by Aya Ling
Now she had to look for clues. Most of the buildings in the back, which she knew were dwellings of the fighters, were dark. Hong wove her way between the buildings, a couple of drugged needles held between her fingers. All the time she kept her ears trained to pick up every single word and sound.
After a while of vigilant spying, she found what she came for. In the long house, which was situated between the front courtyard and the fighters' residences in the back, she could hear urgent voices that sounded like Manager Liang and his co-manager.
Someone emerged from another building. Hong ducked behind a bush and hoped that she wasn't seen. She couldn't stay in the bush forever, though. It was too far to hear what Liang was talking about.
Hong waited until the man had gone, then moved towards the long house. Using her sash, she landed lightly on the roof. Padding over to the room Liang occupied, she crouched low and pressed her ear to the roof. She couldn't hear them clearly, so she reached for one of her iron hairpins. Prying cautiously, she loosened one of the tiles on the roof. It was risky, but she got what she wanted. She could hear every single word now.
She peered through the crack between the tiles. Manager Liang and his co-manager, a man whom she had heard was nicknamed Potbelly, were sitting by a low table. Empty wine jars scattered around them.
"Damn!" Manager Liang was saying. "This is all your fault. You cooked up this idea. Now I've lost my best fighter."
"Well, who would have known things would get carried too far?" Potbelly drawled. "And wasn't it you who was complaining that Yao was getting too full of himself?"
"I just wanted to teach him a lesson," Liang said, his right hand curling into a fist. "Plus, the odds against him winning every fight were getting too easy. A little poison could have tipped the scales in his opponent's favour. I never wanted him dead."
Silence fell. Potbelly reached for another wine jar and poured a cup.
"Do you really think it's that governor's son who did him in?"
Liang gave a contemptuous bark of laughter. "That kid? If he could last five minutes with Yao, I'd hire him on the spot."
"But if the poison had already taken effect…"
"I don't think so. Besides, from the look of that kid, he doesn't know how to spell the word 'murder.'"
"Oh, he's dead meat for sure." Potbelly waved his hand. Two golden rings glittered on his fat fingers. "All evidence points to him. Motivation, location, timing. Heck, if you weren't so sure about the kid, I'd believe it was him! So… did you find out who did it?"
Hong leaned forward. She could hardly breathe.
"Must be one of them," Liang sighed. "I've been telling Yao that he ought to tone down his aggressiveness, but he never took it to heart. Thinks he is head and shoulders above the rest."
"Well, in his defence—he is the best fighter we've seen for a decade. So what do you plan to do? Pin the crime on the Fang kid?"
"Of course. That's why I gave him Yao's address—if anything happened, we'd have a ready scapegoat."
Potbelly drummed his fingers on the table. "If it were just a case of drugging, it might be all right. But now there's a dead body involved…"
A shout came from the front courtyard. Hong immediately flattened herself against the roof.
"What?" Liang snapped, going to the window.
"Sir… there's someone on the roof!"
"Huh?"
She couldn't stay any longer. Biting her lip, Hong shimmied across the roof towards the edge, where it curved upwards. Grabbing the curve, she released her hooked sash. It flew and attached on the wall.
"There! There he is!"
A couple of people in the back were shouting and pointing.
She had no time to lose. Hong tugged on the sash, kicked out against the roof tiles, and leaped. Thanks to her sash, she was able to fly all the way from the roof, over the wall, and landed on the ground.
More shouts came behind the wall.
"He's escaped! Get him!"
Hong ran.
Someone was pounding on her door. "Hong! Hong, are you up yet?"
Hong rolled to the inner side of her bed, burrowing her face into the blanket. Sleep, like a sack of sand, weighed heavily on her eyelids.
"Hong! Mistress Lynn is asking for you! Get up this very instant!"
Reluctantly, Hong cracked open an eye. Sunlight was streaming in through the paper lattice on her window. She didn't want to get up—she was still weary from last night—but she had to. She staggered to the door and opened it.
