Beware of chicken, p.38
Beware of Chicken, page 38
That was actually a good question. We needed our special rock.
“I’ll find another rock. I like this one and want it here,” I told her, before smirking. “I think I’ll carry it around wherever we travel, so the whole world can know the tale of the Lovers’ rock!”
We both burst into giggles at the sheer absurdity of what I had done— but my Meimei had a fond smile on her face.
The squabbling over who got to give gifts when seemed to have ended, and surprisingly, Meihua and Tingfeng seemed to have won.
“Brother Jin!” Tingfeng called, approaching us. “Here are some scrolls on mechanical engineering, as I said I would find for you. On waterwheels.”
“Thank you, Brother Tingfeng.” Some people might say it’s sad that I had to ask for tech support from people a thousand years “behind” me, but hell, I didn’t study it. I just needed to know how the damn gears went together properly.
And really, how many modern people actually knew how their crap worked well enough to reproduce it?
Meiling got a pestle made of silver from Meihua. Apparently, some medicinal herbs worked better when cut or crushed with silver, which was another one of those blatantly magical things that still for some reason caught me off-guard.
Xiulan got second place. She eagerly came up, then bowed, proceeding to empty her cart to better present her gifts. “Master Jin, I hope that any of these will please you,” she said. “A Ten Poison Resistance herb. Three peach trees, and two of apple, from the palace gardens of Grass Sea City. The skulls of a Four Poison Serpent and a Reaper Wolf, and the shell of a Wrecker Ball.”
I stared blankly at the familiar shape of the shell. That … was just a big-ass armadillo shell. With spikes, because why not? Honestly, I didn’t know what to do with those.
“And finally, a plough,” she said with a flourish, taking off the cover of her bundle. I had to stifle a laugh. I hadn’t been expecting that back. Or for Xiulan to take my joke seriously. She too had a knowing smile on. “And these … These are from a merchant whose life I saved. I mentioned going to a wedding, and he gave me these to give as a gift.”
Xiulan grabbed a bag and pulled out a lumpy almost-sphere.
“He called them earth apples, from Yellow Rock Plateau.”
My eyes focused completely on one of the best wedding gifts I could have ever gotten.
She seemed surprised by my sudden focus on the potato. “Thank you, Xiulan, those will be very important.”
She stared in incomprehension at the humble spud. “As you say, Master Jin!” she replied with a bow, then handed the precious cargo over to me. “This one will reflect upon her fortune!”
The gift-giving continued. Brother Che gave us a set of knives I had commissioned from him. I just had two, a cleaver and a smaller blade, but this was a full assortment of cooking knives, from the big cleavers, to smaller daggers; they all gleamed and had been forged with passion. The Xong family gave a few really nice leather bags and a new bow. From Uncle Bao, we received several scrolls on windmills and another medical scroll. The feast was the Magistrate’s gift, as well as a whispered, “I hope our relationship continues. Should you need anything, I am at your service.”
Other things were far more humble. A nice straw hat from one of the villagers. A few small storage containers. Cloth for when we had children. Some even just had rice, or a carved pendant for Meiling.
I appreciated all of them and thanked each person who came up. I was actually starting to get a little emotional at the gifts. It was … humbling. It was touching. These people were earnestly wishing me well.
They meant it.
I was so very glad that I left the Sect and came here.
And then … and then it was time. Meihua came to collect Meiling as I walked to the altar and stood alone for several minutes. Meihua rebraided Meiling’s hair and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders.
I’m glad that there isn’t much speaking involved for us, because I don’t trust my voice.
First, we served tea to Xian. Normally, we would be serving tea to our fathers and grandfathers … but Rou’s Gramps was off somewhere, if he was even still alive, and everybody else was already gone. There was only Xian.
We mostly just listened to the priest and bowed when instructed.
There was no staring into each other’s eyes. There was no “I do” or a kiss.
But there was one thing I remembered, from the weddings back in the Before.
