v6c62: 宁静 (Serenity)

The snow turned to rain, washing away the white blanket which had covered the world. The ice upon the river broke apart and flowed away, leaving no traces of its existence.

 

There was no Devil Storm this year. No last roar of winter’s wrath.

 

The warmth stirred animals in their dens, and the seeds beneath the earth. The song of life, so quiet and whispered in the cold, once more began to shout.

 

Spring’s march was as inevitable as time itself; the Cycle turning inexorably onward.

 

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It was pouring rain outside, and the rivers were swollen to the point where they had nearly breached their banks. Cold, wet, miserable. My least favourite weather.

 

Thankfully, I didn’t have to be out in it! Instead, I got to be inside, in the greenhouse, which was rather packed today.

 

“And that’s why Gou and Xianghua need wildflowers and lotuses! Our wild man and his refined beauty from the Misty Lake!” Meihua finished her passionate argument about what kind of flower arrangement they would need for the wedding. It wasn’t like the weddings back in the Before, where the bride chose everything; it was mostly their family and village that set up the decorations. And with access to a greenhouse, they could really run wild even before the growing season started.

 

Her speech was well-received by the women of Hong Yaowu and the Nezin tribe, women from ages eight to eighty all gathered to discuss and plan. They had already, after much back and forth, decided on the flowers for Yun Ren and Biyu, which included peony and jasmine flowers for longevity, elegance, and good fortune. They were traditional flowers, but there was a twist. My joking suggestion of bullrushes, for their resemblance to foxtails, also ended up in the arrangement. The bright and colourful flowers coming out of the verdant reeds was just the artistic picture; a worthy twist I knew the two of them would enjoy.

 

When the clapping died down, Meimei took her turn.

 

“I agree on the lotuses for Xianghua! However, mere wildflowers for my brother Gou Ren isn’t enough! Meihua sees only his youth, and not the refined man he has become! He is no longer only a hunter, wild and free, but an architect! Thus, a core of bamboo is necessary!”

 

“Oooooh!” the crowd gasped.

 

“But we don’t have no bamboo around these parts,” one of the Nezin tribeswomen pointed out.

 

“The closest grove is weeks away,” another woman agreed.

 

Meimei raised an eyebrow, and then jumped two stories into the air and touched the ceiling. She landed without a sound.

 

“Oooooh!” once more the ladies said.

 

“Right, I keep forgetting they can do that…” another muttered, and then they all turned to Hu Li, who, as Gou Ren’s mother, had the final say.

 

She pondered the dilemma for a moment, before she nodded.

 

“Meihua’s overall arrangement is superior, but the addition of bamboo really works,” she decided.

 

Meimei and Meihua gave each other begrudging looks of respect, and I chuckled.

 

It was kind of nice to be able to sit back. I had done basically all the prep for my wedding myself.

 

This time, even though the scope was far, far larger… things were going to be easier. I was looking forward to it. Yun Ren and Gou Ren were basically my family too.

 

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Before the warmth and rain, even the stalwart legion of winter had no choice but to fade. The men of snow who sat upon rooftops and beside front doors joined the water in sinking into the ground and swelling the rivers. Even the titanic General Who Commands the Winter and his most able subordinate, the Warden Who Sends Forth the Ice and Flying Snow, had no choice but to capitulate before the onset of Spring.

 

Small impromptu funerals were held for the winter protectors. Children and soldiers clapped their hands twice and bowed with respect to the little legions who, it was said, had kept them safe.

 

Their big, jaunty hats were preserved for next year by tender, loving hands. Their smiling faces seemed to linger, their cheerful grins of ash and soot stayed firmly upon their faces until they finally disappeared completely.

 

The General was the last to fade. His frozen heart was gently removed from his breast… even if he did not truly need it anymore. His heart was now just a symbol, for the General had become so much more.

 

His meritorious service had been recognised by this land’s lord. His spirit was firmly seated at her side. And as long as that throne lasted, as long as at least one person believed…

 

The General would never truly fade.

 

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“I know Biyu and Yun Ren said they would take care of everything, but they’re cutting it kind of close,” Shiban of Pale Moon Lake City said, while frowning at the muddy ground outside. “We’ll be late for our Little Owl’s wedding at this rate!”

 

Shiban, master of his shipping company, was naturally a punctual man, who knew his travel times well. With the rains of spring, any travel by road was going to add to the timetable. Not to mention with their luggage… it was already prepared and ready to go, and Shiban was very much considering just getting started north.

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“Faith,” was the only word his wife, Mao, chirped to him. “Biyu said she would take care of it. Does our Little Owl lie?”

 

Shiban just grumbled and continued his pacing, ruminating on his little kingdom. He had an able second in command for the company while he would be away in the north, at least, and operations should continue smoothly for the entire trip…

 

Mao finally got fed up with his pacing and suggested a walk to get his mind off things… which did help. They walked around the little village that their operation was based out of, the various people bowing or greeting them warmly as they went.

 

“Master Shiban! Lady Mao!” they would call… which did wonders for both of their egos. From being so poor that neither of them had a surname, to this? Shiban was proud of what he had been able to do.

 

When they finally returned home, however, there was a massive carriage parked in front of their manor. Shiban had done well for himself, but even he had to gape at the sheer wealth represented by the vehicle outside his home. It was fully enclosed with thick, sturdy planks of wood, looking for all the world like an entire house on wheels. It was stained a warm dark colour, letting the natural wood shine through, save for some highlights of tasteful red lacquer. It had windows, and those windows were made of the finest glass Shiban had ever laid eyes on, so pure and clear it was practically invisible. Were they being visited by a noble?

 

“Master Shiban? Lady Mao?” a voice called out, and Shiban pulled his eyes away from the carriage, where they landed instead upon a beautiful woman with peach blossom hair. Her clothes were of the highest quality while still indicating the function of a servant, stitched with a hand so precise that even Biyu would have been impressed. As it was, Mao’s eyes widened at the quality of the work the woman was clad in. She had a disarming smile, and was so graceful and elegant her movements were almost hypnotic.

 

Looming behind her was the most enormous man Shiban had ever seen. He was a titan, with shoulders as wide as a barn door, forearms like other men’s torsos, and fists the size of ham hocks. His hair was a wild, rust red, a mane more than locks of hair that connected with an equally bushy beard. Three savage scars cut down his face, barely leaving his forest green eyes intact, and a single fang jutted up from his lower jaw.

 

Yet in spite of his brutal, bandit-like face, his clothes were expertly tailored to his giant frame, equal in quality to the servant woman’s, and the smile the man gave Shiban was so warm and peaceful that Shiban felt his guard instantly lower.

 

“That’s us,” Shiban stated carefully. At Shiban’s confirmation, the two swept into a bow.

 

“This one is Shan Pi Pa, and this one is Shan Chun Ke; we have been given the task of escorting you to Hong Yaowu by our Master on behalf of Young Sir Yun Ren and Young Miss Biyu,” the woman said with her smooth, almost lyrical voice.

 

Mao smiled brightly at Shiban, who easily conceded defeat.

 

“Yes, it does please us!” Shiban declared.

 

“Then we pack and depart at your leisure, Master Shiban,” Pi Pa replied.

 

“Well, no time like the present. I am eager to learn more about the house our daughter will be joining,” Shiban said.

 

“Master Ten Ren and Lady Hu Li feel the same,” Pi Pa said, before turning to Shiban’s manor and beginning to coordinate with their own servants.

 

The packing was done in record time, with the big man Chun Ke stowing even the heaviest of their luggage with ease.