Free Jade Dragon Mountain by Elsa Hart Page A

exited onto the path. Li Du looked back toward the welcoming solitude of his own room, but followed his cousin into the uneasy darkness of the gardens.
    Now that orders had been issued and Li Du was his only audience, Tulishen allowed some of his personal distress to show, and paced nervously while he spoke. “You realize,” he said, “that this puts everything at risk. All of my plans. Why did the man have to die here? And dealing with that one”—he gestured toward the guesthouse where Brother Martin kept vigil—“how can these people expect to have any influence on the Emperor when they are so clumsy? How have they built their own kingdoms when they are all such buffoons?”
    â€œI do not think that Brother Martin is a stupid man, but I agree with you that he seems a strange choice for his church to send as representative.”
    â€œHe is wasting everyone’s time.”
    â€œPerhaps he will appear to better advantage when he has recovered from the shock of what has happened. And remember that he has been ill.”
    â€œHe should have concealed his illness in order to save face. But that is a separate matter. I will tell you what I want from you. In the morning, I want you and Jia Huan to search the dead man’s belongings. You can itemize the books and documents—I want an inventory of everything that he has.”
    â€œBut why? What need is there for such an invasion of his privacy?”
    â€œHas your exile made you so naive? Any of these foreigners could be spies, and even if they are not, they have in their possession letters or books that could enlighten the Emperor on some relevant or interesting matter.”
    â€œDo you have doubts about the manner of his death? He died so suddenly, and I—”
    â€œThe man’s breathing failed, and he died.” Tulishen spoke in a sharp whisper. “It could not have been prevented, and he was, we could all see, an old man. The travel was too much for him.”
    â€œYes, but perhaps there should be some inquiry at least. You are the magistrate.”
    â€œWhat do you know of the duties of magistrates? It is upsetting enough that a guest has died in my house. Now you would make it worse with unfounded speculation. You have no idea what damage could be done to my house, to my reputation, should this disturbance have some ill effect on the Emperor’s festival. Consider what the people who came here tonight are saying to each other now. Consider how much effort I will have to put into reassuring them that there is no cause for concern. And already I am overwhelmed with preparations, introductions, negotiations, and worries of every kind.”
    He stopped, breathing hard.
    Li Du spoke carefully. “If, as you said, it is certain that Brother Pieter died naturally, then there can be no scandal to trouble you.”
    â€œYou have been away from society too long, Cousin, if you believe that. There can always be scandal. Rumors require nothing to feed them other than people who talk. Rumors must be controlled. That is the priority now.”
    There was a short silence. Yes , thought Li Du, I understand your priorities . He said quietly, “I ask your permission to leave tomorrow, after I have concluded the inventory.”
    Tulishen gave a curt nod. “I have no objection. Jia Huan will find you in the morning. When you have finished, your papers will be returned to you, and you may depart.”
    *   *   *
    Li Du returned to his room by a meandering route. He passed the library, where a small light now glowed from one window. Even as he watched, it went out. A solitary figure descended the stairs and left in the direction of the servants’ houses.
    A night bell sounded the time, three hours past midnight. Its ring recalled to Li Du an old memory of a morning twenty years ago. It was the day Li Du sat for the final round of the national examinations. He remembered the