Author Notes:
Hello, everyone and Happy Winter Solstice! This is a small one shot to celebrate Guo Dong, the longest night in winter. Traditionally, families would gather around for a hearty and warming meal to ward off the bitter cold.
Initially, I thought this could work as a future scene for Leap of Faith, but alas, the timeline in that story is mid-Autumn instead of mid-Winter so it can't. In this one shot, the trio is at Tianji Hall where Li LianHua has been cured of the Bicha poison and is recovering. Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing enjoy fussing over him, and the awesome Madam He is both a gracious hostess and a wonderful mother figure. Enjoy :)
Unbetaed.
Disclaimer: The Mysterious Lotus Casebook doesn't belong to me.
- Story Start -
The guestroom that Li LianHua occupies is the largest one in Tianji Hall, situated in the East Wing. It's far enough from the front entrance that he's not disturbed by any unwanted visitors or the rousing shouts of the guards training in the front courtyard. It's also far enough from the kitchens and back rooms that he's not disturbed by meal preparations or laundry days.
There's a beautiful little garden outside his room should Li LianHua wish to stretch his legs and a railed off section where he can admire the countryside below him, including the tiny grove of plum trees where Lotus Tower is parked.
All of the above are relayed to him by Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing since Li LianHua hasn't stepped outside since staying here, not even once. While Tianji Hall doesn't get much snow, it's still the middle of winter and very, very cold. Madam He has put her foot down and declared Lotus Tower inhabitable these couple of months, for both man and dog.
Hulijing spends his days running around Tianji Hall and getting his share of treats and pats. Li LianHua spends his days lying in bed, under the blankets, or sitting at the round table, wrapped up in his fur cloak.
Right now, it's late afternoon and the sun has long since set. Di FeiSheng had already lit the two oil lamps – one beside the bed and the other on the table.
Li LianHua steals yet another glance at the man sitting straight backed and cross legged at the foot of the bed, going through the XiangYi swordplay book that Li LianHua had written and illustrated for Fang DuoBing. Di FeiSheng looks comfortable and at peace, unbothered by the fact that the warm glow from the oil lamps doesn't reach his book at all. The lines of worry beside that cruel mouth are lightening now that Li LianHua is healed.
He looks so good, a voice whispers inside Li LianHua's mind. He clears his throat, chasing that thought away. Di FeiSheng looks up with one eyebrow raised in enquiry.
"A-Fei, it must be close to dinnertime," Li LianHua says the first thing that pops into his head.
"Hm?" Di FeiSheng glances at the window. "Yes, it should be. Are you hungry?"
Unsurprisingly, Li LianHua is despite the lack of activity filling his hours. His body needs to heal and rebuild. Food and sleep are needed for both, as well as the Qi that Di FeiSheng and Fang DuoBing give freely every morning.
"You should go join them for dinner," Li LianHua suggests, not for the first time.
"Why?"
Li LianHua raises an eyebrow in turn.
"Because it's been a week and you've been taking all your meals here."
"I am accompanying you." Di FeiSheng looks and sounds like he's stating the very obvious.
"Today is Winter Solstice," Li LianHua tries again.
"And XiaoBao is eating with his family as he should."
Li LianHua sighs and gives him a look for that very smug tone.
"He is family while we are guests." Di FeiSheng tries a different tack.
"Which is exactly why you should show good manners and go and join them."
"Since when is it necessary for me to show good manners?"
Li LianHua gives him another look which results in Di FeiSheng doing something with his lips that, in any other person, would classify as a pout.
"Besides, I would rather see you eat."
To his chagrin, Li LianHua feels his face heating up and hurriedly turns away. Di FeiSheng being blunt about anything and everything is something he's used to. A-Fei being blunt about his feelings is something new and still makes Li LianHua… shy. His resultant blush each time is annoying.
Before he can say anything, there's a knock on the door followed by a very familiar bark.
"Li-shengyi? A-Fei?" Madam He calls.
Startled, Li LianHua throws off the blankets and swings his legs to the floor. Di FeiSheng puts down the book and gets off the bed in one smooth motion.
"I was right - she expects you to join them for dinner," Li LianHua hisses at him. "But why is it that although I met her first, I am still Li-shengyi while you are A-Fei?"
"You can thank XiaoBao for that," Di FeiSheng replies, and in a louder voice, "Come in."
The door opens and Hulijing is the first one in, followed by Madam He, Minister Fang, Zhan YunFei and He XiaoFeng. Behind them are A-Li and three other maids carrying trays of food.
"He-tangzhu, Fang-daren, He-guniang, Zhan-xiong!" Li LianHua exclaims as Hulijing starts licking his hand in welcome. He shivers at the gust of icy wind blowing in. "What's all this?"