"What are you doing?" Golden Lotus said in an annoyed voice. "Honestly, you shouldn't be sleeping in on a day like this! Get dressed as soon as you can. We're to go to Mrs. Guo's today."
"Wh… who?"
Golden Lotus brushed past her, soaked a handkerchief in the water basin, and threw it on her face. "Wake up!"
A few minutes later, Hong was dressed and ready to go. As long as she wasn't putting on a disguise, she barely needed any time for her simple robe and hairstyle. When she was done, Golden Lotus grabbed her arm and steered her towards Lynn's residence.
"Take your lute," Golden Lotus said. "Mistress Lynn said that we might need it."
Hong didn't understand. "Why are we going to Mrs. Guo's? Do you mean the magistrate's daughter who has recently married Merchant Guo's eldest son?"
"Of course. Things have gone worse for Master Fang! Now there are rumours going around that he actually coveted Opal, and that he killed Yao to avenge her."
Hong stopped. "Ridiculous." First, Fang had never showed any interest towards Opal. Second, even if he had, wouldn't it have made more sense to get rid of her husband, rather than a former lover?
"Ain't it so? Mistress was furious when the news reached us. She's going to see if she can persuade Mrs. Guo to talk to her father. Oh, and since Mrs. Guo seemed to like your music, Mistress Lynn said that you ought to go as well."
Hong would have preferred to pay Duel of Death another visit, to find out who Manager Liang was referring to, but after her spying last night, perhaps it'd be a better idea to wait for a while. The security at Duel of Death would most likely be tightened.
Lynn was waiting for them impatiently.
"There you are," she said briskly. "Come on, we should be going. Hong, have you brought your lute?"
"Yes."
"Good. Mrs. Guo wrote me a while ago that she wanted to hear the song you performed at Father's banquet, but she couldn't because she just got married and was supposed to stay home. If you keep her in a good mood, then it'll be easier to speak up for Fang."
"As you say, Mistress."
The Guo residence was located in the wealthiest part of town, among several other huge compounds. Few people loitered in the streets; it differed much from the noisy chatter and jostling crowds in the market area. When Hong walked slowly on the well-paved stone road, she reflected that although it was also peaceful, the affluent area wasn't the same as her sifu's place. Old Man Liu's compound was remote and quiet, yet she could feel a sense of peace and calm when playing her flute under one of the willow trees. Here, with every step of her leather shoes echoing on stone, she felt like a thief intruding on someone's property.
Presently, Lynn's sedan chair stopped in front of a large red door, which had a pair of stone lions sitting in front of it. Four expressionless guards stood outside, each carrying long staffs and swords. One of them had a scar running down from his right ear to his left jowl.
"They certainly keep their place well guarded," Golden Lotus whispered. "Not even our home can compare to this."
Hong scanned the guards with a brief yet piercing gaze. From their postures and the way they moved, she could tell they were well trained—possibly first-class fighters, only secondary to the likes of Invincible Yao. The Guos must be immensely wealthy to employ such guards—four indeed! Normally one or two should be sufficient.
Lynn got out of the sedan.
"I am Lady Lynn, Governor Shue's daughter," she said in a loud, clear voice. "Pl
ease inform Wen-Jun—I mean Mrs. Guo—that her friend has come to visit."
Lynn was dressed in bright colours of yellow and pink. An expensive-looking jade pendant dangled from her throat, and her golden bangles jangled when she raised her hand.
One of the guards went inside, another politely asked Lynn to wait, while the two others surveyed Hong and the other maidservants. Unsurprisingly, their eyes lingered on Golden Lotus longer. Golden Lotus was easily the prettiest girl in their group, with shiny hair the colour of black silk, and big sparkling eyes framed by long curved lashes. Her skin was pink and white, like plum blossoms.
"The young mistress bids them enter." The guard who had disappeared inside had returned, accompanied by the steward of the house, who bowed towards Lynn.
"Please follow me, madam."
The Guo residence was magnificent enough to justify the number of guards. Pillars of marble, with gilded dragons wound over them; winding corridors with carved patterns in the railings and ceilings; in the garden, there was an artificial lake big enough for a few boats. A glittering pavilion built from glazed tiles stood at the edge of the lake, with semi-transparent curtains made of the finest gossamer-like silk.
