Love Concurs Destiny

Village Festival ~I

It's the time for the big festival which the village celebrates with great enthusiasm and Liying was bouncing on her feet. She had just gotten the permission to leave the stall after half an hour of start if she remains on her best behaviour. Which, in Xie Yun's language translated to being attentive to the customers and looking out for any thieves who might sneak up on them.
The fair in the village attracted many from the neighbouring town too which was under a noble of higher status than that of Madam Li.
But the main reason for people to come from the other villages was that many travellers passed their village during the festival and the stalls had beautiful attractions for everyone.
The festival continued for a week so many people travelled from one village to another, seeking new and different delicacies, crafts and other things.
This year, Xie Yun had decided to put up a stall of paper lanterns and noodles. Liying herself loved her brother's different recipes of noodles. He just had a way to make even the medicinally plain noodle soup taste good; so obviously it was going to be a tough time for her to stop herself from tasting the noodles.

The pedestal at the centre of the village was also decorated. Flowers adorned the stones while some lanterns were set up to be lit at night. The whole village was covered in lantern of all types, red paper cuttings and colourful clothes strewn together with flowers hanging at some places.
Xie Yun and Chuchu had made the children crush flowers to make small fragment pouches which were hung on the wall of every house. Some of the oil lamps had aromatic oils in them. The path had been cleared of cattle and chickens, swept clean and replaced with stalls and sitting areas for elders.
The farmlands of Li Manor have been cleared too,with the harvested crops put inside the barn and anything which can catch fire removed from the grounds to transform it into a clearing for releasing lanterns. The youths were assigned with helping the villagers set up the stalls while the younger ones were left with the old people to keep them company and help fetch small things. All in all, the village was ready for the coming festival which would start next week.

Xie Yun is just seeing the children off at the gate of Li Manor after their craft work when he hears footsteps approaching. He turns around to see Li Jin Rong coming with her trusted aid at her side. The other stops a few steps away to give Li Jin Rong the privacy she needs and Xie Yun bows to her when she is in front of him.
" Madam Li."
"Xie Yun. "
" What can I do for you, Madam Li ?"
Li Jin Rong smiles, giving a pouch to him she says, " This is for the month's teaching and help. I don't need anything. There's just one request I suggest you think about."
Xie Yun takes the pouch, feels the weight of it in his palm and looks questioningly at the village head.
" I want you kids to go to the main city for this festival, enjoy the main performances there. Have a look what the big city has to offer."
Xie Yun bowed once again, " I thank Madam Li for her offer but I don't think A Ying is old enough to go there. We will pass the opportunity. "
But it appeared that Madam Li was having none of that.
With a shake if her head she caught his arms and keeping a tight grip said, " Then I order you to go to the city." Xie Yun looked up, surprised at the tone. " But..."
" No buts. Xie Yun, you know you can't keep her away from the world forever. She needs to learn the reality. That day your silver tongue saved her from the noble, but do you think this can go on forever ?"
Xie Yun's shoulders slacked at the words ' your silver tongue saved her, can this go on forever ' knowing full well the hidden meaning behind them and dropped his eyes with a sigh.
" I know I can't.
The cubs leave the den when old enough.
One day, she will be able to face the world, strong and ready but for now I want nothing else but to keep her protected. I am ready to let her do what she wishes, unless...."
" Unless she wants her brother to follow her too and said brother can't go. Xie Yun, you know she is the top disciple I have, correct?"
" Yes, I know Madam Li. She is strong. She just needs to use that brain of hers." Li Jin Rong smiled.
" Tell her one day. If not for you then at least for her sake. She must know."
Xie Yun nodded. Li Jin Rong turned to go when Xie Yun said,
" Oh, and Madam Li!" Li Jin Rong turned again and Xie Yun said with a strain in his voice, " Don't let her know I praised her in such a way. She will be on my head for a month." 
He knew that, there wasn't much time left anyway.
Though if he was lucky, he could avoid the trouble for half his lifetime, but luck and fate had never liked Xie Yun and so he knew that he must be ready for every possibility.

Published: 26 April, 2021