Rabbit Skins

Xuxian's fingers smoothed the furs as he laid them out carefully on the floor, one by one. Finally he had enough. Normally at this time in the afternoon he would be out visiting his patients, or gathering herbs on the mountains; but since Suzhen was away, he thought he would take the chance to lay out all the pelts nicely, and gloat over them one last time before he passed them over to the seamstress.

He frowned as he compared the pelts closely, trying to decide which ones were the most similar in colour and should be matched together. Holding them up to the light, he peered earnestly at them, trying to see which ones were lighter or darker.

The sun shimmered softly on the row of little rabbit pelts laid out neatly on the floor of their hut. Xuxian stroked his chin meditatively. He had already asked Granny Hong what material would be best for a woman's hooded cloak, and how much material to get. He had had to learn these things, as Susu would not know them either.

Enough perhaps even for boots, if the pelts were cut and pieced carefully! He smiled for the first time, imagining Susu's face peeking out from a halo of downy fur, and dancing around in a pair of smart fur-topped boots. Today, while Susu was away, he would get the material, and find a seamstress to make it for him.

Satisfied, he stowed the pelts away inside their box and tucked it under his arm while he counted the coins inside his money pouch. He would see what colours they had, and hopefully choose one Susu would like.

Just as he put the coins back into his pouch, footsteps in their yard and a sudden knock at the door startled him.

"Madame Xu," called an unfamiliar voice, eagerly. "Madame Xu, I know you're there!"

Getting to his feet, Xuxian put down the box and went to the door, wondering who it was.

"I know you're there," the voice continued, persuasively. "Stop hiding, I've brought you something today that I'm sure you can't resist. A woman as beautiful as you must appreciate fine clothes."

Xuxian opened the door and stopped short.

Song Gongzi's smile froze on his face as he caught sight of Xuxian standing in the doorway. In his chrysanthemum yellow robes, exquisitely embroidered belt, and immaculate white boots, he looked out of place in the homely yard with the half-grown chicken clucking in the background, and dried leaves scattered across the steps of the porch by the wind.

"Why, Physician Xu," he said in a very different tone of voice. "What a coincidence that you are at home. Is Madame Xu not around?"

Xuxian stared back levelly at him. "No." he said shortly. He did not open the door any further but stood there unmoving, without making any motion to invite him in.

Song Gongzi hemmed and hawed. "What a pity. I was passing by and thought I'd deliver something for her. Something small." He craned his neck, trying to see past Xuxian's shoulder into the hut.

"My wife is not at home, Song Gongzi. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Oh, don't mention it. It's of no consequence."

Song Gongzi waved his hand at the two menservants behind him bearing enamelled trays. "The weather has been getting colder of late. I found myself worrying about Madame Xu, how her delicate constitution would cope with the harsh cold, especially--" he glanced meaningfully at the hut, "in such conditions. So I took the liberty of getting her some trifles which I fancied would suit her. With her fair skin, she would look especially good in red."

He beckoned and the menservants came forward. Xuxian saw the luxurious crimson brocade cloak folded neatly on the first enamelled tray, the edges embroidered with colourful peonies and cranes. The second tray had a pair of matching red boots with embroidery by the same hand.

The two menservants came forward without a word and bowed, presenting the trays to Xuxian.

Xuxian said nothing, but he felt a sudden spark of anger. He turned to Song Gongzi. "Song Gongzi need not concern himself with my wife. As her husband, it is both my duty and honour to take care of Suzhen and make sure she has everything she needs. She will not be using these things, which are far too grand and not suitable for a physician's wife."

There was a tense silence, as the two men locked gazes. Song Gonzi said nothing, but his eyes narrowed, and the menace in them surfaced from behind the facade of his pleasant words.

"If you ask me," Song Gongzi said softly, "she is the thing most not suited to be a physician's wife."

Xuxian let go of the door and took a step forward. "Whether she is or not, that is up to her to decide. Not for you or me. And since she has decided, I will trouble you not to hang around her anymore and disturb her peace. You may be rich and powerful, but there are limits that every human should recognize. I do not want to see you coming here again to look for Susu, Song Gongzi."

Song Gongzi laughed shortly in disbelief. He had never had anyone talk back to him so bluntly and his usual good manners disappeared in his outrage.

"Who do you think you are, Xuxian? Do you think that I speak so nicely to you because I actually respect you? Remember who you are."

He came closer to Xuxian, gritting his teeth. "Who are you to get so angry when I simply want to give her presents? Can someone like you stop me, if I want to do that? Can you stop me from doing what I want?" he ground out. "You should count yourself lucky that I've never touched a hair of your wife's yet, as some other people in my position might have!"

Xuxian had turned pale with anger. He reached out and shoved Song Gongzi back down the steps. "Stay away from Susu," he whispered furiously. "Don't you dare threaten her."

Song Gongzi gasped in rage. "You dare to touch me! Have you forgotten who I am? I, Song Weiming, am not a person you can push around easily."

Smoothing his robes, he stepped back, glaring at Xuxian, and motioned to the menservants. "Teach this fellow a lesson for me." he said shortly. "Do it well and I'll give you a piece of silver each."

The menservants put down the trays and turned to Xuxian, who looked back at them, realization slowly dawning in his eyes.

Song Gongzi brushed off his sleeves and gave him a last look. "You raised your hand first, Physician Xu. Don't say I'm an unreasonable man."

He shook a finger warningly.