Girl with Flying Weapons

by Aya Ling

  There was a long silence after they heard her slam the door. Fang and Chow looked at each other.

  "I'll pay you back," Chow said, staring at the wall.

  "I'll make sure you will," Fang said, clapping a hand on his back. "But first I think we'd better ascertain who killed your wife, may her soul rest in peace. So you really have no clue who might have done it?"

  Chow clenched his fists. "I'd have gone out and sought the murderer if I knew who it was."

  "Leave it to me," Fang said. "You take care of the funeral and other stuff. I'll go and ask around, and I'll let you know what I've found. We won't let her death be shrouded in mystery."

  NINE

  Back in his room, Fang paced up and down. He debated whether to visit the Guo residence and ask for Ho Wen-Jun, the magistrate's daughter. The first time he'd seen Opal was when he had been a guest at the magistrate's compound. She had still been a servant there then. But since Wen-Jun was recently married, it did not seem decent to ask to see her, especially considering his single status.

  Finally, he decided that he would go to the magistrate's compound instead. He knew a couple of maidservants, or rather, he was sure that they would recognise him—there was a girl called Little Jade who had presented him a small silken pouch with her own embroidery, filled with dried flowers and herbs. Surely they would have some information about Opal.

  The door flung open. Shu-Mo stumbled inside, his face flushed and his eyes bright and excited.

  "Young Master—I need your opinion this time." Shu-Mo straightened the lower folds of his neat white robe. "Do you think this looks good on me? Or should I put on my sky-blue robe instead?"

  Fang laughed. How similar Shu-Mo was to him, just a couple of weeks earlier.

  "I don't think the colour makes much of a difference," he said. "But I do think that you ought to put all your hair up in a top knot and bind it tightly with a cloth cap—it'll make you look better groomed. Besides, you don't want messy hair flying in your face if a wind comes up."

  "No problem," Shu-Mo said. "I'm glad I just bought a new cap."

  "So who's the lady?" Fang said. "Someone you met at Father's banquet?"

  Shu-Mo went a bright shade of red. "It's one of the maids accompanying the magistrate's wife. She must be recently employed. I haven't seen her when we visited before."

  "Well, now that's a coincidence!" Fang clapped his shoulder. "I was just planning to go to the magistrate's today." His expression turned sober. "I need to find out more regarding Opal, Chow's wife."

  Shu-Mo's mouth fell open. "Why?"

  Briefly, Fang explained what he had seen and heard at Chow's house the day before. As he spoke, Shu-Mo's eyes grew bigger and bigger.

  "Opal was killed by someone unknown? How terrible!" And his shoulders shook. "I can't believe it. She had always seemed—friendly. I liked her."

  Fang set his jaw. "That is why I am going to find out who killed her. Chow is already a wreck. I might as well find something useful to do."

  "I'll come with you," Shu-Mo immediately said. "And I'll have a perfect excuse to visit!"

  Master and servant headed towards the stables together. The head of the stables was a half-Turk with bronze skin, muscular stature, and pronounced features. The nomadic Turks were known for their ability to handle horses; many of them, besides dealing in animal trading with the Chinese people, were also employed to take care of grooming and training horses.

  "Saddle my mount, and also a horse for Shu-Mo," Fang instructed. "We'll be going to the magistrate's compound today."

  The Turk bowed. "Right away, Young Master."

  "Going to the magistrate's?"

  Shue Gwang, Fang's eldest brother, leaned against the wooden railing at a corner. He was of medium height and build, with a laid-back attitude and a ready smile. By his feet lay a handsome red leather quiver, full of arrows, and a large polished bow of the finest quality.

  "I thought you'd be at Chow's today, helping out with the funeral stuff. Otherwise I'd ask if you'd join me on a wild hunt today."

  "Chow has already enlisted help from the neighbours," Fang said. He would have told Gwang about Opal's murder, but he didn't feel like going through the explanation again. He could fill in the details after he got enough information from the magistrate's maidservants.

