The Concubine Affair

by Quig Shelby

  ‘And Alain,’ said Wa, as he followed them behind the curtain ‘if you can’t satisfy us both you won’t get punished.’

  Of course for most repentant and unfulfilling lovers it would have been the other way around, but Alain Fontaney wasn’t most.

  ‘And they say these barbarians don’t understand us,’ groaned Bik.

  ‘Give him a call,’ said Ivy.

  ‘And wake him up?’ asked Verity.

  ‘Do you really think he’d mind?’ responded Ivy.

  Verity smiled.

  ‘Hello,’ said a bleary eyed Alain, turning his head on the pillow to answer the phone.

  ‘Hope you haven’t been trying to wriggle out of your cage,’ said Verity teasing.

  ‘It’s not possible,’ replied Alain. ‘I’ve tried.’

  ‘Anyway guess whose sitting beside me?’ asked Verity.

  ‘The Emperor,’ said Alain.

  ‘No.’

  Verity didn’t let him guess again, and thought she’d better tell him before he revealed their secret.

  ‘Ivy,’ said Verity.

  He’d heard her dirty voice before, and was already feeling very dirty himself.

  ‘Hi freak,’ shouted Ivy. ‘Bang your head on the wall for me.’

  He didn’t, but she was a knockout, just like Verity.

  ‘Look go and freshen up,’ said Verity ‘we’re on our way. And don’t expect to get unlocked, unless you can earn it.’

  ‘What do I have to do?’

  ‘Move the queening chair downstairs,’ answered Verity before turning off the phone.

  ‘Let’s not rush,’ said Ivy, pushing her tongue down the back of Verity’s throat ‘I want him begging by the time we arrive.’

  ‘Oh don’t worry,’ said Verity ‘he’ll be doing plenty of that,’ as she touched the key around her neck.

  ‘Are you going to let him out?’ asked Ivy.

  ‘Of course not, he said he was a masochist.’

  Chapter Forty

  Lawrence was boning up on the Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period. He knew that Heshen met a rather unfortunate end; being forced to commit suicide by Chien-lung’s successor, his son the Jiaqing Emperor. But why was Alain ferretting around?

  An obscure web page threw some light on the subject. Wa Yu the disgraced concubine hung herself, and before that her priest and lover Alain Fontaney died of a thousand cuts. At the same time a Court magician called Fu, and his assistant, were drowned for treason, but there was no explanation as to why.

  Lawrence tried to fit the pieces together, and checked Alain’ notes. ‘A bloody end’ and ‘what has happened once will happen again’ were written: Then boldly underlined ‘unless it can be changed.’

  Suddenly it all clicked into place. If they couldn’t save themselves in Imperial China, an equally gruesome fate awaited them now. But he, Heshen, was their vanquisher; so were they intending to speed along his demise? He needed more information, and there was only one place to get it - the Summer Palace.

  It was getting easier each time. He just hoped that Heshen’s love struck guard was on duty at the Palace gates, and not sharing his bed.

  Lawrence knew he’d arrived, feeling every sinew in Heshen’s body. Yet his host was perfectly unaware of his time travelling parasite.

  ‘And what news do you have for me today,’ Heshen asked his master spy.

  ‘Important news my liege, Bik Dong Fang has a lover.’

  ‘Indeed, and we are all happy for the Emperor are we not,’ said Heshen.

  ‘Would it be he were her only lover my liege.’

  ‘She loves another?’ said Heshen, trying to sound shocked.

  ‘A concubine.’

  Heshen felt relieved.

  ‘The Emperor knows of her infatuation for Wa Yu,’ said Heshen dismissively.

  ‘I do not doubt it Sire, and I’m certain it pleases the Emperor, but she also sleeps with a Palace guard.’

  ‘It cannot be,’ said Heshen.

  ‘I have proof Sire.’

  ‘A name?’

  The spy looked nervous.

  ‘Forgive me Sire but it is Lei Weng.’

  ‘And I suppose you know of me and Lei Weng too,’ said Heshen.

  ‘Indeed, that is why I waited until I had absolute proof.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘The word of Bik’s eunuch, and my own eyes.’