We bowed three times towards the west as I muttered an old, old saying under my breath.
And then it was over.
We were married.
Big D let out a triumphant cry, his voice echoing over the hills as we stood with our fingers entwined. Meiling stared up at me, her face flushed red and a radiant smile on her face.
Fuck it, there’s gonna be a kiss.
The crowd cheered and hollered as I claimed my prize. Meiling didn’t hesitate to kiss back.
→
Now, originally, we were supposed to be escorted immediately to the marriage bed, but as the last male of my line, I also had to entertain my guests. So, tradition was broken, thankfully, and I got to enjoy the first night of my own wedding party.
Meimei and I were attached by the hip and leaning against each other. Her smaller hand was warm in mine, and she was holding on to my arm like she thought I was going to disappear.
All around us, family and friends partied. Children chased Chunky through the tables or threw things for Washy to catch. Peppa was sitting with Xian, my father-in-law saying something to her. Big D was on the roof, Rizzo on his back. His eyes were closed, and he looked at peace. Tigger was also on the roof, having a staring contest with Xiulan.
There was some music, but … there needed to be a bit more entertainment.
“Yun Ren!” I called, and he paused from where he was, holding the recording crystal. I gestured for it, and he nodded, pleased.
Really, it was more like a digital camera and a projector than anything. It even had a search function. I fiddled with it, and … Holy crap, Yun Ren took a lot of pictures.
I pressed some of my Qi into it—and unleashed the bane that was the wedding slideshow! It would even have my pipa playing in the background! The banjo-like instrument actually sounded pretty good playing one of my favourites. I would never see any Ghibli movies again … but the music stayed with me.
There was a lull as everybody realised what was going on, turning to look at the pictures projected into the air. Some of them were my own. Chunky and Gou Ren playing hockey. Big D silhouetted against the moon. Washy in his lair. But most were Yun Ren’s. Meiling and Xian smiling at each other. The people of Hong Yaowu shouting something. Xiulan with a pancake hanging out of her mouth. The woman shouted with outrage at that one, and I started laughing.
I just sat back and watched. I have to say, I got a little misty-eyed at all the images as they scrolled across the wall. Yun Ren’s pictures were good. Really good. He had an eye for this sort of thing. I almost wished I could print them out and hang them up.
Eventually, it ended. Yun Ren looked over to me, smiling proudly. “You like ’em?” he asked hopefully.
I handed him back the recording crystal. “Wedding isn’t over yet,” I told him. His eyes brightened, and he eagerly took the recording crystal back.
→
But all things end.
We were escorted to the marriage bed. I would have liked to enjoy the party a bit more, but apparently our “duties” were a bit too important.
The leering grins of the people around us told me that we were about to have a “fun” time. Apparently, it was customary for close friends and family to make fun of the couple when they were in the room together.
“Look at them, they were trying to get started outside already!” Yao Che bellowed. “Are you both that eager?”
Xian sighed. “Aiya, where have I gone wrong, to raise such a lustful daughter?”
“I have a second gift for you, Sister,” Meihua said, handing Meiling a scroll.
I caught the title, The Bedroom Arts. “I’ve read this one already,” Meimei deadpanned, her face a bit red as she shoved the scroll behind her. Meihua made an exaggerated, scandalised gasp.
“Jin, be careful not to break her, okay?” Meihua teased. “And remember what I told you to do with your hips, Meimei, men love that.”
“Oh, trust me, there’s no chance of him breaking her,” Che ribbed, remembering one of the statues.
Meiling was spectacularly unimpressed, as we both got a cup, connected by a red string. Another tradition, this one I think meant to symbolize our bond or something. One last drink before bed.
Yun Ren’s eyes narrowed, and he leered as he handed me the recording crystal. “Make sure you make a good memory, all right? We can use this as proof that Meimei is a woman and not a boy pretending!”
Meimei nearly spat out the wine and whipped her head around to glare.
