A Splash of Cold Water

She hastily dashed at her eyes. "Let's just eat, shall we?"

Xuxian was frustrated. "Susu, stop hiding from me. You've never done this before. Do you think I'm stupid? Clearly there's something on your mind."

He thought frantically. "Did I offend you? Did I tease you too much?"

"I--" she stammered, as he took her chopsticks masterfully from her hand and forced her to look at him.

Xuxian watched her closely. "Are you tired? Should I have come back earlier to help you with the cooking?" He paused. "Or is it something to do with the monk?"

Suzhen felt her heart give a leap of panic in her chest. Her fingers flashed and she struck Xuxian swiftly on the chest, hitting several acupoints in quick succession. She moved forward and caught him as his body went limp, and he sagged against her without a sound.

Drawing in a nervous breath, she looked regretfully at his face on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," she said hesitantly. "That was stupid of me. But I lost my head. What am I to do?"

Laying him on the bed, she returned to the dinner table and sat down looking tired and anxious. Picking up the chopsticks, she twirled them in her fingers absently.

"I have nothing to be afraid of," she said staunchly to herself at last. "I am not doing anyone harm here. If he sees that I truly mean Xuxian no evil, maybe he will leave me alone. What's more, he has yet to prove that I am a snake spirit. He suspects me, definitely, but whether he can prove his suspicions will depend on how well I perform."

Her eyes narrowed. "That's right. I must not lose heart so easily. There is still a long way to go. And I will not give up Xuxian so easily."

She set her lips firmly. "Fahai does not know what I am capable of yet. I must stay calm, and we shall see who can outlast the other. Let him stay here as long as he likes. Have I not done well settling into the village? Let him see that with his own eyes, and doubt himself."

With a sigh, she laid her head in her hands. "What did I do, to have two such troubles coming one after another? First that terrapin spirit, and now this monk. Was I wrong to marry Xuxian?"

She roused herself instantly as her ear detected a step outside on the path.

"Madame Xu!" a voice called out cheerfully.

Hastily smoothing her hair, Suzhen got up and went to the door. She saw Madame Liang standing at the gate, with a jar under her arm.

She waved at her. "Am I disturbing you and Physician Xu at dinner?"

Suzhen motioned to her to let herself in at the gate. "No, no, please come in. As a matter of fact--" she thought quickly, "I was actually just about to call someone over. We were having dinner when Xuxian suddenly fainted without any warning. I got such a shock. I've put him on the bed, but I didn't know what to do, and I was just about to run over and--"

Madame Liang pushed past her. "Now, get a grip on yourself. Let me take a look at him. Here, this jar of wine is for you--I brewed it."

Suzhen watched as she bent over Xuxian, frowning, checking his breathing. "He seems fine," Madame Liang said slowly, puzzled, "but something seems to have knocked him out. His colour and breathing are normal, so perhaps we can try to rouse him with some warm cloths, or cold water."

"Yes, yes, that's a good idea," Suzhen said fervently. "Is he sick? Or was he just perhaps suddenly giddy?"

"Don't you worry," soothed Madame Liang, bustling about the fireplace as she poured some hot water from the kettle into a dish. "Get me some cloths, now."

She directed Suzhen about busily, and set her to wiping Xuxian's face with a warm cloth as she herself went to fetch some cold water from outside.

Suzhen felt a twinge of guilt as Madame Liang hurried out, but she dutifully sponged Xuxian's face. As Madame Liang returned with a pan of cold water she subtly unblocked his acupoints and Xuxian's eyes opened wide, a second before Madame Liang unceremoniously dumped the cold water over his face.

"He's awake!" Suzhen said moments too late, as Xuxian sat up gasping, and Madame Liang nodded approvingly. "So he is," she said, pleased, putting her hands on her hips. "Looks like it was the cold water which did the trick. How are you feeling, Physician Xu?"

Confused, Xuxian wiped the water from his face, staring blankly at her. "What--what happened? Why am I lying here?"

"You foolish man, you almost frightened your poor wife to death," said Madame Liang sternly. "You fainted away suddenly just now, just as I arrived at your door--I brought you two some wine which I made. Poor Madame Xu was at her wit's end, and just about to call for help. We were trying to wake you up."

He passed his hand over his face bewilderedly. "I don't remember passing out."

"Who does?" retorted Madame Liang. "Are you sick, Physician Xu?"

Xuxian shook his head slowly.

"Ah, you probably got up too suddenly, and the blood rushed from your head. Or maybe you've been working too hard of late." Madame Liang said knowingly. She looked critically at him. "You need to take better care of yourself, Physician Xu. Worrying your wife like that. She was almost besides herself when I arrived."

She patted Suzhen's shoulder. "There, my dear. Have a good rest. Your husband looks fine now. Don't worry, all right?"

There was genuine kindness in her voice. Suzhen smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you."

Uncertainly, Xuxian repeated "Thank you, Madame Liang."

They looked silently at each other as Madame Liang disappeared, calling back some last minute instructions about her wine. There was an awkward silence. Suzhen looked timidly at him from under her eyelashes. "Are you feeling all right now?" she asked.

Xuxian got off the bed, looking somewhat dazed. "I don't remember passing out," he said slowly. "I had no idea. I hope you weren't too frightened, Susu."

She shook her head. "It's all right, as long as you're fine."

With a smile, she held out his chopsticks to him. "Let's eat."