‘Let’s eat.’ Dan rubbed his hands together. ‘I’m starving!’
‘Me too,’ Shi agreed, and his stomach gave a loud growl.
‘We had best make haste then,’ Dan urged them on in jest, ‘before he eats somebody.’ The notion amused the Wu, and Shi frowned at his brother’s quip at his expense.
‘I have managed to control myself for the last twenty years,’ Shi objected.
‘Which is far more than can be said about Dan and his appetites this morning,’ Huxin commented, ribbing Dan in Shi’s defence, and taking hold of the arm of her intended, she led Shi into the dining hall.
Shi turned back to note Dan was lost for words. ‘I have missed something.’
A shy smile passed between his brother and Hudan as the pair entered the dining hall to enjoy one last meal together.
15
THE TWINS AND SPIRIT TIGER
Over the next month and a half, the heat of summer was replaced by the cooler, drizzly days of autumn, and Shi was a regular visitor to Li Shan. Hudan took advantage of her would-be brother-in-law’s weekly visits to send correspondence to Dan and Fen and to keep abreast of events in Haojing.
Zhou Gong Dan had been enthused and absorbed by a commission given to him by the King of Zhou — to design a heavenly city based on the strict cosmological principles of the holy field, otherwise known in mathematics as the magic square. This was to set a design precedent in urban planning that would demonstrate and complement Zhou’s new civil laws and structure.
The holy field in its most simplified form was one square divided into nine equal squares and each square was allocated a number between one and nine. The number placement was such that no matter how the numbers were added, across or down or diagonally, they equaled fifteen.
The four squares of even integers at the corners represented yin, and the five axial squares of odd integers represented yang, and so the diagram was thought to demonstrate the perfect balance of yin and yang to achieve a flow of chi. Each segment of the square could then be divided into nine down to infinity.
To find a location for the new city was to be Shi’s mission, but as the young overlord was otherwise distracted courting a wife, he’d been excused from the responsibility until such time as Dan had drafted his first blueprint.
Fen was also keeping himself busy, training Zhou Gong in Dao Yin and Wu doctrine, researching the ancient art of placement for Dan’s urban planning project, and visiting the queen every day to check on her condition. Hudan’s brother was pleased to report that the signs that Yi Jiang was with child were very promising: she had yet to bleed, was feeling ill in the mornings and was otherwise eating like a horse, not unlike their own sister, who would have devoured a horse a day if given the opportunity. Due to the queen’s morning sickness she was Fen’s first priority every morning, and she was always pleased to see him, as was the king. Fen’s only frustration was that the queen had found her playful streak and was making it her personal mission to find Fen a love interest. He complained in his letters to Hudan that every day Yi Jiang had a new line-up of lovely handmaidens for him to peruse, no matter how many times he assured the queen that he was quite content with his life at Haojing. ‘But it is such a waste of a young, handsome, able and rich lord,’ the queen would emphasise. Fen was being very well paid for his services and had been awarded land at the base of Li Shan. So whether Fen liked it or not, he was now a Count of Zhou and his name was Zhou Bo Fen Gong.
Since they had first realised their separation was a real possibility, Hudan and Huxin were getting along better than they ever had. And as Huxin’s belly swelled, the fact that their days were numbered was more and more apparent — for Shi was winning his battle to gain the tigress’ trust and affection.
On this, his last visit before the due date of birth of their pride, Shi brought something he hoped would seal the deal for him.
‘What is that?’ Hudan queried, seeing the long, thick bamboo container in his hand as she took the smaller bamboo boxes containing her correspondence from him.
‘It is a silken blueprint of my estate at Shao,’ he whispered. ‘I thought Huxin might like to see it and,’ he shrugged coyly, ‘perhaps make plans for the future? Do you think that would be pleasing to her?’
‘I’m sure she shall be delighted,’ Hudan replied with a sincere smile of encouragement, her heart sinking at the thought of being the last of her siblings left on Li Shan, and without a courier to and from Haojing. Still, Dan had been joking in his letters about training up some pigeons to replace their tiger express.
