Murder at the Peking Opera by Amanda Roberts

Author:Amanda Roberts [Roberts, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Empress Publishing

11

Lady Li sat by Swan’s side and tried to coax her into drinking some broth.

“It tastes like sawdust,” Swan said through her dry, cracking throat.

“That’s because you’ve been filling your mouth with so much smoke,” Lady Li replied as he held up another spoonful.

Swan pushed the spoon away and retched into the bowl by her bed again. She leaned back on her pillow, panting.

Lady Li placed her hand on Swan’s forehead, which was burning up. “Your future husband is sending for a doctor,” Lady Li said. “I’m sure he will be here soon.”

“My future husband,” Swan repeated dreamily. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“It will only happen if you get well,” Lady Li said, putting the broth and spoon aside.

“Does it hurt you?” Swan asked. “To know that I will marry Inspector Gong and not you?”

Lady Li pressed her lips and her brow furrowed. She wasn’t sure why Swan was trying to get a rise out of her, but she wouldn’t lower herself by losing her temper with a sick woman. She tucked the covers in around Swan’s frail body and took some satisfaction in knowing that Inspector Gong wouldn’t take nearly as much pleasure in Swan’s bony frame as he did in her own more shapely one.

“It was my decision,” Lady Li said.

Swan smirked. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Lady Li sighed and shook her head. “What does it matter?” she asked.

“How can I be happy in a new marriage knowing that it causes you pain?” Swan asked.

A flood of guilt washed over Lady Li. Swan hadn’t asked the question to hurt her, but to alleviate her own guilt over having the chance at a new family, a new life, and leaving Lady Li behind. Lady Li was so jealous and had been acting so petty, she thought that Swan must be envious and vindictive as well.

Lady Li sat on the bed and took Swan’s hand in her own. “Meimei,” she said, emphasizing that she saw Swan as not just her late husband’s concubine, but her own sister, “you and I have both been wronged. We should never have been widowed so young. But our similarities end there. As a first wife, I must stay as I am. I must protect my daughters. But you have another chance. You can escape this life. Don’t think about me. Escape while you can.”

Swan started to cry and put her hand to her eyes. “The only escape for me has been in the clouds,” she said. “I cannot imagine ever being happy in this world.”

“Yes, you can!” Lady Li insisted. “Once you are married to Inspector Gong, everything will change for you! You will be an honored first wife in a large family with many sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. Your husband will take his pleasure with you and you will have children of your own.”

“But what if I can’t?” Swan asked, sitting up. “I lost my baby. My son! If Inspector Gong knew—”

“Shut your mouth, you idiot!” Lady Li said harshly, looking around as if Inspector Gong or his mother might suddenly manifest.

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