‘So you are not mad at me any more?’ Fen ventured.
‘I was never mad at you in the first place.’ Hudan nearly wept as she stressed the point. ‘Just worried.’ She hugged him close.
‘I knew Shifu wouldn’t kill him.’ Brother Huxin waved off the close call.
‘She has sacrificed others who have broken the law,’ Hudan argued. ‘How could you know she would spare Fen?’
‘Because he is so pretty.’ Huxin pinched Fen’s cheeks affectionately. ‘How could you kill anything so adorable!’
Hudan glanced about and spotted Dan loitering outside the temple observing them. Upon being caught out, he immediately made a move toward the interior, when Fen called out to stop him. ‘Ji Dan, I owe you everything!’ He ran over to convey his gratitude. ‘Now I have a chance to fulfil my end of our bargain.’
‘What bargain?’ Hudan marched over, hands on hips. ‘When did you two have time alone to strike a bargain?’
Both Dan and Fen were stumped by the question, so Huxin intervened to spare them the confession.
‘Can’t you just be grateful to Ji Dan for saving our brother’s life!’
‘But —’ Hudan protested.
‘Hudan! Everyone got what they wanted.’ Huxin emphasised how unreasonable she was being. ‘All due to Ji Dan’s efforts.’
‘Fine,’ Hudan relented, ‘I don’t want to know.’ Her dark mood retained its hold on her, and she left them to enter the temple.
Dan gave a heavy sigh, although he was grateful to Jiang Huxin. ‘I told you, she hates me.’
Huxin began to giggle, and Fen repressed amusement.
‘That is not helpful.’ Dan felt they were mocking his attempt to befriend their mysterious sister.
However, Huxin shook her head to assure him. ‘You don’t need any help.’ She took his arm to escort him inside. ‘You are doing just fine.’
Dan looked to Fen, who nodded to agree. ‘She just needs time to wind down, then she’ll be in a much better mood. You’ll see.’
During the festivities, Hudan kept her distance from their guests and her siblings — well aware that her mood was not at all hospitable.
It might have been her brother’s impending sacrifice that had sparked her objectionable mood, but it was the notion of leaving Li Shan to accompany the Zhou army into battle that was continuing to fuel her angst. No matter how many premonitions Hudan had about the future, it was disconcerting to watch them manifest in the present.
She had foreseen the Great Mother charging her to assist Ji Fa’s campaign before the Xibo had ever set foot on Li Shan. Some of Hudan’s future observations had been buried so deep within her psyche, she did not even acknowledge them to herself; she felt that if she didn’t acknowledge them, or speak of them, she gave her undesirable visions less power. Yet the river of blood and bodies that would result from this war had left such a vivid imprint on her psyche that she could not deny her knowing. As the war grew nearer, she was not eager to see the terrible consequences manifest.
At the height of a Dao Yin demonstration by some of the most advanced adepts of their house, Hudan slipped quietly out of the temple and stole away into the gardens for some quiet and space.
In the darkness of the moonless night, she practised Dao Yin until she felt her undesirable emotions abate and her clarity returning.
‘There is no instance in the future that is set in stone,’ is what her Shifu would say. ‘The gift of precognition is the ability to see into the future and either accept or deny the possibilities presented to you. One wilful thought in the present could change everything that was predestined just a moment before … for willpower is stronger even than psychic knowledge. The only thing more powerful than willpower is imagination.’
There had to be a way to avoid all the bloodshed, but if Hudan allowed her emotions to get the better of her, she would not find it. If this quest was Tian’s will, it was not for her to question or judge; she had only to execute her role to the best of her ability. That decision gave her some peace.
No longer angst-ridden, Hudan felt grateful to Ji Dan for what he’d done on Fen’s behalf, and resolved to thank him properly at the first opportunity.
Her exercise session must have taken longer than she imagined, for as Hudan passed through the kitchen garden she found the novices clearing the temple in the wake of the gathering — the day’s celebration was over and the household had all but headed for bed.
In the kitchen the sound of music was wafting faintly through the hall from the inner courtyard of the cloister, but it was not the sultry tones of Fen on his new dizi, nor the pounding of drums, nor the clang of bells that she heard, it was the gentle strum and pluck of a string instrument.
