Beware Of Chicken

Book 5: Chapter 5: Hearth and Home

Meiling smiled at the scene before her as she laid propped up on her arm. The house was quiet and dark, with everybody else still asleep.

Meiling reached down and absently tucked a strand of hair behind Tigus ear. The girl stirred at Meilings touch, leaning into it slightly before settling again on her pillowin this case Jins arm. Though Tigu was not the only one using that pillow. Xiulans forehead was almost touching Tigus as they faced each other. Tigu was closer to Jin, while Xiulans back was touching Meiling. Between Tigu and Xiulan was Zhuye, her sons fingers wrapped around Tigus. Jin had thankfully made the bed a bit larger, so Xiulan and Tigu had fit in just fineand this time Tigu stayed human instead of having to shift into a cat.

Meiling took a deep breath, focusing on the clean purity of first Xiulans Qi, then Tigus.

Her small smile widened.

She had been in a good mood ever since she caught her familys scent on the breeze as they returned home. There had been a minor undercurrent of bubbling stress, especially to Xiulan, but otherwise the smell of their Qi was perfect: no acrid tang, no rotten sweetness. They were hale and heartythey just all needed a bit of pampering.

Meiling had simply dragged Xiulan past her own room and into her and her husbands when they had retired from the roof. It said a lot that Xiulan hadnt even put up a token resistance as Meiling pulled her along. Then again, Meiling hadn't made any jokes either, but now was not the time. Xiulan had needed some comfort and support, not teasing, for the wonderful job she had done. Especially considering how Xiulan had fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Meiling had carefully completed her examinations of Tigu and Xiulan as they slept. Her Qi had ghosted through both of their bodies as she fixed minor tangles in their meridians, removed minor blocks, and smoothed out the remaining knots. It felt a little like she had wrapped them both in a full body hug, and the results had been quite pleasing, as both Xiulan and Tigu fell into even deeper slumber.

Now their Qi had calmed completely. Meiling resolved to take care of both Yin and Xianghua the next chance she got. Both of them deserved itas well as Loud Boy, Rags, the Torrent Rider, and Delun. All of them had performed excellent work.

She didnt get to look much longer at Tigus cute, sleeping face, however. A reedy crow echoed out as Xiao Ku, Little Yell,greeted the morning. They had finally given their backup rooster, as Jin jokingly called him, a name. Xiao Ku shouted as long and loud as he could until Meiling heard the thump of him hitting the wall of the coop, having nearly passed out from his own crowing.

Zhuye then opened his eyes and proved why his nickname was Little De. A sound quite like a rooster issued forth from her sons throat as he woke up. He huffed, obviously satisfied with himself, before turning to look up at where Meilings face normally was.

He seemed slightly confused to see Xiulan instead, and then he turned his head again in shock and confusion as he saw Tigu instead of Jin. He stared into Tigus yellow eyes as she woke up. His face screwed up for a moment, like he was going to cry in shock at this new situation until he started sniffing. Meilings little one pondered the smell in his nose before his face brightened and he reached out to Tigu with a Gah!

Tigu let out an amused sound from her throat as she stood and scooped her little brother up, rubbing her cheek against him as she giggled.

Good morning, little brother! she called out as she spun him around.

Jin laughed as Tigu zoomed Zhuye around the room, much to his delight. Jins Qi flexed and the rooms Light Stones lit themselves, illuminating the bedroom. They watched her for a while, then her husband turned to her.

Good morning, love, he said and he leaned over to give her a good morning kiss. She could see some of the tension that had been plaguing him was well and truly gone too. He wouldnt be back to 100% until Bi De returned but this was good.

Xiulan, her head still on Jins forearm, grumbled slightly. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw Meiling looking at her before Xiulan picked up her head, grabbed Jins arm, and put the limb over her eyes to block out the light.

Come on now, it's time to get up, Meiling said in an encouraging tone.

Jin just snorted with laughter at Xiulans grumbling as she shook her head in denial.

Let's let her rest. She's earned it, Jin said, an amused look on his face..

Oh very well, Meiling said fondly and chuckled at the small victorious smile on Xiulans face. Well. She did deserve her rest.

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It was fantastic to once more have an undercurrent of noise at the breakfast table. Meiling was just waiting for the rice to finish cooking and then everything would be done.

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She glanced out into the living room and smiled at the sight that caught her eye.

Tigu was bouncing Zhuye up and down on her knee, Zhuye making excited noises while Tigu talked with the others.

You sleep well? she asked the two newcomers that had come downstairs.

Ah, yeah, I slept greatlet me tell you, getting into bed as a human feels way different than as a rabbitcovers pulled up to your face, under a warm blanket. Roughing it can be fun, but theres something to be said for this, yanno? Bein home, Yin said happily as she leaned against Chun Ke. Miantiao was curled around Yins arm and had his head resting on top of hers. Yin was gently tracing her fingers over the snakes scales. She looked a little sleepy still, but her smile was infectious. It was bright and happy, before it turned slightly bashful and Yin glanced up at Meiling. And, uh... thanks again for the room, Mistress. You guys didnt have to make me all that stuff!

