Page 51 - WTP Vol. VIII #4

squirm through dirt since the news had come. The Hongs, largest of the farming clans, had left the valley.
Red Flower ground her teeth in rage and fear. The Hongs, with so many daughters that the Duke of Wei could not bed them all in a month, had left, taking with them her last hope. She hurried into the kitchen and glanced out at the arbor. Her daughter, Luyuan, was chopping vegetables for dinner and laughing with one of the older maids. Poor girl! She has no idea of how close to the cliff’s edge she stands!
Red Flower had been foolish with gratitude when the head priest had not allowed his sons or serving men to violate Luyuan when she turned thirteen.
How stupid I was! Simpleminded as a turnip to think that the head priest respected my late husband enough to protect our daughter!
With the departure of the Hongs, such consideration came with a terrible price. Flower shivered in the warm sun and fought a sick feeling in her belly.
~
Ju stared at the head priest of Zhang Sui Temple. Though surprised at their arrival, the religious leader had been smiling at them from the moment they stepped through the gates.
Ju wondered if the religious complex had been de- signed to intimidate the villagers it served or to feed the arrogance of this too-friendly man. The large temple made up an entire side of the inner courtyard with an attached wing, inhabited by the priests, a second. The stable and barns formed the third. All built of stone, as was the wall punctuated by the ostentatious entrance where they had been forced to stand while the priests all bowed and greeted them with lengthy blessings.
Ju allowed his attention to wander over to the carv- ing on the huge doors. An elegant dragon named
He Bo flowed across the wooden panels. Could this picture be the inspiration of the story Zi-Fang has been told?
Though the temple and its adjacent buildings were imposing even to his sophisticated eyes, Ju was not surprised that they had been allowed to enter. The temple guards, with their old-fashion bronze weap- ons, were no match for his men’s crossbows and iron pikes.
Nevertheless, Ju was taken aback by the lack of fear or concern from the high priest. Even an honest man, faced with the Duke’s magistrate, should
show some anxiety. Not so with Sunshu. Though he greeted them with kowtow’s so low that his fore- head touched the ground, his face, when Ju signaled him to rise, was wreathed in a gracious smile. His well-padded body was dressed in a blue robe of raw silk. Nearby were several younger priests also wearing silk. Ju wondered how they could afford such rich clothing.
“Master Ju, welcome to you and your party,” Sunshu intoned almost ritualistically. “Come, rest, and have some light refreshments while my cook prepares dinner.”
Ju hesitated for a fraction of a second. He would have preferred to get down to business but perhaps par- ticipating in the welcoming ceremonies would be good. Who knew what he, Zi-Fang or even Sergeant Tian might learn as the household staff scuttled about preparing to entertain them?
“An honor, Master Sunshu, but, before resting, my men need to see to the stabling of our horses.”
“It has been a long journey, Master Ju,” replied Sun- shu, “surely your men would prefer to rest under our willow tree.” He gestured at the far end of a nar- row garden running the length of the temple. “It will take but a moment for my servants to bring tea and pork buns.”
Ju was sure that was what his men would prefer, but he ignored the invitation. “Perhaps your servants can show them where the fodder and straw are kept.”
It was slight but Ju had been keeping a sharp eye on his host. Sunshu’s lips tightened for a fraction of a second before reshaping into a smile that now ap- peared forced.
“Very well, Master Ju.” The high priest nodded at one of the younger priests to show the soldiers the stable.
~
“The stablemen are unhappy,” reported Sergeant Tian.
Ju, tired of the head priest’s chatter, had excused him- self ostensibly to hear about a broken bridle. Now, he stood in the middle of the courtyard pretending to
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