Wine on the Verandah

The breeze danced around the clothes on the line, making them flap and billow like frightened geese. It tore handfuls of frail blossoms from the wisteria, scattering them around the yard like kisses in a dream.

Suzhen paused as she hung up Xuxian's tunic, to note a small rent in the side. Carefully, she ran her fingers over it, examining it. She made a mental note to mend it after the tunic was dry, and picked up the last piece of clothing, shaking several fallen wisteria petals out from its folds.

A loud, tuneless but not unpleasant singing caught her ear, carried by the breeze. Suzhen reached out a hand to push aside the clothes in front of her, and caught sight of a jar of wine bobbing unsteadily in the air, held in a bony hand. It was Gong Yezi, sitting on a cane chair on his verandah in the sun, eyes closed as he nodded his head to the rhythm of the song, two legs stretched out like a lazy cat napping in the sun. There were several other jars on the ground besides the chair, and at least one of them was empty.

Hiding a smile, Suzhen picked up the pail and turned to go back. A voice hailed her. "Madame Xu! Ah, you think you can hide behind those clothes and laugh secretly at this crazy old man, do you?"

The two legs came down with a thump. "Don't worry, I'm not angry," he added cheerfully. "How could I be angry, when this wine from the tavern you introduced is so divine?" He held up the jar reverently, squinting at the halo the sunlight gave it. Blowing a kiss to it, he waved his hand at her. "Come over here. I said I would invite you to drink with me if the wine was to my liking. I never break my word. A toast to you, Madame Xu, for giving an old man such rare joy."

Suzhen shook her head, laughing. She put down the pail and made her way over, eyes gleaming. "I am glad you like it. Now, what did you tell my husband about not drinking too much at one sitting?"

Gong Yezi snorted. "Eh, foolishness; how can a wine this perfect be treated so disrespectfully? Let's not think of Physician Xu now. This little toast will just be between the two of us. I shall make sure to clear the jars away before he comes by and sees me, or I shall get an earful. You know, Madame Xu, your husband is a mild man, but when it comes to something he feels strongly about, he can be as annoying as...as a toothless old woman."

Suzhen sat down on the steps, looking up at him. Evidently he was tipsy. Gently she took the jar from him; there were still several mouthfuls left. "A toast, then. To good wine."

Gong Yezi clapped happily. "A masterly toast! To good wine--to more good wine--and good friends, to drink it with!" Before she could stop him, he took up a new jar from the ground and opened it. "A toast, Madame Xu!"

They raised the jars towards each other and tipped their heads back to drink. Suzhen leaned against the verandah, cradling the jar in her hands, and smiled dreamily. "To good friends to drink with." she repeated wistfully. "Do you know, I have never drunk with anyone before?"

Gong Yezi nodded knowingly. "And I, I always drink alone, because I have never found anyone who could tolerate their alcohol long enough to accompany me. Your husband, for instance." He heaved a deep sigh. "And those who could, I could not tolerate them. What am I to do? I drink alone. So, Madame Xu, I am honoured to have your presence today. Another toast." He raised his jar and took another drink.

"The village has been abuzz with talk of you, Madame Xu," he said serenely. "You are giving the good ladies much excitement. For once Granny Hong has forgotten to nag at me. For that, I owe you thanks." He raised his jar. "Another toast to you for that miraculous feat."

Suzhen stared into the distance. "I know. They find me strange. There are many things I am unfamiliar with. Xuxian tries to teach me, but I make mistakes all the time."

Gong Yezi clucked his tongue sympathetically. "They're poisonous old cats, some of them. Don't you mind them. All gassy hens," he slurred.

"Ah, some of them are kind," Suzhen replied quickly. "Granny Hong--and I find myself liking Madame Liang. Huajun, also, means well, though she often laughs at me. Only--"

She stopped short, meditatively. "I think Madame Zheng does not like me."

Gong Yezi snorted. "That woman is a perpetual bitterguord. You mustn't take it to heart. Why, she would turn wine to vinegar. She quarrels with that loutish husband of hers so often it's my belief she's taken up quarrelling with everyone else, just to practice so she can beat him at it. Why, the noise they make sometimes is enough to make me wish I was deaf in my other ear as well."

Suzhen ran her finger absently around the mouth of the jar. "She always speaks politely, but there is hidden meaning in her words. I barely know her, yet she seems intent on making me look foolish and useless. She often compliments me on my beauty, but always in a way that makes me feel as if Xuxian cared only for my looks. When Xuxian is around, she always manages to mention whatever mistakes I might have made in front of them. I have seen her watching his face for a reaction."

She drew a deep breath. "I do not understand why. And I do not like her." she said thoughtfully.

Spilling some wine in his enthusiasm, Gong Yezi nodded vigorously. "She's a jealous cat, I tell you. You would be wise to watch out for her claws!" he said darkly.