‘You,’ my grandmother hisses. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Visiting, as I often do. In fact, I saw Lady Jing being dragged to that pavilion at the back of your palace. Saw those thugs trying to beat her. Saw you, with the silver net.’
Niang Niang’s neck goes red, and her breathing fast.
‘But that’s all by the by,’ Lord Black says, turning to me. ‘I’m here to congratulate Lady Jing on manifesting Celestial command. Very powerful. I felt it ripple all the way through the lake to my cavern. Well done, Lady Jing. I knew you had it in you.’
‘Because you see far?’ I ask.
‘I see many things.’ I hear the smile in his words.
Niang Niang snarls. ‘What does this have to do with anything.’
The Jade Emperor steps forward. ‘Not only did you allow your handmaids to feed on this mortal in breach of the conventions ofTian, you attacked a mortal under official protection of the Ministry of Thunder and Storm, and blessed by Queen Mother of the West. You also attacked a member claiming protection of both the Ministry of Hell and your own court, breaching my Treaty and your own conventions.’ He shakes his head, tsking.
Niang Niang pierces Mr Lee with a look I do not like one bit. She tosses her hair. ‘He is still alive. I’ll pay reparations, which will be minimal for a mere mortal.’
Big Wang regards my grandmother, expression placid. ‘You also infringed on the liberty of a ward of Hell. Reparations for breaching the Treaty will not be so minimal.’
‘She is of my line. I have the right to rid myself of rotten fruit.’
‘She is not of your line,’ Big Wang says. ‘Lady Rey and I made an arrangement. I formally adopted Little Jing since Lady Rey was concerned for her daughter’s well-being in your court. Apparently, your handmaids tried to drown her.’
I stare at Big Wang. Adopt me?
‘That is not true. You bought her so you could get your hands on the Longnu dragon pearl.’
Big Wang shakes his head. ‘I told you then, as I’m telling you now, the dragon pearl cannot be bought or bartered.’
‘I don’t understand,’ I interrupt. ‘Why did you never tell me?’
‘I’ve always said you were my ward, but you never wanted to listen. Besides, Lord Black wanted to wait until you were ready to place the pearl. Too many would be tempted to steal from a powerless orphan. But very few would dare to steal from the King of Hell.’
Niang Niang stamps her silk-clad foot. ‘I want that dragon pearl!’
‘It was never yours, Sister Niang,’ a new voice says. The pitch is high, the rhythm serene with a distinct musical lilt. A mist swirls into the hall and coalesces into the shape of a dragon, pearlescent with shades of pinks and blues and white. The dragon rises until its massive head is level with Niang Niang, the rest of her serpentine body coiling and uncoiling on the ground. An invisible breeze tousles the snow-white fur that runs from her mane all along her spine to a thick tuft at the end of her tail.
Niang Niang swallows, her back pressed hard into her throne. ‘L-l-lady Longnu,’ she stammers.
‘It has been a long time, Sister Niang.’ The dragon’s voice fills the hall. ‘As you recall, I gifted my dragon pearl to Lady Jing.’ Her great head twists my way, lowering until it is level with me. I peer into a huge orb of an eye, as large as a gong. Her irises shimmer the palest blush pink, nearly the same colour as the dragon pearl. ‘Cousin Black told me you’d grown up well. I’m so glad to see you for myself.’
I can hear her voice clear as anything but the dragon’s jaws are still. Is that really Longnu speaking?
‘Yes, little one. It is really me speaking. I’m in meditation so cannot leave my cave. However, I can make spiritual exceptions in an emergency.’
‘The mongrel was part of my court, which makes anything given to hermyproperty.’
Lord Black sucks his teeth and Longnu shakes her head.
‘Not so Sister Niang,’ Longu says. ‘The dragon pearl was gifted to Lady Jing’s vampire side.’
‘Explain yourself, dragon.’ Niang Niang’s tone is low and dangerous.
Longnu giggles and the sound is like a cascade of bells echoing across a valley. ‘Lady Jing’s father did me a great service a long time ago. My gift was repayment for that Cosmic debt, and thus outside the reach of the Hulijing Court.’ The dragon’s gaze sharpens on the matriarch, and I shudder at the rage and violence in them. ‘I have been very patient with you, little fox. Do not try to claim ownership for what will never be yours.’
Niang Niang’s face crumples.
Big Wang puts a hand on my shoulder, squeezes gently before turning back to Niang Niang. ‘Since we are here,’ he says, ‘we might as well renegotiate the terms of our truce. You must make reparations for your insult to my ministry.’