  "Kind of unlucky that the tragedy happened around Father's banquet," Gwang said, with a shrug of his shoulders. "But I say, it's kind of unbelievable that Hong managed to hear his grief through his drumming. We know that she's pretty accomplished in music, being trained by Old Man Liu and all, but detecting hidden emotion from the sound and beat of drums? Perhaps I should pay her more attention—she keeps such a low profile that I never noticed her before."

  "Master Gwang!" Shu-Mo was quick to stand up for his master. "About Hong…" He made a gesture at Fang and winked.

  Gwang got the message. "Ah, forget what I said," he grinned. "Well, I had better be off. I think I'll stop at Chow's to pay my respects. Maybe pass along some game to him, if the hunt goes well. Now, where does he live?"

  Riding to the magistrate's house actually cost more time than Fang had expected. There were street performers juggling knives on one road, attracting a huge crowd. The law decreed that no rider could race into a crowd of more than five people, so he couldn't ride as fast as he liked.

  When they did reach their destination, Fang and Shu-Mo did a double take. The double gates of red lacquer were so huge that ten people could enter at the same time, the high wall that ran around the compound was so long that one had to squint to see where it ended, and the roofs of the buildings were heavily decorated with green-glazed dragons and clouds and tree tops.

  "When was the last time we were here?" Shu-Mo said, craning his neck. "Master, look at that pair of dragons carved on the rooftop! Are those real pearls for their eyes?"

  "Hmm. Must be the result of his being the emperor's father-in-law," Fang muttered. The magistrate had certainly done well in marrying off his daughters. The eldest, who was rumoured to be a remarkable beauty, had been bundled off and sent to the emperor's harem when she was twelve. Recently, at the age of twenty, she had been promoted to the high rank of Grand Concubine, a title second only to the queen. The second daughter, Wen-Jun, was also beautiful. However, her weak constitution had led her to remain at home. Still, she had ended up marrying Guo Yen-Bin, the son of the most successful businessman in the city. No wonder Magistrate Ho's place now looked like a palatial mansion.

  Fang dismounted with fluidity and grace. He straightened the front of his robe and strode up to the double doors. Lifting the heavy brass ring on the door, he knocked twice.

  The door creaked open. Two burly guards dressed in grey uniforms looked out.

  "Good morning. My name is Shue Fang," Fang said. "Is the magistrate home?"

  "He has gone to the polo field today," the guard replied. "You have to come back in the evening. The games tend to take all day."

  "That is not a problem. As a matter of fact, I'd like to speak with some of the maidservants."

  The guard regarded him with a wary expression. "Young man, if you are seeking pleasure, the brothels are located on the other side of town."

  "You misunderstand my intentions," Fang said, trying not to show irritation. "I merely wish to derive information of one of your former maids who served Miss Ho—I mean, Mrs. Guo now."

  "Idiot!" The other guard elbowed the first one. "It's the governor's son, didn't you hear his name? Do you think he'd lack maidservants in his own home?" Making a bow to Fang, the second guard said, "Which maid would you like to speak to, Mr. Shue?"

  "Little Jade." She was one of Mrs. Guo's two closest maids. The other one being Opal, of course.

  "She's no longer here. Gone with the mistress when she married Merchant Guo's son."

  "Oh." Fang scratched his head. He remembered a few faces, but couldn't remember their names. The last time he visited here was what—six months ago? Or more?

  "Can we see
… Miss Pearl?" Shu-Mo suddenly said. A pink hue graced his cheeks; Fang instantly guessed that this must be the girl with whom Shu-Mo had fallen in love.

  "If it isn't too much trouble," Fang added. He didn't think seeing Pearl would be much use, since she was new, but he wanted to give Shu-Mo a chance. Plus, he was curious to see the girl who had captivated his servant's heart.

  A while later, with the help of another male servant, they arrived at the garden. It was densely planted with bamboos and willow trees, huge rocks erected to look like the mountains in watercolour paintings, so that it looked almost like a maze. A rounded archway stood at the end of the garden. When Fang had accompanied Lynn, his younger sister, who was friends with the magistrate's daughter, he had had to stop outside the archway, which presumably led to the women's quarters. While it wasn't forbidden for women folk to interact with men, the magistrate was known to be assiduous in upholding his younger daughter's reputation, especially when she was stunningly beautiful. It would be a great insult if the Grand Concubine's younger sister was known to be loose with men.

