by Robert Wang
“NO! No! You lie—that is impossible!” Da Ping sank to his knees and started to cry when he heard the news, which Little Spring did not bother to break gently.
Better he learns the worst as soon as possible, she thought, watching the young man, now a boy on the floor weeping copiously into his fists.
“Who dares to condemn the son of a level one guan, one of our emperor’s favorites?” he asked when he could catch his breath.
“The opium problem is getting out of hand, young Master Lee,” Little Spring replied. “Millions of people are addicted these days, thanks to the foreign smugglers, and our Celestial Emperor has ordered Special Emissary Lin to eradicate opium from the empire. No one selling the drug is to be spared, not even your father.” She paused, thinking. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to us when the opium is all gone.” Little Spring, like so many, didn’t consider herself an addict. She had quit the drug many times, only to come crawling back when the symptoms hit: nausea, muscle cramps, depression, excruciating headaches, and a feeling of agitation. Her livelihood relied on her charming personality and physical agility, and those disappeared during withdrawal. She had only taken up the drug to make servicing her less-appealing customers more tolerable, and now, ironically, she couldn’t function without it. Opium was next to impossible to live without once a person had a taste, and so easy to get if one had money. She reminded herself again to buy as much as she could afford, and soon, just in case this emissary was successful in his mission.
Da Ping drew her attention back to the immediate problem facing them. “What am I going to do? I don’t want to die! I’m only thirteen!” He began to cry again.
“Quiet now, Lord Lee. I am very fond of you, and I’ve found a way for you to escape death, but you’re not going to like it.”
Da Ping looked up. “You can save us? How?”
“There is nothing I can do to save your family, but you might be spared. Listen carefully,” Little Spring said. “I have a…friend. His name is Vice General Lo Ping. He is stationed at Fu-Moon, and he has agreed to recruit you and bring you there today to serve under General Kwan Tien Pui. You should be honored—General Kwan is famous.”
“I don’t care about any general, and I don’t want to go to Fu-Moon, and you can’t make me!” snarled Da Ping, reverting to the spoiled rich boy.
Little Spring turned her back on him, exasperated. “We don’t have much time, young Master Lee.” She faced him again. “Vice General Lo will be up in a few hours, and he has agreed to take you with him to Fu-Moon, but only if you go now. You go or you die—your choice, my little lord.”
Da Ping stood and ran his hands through his long hair. “Little Spring, you goose, I think you’ve forgotten who my family is! All we have to do is simply pay off this special emissary, and everything can go back to normal.”
“I am losing patience with you, Master Lee.” Little Spring was exhausted from her very busy night, and she needed a little drag from the pipe to smooth things out, but she didn’t dare until Vice General Lo and Da Ping were safely on their way. “You don’t seem to understand that your life is at stake here. If there was any way for your father to bribe his way out of this predicament, don’t you think he would have done it? He is going to die, and you right along with him, probably within a day or two, if you don’t go to Fu-Moon with Vice General Lo right now! Now grow up and act like a man!”
Da Ping had enjoyed nothing but entitlement and comfort until that morning; but he knew when someone was being honest with him. Just then, Little Spring reminded him of his beloved sister when she would get angry with him for not listening to her, even though he knew she was right.
“All right, all right, I believe you, and I know you’re trying to save my life. How do I do this?”
“You must be careful not to give Vice General Lo Ping any hint as to your true identity, or he’ll arrest you,” said Little Spring. She could feel her muscles relaxing in relief. Finally, he is making sense! “You will keep your mouth shut during the journey to Fu-Moon, and when you join the garrison, you will work hard and learn to be a good soldier. Forget about your old life. You are the orphan of a poor farmer now, and this is your only hope!”
“But I don’t want to be a soldier!” Da Ping’s true nature flared up again.
Little Spring lost her patience and slapped him hard across the face. “Idiot child! You need to grow up. If you can’t handle this plan, then you will die. How many times do I have to tell you?”
Da Ping knew, with a sinking finality, that things would never be the same. In his entire life, no one had ever dared to strike him. But that life was over. Even if he escaped execution, Lee Da Ping, Number One Son of Lord Lee Shao Lin, was dead.
