‘Have any of your little ears heard anything about Lady Soo and what she might be up to?’
When Mr Lee returns, we take our leave. I know where I need to go next – the Treasury. Apparently, the whispers have it that Lady Soo has been making enquiries about where the dragon pearl is being kept.
Mr Lee bows to Old Zao. ‘Abundant gratitude to the exalted God of the Hearths of Hell for your generosity and hospitality. Those were the best xiao long bao I have ever tasted.’
Old Zao bows in return and gives me a knowing wink. I don’t tarry on the bridge this time, I run ahead, carrying the sword of Hell and wait for Mr Lee on terra firma.
He pauses at the bottom of the stairs. ‘I know escorting me is a big inconvenience, and I appreciate your efforts. But—’
I try to dismiss whatever he’s about to say. I’m not in the mood. But he raises his hand, and something in his expression holds my tongue.
‘But,’ he repeats, ‘I’d like to return to the hotel. You should rest. I don’t want you to put your health in jeopardy. You— You don’t look well. In fact, your lips are still blue. We can continue again later this afternoon, or even tomorrow. And— Lady Jing, if there is something that makes you uncomfortable, or unwell, please do not lie about it. I do not wish for you to suffer on my account.’
I don’t know what to say. I’m good at fighting and insulting and spitting. I remind myself, this mortal is merely a means to an end. His gaze is soft and concerned and I want to pinch his eyes shut so he can’t look at me like that.
Focus, Jing.I have a goal today, and that is to be a thorn in Soo’s side. I nod, more to myself to stay the course. I change the subject. ‘I bet you’ve never met a pixiu?’
‘You mean those flying, furry, fire-breathing monstrosities? Aren’t they vicious and dangerous?’
‘The fiercest creatures of legend!’ I declare proudly. ‘Cutie and Puffy are the best. You’ll love them.’
Mr Lee frowns. He looks like he wants to say something, but then he clasps his hands behind his back. ‘Cutie and Puffy?’
‘The Jade Emperor gifted Big Wang a pair of pixiu shortly after I was brought to yin Shanghai. Big Wang let me name them.’
Mr Lee presses his lips together, failing to hide his amusement. ‘You named two of the’ – he clears his throat – ‘fiercest creatures of legend, Cutie and Puffy?’
He covers his mouth, but I can see his shoulders shaking.
I huff. ‘I was only seven.’
‘Very well,’ he manages between swallowed laughs. ‘Lead on, Lady Jing.’
Ten
Guards
We stop at Madame Meng’s teahouse, not far from the north gate of the Old City. The teahouse itself is a small, modest building. Single storey, grey brick, with matching grey roof tiles. No windows. White silk lanterns sway gently from the tree branches, setting the round, white paving stones which meander through the courtyard aglow like moons floating on water. I’ll stash Mr Lee with her while I get the dragon pearl.
Mr Lee glances towards the house. ‘Is this where the pixiu are kept?’
‘No, they guard the Treasury across the street. This is Madame Meng’s teahouse.’
The gentle smile falls from his face, and his eyes go wide. He is such a child. ‘Why the teahouse?’
‘I need to prepare the pixiu so they will know you are a friend,’ I say, biting back my impatience and trying to be reassuring. ‘They don’t get many guests. While I do that, you can chat with Madame Meng. She always has interesting things to say.’
He shrinks from me. ‘But isn’t this the gateway to the Naihe Bridge? Didn’t Big Wang say not to bring me here?’
I school my irritation. ‘Big Wang said you aren’t to cross the bridge. Madame Meng would never let you unless it was your time. Nothing will happen to you. It’s perfectly safe so long as you only drink from her personal teacups, not the ones she uses for her tea of oblivion.’
‘Your understanding of “safe” is not the same as mine.’ There’s no bite to his words but I feel a pinch regardless. He gingerly puts a hand on a wooden post and peers inside.
I hold my arm out and try to tone down my impatience. ‘Come on. Madame Meng is a benevolent deity. Who knows, she may even deem you worthy of her wisdom.’
He runs a hand through his hair before taking my arm. I have to pull a little before his feet unstick from the ground.
‘I don’t want to die,’ he whispers.
