Zhi Lan didn’t have time to wonder.
“Forward,” Shao Qing said curtly. He continued on at a brisker pace than before.
6 – Shao Qing
Shao Qing had avoidedtaking the direct path to Yao’s house for years. But Miss Nong had been out of breath and pink in the face just from climbing over a few crates. He figured she would not appreciate his usual wayward route, so he had obliged her.
He brought his hand to his brow, shielding his eyes from the sun as the paved street turned into a dirt road. Reminiscing produced a sour discomfort in his stomach. Those street urchins had reminded him too much of himself, and he hadn’t seen the herbalist shop in years. The proprietor, Master Cai, had been the first businessman to offer Shao Qing a job and the first to treat him with kindness. Shao Qing wondered if he still worked there.
His discomfort faded into his usual passivity the closer they came to their destination. A glance behind his shoulder showed Miss Nong several paces behind, half walking and half trotting to catch up with him.
At the end of the dirt path sat Yao’s house. It was a modest cottage, the roof thatched with fresh straw, surrounded by trees and sparse stalks of bamboo. A fence enclosed a garden and a few chickens, which squawked when Shao Qing approached. Beside them was the sturdy figure of Yao’s wife. An Qin had a basket tucked under one tanned arm, her sleeves hiked to her elbows as she scattered handfuls of chicken feed.
“Shao Qing? We weren’t expecting you today,” An Qin called out.
He bowed. “I’m here to see Yao.”
Miss Nong finally caught up to him, panting. She tossed her hair behind her shoulder. There were wisps coming out from her pins and sticking to her temples.
“My, who’s this?” An Qin said, raising her brows. “A lady friend of yours?”
“An acquaintance,” Miss Nong bit out. The breach of politeness was only temporary. She quickly clasped her hands and bowed. “I’m Nong Zhi Lan, madam.”
An Qin pushed open the fence, a smile spreading over her face. “A pleasure, Miss Nong.”
“Oh, I’m no treasured miss. Please call me Zhi Lan.”
Shao Qing wondered if that also applied to him. Miss Nongwasoverly formal. Her given name suited her more. He found himself absently studying the curve of her neck. It did have the elegant arch of an orchid plant.
“Zhi Lan, then. I’m An Qin.”
“You have a lovely home, madam,” Zhi Lan said, turning her gaze to the cottage roof. “It’s crowned in bamboo.”
A dimple appeared on An Qin’s face. “You’re a sweet one. I reckon you’re here to see Yao too? I hope he didn’t rob you blind or anything of the sort.”
“Is Yao home?” Shao Qing cut in.
