Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

Zhang Feng: Cautious Adventurer

"Ma-maybe this isn't a good idea, Biyu." Feng had no idea someone could worry this much about someone else. The last few weeks were fun, but Feng was also tired at the end of most days. Biyu was very nice, but never seemed to slow down, or run out of ideas.

"Why worry, Feng? We are in play clothes, and I just wanna catch froggies!" Biyu left out that Feng had to convince Biyu that getting their fancy dresses muddy was not smart. Feng often found herself telling her friend things like that. She did not want to be in trouble, not with Mother or Nanny Min or Madam.

"Nanny is talking to someone about stuff, and we are not supposed to be in the pond without a grown-up! A-and we have manners lessons today...." She felt embarrassed that she raised her voice to the Young Miss, but safety was a part of being Well-behaved. And Biyu was her friend. It was good, if they both were safe.

"Oh come on Feng! Don't be scared!" Biyu never seemed afraid of anything. Whether is was froggies, or mud, or sharp knives. Feng had to stop her from trying to cut her own fruit just a few days ago.

"Mother said I need to say no, if we could do something danger-ous. Please, Biyu, can we do something else?" After getting caught holding the knife by Chef Dong, both Feng and Biyu had been told what to do if one of them did something they shouldn't. Feng didn't like telling on Biyu like she told on Shu, but if she had to...

"Well maybe I should catch froggies alone!"

"Oh Young Miss, is that so?" Nanny Min had returned, one eyebrow arched like Mother's when Shu had lied about stealing a dessert months ago, covered in crumbs. "Good job saying no, Feng."

"But Nanny! I catch froggies with Siss-y when she is here!" Biyu brought up her favorite fun person, the Lady Ling. Feng tried to imagine the spooky musical Lady, so tall and sparkly, catching froggies in the mud. Would she even get dirty? Would the mud dare to touch her pretty dress, which changed colors and moved without wind?

"Well you are more willing to bathe if your sister is with you. And your lessons are soon. If you remind me tomorrow morning, we can see about catching frogs," Nanny offered. Sometimes, Feng could talk to Biyu and get her to play less messy games, and sometimes she needed a grown-up. "I can see about getting you two nets. Also, you are not wearing the correct shoes."

"See, Biyu, we can catch froggies tomorrow. I promise to help you catch the biggest one we can." She knew it was important to help her friend, even if Feng felt froggies were gross. And she knew she forgot something! These shoes were too fancy for the pond.

"Okay, I guess. As long as Feng promis-es." Biyu held her pinky out, and Feng took her pinky and locked it with her friend's. A big Oath, like the ones in stories. Now she had to help Biyu with the froggies. "Nanny, can we start manners early? Tea parties are manners too, right?" Sometimes Biyu did have the best ideas.

"Well we can have the lesson first, and if we can get through it and have time, we can even have proper tea, since you girls aren't all muddy." Nanny Min made some of the best tea, at least that wasn't at one of the big fancy parties. And Feng had stopped them from getting dirty. Being Well-behaved always gave Feng good rewards.

"Okay, Nanny!" Both Feng and Biyu spoke at same time, then giggled. It was nice to have a person who really knew Feng, other than Mother. They followed Nanny inside the house.

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Manners went faster than normal, when Feng and Biyu learned together. The tea party Nanny promised kept Biyu from being distracted, or trying to sneak away somehow. Feng wondered if the Lady and Biyu could be sneaky, was the Madam sneaky? Could she be sneaky? Could she be Well-behaved Feng and sneaky? She shook her head. Mother would be finished with dinner soon, so Feng needed to finish her bath.

Besides, she had seen Biyu splash in the pond a week of two ago,and then run inside. Dripping water on the nice floor made someone not Well-behaved or sneaky. Towels were important for both then. Feng would have tell Biyu tomorrow. Friends shared ideas, after all.

"Good evening, daughter." Mother seemed to be very happy today. "I am making one of your favorites." Feng walking over to Mother as fast as was proper.

"Is that chicken fried rice? Mother, did I forget my birthday? Is it your birthday?" Mother liked to make salads, grilled meats, and lots of veggies, especially since moving here. Chicken fried rice was closer to the foods she made at the old house. Mother was sometimes sad thinking about the old stuff, so she didn't usually make this meal anymore.

"No silly, but your Nanny to speak to me. You told the Young Miss no, remembering that you need a grown-up to play in places like the pond. My Well-behaved Feng." Mother leaned in to kiss her forehead. Feng swelled with pride. She did the right thing, and now she got her favorite meal for dinner.

"Good job, Feng." Shu had come from his room, already clean. He was probably doing medi-tation in his room or something else he needed to work on Magic. "It's important people are safe. Maybe we can be guards together."

"I am a girl, none of guards at the old place were girls." Some of the new guards here were girls though, and even the Lady had a sword. Biyu had told her about it, said it was 'super cool'. Feng did not know if Biyu meant it was neat, or if it was cold. Her friend moved very quick with what she wanted to talk about. "Is there a Magic kind of Mother's job?"

