Warning: Lemon, threesome, sappiness
Chapter Thirteen: Little Butterfly
Quinmei watched as Shang leaves for work. Ever since that night, she had replayed every word she heard in her mind and wondered how she can help herself and Shang. It came to her a week later when she bumped into Ping at the marketplace. She had invited Ping over for lunch, wanting to talk to him alone and make a suggestion that might solve everyone's problem.
Shang had gone to meet with the current Captain of the Imperial Army and won't return for hours. It was a perfect opportunity.
A knock came, and she looked up to see Ping standing in her open doorway, smiling handsomely at her. She felt her heart catch in her throat upon the sight of the man. She cannot deny how beautiful he was, with long ebony hair down his back and regal robe over his clothes. He carried himself with grace like a god. Swallowing, she motioned for him to come in and stood to bow, "Ping, I am happy you could come."
Ping bowed his head, "for my friend's wife, I am happy to be here to give my company. You are dear to me as a sister, please don't be so formal with me. I am just a friend of your husband."
Quinmei nodded and led him to the table where food was waiting for them. They sat and bowed, thanking for the food. "Please, Ping. I have sent out all of our servants today. We are alone here, and I wish to speak to you with utmost privacy."
Ping took a bite of the fish and glanced up at the pretty young woman, "oh. All right." He took another bite and noticed Quinmei was not touching her food. He put down the chopsticks and reached to touch her shoulder in concern, "what is it?"
She looked up, tears were in her eyes, and he was taken aback. Words spilled from her mouth before she could stop them, "I know about you and Shang. I am not angry or upset, it's just that I really would like to be able to keep our honors and give my family what they wanted, a son. It had been so hard for Shang, and he loves you and wish I were you." Tears were freely falling down her cheeks.
Ping stared at the woman in shock, frozen by her words. After a few moments of lingering silence, he spoke, "Quinmei... I... I have no words..." He muttered and allowed his hand to drop to his lap.
She looked up at him and smiled sadly through her tears, "I don't want to interfere with you both. I know you both had been sneaking around, meeting up and... And... Oh. Ping. You both are so happy together that it makes senses. It's not fair that Shang had to marry me, and is tied to that stupid honor to get me pregnant for both of our families. They have been putting so much pressure on him that I can see him breaking little by little every day. I am begging you, Ping. Help us."
Ping stared wide-eyed at the woman, still speechless. He was not sure what the next best thing to say now that he can't deny, and at the same time, part of him was desperate not to admit it. She was right, they had been sneaking around for so long that it became second nature to them. Ping knew he could get away with it as a nan dan, it was often ignored because of their fame that just swept it under the carpet. But for Shang, being the Imperial Army General and married in an arranged marriage, it was shaky ground. It would utterly destroy Shang and shame Quinmei if their families had found out. He did not wish that for them.
"How can I help?" He finally asked.
She wiped her face. "It took me a while to think on that. Ping," she turned to him and grasped his hand in her hands. "Help me get pregnant."
Ping found himself shocked again and stammered like a fish out of water. "Quinmei? Uh... How... What?"
She stared at him looking confused and lost and realized her foolishness and laughed nervously. "I am so sorry." She waved her hand as if to drive away the befuddled thoughts in the air like flies. "What I meant was... Shang couldn't do it with me but he could with you. If you could come to our bed and help him, and he would be able to put his seed in me."
Ping blushed and rubbed his face, understanding why she had sent away all of the servants and wanting complete privacy. "That is an unusual proposal. I suppose I can't deny that Shang and I are lovers and had been for a long time." He looked down at the table, "this is really awkward. Quinmei, I should be the one to apologize to you, you are his wife, and I am, in a way, a mistress on the side. It is unfair to you, not the other way around."
Quinmei shook her head. "No, Ping. I have been seeing it all along and just only realized it recently. You and Shang are soulmates, you both have the red string connected to each other, and your love is so deep that it is beyond any kind of arrangement. My marriage to Shang is simply a business agreement between our families. Love is far older than honor and tradition. I can see that with both of you. It is unfair to both of you for not being able to love each other without a price freely." She inhaled a deep breath and exhaled slowly, wringing her hands on her laps. She watched Ping's expression, searching for his face. How utterly handsome against the backdrop of the garden behind him and the sun shining a halo around him. He looked like a god to her, his face serious as he complimented her words.
