‘And for your breaches of the Treaty of Mount Kunlun,’ the Jade Emperor adds.
‘However,’ Big Wang continues, ‘if you are willing to stop with your nonsense and interference in Lady Jing’s life, I will be willing to drop my reparation demands and consider compromise. Is there anything else you wish, Little Jing?’
I grin in a way that bares my teeth, letting my gaze land on Lady Soo and Lady Wen. ‘Given my past history with the Hulijing Court, I wish to approve all future members of the hulijing delegation to the Mahjong Council. In particular, Lady Soo and Lady Wen are banned for eternity,’ I say. I search out two other faces. ‘And those ones. Sharp chin and moon face. Banned.’
Niang Niang glares at Big Wang. The Jade Emperor sucks his teeth and Niang Niang closes her eyes. I can see her struggle, but then she bows her head.
‘I concede,’ she says, rising to stand.
Big Wang bows. ‘It is so, Venerable Matriarch.’
Longnu nods once, and the mist dissipates. The dragon is gone.
Niang Niang sweeps down the dais, her robes fluttering around her feet. She floats out of the hall, her still-standing retinue of handmaids following behind.
Just as she reaches the door, Big Wang says, ‘Good luck with Queen Mother of the West.’ He glances at the shrivelled handmaids who are wheezing softly on the ground. ‘Best be quick about an audience with her. Their state will continue to deteriorate until she rights them herself.’
With an angry slash of her water sleeves, Niang Niang disappears down the hall.
Thirty
Rainbows
My hands tremble over Mr Lee, my tears flowing freely. He looks better than he did, no longer a husk like those mortals from my childhood. His chest rises and falls – but the dry rattle that accompanies the movement can’t be anything good. Lord Black kneels to join me.
‘Is Lady Longnu gone?’ I ask.
Lord Black nods. ‘She can only stay for so long as a spiritual projection.’
‘Please send her my most abundant gratitude,’ I say, gazing at Mr Lee. ‘Can you help him?’
‘He’s done very well helping himself. And you too, Lady Jing.’
‘So does that mean yes?’
‘Why do you think it means no?’ Lord Black counters, then laughs heartily. ‘Surprise is what makes life fun, Lady Jing.’
I try very hard to be courteous and pay attention to Lord Black’s mumbo jumbo. He and Lady Longnu have done so much to help me. But all I can hear is the awful sound of Mr Lee’s breathing. A sob tears free. More threaten, and I struggle to swallow them silent.
‘Contain my thoughtlessness, Lady Jing. It has been a tiring day for you. Let me take care of Mr Lee. You will find him in good health very soon.’
My head snaps up. ‘Youcanheal him?’
Lord Blackhmphs,but not unkindly. ‘I am no healer, however, with the help of the yaojing here, I believe Mr Lee will surprise you once more.’
Lord Black gently gathers Mr Lee in his arms and carries him out, nodding as he passes the Jade Emperor, Big Wang, the jiangshi uncles, and Gigi and Lang, who all fall into procession behind him.
He’s taking everyone with him, except—
‘What about me?’ I cry, hurrying after him.
He turns his head to the side but doesn’t look at me. ‘Lady Ay wishes to speak with you. She is in her chambers, awaiting your visit.’
With that, he dips his chin and the entire procession disappears.
I stand before a row of latticed panel doors from my childhood. The place smells the same as I remember. Wax, camphor, jasmine, silkwood. My insides feel wrung out. I’m not sure I have the strength to deal with Lady Ay. There’s too much history here, too much pain.
I bow my head, whisper an apology and turn to leave, but the rotted door slides open. Lady Ay stands before me.
