After what felt like another small eternity, with the Sky God relaying extra details on the "marital duties'' of a wife, he was finally standing up and taking his leave. True to his reputation as the most gallant god, he reached a hand out and helped Tuzi to her feet.
"My dear, I enjoyed our time together thoroughly. It is so good to see you again," he said, holding the rabbit-shifter's hands in his.
"I had a lot of fun today too, Lord Sky. Please come see me whenever you want. You are always welcome company," Tuzi said, giving him a brilliant smile.
Her words gave him pause, as he gazed fondly at the rabbit-shifter. The expression on his face began to form into one of concern and perhaps a bit of regret…? She had never seen him look so somber before.
Tuzi noticed this change in him immediately, as she in turn, squeezed the Sky God's hands. "Are you okay, My Lord?"
He nodded his head slowly, trying to form a small smile on his lips to ward off the wave of emotion that he was feeling. "My Lady Tuzi… One day, I will make it all up to you. It is my fault that you are in this mess. I know no apology would be adequate. But I will find a way to make it up to you and Moon."
The words he spoke registered slowly to her. She looked worried as her lips began to part, preparing to ask him questions. But before she could, he had already taken his leave.
She stared at the empty space that the Sky God had previously occupied, with words hanging left unspoken.
What did he mean? Why was it his fault? Tuzi thought, her mind going in all directions. She had never seen him look so sad before. The deity always had a smile for her and was always confident in his actions and demeanor. This was a side of him she hadn't encountered.
She felt genuinely more worried for him, than for herself. In Tuzi's eyes, like the Lady Goddess, the Lord Sky could simply do no wrong.
A slight breeze blew gently around her, carrying with it pink swirls of sakura petals. The shell bracelet around her wrist swayed slightly.
Tuzi wondered out loud about the deity, "Why are you so sad…?"
Her hazel eyes stared off into the distance and she didn't notice when the shell began to glow, pulsing slightly before stopping.
* * *
The clanging of metal beating against an anvil echoed through the small workshop, as Feng brought the forge hammer down against the glowing steel again and again. He stopped for a moment to examine the piece, held tightly in his hand with a tong. When he was satisfied with the shape of the hunting knife he was forging, the young man nodded and dipped the red-hot metal into a large pail of water.
The mating of molten steel and cold liquid together gave birth to the sound of hissing, as the steam floated rapidly into the air. The water instantly boiled.
Feng set the weapon aside to let it cool properly. Sweat dripping from his body, he pulled off his shirt revealing a hard muscled body, chiseled from the many years of his back-breaking apprenticeship. He wiped the perspiration from his face with his shirt.
Unknown to him, the apothecary's daughter was surveying this scene from the open doorway of the workshop. Her eyes hungrily devouring what she was seeing, she licked her lips wetting them, before clearing her throat to announce her presence.
The sudden intrusion surprised the young man, as he spun around immediately spotting her. She was still eyeing him in thirst, blinded by her lust.
"Ping'er," he said, perhaps a bit harshly, as he sounded rather annoyed. "What are you doing here? How many times have I told you that there are really sharp tools scattered all over the place here? It's too dangerous for you to be in here."
Her eyes finally shifted slowly from his chest to his face. She definitely took her time.
"Hi Feng," she started, her voice sounding breathless. "I heard the sound of metal and knew you were working. I just wanted to stop by and say hi."
"Hi," Feng responded flatly, still feeling dismayed from being surprised. He didn't really have anything he wanted to say to her. He also wished he hadn't taken off his shirt, as he noted the hungry look in her eyes. He had to fight himself from bringing his arms up to cover up, as the urge to do so was quite strong.
"What can I do for you, Ping'er?" he asked, when she didn't say anything further.
"Huh? Oh," she said, snapping out of her lusty haze. "It looks like you're done for the day. Want to come over for dinner? There's always plenty of food at my house."
"I uh… I'm good. I'll just have something simple to eat here. No need to trouble your family," he said, hoping that will be the end to her suggestion.
But of course, that wasn't enough.
"It's no trouble at all," she pushed back. She was feeling determined. "You know, it doesn't even have to be dinner. We can go for a walk together or something. It's been a while since we did anything together. We used to hang out so much when we were kids…"
Ahhh… But we aren't kids anymore… he thought.
"That's really nice of you to invite me," he started slowly. "But I don't think that would be a good idea. It wouldn't be great if others got the wrong idea about us…"
She didn't like what she was hearing.
"Why not?" she demanded, perhaps a bit too stubbornly. "Everyone here already has us married, for years now. You're the only one not cooperating." She sounded almost a bit pouty, as she said this. "I don't understand what the issue is. We are a good match for one another."