“Can I at least see my parents and sister before I leave?” he asked, his voice quavering.
“No, Master Lee,” Little Spring replied gently. “Your parents are already in custody and waiting for their execution.”
Da Ping began to sob again but caught himself and stopped. “Even my sister Su-Mei—will they execute her also?”
“The sentence is for your entire family. If she hasn’t been arrested yet, she surely will be.”
“My life is over then!”
“Yes, it is, brave boy, but you will start a new life.” Little Spring stroked his arm.
“As a poor soldier, though!”
“Yes, as a hardworking soldier. It will be a good change for you.” Little Spring gave him a small smile. “My brothers went into the army so they could eat regular meals and not burden my parents. I was sold to Hau Ma Ma because women are not allowed to be soldiers.”
Da Ping forced himself to accept his new fate. Life as he knew it was over, and now it was time to grow up and stay alive.
Just as Vice General Lo Ping was finishing the excellent breakfast Little Spring had ordered for him, he heard a knock at the barge door.
Little Spring slipped in, followed by a cowering, chubby youth with an unattractive birthmark at his right temple. “Vice General, I hope the meager breakfast and hard bed were not too unpleasant for you. May I present Ming Ming, the young man I told you about?” She elbowed Da Ping in the ribs, and he knelt before the vice general and prostrated himself three times on the polished teak floor of the barge, as Little Spring had instructed.
“Ming Ming, is it? Consider yourself very lucky that my dear friend Little Spring has recommended you. I will make you into a valiant and useful soldier for General Kwan, and you will serve our Celestial Empire honorably.”
“Yes, Vice General Lo. It is my honor to serve you and General Kwan and our beloved emperor,” said Da Ping with as much bravery and conviction as he could manage. I am Ming Ming now. I am a recruit and nothing more.
“Little Spring, it has been a great pleasure, as always,” said the vice general. “But now I must leave you. The evil drug lord Lee Shao Lin and his family await their sentence, but the emissary still must find his son and daughter. Then he can pull up this wretched family by its roots and show that the emperor is serious about ridding our Celestial Kingdom of the foreign devils’ poison.”
Da Ping tried to keep the joy off his face. Su-Mei had not been arrested! Honorable Father must have left her in Macau, he thought. The emissary will never find her there if she can only stay put and keep quiet.
Chapter Thirteen
Macau, early 1839
Eight days of English and Chinese. Eight days of spending hours with the Englishman, Mr. Higgins, and they had flown by like moments.
“Honorable Father will be here to take us back to Canton tomorrow, Pai Chu,” said Su-Mei. “I will miss Macau, though—I’ve learned so much here! I feel as though I’ve become a different person.”
“Yes, and I see how much you’ve enjoyed teaching Chinese to the foreign devil who almost killed me,” replied Pai Chu. She had been simmering with anger ever since Su-Mei agreed to that ridiculous plan to give Mr. Higgins language lessons. He had arrived at the church promptly every day
for his lessons, although he appeared to be teaching Su-Mei far more English than she was teaching him Chinese, which seemed to suit Su-Mei just fine.
Pai Chu’s wound had healed, and she was able to keep down soft, bland foods, but her stomach always hurt afterward, and she began to suspect that her condition would never improve. The English healer had warned her about the spasms that would cause projectile vomiting; but she hadn’t really understood that these would come on without warning and cause tremendous pain, not to mention acute shame and disgust. Mother Amanda gave her special dispensation to eat all her meals in the privacy of her own room instead of the convent refectory, and that was just one more thing she could blame on Mr. Higgins: the loss of Su-Mei’s company for an hour or more every day. She lost her former vitality and grew pale and thin.
“Oh, Pai Chu, you know it was an accident! Mr. Higgins never meant to harm you—or me. You must forgive him, as a Christian—isn’t that right?” Su-Mei sighed, her attention quickly turning from her friend. “He has excellent manners for a foreigner, doesn’t he? And he’s so bright!”
