Revenge

Xiaohu rested his chin delicately on his wrist and fluttered his eyelashes appealingly. "What did he say? Did he notice me at all?" he demanded in an unnaturally high voice.

Qingqing snorted with laughter, watching him eagerly with huge enjoyment.

Heaving a petulant sigh, Xiaohu flounced his shoulders exaggeratedly. "How vexing. Didn't you say his favourite colour was green? This is the most expensive green silk from the Chrysanthemum Pavilion, do you know? I specially wore it for him today." He touched his earlobes proudly, showing off imaginary earrings. "These jade drops are some of the finest green jade as well. Do you mean he didn't look at me at all?"

Qingqing leaned back and tossed a peanut into her mouth, smiling. "Ah, I'm going to miss this when the philtre wears off soon. My days have been so full of joy ever since I first came up with this genius prank. Xiaohu, you've improved. Shifu rewards you with some peanuts." Generously she tossed him a handful of steamed peanuts. They scattered around Xiaohu like rain and he caught several with a bow. "Shifu praises me. I've spent so much time following her around so as not to miss any of the entertainment, I think I can even walk like her." Stuffing the peanuts into his mouth, he shuffled along taking mincing steps.

Qingqing hooted with laughter. "Don't be ridiculous. You just look constipated, that's all."

She sat up suddenly with guilty expression as she caught sight of Yuanzheng standing there watching them.

"Aren't you chopping wood on the mountains?" she said too quickly, releasing the handful of peanuts she had just taken up.

There was an ominous expression on his face that made Xiaohu swallow uncomfortably. "How could I, when the two of you were putting up such a delightful show?" he said shortly.

There was an awkward silence and Xiaohu hastily retreated behind Qingqing, feeling grateful that she was there to take the brunt of the blame for being the mastermind of all this. He made a mental note to himself to be properly apologetic and humble, and to say as little as possible. That was the secret to living a long life.

Qingqing sighed. She got up leisurely and popped a peanut carelessly into her mouth, obstinately refusing to be intimidated. Chewing it defiantly, she came up to him and looked him in the eye. "Well, so you know now. Aren't you going to thank us?"

Yuanzheng folded his arms. "So you're responsible for Miss Mao's strange behaviour the past few days."

She nodded coolly. "Why? Are you not going to thank me?"

"Thank you?" he repeated in disbelief. "What for?"

She made an exasperated gesture. "Isn't it pleasant to see her acting like a lovesick goose and making a fool of herself, after acting so high and mighty? I got revenge for all of us. Good riddance. I can't wait for it to wear off so she can experience the crushing humiliation of realizing how ridiculous she was."

Turning suddenly to him with a glint in her eye, she demanded triumphantly, "Come on. You have to admit it feels good having someone as conceited and admired as Miss Mao chasing after you, and having everyone whisper about how she's making a fool of herself over you."

Yuanzheng did not smile. "It seems our ideas of feeling good differs greatly."

He took a step towards her. "Do you really think I would feel flattered when she's clearly not quite herself? Is it fun for you, feeling pleased with yourself for having connected us like this when we have nothing in common, and no desire to have any connection? Do you think it's enjoyable having people whisper about you, wondering what she sees in you, and saying how absurd it is? I know you have a feud with Miss Mao. I don't like her either. But I feel sorry for her now. And I didn't think that you would make use of me like this just for the satisfaction of feeling clever. You're no better than Miss Mao who doesn't treat me like a person. Whatever revenge you thought this was, it only reflects badly on you, Qingqing."

Qingqing said nothing. She swallowed, shocked at his sudden outburst.

"You're--you're very harsh," she managed to say at last, gathering the shreds of her dignity. "I did this for you too, though you don't seem to appreciate it at all. You should see it as revenge on her for being so overbearing."

Yuanzheng let his breath go contemptuously. "You're right about one thing. I don't appreciate this at all."

She opened her mouth to protest indignantly but was silenced by the expression in his eyes. He was angry, she realized. It was the first time she had really seen him angry like this.

He turned and stalked away without even a glance at Xiaohu.

They watched, stunned, as he walked away from them. Xiaohu slowly released his breath. Nervously he nudged Qingqing. "He's angry at us, isn't he."

Qingqing snorted. "Sensitive wretch. Who asked him to be so considerate about her feelings or to feel so hurt about it?"

She glowered, visibly injured. She had not intended Yuanzheng to find out about it this way at all. She had known that he would find out eventually, but she had always envisioned that he would be surprised, bashful, amused, and of course be in wonder of how clever she was to have come up with this genius scheme.

Instead, he had just told her off as if she had been an inconsiderate child and walked away like that! How dare he!

Xiaohu tugged at her sleeve. "Sister Qing. Is that Granny Hong--actually running?"

She frowned, momentarily distracted. "What?"

Granny Hong was running towards them, hurrying through the village square. She caught Yuanzheng's arms, visibly agitated, her eyes popping out of her head.

Xiaohu took to his heels. "Something's up," he said excitedly.

Qingqing stayed where she was, still huffy. She could hear well enough from here anyway, why did she have to lose face running over after Yuanzheng had just offended her?

"Yuanzheng, you MUST come and talk to Physician Xu AT ONCE!" Granny Hong demanded breathlessly. "It's driving me crazy. He won't answer me. I went over to borrow some salt and Suzhen was nowhere to be seen. Their house was a wreck, their table was broken, and he was just sitting there with the door wide open. I asked him where she was and what had happened and he said he had sent her away. Sent her away!" she repeated indignantly, waving her hands wildly.

"That they quarrelled and he lost his temper. Does that even make sense? They who were always so loving. How could things possibly come to this? I can't find her anywhere and he won't say anymore than that! He's driving me made," she wailed hopelessly.

"Anyway, where's Miss Qing? She should know where her sister is, right? We must do something!"

Granny Hong paused to look at where Qingqing had been standing in the distance a moment ago, but the space was empty.