Madam He beams at him.
"Li-shengyi, I'm sure you know that today is Winter Solstice! Since A-Fei here doesn't want to leave your side, not even for a minute-"
"A-niang decided that we'll all have dinner here instead," Fang DuoBing finishes, carrying in yet another tray and motioning with his head for A-Li to shut the door.
"You brat. Stop interrupting me," Madam He scolds.
Li LianHua's face burns again, this time in embarrassment. He steals a quick glance at Di FeiSheng, mollified at the look of chagrin on his face.
"He-tangzhu, I appreciate your concern, but you didn't have to go to all this trouble. If I'd known, A-Fei and I would have joined you all."
"Nonsense!" Madam He says. "You'll catch a chill walking over to the main house in such cold weather."
"I have the fur cloak from XiaoBao," Li LianHua protests, but she shakes her head.
"We realise it's an invasion of yours and Di-mengzhu's privacy," Minister Fang adds. "Please excuse us."
"Oh no, it's not about that at all." Li LianHua waves his hands in protest.
"He-tangzhu, Fang-daren, such a dinner is for family," Di FeiSheng says, forthright as usual.
Li LianHua sighs and offers a formal salute.
"What A-Fei means is that we appreciate your hospitality more than we can say. You have been very gracious in welcoming us, hosting us and feeding us. We do not want to cause anymore inconvenience."
Madam He beams at him.
"Think nothing of it! Winter Solstice is when families gather together for a meal to celebrate the passing of winter. Minister Fang and I…"
Here, she hesitates and looks at her husband who nods. With a smile, she brushes the back of her hand against his before turning back to Li LianHua.
"Just like YunFei here," she nods at Zhan YunFei, "we consider Li-shengyi and A-Fei a part of our family."
Coupled with the eager nods and smiles from the others, Li LianHua feels his throat going tight while his chest suffers a pang that is both piercing and sweet. Di FeiSheng's face has gone blank, which is how he reacts to a situation he's unused to. Unware of the fond smile tugging at his lips, Li LianHua copies Madam He's subtle gesture and touches his fingers to Di FeiSheng's.
"In that case, please call me by name."
Minister Fang's brow crinkles a bit.
"Would that be Li XiangYi or Li LianHua?"
"Li LianHua, please."
"Very well." Madam He's eyes twinkle which strengthens her resemblance to Fang DuoBing. "A-Hua it is. Just to be fair to A-Fei."
Startled, Li LianHua glances at Di FeiSheng again and catches the briefest flash of affront on his face. It makes him feel like snickering and blushing at the same time.
"Of course," he agrees with a nod.
"Psst, why is Zhan-huwei now 'YunFei' while Di-mengzhu is 'A-Fei'?"
"Never mind that, Di-mengzhu's nickname sounds manly, but Li-shengyi's one sounds so femi-"
"Hush!" He XiaoFeng rounds on the maids, trying not to laugh. "Stop gossiping and set the table at once."
- o –
The round table can hardly be seen under the spread of dishes – all beautifully cooked and presented. Hulijing settles down nearby, enjoying his own meal of delicacies which Li LianHua swears will make him fatter than he already is.
Flanked by Minister Fang and Di FeiSheng, with a steaming bowl of hot rice in front of him, Li LianHua eats and drinks his fill, not only of the food and wine, but also the smiling faces around him.
Outside, a light dusting of snow has started falling, but inside, it is warm and cosy. As the meal progresses, the light hearted conversation turns to past memories. Fang DuoBing's face goes pink with embarrassment as he tries in vain to stop He XiaoFeng from relating an amusing anecdote about his past. Madam He and Minister Fang are egging them on, one siding a sister; the other a son. Zhan YunFei has a besotted smile on his face as he watches He XiaoFeng. Di FeiSheng is also smiling, eyes soft and content as he places another piece of fish in Li LianHua's bowl.
Li LianHua thinks back to all the Winter Solstices he's spent – starving and shivering on snow swept streets… fed and warm at Yunyin Mountain with his shifu and shiniang… toasting each other with rousing cheers at Sigu Sect… and alone with only Hulijing for company inside Lotus Tower.
This year's – right here, right now – is the best one yet.
"Let's have a toast," Madam He says and raises her winecup. "We drink to A-Hua's complete recovery!"
Everyone echoes her words and empties their cups. Smiling, Li LianHua raises his cup to each of them in thanks before downing it, his heart warm and full.
- Story End -
daren = respecful title for superior
guniang = unmarried female
huwei = guardian
mengzhu = director
shengyi = doctor
shifu = martial teacher
shiniang = wife of martial teacher
tangzhu - hall master
xiong = older brother (formal)