That stuff being the bed, the extra clothes, and human-sized copies of the gifts she had received as a rabbit.

Of course we had to; youre part of the family. That room is yours, as is everything within, Meiling stated simply.

Yin blushed, her features stunningly beautiful. A fairy from the heavens come to earth.

What did you think of the toilets? Bowu asked.

Theyre great! Shittin inside sure is crazy! Yin said enthusiastically. I actually turned back into a rabbit and tried it out that way. My shits are round when Im like that and they go whoooo all round the toilet bowl when you flush

The fairy disappeared as Yin got more into talking about her bowel movements interactions with the toilet, complete with hand gestures.

honestly, Meiling couldnt entirely blame her. There was something fascinating about watching objects circle the whirlpool, only to drain away. Meiling had actually kept dropping leaves in one day until the toilet had clogged. She had ended up needing to bribe Wa Shi to get it unstuck.

Jin still didnt know she had done that.

Meiling shook away that embarrassing thought.

Soon enough, the rice was finished and they started to bring out all the foodfrom the grilled river fish and rice to the freshly baked bread; fried, scrambled, and poached eggs; deer sausages, and mushroom patties, as well as their massive stock of pickled vegetables. Meilings brine from home, as well as Jins new, spicy ones.

Xiulan couldnt stay asleep with the smells wafting upstairs and quickly staggered down, rubbing what remained of it out of her eyes.

Meiling smiled at the much fuller tableand then the door opened and the last two members of their family present arrived.

Good morning, my dearest friends! Xianghua thundered out as she walked into the room. She was practically glowing, a massive smile on her face as she marched over to hug her little brother. Today is an absolutely wonderful day!

There were, however, blemishes on her skinmostly faded bruises on her neck and collarbone, as well as on her wrists. Meiling very much knew where those bruises were from, as she had worn them plenty of times herself.

Meiling had heard some of the great struggle of wills that had taken place in Gou Rens house while they were on the roof, but their own room was sound-proofed enough that it hadnt interfered with their sleep.

Behind Xianghua, moving much more gingerly, was Gou Ren. Her brother in all but blood was limping slightly and looked like he did after that one time he had tracked a herd of deer for two weeks straight before finally managing to make his kill, then he had to get it back through the worst rainstorm they had had in years.

He was exhausted, bruised, and looked dead on his feet. It looked like every step was done only through supreme willpower and his cheeks were hollow.

Yet he had a smirk on his face. He locked eyes with Jin as he hobbled up to Meilings husband.

Both of them reared back their arms before their hands met in a mighty clasp.

Jin simply nodded at Gou Ren, manly pride practically radiating off him.

Gou Ren nodded back and then hobbled to sit down beside Xianghua, who was still practically sparkling in the sun.

Meiling could only start laughing. Oh, it was so good to have everybody back.

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Her good mood continued as the day progressed.

They went out into the snow-filled yard and started on the General; with the extra hands, they packed more and more snow onto his already towering formthough this too was slow going as Yin and Tigu started a snowball fight in the middle of it all. Only Xiulan and Gou Ren abstained, cheering on the brawl instead of partaking. Meiling kept both of them topped up with tea as they dozed in the winter sun.

Eventually, however, the snowball fight petered out and they returned to working on the General.

Jin climbed up to the divot in the middle of the Generals chest and inserted the completely round crystal within it, sparkling with motes of white inner light. He packed the snow tight around the crystals new resting place.

Wa Shi placed the biggest carrot of the harvest into the Generals face as his nose, and Chun Ke brought over massive branches for his arms.

And finally, Meiling and Tigu heaved up the dark hat made of reeds and together they placed it onto the Generals head.

For some reason, Meiling almost felt like something was supposed to happen. It must have been the story Jin had told her about the magic snowman.

They both hopped down and turned to look up at their handiwork. The General, in his wonderful tall hat and carrot nose, stood tall. His sooty eyes and smile beamed out over the treetops.

Meiling very much liked this tradition. They sat for a while, admiring their handiworkbefore retiring inside to roast chestnuts.

The General stayed smiling, strong and proud, the Qi of everyone who helped make him swirling around his core.

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It grew and grew, as a nascent spirit formed. It reached out, almost blindly, and touched a web of gold. There were gaps in the web. Places where subordinate spirits were supposed to assist the Provincial Spirit. Minor land spirits that had been shattered and broken thousands of years ago. Dead, never to be recovered.

The General ghosted along these connections, as it had last year. His power flowed as he touched his subordinate.

He felt the Warden, who had fallen in battle last year; yet he was reborn from the will and belief of those who had retrieved his mighty hat.

And then there were others. Many others, small subordinates close together. They were tiny things, most of them set just outside of houses or on front steps.

Yet one was larger. One was much larger, and he had a name. The Captain who Braves the Devil Storms would be a fine subordinate; built as he was by guards, he knew his duty well.

He could feel it. The belief. The faith. The wish that had made him and even now empowered him.

He was the General that Commands the Winter.

He had a duty. He touched the web again. He grasped it.

There was a spark.

An empty position was once more filled; as the General swore fealty to Tianlans throne.

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