7 Concern and Communication

Meeting with his uncle, the emperor, was always a tense affair, and today was no exception for Tang Jing. He waited in a bowed position for what seemed like an hour, before the emperor finally acknowledged him. What he did not see was the emperor slowly taking several sips of tea, while assessing the younger man in front of him. Tang Jing had arrived just as the emperor was about to have tea with his queen consort. As it was, he'd had to send the disappointed Queen back to her place so that he could have a private talk with his nephew.

When Tang Jing was finally allowed to speak, he said, "I am happy to see that you are in good health, your grace."

"Mhm," was all the emperor said as he studied his nephew's face.

Tang Jing started to feel uncomfortable under the scrutiny, but there was no hint of that discomfort on his face or in his manner. After a moment, when it appeared the emperor was not going to say anything more, Tang Jing continued, "I am here to report on the situation that I attend to earlier this week."

The emperor took another sip and then said, "Go on."

Tang Jing described his investigation and the conclusion he had come up with based on the evidence. He reported that the cause of the bad fishing involved a series of electrical storms that had killed fish and disrupted their normal swim patterns. Based on his observations, everything else seemed to be embellished stories by the residents.

The emperor nodded and seemed to be considering the report. "Nothing else?," he asked with a slight cocking of his head as if expecting more.

Tang Jing stopped himself from shaking his head and instead calmly replied, "No, your majesty. Everything is here in this report." He presented the report with outstretched arms and a bow.

The eunuch who was always by the emperor's side went over and retrieved the report, taking it back to the emperor. The emperor, however, did not move to take the report, so the eunuch was forced to place it on the table next to him.

"My dear nephew, it has been a long time since I have seen you. Why don't you come and sit next to me. We can talk over some tea," the emperor suggested.

Tang Jing could not refuse. He bowed his head and then walked over to sit across from the emperor. The eunuch poured him tea and Tang Jing took a sip. "It is delicious," he said.

"It is one of the queen's favorites—imported from the east," the emperor stated with a small smile.

Tang Jing nodded, "As expected of her grace, the queen, to have great taste in such matters."

"Indeed," the emperor agreed.

They proceeded to have a brief conversation whereupon the emperor asked after Tang Jing's siblings and whether anything of interest had happened recently. His nephew spoke about their health and activities but noted that nothing worth speaking of had taken place as of late.

Hearing the last part about nothing interesting worth noting, the emperor suppressed a frown. Instead, he remarked, "It is good for young people to have activities they enjoy doing, but I hope that none of you forgo your duties in favor of those activities."

"We would not dare to, your highness," Tang Jing replied with solemnity. The emperor nodded and then dismissed the younger man.

When Tang Jing left, the emperor sighed and looked at the eunuch. The eunuch left and returned a few minutes later with a man trailing behind him. After exchanging appropriate greetings, the man asked, "How was Tang Jing?"

The emperor gave the man a pointed look and answered, "He did not mention the girl."

"I'm sure he must have a good reason at this point," the man suggested, hoping to allay the emperor's anger.

"You always say that, but my patience is wearing thin," the emperor replied. After another sigh, he shook his head and said, "Sit down and have some tea."

The man did so and said, "We just need to wait a little longer and I know that we will be able to gather the evidence needed."

The emperor looked away before he replied, "Youngest brother has always caused trouble, but part of me hopes that you are wrong about this."

Several days later, Tang Jing was welcomed back home with the news of what had happened while he was away as far as the attempt on Lulu's life. After he had changed out of his riding clothes and into something more suitable for the manor, he asked to meet with Tang Mei.

When his brother arrived, he asked, "Where is she now?" He had felt a growing concern ever since he received the news, and it was bothering him that he did not think the feeling was only because she might be the woman in the prophecy.

Tang Mei replied, "I think she's with Xiao Chu in the living room."

"Let's go then," his brother commanded rather than asked as he led the way.

Tang Mei was correct in that Lulu and Tang Xiao Chu were seated comfortably in the living room. There was some tea on the table in between them and they were both working on embroidery.

"You really are picking this up rather quickly," said Xiao Chu.

"Thank you again for teaching me," said Lulu, "I really enjoy it. It's just strange that I feel like I've done this before."

"It will all come to you. Don't worry," said Xiao Chu gently.

"I hope so," said Lulu. "I think our walks are helping too. Maybe we can visit the Suns tomorrow? We can ask them about when Mr. Sun found me. That might help. I know you didn't want to last time, but I think we really should this time."

"That's a good idea," Xiao Chu responded.

Just then, the brothers walked in. Tang Jing observed the scene and gave a curt nod, "Good, she needs to learn our ways if she is to live here."

"You're back!," exclaimed Xiao Chu and sat up to give her brother a hug but held back after looking at Lulu.

