55 Dejected Baozhai

Ben had filled his mother in on all he knew about Wang and Changying's relationship and what he knew of the girl. When Wang returned claiming everything was fine, they went back to the House of Loraine, where Baozhai waited with Dante and Emilio, looking morose.

"Oh, good you're here," Antonia said lightly taking in her daughters mood. "It seems you got your wish and she and Wang have had a quarrel after all." Baozhai's mood changed almost instantly, and Antonia smiled as she went on. "I can't really understand why, we had the most wonderful time, have you ever taken the time to get to know Changying?"

"No, I have only met her once before," Baozhai said slowly unsure of her footing.

"Well whose fault is that? Only takes a minute to pick up the phone," Antonia said lightly in a conversational tone. "Tell me, was it you who told this Chen woman about Wang and Changying?"

"She told you that just to cause problems between us," Baozhai was quick to accuse.

"Actually she tried to protect you and wouldn't tell me who did it, even though she knew. Baozhai, how can you make such judgments about someone without getting to know them?"

"I know enough; she comes from an awful chinese family; she has no father; they have nothing, no money, no class, and the mother is..." Baozhai stopped seeing the look on Wang's face.

"So you condemn her for a family that is much like our own history and how we originally lost the name we so embrace currently," Antonia shook her head. "Perhaps it is best you come home for a while, I think being in the big city so long has made you forget your own origins and respect for your family, poor Wang, you are not his keeper. He has done nothing to bring the family name into disrepute, in fact, after talking to the girl, I think it is quite the opposite."

"Do not look so surprised Wang, I am not so stuck in the past I cannot appreciate why you would love the girl," she laughed, "What is it she told me before she realised I was your mother, oh yes, you rock her world in the bedroom." Wang's mouth dropped open, but his brother's laughter was loud and long. "She is also passionate about many things, like her work, it was a good idea to bring her here," she nodded at Ben.

"Baozhai," she looked at her dejected daughter, "If you cannot learn to share Wangu's affection with someone else, I will talk to your father about arranging an appropriate match for you as we did for Lucia when she had lost her way."

"No, Mama, please..." Baozhai whispered looking at Wang to help her, but he just looked back with no expression and for the first time she realised she how much she had pushed him into a corner and that Dante might be right.

"Then you must find a way to make this right," Antonia said softly. She looked at the five of her children who stood in the room with her. She was their mother, and she would step in at any time and meddle in their lives, they all knew it was her right, but she loved them and just wanted them to be happy above all else. "Wang, you can drive me to Lucia's, I am staying with her tonight," she finally said ending the conversation.