Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 16

Yanyou eyeballed his wives suspiciously. They had their heads together, discussing the benefits of different fabrics. No sign of their previous rancor.

"Lan Que, my Beauty" Yanyou called out. She didn't seem to hear him. He called her name again, this time louder.

She looked up at him in surprise. "Do you need something, husband?" she asked innocently.

"I was just thinking" Yanyou began, rubbing his chin, "your room is a mess right now. It's not safe for you to sleep in here. Why don't you sleep in my room tonight?" he offered.

Lan Que glanced quickly at Mao Yo, and then away. She looked like she didn't know what to say.

"She's sleeping in my room tonight" Mao Yo told him curtly.

"There's no need for that" Yanyou rebutted smoothly. "I've offered first. I can't remember the last time I had Lan Que all to myself. I'm quite looking forward to it" he said with a smile. He directed a sly wink at Lan Que.

Lan Que sat up straight, her gaze going back and forth between Mao Yo and Yanyou. She seemed alarmed.

Mao Yo stood up to confront Yanyou. "She's sleeping in my room" she countered. "I offered first. Her things are already moved to my room. It would be an inconvenience to ask her to pack again." She sat down again, turning her back on him as if this conversation was over. She didn't notice Lan Que wince.

Yanyou grinned. "Oh, really?" he asked with false surprise. He was enjoying this. Lan Que's look of dismay was delightful.

"Yes, really!" Mao Yo replied. She still hadn't realized her error.

Yanyou circled around the women, until he stood directly in front of Mao Yo. He leaned down, placing his face mere inches away from hers.

"How is that possible, considering that you two have only just now fought and destroyed the room? When was there time for her to pack and move her things?" he asked.

She froze, her eyes growing huge as she finally realized her mistake.

Yanyou tutted, shaking his head as he stood back up. "I thought my wives were more clever than this" he lamented, sighing deeply.

"Yanyou, husband, don't be angry with us" Lan Que pouted. "We are sorry. We won't do it again" she promised, gazing at him with a doe-like expression.

Yanyou chuckled. "Of course you will! The question is whether or not you will get caught again" he replied.

Lan Que opened her mouth like she was about to argue, but Yanyou held up his hand to cut her off.

"You sleep with me tonight" he stated. "Go get your things and bring them to my room" he ordered her. Lan Que got up quickly and scurried past him, leaving him and Mao Yo alone in the wreckage of her room.

Yanyou turned to leave, but had only taken a few steps before Mao Yo called his name. He turned around to look at her. She was standing by the foot of the bed, glaring at him insolently.

"I am sleeping in your room tonight" she informed him.

Yanyou raised his eyebrows, and then shrugged.

"Okay" he said in an easygoing manner. "You can sleep on the couch. You should have a pretty good view from there of all the things I plan to do with Lan Que" he added with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

Mao Yo's fists clenched at her sides. He could tell that she was very angry. He stared her down, slowly running his tongue over his top lip from left to right. Then he waited.

Very soon afterwards a breeze started up inside the room. A sudden gust of wind knocked over a vase, adding to the broken porcelain pieces on the floor.