Ping reached out and stilled her nervous wringing and held it there. He smiled at her, easing her worries. His gentle presence and kind face made her breath a sigh of relief. He saw her calm and withdrew, softly speaking, "never I thought anyone would understand how Shang and I felt. Thank you."
She turned back to the table and picked up the chopstick, her wrung-out emotions made her hungry. She took several bites of the food before asking, "will you?"
Caught unaware of her question, he hummed questionably. "What?"
"Will you help me get pregnant?" She asked softly, looking up at him hopefully.
He looked at her with an intense gaze for a long moment. He had long been jealous of her position as Shang's wife, and only to realize the feeling was useless. It was the other way around. He shrugged his shoulder, "I am not sure how that will work, but yes, I suppose I can help. How would we approach this? It will be favorable if no one is to know."
She beamed at him. "Oh, thank you, Ping!" She placed her chopsticks down and grabbed his hand and kissed it. "You're a wonderful friend!" Ping looked down at her with amusement. She continued, "well, of course, no one would know. I will have the servants leave the night and have you wait in the room. Shang and I will give it another try, and if he couldn't do it, that's when you come in."
Ping's eyebrows rose at the plan. It was foolproof. Of course, there was one little thing. The whole awkwardness between the three of them that would have put a damper on the attempt. "Quinmei, wouldn't you feel uncomfortable if I were there, I mean, we would be naked and all that."
Quinmei cocked her head to the side, "Ping, I don't feel uncomfortable around you. I just can't explain it, it is like you have always been part of this marriage. Will you be uncomfortable with me?"
Ping glanced down at his half-eaten fish as he considered her question. She had brought up an interesting point. She had felt he was always a part of their lives. Perhaps he was. He looked back up at her and smiled, "I don't think I will be, now that we know how we feel."
She laughed and leaned over to kiss his cheek, "oh thank you!" She turned back to her meal and continued to eat. Ping shook his head and continued to eat his fish.
When the meal was finished and dishes put away, Ping settled on the cushion by the window overlooking the small garden. He smiled as he noticed the similar pattern the garden held to his parents garden. Quinmei moved to sit next to him, she saw where he was looking at. "Shang had requested the garden to be like that. I wasn't sure why and all he said that it felt like home."
Ping laughed and pulled her close into his embrace and felt her relax against him. "The garden is an almost exact replicate of my parents garden." He felt her gasp. "We met after my performance a long time ago in my hometown. He was visiting with his father to take some respite at my family home." Ping found himself lost in memory, "that night when I came home from the opera house, he was sitting on the porch overlooking the garden. He saw me coming in and called out to me. It was the first time I truly met him, and that was when I fell in love with him. The next day, we became friend instantly and soon after that, we became lovers." He laughed softly, "my grandmother knew. She had overheard us in the garden the next night and scolded us." Quinmei stared up at Ping in wonderment. He looked down at her, "I am happy that you know now. It was eating at both of us for a long time, and we don't like it. We could have stopped, but we couldn't be apart from each other."
Quinmei rested her head on his chest, feeling secure and safe in his arms. "I am happy too. Shang was so sad for so long, he tried to hide it, but I can see it. I know now, and he won't be sad anymore."
"Yes, you're right. Quinmei, when would you want to do this?"
She shifted slightly to be able to look up at him, meeting his warm black eyes. "I also thought about that. We would want to try on the night when I can get pregnant easily." She held up her hand and started to count to herself silently before answering, "three nights from now."
"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" He asked and felt her nod resolutely against his chest and chuckled. He laid a kiss on the crown of her head and rubbed her back. He could feel her lull off to sleep.
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Shang heard a soft knock on his door and stood to answer. He slid the door open to find Quinmei in her nightgown. "Yes?" He was curious and glanced around, wondering why the household was so silent. He had just gotten home from being out in town with several other generals and captains. He had hoped to see Ping, but his lover was busy at the opera house.
"I would like us to try again tonight," Quinmei said softly, almost inaudible. She wrung her hands, keeping her eyes to the floor.
Shang looked down at his little wife and felt his heart go out to her as always. He truly wanted to get her pregnant, to appease both of their families and at the same time, have a son of his own. He wasn't sure if he could tonight, but he would try for her, as always. Perhaps he could try to think of Ping when they do it. He reached and tilted her chin up so she would look at him, her wide honeyed eyes were shining with worries. He leaned down and kissed her forehead and nodded, and she smiled and took his hand, leading him back to her room.