She approached him, lifting her arms out in his direction.
He took a step back, moving out of her reach. "I'm pretty sweaty," he said with a sigh. "I don't want to get your clothes dirty."
"You're welcome to get my clothes dirty, any time," she replied suggestively. "We are not strangers to one another, if you understand me. I… I like you very much. But you know this by now..."
Feng understood her meaning, only too well. "Ping'er, I thank you for thinking so highly of me, but I don't see 'this' happening between us. Like you said, we've known each other since we were kids. We are just childhood friends."
The woman's normally pretty face distorted into a frown, as she grinded her lower lips against her teeth in frustration. "I don't understand you. My feelings for you have not changed in years. You've always known how I felt. I am not ugly. Other men here want me and have pursued me relentlessly. But I only want you."
"I am not saying you are ugly. You are a beautiful woman and can do a lot better than me. But–"
"But what? I come from a good family and we are not lacking. If we are married, my dowry will be enough to allow you and your mother a comfortable life. You don't have to live like this anymore," she said, her hand gesturing to the harsh workshop surroundings.
"That's not it, Ping'er," Feng said with a sigh, trying to get her to understand. "You should be with someone who loves you, as a man should properly love a woman."
"And you can not?!" her voice sounded shrill now, her eyes glazing over, upset at the direction the conversation was heading.
Feng sighed in frustration, before saying firmly, "I love you like a sister–"
The sharp sound created from the impact of her palms against his cheek, instantly vibrated through the workshop. The silence that followed was loud and uncomfortable. His cheek was tingling from the sharp sting of the slap.
Ping'er had begun to sniffle, trying to stop herself from outright crying. She was being as dramatic as can be. "You are an idiot Feng. You do not think of me like a sister. I forgive you for that stupid word. I will give you a few days to take that back."
And with that, she spun on her heel and flurried out of the workshop in a huff, kicking up a trail of dust behind her.
The emotions that were storming inside of him were aggravating. This was not the first confrontation they had. Each one was more vexing than the last. He had ignored every single one of her advances, and yet she still manages to pretend like it had never happened.
Feng raked his hand through his wet hair, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath trying to get his emotions under control. But damn, that woman was maddening and he could feel his patience with her running thin. The more he denied her, the most persistent she became. Why couldn't she just take 'no' for an answer and find someone else?
The man threw his sweaty shirt over his shoulder, and reached for the doors to close them. He honestly hoped she wouldn't come back again. The situation was getting damn old.
Feng headed into the cabin that was connected to the back of the workshop. He grabbed a bucket from the corner of the room and exited the room from the side. After filling the bucket with water from a nearby well, he treated himself to a cool washdown from the long day's work.
By the time Feng made his way back to the cabin, his teacher had already returned. The man had set up a simple dinner on the table, which consisted of rice, some gai-lan vegetables, and a small serving of grilled meat.
The young man eyed the food, with a thankful smile on his face. He was more famished than he had thought.
"Don't mind if I do," Feng said gratefully, grabbing a bowl and piling food into it.
His teacher Chang snorted, shaking his bald head at his student. "And here I was hoping you would change your mind and eat over at Ping'er's. I brought home enough food only for myself tonight!"
"Which is why I am ever so grateful to you for sharing with me," Feng replied with a sly grin, a green broccoli sticking out from the side of his mouth.
Chang sighed in exasperation. "Chew before swallowing, so you don't choke," he growled fondly at his student, who was eating like his life depended on it.
The older man proceeded to pour cheap rice wine into bowls, and offered one to Feng, who gulped it down in one drink.
"I saw your dearly beloved stomping angrily down the street," the blacksmith shared teasingly. "I take it that she was here propositioning you again?"
Feng was trying his best to not roll his eyes, but still couldn't keep the look of disgust off of his face. He popped a small slice of beef in his mouth before responding, "She needs to stop. Each time she stops by, she gets a little bit bolder. I don't remember when she started becoming this obnoxious."
"Maybe she has always been obnoxious. Her family's money allows her to be as bold as she wishes to be," Chang said as-a-matter-of-factly. "But what I don't understand is why you are so repulsed by her."
"I'm not repulsed by her," he corrected begrudgingly. "I'm just not interested and she won't take 'no' for an answer. I think she just likes the chase. She's not really interested…"
"Oh, she's interested alright," the older man said. "But maybe she enjoys a good challenge too. I don't understand you. When I was your age, I loved surrounding myself with the pretty ladies in town. If anything, I feel like you are the odd one. Boys your age are supposed to be hot-blooded."
