13 Stones for Birds (1/2)
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The dew on the mountains had frozen and the light refracted on this ice covering. Snow settled on the plants and gave the mountains a whimsical appearance, the beauty outshining the temperature. Mingzhu followed her master unwillingly up the slopes, slipping several times and struggling to warm herself. Master, on the other hand, was fine, wearing rags and less clothing without any signs of discomfort. They didn't stop until an hour had passed and they reached a cleared field. The wind was strong and struck into Mingzhu's body like millions of sharp pins. She crouched over, wrapping her arms around herself and facing her back to the wind gusts.
”Today, you will begin training. Try to take this token—” Master said and showed a carved, wooden boy, ”—from me.”
Mingzhu begrudgingly got to her feet. ”I can't take it off you. I'm not a fool.”
”Stop complaining and try,” Master instructed and hit her legs with his makeshift cane. ”I'll even loosely tie it on my belt. Each week, the better you get, the harder I'll hide it.”
”It's pointless,” Mingzhu said but attempted anyway, hands almost snatching the token while Master was tying it to his tunic.
It was a poor attempt at winning and Master hit her hands way with his makeshift cane. Using all her rage to fight him, Mingzhu endlessly attacked but rewarded with several new bruises. As she fell to the cold ground again, she glared up at him. The man grinned toothily and laughed.
”You dared attack me directly while you have lost all skills,” Master said. ”Patience is a virtue. If your enemy is stronger, it is best to use surprise to cover your weakness. Cunningness defeats brawn. You have a lot to learn.”
”I can't learn it if you don't teach me!” Mingzhu yelled at him, her temper encouraged by the cold seeping into her clothing. ”I haven't trained since I left the clan!”
”Ice is formed over days.”
Mingzhu gave him a confused look and rolled her eyes, understanding his usual mistake. ”Ice that is three feet thick is caused by bitter cold for not only one day [1]. You are terrible with proverbs.”
Master rubbed his bald head before thinking of another thing to say. ”Fall into a well but learn from drowning.”
”Fall into a pit, a gain in your wit [2],” Mingzhu corrected again. ”Don't dare try to say another or I will hurt you.”
Master whacked her on the backside with his stick and laughed. When he did this again, Mingzhu was ready and they started to fight but he was too playful while she aggressively recalled her old training habits. No matter what, he always managed to hit her.
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”Stop it!” Mingzhu yelled and woke herself up. Although her back was almost healed, it still hurt to sleep on. Then, there was her aching muscles from endless late night practices from the mission. It should not have been surprising she dreamt of getting trained by her master.
”Nightmare?” Meifan asked, half-asleep.
”It is nothing worth concern,” Mingzhu replied and stretched carefully.
Jiang walked over and kicked both girls, which had become part of her morning routine. ”Time for work! Stop being so lazy! Understand?”
At breakfast, the maids were chatty. They enjoyed watching drama unfold and the Fox's visit was exciting news to gossip with others, although this would never be whispered in front of their masters. Mingzhu watched them all in amusement, eating her gluey porridge.
”Gather around! Gather around!” A slim, kitchen-maid yelled.
A bunch of the younger women crowded around her –Meifan included – while the older women continued eating uncaringly. The upbeat hustle was related to the upcoming events arranged by the emperor. As tradition stated, the annual hunt would resume at the end of spring. Men of all backgrounds, both nobles and slaves, were able to take part in a dangerous hunt for a full day to win a request granted by the emperor. The participant with the most prey or greatest kill would be declared victorious. However, it wasn't an easy challenge. Wolves and other beasts were set free in this area and weapons were limited to what the participants had themselves. It was a contest of desperation.
”But what if the winner asks to be emperor?” A young woman chirped in, unfamiliar with the rules.
”Fool! The requests can be denied by the emperor but as compensation, they offer the fairest lady to be wed to the victor,” the kitchen-maid said.
Mingzhu ate her food in silence while the maids gushed over the details. Cheng may enter. No, he would enter. There was no heir to his name and he was a widowed bachelor, ready for a new wife. No one could stop him marrying if the emperor permitted it and even if someone did refuse, Cheng had his ways of getting what he wanted. It worked with Juan.
I must enter, Mingzhu decided. It was the perfect opportunity to confront Cheng without jeopardising her mission. Everyone entered the hunt fully aware they could die and if something terrible did happen to Cheng, no one would learn the truth. It was a perfect plot. The only issue was Mingzhu was a woman. To enter, she would need a disguise.
”Song Meifan!” Miss Tang yelled over the gossiping and everyone hushed immediately. Meifan stood and bowed her head.
”Good morning, Miss Tang.”
”You have been requested by the noblewomen to attend to them today. I trust you behave in their presence.”
Frightful misfortunes blundered maids when they were requested, especially if noblewomen were involved. Everyone gave Meifan a silent blessing, pitying her day. It was remarkable that Meifan followed Miss Tang without hesitation, although she was unsteady on her feet. This left Mingzhu in the company of Jiang for the day duties. They tirelessly worked and Jiang didn't converse much, which made the day worse for Mingzhu who could only think of her sore body or Meifan. It was ridiculous to care for a maid she met weeks ago but her mind couldn't overpower her emotions. Recalling Meifan's pale expression and shaking, fearful body put Mingzhu in a foul mood. For weeks, she acted ignorant but it was becoming harder to not seek justice.
Jiang returned from discussion with a messenger while Mingzhu continued sweeping.
”You are to finish the paths by yourself. I am to attend to the empress.”
”Why does the empress always want you?” Mingzhu asked bluntly.
Jiang was often absent or requested to the imperial palace. At least twice a week she was called on with reason. Once, Mingzhu tried to ask Meifan about it but got caught by Jiang. As consequence, they had to clean her work clothes at dusk.
”None of your concern. Keep sweeping or I'll punish you when I return, understand?” Jiang snarled.
Mingzhu childishly rolled her eyes and continued her duty. Alone. This was the perfect time to practice her dance steps without prying eyes. Nights were becoming too risky with the increase in guards. The Fox had scared the emperor and he had new soldiers arriving daily to monitor the palace.
Step. Turn. Step. Step. Mingzhu rehearsed her dance and swept at the same time, looking ridiculous while she did it. Too engrossed in the movements, she didn't realise she moved near Lady Gaze until a tree's overhanging branch prodded her sore back. It harshly stabbed her tender, healing flesh and she turned to curse at it but noticed a gathering of familiar faces.
Towards the entrance of Lady Gaze, sitting under a large archway was Ju Xioali, along with her two snickering friends. Meifan stood among other attending maids, most wearing gloomy faces and large, dark circles under their eyes. Mingzhu watched from afar, unable to turn away. Why she cared so much about this maid was unclear to her. Juan always said Mingzhu had an overprotective soul, likely formed from her own desperate need to be protected as a child.