Once in her room, she disrobed and laid down on the bed, waiting for him. Shang looked at her and started to undress. She looked beautiful lying there, her caramel hair spread on the pillow and her body with all the right curves. She would have made any man happy, but not him. He knew he was still flaccid. He stepped up the steps leading to her bed and knelt. He tried to imagine Ping lying there instead, long legs, slender hands, and inky black hair. Smooth angular face and narrow waist that tapered off slightly. Dark, mysterious eyes that drew him in, making him get lost in depth.
He felt himself stir, but it wasn't enough. Quinmei smelled of peaches and roses, not like magnolia blossoms. Her skin was soft like peaches while he was smooth and silky, just like the petals of the magnolia.
He laid himself across her and kissed her, trying to get into it. She embraced him and kissed back softly. She ran her fingers through his locks. Her fingers were short and delicate, not like Ping's long slender fingers that sometimes had the strength to cause passionate flame burn hot with simple touches. He couldn't help but compare the two and found himself desperate to withdraw from her arms and run to Ping.
Sighing, he withdrew from her and shook his head.
"It's all right, I knew this would happen." She softly told him and turned her head to the side and held her hand up, beckoning someone in the shadow.
Shang stared wide eyes, not realizing there was someone else in the room with them, "what?" He sat up and gasped as the person stepped forward, "Ping?"
Quinmei sat up and held Ping's hand, drawing him to the bed. "I asked him to come." Shang looked at her and back at him, wondering what was going on. Ping has the damned handsome smile that made him go soft on the inside. "I knew about you two and confronted Ping a few days ago and asked him to help. I love you Shang, and I want you to be happy. You could never be happy with me. Ping is the one who truly gives you happiness, and I am okay with that. I have always felt like I was the one interfering with you two." She looked to Ping and squeezed his hand affectionately, "I want to give you a son and let you be happy. I asked him to help since he is the only one you would rise for."
"Quinmei?" Shang asked.
Ping reached up and cupped Shang's face lovingly. "Don't question this too much. She is allowing us to be together. I agreed to help. You need a son, and we're going to make that happen tonight," He smiled.
Shang laughed as he looked from Ping to Quinmei and grasped her hand, "I can't thank you enough. Are you really okay with this, about him and me?"
She nodded with teary eyes, "yes, Shang. I know I can never make you happy as he does but I want to try my best and if that must include him, then so be it."
Shang kissed Quinmei and turned to Ping, who stood up and disrobed and crawled back in bed. He moved to lie beside Quinmei and intertwined his hand with her hand. He took Shang's hand and pulled him down to kiss him.
Shang sighed in the kiss and allowed Ping to wrap his legs around his hip and rock against him. He soon was rising up to attention. He glanced over to Quinmei and saw her smiling at him. He realized how much he loved her too and kissed her. Ping shifted and kept kissing Shang along his neck and rubbing against him but pushing him to lie on Quinmei. Shang groaned as two sets of hands began to roam his body, paying attention to his sensitive spots. He found himself hard and aching. Ping moved to grasp his member and stroked him, leading her to Quinmei's core and whispered in Shang's ear, "go on, she is ready for you. I want you to do it." He let go and smiled as Shang entered her, and she moaned and clenched onto him.
Ping moved down and kissed Quinmei and kneaded her breast, teasing her nipple. Shang gasped and started to thrust into his wife's hot core. He began to moan and captured Ping's lips in a deep kiss, thrusting in and out. Quinmei was moaning under him. Ping reached down and played with her sensitive nub, bringing her to her height. She gasped and screamed as she came, clamping down on Shang's member. He groaned and went faster, feeling his member swelling up, and his sac stiffens, he was coming. Ping switched his hand and grasped his sac, massaging it and watching Shang come down hard, spilling his seeds into Quinmei. After he was spent, he collapsed on her, kissing her softly.
She smiled with tears in her eyes and turned to Ping, caressing his face. "Thank you."
Shang moved off her and laid on his back, panting. He felt exhilarated that he was able to do what he needed to do with Quinmei. He turned to see her start slipping off the bed and asked, "where are you going?"
She turned to him and smiled, "I am letting you have your time with Ping."
