13. Learning many things but...

''Miss, breakfast is ready.'' Shu Ya was woken up by Weiling.

Shu Ya opened lazily her eyes and saw light coming from the open windows trough paper. She stretched and with Weiling help quickly freshened up. Looking at simple porridge that she got every morning she wrinkled her eyebrows. ''This brew they call food?''

Wiling sighed. ''I would complain if someone got something else, but everyone is getting some food. We are in a better position as it not watered up and we still have some side dishes.''

Shu Ya saw few small pots filled with different kinds of vegetables, meats and eggs. ''So this is rich people food?''

Weiling didn't know what to say and just stood on the side. ''I am sorry, miss.''

Shu Ya shook her head. ''I didn't mean it that way. If everyone eating watered rice in the morning, soon we might have a big problem on ship. I need to speak to the big man.''

''You mean Captain Chen?'' Weiling stared at her with big eyes.

''Who else? Sit down and eat. After that, I will sit down bit by the window.'' She pointed ta the chair right across the table, but Weiling shook her head.

''Miss, please. If I get used to such thing or someone sees me, they will point finger at me being a bad servant and at you being bad mistress, not disciplining me.'' She told her so many times but was happy that this trip will take weeks so this little miss learns many things no one taught her.

Shu Ya gave up. She could literally see the stubborn expression on Weiling face so she just at a tad bit faster. After a short while, she ate her fill and rubbed her stomach.

''Before I even come to Bai estate I will turn into a pig. Give me a book. I will read until you are done with eating.'' She pointed at the table and went to the window.

Shu Ya opened the window and saw beautiful weather. Luckily the fall this year was warm so she could open windows often and sit there to read. She loved to read about wild plants and herbs. Thso book was of boy's previous owner's mother.

She wrote many things, explaining many things in a simple manner. Right now she was looking at a beautiful plant with rainbow-coloured petals and black leaves. ''How pretty...''

Kamalari. Strange name. But this one was extremely rare. One plant as worth cities as it can heal any sickness and any poison. She touched the heartshaped petals that were well painted inside the book and smiled.

She took a piece of cloth and painted the flower. Weiling quickly brought her the needles and threads and as Shu Ya started embroidering she rushed out with empty plates. But her strange expression made Shu a think deeper and look at her.

''I hate food waste and you know that. What is it now?'' She could literally see Weilings expression but she just shook her head.

Shu Ya realized a few days ago that all the food they didn't eat would end up in the river anyway so she chose not to waste food. One of the guards was outside and took the plates from her. ''Done? Good. Does miss have any orders?''

''Thank you. She wants to see Captain Chen. Ask him is it possible to talk to him.'' Weiling bowed to him and went back inside.

Except for going to the loo, she never left her mistress alone. Somehow she had that strange feeling that she might disappear if she does.

She went inside and gave pointers to Shu Ya that clumsily tried to learn to embroider. She was a good teacher so in just a few days Shu Ya learned basic embodiment. Now she was teaching her how to make details.

''Miss, embroidering should not be rushed if you don't work as embroidering maid. Just take your time and learn properly. Look, you made wrong loops as you are rushing too much. Slow down.'' She stopped her hands and pointed at strange-looking tread that was sticking out. Her voice rose as she reprimanded her.

Luckily, Shu Ya had a lot of patience so she changes her habit and slowed down. But at the same time, her eyes became cold. After a while, the basic contours of flower could be seen and she was about to continue embodiment when the knock on the door was heard.

''Enter!'' Shu Ya slowly put the cloth back into basket with needles and threads and welcomed the big man that just entered the room. ''Welcome, captain Chen.''

He clumsily bowed to her and saw her bowing back. ''Miss Bai, how may I help you?''

''Please, sit down. I am so short and if I have to stand like this whole time I might get a headache.'' Her whole body was leaned backwards so she could see his face.

She sat down and pointed at a nearby chair. ''Sit, please.''

Hearing her polite words he plumped on a chair and went quiet.

''I heard there is a problem with rice supply on the ship. Can you tell me what happened?'' Shu Ya was sure that there must be some problem.

He coughed and sighed. ''I actually had enough rice for the whole trip to the north. But while ago we realized that we had leaked down in the storage area so some of the rice became wet and cant be used as porridge.''

''Is the rice still on the ship or did you throw it away?'' She had an idea.

''We brought it up and will sell it as fodder for animals for minimal price.'' He could suddenly see her face becoming bright.

''No need to do that. We can use that rice. Did it got soaked by the water or just moist?'' If it got soaked by river water, it couldn't be used.

''Few bags went wet, rest was just moist, but can't stand too long.'' His eyes became dark as he explained.

''The wet rice put aside to sell as you wish but the ones that are just a tad moist you can dry and fry and make many good things. Let's go to the kitchen. Bring one of those rice bags that were moist.'' She wanted to see will she be able to make scorched rice.

What awaited her in the ship's kitchen was beyond her imagination.