“Su-Mei, you cannot trust a foreign devil,” said Pai Chu wearily. “He will take what he wants and then leave you, just like that beast did to my mother.”
“I think this one is different.” Su-Mei refused to see any similarity between her situation and that of Pai Chu’s mother. She had noticed how attentive Higgins was to her. He didn’t bother concealing the fact that he adored her. Su-Mei had never been the object of anyone’s affection; not even her own family had demonstrated any love for her, except for Da Ping, so she enjoyed the attentions of this young Englishman. When she grew accustomed to his sunburned pink skin and pale hair and big nose, she even began to find him attractive. What she did not find attractive was Pai Chu’s open hostility and jealousy. Why can’t she see that I’m happy? Su-Mei wondered every time Pai Chu said or did something rude to Mr. Higgins or made mean comments about him when they were alone.
“I’m just glad we’re finally leaving so we can do the Lord’s work in Canton,” said Pai Chu with a sigh. “Then you can forget about this foreign devil and concentrate on our mission. Your English has improved so much! Honorable Father will be very impressed.”
Su-Mei missed Pai Chu’s response because she had just spotted a familiar figure entering the church courtyard.
“Here he comes!” She leaped from her seat outside the church doors.
“Ni hao ma,” Higgins said with a courtly bow. Every time he saw Miss Lee, his heart began to pound in his chest. Her lovely wide eyes and straight brows, the sweet pale-red tint of her lips achieved without the benefit of any paint. Today she wore a tunic that resembled a man’s dressing gown, wrapped and tied on the side, all pale blue silk with the most delicate white embroidery. Small beads from an ornament in her soot-black hair dangled just to the side of her left eye, and a looped braid on the opposite side grazed her shoulder. She was as enchanting as any portrait, and she was right there, smiling just for him.
“I am fine, and yoo? Iz a goot day,” replied Su-Mei in English.
“It is indeed, Miss Lee, a very fine day.” He repeated himself in Chinese. “Tianchi zhen hao.”
Su-Mei giggled. “Today lass lesson?”
“Yes, Miss Lee,” said Higgins, looking sad. “I should very much like to pay you or the church for more lessons, however, as my ship is not quite ready to sail back to Canton.” He looked to Pai Chu, who grumpily translated this for Su-Mei.
“I onnahed, but my fuchin—my fada—come take back Canton too mollow. So no moor lesson.”
“Oh, I am sorry about that. Duibuchi! Perhaps we may meet again in Canton?” Higgins was thrilled to be speaking with Miss Lee in English, even with some help from her companion. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a pleasant conversation with a lady, even at home. The young ladies of his acquaintance all seemed so silly and affected, and certainly no lady as lovely as Miss Lee had ever given Travers Higgins a second glance.
Su-Mei giggled and blushed a charming shade of pink. “It woll be my plash—plass—” She looked helplessly at Pai Chu.
“It would be my pleasure, sir,” recited Pai Chu tonelessly. She added, “However, Mr. Higgins, I fear that would not be possible, as Miss Lee will be very busy with family matters once she returns. I’m sure you understand.” She gave him the coldest look she dared.
Su-Mei’s English had improved dramatically in the eight days of conversation with Higgins, and Pai Chu found her translation skills needed less and less, which only fueled her anger. It was so obvious that this foreign devil was pursuing Su-Mei, and worse yet, Su-Mei seemed to be enjoying it. Why can’t she see him for what he is? Heavenly Father, help her to see this devil for what he is and curb her foolish attraction, she prayed.
Su-Mei caught the intention of Pai Chu’s statement and felt a brief flash of irritation. Of course, Honorable Father would make it difficult, but she was certain that, with Pai Chu’s assistance, she would be able to find an excuse to see Mr. Higgins again. Wasn’t he somehow involved with Honorable Father’s business? This couldn’t possibly be their last meeting!
