China by Edward Rutherfurd (latest novels to read TXT) 📗

too late. The front door swung open unevenly, revealing the outline of a figure in the fog. The figure stepped in.

And then she saw, with joy, that it was her husband.

She had to go with him, of course. He told her right away: “I guessed you’d be here. But we need to get back.”

“I heard you on the bridge,” she said. “I thought it was Mother.” She looked at him anxiously. “Are you angry with me?” He shook his head. “What will we say to Mother if she’s missed us?”

“I’ll say I took you for a walk.”

“In the fog?”

“She can’t prove anything else.” He smiled. “Nothing she can do.”

“You are so good to me.”

They passed the little shrine and turned down onto the track.

“Do you know why I made them let me marry you, Mei-Ling?” he suddenly asked. “Do you think it was because you were the prettiest girl in the village?”

“I don’t know.”

“It was because I could see your character—the kind spirit in your face. That is why you are beautiful. That is why I married you. I knew you would try to see your Little Brother, no matter what it cost. Because you love him. Because you are good. So I am happy.”

“And I am lucky to have a husband like you,” said Mei-Ling. And then she told him everything about Nio and her fears for him.

“It’s not good,” he agreed.

“He’s so obstinate,” she explained. “You know that scar on his face? He got it here when he was a little boy. One of the older boys in the village was rude about my father. Said he was poor and stupid, and made the other boys laugh at him. And then Nio started fighting him, although the boy was twice his size. And Nio knocked him down, too, until the boy got his hands on a plank of wood and smashed Nio in the face with it. He’s still got the scar.”

“Brave.”

“Yes. But if he thinks he’s in the right, everything else goes out of his head. I never know what he’s going to do next.”

“It will be difficult for you to meet him again,” Second Son said. “I don’t think even I can arrange it.” He brightened. “But I can talk to him for you. Nobody’s forbidden it. Maybe he’ll listen to me.”

“You would do that?”

“This afternoon, if you like.”

“Oh, Husband.” She threw her arms around him. One wasn’t supposed to show affection, but in the fog no one could see them. They walked on. They were nearly at the little footbridge. “There’s something else I want to tell you,” she said.

“More bad news?”

“Good news. I mean, I’m not certain yet.” She paused a moment. “Not quite. But I think you’re going to be a father.”

A huge grin spread over his face. “Really?”

“I can’t promise it will be a son…”

“I don’t care, if I can have a daughter like you.”

“Why are you always so kind, Husband?” She didn’t believe him, of course. No family in China ever wanted a baby girl. Everyone congratulated the family who had a baby boy. If a girl was born, people just said nothing, or maybe something like “better luck next time.” Once she heard a man say to the father of a baby girl, “I’m sorry for your misfortune.”

“No, really, I don’t mind. If there are no girls born, then soon there won’t be any more children. Obviously. No future mothers. It’s stupid the way people only want boys.”

She nodded and then confessed: “I’ve always dreamed of having a little girl. But I never told anybody. People would have been so angry.”

They had come to the bridge. The fog was getting thinner. They could see the handrails and the grey water below.

—

When they entered the house, the village elder was still there, more or less awake now, sitting on the big divan and drinking tea. And so was Mother. She stood in the passageway, glowering at them. She addressed herself directly to Mei-Ling. “Where have you been?” She seemed ready to explode.

“Walking with my husband, Mother,” Mei-Ling said meekly.

“In the fog? Liar.”

“We had things to discuss, Mother,” said Second Son. He let his mother’s angry eyes rest upon him and took his time. “My wife is going to have a child.”

They both watched the older woman’s eyes narrow suspiciously. Did she believe them? If it wasn’t true, then they’d made a fool of her. A very dangerous thing to do. But if true…

The eyes returned to fasten upon Mei-Ling. Then the voice spoke, with a frightening coldness. “Make sure, Mei-Ling, that it is a boy.”

—

It was late afternoon when Second Son returned. He’d been on an errand to the next village. The mist had vanished hours ago. The hamlet, the rice fields, the duck pond, and the pleasant protective ridges above were all bathed in the light of the afternoon sun.

Under the broad straw hat he was wearing against the sun, his face was smiling. Ever since that foggy dawn, everything had unfolded wonderfully. And now he had only one task remaining to bring a perfect end to what—it seemed to him—might be one of the best days in his life.

He just had to make his wife happy by persuading this foolish young fellow not to run off to the big city and get himself into trouble. It might not be easy. But he didn’t mind the challenge. Indeed, when he thought of the happiness in Mei-Ling’s face if he accomplished his task, he welcomed it. He’d been rehearsing sentences of great wisdom all the way along the road.

As he passed the little shrine at the entrance to the hamlet, he reached back over his shoulder to shake any dust from his pigtail. He pulled his tunic straight. He didn’t want anything to detract from the impression of quiet authority that was to be his today. As he went up the lane, he greeted several villagers politely, watching to make sure that they were returning his greetings with respect.

When