This time, Feng did roll his eyes. "I am fine. I just have other priorities right now."
His teacher made a face. "You can't prioritize your mom over getting married. Your mother would want you to settle down and start a family, ya know."
The younger man didn't look up at the blacksmith, when he continued chewing on his food. He swallowed and responded cryptically, "I'm not deprioritizing marriage… I know my mom wants that for me."
"Well, you have the perfect candidate in Ping'er. Beautiful and rich."
Feng scoffed at that, shaking his head.
"Don't say this old man didn't try to teach you a few things. At your age, my parents pre-arranged my marriage," he said, trying to provide some insight to his young disciple. "I wasn't so sure about it at first, but I grew to respect her quite a bit. Now I can't imagine my life without my wife."
Feng sighed. He had heard this story before. He could only nod to acknowledge his teacher's words.
"Marriage is a noble part of life," the blacksmith continued with his lecture. "And Ping'er's family owns the apothecary. They employ the doctors in this village. Didn't you say your mother was ill recently? She can benefit from this union."
At this, the younger man slowly nodded with a guilty conscience, conceding that his mother would indeed benefit from the union.
"It is a good match," Chang said with some finality. "Ping'er is a good looking woman. You are a good looking man. You two would have beautiful children."
Feng was honestly starting to look miserable. He could barely swallow his food at this point. He gently placed his bowl back onto the table.
"You're silent," the older man stated. "You have no reason to be silent. Really now, I don't see what the problem is. It's not like you have someone else in mind."
The younger man's eyes shifted to the side at that comment, not meeting his teacher's gaze. His face flushing slightly. Chang caught onto the reaction immediately.
With his eyes wide in realization, he gasped, "Who is it…!?"
Now it made sense. He never understood why his student spent years trying to ward off the most beautiful girl in the village. The elder man had begun to think that the young man was destined to become a monk and live a life of celibacy. God forbid.
"It's no one," Feng answered hastily, reaching for the bottle of rice wine.
Chang pulled the bottle out of his reach before his student could reach it. "Nope! Not till you explain yourself. Who are you pining for and how come you've never spoken about it before?"
The younger man tried reaching for the bottle again, but his teacher kept it firmly out of his grasp.
"Not until you tell me who it is," Chang insisted, playfully dangling the bottle of wine.
Feng was exasperated. He hung his head back with a groan. "Can't we just skip this marriage conversation? I mean, we've had this talk a million times."
"Yes, but not once had you led on that there was another woman in the picture. Do humor this old man and don't try to hide secrets from me."
Feng made a face at his teacher. "I wasn't trying to hide it from you. But it's a private matter."
Chang looked wounded. "But I'm your teacher."
"I know that."
"Of many years!" The older man made a pouty face.
The younger man all but gave up. He knew his teacher had a flair for drama. "Fine… But it's really not a big deal."
Seeing that he was going to have his way, the older man perked up with a wide smile. "So do tell. Who is the lucky young lady?"
Well, here we go, Feng thought hopelessly. "She's… a family… friend," he started. "I met her a few years ago…"
"Yes yes," Chang said nosily, leaning in. "And?"
"And… I think she's uh… the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he replied with a bit of caution.
"Have you told her how you feel?" the blacksmith pressed.
Feng drew his lips into a line. "I honestly don't know how," he said truthfully. He wanted to just leave the answer at that, but the blacksmith wouldn't relent.
"You should be brave and just tell her! It's not so hard. This is your future we are talking about. And you've obviously harbored feelings for her. Did you tell your mother? She can help you set up a match, you know."
The younger man nodded absently. "I'm sure she would if she could…"
Chang furrowed his brows, feeling a slight frustration rising. "I thought you said the girl is a family friend?"
"She is. But it's much more complicated than that." Feng got up from his seat and patted his nosy teacher on the shoulder. "There, now that I told you what you wanted to know, be a good man and help clear the table."
The blacksmith growled at him. "We weren't done with the conversation. And what is this?! Aren't you supposed to respect your elders and help clean up? Tch! To think I helped raise you."
Feng chuckled. "That you did! But we will save this conversation for another day. I still have a lot to figure out. It's much too complicated to explain in a day."
His teacher whimpered in frustration but accepted his student's answer.
Giving up, he handed Feng the bottle of rice wine. "Finish the rest of it and get some rest. I'll clean up. You had a long and hard day."
Taking the bottle from Chang, Feng let out a thankful sigh that his teacher was willing to drop the matter. They cleaned up the table together, before Feng went to bed.