Ping reached out and took her hand, "stay. You said as much that I am part of you both. Stay, please."
She looked over at her husband and saw him nodding. She climbed back in with them. She gasped as Ping embraced her and kissed her. She melted into his warm arms and felt Shang embracing them both. She laughed with pure joy.
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Quinmei moaned as she grasped the wall beside her. She felt her head swim and she stumbled to sit down and groaned as the wave of nausea hit her. It had been a month since that night. Ping had started to come around more often and stay overnight. Quinmei found she did not mind that her husband and Ping would lock up in his room through the night. She knew they were happy together and was happy with them. Once or twice, they asked her to join them, and she had thoroughly enjoyed her time with them.
She was late for her monthly visitor and kept it to herself, not wanting to dash away from the hope until she was sure. Sitting in the middle of the hallway, despite feeling faint and nauseous, she was overjoyed.
"Quinmei?" Ping asked as he found her laying on her side, her face on the floor and her hands spread as if she was trying to hug the floor. He knelt to find her awake and smiling, tears in her eyes. "Are you all right?"
She nodded and groaned as another wave of nausea. "I am nauseous and dizzy. The floor is cold, and it helps. I don't want to move another inch."
Ping became worried and stood up, "I better get the doctor here."
She grasped his robe and tugged him to kneel down again. He came close, and she whispered, "I am pregnant." She smiled at him and closed her eyes as she bit back another bout of nauseousness.
He gasped and arranged his robes to lie beside her, facing her. He brushed the damp hair from her forehead, "are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes. I was late, but I had to wait to make sure. Now I am sure. This will pass, and I will feel better. Just stay with me, please?"
"Of course, love." Ping rubbed her back, and she groaned softly under his touch. They laid there for a while until she was able to sit up and take a drink from a cup that Ping had a servant to bring to them. He knelt in front of her, observing her as she slowly drinks the ginseng tea.
"Shang will be overjoyed." He told her softly as he helped her up and held her close, not wanting her to end up on the floor again. He steered her toward her bedroom.
Clutching gratefully onto Ping's slender but strong arm, she smiled in reply, "yes. We should tell him when he comes home tonight for dinner."
Ping helped her into her bed and slipped her slippers off and pulled the blanket onto her, tucking her in. He laid a kiss on her forehead and noticed she was slightly burning up. He needed to call the doctor in to check on her. "Rest. I am going to get a doctor to come in and take a look at you to make sure you are all right."
She reached up and grasped his hand before he could withdraw. "Ping. I want to ask you something."
He nodded and arranged his flowing robes so he would sit better on the edge of her bed. She held onto his hand and rubbed her thumb across the back.
"What is it, Quinmei?"
"Is it possible to love two people at the same time?" She asked, meeting his beautiful eyes.
He laughed softly. "It is possible to love as many people you want."
She shook her head and reached up to cup his cheek, "I mean, like this." She sat up and kissed his lips. He exhaled on her lips and returned the kiss, holding her close.
After gentle kissing, they broke apart just enough to touch foreheads. He looked into her wide honeyed eyes that were like a doe. He had always thought of her a gentle deer, skittish and dancing on edge, unsure to trust. Perhaps, a butterfly, beautiful and delicate and ready to take flight. Yes, that was more appropriate. "Yes. Is this how you feel about me?"
She blinked, tears were threatening to fall. She felt his cool hand reach up and wipe the tears away. "Yes, I love you as much I love Shang. If I only love Shang, it's like loving half of a whole."
Ping drew back from her and caressed her face. "I love you too, little butterfly. Rest, and I'll come back with dinner later." He stood up and turned to arrange her blanket. He could see she was tired and beginning to fall asleep. He left quietly.
The doctor came and gave Quinmei a check over and confirmed she was indeed pregnant and needed bed rest because she was running a slight fever, a side effect of not eating enough and the summer was hot. Ping made sure she ate dinner and kept her company.
Shang found them in her bedroom, sitting on her bed and laughing. He came home late from his meeting with the other officers and ended up drinking with them. All he wanted to do was to come home earlier and eat dinner with Ping and Quinmei. He had come to love Quinmei more since she had accepted Ping as part of their lives more intimately. She was far more understanding and encouraging them to continue with their relationship. He wasn't sure where she stood in their triangle of relationship, but he could see Quinmei taking to Ping very much and become close to him. It was almost as if they became two gossiping wives, giggling and sharing stories.
