A Carriage for Madame

Suzhen accepted his arm grudgingly, feeling rather shaken though she did not want to admit it. "Thank you," she said at last, reluctantly. "I was a bit worried just now, for myself and Wanwan."

He made a snorting sound. "A bit worried!" he repeated scathingly. "You could have--" Shaking his head, he left his sentence unfinished. "Are you sure you're not hurt? Those two good-for-nothing rascals, they're little better than robbers. If I ever see them again I'll make sure they get locked up."

She glanced, amused, at his glowering face as he muttered darkly to himself. "I didn't know you could use your fan like that," she remarked. "That must be handy. I always thought you were a scholar who didn't know how to fight."

Mao Jin shrugged, unable to hide that he was pleased. "Well, it's nothing much. I picked up one or two moves from a friend of mine, that's all. I wouldn't be much use in a real fight," he admitted.

Suzhen smiled. "That's something else I've learnt about you."

"And you," he continued, with a keen look in his eyes. "You hit that old man in a rather strange way earlier on, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. What kind of move was that?"

She looked straight ahead. "Oh, you flatter me. How could I possibly know how to fight?"

When Mao Jin didn't reply Suzhen turned and caught him eyeing her contemplatively. She laughed, a short, brittle sound that relaxed the muscles of her face. "Come, are you seriously suspecting a pregnant woman like me of being a master?"

He took the veil from her hand. "You'd better put this on, people will look at you," he added under his breath as they approached the teahouse.

Suzhen checked, thinking quickly as she threaded the loops over her ears. "I think it might be wiser if we don't go in." She paused delicately. "People know your face. They don't know me. They might start gossiping."

They might start gossiping."

He considered. "That is true. But can you stand?"

"I'm fine, really." she expostulated. "It must have been the shock, that's all. In fact, we could even walk back--"

"The carriage's here," he interrupted quickly. "Come, stop trying to be heroic. Wait, I'll put the steps down for you. Mind you watch your footing."

As the carriage pulled up besides them, and Wanwan thrust her head out from the short curtains at the window, Suzhen let him lead her into the carriage, keeping her head low in case there were any curious eyes on them. She laboriously climbed into the carriage with Wanwan's help, clutching nervously at the wooden sides as the carriage shook slightly under her weight.

With a sigh, she eased herself down and felt Wanwan's small hands creep around hers timidly. "Madame, you were so brave. You even got my purse back. Forgive me, Madame, I didn't do a good job caring for you."

Suzhen smiled, amused. "Don't be silly. You were brave too. I was quite impressed by the way you charged at them, in fact. If you hadn't screamed so loudly Mao Gongzi wouldn't have heard us. Who would have known that our demure little Wanwan could scream so piercingly."

They shared a chuckle. Mao Jin came in, stooping low to avoid banging his head on the lintel. "Are you comfortable?"

The carriage lurched as the driver set off, and he had to steady himself by flinging an arm out. "What's the matter with the driver, is he drunk?" he exclaimed in disgust as the carriage rattled bumpily over the road. "Madame Bai, are you sure you're comfortable? Don't you dare give birth before we reach home, I'm not ready to deal with that. We're going to do it properly with a midwife when the time comes."

She looked darkly at him. "Stop talking so much or I will," she threatened. "The baby doesn't like the sound of your voice, it makes him restless."

the sound of your voice, it makes him restless."

That night, after she had tucked Madame into bed, Wanwan stole out and lingered hopefully before Mao Jin's chamber. She could tell from the silhouette cast by the flickering candle that he was reading.

"Mao Gongzi. It's me, Wanwan."

He looked up. "What is it, Wanwan?"

She pushed open the door and came forward softly. "Madame's in bed. I think she's asleep now. She was a bit tired after all everything that happened today," she reported.

"What did the physician say?" he asked.

"He said Madame is fine, Gongzi."

"And the child?"

"Gongzi, the child should be fine as well. He'll come again tomorrow to check on Madame after she's rested."

Mao Jin laid down the scroll. "That's good. You must take extra care of Madame now. In her condition, I don't want her going out or putting herself in harm's way anymore. She is quite stubborn at times, so you must find ways to persuade her without hurting her pride. After all, she's an independent soul, and must be respected."

He sighed. "She's a feisty one, isn't she, Wanwan. Let me tell you, my heart was in my mouth this afternoon. I really thought she would get hurt." Kneading his temples with the ball of his thumb, he released a long breath, looking moody.

Wanwan glanced at him from under her lashes with a peculiar expression on her face. "Gongzi, you were so chivalrous when you rescued us today. Madame didn't say anything, but she must have been impressed by you. What lady wouldn't? The way you came down on those evil beggars was lordly, almost martial."

Mao Jin eyed her suspiciously. He shook his finger, eyes narrowing to slits. "You want something, don't you? Why are you flattering me like that? The past few days I've caught you glaring at me--don't think I haven't noticed. Now, what is it?"

Wanwan pulled the door shut behind her and scooted a little closer, while Mao Jin drew back apprehensively. "Wanwan is just trying to help you, Mao Gongzi," she said resolutely.

She lowered her voice with a conspirational air. "You're in love with Madame, aren't you?"