Vagrants Hollow - Southern Swallow Book V (The Southern Swallow 5) by Edward C. Patterson

Author:Edward C. Patterson [Patterson, Edward C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dancaster Creative
Published: 2018-05-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Return to Su-chou

1

And so we came to the walls of Su-chou — the place of my earliest recollections of my master’s celebrated official career. It was here it all began, when old K’ang Yu-wei, the Governor at Yang-chou bestowed the superintendent’s cap on my master’s head and sent him to Su-chou to begin his memorable administration. I was a young lad then, new to my robes, sewn by the mistress’ hand and sporting no pearly cap then, for that was a gift from Prince K’ang, who would become the Emperor Kao. But it was at Su-chou I learned to be a servant of great worth. I knew no Jade Owl then, nor magic waters, nor ch’i-t’ang. I was to grow here and become the Ya-men spider knowing every alley and byway of the city; every canal’s twist and turn. I became a brilliant procurer of goods, a negotiator on the superintendent’s behalf.

It was to Su-chou I returned after many years traveling beside the great Nan Ya — returned alone while he rode to the sea because the Emperor Kao fled the invading Jurchen. Su-chou was not so lucky. I was there when the barbarian plundered the town. I hid under my horse, Water Dragon, and found shelter in the remains of the Golden Peony, a pleasure palace abandoned by all except one — a woman with perfect complexion and alluring eyes named Pi Fang, but whom I called Mei Hua, because she was the most beautiful flower I’d ever seen. And although I was married and had not sought a second wife, I spent the most blissful hours of my life with this beautiful flower. But then . . . Ah, my sadness — Mei Hua. Mei Hua. Ah, my utter sadness — Meng Ch’i-bao. My son. My son.

And so we came to the walls of Su-chou again.

2

K’u Ko-ling leaned on the ox-cart resting his ancient bones, while K’ang Yu-wei, old, but spry and growing younger every day, sprang to Su-chou’s closed gates. Li K’ai-men sat in his liter, four porters doing their best to keep him level. Three more carts were arrayed behind the one steadying K’u Ko-ling. Chou-mei led Sunbearer, who was draped in his golden blanket, but muted with several remnants of white cloth. They had all donned the white, after all, and in no position to make a grand show.

K’u Ko-ling observed Chou Mei talking to the horse and to thin air alternately. K’u knew that Fu Lin-t’o was in their party, although he couldn’t see him. The ghost most likely kept the new Keeper company with lively tales of the old days. Who knew what Master Fu told Chou Mei about Su-chou? K’u remembered when Fu joined their party as the Other, soon to become Li K’ai-men’s heart song, the men sharing a peach and becoming inseparable, although there were times when they were separated. K’u Ko-ling may not have been able to see Fu Lin-t’o now, but he knew there would be many ghosts in Su-chou he could see.

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