Secrets of the Blossom

Chapter 13

Xiao Bao studies the threads the servants had found for him, he is trying to decide on just the right color to make the flower he was working on. Someone had once told him that babies like bright colors because their eyesight is weak at first. He ends up choosing a bright yellow.

Several days ago, Xiao Bao had been feeling both depressed and a little bored. He had gone to Que Siming for advice on some activities he could do. The physician had suggested something not very strenuous, like reading or painting fans. However, Xiao Bao hates reading and he isn't very talented with a paint brush. When he had asked Su Yin, the alpha had consulted with his head retainer who had in turn consulted with the old auntie that trained the young maids when they first started in the household. She was the one who had suggested Xiao Bao pick up embroidery. She had even brought him some materials and threads to start with. To his, and everyone else's surprise, he had found he had a real talent for it. He had decided to work on something both practical and fun, a blanket for the baby.

Now he is frowning in concentration over the flower when a young maid calls to him from outside the door, "Young master, young master come quickly."

Xiao Bao gets up and grabs his cloak before running out the door, "What's the matter? Is it Huai En?" he asks her frantically.

She shakes her head, "Young master, Zhao Cai and Physician Que are fighting in the main courtyard."

When Xiao Bao arrives, he finds that the two men are indeed quarreling. Que Siming is saying, "Besides Jin Xiao Bao you are the only one he listens to. I know that Jin Xiao Bao isn't hiding him, tell me where he is."

Zhao Cai looks smugly at the doctor and answers, "How can I hide him? He is always with you, why are you asking me where he is."

The normally calm Que Siming tries to punch Zhao Cai, but he doesn't have the guard's martial training. Zhao Cai easily dodges and grabs the physician's arm.

Su Yin arrives a few minutes after Xiao Bao. When he sees what is happening, he commands, "Stop, what is going on here?"

Que Siming turns to Su Yin and says, "You have come just in time. We had a deal, but he has hidden Jin Bao away from me. If you aren't going to keep your promise, then I am afraid I can't help Jin Xiao Bao."

Zhao Cai huffs at this, "Your grace, Jin Bao left because he bullies him. I'm not hiding him anywhere, he ran away."

"What do you mean he ran away? What did you do to Jin Bao?" Xiao Bao demands. He wouldn't have agreed to let Jin Bao serve Que Siming if he knew the physician would be cruel to him.

"You've been with the two of them every day," Su Yin reasons. "Have you seen him bullying Jin Bao? Jin Bao is well fed and taken care of; I have made sure of that myself."

"Then why is he gone?" Xiao Bao asks. He turns to Que Siming and says, "What did you do with him? Give Jin Bao back to me." Su Yin has to hold him back to keep him from attacking the physician. He is afraid Xiao Bao will hurt himself in this state.

The same servant that had summoned Xiao Bao comes in and says, "Your Grace, Jin Bao gege is back." A sheepish looking Jin Bao follows the servant into the room.

"Jin Bao," Xiao Bao cries. "Why did you run away, was it because Physician Que was bullying you? You don't have to serve him anymore; I will find a midwife to help me."

Su Yin makes a noise of protest at this but it's Jin Bao that says, "Physician Que didn't bully me, I don't mind serving him."

"Then why did you run away?" Xiao Bao asks.

Jin Bao blushes and refuses to answer, he only shakes his head. "I'm sorry I worried everyone; it won't happen again." He stands in front of Que Siming and says, "Please continue to treat my young master."