‘Is she in the garden courtyard?’ Shi queried, backing up in that direction, as this was where they usually met, and Hudan nodded. ‘Wish me luck.’ He did not wait for her retort.
As there was still an hour of good daylight left and it was a pleasant, fine day, Hudan took her mail to the garden to read. This had become her favourite time of the week and she loved being able to sit and read and think of those she cared about — she was going to miss it greatly once Huxin and Shi were gone. She always read Fen’s news first, and so slipped the silk from its bamboo coffer and unfurled it to read.
The big news from Haojing was confirmation of the queen’s pregnancy, an event which had the Zhou king, and the household at large, overjoyed. Yi Jiang was so thrilled that Fen’s prediction had come to pass that she gave him four concubines, but having no idea what to do with them, Fen insisted, upon threat of taking his own life, that she take them back. ‘The life of a concubine would be horrid in the service of a man who does not love you,’ he had told her majesty.
‘But you must pass your healing art on to your offspring,’ she had insisted.
‘I don’t know that it works that way, majesty, having never known my parents,’ he had countered. ‘I should much prefer a few days off to visit with my sister, Huxin, to ensure it goes well with the birth of her offspring.’ The queen had taken back the handmaidens and agreed to allow Fen to visit this coming week. You must come and fetch me as soon as there is any sign of labour, he advised Hudan in his letter, and the thought of seeing Dan, even fleetingly, put a large smile on her face.
Dan’s missive was all political talk and the intricacies of his current project. Hudan loved how neither Dan nor Fen spoke of their absence, only of the positive progress they were making toward the future. Dan never mentioned their affection, but spoke constantly of how he would take her here and show her this, which was his subtle way of saying that she was always in his thoughts.
‘Sister Hudan!’ Shi jumped the garden gate to join her. ‘I think it’s happening!’
‘They are early!’ Hudan rose to accompany him to consult with her sister, who was seated in heaven’s garden — the plans of her new house were laid out before her, as she gripped her belly.
‘I think the west wing downstairs for the nursery,’ she said as they entered.
‘In theory?’ Shi queried, repressing his excitement as he approached and sat beside her, wondering if this was the ‘yes’ he’d been waiting for.
‘No,’ she shook her head, and smiled at him. ‘I am decided … we go, where you go.’ She took hold of his face and drew him into a kiss.
Hudan’s heart welled at the scene, and her eyes moistened. Once she would have been rolling her eyes and thinking them deluded, but now Hudan knew that love could last beyond death, beyond rebirth, for its source lay in the spirit where it could not be erased or forgotten.
‘I could not be happier.’ Shi was smiling and crying at once, and Huxin’s expression reflected his perfectly.
‘Brother Shi said you were in labour?’ Hudan queried her sister’s calm state.
‘The pain has backed off — ah —’ Her expression contorted in agony.
‘The queen has said I may fetch Fen to your aid,’ Hudan told her, as Huxin urged Shi to back off. She was panting heavily.
‘Yes, bring Fen, bring Fen!’ She gritted her teeth to endure the contraction.
‘Quickly!’ Shi urged her, a
t a loss to do anything himself.
‘I shall inform the Great Mother of my errand,’ Hudan advised.
Once she had gained permission, the sun had nearly set. Hudan was hopeful of finding Fen in Dan’s company, as they studied together in his Hall of Records in the evenings.
Acting on her intention to join Fen, Hudan arrived to find the men she sought working away quietly in Dan’s hall; the duke was drafting plans upon a large framed silk, and Fen was referencing some old bamboo annuals and taking notes.
‘Ahem.’ Hudan cleared her throat upon arrival, not wishing to startle them.
‘Brother Hudan!’ they both chanted at once, Dan with a huge smile, Fen with a worried frown.
‘Huxin?’ Fen concluded, raising himself from his desk.
‘Yes,’ Hudan confirmed, ‘she has gone into labour a week early.’
‘I shall advise the queen of my absence.’ Fen rushed from the room, but stopped to close the door behind him.
‘Brother Dan,’ Hudan said, as he approached to greet her.
‘This is such a pleasant surprise,’ he said, in good spirits. ‘You look well.’