There was laughter and jeering as we were poked at. It was a pretty lame tradition, but it was kind of funny.
Soon enough, the teasing tapered off, and all that was left was the sounds of people enjoying themselves outside.
“My son … My daughter … I wish you good fortune,” Xian told us, a soft smile on his face. Meihua kissed Meimei on the forehead. Che slapped a hand onto my back. The Xong brothers nodded. The door shut with an odd finality.
We were alone.
We both flopped backwards onto the bed, our heads side by side.
“It barely feels real,” Meiling murmured.
“Quite a whirlwind romance, huh?” I asked, amused.
She giggled, rolled over onto her side, and stared into my eyes. “What was that you whispered at the altar?” she asked me.
Ah, she caught that? I cleared my throat. “An oath. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”
Meiling’s eyes widened. “I never took you for a poet,” she mused to me.
“I’m just copying somebody else. I’m no wordsmith,” I replied.
Meiling hummed. “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part,” she recited.
Our lips met. She tasted a bit like wine and a bit sweet.
Meimei pulled at my arm, and I rolled so she was beneath me. My hand brushed her hair out of her face and rested on her cheek.
Nervousness, excitement, arousal. She bit her lip as she looked up at me.
She grabbed the back of my head and pulled me down into her embrace.
↔
Bi De sat, under the light of the Crescent Moon. Today had been a good day. Sister Ri Zu had returned to them. The people had given the Great Master proper supplication. He had taken the Great Healing Sage into his household. Bi De’s radiance was magnified tenfold with the Great Master’s “bow tie.”
But most importantly of all, the land was well and truly awake. Instead of being turned inwards, he could feel the energy flowing, the land’s attention ghosting over flowers and into trees. It was warm, and inquisitive.
He was standing watch, gazing out under the sublime beauty of Fa Ram, when he felt the energy of His Great Master stir.
Oh, he thought, oh my. Sister Ri Zu squeaked from on top of his back. Tigu started, looking around in confusion, as something stirred beneath the earth.
The Qi of two separate beings mingled. The lesser was not snuffed out. The greater was undiminished. Both were calm, kind, and gentle. Nurturing, swirling, and combining, two separate parts bonded together in a greater whole.
The energy of the land shuddered, as another connected to it. The trees seemed to perk up. The grass waved in an invisible breeze. Yin joined Yang.
The land sighed in contented wholeness.
Two hearts beat at the same time. Two souls pulsed to the same rhythm. Yet both were unique. Working together, for a goal beyond his understanding. Bi De observed the changes in the world, and he was content.
CHAPTER 53
END OF THE BEGINNING
She woke up cradled in warm arms. Her forehead was pressed under his chin. Their legs were tangled together. It felt right. She opened her eyes. She could see each and every pore on Jin’s chest. The slight traces of salt from dried sweat. When she took a breath, she smelled everything. Their own activities. Bi De, Chun Ke—who was nearly invisible to her nose before—Xiulan, the Xong brothers. Seven fragrances from the Spiritual Herbs. From them came the scent of fire, and cinder, nearly overwhelming, and the smell of the earth.
And the warmth in her stomach.
She’d had her suspicions: that something like this would happen to her too. She hadn’t broken anything, like the Xong brothers, but there was something there, just under her skin. Some might think Jin had done it on purpose, that he might have some nefarious deed planned.
She didn’t believe that at all. What kind of nefarious deed could he possibly have planned for her?
She could feel it. The Qi, like a placid lake inside her. The Xong brothers had complained about having to meditate for hours, but when she called for the energy, it answered. The minor aches and pains faded away as Qi filled her limbs with power and vitality. But it was not all her own energy. It smelled of fresh soil, of light, warmth, and life. It wrapped around her and it held her as if it was hugging. An eager friend, ready to help.
She sighed fondly and let it go. Like water, the power slipped through her fingers and returned to the earth. She looked up from where she was laying at her husband’s face. The thick eyebrows, the light dusting of freckles on his cheeks, and the absolute peace on his face.
