House of Chen

  Bǎo looked out and wondered what the two ladies were doing. They had been gone for so long, he was beginning to wonder if they would ever come back. 'I wonder if we should send some people out to find them? Just to see if they are alright?' He searched the horizon as he did every morning but it was always to no avail. Once, he had seen two people walking towards the town and his heart missed a beat, until he realised it was two farm worker returning home. He turned from the lookout and was just about to go back to the barracks when Hao walked up. "Any sign of them?" he asked as he approached. Bǎo shook his head. "Don't worry, I have every faith in Niao. She is keeping Xin away until she is back to herself and it will take as long as it takes." He reached forward and placed his hand on Bǎo's shoulder, "trust me, I know her well and if there was a problem, I'd know." Bǎo looked at Hao and wondered how he always seemed so calm. He nodded...

It was a full cycle of the moon before Xin was physically restored. She would never bear children, the damage was too great, but the greatest impact was on her mind. She had gone from a funny, friendly and loving young lady to a bitter, sour and spiteful woman. Yes, she had suffered, but she wasn't the first and knowing what at happened back in Chenxi, I knew there were many women bearing the scars and progeny of such experiences. If husbands or family elders were still alive, they would turn her out as fallen, spoiled and she would have to survive on the streets. If the woman was unwed, she would remain so, labelled a dirty woman. Life was hard on these women and Xin was now one of them. Bǎo was beside himself with grief. He wasn't holding the events against her, none of the men did. Her temper and bad mouth were frightening them, pushing them away. I'd had enough, she wasn't going to wallow in this self pitying quagmire any longer. I collected my bundle and sorted out...