‘As do you,’ she replied, and they both stood politely at a distance observing one another.
‘In that other timeline,’ Dan posed, taking a step toward her, ‘the one we are trying to keep on track, do you think we would be doing anything more than standing here having a polite conversation?’ He moved closer to speak more intimately with her.
Hudan considered it an odd question. ‘I doubt it. Why do you ask?’
‘I would not want to miss anything …’ His lips found hers in a sweet bid for some attention, which he got in a deep, long moment, as Hudan was too relieved to object. ‘I long to see you again,’ he whispered, afterward.
‘The wedding will be at Li Shan and only a small affair. Do you think Shi will nominate you as his witness?’ Hudan suggested.
‘He owes us a few favours if memory serves.’ Dan’s lips lingered close to hers.
‘Hudan!’ Fen’s horrified call startled them apart, but what was more alarming was that Ji Song was in his company.
‘Highness?’ Dan was clearly surprised to see the prince.
‘Zhou Gong, you sly old fox,’ Song jeered, annoyed. ‘You are not trying to have your way with one of the holy vestals, are you? That would be a shameful blemish on your otherwise distinguished career.’
‘Not at all,’ Hudan said in response to Song’s accusation. ‘I had something in my eye,’ she informed the prince, and Dan nodded to corroborate her lie, as she blinked a few times. ‘But I believe you got it, thank you, brother Dan.’
‘My pleasure,’ he said, their secret making them both rather more jovial than warranted.
‘Can I help you with something, highness?’ Dan queried, and then frowned deeply, as he eyed Song closely, feeling disturbed by something other than Song’s mere presence.
‘When Fen mentioned Jiang Hudan was here,’ Song fixed his sights on Hudan, and his boyish charm came to the fore as he approached her, ‘I felt compelled to come and congratulate the legend myself for her amazing conquest of Su Daji. I stand in awe!’ He bowed to her, one hand upon his heart, but his intense eye contact did not waver.
‘Ultimately, Su Daji took her own life,’ Hudan replied, rather more aroused by his gaze then she felt she should have been. ‘She was dragged into a role she never wanted, and was happy to die, having tarnished the eternal memory of the man who ruined her life.’
‘How sad,’ Ji Song said, and his sympathy surprised Hudan; apparently, Song had unexpected depth. ‘Still, I should very much like to hear the tale one day.’
‘I have made an account of the events of your father’s campaign in the East, and I can have a copy made especially for your highness, if that is pleasing?’ Hudan proffered.
Although it was clearly less than Ji Song had hoped for, he smiled to accept. ‘I greatly look forward to reading your narrative.’
‘Your highness must excuse us,’ Fen interrupted, as the men vied for Hudan’s attention. ‘Our sister is in pressing need.’
‘I should come with you,’ Dan decided, out of the blue, and everyone looked at him wondering about his reason. ‘Someone has to keep Shi calm.’
‘A good point.’ Hudan looked to Fen, who nodded to confirm.
‘Please inform the king of my absence,’ Dan requested of Song, who seemed a mite baffled as Hudan took Fen’s hand in hers and reached out to Dan, who took hold of the other. ‘We shall return,’ said the duke, with a grin.
‘Highness,’ Fen bowed, and the three of them vanished from Haojing.
They materialised in the open cloister, and Fen did not have to ask where Huxin was; the lad simply followed the loud wailing that led to their old quarters. Hudan made a move after him, but Dan held her back.
‘I need to tell you something.’ He swung her around.
‘Not now,’ she appealed, fretting for her sister. She’d never heard her in so much pain.
‘I’ve seen another son of the sky,’ he said, breathing a heavy sigh as he let her go. ‘He’s in Ji Song.’
‘Ji Song?’ Hudan hadn’t felt any connection to Song before today, but had to admit his gaze had stirred something in her.
‘Why him?’ Dan was clearly not happy. ‘Shi, I can understand. But his highness is completely self-absorbed.’
‘Not completely,’ Hudan defended the lad. ‘He was sympathetic to Su Daji’s plight.’
Dan frowned and he rolled his eyes. ‘I thought you might have seen through his charming antics, which he pours on for all the ladies, and I mean all.’