Mother tossed the rice again, and added the green onion. The best part, and it was almost done. "Well, the Lady and Madam are happy to support you in whatever you would like to do, in the service of the House of Ling. You do not have settle for my job as Head Maid, Feng."

"But Mother is the best! And my favorite grown-up! And I do not know about other jobs, or if I can be good at other stuff." Feng was skilled at sewing, Mother had said so. "What else is there?"

"Well maybe you can be Head Maid and some sort of inside guard. You could have a cool sword and armor, and still be like Mother. Not sure about making chicken fried rice in armor though, might get too warm." Shu rubbed his chin, trying to look like the older town guards on their break, playing a board game and thinking of a move. At least he didn't make fun of Feng, and showed Mother proper respect.

"Such respectful and good children. Perhaps I can make fried rice more often." Feng and Shu exchanged looks. Mother's fried rice was great before, and with help from Chef Dong and nicer ingre-dients, it was truly the best. Maybe Shu could be even be as Well-behaved as Feng one day, since he knew the reward.

"Do you have chores that I or Shu could help with Mother?" May as well ask now, so they could work together. Mother instead laughed as she put the rice into their bowls.

"Oh? No objections Shu? If I'd had known this is all I needed to do to get both of you working together, I would have offered this reward earlier." Mother laughed again. Feng had never heard her Mother so relaxed and happy before. "Both of my potential cultivators, well supported by a Baronial House, making friends, and getting along. My Well-behaved Feng, my Growing Up Shu."

Feng placed the first bite of rice into her mouth. She could barely remember her manners, it was so delicious. Shu was being nice, and Mother was so happy. Dinner was perfect.

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Mother, like every morning that want her day off, walked her to where they met with one of nannies, usually Nanny Min and Biyu. Today only Nanny Min was there, and she looked serious, like the time with the knife.

"Min Hua, my friend," Greeted Mother, "what seems to be troubling you?" Nanny glanced at Feng and back at Mother, thinking.

"There will be an announcement later today. The Summit was successful." Feng thought that would be a good thing, isn't that not what the Lady wanted to do? Why did Nanny look...upset? Where was Biyu?
"There were....complications."

"What is wrong? Should I go speak with the Madam?" Mother spoke fast the way Feng did when she was upset. This wasn't normal or good.

"...I think Madam Ling Qingge could use the support of her friends and servants right now, yes. Ling Qi exposed some sort of traitor, and is injured. Heiress Cai had to help write the letter." Nanny spoke carefully, wringing her hands.

"How is Young Miss Biyu? Does she need a friend right now?" Feng wondered how someone like the Lady got hurt, it had to be something like one of the stories. She did know is Shu got hurt, so bad he could not write, she would be very sad.

"Well, I can ask the Madam if you can visit, Feng. Maybe after things calm down, we can see if catching those frogs cheers the Young Miss." Nanny was smart.

"I'll go get Dong Hua and our other close friends together when you and the Madam are ready. We must show a least a fraction of the support Ling Qingge has shown us." Mother straightened, looking her most serious.

Nanny turned, and knocked on a door behind her. The Madam opened the door, and Feng could hear Biyu crying loudly somewhere in that room. Madam Ling herself looked like she been crying a bit.

"Permission to suspend decorum, Madam?" Mother asked, alarming Feng. Mother loved manners and good behavior!

"Permission granted, Zhang Wen, I-" Mother embraced the Madam strongly, holding her like she held Feng when the doctor said she was better.

"It's okay, your child will be okay Qingge. She's tough. Whatever it is, she'll heal. And we are here for you, your servants and friends." Mother didn't let the Madam, her friend go, patting her back as the Madam shook.

"Does Biyu need a hug too?" Feng asked, her voice small.

"I would suggest you go in for now, I will gather our senior staff instead," Nanny stated, gathering herself. "Wen, can you keep an eye on Biyu? I think your daughter can help her, the two are such good friends."

"Of course, the Madam and I can handle things. I will help write the accouncement until you return and correct it." Mother tried to make a joke. The Madam let out a wet laugh into her shoulder.

Mother guided the Madam and Feng into the room, colorful and covered in art. This might be Young Miss Biyu's private room. Her friend laid down on her belly, face on a pillow.

"Biyu, it's gonna be okay. Your sister is tough, Mother says so. Everyone says so. Do you want a hug?"

"No." Biyu said, with no energy. It wasn't right.

"Well my Mother hugged your Mother, and I think that helped, can we try?"

"M-momma! Momma don't be sad!" Biyu ran over and hugged the Madam, and then Mother hugged them both. Feng hugged Biyu, even if four people hugging took work.

"It'll be okay Biyu, Mother gives the best hugs, and when you feel better, I will help you catch the biggest froggie."

"You did promise. But what if siss-y can't help catch froggies, or play, or get better..."

"Mother said your sister, the Lady is tough. I think the Madam is tough, too. And Biyu is just as tough as her mother and sister. Mother said she'd help your mother, because they are friends. I will help you, we are friends too."

Biyu turned her head to look at her. "Do you promise?"

Feng offered her pinky. They would always be friends.