The Concubine Affair

by Quig Shelby

  Fu was awe struck, and the Emperor was doing all the talking.

  ‘Don’t believe everything you hear Fu, I’m not a monster.’

  ‘No my Lord, I never ...’ jabbered Fu.

  ‘You like cutting it fine Fu, first the knife throwing with the priest, and now this latest escape.’

  ‘The sense of excitement must convey to the audience,’ said Fu.

  ‘And indeed it does my magician.’

  ‘But I am wondering’ said Chien-lung ‘why is it you have not asked me to leave my Palace. I know that you feel imprisoned.’

  ‘I thought that Heshen had your blessing,’ said Fu.

  ‘You’re right,’ he did ‘but I like you Fu.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You know Heshen intends to keep Zhen for himself.’

  ‘Yes, but she would sooner die.’

  ‘Would that not break your heart?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then why will you not give him the lantern that can talk? And Fu don’t lie to me, there is a reason I am the Emperor, and Heshen is not.’

  Fu hesitated.

  ‘The lantern is more than a mere trick,’ said Fu ‘it speaks for itself from inside men’s hearts. I have no control over it, or that which it reveals.’

  ‘But you are its keeper?’ asked Chien-lung.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You know that I could have you tortured,’ said Chien-lung.

  ‘But only I can use the lantern,’ said Fu.

  ‘Just like the Jesuit priests alone can gain us entry into heaven? I command that your next trick involves the lantern. There, now you are blameless if things go wrong,’ said Chien-lung.

  ‘And in return?’ asked Fu.

  ‘Perhaps I should have had you bow down after all,’ said Chien-lung. He wasn’t used to negotiation.

  ‘Safe passage from Peking for you and Zhen, and all the gold coins you can hold in two palms. And before you ask, you have my word.’

  Heshen heard Fu leave, and stepped from behind the curtain.

  ‘You were too hard on him Heshen, he just needed a little coaxing,’ said Chien-lung.

  ‘And once we have the lantern will you let him leave?’ asked Heshen.

  ‘Of course not, and then dear friend you can have Zhen Wong. But remember it is me, not we, that shall own the lantern.’

  ‘Naturally my Emperor, a mere slip of the tongue.’

  And Heshen was left to wonder if he was relieved Fu had escaped his watery grave, or not.

  Hui looked more worried than they’d ever seen him, and Yi was cracking his knuckles.

  ‘It’s bad news. After this trick Fu uses the magic lantern with disastrous results,’ said Hui.

  ‘It would have been better if Fu had died,’ said Yi.

  Orvid looked alarmed. He could see from the look in Yi’s eyes that he meant it. Fortunately his soul like Hui’s was trapped in the vase, and he couldn’t travel back to arrange it. This time there was no green tea on offer.

  ‘He was determined,’ said Orvid ‘but look it’s not brilliant news for me either, what about Zhen, Karin.’

  ‘Indeed,’ said Hui ‘and what if they had to spend over two hundred years trapped in a vase?’

  ‘Look there must be something else we can do,’ said Alain.

  ‘Let’s go back again and stop Fu’s water trick,’ said Orvid.

  Both Hui and Alain shook their heads.

  ‘I guess you only get to go back to each moment once,’ said Orvid.

  They nodded.

  ‘Let me think about it,’ said Hui, kneeling and putting his head in his hands.

  Yi let them out.

  ‘Now what do we do?’ Yi asked Hui.

  ‘Pray.’

  Chapter Forty Four

  Heng was staring in the mirror, unable to move.

  ‘Darling are you coming to bed?’ asked his wife.

  He tried to gather his thoughts.

  ‘In a moment.’

  ‘Peter,’ shouted Miranda Holt ‘are you still shaving?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll be finished soon.’

  But he wasn’t shaving he was looking straight at the Chinese guy in the mirror.

  Heng was terrified, who was the barbarian in the mirror? Was he real? He touched the mirror.

  Peter held out his hand, and tentatively touched the glass, The Chinaman was doing the same, and their fingers touched. But it wasn’t a reflection; they could feel the warmth, and the pressure, as they pushed against each other.