  ‘I see,’ said Heshen.

  ‘You have done well spy, here take these coins,’ said Heshen.

  But as he came close to collect Heshen ran him through with a dagger.

  ‘Well, what are you looking at?’ he said to his two guards ‘dump his body in the river tonight, naked.’

  ‘And the eunuch Sir?’ asked a guard.

  ‘He was only trying to do the right thing. Cut out his tongue, and send him to Mongolia; immediately.’

  Bad news never travelled well; Bik was planning to have better luck.

  Heshen’s thoughts could not influence his own. But Lawrence reached for an apple from the bowl, and bit. He poured a goblet of wine over the spy’s face; then kicked his lifeless body. Things were looking up, he could influence events; historic events.

  Heshen was a vain man to which his wardrobe was testament. Unfortunately neither Wa Yu nor Zhen Wong had fallen for his predatory advances.

  ‘She has just returned,’ said a guard running into his chambers.

  ‘Excellent, then before she heads for the harem, bring Wa Yu to see me,’ said Heshen.

  ‘My dear Wa, how are you feeling today?’ he asked.

  ‘Fine,’ she replied.

  ‘Only fine? You are living in the greatest palace on earth, dressed in luxury, and all you feel is fine. Perhaps that is why the Emperor has a new love Wa, your ingratitude,’ said Heshen.

  ‘Perhaps,’ said Wa.

  She saw the key around her neck in the mirror, but didn’t say she was a prisoner in a gilded cage, who only dreamt of escape, to France, with Alain.

  ‘Why have you brought me here?’ asked Wa.

  For once in his life he wasn’t sure. But Lawrence was. He was face to face with Verity Forster, and in the mirror it was Wa Yu.

  ‘Only to remind I am constantly overlooking your comfort and safety.’

  ‘My dear Heshen you have no need to worry. I am just a simple concubine, born to please. But thank you, I am’ she paused ‘content.’

  Heshen’s eyes turned towards the mirror; he didn’t notice but Lawrence did. Both he and Verity had blurred reflections, two images overlapping.

  ‘Well if Wa Yu is content then so is Heshen,’ he said.

  ‘Thank you for honouring me, but I must take my leave,’ said Wa.

  ‘Guard, escort her back to the harem,’ said Heshen.

  ‘I have no need of your protection, my eunuch is outside,’ said Wa.

  ‘Of course he is, how silly of me to forget. And Wa, tell Fu I look forward to his latest trick.’

  Lawrence splashed cold water onto his face, and touched the mirror; he was back. But he suspected more than ever that Verity and Alain were trying to deal themselves a new hand. But if they did go back he could spot them. And he couldn’t stop smiling. If Verity was Wa Yu, and Alain her lover, then Verity’s rival for Marcus, whoever Bik Dong Fang was in this life, would do his dirty work for him.

  The church was already full of jumble, and Karin was hurriedly setting up her stall.

  ‘Here let me help,’ said the woman stallholder next door.

  ‘Thanks. Hey that’s a nice jacket,’ said Karin.

  ‘It was my husband’s, but he always hated it. I bought it for his ward rounds.’

  ‘Is he a doctor?’ asked Karin.

  ‘A
psychiatrist.’

  ‘Ah Karin, and Mrs Calder, splendid job, really quite splendid,’ said Reverend Turnbull as he quickly passed by.

  ‘The name’s Kay,’ and she offered the woman in pink fishnets her hand.

  ‘Not Mrs Lawrence Calder?’ asked Karin.

  ‘You know my husband?’

  ‘In passing: My sister’s a patient at Monks Hill.’

  ‘Oh the poor dear, I hope she gets well soon.’

  ‘I hope so too, she’s hoping to travel abroad this year.’

  ‘Fuel for the soul,’ said Kay.

  ‘Kay would you mind if I bought that tweed jacket, my boyfriend would love it.’

  ‘Not at all: Shall we say a fiver.’

  ‘Cheap at half the price,’ said Karin, as the doors opened for more bargain hunters.

  Chapter Forty One

  ‘You’re certain you’re ready?’ asked Alain.

  ‘As certain as I can be,’ replied Fu.

