Feng pondered and pondered, “When did we first work together?Let me
remember…”,he mumbled and mumbled. “….If I’m not mistaken…The Trade Master that
time was…Xue Ping Er” “….A woman? Is she Qing’s grandma?” Feng shrugged,”Not
that old. Our trade was established not long ago… Around five years ago.”
“She’s Lady Qing’s mother”
Feng and Yue turned around and saw a servant ,a girl assigned to provide
them hospitality. “Ah, pardon me-my name is San San.I will accompany you while
you’re staying here in this city”. Yue smiled,”San San…Can we meet this Madam
Xue?”. San San smiled bitterly in response,”….I wish she could still meet you. Madam
Xue…Passed away three years ago,replaced by her husband. Now… They’re reunited
above I guess. They both had the same disease,you know. Blood coughing…”.
“I’m sorry to hear that”,Feng responded. “But…Why is Lady Qing suddenly
so…hateful towards our products?”. San San shrugged,”I’m afraid I don’t know
that but maybe Er Kang knows”
“
Er Kang?”
“The Protector General of this city ,he used to play with Lady Qing a lot.
But…He really hates noble men so I guess he will be very hostile towards
you,Sir”,San San referred to Feng.
“H-hostile?”
“Fierce too. He’d swing his nunchaku around”
Feng subconsciously gulped. Yue timidly spoke,”I-Is it alright if we go see
him?”
“Sure,I will lead the way”
They both
followed San-San,unsure what to expect until they arrived at a white manor
surrounded by tall bamboos. “This is it”,San San muttered. Er Kang should be
here.”. The servant walked in and talked to the front guard, then signaled Feng
and Yue to follow her. Reluctantly ,they both stepped in and looked around .
They passed through a grand garden with huge pond and lush plants. Servants
were staring at them, but said nothing.
They
entered the main hall and San-San signaled them to sit down while she simply
stood beside Yue. Moments passed until they heard heavy , stoic footsteps.
There he was, a big man in armor. The General had a very athletic body , wide
chest and was very tall. He looked like he was in middle 30s, his beard only
increasing dignity to his stern face with serious eyes. “….San-San, these
are?”,he muttered with low voice.
“Sir,
they are guests of our neighboring province.”
“……..What
do foreign nobles have to do here? I hate you nobles”
Feng
cleared his throat,refusing to back down. “Greetings,sir. First of all,we are
fellow countrymen which means I am no foreigner. Secondly,I do not wish to use
authority as noble whatsoever to pressure you.My aim is to have a proper
professional discussion. My name is Yuan Xian Feng and this is my wife Yuan Yue
Ping”
“Yuan?
Phhew Ministry family and also trade ambassador family of Sen Province huh.I am
Duan Er Kang, Protector General of this city.What business do you have here?”
“I wish
to—“
Yue cut
him off,”Why did our trade get cut-off?”
Now
that’s straightforward, Feng sighed. “We do not produce potion nor copy your
art crafts,we shall not stand such accusation”
“Woman,stay
out of this and don’t challenge me”,Er Kang grunted
“Lady
Qing is also of female gender,don’t you dare”
The room
was silent and tense. Yue stared at Er Kang ,her eyes blazing with anger. The
General stared at Yue for a bit ,then sighed,”Okay, sorry sorry. I didn’t mean
to offend you so greatly and bring shame to Lady Qing”. The man walked to the
nearest chair and sat down.
“To be
honest ,I too know her decision was not appropriate and based on personal
grudge.I never expected she’d actually do it”
Yue said
nothing, she stared straight. Er Kang continued, ”The late Madam Xue….passed
away. The Lord purchased your potions to cure her, because your potions are
known to cure diseases but unfortunately…. she worsened”
“Then?”,Feng asked
”.....Lady
Qing was traumatized. She believed the potion poisoned her mother”
”That
is just a guess-no reason to cut off trade, and she’s too young to have such position!”,Yue
protested
”Yue...Calm
down”,Feng reassured.
”And
the doll....Your dolls look a lot like the dolls Madam Xue made back then. In
fact,very similar”,Er Kang slowly spoke. ”Look,we have our own tradition and
only Lady Qing has the right to that position. I’m sorry but nothing I can do”
Er
Kang chuckled,”Normally,I’d kick out nobles from my house. But, lady , I like
your bravery”.He sipped something from the flask he carried around. Yue was
flustered,”I...didn’t go this far just to be told nothing !”. Feng sighed,he
was truly in loss of words”.San-San finally spoke,”...Maybe you could prove her
wrong”. A guard suddenly barged in and halted their conversation,” I am truly
sorry but I require San-San to go back office.Lady Qing is not doing well”
”What?!Alright.
