The White Mountain Read Online Free PDF Page A

terraces, bearing trays of wine and meats and other delicacies. Leaving the smile on his lips, he went down, moving across to his right, joining the group of young men gathered about Chun Wu-chi.
    Chun Wu-chi was Head of the Chun Family; the only Head to honour the Hsiang clan with his presence this afternoon. He was a big man in his seventies, long-faced and bald, his pate polished like an ancient ivory carving, his sparse white beard braided into two thin plaits. Coming close to him, Hsiang Wang knelt, in san k’ou , placing his forehead to the ground three times before straightening up again.
    â€˜You are most welcome here, Highness.’
    Chun Wu-chi smiled. ‘I thank you for your greeting, Hsiang Wang, but where is your elder brother? I was looking forward to seeing him again.’
    â€˜Forgive me, Highness,’ Hsiang said, lowering his head, ‘but K’ai Fan has been taken ill. He sends his deep regards and humbly begs your forgiveness.’
    Chun looked about him, searching the eyes of his close advisors to see whether this could be some kind of slight, then, reassured by what he saw, he looked back at Hsiang Wang, smiling, putting one bejewelled hand out towards him.
    â€˜I am sorry your brother is ill, Wang. Please send him my best wishes and my most sincere hope for his swift recovery.’
    Hsiang Wang bowed low. ‘I will do so, Highness. My Family is most honoured by your concern.’
    Chun gave the smallest nod then looked away, his eyes searching the lower terraces. ‘There are many new girls here today, Hsiang Wang. Are there any with… special talents?’
    Hsiang Wang smiled inwardly. He had heard of Chun Wu-chi’s appetites. Indeed, they were legendary. When he had been younger, it was said, he had had a hundred women, one after the other, for a bet. It had taken him three days, so the story went, and afterwards he had slept for fifty hours, onlyto wake keen to begin all over. Now, in his seventies, his fire had waned. Voyeurism had taken the place of more active pursuits.
    â€˜There is one girl, Highness…’ he said, remembering what K’ai Fan had said. ‘I have been told that she can manage the most extraordinary feats.’
    â€˜Really?’ Chun Wu-chi’s eyes lit up.
    Hsiang Wang smiled. ‘Let me bring her, Highness.’ He looked about him at the younger men. ‘In the meantime, if the ch’un tzu would like to entertain themselves?’
    On cue the lights overhead dimmed, the music grew more lively. From vents overhead subtle, sweet-scented hallucinogens wafted into the air.
    As he made his way down to the pool, he saw how quickly some of the men, eager not to waste a moment, had drawn girls down on to the couches next to them, while one – a prince of the Pei family – had one girl massaging his neck and shoulders while another knelt between his legs.
    Hsiang Wang laughed softly. There would be more outrageous sights than that before the day was done. Many more. He slowed, looking about him, then saw the girl and lifted his hand, summoning her.
    She came across and stopped, bowing before him. A dainty little thing, her hair cut in swallow bangs. She looked up at him, revealing her perfect features, her delicate rosebud lips. ‘Yes, Excellency?’
    He reached in his pocket and took out the thousand-yuan chip he had stashed there earlier, handing it to her. ‘You know what to do?’
    She nodded, a smile coming to her lips.
    â€˜Good… then go and introduce yourself. I’ll have the servants bring the beast.’
    He watched her go, glad that he had gone through all this with his brother two days before.
    Sick. What a time for K’ai Fan to fall sick! Surely he knew how important this occasion was for the Family? Hsiang Wang shuddered then threw off his irritation. It could not be helped, he supposed. And if he could please Old Chun, who knew what advantages he might win for