"Lynn?" A young woman, exceedingly beautiful, came towards them. She was dressed in a peach-coloured brocaded robe which gleamed from the intricate golden threads woven into it. Dewdrop-shaped pearl earrings dangled from her ears, and she wore a long necklace of exquisite beads. Hong remembered Mrs. Guo—she looked exactly the same as before, lovely enough to break a million hearts. The only difference was that she now wore her hair completely pinned up in a tight bun, the sign of a married woman.
Hong also recognised Little Jade, one of Mrs. Guo's personal handmaids, who was hovering near her mistress as though she'd fall and twist her ankle. Were it not for her delicate constitution, Magistrate Ho would certainly have tried to send his second daughter into the emperor's harem as well.
"I am so glad to see you." Mrs. Guo enveloped her friend in a hug and let go. "Bring us the tea wrapped with tangerine peel that Father bought two days ago," she told Little Jade. "And some of the cakes we had yesterday. Oh, and the exotic litchi fruit they keep sending from the south. We must have a feast."
When the food was brought, served in silver plates gilded with gold, Lynn couldn't help exclaiming, "Such luxury! So nice it is to marry into wealth! Perhaps arranged marriages are not as frightening as I've heard."
"There are downsides." Mrs. Guo wrinkled her small, pert nose. "I have to get up extremely early every day and bring tea for my in-laws. My mother-in-law is especially particular with the steeping of tea, so I don't even ask the servants to do it. I am now a master of tea-brewing—and to think I had never stoked a fire before. Incredible, isn't it?"
"I suppose it's difficult. The smell from the pot reminds me of the herbal medicines I had to take when I had a cold." Lynn shuddered. "I would prefer to have cold pressed orange juice or honey cinnamon water."
"And I don't get to see my husband often. He just left for the capital this morning. We are just married for ten days. But I hope it was enough." Mrs. Guo blushed. "I want to surprise him with a round belly when he comes back."
Lynn also flushed; as outspoken she was, she was still a maiden. Golden Lotus hid part of her face with a hand.
"Well, I am glad that your marriage has turned out well," Lynn said sincerely, laying a hand on her friend's arm. "Did your parents ask of your opinion before you were married?"
Mrs. Guo's hand quivered; a drop of tea trickled down her cup, and she hastily dabbed it away with her handkerchief. "No… not really. It wasn't like I had a choice, I had to marry someone of equal station."
Lynn blew a strand of her hair out of her eyes. "Father promised me that I can choose for myself, though I doubt he'd give his consent if I announced I plan to marry the gardener."
"You shouldn't have to worry," Mrs. Guo smiled encouragingly. "You are the governor's daughter. No one will dare to harm you."
Lynn took a bite of the cake. It almost seemed sacrilege to destroy the shape of the cake; it was moulded into the petals of a plum blossom, so small and delicate.
"Wen-Jun," she began. "There is something else I came for. Can you help me?"
Instantly, a guarded expression fell over Mrs. Guo's perfect features, like a cloud blotting over the sun.
"Let me guess… it's your brother, isn't it?"
"Have you heard the rumours? They… they say Fang was involved with your former maid, Opal, and when he found her dead, he assumed Yao had killed her. Therefore, he found a chance to poison Yao. Don't you find this just plain ridiculous?"
Mrs. Guo laid down her cup. "I might be cooped up in this maze of a compound every day, but it doesn't mean I've lost my ears. Little Jade has told me a lot. She told me that Fang had asked her about Opal's death."
"But you know my brother couldn't possibly be in love with Opal!" Lynn cried. "Indeed, what a ludicrous idea! He has been—well, you know he isn't the kind of person to go around poisoning others!"
Mrs. Guo sighed, looking down at her lap. "First Opal, then Yao, and now Fang is arrested. How tragic things have become."
Lynn reached forward and took both of her hands, looking at her beseechingly. "Wen-Jun, I beg you to talk to your father. Tell him that Fang didn't do it. Tell him Fang didn't murder Yao."
