Strategizing versus Fantasizing

The next day dawned early for Tang Yi Huai. As soon as his eyes opened, he sighed. Today was the day his father would be back from the capital and expecting a progress report on the woman hiding at his cousin's manor. Since he did not have good news to share, Tang Yi Huai was dreading the conversation that would take place over breakfast.

Sure enough, his father and mother were waiting for him at the dining table in the main hall. Even though the hall in any other manor was usually reserved for large parties or special occasions, the Tangs of this household insisted on using it whenever they ate together.

After exchanging greetings, Tang Yi Huai sat down without aplomb. His father, Tang Cang, made a "tsk-tsk" noise and chastised him, "Can't you show a little grace in your movements, even if we are alone?"

"Yes, father," Tang Yi Huai nodded and then looked down to show his father he was fully taking in the reprimand. Internally, he was brow-beating the old man for constantly nagging at him.

They began eating but it wasn't long before Tang Cang began, "Now that the servants have left, what is the progress on that matter?"

Tang Yi Huai swallowed what was in his mouth even though it wasn't fully chewed and answered, "There was an attempt to either end their life or poison them, we aren't sure which at this point, because it was unsuccessful. A servant was pierced by a poisoned needle in their stead. Our person on the inside send word that the servant is recovering so it was likely just poison. I'm still investigating who was behind the attack."

"Hm-mm," was all his father said in reply. His mother remained quiet, but one eyebrow shot up.

The silence that followed indicated that he should continue, which made Tang Yi Huai cough lowly before doing so, "Other than that, there have been no updates. Apparently, they've just spent time doing various activities inside the manor, but nothing suspicious."

Tang Cang's eyes narrowed as he considered what his son had just said. His wife, Tang Min coolly asked, "Why is this all that we know?"

Reaching for another vegetable on the table to look unconcerned, Tang Yi Huai replied, "They don't seem to be doing much else so what else could there be to report. I mean, it's only been a few days."

"Pshh!," was Tang Cang's response at that along with a slam on the table with his hand. "If it was me, I'd be actively using her to make the prophecy come true. But you're telling me they're sitting around doing nothing? I don't believe that."

Tang Yi Huai flinched at the sound of his father's hand hitting the table, but quickly reclaimed his composure. "Maybe they're just doing a good job hiding their actions from our person on the inside?," he ventured in a voice that was quiet but even.

"Now you're saying something that makes sense," Tang Cang nodded.

Tang Min continued her husband's train of thought, "We need to get closer to them. The banquet will be the perfect opportunity for you to sidle up to this woman."

"Yes, mother," Tang Yi Huai said. The rest of the meal was spent strategizing.

Later that day, the other branch of the Tang family was engaged in various activities. Xiao Chu and Lulu were just finishing up afternoon tea when Xiao Chu yawned behind her hand. "I'm a little tired. I think I will go take a little rest," she told Lulu.

"You've been very busy today. I'm not surprised you're so tired," Lulu smiled gently.

Xiao Chu's face reflected some concern as she asked, "Why don't you rest as well. You seem a little tired too."

"Hmm," Lulu responded. "I am definitely feeling tired since I didn't sleep well, but I don't think I feel like lying down right now. I had too many of those yummy cakes so maybe I'll just take a walk around to digest."

"Sounds good," Xiao Chu nodded, and they both went their separate ways.

Lulu's maidservant followed her out the doors and over to the garden that Lulu preferred. She still wasn't used to having someone following her around and was thinking about how to let young woman know that she wanted to be alone. After a little while, she turned to her companion and smiled, "Umm, Chen Jing, is it alright if I just go the rest of the way alone?"

The maidservant hesitated and looked around, unsure what to say. Chen Jing had been told to always stay with Lulu as much as possible ever since she was assigned to her. "That…umm…," she murmured, looking around with worry.

Sensing the young woman's discomfort, Lulu quickly backtracked, "Never mind. It's alright. Umm…I'm just feeling that I want to be alone with my thoughts so, umm, that's all I meant."

Her attendant gave a small smile, "Of course, of course. I will definitely give you some distance."

"Thank you," Lulu replied, looking a little surprised at the concession, and started walking away. She noticed that indeed there was greater space being given to her and felt truly grateful as she'd been thinking about her dream all day and just wanted some time to organize her thoughts.

Arriving at an area that had a lotus flower pond, Lulu sat down at a bench to admire the flowers. It had become a favorite spot of hers in the short while that she had been living at Tang Manor. She sat there for several minutes, getting lost in her thoughts, when she noticed Xiao Chu's usual attendant approaching. Lulu was about to greet Zhao Hua, but the woman just paused briefly to bow her head in silent greeting before continuing on her way. She was getting used to the various rules of the manor, but still had a lot to learn. Things were more complicated than at the Suns and she was always on guard not to offend anyone, even if the rules seemed a bit stifling for her.