The qin was most popular among nobility and scholars, for to master the qin’s strings required great dedication, skill and refinement. Such an instrument had not been heard on Li Shan in Hudan’s lifetime and she was compelled to follow the beautiful composition to its source.
On approaching the stairs leading to the guest rooms, Hudan was amazed to find half the students of the house nestled low, quietly listening.
‘Brother Hudan,’ one girl called in warning, and the stairs cleared as students scattered silently for their dorms.
Calm and centred as she was at present, Hudan regretted that she was so feared by her students — still, her path had been cleared without her having to raise more than an eyebrow. She ascended the stairs until the stirring notes from the strings brought her to a standstill and she was compelled to close her eyes and just listen.
It was such a unique and heady sound and it resonated so well with her. The music reached into the core of her being and stirred her higher emotions — chi energy welled in her chest, generated by the sheer admiration and appreciation she felt for such genius.
One of their two guests was the source of this profound enchantment, and Hudan’s skin began to tingle as she realised it had to be Ji Dan playing. A feeling of shame swept through her, as no shallow being could ever produce such a heavenly sound. She had clearly been far too quick to judge the lord.
The door to the guest chamber was open, and Hudan watched Ji Dan complete his performance. Fen Gong, who was seated inside listening to the lord play, noted her presence in the doorway, but did not acknowledge her, as the last note resounded into silence.
‘What do you think?’ Dan queried his new ward. ‘Shall I offend the Great Mother?’
‘Oh no, lord.’ Fen had tears in his eyes, he was so moved. ‘Shifu Yi will feel exalted.’
‘Please do not compliment me just because you are in my charge. I want your honest opinion.’ Dan pressed for a critique.
‘That was the most extraordinary musical performance I have ever heard,’ Hudan interrupted, drawing the lord’s attention her way. ‘You have a talent that is surely second to none, brother Dan.’
‘Brother Hudan,’ Dan said, both startled and quietly delighted by her presence. ‘I am greatly honoured that you would say so.’
‘I should get some sleep.’ Fen rose abruptly, ready to be dismissed. ‘Leaving home tomorrow,’ he explained., ‘I need rest for such an adventure.’
‘Of course.’ Dan rose, placing his instrument on a cushion in front of him. ‘Until tomorrow.’
Fen placed his fist against his open palm and gave a respectful bow. As soon as Dan returned the gesture, Fen was gone.
‘Please, come in,’ Dan invited Hudan, who was still loitering outside his door. ‘Would you like to take a closer look?’ He referred her to where Fen had been sitting.
‘Yes, I would.’ Hudan settled on the seat facing the instrument, and Ji Dan sat on the far side, facing her.
‘Do you know of the symbology behind the qin?’ Dan asked as he seated himself.
‘Nothing at all,’ she admitted, but was quite fascinated by the appearance of the beautiful piece.
‘The qin measures,’ Dan held one hand at each end of the item in question, ‘three chi, six cun and fi
ve fen in length —’
‘— to represent the days of the year?’ Hudan guessed.
Dan grinned broadly. ‘Correct. The upper surface is rounded to represent the sky, and the bottom is flat to …’ he invited her guess this time.
‘… to represent the earth,’ she concluded, and he nodded to acknowledge she was correct again.
‘The thirteen mother-of-pearl inlays along the outer edge symbolise —’
‘— the thirteen months of the lunar year?’ Hudan posited, and was pleased when Dan ticked his head in agreement.
‘These five strings are the five elements.’ He plucked them in turn as he announced their corresponding element: ‘Metal, wood, water, fire and earth.’
‘And the sixth string?’ Hudan wondered. Looking up from the instrument at Dan, she noted the joy had gone from his face, and a great shroud of sadness weighed down his shoulders.
When Dan explained that the string was added to mourn the death of his eldest brother, Bo Yi Kao, Hudan felt for Dan, having come so close to losing a member of her own family this night. ‘My brother was the greatest qin master who ever lived, and it was he who taught me the craft.’ He plucked the string, and the sound was deeply reflective of Dan’s current expression.