"I… not that I don't want to, but you might be overestimating the influence I have over Father. It's unlikely he will listen to me. Besides, I cannot prove that Fang is innocent. From what I've heard, he was the person who had seen Yao just before his death."
"But you can try, won't you?" Lynn said desperately. "You know Opal and Yao, and you know Fang. What better judge of their characters than you? If you can persuade the magistrate that Fang was never involved with Opal, then it would make his motive for murdering Yao look weaker. Please, Wen-Jun. It's not just for Fang, it's for your maid as well. Surely you don't want Opal's reputation being slandered after her death?"
Golden Lotus and Hong bowed low, and Little Jade joined in. "Oh please, Mistress! We don't want to see Master Fang in prison. He was ever so nice when he visited us."
Mrs. Guo finally nodded. "All right. But don't expect too much. Father's awfully traditional. He probably wouldn't like me interfering with his job."
"There's not much time until the hearing, so can you come out tomorrow?" Lynn said. "It's the Cold Food Festival. I say it's a lot more likely that the magistrate will be in a good mood, playing polo and drinking wine with his colleagues!"
Mrs. Guo hesitated. "My in-laws may not like my going out. Since I may be carrying the Guo family's first son, they have been very strict with my daily activities. They'd rather that I not leave the compound."
"But if you can't leave, how are you going to talk to your father?" Lynn said. "Please, Wen-Jun."
They spent some time deciding on what strategy to approach the magistrate with, until a servant announced the return of the elder Mrs. Guo. It would not do if her daughter-in-law was found spending idle hours with her maiden friends. According to tradition, she should be sitting in her room and doing embroidery work. Not wanting to evoke the bad graces of the elder Mrs. Guo, Lynn felt that she ought to go.
"See you tomorrow, then," Lynn said. "Wen-Jun, I know it's difficult for you to leave the house, but if anything can help Fang…"
Mrs. Guo nodded. "I understand. I will be there."
SEVENTEEN
When they left the Guo residence, Golden Lotus proposed a detour to the market.
"I'm going to buy some nice food at the market," she announced. "Think of Young Master Fang starving in prison! He needs to have nutritious food delivered to him."
"Well, according to the law, the family is responsible for the prisoner's meals anyway, unless they live cities away," Silver Peony said. "Let us buy all the things that Master Fang likes. If we can't save him now, at least we must save his stomach."
"Agreed!" Golden Lotus said, clapping her hands. "
We'll do our best on the festival and make the magistrate see sense."
"He must," Lynn said fervently. "Remember how he looked when he came to our home? How I want to slap his face! He didn't even bother to ask Fang the details—he only wanted a culprit so he wouldn't be wasting time looking for the real murderer."
"Poor Master Fang," Silver Peony sighed. "It's just too bad that he happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Let's make the biggest batch of food we can and bring it to him."
While the three girls discussed animatedly what food they should prepare for Fang, Hong remained silent. She was still pondering who the murderer could be. According to her brief spying in Duel of Death, it must be some insider. "Must be one of them," Manager Liang had said. Them? Who could it be?
She was rather listless when picking through the vegetables and fruit. Hong had never been a good cook; she was more adept at boring, menial tasks like stoking the fire and washing the dishes. Plus, many years of visiting Old Man Liu had accustomed her taste buds to bland, simple food that often consisted of white rice and boiled greens only. Old Man Liu might have lived at court in his youth, but now in his old age, he lived like a monk.
"Master Ping!" Silver Peony suddenly said. "And isn't that Shu-Mo?"
Hong raised her head. Indeed, Ping and Shu-Mo were walking down the street, just several paces away.
"Brother!" Lynn hurried over to them. "How did it go with you? Have you found out anything that might help Fang?"
"Not bad," Ping said with a grin. "I bribed some fighters at Duel of Death, along with Rose Daughter's best wine, and they blabbed. Seems that there's a fighter called Whirlwind Ko—"
"Whirlwind Ko?" Hong said without thinking. So that must be the person Manager Liang had been referring to.