  "Please wait here. I will summon Pearl," the male servant said. He went to the archway and called, "A guest from the governor's has come. Is Pearl in there? Tell her to come out."

  Fang sat down in a pavilion near the archway. Shu-Mo leaned against one of the wooden pillars of the pavilion. Back at home, he would have sat down with Fang, but here at the magistrate's, he had to act like any other servant.

  "Master Shue Fang?" An excited female voice echoed in the garden. "Oh! It really is you!"

  A pretty young girl around sixteen came running down to the pavilion. She wore a light yellow robe and had red ribbons in her shiny black hair. Another girl dressed in a pink skirt and white top followed her rather hesitantly.

  "Little Jade?" Fang rose to meet her, surprised at her appearance. "I thought you had moved to Merchant Guo's with your mistress."

  "Oh, I just dropped by to get some things. I'll be heading back soon. Oh, it has been such a while, Master Shue! I'm so glad to see you." Little Jade looked as though she wanted to grasp his arm, but since he offered no encouragement, she had to settle for gazing at him adoringly.

  "Er… I suppose," Fang said lamely. In the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Shu-Mo approaching the other girl slowly, as though he were afraid she'd turn on her heel and run off if he were too eager. Pearl was also pretty, though a bit taller than Shu-Mo, and probably older as well, but there was a gentleness in her eyes that reminded him slightly of Hong. Like master, like servant, he thought wryly.

  "Master Shue?" Little Jade waved a delicate silk handkerchief in front of his face. The Guos certainly were affluent enough if they could provide their servants with silken goods. "Did you come here on an errand for the governor?"

  Fang cleared his throat. "Little Jade, do you know that Opal… what happened to her?"

  "Opal?" Little Jade tilted her head, a suspicious look in her eyes. "Why are you asking me? Wasn't she married to one of the soldiers at Governor Shue's?"

  Fang briefly explained about the unfortunate maid's death. Since Opal's death was pretty recent and Chow hadn't held her funeral yet, it was reasonable that Little Jade hadn't heard the news.

  Immediately, Little Jade's suspicion turned into pity.

  "Oh! I cannot believe it… she seemed so capable of taking care of herself. Poor Opal! She didn't leave a child behind, did she?"

  "No. In fact," Fang lowered his voice to a whisper, "we believe that her death was unnatural."

  Little Jade's hand flew to her mouth. "You mean she was killed?" Fortunately, she also kept her voice low.

  Fang looked around. Shu-Mo and Pearl had disappeared somewhere; it was quite easy to do so when there were so many rocks and bushes in the garden.

  "Yes. There was a knife on her body."

  "Oh!" Little Jade looked horrified. "So this is why you came here?"

  "I had thought of going to Mrs. Guo, but since she is married," Fang shrugged, "I figured I had better come here first."

  "Well…" Little Jade twisted her fingers. "To tell you the truth, I really have no clue who might want Opal dead."

  "She had no enemies?"

  "Not really; she wasn't well liked, but I don't think anyone would have wanted to kill her. When I arrived, I heard some maids saying they disliked her, because she slept with Master Jiang-Min in exchange for money."

  Fang frowned. So that explained why Jiang-Min was molesting Opal in the alley. Fang might not be the most worldly person, but he knew that a woman was never regarded with respect if she used her body for financial gain.

  "Oh, and there was Mr. Yao," Little Jade added.

  "Mr. Yao?"

  "Yao Chian—that's his full name—he also worked for us before. He was a bodyguard. A big, strong man, though it was a pity he didn't turn out well."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, he used to be a decent fellow until he took up drinking. He was already pretty strong—I once saw him lift up a sick cow with his bare hands and deposit it on a cart. Opal said that he was like a different person when he was drunk. He'd get mad easily and took his frustration out with his fists. Once he beat up a scholar so badly, we had to call several men to restrain him. I think it's because of his violence the magistrate had to dismiss him, even if he was the best fighter among all the bodyguards."