Well then,if you’d excuse me. Lord and Madam,please stay with General for a
while.I’m sorry”,she rushed back.
The
room was silent,everyone deep in thoughts until suddenly there was a
voice.”YOUNG MASTEERRR WHERE ARE YOUUU”. Feng froze, that voice....
”AH
ZHONG?”
The
young man appeared.”Young Master!”,he smiled happily.”Y-you are already
fine?”,Feng stuttered in shock.”How did you....arrive...here?”. A Zhong laughed,”I heard the news that our
newly wed master and madam are in distress so I’ve come to help you with
precious data”
”Data?”
”About
Madam Xue”
Er
Kang cleared his throat,”Let’s talk about this in a more private room”. He led
them to a closed smaller living room and sat down. A Zhong smiled,”Minister
Yuan has sent you a valuable proof : data of citizen. Apparently the late Madam
Qing was from our province and was the only survivor of Xia family” .Feng’s
eyes widened.
”Xia
Family?”,Yue pondered
”...The
family that designed our handcraft dolls for generations...Until someday. A
great earthquake shook our province and....They said there was no survivor of
Xia Family. The one with these dolls’ rights now is Lu family,relatives of Xia
Family”.
The room was silent...
A
Zhong continued,”That servant...Lady San-San actually secretly gave our guard a
painting of Madam Xue ,a lot of old people recognized that painting. In
fact,I’ve brought an old man who is testifying in Trade Office.”. Feng
chuckled,”Thank you,A Zhong . You never fail to impress me”. Yue too chuckled
before continuing,”....But what about the potion’s misunderstanding?”
Feng
spoke up,”I have heard that...Our potion is a poison if mixed with certain
ingredients”
Er
Kang stared at Feng,”Explain”
A Zhong decided to explain,”Our
potion will turn poisonous if you put a kind of flower inside but I forgot the
name”
Er
Kang was silent, he just glared at Feng-his fists clenched. ”But my father said
that flower doesn’t grow here because it can only grow in hot places .It’s cold
here”,Feng explained. ”Guessing won’t help, you go investigate first and come
back later. I am busy”,Er Kang stood up and opened the door,signaling guards to
escort the guests out.
Feng
and Yue looked at each other,something is
off.
That
night, Yue , Feng and A Zhong were having dinner in a restaurant. Nobody said a
thing,but it was clear they were thinking of the same thing. ”...I feel that Er
Kang knows something he’s not telling us”,Feng pondered as he spoke. Watching A
Zhong pouring them tea, Yue nodded,”Actually...I...notice something”.
”What
is it,Yue?”
”In
that smaller living room just now....Behind the chair Er Kang sat on was a
door... It is painted the same colour as the wall so you can’t really see it on
first glance”. A Zhong grinned,”Young Madam is sharp! Earlier I passed through
that area and it was...hotter”
Feng
immediately looked at A Zhong,”...Hot?”
”Yeah,the
temperature just rose... I have no idea why”
Hot...hot...Something
in my brain is trying to tell me something but what....,Yue slowly massaged her
own head. Feng showed concern and carressed her cheek,”Are you tired,dear?
Let’s rest early”. The girl blushed,her face felt boiling.”N-no...I feel like I
remember something...”
”AH”,she
suddenly exclaimed-leaving the two men confused.
”A
Zhong,that flower...The one never to be mixed in our potion...What was it?”
”Ah,
I actually forgot the name but it is white six-leafed flower with red center.
It only grows in warm places”
”That
hot room...Could it be?”
The
two men gaped,noticing what Yue was getting at- that warm room was indeed
suspicious. ”There is another problem though.We cannot investigate it,we lack
authority to access others’ house without permission”,Feng sighed and sipped
his cup of tea. The three of them were once again silent, deep in thoughts. Yue
suddenly stood up,”I need to negotiate with Lady Qing!” and ran off
”Yue—”
”....Young
Madam sure is feisty”
Feng
just sighed.
At the Qing Manor...