  ‘And you need no more practice?’

  ‘Has Zhen been speaking to you Alain?’

  ‘She is worried naturally.’

  ‘And were you not concerned when I blindly threw the knife at your head?’ asked Fu.

  ‘It was a little worrying,’ said Alain.

  ‘And not exhilarating also?’

  Alain smiled.

  ‘I like risks Alain, as do you; that is why we are brothers,’ said Fu.

  ‘You are right,’ admitted Alain.

  ‘But fetch my chest from over there, perhaps I can teach you a few tricks,’ said Fu.

  The chest had handles, but was too heavy to lift; Alain dragged it along the floor, before it rested at Fu’s feet. Inside were manifold manacles.

  ‘I hope you never get to wear them Alain, but just in case let me show you how to escape them.’

  Fu handed him a small slim lock pick.

  ‘Made by a blacksmith in Peking after a bribe to the Emperor’s chief locksmith,’ said Fu proudly.

  ‘It can pick all but the very newest of locks,’ he added.

  ‘Do you love him?’ asked Bik.

  ‘Not in the way that I love you,’ replied Lei Weng.

  They were discussing Heshen.

  ‘And what is the difference?’ she asked.

  ‘With you it is purely physical, of the body and the heart.’

  ‘And with him?’

  ‘It is more mental.’

  Bik laughed.

  ‘My dear, whatever does that mean?’ she asked.

  ‘I appreciate what he can do for me,’ replied Lei.

  ‘And do you not feel like his concubine?’ asked Bik.

  ‘It is different with us,’ said Lei ‘we are equals in bed.’

  ‘Is it not so with you and Wa Yu?’ he asked.

  ‘Absolutely not, I prefer Wa to take charge,’ she answered smiling.

  ‘Perhaps that is why you enjoy controlling me,’ said Lei.

  ‘Perhaps,’ said Bik ‘but I’m glad I have your heart, it appears much stronger than your mind.’

  ‘Heshen has a message for you my love,’ said Lei.

  ‘I shall strike only when I believe the time is right,’ said Bik.

  ‘It is not about the betrayal of Wa and her Jesuit but rather your flamboyance.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘He only requests that you, we, are a little more discreet in front of the eunuchs. He has just sent yours to Mongolia.’

  Bik laughed.

  ‘And I thought he’d become a chambermaid,’ she said ‘well let’s hope he enjoys the weather.’

  ‘When are you going to tell Marcus?’ asked Grainger.

  He should have been tired, but the drugs were keeping him awake. He’d been on the door at the Blue Bell club all night.

  ‘Leave the thinking to me darling. You’ve got the muscles, but I’ve got the brains,’ Ivy said to her bouncer boyfriend.

  ‘Oh don’t look so bloody sad Grainger, it won’t be long,’ she added.

  ‘I still have to share you,’ he said.

  ‘I don’t remember you complaining when the sharing was with his wife,’ said Ivy.

  ‘That was different,’ he said.

  ‘I wonder why?’ said Ivy sarcastically.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ she said ‘do you really think I could stick with Marcus Forster for long?’

  ‘He has a lot of spending power,’ said Grainger.

  ‘And so will you once I get in,’ said Ivy.’ But don’t worry money is the only power he has,’ and she squeezed Grainger’s powerful biceps. ‘I want to be taken, not bought.’

  Grainger smiled.

  ‘Well what are you waiting for?’ asked Ivy ‘can’t you take a hint.’

  ‘The time is right,’ said Hui to Alain and Orvid.

  It was the afternoon, and they were the only dinner guests left in the Chrysanthemum restaurant.

  ‘And if we thwart Heshen I won’t get sent down?’ asked Orvid.

  ‘Probably not,’ said Hui.

  ‘I could just take my chances with the jury, after all I am innocent,’ said Orvid.

  ‘Then he still gets us killed again,’ said Alain.

  They were right; the scheming Dr Calder would never let them win.

  ‘He killed the gardener’s love,’ said Orvid ‘twice.’

  ‘You know, of course,’ said Hui.

  ‘In fact I was hoping to change events,’ said Orvid.

  Hui looked concerned.