"Yes, I took care of what needed taking care of. How have things been going here? I heard about what happened," Tang Jing asked with a look that did not give his thoughts away.

"Really well, I think. I've been keeping Lulu busy hoping something we do will jog her memory. We have been on walks outside and we take some turns in the garden here. I'm teaching her painting as well. She has no talent for the zither, however."

"That is keeping her busy indeed. I think it would help if we retraced her steps. Tell her we will go see the Suns tomorrow," instructed Tang Jing. "Right now, I have some other matters to deal with." He spared a quick glance, but she was looking down and did not see.

"Alright," responded Xiao Chu. "But that is strange because Lulu literally just suggested the same thing a second before you walked in."

Tang Jing raised one eyebrow and looked at Lulu, who had raised her head at Xiao Chu's mention of her name. Because she didn't understand what they were saying, his look was inexplicable to her. She smiled shyly and looked away from his gaze. "Hm," was all he said, turning and leaving the room.

After Tang Jing left, Lulu let herself furrow her brows (she had maintained a composed figure throughout his time there) and asked, "Sorry, but I heard my name. Did he say something about me? I feel like he doesn't like me."

Tang Xiao Chu gave her the short version and tried to reassure Lulu that her brother was just not a talkative or emotive person. "Why don't we take a walk outside in the garden for a bit? We've been in here too long I think," she suggested.

Lulu agreed and they both headed out. They were there for about half an hour when they were joined by both brothers. Tang Mei teased his older brother and said, "Tang Jing has decided he wants to ask Lulu some more questions and it just can't wait until dinner." Tang Jing gave his younger brother an exasperated look but maintained a cool demeanor overall.

They all sat down in a gazebo nearby. The frame of the gazebo and the top were made out of wood and painted a pale-yellow color, but the foundation was made out of gray stone as were the tables and stools. Almost as soon as they all sat down, two servants brought refreshments.

Tang Jing began, "I want to ask her some questions, so I need you to translate again little sister."

"That's fine," replied Xiao Chu, retracting her hand from the little flower cake she was about to pick up.

"Ask her if who exactly can understand her besides the people we already know," said Tang Jing.

After Xiao Chu translated, Lulu looked and her and said, "I know the maidservant who helps me can now understand me and vice versa, but we couldn't in the beginning. Same with the one that helped me when I first got here." She could feel anxiety bubbling up in her stomach and tried to hold it in and remain calm.

"What changed with those particular servants—does she know?," asked Tang Jing.

"I don't know," Lulu responded after taking a deep breath and letting it out. Xiao Chu was translating so fast it was as if they were talking to each other.

"Ok, tell her to start from the beginning then, from when she first met the maid until now and go through step by step," Tang Jing instructed.

Lulu looked down, trying to think of where to begin. Looking down, she started describing how she met the first maid when she woke up in the room given to her after she fainted in front of the Suns bakery: "She was using a washcloth to cool my brow and then she left. She came back later that evening to help me undr-, I mean, that is, get ready for bed, but I, uh, indicated to her with my hands that I could do it myself. Then she came back the next morning to help me dress, but I was, um, too embarrassed so I tried to do it myself." Feeling calmer after being able to remember these details, she turned to Xiao Chu and continued, "Then you said I should really let her help me as I wasn't doing it completely right and so I did." Lulu paused for a second and then as if remembering something important, she said, "Now that I think about it, I guess it was after that time when she helped me dress that we could understand each other."

"I see," said Tang Jing "And what about the members of the Sun family. When was it with them? Was it right away?"

Lulu thought for a moment, then answered, "Let's see. I understood Mr. Sun right away. He's the one who found me on the riverbank. When he took me to his home, Mrs. Sun seemed upset at first, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. Then she came over and felt my forehead and I could tell I must have felt very warm because her eyes looked very sad and a little scared. She started talking about how to take care of my fever, and I guess I understood her at that point."

"What about their son?," asked Tang Jing, watching her intently.

"He was scared of me at first," said Lulu and smiled, remembering the little boy. "I think it was because I was sick. But when I got better in a couple days and he saw I was ok, he gave me a big hug. He really is a sweet boy."

"But did you understand him right away?" asked Tang Jing, a little frustrated that she was going off track, but unable to hide the fact from himself that he thought her smile was quite beautiful.

"No, I guess not," replied Lulu, sensing his tone. "It was right after the hug now that you mention it."

"The hug?," asked Tang Jing, a little perplexed at first, and then slowly coming to a realization. "Did you hug Mr. Sun and Mrs. Sun too?"

"No," she responded. Then thinking for a moment, she ventured, "So maybe it's just touching then, perhaps?"

Tang Jing nodded and then was surprised when Lulu got up suddenly. "Only one way to find out," she declared as she walked over to Tang Jing and touched his arm.