”You’re
telling me you suspect General Er Kang ?”,Qing sighed as she munched some
sesame cookies. They were in Qing’s room with no servants around for the sake
of privacy. ”Yes. Have you known about the design issue?” ”...Yes,an old man
testified so I guess you didn’t copy us...”.Qing looked pained,unable to
suspect General Er Kang.
”Please,Qing....We
need to know the truth. If we are wrong,we will immediately leave town”
”.....Alright,Madam
Yuan. I could issue an order but the guards are all under HIS command so I need
your soldiers”
”Sure.
”
Qing
stood up,walked to his desk and wrote something on a blue scroll.She stamped it
hard and gave it to Yue,”...Good luck”. Yue smiled,delighted. ”Now go and rest,I
am sure that annoying man..I mean your husband is worried” ”Sure”.
The
next day...
”...Yue?”,Feng
blinked and stretched-just woke up, ”.....Hngh?”.The girl was not beside him.
He sat up and yawned before scanning the room around. Yue was sitting near the
window playing with a small doll. ”...Awake,Feng?. Good morning”
”This
is still so early...What are you playing with?”
”I’m
just looking at this tiny doll I bought in market last night. It’s cute
”Are you nervous?”
”A...bit”
Feng
chuckled, stood up and walked towards Yue. He crouched and pinched Yue’s
cheeks,”It will be fine.I got your back,A fine Madam Yuan will always be able
to stand tall”. Yue chuckled,her cheeks blushing. ”Stop pinching me!”
”Nah,won’t do”.They laughed hard and chatted about some things about their
childhood times.
Time
passed rapidly and it was noon. Feng, Yue and their guards were in font of Er
Kang’s manor gate. Er Kang looked stern,”...What is the meaning of this?” Feng
inhaled and exhaled,”We have received permission from Lady Qing to investigate
your house under the suspicion of planting poisonous flowers”.
”Poisonous?”,Er
Kang snorted,”I don’t know how you manipulated her but feel free to check the
garden”
”No.
We will investigate your living room”
Er
Kang’s facial expression changed,”...I do not grow flowers there”
”That
is what we will see for ourselves”
Er
Kang growled and drew his nunchaku,”I will not let strangers mess my house,even
by order of Lady Qing”. They both stared at each other intently , feeling the
tension in the air. Yuan family guards stood still,waiting for command. ”...Er
Kang”,Lady Qing approached from afar.
”...Lady...”
”I
trust you , so now you shall not fail me.Let these people investigate.When they
find nothing , they will leave”
”...
Tch, very well. You bastards better get off this city soon”
Yue
sighed in relief,but kept her eye gaze strong. ”Guards”, the guards marched in
and headed to the living room with A Zhong’s directions. Feng , Yue , Qing and
Er Kang all stood still in front of the gate. Er Kang glared,unamused. Qing
sighed,having mixed feelings. I don’t know anymore what to trust,Qing muttered
inwardly.
Moments
that felt like eternity passed,A Zhong came running bringing a flower. A
six-petaled flower with red center. A Zhong grinned,”...This is the flower that
turns poisonous when mixed with potion”. Qing felt breathless,her world
crumbling down.” Oh? Poisonous? I wasn’t aware”,Er Kang forced a laugh,”I
simply bought the seeds when I was traveling and made a warm room to plant
those because they’re so beautiful. So what about it?”
”...”,Feng
stared at Er Kang and said nothing. ”You murdered Madam Xue,did you not?”
”Ha!
Baseless accusation! Why would I? To take over her position? I’d have killed
Lady Qing too if that were the case! And I’m not even aware she drank your
potions!”
True,Yue
pondered, We never did contemplate about
his motives. What is it?What is it?
Er
Kang laughed hard and put his hands on Qing’s shoulders,”These foreigners are
out of their minds,just ignore them. My lady,Chase them out of town”
Something...There
must be something,Yue gritted her teeth. ”...Er Kang, let it go”,a weak voice
let out. It was San-San,looking weak with her face stained with tears, ”I...I
was there alright...a-and I helped you without knowing”.She sobbed,her body
shook with fear. ”...San?”,Qing was speechless.
”I-I
was the one...Who brought the potion to Madam...”
Er
Kang laughed,”See?Maybe she’s the murder!”