  They looked each other in the eye. There was no fear; somehow they recognised one another. They were each other.

  The light was fading, but they knew they had seen the most remarkable of things; their other life.

  ‘What took you so long?’ asked Miranda.

  ‘Just seeing how much my face has changed over the years,’ said Peter.

  ‘Don’t worry you’re just as handsome,’ she said, curling up to him in the bed.

  ‘Are you alright Heng? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,’ said his wife.

  ‘You could be right, but maybe this one wasn’t from the past,’ he said.

  In the middle of the night they both sneaked back to the mirror, but they couldn’t see each other again. Although they both felt a tremendous sense of gratitude; Peter for Orvid, and Heng for Fu Chung Soo. They weren’t quite sure why, but if they ever needed help they would do their very best.

  In another not too distant mirror, Alain Fontaney the nurse had tired of his ponytail. And the priest had shorn his too; he no longer wanted to be quite as recognisable; besides they weren’t quite as popular in France.

  ‘Don’t worry Fu, it’s still there,’ said Zhen referring to the lantern.

  He went to the tank of water with its rocks and twin goldfish.

  ‘Alain noticed, I could tell with the look in his eye,’ said Fu.

  ‘Well, I’m certain he didn’t see the lantern,’ said Zhen.

  ‘Of course not.’

  The tank was a minor illusion, and Fu dipped in his hand.

  ‘Who would have thought such a simple lantern could hold so much power,’ said Zhen, as the water dripped out of it.

  ‘The monks purposely made it that way,’ said Fu.

  ‘Perhaps they would have been better never making it all,’ said Zhen.

  She was right, the small slatted lantern was both a blessing and a curse. It would see into men’s hearts, and tell what was there. Unfortunately this included the secrets, the lies, and the plots. It would be a powerful tool in anyone’s hands, never mind an Emperor’s.

  Fu was its guardian. The showman with an illuminating secret, and the irony was not lost upon him. He soon discovered the lantern’s curse when taken to a Manchurian castle. The warlord had never suspected his sons were plotting to overthrow him; they died horribly, after three year’s incarceration.

  But the bearer of bad news was always treated suspiciously, and Fu fled the scene. Word spread fast, and after two attempted thefts, Fu blamed robbers for its disappearance.

  Marcus was behind the desk in his gallery, nervously looking at Kings’ auction house newest catalogue.

  ‘You should be pleased boss,’ said Tyrone.

  And he would be were it not for uoHui

  Hui Lin.

  ‘It’s the little Chinese guy isn’t it,’ said Tyrone.

  Although everyone was little to Tyrone.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well to be honest boss five hundred smackers isn’t a lot.’

  Tyrone was on much more per week. He had to be. Not only did he provide the muscle, he knew too much about Marcus’ shady deals.

  ‘You remember the guy in Munic
h you took for a cool two million,’ said Tyrone reminiscing.

  The guy in Munich was conned out of a Renaissance etching by Marcus’ valuation expert.

  ‘Good times Tyrone,’ said Marcus smiling.

  ‘And what did you say if he ever caught up with you?’ asked Tyrone.

  Tyrone answered for him.

  ‘You’d kill him.’

  ‘Figuratively speaking of course,’ said Marcus.

  ‘You sure? There’s a lot more at stake with this vase boss. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t fancy losing out on the best part of fifteen million.’

  ‘Exactly what are you proposing Tyrone?’

  ‘Let’s just say wouldn’t it be much easier if the Chinaman disappeared?’

  Marcus looked at Tyrone. He had to admit, he’d considered it himself.

  ‘Well it would keep him silent, but silence usually costs,’ said Marcus.

  ‘Well where I come from boss fifty percent of something is much better than one hundred percent of nothing.’

  ‘You get five percent,’ said Marcus.

  ‘Ten,’ said Tyrone.

  ‘Done: And Tyrone.’

  ‘Yes boss?’

  ‘Let’s never discuss it again, just show me the proof.’

