Free Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon Page B

Ye reread the paragraph and shook his head.
    “More clues. We need more clues to tell us how to find this root,” Yokan said. “My immortality spell is useless without it.”
    “How can you be so certain it will work?”
    “Because I used empress root once in Paan, as I lay weak, watching Death trying to clamber through my tower window.” Yokan touched the silver hoop in his ear. “It gave me life again. Since then I’ve put all my effort into creating this new spell, every ingredient precisely calibrated so the empress root’s power can be maximized, can be tapped to give a person life on top of life.”
    “But how did you come across the root in Paan?”
    “For years it had been sitting in a jar in the royal laboratory. The last Paan diplomat who traveled to Xia only dabbled in alchemy. A monk showed him the root, told him it was so powerful it could cure any ailment, perhaps potent enough to give ever-lasting life. The diplomat didn’t believe him, but he was curious enough to buy it at a rather exorbitant price. He thought he could amuse our court with the tale. Even then the monk shaved off only a few thin slices.” Yokan laughed. “In his journal my predecessor wrote that he argued with themonk, saying he wouldn’t be swindled and demanding the entire root. The monk insisted that he was offering the shavings at a ridiculously low price. So all I had were two shavings. The diplomat also sketched in detail what the root looked like and mentioned the compelling aroma of almonds when the monk cut into it.”
    Zhong Ye shook his head, a little unsteady from lack of food and exhaustion. “I don’t know if I believe it myself. A half-mad monk and a bewildered foreigner. It’s chasing delusions and dreams.”
    “And what judgment have you passed on my character, after half a year of working at my side?”
    Zhong Ye was taken aback, and nothing came readily except the truth. “You are well studied and admirable in your knowledge of alchemy.”
    Yokan nodded, a hint of a smile on his thin mouth. He swept a hand over his silver charms before waving Zhong Ye away. “We’ll solve this riddle together, Zhong, you and I. And reap the rewards. Go sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Zhong Ye stumbled on the last step out of Yokan’s quarters but caught himself with the base of his palm. The scrape stung, and it helped clear his mind. Was he wasting his time with this old foreigner and his dreams of immortality? He saw his breath in the frigid eveningair. Bare branches silhouetted against the moonlight reached like gnarled fingers toward the sky. He shivered. Winter had arrived without his noticing.
     
    Zhong Ye knew the way through the labyrinth of courtyards and elaborate halls and quarters as if the palace were his own, but the day’s work and lack of sustenance had dulled his wit. He didn’t realize Silver Phoenix had approached him from behind until he smelled jasmine. He stopped to greet her. The handmaid paused at the same moment, like a dancer anticipating her partner’s next step.
    “I’m sorry to catch you so late, Master Zhong, but I’ve been waiting to speak with you all day.” Her tone was soft and blended into the whispers of the evening. She had a thin coat pulled over her tunic. She deserved to be dressed more resplendently.
    The moon was halved, like a slice of melon in the sky. It barely illuminated her features. He wanted to trace the curve of her cheek and almost shook his head: that he could nurse this ridiculous infatuation. Instead, he gave a tired smile. “What is it?”
    “You’re exhausted,” she said. “Follow me.” Silver Phoenix turned and began walking toward her mistress’s quarters. Zhong Ye hesitated but did as she asked. Hehadn’t seen her in three days since the last time he had brought Mei Gui to the Emperor’s bedchamber. He had missed her.
    She led him into a small building tucked behind Mei Gui’s quarters. The cramped reception hall was filled with fabrics