Jin woke. He came out of his slumber with a contented smile, and then he opened his eyes and beheld her.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered. His eyes were warm and soft. One of his fingers brushed the hair from her face, his palm just so slightly rough against her cheek.
She placed her own hand over his, their foreheads pressed together.
She could certainly get used to waking up like this.
□
I was in an excellent mood as I made breakfast. We had decided against any kind of morning exercise and had instead just gone down to face the music. I have to admit, it was kind of damn embarrassing to have people cheer on the fact that you’d bonked your wife, but I was on cloud nine, and Meimei had barely blushed.
And yeah, everybody was still here. It would last two more days. Two more days of booze and partying. At least we got to have breakfast inside the house instead of out in the pavilion like everybody else, for at least some privacy. But there was always somebody looking for us, and right now, that somebody was Xiulan. She had wanted to talk with us about something.
At least she got straight to the point.
“You want to stay here for a while?” I asked Xiulan as I put the plate of pancakes on the table. She was pressing her head to the floor of the house, in full kowtow mode.
Xiulan’s pretty dramatic, isn’t she?
“Yes, Master Jin. This one would beg your hospitality and your guidance, if it pleases you. This Xiulan will help with any task you need her to.”
“What do you need guidance on?” I asked her.
“How you have crafted your domain, if it is not too presumptuous of me.”
Huh. Another cultivator who wanted to learn how to farm? I thought I was the only one. I glanced at Meiling, and she was looking at Xiulan shrewdly. She met my eyes and, after a moment’s hesitation, nodded.
“Sure, you can stay for a while, and I’ll teach you some of what I know.”
The cultivator girl looked up, stars in her eyes. “Now eat up, I made enough for three,” I said.
Breakfast was as delicious as always. I remained serene, even through the sounds of Xiulan. And so began the first day of my marriage. We didn’t actually spend that much time together. As soon as we walked outside, Meimei was grabbed by Hu Li and Meihua, then dragged away to discuss how the night went.
Xiulan somehow got dragged into it too.
I had a few things to do.
The Ten Poison Resistance Herb—and that’s a mouthful— had to be repotted. I didn’t know exactly how to take care of this one, but it was a gift, so I would try my hardest.
The trees needed to be planted as well. They were looking a little beat-up, and Xiulan hadn’t taken the best care of them. I was just considering calling her over and telling her what she did wrong, when the Magistrate approached. He looked a bit peaky, like he hadn’t slept too well.
“Rou Jin, this one must apologize, but matters of the bureaucracy call. I would beg leave from the festivities.”
I nodded, standing from where I was planting the sapling, and bowed to him. “I wish you good health and good fortune, Lord Magistrate. And thank you for everything you’ve done. If you ever need a hand, I can make myself available.”
He seemed a bit surprised by what I had said. His face shifted through emotions quickly, before he settled on a small smile. “I will … keep that in mind. Enjoy your wedding, Rou Jin. May it bear much fruit.” And with that, the Lord Magistrate left, deep in contemplation.
I returned to my task. It didn’t take too long to finish with the trees, but I was a little hot when I finished.
“Jin!” Yun Ren called, gesturing me over. The rest of the men stood there, eager. There were cups of wine.
There were many, many cups of wine.
→
“Chug, Chug, Chug!”
“How many bottles is that fish on?!”
“Oh, the old spry whore!” Xian and Meiling sang, while the crowd howled with laughter.
“Hey, can we talk about this, it was a good image!”
“An exhibition match is perfectly acceptable, Disciple Yun Ren. You have the first blow.”
Yun Ren wasn’t an idiot. He turned tail and fled. Xiulan, her cheeks flushed from alcohol, shouted with outrage and went after him. Yun Ren was surprisingly good at dodging.
I threw him to the wolf when he tried to use me as a shield though.