  ‘Good day at the office?’ asked Ivy.

  Marcus now went straight to Ivy’s flat after work; he was besotted. She was gorgeous, he paid for her, but unlike Jennifer she had her mind of her own. The body had to be a robot, but he didn’t mind a little anguish; it got his blood pumping in all the right places.

  ‘The New York Met is going to bid for the vase,’ he said smiling.

  He couldn’t keep news like that quiet, and he wanted to show off; after all it was the size of his wallet that had attracted her. And he didn’t mind, every guy had something, and you worked with what you had.

  ‘So you’re in a good mood?’ Ivy asked him.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Are you sure Marcus?’

  ‘Honestly, but why do you ask?’

  His head was spinning; terrified he was about to get the brush off.

  ‘I looked at a new car on my way back from work,’ he said ‘for you.’

  He could have kept his money. Ivy was staying put.

  ‘Thanks darling but it’s not about me, it’s about Verity.’

  ‘I’m leaving her, I’ve told you.’

  ‘Perhaps you are, unless she leaves you first,’ said Ivy.

  ‘She wouldn’t, she likes being Mrs Forster too much.’

  ‘Well I’m sorry to burst your bubble Marcus, but I know she’s seeing someone else.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘Girl talk, we are supposed to be close friends,’ said Ivy.

  Marcus wiped his forehead.

  ‘Who is it?’ he asked.

  ‘It’s not anybody I know is it?’ he asked before she could answer.

  ‘Not really, but you’ve probably seen him,’ said Ivy ‘it’s that nurse, what’s his name Alain something, French sounding.’

  ‘Fontaney.’

  ‘That’s it,’ said Ivy.

  Marcus always remembered the names of the undeniably handsome guys around his wife. Strange really, how one so polygamous could be so possessive, but then that was the point of a harem.

  ‘I’ll have him struck off,’ said Marcus.

  ‘And Verity?’

  ‘We’re history,’ he said.

  Ivy didn’t care what part of history she was, or how she got there; just as long as she got there.

  ‘And me?’ she asked.

  ‘Well you don’t have to pay rent on this place anymore. You can look for a penthouse.’

  Thank god he hadn’t said move in thought Ivy, how was she going to screw Grainger then? Of course she was screwing Marcus too, and in more ways than one, but that was business; Grainger was all pleasure.

  ‘The other concubines will be jealous,’ said Bik.

  The Emperor laughed.

  ‘It is only my jade tablet that sees the light of day, and only me that sees your bed at night,’ she continued.

  ‘And I wouldn’t have it any other way,’ said Chien-lung.

  ‘Not even for Wa Yu?’ asked Bik.

  ‘No, you have captured an old man’s heart,’ he said.

  ‘But you have the energy of a young lover, and the experience to go with it,’ flattered Bik.

  She paused, before delicately moving on.

  ‘If Wa Yu is truly out of your heart then you will not be angry with me,’ said Bik.

  ‘Angry, whatever for?’ asked Chien-lung.

  ‘You must not be cross with me my Lord, but I have heard Wa has a lover,’ said Bik.

  The Emperor laughed.

  ‘Another pretty concubine, she moves on quickly, and you are naturally jealous Bik.’

  ‘Perhaps I would be if her lover were not a man, and a barbarian too.’

  ‘A priest?’ asked Chien-lung, after all they were the predominant barbarian’s in Court.

  ‘I’m sorry to say my liege, but none other than your favourite priest.’

  ‘Alain,’ said Chien-lung, and he truly felt betrayed by them both.

  ‘It appears they are not all chaste,’ said Bik.

  ‘And you have proof?’

  ‘I have seen them,’ said Bik ‘I caught them together in her rooms.’

  She carefully removed her own involvement, as sweet as it was.

  ‘And why has Heshen not uncovered this deceit?’ asked Chien-lung.

  Bik couldn’t answer.

  Chien-lung knew how jealous his concubines could become; after all they had little to do but talk and plot. He needed time to think.

  ‘Why have they not run?’ asked Chien-lung.