The household was dark and quiet, but he could hear soft laughers coming from the sleeping quarters and made his way toward the part of the house. The noises were coming from Quinmei's room, and he stepped in silently. He found the sight of something to remember always. Ping was sitting cross-legged on the bed, having shed most of his voluminous robes and was down in his tunic and pants. He was playing the zhuihu, a long-necked instrument with a bow. It was a favorite instrument of Ping along with the pipa. He was playing a funny song for Quinmei, and she was flustered with joy, laughing and clapping along. It was a happy scene, and he stood there, watching and basking in the glow of the joy that radiated from the two people on the bed. He could not believe how much things had changed in the past month since that night and it was like a world of guilt that had lifted from his shoulder. He silently thanked the gods for giving him a very understanding wife.
When the song had finished, he made his way to the bed and sat on the edge, smiling at the two. "It is a wonderful sight tonight for me to come home to." He told them.
Quinmei clapped her hands and reached to grasp Shang's hand and pull him to sit in the center of the bed with her and Ping. "Oh, I am happy you're home before it was late. I would have to wait until tomorrow to tell you something."
Shang looked over to Ping to see the same kind of happiness on his face as Quinmei and realized they know something he did not. Their joy was so contagious that he felt happy and a part of him wanted to dance for some unknown reasons.
Ping put his instrument away and arranged to sit perpendicular to the two others, with three of them forming a triangle. He nodded to Quinmei and held her hand.
"Shang." She started and grasped his free hand. She saw him take Ping hand too and smiled, "I am pregnant."
Shang stared at her as if he had not heard her in the first place. The smile was plastered on his face, but the word was not processing.
Ping became worried as when Shang was not responding. He muttered, "I think he is broken."
Quinmei's smile faded, and her lips began to tremble, and tears were beginning to rise in her eyes. "Shang?" She asked.
Shang blinked as he felt Ping squeeze his hand hard and he realized what she had said and let go to grab Quinmei in a bear hug, embracing her. "Truly?" He asked, almost afraid he had heard her wrong.
She laughed through her tears as she held onto him, hugging him, "yes!" She reached out to Ping and pulled him into the hug, "I am so happy!" she squealed as they toppled over, she ended up under two men and giggled. Shang rolled to lie beside her and Ping on the other side. They both laced their hands together over her belly and started to discuss the plan for the baby to come.
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Shang wiped his forehead, the summer was starting to wind down but still holding the heat. He could not remember any other summer that was hot as it was now. He handed the rein of his horse to the servant and walked into the garden, taking in the strong scent of magnolia blossom. He loved the heady perfumed air and inhaled once again, enjoying the sticky sweet smell. He opened his eyes and paused, glancing around the garden and frowned, pink chrysanthemums were planted and littered throughout the garden.
He turned around to see more of the flowers in different shade of pink, and he felt his face go hot. The flower had reminded him clearly of one thing and turned to see Ping sitting at the end of the porch, grinning like a fox. He sputtered and gestured to the flowers, "What? What is this?"
Quinmei came out and squealed, happy to see her husband. "Oh! Welcome home!" She quickly bowed and hopped down the porch and ran to his side. "Ping and I saw those flowers blooming on our trip to the marketplace, and I told him that I loved chrysanthemums. He told me you liked the pink ones in particular and wouldn't mind if I added them to the garden!" She touched the nearest one and smiled all too innocently at him. "Don't you like it?"
Shang closed his eyes as he allowed Quinmei to hug his side and rubbed his sweating forehead. He fought the mixed emotions that were straining to rise. He opened his eyes to see Ping approach them with the smile that would have rivaled the sly fox. He squeezed Quinmei affectionately and replied gently but glaring at the other man over her head, "they're beautiful, and yes, I do like pink chrysanthemums. They go well with the magnolia trees."
Quinmei stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek and hopped away to get in the house, "oh thank you! Dinner will be ready soon!"
Shang turned to Ping and waved a finger at him accusingly. "You did this on purpose." He grasped Ping by the robe and pulled him against his body, grinding his hip to inform him of what Ping had done to him.
Ping laughed and wrapped his arms around Shang's waist and nibbled at Shang's jawline. "I couldn't resist. She really wanted chrysanthemums planted, and the pink ones are just…"
"there's only one I want." Shang murmured and kissed Ping fully on the lips, sweeping his tongue into the smaller man's mouth.