  ‘That is why we’re here isn’t it, to change the past?’ said Orvid.

  ‘Indeed, but some things are more important than others,’ said Hui.

  ‘I have seen his grief,’ said Orvid by way of explanation.

  ‘It is sad to see a broken heart,’ said Yi bringing their sweet and sour soup to the table.

  ‘I say let him try if he wishes,’ said Yi.

  Hui looked surprised.

  ‘Are we not here to redeem the past?’ asked Yi.

  Hui nodded.

  ‘But let me tell you what needs changing for our own souls,’ said Hui to Orvid and Alain.

  Yi pulled up a chair to join them.

  ‘Fu is about to perform a trick, a very tall order. If the show goes ahead, and he survives, the Emperor will convince Fu to use the lantern; this must not happen,’ said Hui gravely.

  ‘We will try,’ said Alain.

  ‘You must do better than that Alain, all of our lives depend upon it, in this time and the last,’ said Hui.

  ‘Who’s ready for the main course?’ asked Yi.

  Heshen was looking out over the grounds contemplating how fortunate he had been all those years ago. If he’d have been caught his career would never had started. His family had money to buy his life, but he would have left Peking in disgrace.

  Heshen was thinking of the gardener’s love whose neck he had snapped almost twenty years ago to the day. He was drunk and celebrating his admission into the Palace guards with the other new recruits. But he’d wandered off alone, and spotted the young pretty girl waiting for her beau by the orchard. She spurned his advances, and paid a hefty price.

  If he could change one thing it would be that; there was no advantage in her death, only sorrow.

  Chapter Forty Two

  ‘Are you ready?’ asked Alain.

  ‘As I’ll ever be,’ replied Orvid.

  He was travelling back to try and save the gardener’s heart. Alain appreciated the sentiment, but with events moving so fast, he would have preferred to concentrate on their own necks.

  ‘It’s as precise as it can be,’ said Alain placing two capsules on the kitchen table in front of Orvid.

  ‘Bu
t ...’ he was about to continue.

  ‘It’s a much younger Fu,’ Orvid finished for him. ‘Alain don’t worry I trust you. Besides it’s like Fu says, we’re brothers.’

  Orvid placed the capsules on his tongue, winked at Alain, and swallowed with the glass of water.

  ‘Fu where do you go so late?’ asked his friend the trapeze artist.

  ‘It is a full moon, and such a beautiful night to practice,’ he answered.

  ‘Fu you’re crazy,’ said the fellow, and he rolled over in his bed.

  ‘Practice makes perfect,’ whispered Fu.

  Fu slipped out of their barracks, and made his way to the orchard. In the distance he could see a girl with long dark hair looking up at the sky, and singing.

  ‘Are you singing for your supper pretty one?’ asked Fu.

  The young girl was startled, and he placed his three juggling clubs on the floor.

  ‘I am sorry but it is a beautiful night, and you can’t keep it all to yourself,’ said Fu.

  ‘I was hoping to share it with my love,’ said the girl.

  ‘Then where is he?’

  ‘His parents think we are too young to be married,’ she said looking forlorn.

  ‘Is that why you sing to the stars?’ he asked.

  She smiled.

  ‘And who are you Sir?’

  ‘Fu Chung Soo,’ he said ‘the juggler.’

  ‘Such a proud name for a mere juggler.’

  ‘One day I hope to be a great magician,’ he said.

  ‘Then hopefully that day will come soon, and you will place a spell on my lovers’ parents so he will marry me.’

  ‘Perhaps all they need is a few more days to decide,’ said Fu.

  ‘And what are you two lovebirds up to?’ shouted the young drunken guard.

  ‘We are not lovebirds,’ said the girl.

  ‘Then perhaps pretty one you are what I am looking for on this night,’ said Heshen.

  ‘The girl is right we each have another love, but we are together tonight,’ said Fu.

  ‘An affair eh’ said Heshen.

  ‘No, friends,’ said Fu.

  ‘And where have I heard that before,’ said Heshen.

  ‘Look, please leave us alone,’ said the girl.

  She was lucky the juggler was there, and that he was drunk he thought.