Page 64 of The Cinders
‘Then tell me who was,’ the official demanded.
‘Get on with you!There’s no time for standing out.’The sudden shout sent the gathered crowd scattering.
As though he’d sensed his presence required, the guard with the unfortunate breath who had allowed Lim to pass at the gates arrived.His glare was centred on the younger guard, who looked like he might soil his trousers with the attention.‘Did I not send you to the store rooms a half hour ago?’
‘Sergeant Ruilin, you were on the gates earlier, were you not?’The official interrupted before the stuttering guard could push out a coherent reply.
‘Yes, xiansheng.’The guard addressed the man as befitting the civil official’s rank, but his impatience was evident.‘And I am needed there once more.What can I assist you with?’
The official gave him a sideways glance.‘Do you not think that is obvious?This vagrant was found lurking around the inner courtyard.He claims he had a token, in a bucket of lotus seeds sent from Master Ren.But both the bucket and token have conveniently disappeared.Did you inspect the token, sergeant?’
The guard’s cheeks darkened.‘If he is inside the residence, then he presented a token, xiansheng.’This time the official’s title was bitten into, but his gaze flitted over Lim, and he was not quick enough to hide a small quirk of confusion.‘Lotus seeds, you say?I have some recollection of such a delivery, but with respect, xiansheng, there are many deliveries from Master Ren.His lordship has ordered much from him for the feast tonight.’
‘So you admit, you have no memory of this man, nor his token.’Came the snide reply from the official, who was clearly relishing the other man’s obvious discomfort.
‘If you are unhappy with his presence here, I shall have him escorted out.’
‘Ifam unhappy, Ruilin?You seem strangely unbothered by the fact an intruder got so near to the Mandarin’s quarters.Perhaps I need to speak with Captain Duan on the matter, and voice my concerns about his guards’ efficiency?’
Lim worked at keeping his panic hidden, staying still and silent as a rabbit avoiding the eagle.
‘I hardly think the matter worthy of the captain’s time,’ the guard spoke through gritted teeth.‘Considering how preoccupied he is with preparations.I will see that this man is removed, you have my word.’
With his heart sinking lower at each word, Lim’s mind worked frantically; keeping silent was doing him no good.
‘I was to go to the kitchens,’ he blurted.‘Master Ren seeks the return of crates and buckets he’s already sent…he’s running low…and needs more for the rest of the deliveries.’
‘Then your master will need to send another man to collect them,’ Sergeant Ruilin said.‘Now move.You, soldier, get to the storehouse as I told you.I won’t have a single firework go missing, do you hear?And I know exactly how many of them we have for tonight’s celebration.’
‘Too many by half,’ muttered the official, as the young guard bowed to his superior and spun away so fast on his heels Lim swore he saw dust rise.‘Such waste to please those ghost-faced yang guizi.’
‘Are you suggesting his lordship foolish in his willingness to indulge those who bring us great fortunes on their ships, xiansheng?’Ruilin’s relish at being able to make such an accusation lit up his dour face.‘Perhaps you’ve not been made privy to Mandarin Feng’s vast collections of treasures?Gifts from those foreign devils, who seek to be favoured in our port.’
‘Of course I know of our lord’s collection.’The official’s effort to stifle his anger had the veins in his neck straining.‘His lordship has brought untold prestige to Manhao, I’ll not deny it.But I am eager to see more agreements within the Middle Kingdom, like those made with Kunming, used to grow our coffers.’An oily grin split his lips.‘More princes to add to the collection.’
The men, at odds till mention of Xian, now shared a look between them that had Lim’s skin crawling.
‘A fortuitous agreement indeed.Now, I must beg my leave, xiansheng.’Ruilin bowed briefly, then stepped forward and grabbed Lim’s arm, dragging him from the shadows of the corridor.‘Move, or it will not be the gates but the cells you’re headed for.’
Lim struggled against him.‘Master Ren will not be pleased.’
‘That’s your problem to deal with.Not mine.’
The official stood aside, looking far too pleased with himself, smoothing his hand over the embroidered quails at his chest as though they were first-rank cranes.
Lim was hauled through the restless crowd, where mutterings abounded and curious stares were plentiful.Some appeared fearful, but most were relishing the pause in their work, whispering gleefully between themselves, dragging their gazes up and down his length.He had no time to interpret their looks, Ruilin almost dragging him off his feet in his haste; no small feat considering Lim’s own solidness.
Though Lim’s mind worked feverishly, he could see no easy way to extricate himself from the situation.Whatever charms Master Ren’s bucket of lotus seeds had brought him were now gone with Sir William; a man who had evidently brought little but ill-fortune Lim’s way.But what of his talk of finding Xian before midnight?And had he truly known of the slipper, or was he simply clever with his tongue?
‘Clear the way,’ Ruilin bellowed.‘Stand aside.’
And they did, scurrying like a plague of mice chased by a cat.
‘Easy now, I do not fight you,’ Lim protested.
He was man-handled along like a child’s doll; the surly guard rough and vigorous.But Lim was grateful for small mercies.He was being held by his right arm, placing the guard away from where the pouch hung; lest he feel the protrusion of the slipper and decide to investigate.After tripping over his toes a dozen times, and fearing his arm was to be wrenched from its socket, Lim spied the gate up ahead; the same one he’d passed through with such hopes just a short time earlier.
The crowd was only mildly thinner than when he’d entered; a seemingly unending parade of merchants and farmers and servants.