Ren jerked his head around and stared at the older woman. “What did you do?”
Instead of answering immediately, Mistress Ming said, “What did you feel?”
“Warmth,” he said, “spreading through my veins.”
Mistress Ming nodded. “Touch the mala beads.”
Ren did as she asked, running his fingers over the rounded ox bone. “One of the beads feels slightly warmer.”
“Very good. Now, to answer your previous inquiry, what you felt was my qi pouring into you.” Mistress Ming held up a hand as the prince began to ask a question. “Worry not; I’m perfectly fine. I only gave you enough to move without Kang Siying’s commands.”
I remembered what Mistress Ming had said about qi manipulation and its risks for someone untrained. I dreaded to think what would happen if one lost control and gave too much.
But now that Ren could move on his own, my job would be easier. It was exhausting enough guiding the silent dead. Trying to control a conscious body all the way back to Sian would surely have required much more concentration.
To test Mistress Ming’s promise, I shook my staff and said, “Stand.”
Ren and I were both surprised when he instantly jumped to his feet.
At our confused looks, Mistress Ming explained, “If you aren’t focused, Your Highness, she can still control you. But you’re welcome to move on your own as well.”
Ren maneuvered around the table, this time without my guidance, his movements as hesitant as a toddler’s. A smile soon graced his lips. “You’re right,” he said, sitting back down. “But why can’t I remove the talisman entirely to avoid Mistress Kang’s control?”
“Because you’re not fully recovered, you need the Fu talisman’s qi,” said Mistress Ming. “It’s like a dam holding in what qi you do have, the same way it normally stops a corpse from decaying.That said, remember not to overexert yourself, Your Highness. In your vulnerable state, the qi you absorb can just as easily be lost. So be careful as you travel, and warm every one of those mala beads as quickly as you can.”
Ren pinched the end of the talisman, looking resigned.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness.” The wisewoman smiled sympathetically. “With Mistress Kang’s help, you’ll soon be able to live normally again, without the need for talismans. Isn’t that right, Siying?”
I bowed my head. “I’ll certainly do my best.”
I had to—if not for Ren or myself, then for my father, who awaited my return home.
CHAPTER 4
Before bed, Mistress Ming gave me a hand-drawn map and pointed out places we should go.
“I’ve heard stories about evil spirits here and here,” she said, marking different towns in Wen and Sian. “If you go off your usual route just slightly, you can find them.”
“Are you sure these spirits are real and not just local folktales?”
She held my gaze, her eyes deathly serious. “Ask the exorcists who barely lived to tell the tale.”
“All right.” I suppressed a shudder. “Tell me what you’ve heard.”
Ren and I departed before dawn, exchanging quick goodbyes with Mistress Ming at the door. The sky was a deep, sweeping black flecked with stars, the air crisp and delicate as frost. I lit a lantern, my cold-nipped fingers stinging from its heat. Behind me, Ren stood with his hands held in Mistress Ming’s as the wisewoman bowed her head.
“Please take care of yourself, Your Highness,” she said with the unfeigned deference I still couldn’t get used to.
“Won’t you accompany us?” he asked.
“I can’t purify spirits like Mistress Kang; she’s all you need, Your Highness. Besides, it’s impossible for me to return to Sian. I’m still wanted for your mother’s death.”
“Once I’m well, I’ll find out who the real culprit is,” he said, determined. “Then you can come home.”
“Wen is my home now. There’s nothing left for me in Sian.” Mistress Ming smiled, melancholic. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to help you.”
Ren patted her hand. “You’ve done enough, Lady Ming.”
