50 Volume 3: Together Again (2/2)
Shan Hui calmly set down chopsticks.
”Uncle Ye, have you always wanted me dead, or did the desire just now manifest itself?”
The little fairy gave a hearty laugh.
——
They just finished eating when a Wen servant rushed into the room and announced the Lord and Lady were home.
The twins immediately rushed out, with Shan Hui and Ye trailing behind with some reluctance.
When Mei Hua saw her twin boys run up to her with anxious faces, she immediately felt guilty for her behavior.
”My sons,” She knelt down and cupped each of their faces with a hand. ”I'm sorry I lost my temper and left you alone. How I acted wasn't proper or kind. Can you forgive me?”
”Of course, Mommy!” Shi burst into tears and hugged Mei, while Yan simply nodded in teary agreement and followed his younger brother's example.
”Thank you, Yan. Thank you, Shi.” She kissed the top of each of their heads before letting them go.
Shan Hui had come, with Ye on his shoulder. Before Mei Hua could open her mouth, he'd gotten on his hands and knees, forehead touching the ground.
”Mother, your son has been unfilial in his dishonesty. Apologies are not enough to make up for this sin. Whatever punishment you desire for this son, he will accept.”
Ye had also hopped down and bowed his little body.
”This fairy is sorry, MeiMei. Please punish this fairy too!”
Seeing her oldest boy and her fairy friend being extremely apologetic AND being super formal, she wondered if she should laugh or cry. She touched her forehead and sighed.
”Oh, both of you! What do you think you're doing, get up, get up! Even if I was still mad, I don't need either of you grovelling like this.”
Ye had gone to stand up but stopped when Shan Hui said stubbornly:
”This son will not get up until he's been punished for his behavior.”
”Uh, this fairy too!” Ye hastily agreed, bowing back down.
Shan Hui could be ridiculously stubborn, even with his beloved Mother, when he had the right motivation. Mei put her hands on hips and looked at the two of them. After a few minutes of thought, she brightened.
”Will you accept any punishment?”
”Yes, Mother.”
”…yes.” Ye reluctantly agree, knowing he would definitely suffer for it.
”Very well then,” She raised her hand commandingly. ”The punishment for both of you will be treating Jin with respect and kindness for a week starting tomorrow.”
”What?!” Both Ye and Jin cried out, startled.
Shan Hui simply gave a great shudder before replying:
”As you wish, Mother.”
He then stood up, his chin raised proudly, and gave his Old Man a stern look. ”Tomorrow then.”
With that he turned around and left without saying another word.
”MeiMei,” Ye hopped over to her, tears in his eyes. ”Can't you think of something else?”
”It's not like you haven't done it before.” Mei Hua remembered that time after she'd been sick and Ye had been extremely polite and well-behaved to the Emperor for a month.
”And I thought I was going to die!” Wailed Ye miserably.
”Say that again, I dare you.” Jin threatened the fairy, before turning to his wife. ”Mei, are you sure about this?”
He was a little worried about the repercussions of such a punishment. Oh yes, he'd enjoy it for a week, but the moment the punishment was over would be the problem. His son and the noisome fairy would definitely make his life miserable.
”What? They both absolutely love needling you at every opportunity. Forcing them to be nice to you, it's a great punishment.”
”…being used as a punishment…” Jin grumbled sourly.
Mei Hua pat him on the face.
”As for you.”
”Eh? Me?”
”What? Didn't you lie too? Shouldn't you be punished?”
”You said you forgave me!”
”I did. But look at your eldest. He's willing to accept a punishment. Even Ye is, and you know what a wiggle-outer he is. Why not, at least, show the same sincerity as them?”
Jin looked like he'd eaten something bitter.
”What?” She tapped him in the chest, eyes wide. ”Is the Emperor afraid of what his little wifey will do to him?”
He lifted his head, nostrils flaring. Standing up a little straighter, he cleared his throat.
”I-I'm not afraid!”
”Good, good. Then for your punishment you'll be just as nice and kind to Shan Hui and Ye as they are to you for a week, starting tomorrow.”
”But Mei…”
”You don't like it? Hm.” She rubbed her chin. ”Than how about this? Don't expect anything… fun… until AFTER I give birth.”
Jin laughed nervously at this and quickly began massaging her shoulders.
”Mei, Mountain Flower, what's a day of mutual familial love and affection? That kind of punishment, is it even punishment? Of course I'll do it, of course. Hahaha! So let's put all other punishments out of our minds, alright? Hahaha!”
The next week, Mei Hua was very happy. The two most troublesome men in her life (plus a fairy) were forced to be nice to each other, so there was no fighting or arguments and every meal was peaceful.
The twins found the atmosphere strange and unnatural. They were use to the quarreling, so the quiet, respectful behavior was unsettling to them. They would also periodically find Father, Ye, or Shan Hui alone and venting their anger on some poor inanimate object or cursing up a storm. All three individuals looked very unhappy, despite the fact that all they had to do was ”be nice”.
Shortly after, Jin made a memorial stone in one of the gardens. It was made of pearl blue granite, thin and rectangular, and at the top was a single elegantly shaped flower. Two young blue flower trees were planted to the right and the left of it.
A simple poem was written down the memorial's center:
”Though Unbloomed, Eternally Beautiful”
That evening, before the sun set completely, all the men and boys huddled around Mei Hua as she lit incense sticks and paid her respects to the children that never made it. She cried silent tears and hugged the twins close to her. Ever after, every year around the same time, she would pay her respects to the children she never had the chance to love.