Higgins was thoroughly in love with Su-Mei already and dreaming of declaring his intentions. He didn’t like to think about the difficulties such a marriage would impose. Was it even legal for an English subject to wed a Chinese lady? A young man full of optimism and energy, Higgins was confident that he could make such a relationship work despite all the challenges, if only Miss Su-Mei Lee shared his feelings. Her lovely smiles and downcast glances over the past few days gave him some hope that she did and made him ever more determined to find a way to see more of her.
The next morning, Su-Mei and Pai Chu packed their belongings and waited for Lord Lee Shao Lin and his entourage to arrive to escort them back to Canton. By evening, with no message sent about his delay, Su-Mei began to worry, although she secretly hoped that her father had postponed the trip because of his business, which would give her more time in Macau and another chance to see Mr. Higgins.
Three days passed, with no word from her father. Su-Mei worried in earnest. Higgins continued to visit her daily in the church courtyard, and only this diversion kept her mind off her father’s whereabouts. She confessed her concerns to Mr. Higgins, who could see that she was not her usual gay self.
“Please don’t worry, Miss Lee. Your father is a very important man; I expect something has come up with his business.” Higgins cleared his throat, which was unexpectedly dry. “Miss Lee, do you think you would like to visit my home in England one day? I should very much like to introduce you to my parents.” He ignored the gasp from Pai Chu.
“I tink my fada say no,” said Su-Mei sadly. “Engand so fah.”
“Would he object if you were to move far away to be with your husband?” Pai Chu glared at him. Higgins ignored her, his heart pounding.
“My hussben? What dis mean?”
Pai Chu pursed her lips until both Su-Mei and Higgins stared at her. She finally spat out the word in Chinese, like a rotten plum.
Su-Mei gasped. Does he really mean what I think he means? She chose her words carefully. “Onnabul Fada no choose zhangfu who live so fah.”
“But what if you were to choose your own zhangfu? Would it matter very much where he lived? Do you wish to live near your family?” Higgins’s heart sank a little bit.
Su-Mei shook her head and refused to look at Higgins. “Not can happen. In China woman no choose.”
“My dear Miss Lee, the past ten days have been the happiest of my life, and it’s because of you.” Higgins reached across the space between them and took her hand in his. “Miss Lee, I earnestly love you and hold you in the highest esteem. Please, if you are able to do me this kindness, let me know that my feelings are not in vain.”
Bewildered and flushed, Su-Mei looked to Pai Chu. Gritting her teeth, she translated his words. Su-Mei continued to look confused. “For heaven’s sake, Su-Mei, he is expressing his love for you, and he wants t
o know if you feel the same.” She snorted.
“Oh!” Su-Mei stared into Higgins’s bright blue eyes. She saw love there and a little bit of fear. Nothing in her life had prepared her for a man declaring his love in this way. A Chinese man would certainly never do that. Marriages were arranged by families, often before the couple even met. Love was something that came later, if it came at all, and it was a matter of little importance between a man and his wife. Duty came first—that was what her mother had taught her, usually followed by a muttered comment that no respectable husband would have a wife with such ugly feet anyway.
“Miss Lee, it was never my intention to cause you discomfort! Please, you need say nothing now. It is enough that you know my feelings. M-may I continue to visit you?”
Su-Mei smiled back. She didn’t understand all his words, but the meaning was clear. She left her hand in his and even squeezed his fingers gently. “Yes, peeze. Sank yoo.”
“If your father comes tomorrow, I should like to meet with him.”
“No, Meesta Heegans, I tink not good idee.” Su-Mei withdrew her hand, and her face went pale. “Onnabul Fada not like I speak with Engis man so—” She mimed the close space between them.
“All the same, I should like to express my intentions. I want your fuchin, Lord Lee, to know that I am an honorable man with a promising career and that I would do everything in my power to make you happy.”
Su-Mei burst into tears. Pai Chu fumed silently at the insolence of this foreign devil. How dare he touch her pretty little hand! And even think about mentioning marriage in her presence! It was unimaginable. I must put a stop to this, she thought. Poor Su-Mei is too ashamed to tell him to go away. “Miss Lee is feeling unwell,” she informed Mr. Higgins. “She must go inside and rest now. Good day, sir.”
