“She was out to seduce him. I couldn’t have that.” Sparrow’s voice was cold.

“His entanglements have never bothered you before,” Mrs. Deng said. “You know he can never truly love anyone while you’re on this earth. You’ve changed, Sister. But it’s not too late, if you come home.”

There was a long silence.

“You do understand,” Mrs. Deng said, “that he’ll never attain enlightenment.”

“What do you mean?” Sparrow’s voice was startled.

“Mortals strive to live a good life so they can advance with each reincarnation until they reach perfect enlightenment,” she said. “But because of your agreement with the Queen Mother, the Prince never finds purpose, so he never does any good, never advances.”

Another long silence.

“This will be over soon, Sister,” Sparrow said. She reached across the table to hold the other woman’s hand. “One way or another.”

Shao didn’t understand anything of this strange conversation. But dreams seldom made sense. He couldn’t bear so much brightness, so much beauty. He closed his eyes and slept.

SHAO GOT UP feeling stronger and more optimistic than he had in weeks. He opened the shutters and cold, bright sunshine flooded the room. There was a pile of clothing neatly folded on the bedside dresser, his brother’s clothes. There was also a note from Lian on top of the pile.

Shao, I’m sorry to leave ahead of you but each day delayed is another day that Meirong suffers and another day I could be looking for my mother. The first thing I’ll do is see your father to tell him you and Sparrow are safe in Wen-chou. Without your seal as proof, your father might not agree to see me so Sparrow put your seal on a letter of introduction she wrote—you were unconscious but Sparrow said it would be all right to do this.

He dressed and stepped outside to the small courtyard. The fragrance of steamed rice told him it was lunchtime. In the dining hall, Sparrow was laying the table for three.

“I saw the note,” Shao said. “When did Lian go?”

“The ship sailed yesterday. Manager Mah made the arrangements,” Sparrow said. “Miss Hu was very insistent that she get on board.”

“How will we find her once she gets to Shanghai?” he said. “She’s going to look for her mother and who knows where that will take her.”

“She’ll be at my flat.” Mrs. Deng came into the dining room, a tray in her hands. “I’ve given her the key.” At his look of surprise, she added, “Your brother let me have it, to use whenever I’m in Shanghai.”

Chapter 31