  "I see," Fang said. "But what has this to do with Opal?"

  "Oh, I think the two of them seemed close at one time," Little Jade said, biting on her handkerchief. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Master Jiang-Min got tired of Opal for a while—he had a new concubine from the South—and Opal got involved with Yao. I think Yao had liked her for a long time, but couldn't make his move because Master Jiang-Min had claimed her. Well, Opal was seen a lot with him, but after Yao turned violent, she made it clear that she didn't want anything to do with him anymore. I believe she asked our mistress to find a matchmaker so she could be married off quickly. I don't blame her a bit; Yao was quite capable of murder." Then her eyes widened when she said the word murder.

  Fang was also thinking the same thing. If Yao and Opal had been an item and the girl eventually left him, it was quite possible that Yao had hunted her down and killed her in a fit of rage and jealousy.

  "You said he once worked here," Fang said, looking her directly in the eye. "Where is he now?"

  "I think the last I heard of him, he became a professional wrestler," Little Jade said. "With his strength and skill, he'd make more money collecting winnings than doing heavy labour. But I don't know where you can find him."

  "I thank you for your help, Little Jade." Fang removed a small jade pendant from his girdle and handed it to her. "Here—this should be worth five taels of silver. Buy some pretty things with it."

  The girl's eyes shone. "Oh, you don't have to, I'd do anything if it'd help Opal." Her fingers closed around the pendant, however.

  Fang took his leave, satisfied with the information so far. Since he had Yao's full name, it should not be difficult to find the man. A small part of him felt sorry for Chow. It must come as a shock that your beloved was concealing secrets from you—first the debt, and now two past lovers.

  TEN

  Hong made her way to Family Luo's, a winehouse that advertised itself as "Best Wine Under Heaven." Since Shue's birthday banquet, the wine cellar had been depleted, and Shue had requested she go to Mr. Luo's and place a new order for fifty jars of Rose Daughter, which was the winehouse's most popular brand.

  The winehouse owner was pleased to see her, and even offered her a sample. Hong declined; she had never been a good drinker, but she thanked him courteously. Many owners or managers treated her as a servant—well, she was, but she disliked being ordered around in a blunt, rude manner. Sometimes when the men made lewd jokes, she could only bow her head and silently wish she could shoot darts into their most precious body parts. If someone tried to make a grab at her, she'd evade with precise and deft skill.

  Fortunatel
y, she did not have to come to this part of town frequently, and with experience she had learnt to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, which was not as difficult as it might seem. Without the glamorous costumes and makeup, she looked plain enough—few heads turned when she walked by. Plus, being meticulously neat and clear-eyed marked her as a girl of a respectable household, not some poor girl who could be easily taken advantage of.

  When she left the winehouse, Hong was feeling rather hungry. She walked up and down the street, until the aroma of meat buns arrested her. She bought a couple of buns and stood near the entrance of a narrow alley, eating slowly.

  Suddenly, she thought she saw Fang go by. She stepped a bit further out of the alley, and sure enough, it was him dressed in a simple granite-coloured robe.

  What was Fang doing here? The direction he was heading was towards the Willow Quarters—a street lined with brothels. Having grown up with Fang, she knew that he never visited brothels—at least not that she knew of. It was natural that he would want to take care of his primal needs, but it was strange that he would choose to pay for a prostitute, who might carry a sexual disease, when he could easily have bedded one of the maidservants at home. While he was not the eldest son, who carried the biggest privilege, Fang was nevertheless young and handsome, not to mention accomplished in sports and music. Hong knew that many maids would have gladly spent a night with him without even demanding to be made his concubine thereafter.

  Or perhaps he wasn't going for the sexual experience. There were a number of high-class courtesans in the area, whose beauty and talent would rival even an aristocrat's daughter. Maybe one of his brothers had passed on a recommendation. Still, Hong couldn't fathom why Fang would be heading to the brothel alone, and moreover, so plainly dressed, as though he wanted to stay anonymous.