A Somewhat Awkward but Still Interesting Afternoon

"Well?," Lulu asked, looking down at him and into his eyes in anticipation. "Can you understand me?"

"Perfectly," he answered with astonishment.

"It worked!" exclaimed Lulu and looked over at Xiao Chu with a big smile, still holding onto Tang Jing.

"Yes. It did," Tang Jing remarked with a cool tone, looking away. "Now do you mind removing your hand off my arm?"

"Oh!," Lulu exclaimed with embarrassment as she quickly dropped her arm and returned to her seat. "Well, at least now we know how this all works," she muttered under her breath, though everyone could clearly hear her.

Tang Mei smiled slightly and then noted, "Based on what we know so far, it is clear that Lulu must touch someone or be touched in order for the translation effect to work. But we still don't know why and how."

"Maybe that doesn't matter," Xiao Chu suggested. "As long as we can understand one another." She gave Lulu a smile.

Tang Jing did not seem to agree based on the slight frown on his face as he considered his siblings' words. He rested his arms in front of him, hands clasped. He looked squarely at Lulu and asked, "Tang Xiao Chu mentioned that you've been trying to jog your memory. Has it worked? Do you remember anything more about who you are and where you came from? Is there anything you can think of that can help getting your memories back?"

Lulu looked down, not being able to hold his gaze. "Not yet, sorry."

Tang Mei sighed and lightly admonished her brother, "This isn't an interrogation older brother. It appears she is trying as much as she can."

"I understand that, but the sooner we know more about her, the better," Tang Jing remarked.

Lulu looked up, glancing at him then away. She gave a nod, "I will try my best, I promise."

"That's good. If there is anything any of us can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask," Tang Jing offered in a gentler tone.

Lulu smiled and that made Tang Jing's cheeks turn a little pink. To cover up whatever these feelings were that pulled at his heart for a moment when she smiled, he coughed, "Ahem, well, we should not let these pastries go to waste."

At Tang Jing's invitation, everyone started to eat. They initially passed the time with awkward silences, punctuated by attempts at conversation that centered around the lovely weather that had been gracing them and the latest editions to various gardens in the manor. Soon, however, Tang Mei inquired about how Lulu's attempts at the womanly arts were going and this presented an opportunity for everyone to share a little something because after she was done speaking, she asked after everyone else as far as what they've been up to. Being in charge of the daily running of the Tang's manor, Xiao Chu went on at length about the various tasks that she was engaged in, mentioning minor irritations here and there with various orders not coming in on time or issues with servants. Her lilting voice betrayed the fact that she enjoyed every moment of being in charge. Lulu was fascinated at everything that it took to run a manor the size of the Tang's and asked questions along the way.

When Xiao Chu was done, she asked her older brother about how he was handling his new position. It was at this time that Lulu learned that Tang Jing used to be a general and had only recently become a minister. Lulu asked if he could explain what it meant to be a minister and he obliged. Then he went on to mention a little bit about some of the reports he was getting in this capacity—but only those that were a bit trivial, and could, therefore, be shared.

Not to be outdone, Tang Mei described the various books he had read recently and what he had learned from them. He was so animated that Lulu couldn't help but smile. Tang Jing noticed her smiling at his brother and frowned. Interrupting his brother, Tang Jing suggested, "Why don't you tell us more about your preparations to join the ranks of the officers in the army. That's more relevant right now than the books you are reading."

Tang Mei took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he glanced at Lulu before looking at his brother. "My training is going as well as can be expected…considering that I still don't want to go," he replied.

Tang Jing also glanced at Lulu before responding, "We have already discussed this. You have to join the army now that I am no longer there. It is what is best for this family. Joining the academy is out of the question."

"But," Tang Mei started to say. He was interrupted by his brother, who said, "This isn't the place to have this discussion. We can talk more later." Then he turned to the women and said, "We should be enjoying these desserts with lighter conversation." That was clearly the end of the discussion and after a few awkward attempts at conversation, Lulu indicated that she was tired and wanted to rest a bit. That served as an opening for the ladies to exit.

Tang Jing turned to his brother sharply after the women departed, "In the future, please do not bring up private matters in front of a stranger."

"You're the one who asked me the question," Tang Mei grumbled. "And besides, she's not really a complete stranger. I've spoken to her several times and am used to her being here now. I'm sure she will feel like a sister soon."

Tang Jing considered his brother's words. There was a tone he could not quite pinpoint, but it didn't seem as if his brother was being genuine. "We can't let our guard down around her, though, until we have more information about who she is and what she is doing here," he replied.