A Walk in Town

Suzhen clasped Xuxian's hand as tightly as they strolled through the town. It was a small town, but to the villagers who lived in their simple homes on the town outskirts it was as lively as a big city. Especially on market day, where vendors with wares from the other towns would arrive, and they would get to see things they had never seen before.

For Suzhen, however, this morning had so far been one of faces rather than trinkets and curiosities. As they had made their way out of the village, Xuxian kept stopping to greet a familiar face, and introduce her. She would smile and bow her head, and they would move on, only to stop again later along the road for the same reason. Guiltily she wondered if Xuxian had any idea that she had already forgotten most of the names he had introduced to her.

Now, at last, they had reached the town, where there was less likelihood of bumping into someone you knew. She could finally relax and enjoy herself.

This was the first time she had visited the town without her veiled hat, and at first her face felt oddly naked without it. But as Xuxian chattered gaily to her, and swung her hand in his, she felt herself getting used to the fresh air on her face, and less likely to be disturbed by the glances thrown at her direction.

"What shall we do first?" he asked, drawing in a deep breath and looking around.

"We can go to the tavern to drink wine," suggested Suzhen, who had seldom ventured to town for any other reason.

Trying not to look shocked, Xuxian shook his head. "So early in the morning? Susu, you're quite the hedonist. It's expensive to drink wine there, too. People like us seldom go to those places for that reason." he said lightly.

"Never mind, then." she said quickly, sensing she had said something wrong.

Suzhen remembered the steamed buns she had had with Qingqing. She brightened. "Let's get some baos!"

Xuxian smiled. "I know just the place. Come along."

As they drew near the bao stall, there was a small crowd of people waiting for the next round of steamed buns. An old man was leaning against the wall, whistling tunelessly and tapping his stick. He was tall and thin, dressed simply but elegantly, and had an immaculately trimmed white beard. His eyes were small and wrinkled shut as he nodded in time to the music. From the looks of it, and the glances people gave him, he was an eccentric character despite his ordinary appearance. Xuxian stopped to greet him.

"Gong Yezi, so you're in town too." he said courteously.

"Ah, Physician Xu. I've run out of wine, so I came to town to buy some." he said dryly. "That stupid store keeper ran out of the rice one I like from Hulin, however. I suppose I shall have to search out all the other wineshops in the town to find it, and waste the rest of the day doing so."

He eyed Suzhen keenly. "Who's this? Your wife?"

Suzhen bowed as Xuxian introduced her. Unexpectedly she spoke. "If you would care to try, you might find the tavern on the main street has wines for your taste. The tavern owner has a wide range of wines, both locally brewed and imported. Just for rice wine alone he has six different types."

She glanced at the old man, and smiled. What a coincidence; here was someone who also had to settle for steamed buns instead of wine. She felt an odd kinship with him.

The old man stopped whistling and peered at her with interest. "You are the first woman I've met who demonstrates a knowledge of wine once she opens her mouth. Madame Xu, you're an interesting woman. I will humbly accept Madame's suggestion." He chuckled.

Xuxian shook his head. "I've told you so many times, you must not drink too much. The next thing I know you will be calling me over again to treat your indigestion. You must not complain of my nagging then."

Gong Yezi chuckled. "Ah, Physician Xu, you're a young man but you sound like an old woman. Don't worry, I still have some respect for you. I won't drink too much at one sitting. I shall hoard this round carefully. Madame Xu--" he bowed to her, half in jest, half in earnest. "If the wine suits my liking, I shall treat you to some."

"Sir, your baos are ready," called the stall owner. Gong Yezi smiled and swung away. "I'll see you if my indigestion flares up again, Physician Xu. Madame Xu--if the wine is to my liking."

He chuckled again to himself.

"Is he too our neighbour?" asked Suzhen.

Xuxian made a hopeless gesture with his hands. "Yes. He's a strange old man. He lives on his own, without wife or child, and drinks too much. Yet he's not an uneducated man. He used to be a scholar, it seems, but some misfortune happened to him in the past and he ended up in our village for--"

"Xuxian, be careful!" He had not yet finished his sentence when Suzhen caught his arm and pulled him aside swiftly. A carriage swept past them, dangerously close; it grazed the end of her sleeve.

"Are you all right?" she asked anxiously.

His heart pounding, Xuxian looked back to see the carriage come to a stop. The window shutters opened and a head appeared. It was a gentleman, well dressed, with a smooth handsome face and a young beard. Annoyed, he shouted, "Watch where you're going, will you?"

Indignant, Suzhen turned as well. "Your driver ought to watch where he is going, we were not overstepping our side of the road. You could have run over someone." she said sharply.

The irate face peered at her and suddenly lit up. "Ah, it's you!" he exclaimed. "The beauty from the tavern! Meiren, I've been looking everywhere for you. Driver, wait here."

Xuxian turned startled eyes to Suzhen, who looked equally confused. "Have you met?" he asked lowly.

"I have no recollection," she murmured, frowning. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the figure coming towards them.