‘It is sorrowful,’ Hudan agreed. ‘It must be difficult for you to play.’ Obviously, Dan had adored Bo Yi Kao, and Hudan realised that his intention to play for her Shifu came at some personal and emotional cost to Dan, which made his gift all the more honourable.
Dan forced a grin. ‘I have only played twice since my brother’s death. At my father’s funeral, and …’ The pain that crossed his face, mixed with repulsion, rendered him speechless a moment. He looked away from Hudan, seeming ashamed to voice the rest ‘… I performed for Su Daji.’ He continued to stare out the window at the dark night, tears rimming his eyes.
‘That’s how you saved Ji Fa from her sorcery?’ Hudan guessed, and Dan looked at her, shocked that she knew about that event, but he nodded.
Even though they had stumbled onto the very subject that Hudan had wished to quiz Dan about, she could clearly see how disturbed he was by the event in question and she felt questioning him would only cause him further distress.
‘I did not thank you for saving my brother this day.’ She found a more uplifting topic. ‘I am most grateful for the kindness you and brother Fa have bestowed on Fen.’
‘But you know my reasons are entirely selfish.’ Dan found his smile.
Hudan also smiled, as she rarely did, amused that she and brother Dan seemed forever destined to disagree. ‘I misjudged you, brother Dan,’ she admitted, and Dan feared his comment had been mistaken as a taunt.
‘I did not mean —’
Hudan held up a hand and silenced the lord, but her smile reassured him that he’d not been misunderstood. ‘You cannot hide your wisdom and compassion from me. I have seen your future, Zhou Gong, and you are the brightest star in Tian’s sky.’ The words left her mouth like prophecy, said before she could think or object.
Dan’s face was devoid of all expression — he was completely lost for words. Her reference to him as Zhou Gong implied that he would one day be a duke of their own family dynasty.
Hudan’s shock at her own declaration ebbed as she found Dan’s stunned reaction most gratifying. ‘I had no intention of ever telling you that,’ she added, at a loss as to why she had. ‘Please, do not let that prediction go to your head.’
Dan gave a laugh. ‘What do I do that is so pleasing to Tian?’
‘You are who you are.’ Hudan got up to leave, as the amicable mood made her uncomfortable.
‘Well,’ Dan stood also, ‘that shouldn’t prove too difficult for me.’
‘Happy new year, brother Dan,’ she said, inclining her head to him in leaving.
‘And to you, brother Hudan.’
‘I know Shifu Yi will be most enchanted by your musical gift,’ Hudan assured him, as she inched closer to the door. ‘Perhaps your desire to learn the way of the Wu will be granted.’
Dan was most inspired by her words. ‘Is that a prediction, brother Hudan?’
Hudan raised half a grin and left before she disclosed any more of what she’d foreseen.
The remains of that night passed slowly. Dan was more expectant about his private audience with the Great Mother than he wanted to admit. He’d envied his older brother’s sacred connection with the Wu, never expecting that Tian would have cause to summon him, a mere lord, to a private meeting with the Great Mother of Li Shan. One meeting with Yi Wu had transformed Ji Fa from a diffident conqueror into a confident, spiritual warrior of heaven. Dan wondered what the Great Mother would make of him, both figuratively and literally. Would she cast her spell over him, like she had Ji Fa, and make him feel more confident and calm about his future than ever before? Each time Dan recalled Jiang Hudan referring to him as Zhou Gong, butterflies fluttered in his gut. It was difficult to determine if it was excitement or fear driving the frenzy of sensation, but regardless of the cause, the feeling had not been conducive to sleep.
‘Perhaps your desire to learn the way of Wu will be granted?’ This was the memory playing on the lord’s mind as he was led into the private audience chamber of Yi Wu, and whether or not it was a prophecy didn’t matter. It was uplifting to know that Jiang Hudan was on side.
The Great Mother sat unveiled, dressed simply in white, on her throne of cushioned gold. There was a table set for tea, and Dan’s instrument had been set up and was ready to play. ‘Welcome, brother Dan. I understand that you come bearing a gift for me?’
