Beware Of Chicken

Book 4: Chapter 76: To News

Book 4: Chapter 76: To News

The wind blew through Meilings hair and steam wafted off the top of her tea. It was warmone of summer's last hurrahs. Outside the small pavilion and in the sun, it was even hot enough that quite a few of the people out in the fields had stripped off their outer layers. The rain from the past week had been chased away, leaving conditions perfect for the harvest or an event.

And an event Hong Yaowu would proudly host, the Great Reaping Race.

It was a small thing, mostly amongst family and friends, but somebody had invited the Lord Magistrate and Lady Wuand to everyones surprise, they had actually come.

So now Meiling was sitting with Lady Wu, Pi Pa, Meihua, Hu Li, and several other women from Verdant Hill that Lady Wu had brought along with her.

It was the kind of gathering where she normally would have sat on the edges of, if she had been invited at all. A wallflower, shying away from the more radiant ladies around her.

It was a hard habit to crack, but one could hardly blend into the background when they were seated beside Lady Wu. And yet there were no condescending looks from the other ladies. No barbs about Meilings appearance. Even when Meiling found herself looking for things to get angry about, there was nothing. The boney viper, the prickly thistle was just Meiling.

She found herself smiling as she returned to the conversation.

It has taken a lot longer than I first anticipated, but it's been an enjoyable projectI even saved up a bit and bought thread from the Azure Jade Trading Company! Isnt it a wonderful shade of blue? one of the ladies asked as she opened up the embroidery project she had been working on.

Meiling gave it a glance. The scene of sky and clouds woven into the dress was very niceshe would have to see about making one like that for herself.

It is a wonderful design. The colours truly pop, Pi Pa said from her own seat.

Thank you, Miss Pi Pa. The women Lady Wu had brought with her had been afraid of the talking pig at firstbut that fear had swiftly fallen away when they discovered the dainty-hat-wearing Spirit Beast was as prim and proper as they came, the picture of feminine grace.

I wish we could afford that! another lady grumbled. She looked slightly frazzled, even now. But this year has been a travesty! Burrower ants in the foundation, termites infesting the walls of the servants quartersweve had to tear down three buildings and take the servants into our own house. I haven't had a quiet moment in months, and my husbands been working himself to the bone. He's been too tired to fulfill his duties to his own wife!

Meiling felt a touch of pity for the woman. That was one thing Meiling didnt have to worry about.

I may know something to put a bit of pep back in him, Meiling said, and the rest of the ladies leaned forwards in interest.

Oho? Lilings specialty? Hu Li asked. Youse best be careful with that, couldnt walk straight for a week after Ten had a sip!

Lady Wus eyes lit up. The rest of the ladies leaned in. Please, do tell us more, Meiling.

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The conversation meandered from there. It was nice to have womens talk. While she did love Jin and Gou, ever since Xiulan, Ri Zu, Tigu, and Yin left she was mostly lacking in female conversation partners; only Pi Pa remained and they both needed more people to talk to.

Meiling felt herself relaxing as she looked out at the fields where they were finishing the set up for the demonstration. She quickly spotted Gou Ren, who was taking care of Zhuye today. He looked to be lounging and lazing; her son curled up in his arms after finally exhausting himself.

It was a welcome reprieve for both of them. While Meiling enjoyed being a mother, she had just gotten hit with her first real trial. Taking care of Zhuye when he was immobile had been rather simple, in a lot of respects, and her constitution prevented a lack of sleep from impacting her.

This was a bit more of a trial.

The second her boy learned how to crawl he immediately set about giving every one of his minders a headache. He scuttled about like a rather cute beetle, and each day he crawled for longer and longer. He definitely had his fathers inexhaustible stamina, even at this tender age.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

It was good that they had baby-proofed the living room, but even then he had somebody always watching him, just in case. CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Meiling shook her head, her job finished, as the crowd started heckling the contestants. She wandered over to plop beside Gou Ren, who had managed to distract Zhuye with a piece of fabric.

Youre going to make a good father, she told him simply, and Gou Ren flushed.

She watched the race from beside her brother in all but blood as Jin heckled every one of the contestants. Meiling honestly thought Bowu had itbut it was much closer than she thought. Bowus reaper spluttered at a critical moment, and Bei Be capitalized. The ox, with Sun Ne, reached the end of the field first.

Xian was still proclaiming he was going to win, his wooden, pointy red glasses completely blocking his view.

In the end, Bei Be won, followed by Bowu and then by Yao Che and his menwho had all taken off their shirts and were flexing at the crowd to laughter. Finally, Chun Ke was in lastthough that was probably because he didnt want her foolish little brother to fall off his back if he went any faster.

The Lord Magistrate was chuckling and shaking his head. Lady Wu, her retinue, and Pi Pa were all giggling about something.

Jin was running away from a red-faced Bowu and Ty An.

Meiling smiled and breathed in deeplyand then frowned.

It had happened once before, a slight acrid tang on the wind that disappeared as soon as she smelled it. The first time she had asked Vajra and Lu Ri to check on the areabut both had found nothing.

Yet here it was again.

Just what was it?

Mei, you okay? Gou Ren asked her.

Meiling startled and looked at him. Im feeling alright, she said after a moment. Just smelled something strange again.

Gou Ren frowned and opened his mouth to respond, when he too paused, his eyes suddenly going to the road.

Meiling followed his gaze, and raised an eyebrow.

Because there were soldiers marching up the road. Soldiers bearing the colours of the Azure Jade Trading Company.

They were arranged around a single wagon, their eyes peeled. Jin went up to talk to them, and he was similarly frowning.

That lasted until the men all bowed.

And then Jin smiled.

Meiling walked over, interested.

What's going on? she asked.

Her husbands giant smile turned to her.

Letters from Tigu and Xiulan, he replied.

The guards of the caravan unloaded a chest. A heavy chest that thunked as it hit the ground.

The memory of the acrid scent was dispelled as the letters were revealed.