Moaning softly in the kiss, Ping felt Shang's hands slip through his robes to clench on his bottom and pull him tighter against the bigger man. "Mmm. You can have that flower later tonight." He moved his lips to his ear and nipped the lobe, "I want you."
"It's been a while since you used the pink chrysanthemum to ask for it," Shang murmured as they stood there, basking in each other's embrace. Ping felt cool to the touch, probably from being in the house and staying cool. It was refreshing.
"I know. See all the flowers here, they're all I am asking for, each one of them."
Shang closed his eyes and groaned at the thought, "so many…"
"Many and much more, they bloom every year," Ping replied and broke away from the embrace to pull him into the house.
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"That is wonderful news." Quinmei's mother gushed. "You bring the family a great honor!"
Shang held back a grimace through his smile. They had written to Quinmei's parents and his aunt to announce her pregnancy. They decided to wait a couple of months before announcing to ensure that she was doing fine with the pregnancy and there was no risk of miscarriage. The miscarriage was common, and it was a just fear to be cautious about.
Ping played the flute in the corner of the room, deciding to give an atmosphere to ease the stress of the visiting family members. He had heard stories from Shang of dealing with Quinmei's overly controlled mother and knew of Shang's aunt's high-born ideas.
"Have you been eating five meals a day?" Quinmei's mother went on, turning to her daughter and fussing at her daughter's hair and appearance. "My, you need to get your husband to let you buy some clothes and why can't you keep your hair neat in the bun? It's improper!"
"Hmph!" Shang's aunt turned her nose up, "be sure wear only silk. Ah, don't forget, eat only cold food, nothing warm."
Shang continued to grimace at the woman and gave Quinmei apologetic look. He saw her return with a hint of eye-roll.
"I see Quinmei had convinced you to allow her plant chrysanthemums in the garden." Shang turned to the older man and nodded. "But why pink? She loves all colors and does not favor just one."
"Ah. Baochang, I am afraid that is my part. I am practically fond of the pink ones." Shang replied. He glanced over to Ping who hit a sour note and saw the slender man's amusement in the slanted eyes. He gave a hint of glare and turned back to the older man. "Would you care to tour the garden?" He asked, desperate to get away from the annoying incessant noises from Quinmei's mother and his aunt. He saw the older man nod and rose to guide the other man from the women. Ping ended his song and followed out into the garden but keeping several paces behind the two men.
Shang crossed his hands behind his back, received to be in the garden and lifted his head to let the cool evening breeze kiss his skin. Autumn was coming to its end and winter would come around.
"I am amazed that your magnolia trees still retain the flowers." The older man murmured as he touched one of the large flowers on the branch of the tree. "Winter is here soon and yet, these flowers are resilient."
Shang looked up to the tree. "Yes, they are." The tree was resilient and strong, able to withstand any natural disaster and still bloom the following spring. It also releases heavy dose perfume from the flowers. The skin of the petals was thick but silky smooth. It was the characteristics of someone he knew and glanced over to Ping, giving him a secret smile.
Ping smirked and ducked under the tree to settle against the trunk, pulling out the flute to play a different song. He had no place to say anything in the family meeting. He was just merely a presence, like a servant.
Baochang glanced over to him and tilted his head, "you are familiar." He turned to Ping. "I understand you are a close friend of Shang."
Ping pushed himself away from the tree and bowed his head while slipping his flute into the depth of his sleeves. "Perhaps you have seen me in the Opera House. I am Fa Ping, one of the main performers."
Baochang smiled as he waved his finger in the air, "Shang, you failed to mention that. He is quite famous throughout several providences. What a blessing." He turned to Ping, "It has been a while since I have been to the opera house. When would there be another show?" He asked.
"With winter, the opera house tend to close down until spring. I occasionally play in the tea house. Shang asked me to be here to lend moral support and play some music for his guests."
"I see. Quinmei had mentioned you in her letters often and grew fond of her. She respects you." Baochang noted and continued down the path. Shang and Ping followed, walking side by side.
"Tread carefully," Shang warned under his breath. Ping nudged his shoulder and hurried to join the older man's side.
"Quinmei is like a sister to me, and she is often lonely in the house while Shang is away playing war games with the other officers." He glanced over and shot Shang a teasing smile.