  ‘I promised them my silence, but only to spare my own life.’

  ‘And they trusted you Bik?’ asked a suspicious Chien-lung. ‘I will not strike yet, but wait until tomorrow night after Fu Chung Soo’s latest marvel.’

  Bik had heard of the magic lantern, but like most of the Empire believed it stolen and lost. She just might be in for a very nasty surprise thought Chien-lung. It was difficult knowing who and what to believe in an Empire so large; tomorrow that could change.

  As for Bik she would reveal her pregnancy once Wa Yu was under arrest.

  ‘The fool thinks he’s in love,’ said Ivy, discussing Marcus.

  ‘I’m sure he is,’ said Grainger.

  ‘But baby he’s in love with someone that doesn’t exist. This is the real me - with you,’ said Ivy.

  ‘I wish I could believe you Ivy but ...’

  ‘But nothing baby, ask me to leave him and I will.’

  ‘OK leave him,’ said Grainger.

  Ivy had gambled at the wrong time; Grainger was feeling down and all alone. Whether it was the drugs, the steroids, he didn’t know, only that his life felt pretty much useless.

  ‘And who’s going to pay our rent? You can’t, you never have any money left over. Come on honey let’s be serious.’

  ‘But I hate to know he’s here.’

  ‘And what about Roger, and all the others?’ asked Ivy.

  ‘That was different they didn’t want you for keeps, he does.’

  ‘Grainger honey you’re missing the point he’s never going to get me. In a year he’ll be fleeced, and we’ll be gone, for good. Isn’t it worth waiting just one year?’

  ‘I suppose.’

  ‘Come on baby, let’s find something else for you to pump instead of iron,’ said Ivy.

  Grainger followed her into the bedroom.

  ‘Sorry,’ said Ivy, as she took her and Marcus’ coffee cups into the kitchen.

>   Inside Grainger was seething with rage.

  Chapter Forty Five

  ‘There is only one thing to do,’ said Hui.

  He was on the phone to Alain.

  ‘Which is?’ asked Alain.

  ‘Destroy Fu’s lantern before his last performance in front of the Emperor,’ said Hui.

  ‘If you’re certain. I shall tell Orvid,’ said Alain.

  ‘I think we have taxed him enough,’ said Hui.

  Really he meant he couldn’t trust him to get the job done.

  ‘Then that just leaves me,’ said Alain.

  ‘Precisely,’ said Hui.

  ‘But what will become of Fu and Zhen?’

  ‘That can be resolved later. But what we must do is prevent the Emperor from finding out about your affair.’

  Neither Hui nor Alain realised that Bik had already betrayed the liaison, and that the lantern was a mere confirmation. However it did shine a rather ignominious light on Hui and Yi.

  ‘Alain,’ said Hui ‘I’m relying on you. Don’t let us suffer a second time.’

  How guilty could you feel for a wrong in a previous life? But his love for Wa Yu wasn’t wrong.

  ‘Alain, are you still there?’ asked Hui.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Look I know it’s a hard thing to do, but if Fu uses the lantern he loses his life too, history tells us that’ said Hui.

  ‘You’re right, I’ll do it,’ said Alain ‘tonight.’

  They met at St Luke’s, and Alain hoped he didn’t look guilty when he hugged Orvid.

  They shuffled on the back pew with Karin and Verity. Peter and Miranda Johnson were sitting in front of them, with their four teenage kids, and Peter gave Orvid an affectionate smile.

  Karin was meant to do the reading but she had a sore throat. Verity had promised to take her place.

  ‘Good luck,’ said a hoarse Karin as Verity stepped up.

  Alain left his consternation to one side and watched her; she’d forgotten to remove her wedding ring.

  Post service tea and biscuits, and Reverend Turnbull had a word in Alain’s ear.

  ‘Next week’s sermon is going to be on the sanctity of marriage,’ he said.

  Alain knew to what he was referring, although Verity’s wedding ring had miraculously disappeared.

  ‘It’s a nice surprise to see you on a Sunday afternoon,’ said Marcus.