately.’

  ‘Marcus this is really cute, and I’m almost ready to cry, but have you never heard of overdoses,’ she said.

  ‘You really are a bitch,’ he said.

  ‘Don’t kid yourself honey, that’s exactly why you love me.’

  She was right, Marcus had finally met his equal, but were they destined for heaven or hell?

  Orvid was home alone collecting some ropes, and gags, for the house boat. Karin’s sexual appetite was as vociferous as his own. Then he stumbled upon a treasured possession; a heart shaped vial, a pendant full of his blood. She was never going to come back. He checked his own, hanging from the shower like a yellow ribbon, and full from Libby’s heart when it still beat. With tears in his eyes he placed it on the top shelf of the wardrobe, and solemnly closed the door, like a coffin lid.

  They were mismatched, but there was something about the other they couldn’t let go. Though eventually the warmth turned to fire, and they both got burnt. And now Libby was gone, murdered. In times of trouble he had no god, but he would meditate. Hours later, with the candles dying, he saw Heshen’s eyes, then Dr Calder, smirking in the car outside his house.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  They were crammed into the houseboat. Verity sat next to the flowers Orvid had bought Karin.

  ‘Nice of you to visit,’ said Karin.

  ‘Thanks for the invite,’ said Verity.

  It was Sunday morning, and they were going to St Luke’s; on Karin’s invitation. She didn’t look like a churchgoer, but she did have an ass you could worship.

  ‘Just before we go,’ said Verity ‘I thought you might like to see these.’

  She handed her phone to Karin, and she began to scroll the photos. Alain looked very nervous.

  ‘Don’t worry Alain. I deleted the ones of you,’ said Verity.

  But not before she’d shown one of her other friends he hoped.

  ‘I don’t photograph very well,’ explained Alain.

  ‘Verity says it can be quite a painful experience getting a shot of you’ said Karin smiling.

  Verity was smiling too, and Alain went bright red. That was one secret he didn’t want Karin, and then Orvid, knowing.

  ‘Thanks for coming guys,’ said Karin.

  ‘And where else would a priest go on a Sunday?’ said Alain putting his jacket back on.

  They took the short walk to church along the river bank, with Karin explaining her healing crystals to Verity.

  ‘Ecclesiastes Chapter 1,’ said the reader.

  ‘What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.’

  Alain looked at the others; was he the only one to realise this was reincarnation?

  ‘Corinthians 15:52,’ she continued.

  ‘For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.’

  He almost wanted to take the pulpit and read Revelations, where the dead shall rise and be judged. Alain was a gnostic Christian, believing each life on earth had the chance to atone for previous sins, and break free of the cycle of death and rebirth; finally united with God.

  ‘Thank you Brenda,’ said Reverend Louis Turnbull ‘now can anyone tell me the meaning of these passages?’

  Alain fidgeted, but someone at the back beat him to it.

  ‘That God has seen our mistakes many times before, but we can change,’ said a young man.

  ‘Indeed, thank you Thomas.’

  Alain was glad he hadn’t spoken, they’d completely missed the point, and he Verity, Orvid, and Karin were living proof of that.

  Reverend Turnbull noticed them, and was pleased to see the new faces in church.

  The sun was shining through the stained glass window as Alain rubbed his eyes. The Reverend was looking increasingly like Monsignor Jacques, and over his shoulder was Bertrand.

  ‘Alain you should never have brought her here,’ said Bertrand.

  ‘But she wishes to be baptised,’ said Alain.

  ‘Very commendable Alain but the woman is your whore, is she not?’

  Alain was about to strike him, when Wa held back his hand.

  ‘I can understand French,’ she said.

  ‘Then forgive me Madam,’ said Bertrand.

  ‘Alain I am only concerned for your safety my brother, and the girl’s too,’ said Bertrand.

  ‘But she is here to be baptised with the others,’ said Alain.

  ‘If that is so she is welcome to join the others, but she has no place in your rooms.’

  ‘You are right my friend,’ said Alain, and he turned to Wa.

  ‘Will you be alright seated with everyone else?’ asked Alain.

  ‘I shall manage,’ said Wa ‘you will be there, and Yi outside.’

  ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father and the Holy Ghost,’ said Monsignor Jacques.

  But when he came to Wa he passed her by. Alain stood up, and walked to the front.

  ‘Forgive me father but you have missed this child of God,’ he said.

  Monsignor Jacques attempted to stare him down, but Alain had fire in his belly.

  ‘Of course my son, forgive me,’ he said and Wa was baptised.

  Bertrand shook his head, and feared for both Alain’s and Wa’s safety.

  With most of the church spilled onto the courtyard, Monsignor Jacques beat a path to Alain’s room.

  ‘You dare undermine my authority,’ screamed Jacques.

  ‘You dare refuse a soul entry into the kingdom of God,’ replied Alain.

  ‘I should turn you in now, both of you,’ said Jacques.

  Alain knew to what he was referring.

  ‘On what evidence?’ he asked.

  Jacques tried to recover his temper.

  ‘You’re right I can prove nothing yet,’ he said ‘but you stand on dangerous ground Alain.’

  ‘And yet I have the Emperor’s ear,’ said Alain.

  ‘Chien-lung is fickle Alain, once he has tired of your fountains and whimsy he will not be so blind,’ said Jacques.

  He was also balancing the safety of the mission, should one of its priests get caught with his hand in the Imperial honey pot.

  ‘Perhaps, but I shal
l leave this Kingdom at the end of summer to serve another,’ said Alain.

  ‘The monastery really, you still consider that?’ mocked Bertrand.

  ‘And why not?’ said Alain, although it was a ruse to smuggle Wa Yu out of the country.

  ‘I could think of many reasons including your love of ... life.’

  ‘Is that a sin?’ asked Alain.

  ‘No but gnosticism is,’ said Monsignor Jacques.

  ‘Who told you?’ asked Alain.

  Bertrand looked at the ground, and all was revealed. Alain had once tried to share the real message of Christ with his friend.

  ‘You’re right Alain the Emperor does favour you amongst all of us, but the sooner you are back in France the better,’ said Jacques, and he pushed over Alain’s bookshelf. ‘And at the very least I shall have you excommunicated.’

  Monsignor Jacques stormed out, with the apologetic Bertrand on his tailcoats.

  ‘I came to say thank you for letting me into the real kingdom of heaven,’ said Wa on finding Alain outside.

  She looked so fragile, and he hugged her with tears in his eyes.

  Wa dried his face.

  ‘Yi must take me back, but I will give a message to Zhen my love. Take care Alain because my heart would surely break if I lost you,’ she said.

  Alain watched her leave, and returned to his rooms. He tidied up his books, and readied his back and whip. The gnostic teachings had been outlawed centuries ago, and their message of incarnate souls hidden; but there were those who still believed.

  Verity was tugging on his sleeve.

  ‘Alain are you ready, the service is over,’ she said.

  He rubbed his eyes again.

  ‘Did you fall asleep?’ asked Verity.

  ‘No, I was just somewhere else,’ he said.

  And she knew exactly what he meant.

  It seemed impolite to leave without the obligatory morning coffee. Besides which Karin wanted to show off her new friends.

  ‘Well it’s always a pleasure to see new faces,’ said the Reverend to Alain.

  ‘Excellent service vicar,’ said Verity.