Bandits

"This fish is tasty when you steam it with ginger and shallots. Madame Xu, you should try it."

Madame Liang's hand came over to poke the fish Suzhen was looking at. She glanced at her keenly but not unkindly. Unlike Granny Hong, Madame Liang had not been convinced that Suzhen was a harmless kitten--yet. Though she seemed polite and gentle enough, Madame Liang could not figure out her strange behaviour. After studying Bai Suzhen for a few days, she could not make up her mind whether she was just stupid, or keeping up a pretence. Was it an act to get attention? Or could it be possible that her past really was as fantastic as Xuxian had said? She couldn't figure this out, and it made her slightly suspicious.

Suzhen smiled. "Thank you, I will. Xuxian likes fish, so he will be pleased." She picked up the fish and held it out to the fishmonger. "Sir, I want this one."

Pleased, Madame Liang watched her put the fish away inside her basket. "Do you like the market? It's nothing compared to the one in town, of course, but at least the food is fresh."

"I enjoy seeing all the fresh vegetables and meat laid out so nicely." Suzhen said simply. "Sometimes I don't know what I should get, there are too many choices." she added honestly. She had never needed to plan meals on the mountain. Whenever she felt hungry she had just went hunting. It was a new experience to see so much food at one go on display, and have to choose, instead of simply eating whatever she managed to catch.

Madame Liang raised her eyebrows. "Really. You must be even more at loss in the town market then," she said.

She turned to the fishmonger accusingly. "These are all so small, how do you expect me to feed a whole family with one? Give me a bigger one."

Suzhen watched with interest as she skilfully bargained. "By the way, have you heard?" Madame Liang added, in between arguing with the fishmonger. "There was a rumour that a group of bandits were seen in the surrounding area, around the foot of the mountain. The officials are on the lookout, but they warned everyone to be careful." She shook her head. "Your house is on the outskirts of the village, too, nearest to the mountain. You need to watch out." There was a tinge of genuine concern in her voice.

"Bandits?" Suzhen repeated in surprise.

"...and your fish isn't even that fresh! Don't think you can deceive me. I'm not paying a coin more." Madame Liang stopped for breath. "Yes, they haven't come for a long while, but in the past we used to live in fear of them. Before anyone can warn the officials they could swoop down on us, robbing and looting, maybe even worse. What are we to do? By the time the official's men arrive they're already long gone on their horses." She lowered her voice, darkly. "They usually steal food, money, horses if there are any, but once or twice they've taken a pretty girl as well. You would do well to be careful, you know. Take it or leave it!" she added to the fishmonger.

"I will," Suzhen said seriously. She was wondering with a pang how Xuxian would have protected himself if she was not with him.

"They don't usually kill people," Madame Liang said reassuringly, "if you cooperate and don't give them any trouble. So don't worry too much. It's just that--" She glanced at Suzhen's face meaningfully, and then shrugged. "Well. I hope I'm just overthinking."

"I appreciate your concern." Suzhen said quickly. "Thank you for telling me, Madame Liang."

As she walked away from the fish stall she sensed someone coming up behind her. Even before the hand fell on her arm Suzhen flicked her sleeve sharply, knocking it aside with a swift blow from stiffened fingers. Without losing her balance she whirled round, the basket of fish still on the other arm. "Who is it?"

"Madame Xu, what a coincidence! It is I, do not worry, it is I." A familiar voice--Song Gongzi's face appeared as he clambered up from the ground where she had knocked him. Hastily he straightened his robes, self-consciously brushing at a smear of dust on his sleeve.

Suzhen's eyes narrowed. "Song Gongzi." Ever so slightly she acknowledged him with a bow.

"What are you doing here?"

He avoided the question. "What a coincidence to bump into you in the market! This makes my whole day worthwhile." Looking pointedly at her, he heaved a deep sigh. "I have been unable to eat, to sleep properly the last few days...since I saw you in town--with your husband. Ah, what can heal a broken heart?"

"I have no idea, I am afraid." she said coolly. "I have work to do, I must go."

He made to catch her arm, then remembering how she had knocked him to the ground, blocked her way instead. "Madame Xu, you cannot be so heartless to me," he insisted. "Look, I have come all the way from town to this dirty little place, solely in hopes of seeing you, and you won't stay to talk to me?"

Suzhen's face was expressionless. "I never asked you to."

She was acutely aware of the whispers behind them as the villagers stared at the fine gentleman talking to Physician Xu's wife. Silently, she cursed Song Gongzi.

Stepping forward, she looked him directly in the eye. "Song Gongzi, I am neither flattered nor honoured by your attentions. I am a married woman--you have even met my husband--and for you to continue coming after me knowing that only reflects badly on yourself. For someone who calls himself a gentleman, you should pay attention to whether your behaviour, not just your clothes, lives up to that title."

Her gaze was steady and challenging. Song Gongzi faltered, at a loss what to say. Suzhen turned to go.

"Madame Xu, I don't deserve this from you," he called out quickly. "I came out of concern for you. Did you know that there are bandits in the area? A beautiful woman like you is not safe. I wanted to offer you my protection." He straightened his shoulders with just the slightest bit of a swagger, and stood looking expectantly at her, a tender smile on his lips and one hand on his chest.