"Nekohanten, how may I help you?"
"Cu Lon, how delightful to hear your voice."
There was a faint tightening of her hand on the telephone that even
three hundred years of martial training couldn't completely hide. "Zhu."
The naked cognomen acknowledged the
deputy ministers existence and was not, quite, an insult. "I have business
in Tokyo on the seventeenth. I though Shan Pu could come back with
me when I leave."
"Impossible. Shan Pu is already married."
"Ahh . . .but it was my understanding that her groom was . . . reluctant
to acknowledge the marriage."
Cu Lon speared a glance at Mu Tsu busily serving won ton to a potted
plant. "You have been misinformed. Shan Pu is happily married. You
will have to make other arrangements to fulfill the old agreement."
"Perhaps. Still I believe I will stop by. It may be Shan Pu's 'marriage'
is not as strong as you think. I may have a chance to win her heart."
With a click the line disconnected.
Mu Tsu, you fool. Cu Lon had a
brief savage thought of adding duck to the dinner menu. Mu Tsu thought
to force her hand; believing Cu Lon would rather Shan Pu wed Mu Tsu
over Zhu Liji. In truth Cu Lon would cut Shan Pu's throat herself before
she let her great grand daughter fall into Zhu's hands. Marriage to
Mu Tsu was better, marginally. Cu Lon could probably restrain the worst
of his excesses. But knowing Zhu as she did, Mu Tsu would probably suffer
a tragic accident shortly after his wedding, leaving the way clear for
Zhu. No, Ranma was the best choice, the only choice to keep Shan Pu
safe. But she needed time . . .time to overcome his childish fears .
. .time to replace his affection for the Tendou girl with Shan Pu .
. .time Cu Lon's racing thoughts slammed to a halt. Replace Ranma's
affections or. . ."Mu Tsu!"
The blind magicians head snapped around at the crackled command.
"I have an errand for you."