Now Hudan was frowning. ‘Dan, such animosity toward your future king is surely not beneficial.’
The duke hung his head briefly, contrite. ‘Still, it is the truth.’
‘Perhaps wooing women is his talent.’ Hudan shrugged in a non-judgemental fashion. ‘Our Shifu claims seduction is a weapon as efficient as any blade.’
Dan seemed slightly offended by her perspective. ‘Song is obviously very proficient at his art.’
‘You could thank me for lying to his highness just now,’ she said, placing her hands on her hips to rebut his jealousy.
‘That was kind of you,’ he admitted, finding his sense of humour.
‘The simple truth of the matter is that, regardless of how you feel about him, Song is clearly one of us,’ Hudan stated. ‘Do you think the Great Mother is aware of him?’
‘That is what I really came here to ask, in fact,’ Dan murmured, looking about at the abandoned downstairs area of the cloister.
Most of the residents of Li Shan were in the their beds, though no one could possibly have been sleeping through the ruckus Huxin had been making, which had quietened since Fen’s arrival.
‘I should go.’ Hudan began to walk away and Dan moved with her as far as the landing that led to the hallway to heaven’s garden. ‘I shall see you after.’
With a nod from Dan, they went their separate ways, Hudan toward her quarters, and the duke into the hallway leading to the garden courtyard beyond, in search of his brother.
The tranquil garden seemed anything but, with Shi pacing about like a caged animal. He was overjoyed when he spotted Dan and near winded him with a hug that was more of a collision of bodies. ‘Thank you for coming.’
‘My pleasure,’ Dan replied after catching his breath. ‘How are you faring?’ he asked and slapped his brother’s back in the hope he would release him.
‘I am fine,’ Shi insisted, backing off. ‘It is Huxin I am worried about! At least the roaring and screaming has stopped now. Huxin keeps transforming; she can’t decide what is more comfortable.’
‘I see.’ Dan didn’t envy Fen right now. ‘Her brother is with her, so rest assured she is in the best of care.’ Dan directed Shi to take a seat.
‘No, thanks.’ Shi decided he’d rather pace back and forth.
‘Has Brother Huxin given you her answer? Am I to be calling her “siste
r” from now on?’
‘Yes,’ Shi said and realised he hadn’t broken the good news to anyone yet. ‘She said, yes!’
‘Congratulations!’ Dan held his hand hand out to his brother, and they gripped each other around the forearm. ‘Jiang Huxin is quite a catch, and our Zhou will be pleased. I wish you every happiness.’
Shi received the good wishes graciously, before his expression soured. ‘My only worry is that Huxin’s mother died in birthing —’
‘She was already wounded and weak.’
Both men were started by the voice of the Great Mother, who was standing at the end of the hallway that led from the courtyard back to the cloister, with two students poised beside her, one carrying a tray of tea and the other a burning lantern.
‘Shifu Yi?’ Dan uttered, amazed. He’d never seen Yi Wu outside of her chambers or the temple.
‘Yes, I do get out and about on occasion, and this event is certainly auspicious.’ She motioned her students to place their loads on the table, which they did, and closed the large doors to the hallway as they departed. ‘A little something to sooth your nerves, Shi … and it won’t hurt us either.’ Yi Wu winked at Dan, and motioned them to be seated. This time Shi did not object, for the Great Mother’s presence was a pacifying force.
‘I thought you might be a little concerned by the sketchy nature of the reports about your mate,’ Yi Wu said, as she came to join them and seated herself on the opposite side on the table to them both. ‘So, I considered that a first-hand account of how I came by my two most prized students could be in order?’
Dan was sure he looked every bit as eager to hear the yarn as Shi, who nodded in response to the suggestion. ‘I would be honoured to know her history.’
‘Then I shall tell it.’ Yi Wu poured the tea and they each partook of a cup and both men gasped for breath in the wake of the brew.
‘Whoa,’ Dan emphasised, while his brother thumped the table to endure the passage of the liquid down his throat.
‘Ah,’ Yi Wu finished her cup, ‘special.’