Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
陳酒味醇，老友情深
‘The year before my father met my mother,’ I say, my hand curling possessively around the notebook in my pocket.
Lady Longnu’s calligraphy has a bold vivacity, with confident flourishes and clean, precise, strokes.
Her language is poetic, but direct. Surprising, as I thought she might enjoy the circular riddles of her cousin, Lord Black.
Her obvious affection for my father is evident in the warmth in her tone and the way she asks after his health and family.
In the letter, she reminds my father of his long ago oath to visit her ancestral home, Likiang, and insists he must not leave his promises unfulfilled. So Lady Longnu was the reason my father went to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain range. Not what I expected.
Lord Black once told me Lady Longnu sees far.
Did she send my father to Likiang knowing he would meet my mother?
I wish my dratted dragon pearl worked – I could blink myself to Lord Black’s home and make him ask Lady Longnu what she knows.
No wonder my father was able to travel so far inland, all the way to Yunnan, without being troubled by Qing officials.
With a dragon king behind him, no one would dare interfere.
There’s a detailed list of required clothing and documents for his travel. I turn the letter around but there are no extra papers tucked anywhere.
On the last page, I laugh at Lady Longnu’s exhortation that my father Embrace the Cosmos and the Way will be clear. The dragon kings love their esoteric mumbo jumbo.
But the lines that follow choke the laughter in my throat.
In honour of this fine wine that is our friendship, do not turn your face mercilessly away but allow this humble dragon to labour your procession: Spend one month in Likiang.
After that, if your heart still desires eternal sleep, I shall honour your request and be by your side to wish you a final farewell.