A Dribble of Blood

Wanwan's eyes were full of fear and desperation. Suzhen caught sight of them briefly over the beggar woman's arm as she caught Wanwan in a headlock and forced her head down.

Suzhen's free hand flashed; her sleeve billowed in the air and her fingers, spread apart like a claw, landed against the beggar man's chest. She uttered a little gasp as the energy left her fingers and entered him, flinging him backwards several paces.

A wave of nausea--pain--she could not tell what it was--gripped her and she stumbled, reaching out for the wall to steady herself. The beggar man clutched his chest, hacking and coughing. A dribble of blood stained his dirty beard. He looked confusedly at her, then rage gradually overtook the pain.

"Madame!" gasped Wanwan in horror. "Madame, are you all right?"

The beggar woman covered her mouth hastily. "I've got the purse. Let's go, quick, before someone comes." she hissed.

Suzhen looked up, face working, to see the beggar man catch her by the shoulders. She winced involuntarily as he shook her. The baby stirred restlessly inside of her and her hand hastily leaped to her stomach, feeling a stab of fear.

"You--you--" he stammered inarticulately.

"Let her go, Lao Huang," snapped the woman. "Just throw her down and let's make a run for it, I can't hold this brat for much longer." She had Wanwan under her arm, and one hand clamped over her mouth.

The beggar man's fingers dug into Suzhen's shoulders and for a moment she locked eyes with him, their faces inches apart. So close that she could smell his stale breath and see the bits of food trapped in his beard, and the blood staining the flakes of dry skin encrusting his lips.

There was a dull crack so close that she flinched, and a voice, somewhat out of breath, demanded sharply, "How dare you!"

A shut fan descended heavily on the beggar man's neck, and he let go of Suzhen quickly, clutching his neck with a yelp of pain. Suzhen stumbled backwards, grasping at the air for support, and felt an arm come swooping from the side to catch her.

Mao Jin set her back on her feet, and his fan pressed against her shoulderbone, steadying her as she caught her breath. "Are you all right?" he asked quickly.

She nodded, too breathless to speak.

"The cheek of you, bullying people like this. I'll have you reported to the officials, and we'll see if you still dare to behave so rudely when you've been whipped!" he barked.

"Mao Gongzi!" Wanwan breathed gratefully.

"Honourable sir," faltered the beggar woman, turning pale. "Da ren, it's all a mistake, I swear we didn't do anything! Da ren, be merciful--"

Hurriedly she let go of Wanwan, pushing her forward roughly, and grabbed the beggar man by the arm. "Lao Huang, let's go, quick!"

With an effort, Suzhen thrust out her hand and released a small breath of energy which hit the woman's closed fist as she turned to go. The beggar woman jumped, shaking her stinging hand with a startled cry, and the small pink purse fell noiselessly to the dirt. Catching the dazed old man by the scruff of his neck, she dragged him away with her, throwing a last backward glance at them.

Suzhen uttered a little groan and MaoJin's arm tightened around her shoulders. "You little liar, you're not all right," he muttered in alarm, examining her face anxiously. "Do you need to sit down? Did they hurt you?"

Wanwan picked herself up and ran over, aghast. "Madame!"

With an effort, Suzhen waved them aside. "I'm not hurt," she said flatly. "Just help me stand until I can on my own. I will be fine in a moment."

She pulled the veil from her face impatiently, which was ballooning out every time she drew in a deep breath, and managed a sickly smile as they both watched her worriedly. "Don't look so alarmed. I promise you I'm not about to give birth." she added dryly.

Wanwan dashed at the tears in her eyes. "Madame, I was so scared. I thought you might get hurt, and--"

She cut herself off hastily. "Anyway, thank the gods Mao Gongzi came. How did you know we were here, Gongzi?"

"I didn't," cut in Mao Jin curtly. "I was just passing by after seeing my mother, and happened to hear Wanwan's voice. At first I didn't think it could be you. What are the two of you doing out in town? Madame Bai ought to be at home resting! If I hadn't happened to be passing by, what would have happened?"

There was a sharp edge to his voice that they had never heard before. Wanwan's head sank. "Forgive me, Mao Gongzi," she faltered miserably.

Suzhen interrupted her with an annoyed groan, partly because she was still feeling sick. "Don't scold her. It was because I insisted. I was so restless, I couldn't stay indoors anymore."

Mao Jin's voice was frosty. "That I could guess as much. Wanwan is to blame for giving in to your pigheadedness. Stop glaring at me now, and be quiet. Unless you want me to carry you, you'd better focus on being able to walk later."

He thought quickly, and reached into his belt. "Wanwan, take this. Go to the hostlery across the street and hire a carriage for Madame."

Suzhen opened her mouth to protest but he made a warning face at her. "I'll take Madame to sit down at the teahouse just ahead. Tell the driver to stop in front of it. Not a word," he added, glancing sternly at Suzhen as she tried to speak again.

She sighed and pointed at the ground. "Don't forget your purse, Wanwan."

Wanwan nodded distractedly, dusting it off as she took Mao Jin's piece of silver and hurried off. "I'll be back immediately, Madame! Hold on!" she promised.

"Come on now," Mao Jin said briskly, turning to Suzhen. "Do you think you can make it to the teahouse? Lean on me if you need to. We'll walk slowly."