”STOP
IT”,San San was in a mess,”YOU—You told me to mix those flowers in...Y-you said
that would make Madam...like the potion scent and drink it...B-because she used
to hate the smell”. She wept, talking in stuttering voice. ”Bah! That-that’s...ridiculous!
You blame me now?!”,he yelled.
”...General,the
flowers are only grown in your house”,Yue spoke with stern voice.
He
laughed,which started to sound maniacal,”Why would I kill her?!”
Moments
of silence passed...
”...General”.
It was Qing
”....Father
told me long ago that you used to love my mother... So why?”
Er
Kang laughed sarcastically,”Lady,don’t you trust me?”
”...The
evidence....is complete. I...shall hear no excuse..”,Qing weakly muttered. She
looked like she was abou to cry. Yue sighed, she stepped forward and spoke in a
loud and clear voice,”San San,now what do you plan to do?” ”...I...I...assisted
him in a way,I will turn myself in”.
”W-well,
I mixed it into her potion really so that it smells good!H-how could I know it
was poi—”
”Stop”,Feng
unterrupted,”My guards just updated on me that they found secret poison recipes
book and...love letters”. He shrugged and sighed,”Twisted love huh..”.Er Kang
growled,”GUARDS!CHASE THESE RASCALS AWAY”.All his guards merely stared at him,
their faces mixture of sorrow, disbelief, confusion,hesitation... ”Y-you all...
USELESS BUNCH!”. Er Kang raised his weapon and charged to Yue.
A
loud whacking sound echoed,followed by the sound of someone falling to the
ground. It was San-San ,blood rolling down the back of her head. ”SAN SAN”,Qing
screamed...Feeling agonized and scared. ”S-SAN SAN”. The guars all charged and
restrained Er Kang as he screamed ,”BASTARDS! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!”. Yue
rushed to Qing and hugged the crying girl as A Zhong and guards carried her and
rushed to the nearest clinic. The place was a chaos.
”HAHAHAHAHAHAAA”,Er
Kang laughed as he lost his mind,”YES,I KILLED HER! SHE NEVER ONCE ...SEEN ME
AS A MAN,EVEN THOUGH I LOVED HER!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA”. The manical laugh
echoed through the street,heard by countless people with the same expression
painted on their faces –Disbelief. Qing screamed with rage, Yue tightening her
embrace. The laugh echoed as the guards dragged him away...Further and further
until it was silent. Leaving sobbing voice of Lady Qing. ”Why...”,she sobbed
again and again. Citizens of the city looked away,respecting The Lady and
granted her private time as she broke down .
Yue
sighed,she had solved a problem...Yet she felt pained. Was this really a good
thing? A few days passed since the incident. Qing still worked as the Trade
Master , A Zhong went home ahead to deliver news, Er Kang was sentenced to be
imprisoned for lifetime and San-San was still in comatose. Feng and Yue were
packing their stuff,preparing to go back.”Good job,Yue. You were courageous
enough to negotiate with Lady Qing and that led us to closure of case”. Yue
laughed,”I did nothing, you did most of the job”.
”It
was OUR hard work then”.They both chuckled. ”I realize that...there’s no bound
for humans’ evil hearts”,Yue sighed,”yet humans are also full of love”. The man
beside her chucked,”That’s why we are different”. After they finished packing
,Feng and Yue prepared to leave. All the guards were on standby to escort them
home. They walked to the carriage when Qing came running,”WAIT”.
She
stopped and panted,”B-before you leave...P-please ac...cept our local c-cookies
as parting gift”
Yue
smiled,accepting the gift,”Why ,thank you,Lady Qing”
”I...want
to thank all of you. I’d never have suspected him... He has always cared for me
when my mother passed away.I’m sorry for cutting off trades ,it was
not...appropriate. Mr rude—I mean,Yuan Minister Son,I apologize for my behavior
at first. I am really thankful of how you have shown me the cold,bitter
truth. I will appoint someone else as a
new Protector...Now I bid you safe journey back”
Feng
chuckled,”Thank you. See you around,’Till we meet again”. They turned around
and stepped to the carriage. A heavy and warm sensation crashed to Yue’s
back - Qing was hugging her while sobbing. She didn’t need to say a thing,Yue
understood.
”Be
strong,Qing.... You will be fine ,you will be a good woman someday...”
And
thus,the misunderstanding of trade was solved... Little did they know it was only
the start of what’s ahead...
