My Splendid Concubine (68 page)

Twenty feet to the right by glass doors that opened on a cour
tyard sat a table, couch and chairs. The table was on a Persian carpet, and on the table was a wide, oval brass bowl holding fresh fruit. There was also a steaming teapot and two cups. The couch had its back against the wall near the glass doors while the chairs and table were closer to the center of the room.

The rosewood furniture was intricately carved with flowers and birds. Lao offered one of the chairs next to the table and a servant poured tea.

Obviously, this meeting wasn’t formal and Robert relaxed. Court ritual added hours to a meeting and he dreaded that.

They drank tea and talked about local issues first.

“Prince Kung sent word that I should present you with an invitation,” Lao said, when he finally broached the subject of the summons. “I am sure you heard that Horatio Lay is returning to England to recover from his knife wounds. Because of this, Prince Kung wants you to go to Peking and meet with him and his grand-board members. If you agree, you will become acting inspector general for Customs in Shanghai until Horatio Lay returns.”

Robert
’s first reaction was doubt. He was only twenty-six. Was he ready? He wasn’t sure that he could do the job. What if he failed and made a fool of himself? Then he remembered that Lay was only three years older. “Why have I been selected?” he asked. “There must be any number of men who could do this job, men older and wiser than I am.”

Lao waved a hand as if to erase Robert
’s words. “Your reputation as a man who can fix things has spread. I told Prince Kung that you were the only suitable candidate. In fact, I would like to see you replace Horatio Lay and have considered suggesting this to the Emperor.”

He was surprised to hear that the Chinese thought so highly of his abilit
ies. He didn’t know what to say, and his face turned hot. “Thank you,” he said, “but I cannot take Horatio’s job from him while he is recovering from wounds gained serving China. It would be improper.”

“
You do honor to your family,” Lao said. “Your father would be proud. Prince Kung will understand if you accept the position in Shanghai until Horatio Lay returns. If you decline, I will let Prince Kung know that you would prefer to stay in Canton.”

“
It is true that I’m reluctant to leave. My job in Canton is not finished. Who will replace me?”

“
The head is more important than a toe. You must go. The Emperor is aware that you are the only foreigner working hard to keep China from being eaten by Britain and France.”

“
That cannot be the true,” Robert replied. “There must be others.”

Lao shook his head.
“At first, we thought you would hire only English. When you did not, we were confused. We watched you hire men from every nation, even Han Chinese. That clever thinking won our approval.”

“
The Dynasty trusts me with a great responsibility. I will go to Peking.”

“
Of course, if given a choice, I would prefer that you stay in Canton. Now that you have accepted the offer, Hung-chi, as inspector general of Canton, will have to do the work until your return.”

He hesitated for
Hung-chi would destroy everything Robert had built. Lao stood and with hands clasped behind his back walked back and forth.

Robert started to stand.

“Sit. No need to get up. My thinking is clearer when I am on my feet. A bad habit. Eat something.” He waved at the fruit. “I picked them this morning in my garden.”

Robert poured tea into his cup and examined the fruit. He s
elected a white peach and bit into it. His mouth was flooded with juicy sweetness, and he had to put a cupped hand under his chin to catch the juice. Then a servant handed him a warm, damp cloth.

“
When I told Hung-chi, he protested and urged me to keep you here. That confused me. He has only complained about you before.”

Hung-chi was a thief. He was taking bribes from just about ever
yone. He had even tried to bribe Robert. Instead, Robert had instituted polices that made it difficult for Hung-chi to get money illegally and if he became the inspector general in Shanghai, he would outrank Hung-chi.

“
Hung-chi is overwhelmed with all the challenges he faces,” Robert said. “If you will accept my recommendation, I will assign an assistant, a man I have trained, to replace me while I’m gone. You can trust that he will do the job adequately. His honesty is above reproach.”

Lao
stopped pacing and stared at Robert. “What I find disturbing is that Peking sent the message to Hung-chi first. When you did not respond, Peking asked me to talk to you. Did you get that message?”

“
No.”

“
When I asked Huang-chi why he never gave the invitation to you, he said he never received it. I know that is not true. Do you know why Hung-chi did this?”

“
I have no idea.” He lied. “The only explanation I can think of is that he is overwhelmed with problems from the English and French.”

Lao studied Robert
’s face looking for answers. He had just insinuated that Hung-chi was incompetent and was sure that Lao thought there was more to it than that.

“
Anyone you recommend to replace you will be accepted,” Lao said, returning to his chair. He signaled for more hot tea. A servant came with a fresh pot.

“
It wouldn’t hurt if you kept a closer eye on Hung-chi.” Robert was skirting close to the edge. It was not wise to be direct. It was acceptable to reach the truth in a roundabout way, even if it meant using small lies. His hands were cold and damp from stress. He wanted to dry them but needed to look calm. If he appeared nervous, Lao might distrust what he said.

Lao
’s eyes narrowed. “Why? Is there something that I should know?” He formed a tent with his fingers and hid most of his face behind it.

“
What I mean,” Robert replied, “is to have your people stand by in case the English or French become too difficult to deal with. Many of their merchants have been coming to Hung-chi asking for advice. It has been difficult for him. I am sure if you discover why Hung-chi is having these difficulties and solve that problem for him, you will gain face. You might consider placing a trusted servant in Hung-chi’s home and another in his office.”

Lao
’s eyebrows shot up. He took a long breath and relaxed by sipping tea. Then he nodded. “I see,” he said. He leaned toward Robert, as if they were coconspirators. His eyes gleamed. “So, who is this man you are recommending to take your place and be a thorn in Hung-chi’s side?”

