MaoXiang

"Oh heavens, miss, what have you done?" the lady boss wailed shrilly, but the stranger motioned at her maid with an impatient air. "Don't make a fuss, woman. Xiaojuan, pay her what she wants. Three silver coins, you said? You see, you would have done much better to do business with someone of class and taste. Don't fall for the tricks this kind of scum like to play."

Satisfied, the lady boss quietened, counting the coins the maid gave her. Xiaoqing darted a furious glance at her rival. "Class and taste? You lack the manners of a pig, and the class you belong to is one the beggars haven't condescended to name yet! How dare you--" Her fingers, inside her sleeves, were twitching; a pale green mist was gathering around them.

The stranger raised a hand. "Just listen to her. Disturbing the street with such vulgar language and displaying her boorishness for all to see. Are you an actress? Do you delight putting on shows for everyone?" She laughed. "Xiaojuan, I'm bored. Let's go."

As an afterthought, she gestured at the broken pieces on the floor. "Oh. Do you want that? It won't cost you anything, this time. Not even one silver coin. Help yourself, and don't thank me. I'm feeling generous today."

She nodded at the maid, who followed her as she swept away. Xiaoqing started after her grimly. Once they stepped into an alley, it would be the end of them, she promised herself.

She gave a yelp of surprise as someone caught her arm and pulled her back, firmly but not ungently. Stumbling, Xiaoqing twisted round and saw a young man in a rough brown tunic and rolled up sleeves. There was mud on his sandals and he had an axe strapped to his back; the faint fragrance of sawdust and resin, and the sharp tang of sweat hovered on his clothes. He had a face that was plain at best, the features rough and homely. Without saying anything, he shook his head at her warningly.

"Let go of me," she panted, "That spoilt wench needs to be taught a lesson and I'm not going to be stopped by you or anyone!"

"I'm not denying she does." he said lowly. "But you can't do it like this. You may not be alive tomorrow."

Taking a firmer hold on her arm, he pulled her back behind the stalls, watching till the paper parasol had disappeared, and then turned to her. Xiaoqing glared at him, angry, confused and disheveled, looking like a bristling cat. "You're pretty scared of her for such a big man," she jeered. "If you're too scared to do anything then let me do it. I, Xiaoqing, fear no man, much less a silly chit like her!"

Twisting her wrist savagely in his hold, she flashed her teeth at him. "Let me go, you big stupid coward!"

The woodcutter was unfazed; the tendons did not even stand out on his arms as Qingqing struggled. "You can rave all you want, but you don't know who she is. She is Miss MaoXiang, the daughter of the official MaoYuan. You may teach her a lesson today, but by tomorrow your family will be found guilty of something, and your body will be floating in the river. It won't be the first time MaoXiang sends her father's men after someone who offended her."

Xiaoqing stopped struggling, though she still looked ruffled. "I have no family to care about. And I'd like to see them try to dispose of me so easily. Don't look down on me, you presumptuous arrogant ass. Just because you're bigger and stronger than me doesn't mean I can't beat you."

"Nobody's comparing strength or power. Why should we, when we're in the same boat?"

The woodcutter let her go and folded his arms. "Now, if you still want to go ahead and get killed for nothing, you may. I just thought I would prevent another needless death if I could. But if you won't listen, there's nothing I can do."

Xiaoqing sniffed. "She's already gone by now, thanks to you. You've got nerve, sticking your nose into other people's business as if you were wanted. Do you think I won't dare to do anything to you?" She darted a challenging glance at him. Her chin had never looked pointier.

"This isn't about courage. It's about staying alive. One has to be wise as a serpent to stay alive in times like this, with rich people behaving as if their wealth makes them gods."

With a sigh, the woodcutter held up his hands. "Anyone would think I was the one who offended you. Well, go your way. I'm sorry for keeping you from getting killed."

He turned to go.

"Wait, idiot. Do you know where the best roast chicken can be found?"

Xiaoqing fingered the silver coins. Her stomach was rumbling. MaoXiang had long since disappeared, and there wasn't much point looking for her now. Perhaps she should just put everything behind her and have her roast chicken; that would restore her good spirits.

The woodcutter frowned. "Roast chicken?"

"Of course, roast chicken. What's the matter with you? Have you never had roast chicken before, or are you just stupid?" she retorted.

She opened her palm and let the light twinkle on the silver coins in it. "I've got the money for it, in case you thought otherwise. And if it's good I'll let you have a small piece for reward. A wing, if I'm feeling generous. Or it might just as well be the neck. Or the chicken backside. It depends on how hungry I am."

There was scorn in the woodcutter's dark brown eyes. "You're not any different from Miss Mao after all. You act as if people like me were born to be your servants, and that we should bow and nod in gratitude for your scraps of charity when you're feeling generous. Generous! Get your chicken yourself. You may be a fine lady, but that doesn't mean I'm your slave."

He strode off.

Shocked, Xiaoqing opened her mouth blankly, and then gathered her scattered wits. She clenched her teeth and put away her silver coins. "Well, to think I'd meet two such bad-tempered people in one day! The cheek of him--me, like that arrogant bitch? I'm going to teach him a lesson. How dare he. Just you wait and see. Roast chicken is going to have to wait."