Threads of Jades Chapter 3 part 3/3

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...