She wanted so badly to be able to sit cross-legged at the edge of the pond and run her fingers through the water, playing with the fish. But Xiao Chu had warned her it wasn't very lady-like and then whispered with a sly smile, "But, of course, if no one is around, then did it really happen?" Thinking about that made one corner of Lulu's mouth move up as well. She looked around the area to see who was around. Noticing that there were a couple workers in the distance, but only Chen Jing was nearby, Lulu got up and walked closer to the edge of the pond. Gathering the skirt of her robes underneath her carefully, she sat down and looked at the fish swimming lazily through the roots of the flowers. "I wish I had something to feed you with," she thought as she reached her hand down into the water.

After a few moments, Lulu was once again lost in thought, swishing her hand back and forth across the water almost as if in a trance. "I probably just dreamed about the ring because of the conversation with Tang Jing," she thought. "I haven't had a chance to draw the rest of the jewelry yet like he wanted. I hope he wasn't expecting it today. But then, I haven't seen him since Xiao Chu and I ate breakfast later than he and Tang Mei did. I wonder what he's been up to?" Realizing where her thoughts had led her, she shook her head, and told herself to snap out of it. "I need to focus on what's important, and that's figuring out who I am and what I'm doing here."

As if her thoughts had summoned him, Tang Jing appeared. Of course, being lost in those thoughts, Lulu didn't notice his approach. Consequently, all he saw was her sitting by the pond, hand playing in the water, then her head shaking suddenly (for no apparent reason that he could detect). Wondering what she was up to he leaned down a bit and asked, "Are you having a disagreement with the fish?"

"Oh!," Lulu exclaimed, jumping at his words, her heart feeling as if an elephant had just stepped on it. "Quickly risking to her feet, she greeted him with the customary bow and replied, "My apologies. I did not mean to, uhh…that is…umm," she stammered, realizing that she had indeed meant to sit down and did not want to lie.

Tang Jing found her reaction amusing and gave a low chuckle, "It's alright. Nothing to apologize for. You just looked very intent." His head cocked to one side a little, "What had you so lost in thought, if I may ask?"

Lulu looked down. She couldn't tell him she was thinking about him, but, again, she didn't want to lie either. "Oh, just this and that. You know how one's mind can travel from topic to topic."

He nodded, "Yes. That can happen." Pausing, he looked out at the pond. "This is a favorite spot of mine and seems to be yours now as well."

Lulu beamed, "It is! I love the flowers and the fish are beautiful. It's very peaceful here."

"A great place to think?," Tang Jing suggested.

Lulu nodded with a smile, "Exactly."

"I won't disturb you then," he said and was about to leave after giving a head bow when Lulu interjected.

"I don't mind sharing the space," she offered with a tone that was both shy and hopeful. She had originally intended to say that she would leave him the spot, but somehow other words slipped out of her mouth, so she chided herself in her mind.

"I'm afraid I'm not in a very talkative mood right now," Tang Jing confided.

Lulu waved her hands back and forth, "No, no. I didn't mean we had to talk. I'm happy to share the silence."

"Hmm…," he thought. "Share the silence? What an interesting way of phrasing it." He didn't say that part out loud. Instead, he conceded, "Alright."

They both went over to the bench, and Tang Jing gestured for her to sit down. She picked one end and he sat at the other. Lulu was a little afraid it would be awkward, but the time passed by quickly because she immediately began fantasizing about what they would talk about if they did have a conversation. In her mind, it went something like this:

Tang Jing turned to her and asked, "All of this must be very difficult for you. If there is anything you want to talk about, I can be here to listen."

Lulu smiled, "That means a lot. You're right. It has been difficult but having first the Suns and now your family taking care of me…it just makes me feel very grateful. I don't know what I would have done without you all."

Tang Jing smiled back and with gentle eyes replied, "It's what we should do as leaders of the community."

Looking down, Lulu said, "Oh. I guess you would do this for anyone."

Tang Jing shook his head slightly, "Not just anyone. You're special."

Lulu smiled, still looking down, "Actually, I wasn't quite sure how you felt toward me. At first, I was sure you hated me. But you've also been very kind."

She was surprised when he moved in closer and reached for her hand, "That's because I, myself, don't know how I feel toward you. At first you were just a stranger, but now I find myself…."

His voice trailed off, but Lulu wanted to know the rest of the sentence, so she gathered up her courage, looked at him, and asked, "Find yourself what?"

Tang Jing's hand—the one that was not holding hers—reached up to caress her cheek, "Should I tell you or show you?" He started leaning in as if about to kiss her when….