Messed up love

Chapter 19- Madam

"I can go with a-Li, you two go get a-Cheng," Xingchen said.
"Alright," Wei Ying said, "we'll meet up with you two at later."
"Okay," Xingchen nodded, "come a-Li, let's go." He led the woman outside and covered her head with his sleeve, he walked to the dock where he helped her get in a boat. He climbed in and grabbed an oar, he pushed off the dock with his foot and used the oar to guide the boat.
    "Uncle," Yanli said, "are you and Xue Yang friends?"
     "We are," Xingchen said, "we had an argument a while ago though, while you were asleep."
    "What was is about?" Yanli asked softly.
     "A-Cheng, he got mad at me for letting him go out," Xingchen said, "he slapped me even. I almost hit him back but I couldn't do it."
    "He slapped you?" Yanli asked shocked.
    "Yeah, but it's alright, I deserved it. A-Cheng wouldn't be gone if it wasn't for me," Xingchen said.
    Yanli stood up and grabbed Xingchen's hand gingerly, "Uncle, it isn't your fault. It's no one's fault, this was just bad luck."
    "Thank you a-Li," Xingchen said smiling, "now go sit down, you're still sick."
    "Yes sir," the woman teased earning a laugh. Xingchen continued rowing and Yanli told him directions. "Uncle, do you like Xue Yang?"
    "Of course I like him, don't you?" Xingchen said oblivious.
     "No silly, I mean a different type of like, romantic like," Yanli said smiling.
    "Oh! Uh ye- wait no!" Xingchen shook his head, "No, I don't." 
     "Do you have someone special in your heart?" Yanli asked.
     Xingchen hesitated before answering this question, "Yes, yes I do."
    "Who is it?"
     "I'm not telling you," Xingchen said smiling, "you're probably going to go off and search for them to tell them."
      "I would never do that," Yanli calmly said, "now tell me."
      "Fine," Xingchen sighed, "it's...it's Xue Yang."
       "Really?" Yanli asked, "How long?"
     "A while already," Xingchen sheepishly said.
       "Are you going to tell him?" Yanli asked.
       "No, not for a long time," Xingchen said, "I want to fix our disagreement first. I want to clear things up between us before we go farther."
      "You are very wise Uncle," Yanli said, "take a left here."
    They talked and laughed together sharing jokes in order to cheer each other up.
   Soon they arrived and were met by an older woman, "Madam," Yanli stepped out of the boat with the help of Xingchen and ran to the woman.
   "A-Li?" The woman said, "What are you doing here? Where's a-Cheng and a-Xian?" 
   "Madam, we need a place to stay. The Wen Clan took over Lotus Pier and a-Cheng is missing," Yanli said, "me and Uncle just need a place to stay for one or two days."
    "Of course, you're always welcome to stay here," Madam said, "come with me." She led them to the trees and to a small house, she opened the door revealing a small room. 
    Xingchen walked in carefully and looked around it was a small but pretty home. He smiled gently and turned to Yanli, "A-Li, do you come here often?"
   "Every once in a while," the woman said.
   "You said he was your uncle?" Madam asked.
    "Yes, well he's a-Xian's uncle so me and a-Cheng call him uncle as well," Yanli said, "he's young."
     "He is," the older woman said, "very young and handsome. He looks wise also, and skilled."
     "Very," Yanli said smiling.
"Well come and sit down," Madam said gesturing to the table, "a-Li looks a bit sick so I can make some soup."
"Thank you Madam," Xingchen bowed and sat down next to Yanli at the table. They waited until the soup was done and began eating, "Madam, do you live alone?" Xingchen asked.
"Yes, I used to live with my husband but he died a long time ago," Madam said sadly.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Xingchen said.
"What about you? Are you married yet?"
"Me? No I'm not married yet," Xingchen chuckled, "I don't plan on getting married any time soon."
"He isn't married but he has someone special to him already," Yanli said eating her soup.
"Oh really? Well I hope that, that person thinks of you as someone special as well," Madam said sweetly.
"Thank you," Xingchen said. He continued eating and soon they were finished with their soup. He let Yanli rest while he stood in the kitchen helping Madam clean up.
     He was cleaning the table when he heard something outside, "They're here," said and ran outside. Madam got Yanli and they both followed him outside.
    They saw a boat at the edge of the water with Xue Yang and Wei Yin, on the floor of the boat was another young man sitting down with Jiang Cheng on his lap.
    Yanli was the first to run to the boat, "A-Cheng! What happened?" She grabbed Jiang Cheng's shoulder softly, "a-Cheng!"
    "Don't worry Lady Jiang," the young man said, "Young Master Jiang is just in a coma. Let's get him inside so we can treat him."
     "You..."
     "D-don't worry, I won't do anything," the man said, "Young Master Wei once saved my life and I won't turn my back against him."
    Yanli turned to Wei Ying who had stepped out of the boat, he nodded, the man wouldn't do anything.
    "A-Li, a-Xian, Xingchen, you have to get out of here," Madam said, "they are probably after you right now."
    Xingchen and Wei Ying bowed to the woman, "Thank you Madam," they said.
    "What are you doing?" The woman asked, "I already told both of you to not bow!"
     Yanli stood up and walked to the woman, "Madam, you have to hide too, they'll come after you as well."
     "Oh don't worry about me," Madam said, "just go somewhere safe."
      "Thank you Madam," Yanli said smiling.
      "Y-young Master Wei," Wen Ning said, "if I may, I know a place we can stay."