One Tail at a Time

The Rudder

For one solid week, I put my body through every imaginable position to give Mo Yuan what he most desires.  Or rather, what he desires today, because tomorrow, who knows what he will want. I swear he is as fickle as he is unpredictable but one thing is certain.  He wants a daughter to complete his family, though he is not opposed to more, only he thinks two children for now is more than enough, because Ye Hus is so lively and robust.  He is a typical boy just like his father, and though we are meant to be taking a break, I have never felt more exhausted than at any other time.

I have been stretched out, bent backwards, tipped upside down and near blinded by the crazy positions he has put me in just to get the beansprouts to fertilize my egg, which according to Mo Yuan, I am in the perfect time of my cycle to reproduce.  I don't know where he gets his information sometimes or if he just makes it up, but I am beyond exhausted and back to hiding in the water closet again.

It's the only drawback to being on a ship, because other than calling a cloud and leaving him here with Ye Hua, I have nowhere to run.  So here I am sprawled out on the cushions I have dragged in here with my wine and a few snacks and back to reading the manuscripts and the story of how these ships came to be known by the rest of the world.

Entering the Hall where the competition is being held takes some time because the entire realms elite is present and so I stop briefly to speak to a few friends I have not seen for some time.  The mood is amicable and the excitement is high, in fact, I rarely attend these kinds of events but surprisingly, I too am glowing in the attention and I can see that Xiaobai is too.  

She looks beautiful today having spent all morning preparing herself.  I am positive the past is still on her mind because of the small frown edging the cute smile on her face and for a brief moment, I feel her hand sweep across mine as if seeking reassurance without actually taking hold of it.  I honestly wouldn't care less if she did, but I know she is trying her best to show confidence and courage, so I lightly pat her head before leading her indoors where even more people appear.  The hall is packed tight save the large stage at the front where several entrants are now gathering.

Directly below them are the judges who are still preparing their desks, so I take a few moments to look around for Bai Zhi who assured me he would be here, but as yet, the foxes are still in transit.  The Demons however, are here and I notice the son, who is looking right at us, or rather Xiaobai with bright eyes and a bounce in his step, though her attention is on the Goddesses which I understand.  Being a young girl on the brink of womanhood, their beautiful gowns and elaborate hairstyles are where her attention is firmly placed and even more so when one of them approaches. 

Muxian.  A Goddess who is as beautiful as she vicious and the look she is giving Xiaobai automatically puts me on edge.  So few in this world have the ability to raise my ire just by looking at them, but the soft smile and twinkle in her eye only infuriates me.  This is a woman whose words drip like honey but they are edged in spite.  

I have lost count of the Goddesses this woman has destroyed in her quest to gain me as her husband and I have lost count of the jealous rages she has unleashed on them and myself having failed at every turn.  I do not despise many people and with the women in this world, I believe I am far more lenient and patient, but for this woman, she brings out the worst in me because I detest bullies most of all, of which she is and the look on her face says my little Xiaobai could well be her next victim.

Only going by the look on her face, she is utterly mesmerized by the lovely gown and no doubt the beautiful face that is smiling at her.  Xiaobai has never met a woman like this one so she is taking her first impression at face value.  This is not a bad thing, because for the most part, first impressions never lie, only this woman is a master of disguise and perhaps if I was meeting her for the first time, I too might see what she is trying to portray, and that being a Grand Lady of power and highly revered among her peers with a humble and trusting disposition.  But the hard glint at the edge of her pupils and the way one corner of her mouth is twitching, gives away her immense dislike of a little girl who has caused no offense.