Moonstones and Madness

Thirty-one

     Park Numni could not stop showing some of her frustrations with Uncle Kim. After hearing about the invitation from the Crown Prince, and seeing the tokens that arrived the following day, the Headmaster blew hot and cold. He made it clear he relished the status of even a tenuous royal connection but he was equally worried about a potential scandal.

He was even more flustered hearing about the second flash bomb, asking, "What is wrong with that boy? I thought he would learn after getting tangled up with the Psyonan heir. Look where that landed him." Numni put her hands over her ears and walked away as the man continued to rant.

She knew her grandmother would be staying with her friend at the palace for another day or two so decided to make her own arrangements to visit her younger brother at the forge. This made the invitation from Lady Chen most welcome, even if her uncle complained about foreign associates.

"Why is the Qin Ambassador's wife interested in you? I don't know why she would be entertaining after her husband left for court without her. You would think she would be embarrassed." He said looking down his noise.

"She has always been a generous friend. We won't have much of a chance to visit once she moved back to her country estates so don't expect me for dinner," Numni said and left without a backward glance.

When Numni told her hostess that she hoped to fit in a visit at the forge, Lady Chen insisted on going with her. She then took over the arrangements by sending a messenger ahead and having her staff prepare baskets of food.

"If you are inviting yourself near a mealtime, you should be prepared to feed the whole crew," Lady Chen explained as she watched a cart being loaded.

"Surely, this is excessive." Numni waived her hand at the baskets being stacked up.

"Have you seen how much the boys can eat? I'm surprised Knight-Master Lei hasn't had to declare bankruptcy by now." Lady Chen hid her laugh behind a fan.

The women were stopped by the city guards but Manager Doak was on hand to settle the situation. He expressed his regret at having to leave but Lady Chen consoled him with her usual flattery. It was enough to make the stoic ex-soldier blush and have his charges pestering him for more information rest of the day.

Knight-Master Lei was no less flustered by Lady Chen's attention and generosity. He had to apologize their time might get cut short by a palace representative arriving but gave no further details. They settled around some low tables in the courtyard with Junseo sitting between his sister and In-Yeon. Numni teased the young boy out of his shyness with tales of Junseo's clumsy moments and the amount of time he spent playing horse for his nephew.

"It's too bad you don't have time for making toys the way you used to," Numni sounded wistful.

"If you have any time, I would love some of your papers flower that blooms so magically. My friends keep begging me to tell them where to buy one so they would make perfect gifts." Lady Chen said.

"I doubt they would work here in Leuso since crystals don't react the same." Junseo said and seeing Song-hee and In-Yeon's puzzled looks he quickly explained the basic design.

"We might have an application for just such a design." Knight-Master Lei said from the end of the table. "If it works out, we can repay your hospitality."

"No need for that between friends and I do hope you let me host any of your team members on their way to your Gonlong estates. I already mentioned it to Manager Doak. It would be much more convenient than the Inn at Shandong."

"It would be a blessing not to feed the bedbugs." Scout Jia said before his partner could decline. Then he mimed swatting and scratching and got the whole table chuckling with his antics. The visit was interrupted by a palace messenger coming with Rainbow-Maker Mein's workspace requirements.