Baochang laughed a deep belly laugh and clapped Ping's shoulder. "She did inform us that you bring laughers in the house. I am pleased that Shang and Quinmei has a good friend in you." They paused at the small family shrine. They bowed and stood there for a moment before turning to return to the house. "Have you have no wife of your own?" He asked.
"No. My eldest brother had done his duty to the family, married a wonderful woman and bore three children for my parents to dote on. My path is with the opera house, and it gives me a little time to have a wife and family."
Baochang glanced over to Ping. "That's a pity."
Ping gestured to Shang, "at least Shang is sharing his family with me." He saw Shang tense. "He is kind to welcome me as a brother in the house." Shang's tension lessened.
"That is good. Having support in these difficult times of change is good. With the new Emperor on the throne and illness going about, everyone needs to help each other out as much as they can. Life is not kind."
Shang relaxed and clasped Ping's shoulder. "I agree, Baochang. I could not ask for a better man to be part of my family than Ping. We've been through a lot, and I trust him with my life."
Baochang nodded as they stepped in the house, to find the women gone from the dining area and sat down around the table. The servants brought rice wine, and they began to drink. The older man placed his cup down and asked, "You live alone, do you?" Ping nodded, "I live in the apartment in the city, but I often stay at the opera house during the busy seasons. It's training from dawn to late at night. It's like a second home. Shang allows me a room here for when I am here to visit and get away from the city."
"Why don't you make it permeant and live here?" Baochang asked.
Shang nearly choked on his wine and swallowed hard, the liquid burning its painful path down his throat. He felt Ping pat his knee under the table. "Ahem." He cleared his throat and gave a weak laugh. "Ping comes and goes as he please."
"Nonsense. Ping, you should move in permanently. Quinmei would be happy to have you around her children." The man turned to Shang, "and you, I am pleased that my daughter is pregnant and I would be even more pleased if you both give us few grandchildren."
Shang nodded, afraid to choke again on the wine. He saw Ping grin like a fox from the corner of his eye. He gripped the other man's hand under the table, knowing his sly ways. He closed his eyes as Ping spoke, "I'll make sure that they give you more grandchildren." He grinned at the older man.
The general wanted to bang his head on the table in exasperation. He squeezed the other man's hand harshly, promising him pain later on. He let go and stood up, "Forgive me. I need to get up early in the morning." he bowed and left, leaving Ping and Baochang alone.
Baochang frowned, glancing at where Shang has disappeared. "He's a rather serious man, unlike you. When he first married Quinmei, I feared he would be hard and cause my daughter distress. She tells me otherwise that he is a kind man."
Ping laughed softly, drinking his wine. "He has many sides to him. I just balance him out when necessary."
"Yes, that is true." Baochang raised his saucer to salute and drank deeply. "It is time for me to leave. I am sure Quinmei need to retire for the night." He rose and gestured to his wife and Shang's aunt in the other room.
Ping rose and bowed to the three elders, "thank you for coming." The women gave Quinmei hugs, and they left. He turned to Quinmei and took her arm around his arm and led her down the hallway to her room and saw her to bed, pulling the blanket and tucking her in. "Sleep good, little butterfly."
"Ping." She held onto his hand and smiled, "wǒ ài nǐ." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and fell asleep. He turned and saw Shang leaning against the doorframe, smiling softly. Ping gestured for him to come in and they stood, watching Quinmei sleep together.
References/Notes for this chapter:
Quinmei's Pregnancy: Timeframe of her pregnancy may get confusing here in this chapter and the next. Keep in mind for the next chapter, she got pregnant early spring.
Ping: From the beginning of the story to this and the next chapter, it had been around 5 years. He had matured and became more bold and sly. I like to think of him as a mischievous fox. I tried to describe his clothing a little bit. He wears changshan over loose trouser and couple of layers of flowing robes, perhaps more in colder weather. He keeps his hair down these days. He is not really flamboyant but more effeminate.
Zhuihu/pipa: Chinese instrument, long-necked with a small base and four strings, played with a bow. Used for storytelling because it makes many interesting sounds, such as horses running and water rippling. Google it and watch it on youtube, it is very fascinating and beautiful. Pipa is also a gorgeous instrument, "Spring Rain" is also a very lovely piece, also look it up on youtube too.