Dan went down on one knee before her, as her adepts did. ‘I do, Great Mother. I would like to play my qin for you, if that would be pleasing?’
‘That would please me greatly, brother Dan. Be at liberty.’ She rose from her seat and motioned to his qin. ‘Would you mind if I take tea as you play. I assure you my ears are entirely yours.’
‘Please, Great Mother,’ Dan granted with an easy smile. ‘Whatever is your pleasure.’
As Yi Wu seated herself at the table, Dan moved to where his instrument sat by the windows in the sunlight, and taking a seat, he made himself comfortable and checked the tuning of the qin. Once he was satisfied with the sound, he sat motionless and stilled his mind.
To the sound of liquid pouring into a cup, Dan closed his eyes and breathed in the tranquil atmosphere of the crisp clear morning on Li Shan. The sun through the open shutters at his back permeated his being to warm his soul. The morning song of the birds beyond their dwelling filled him with the joy of this moment, so pregnant with possibility and free of care.
On that note, the lord began a composition that expressed the wonder he’d felt upon meeting the Wu and being granted glimpses of their sacred world. For quite a good part of the piece Dan managed to avoid the sorrowful sixth string of Bo Yi Kao. Yet, when he considered his own longing to learn their ways, he could only feel sadness, and the sixth string expressed this. With the little hope given to him the previous evening by Jiang Hudan’s comments and smile, he struck a happier chord, his composition concluded.
When Dan looked at the Great Mother, her eyes were still closed. Her cup was balanced in both her hands and she could have been a statue, she appeared so serene.
‘Magical …’ she said, her eyes parting. ‘Beautiful, masterful, powerful and a little sad.’
‘But there is always hope,’ Dan assured her.
Yi Wu smiled a knowing smile. ‘Come, take tea with me.’ She rang a bell for a fresh pot, and her request was met, with graceful poise, by one of her initiates even before Dan was fully seated. ‘You have a very great talent, brother Dan. Your gift is one I shall treasure always. It is a shame that more souls have not had the opportunity to be inspired by your art.’
Dan felt the pressure of sorrow welling in his chest and battled his desire to please the Great Mother. ‘I shall try harder to set aside my grief,’ he allowed, with some difficulty.
‘Tian will aid you
in this,’ Yi Wu stated with confidence. The Great Mother waited for her initiate to depart before she spoke again. ‘What I deduced from your composition is that you deeply desire to learn the way of the Wu.’ She was straightforward in her speech, and Dan opened his mouth to confirm. ‘But have you really considered how a nobleman could possibly manage to abide by our creed?’
‘I have, Great Mother,’ Dan assured her, ‘and I am certain that I can.’
‘But what of your wife?’ she reasoned calmly — all noblemen had at least one, to ensure an heir.
‘My wife died giving birth to my son, Bo Qin, twenty years ago,’ he informed her without sentiment. ‘We were very young and I did not choose to remarry.’
Yi Wu found this interesting. ‘And what of your concubines?’ Every nobleman had several of those.
Dan grinned, stating for the record: ‘I am quite able to appreciate beauty without feeling a need to possess it. I find companionship in study, and as I am married to the government, that is truly all I have time for. So you see, Great Mother, I already live by your creed, in that regard.’
Yi Wu smiled, as if she knew something that he did not. ‘I think the reason you find beauty so easy to pass by is because you know you can have any beauty you desire … but what happens when beauty is forbidden you. Will it be so easy to resist then?’
‘Great Mother,’ Dan began, ‘I —’
‘If I were to send one of my Wu to seduce you, could you resist?’
‘Su Daji herself tried and failed,’ he contested, matching the Great Mother’s challenging gaze with his own.
‘But Daji disgusts you,’ Yi Wu pointed out. ‘What if beauty came in the form of someone who makes your heart soar and fills your dreams with the possibilities of an amazing future?’
Dan’s eyes had not wavered from those of the Great Mother, but there was a sinking feeling in his gut — her words were more accurate than anyone could have known. Was she aware of the dreams he’d been having? Was his inexplicable attraction to Jiang Hudan so obvious?
‘If I sent Jiang Hudan to seduce you, what then, brother Dan?’