[[忘羡 | WangXian 3]] : Our Flesh And Bones

[70.] Master Wen Qionglin.

Hanguang-Jun wrote a letter to his brother that very day, and Wei Wuxian, sulking, wrote a short letter to Wen Ning too. Lan Wangji gave the servant, who rode out to deliver them, two pieces of gold, telling him not to stop for the world.

 

**

Sue Lin was secretly observing all. She was so envious of Bai Li for having constant access to the Masters' room – they were acting very privately lately and she had no real news. But then, four days later, patrols came back in the evening, and excitedly announced that the Ghost General had just arrived at Cloud Recesses.

- Mistress! - Sue Lin exclaimed, entering Miao Lu's chamber. – Come, come!  – she whispered loudly.

Miao Lu approached the window where her maid was standing and looked outside too. The snow was knee-deep, but the horse that entered the yard was so huge that it mattered not. 

The young woman gasped – the one riding it could be no other than the Ghost General.

- Master Wen Qionglin! – she exclaimed, quickly placing her hand on her belly.

- Yes, Mistress, the Ghost General! I wonder why he is here? How long will he stay? – she frowned and turned to help her Mistress back to bed. – It is not a good thing to have him in the House!  – she mumbled.

- Why?  – Miao Lu asked sharply.

The servant bowed, startled.

- Mistress, forgive me. But you know who he is... how he is... pheeew!  –  she almost spit on the floor.  -  То have him near the baby too! Phewwww!

Miao Lu frowned, and looked at her with reproach, and then snapped:

- I know that he is a personal friend to our Masters. And I know that Master Sizhui loves him! And I know that he is his uncle. This is all I need to know.

- Yes, Mistress. Forgive me, Mistress. – the girl mumbled, bowing lower, a little scared.

- Leave me! And don't believe everything you hear, Sue Lin. Come call me if the Masters need me.

The servant woman bowed again and left the room without comment.

Miao Lu had no doubts that Wen Ning had come because of her, or rather – because of her child. 

The Masters were preparing for a trip in a couple of weeks, and she was sure that her Master Wei would not leave her all alone. He had already told her that the snow was too deep for them to risk her travelling the two-day journey to Lotus Pier, but he promised her that – come spring – she would spend a month or two there, with his brother and Zewu-Jun. 

She was not too excited to meet Sandu Shengshou again, but she was curious to see where her Master had spent his youth. 

He only said:

- Ah, Flower girl, it is peace and quiet there... People are happy and friendly, life is slow and easy. The water washes away all sorrows and the spirit rejoices whenever the weather is fine and the winds blow from the East... You will like it there, I promise.

She thought about it dreamily, and fell into a slumber soon after.

**

It was already dark outside when a quick knock on the door woke her up. Bai Li entered, huffing.

- I am so sorry, Mistress, but the Masters will be expecting you for dinner. Let me help you out of this robe and into a proper dress.

She nodded, not really surprised. 

She let the housekeeper choose a dress for her, and help her get ready – she knew well that even if she protested against it, Bai Li would not let her get dressed on her own.

- Mistress, – she was babbling excitedly. – it is so so strange! The Master want dinner served in the master bedroom! Can you even imagine! Hanguang-Jun says that it is the warmest room, so you will be having dinner there! And now with another Master visiting! I have so much work! – she was huffing, trying to think of everything at the same time.

- It is alright, Li-jie. I am sure Master Wen won't mind. I am sure I don't mind.  –  she smiled. She was too happy to be able to spend such a cold winter in a warm and cozy room. She had not been so lucky in the past.

- Ah, you are just saying that to calm me down, Mistress! But still! Dinner! In a bedroom! Master Wei has lost his mind for sure this time!  – she was frowning, hurrying, and fussing all the time.

Miao Lu smiled and let her lead the way that she already knew so well.

Bai Li took a deep breath and opened the door, entering quickly, and dragging the young woman after her.

- Masters. – she bowed to all three of them. – If you need anything – just let me know. Dinner will be served shortly. Mistress. – she bowed to Miao Lu too and left in a hurry, busy with thoughts about the cooking.

The young woman bowed respectfully too, taking a quick look at the room. The Masters were sitting at the low writing table near the window, but they didn't seem to notice or mind that. They looked worried, all three of them.