The Fall of Wei and Shu

Chapter 5

Shang Xiang sat up, stretching and looking around for Ai Rong. The blind woman was gone, her sword gone. The princess felt a twinge of worry as she stood and walked out of the bedroom, looking for her older sister still.

"The training grounds."

"Huh?"

Shang Xiang turned to see a tall broad woman dressed plainly smiling at her from her place hunched over a torn robe.

"The mistress. She's at the training grounds around the back of the stables."

Shang Xiang smiled and thanked her before dashing outside, barely having time to stop before slamming into her older sister's father-in-law. The old man smiled and glanced around.

"Where is my daughter-in-law? I heard that she is carrying a grandchild of mine inside her."

Shang Xiang told him that she thought Ai Rong might be in the training grounds behind the stables and invited him to go with her to see the ex pirate. When they caught sight of her, Ai Rong was standing on Laughing Moon's back, holding a practice sword, practicing balancing in a number of stances.

"Be careful you don't fall, Ai!"

Ai Rong turned toward Shang Xiang's voice, smiling and jumping down from the saddle and leading Laughing Moon to her stable. Her father-in-law wore a disapproving expression as she came out of the stable covered in straw.

"You shouldn't be doing these things while you are carrying, foolish girl. Get inside and do women's things."

"Oh! Father Lu, when did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago. Now get inside before you hurt yourself."

She giggled as the old man fussed over her, her face going a little pale when the servants brought in breakfast. Shang Xiang didn't envy Ai Rong her spells of nausea triggered by the smallest things. Ai Rong took a deep breath and ate slowly with her father-in-law and younger sister, using all her willpower to keep her stomach from rebelling.

"So, Ai Rong, has Xun written back to you?"

Ai Rong smiled and shook her head, snorting when she heard Father Lu heave a sigh.

"That boy…"

"I'm sure it was a bit of a shock. My brother and Sun Jian were also informed of my…er…condition."

Shang Xiang rolled her eyes and watched for a minute while Ai Rong ate in silence, listening as her father-in-law as he named off his thoughts on preparations for the baby's arrival. Ai Rong smiled and tucked her hair behind one ear.

"I think there is some time before we have to start preparations, Father Lu. I'm only about two months into it…"

The old man sighed and shook his head.

"It is never too late to plan, my girl. Never."

"Yes Father Lu."