Robert resisted the urge to laugh. Lao knew more than he was le
tting on. He probably already had spies watching Hung-chi. “My replacement is a Frenchman named Gerard. He speaks Chinese fluently and understands the meaning of filial piety. He has studied Confucius and is fearless. No one will intimidate him. You can trust him as much as you trust me.”

“
Really,” Lao said. “Then we will rely on him. I did not think there could be two foreigners like you in China.”

With the unexpected promotion came higher pay, and Robert requested an advance on his salary. Once the silver taels arrived, he sent enough money with Guan-jiah to Chou Luk in Macao.

“
Once Cousin Weed is free, bring Ayaou back,” he said.

Gu
an-jiah nodded and hurried off.

The day Guan-jiah returned from Macao, Robert met him inside the mansion’s front entrance. “Good news, Master.”

“
If it isn’t about cousin Weed, I don’t want to hear it,” Robert replied and tried to see around the eunuch. The double doors were almost closed and only a sliver of sky was visible revealing that it was going to be dark soon.

A huge grin split Guan-jiah
’s face. “Chou Luk managed to meet the ransom demands.” The eunuch pushed the double doors wide and stepped aside revealing Ayaou and Anna holding hands. Fooyen stood behind them, but Robert couldn’t see Ayaou’s face since it was hidden in the shadows.

“
Ba, Ba,” Anna said. She yanked her little hand free and ran to him.

He squatted and braced himself as the two-year-old leaped into his arms. He was amazed. When Ayaou had left, Anna had
been unsteady on her feet. Now she was running. He imagined she must be getting into everything, and she had called him daddy. “She talks,” he said.

His eyes watered from emotion.
“Have you any other words in that mouth?” He held her at arm’s length and examined her. She squirmed and giggled. He ticked her and she laughed louder.

“
She knows a few words,” Fooyen said, as she came into the room.

“
Take Anna upstairs. I want to be alone with Ayaou.” He gave Guan-jiah a look, and the eunuch said, “Pardon me, Master, but I must make sure the servants have kept the house clean.” He hurried away.

Ayaou stared at the floor avoiding eye contact. He, on the other hand, could not take his eyes off her. He felt angry and wanted to tell her. Instead, he walked around her, as if he were on an inspection tour and liked what he saw. He sensed that her eyes were trying to follow him.

“I apologize for running away,” she said. Her voice was soft and difficult to hear.

“
What did you say?” he asked.

“
What you did to save Cousin Weed is worth more than money to me,” she replied.

He stopped in front of her and lifted her chin to see her face. Her eyes were swimming in tears. Her lower lip trembled. He felt a pain in his chest, and he wanted to take her in his arms to comfort her. He resisted the urge. It wasn
’t time yet.

“
I was a fool to leave. What you did is proof of your love for me,” she said. The tears started to overflow and run down her cheeks. “Your respect for my father and family shows that you value me. I no longer think that I am a property you bought. And your love is no longer just words of passion. I am unworthy.”

“
Enough,” he said. “I was also a fool.” He pulled her into his arms. They kissed. Her lips were warm and soft.

Later that evening, alone in his study, he remembered something that Patridge had said years ago.

“
Chou Luk should have waited. Though you don’t have the wealth Ward has, you’re a dependable man. It probably has not crossed Chou Luk’s mind that we think differently from the Chinese. He sold three of his daughters to men he believes are going to help take care of him. You think that I will. He’ll get no help from Ward either.”

The captain had underestimated the sisters. Robert was sure that whoever their masters were, Chou Luk
’s daughters would find a way to get help for their father and family, even if they had to steal.

Thinking about Patridge raised a thought that he hadn
’t considered before. Patridge had asked both Horatio and him to continue accepting bribes and help smuggle opium into China. Both had refused.

Then that British s
ailor attacked Robert. Next, Horatio was knifed in Shanghai. The coincidence was difficult to ignore.

On the other hand, the weapons in both attacks had been knives. That was odd. Knives did not sound like Patridge. He was sure that if Patridge sent assassins, they would use a large
caliber pistol, rifle or shotgun.

Patridge
’s motive was strong enough. If he got rid of the two men that stood in his way and replaced them with people to do his bidding, he would reap greater profits. Robert would have to be more careful to avoid Horatio’s fate. At least Horatio was getting out of the country until his health returned. As much as he disliked the man, Robert did not wish death on him.

On the last night before he left for Peking, he waited until Anna went to sleep before going to the bedroom he shared with Ayaou. He sat beside her on their bed and took her hands in his. He explained what his journey was about and how important it was to his career.

“
I need your help, Ayaou,” he said.

“
How can I help if you are in Peking, and I am here? After all, it is my duty as your concubine to bring you to the pleasure cliff and help you jump off so we both soar among the clouds. My body is your way to relax, to reach ecstasy and find harmony. Take me with you if that is what you want. I will do all that I can to insure your longevity.”

“
That is tempting,” he said, “but I must go alone, and I will miss our intimacies. I will also have trouble sleeping soundly.” He paused for a moment then said, “I hate being without you.”

Her eyes darted away from his.
“I suggest that you find another concubine in Peking to keep your bed warm. It is only fitting for a man of your stature.”

“
No,” he said. “That isn’t what I meant. I want more from you than just your body.”

“
I do not understand.” She cocked her head to one side and looked at him with curiosity. “What else have I to offer?”