Drumstick Meeting & Red Ears

"Aiya, I shouldn't have been lazy," Grandma Shen complained in the carriage with deep regrets. "I didn't go once and I missed a glorious face slapping scene."

"..." Alright, that was a bit of a stretch. The incident three days ago was hushed quiet by the royal family. No one was allowed to mention it outside. Shen Mohua pushed the carriage curtain aside and Lotus House came into view.

"Mother, I wouldn't exactly call it 'slapping,'" Shen Liu gently corrected.

Grandma Shen shook her head as if her son never spoke. Ah, how regretful. "How can an old lady's luck be this bad?"

"Nainai, you'll see him soon," Shen Mohua coaxed, holding the elderly woman's hand to descend down the carriage. Grandma Shen had always liked Ou Junsan and after hearing about what happened, only liked the guy more.

Ou Jie, who had been waiting by the lion statues, jumped down excitedly. "Bis sister, you're finally here. Follow me this way please."

Up on the second floor, in a large private room, Ou Junsan was seated next to his parents. His father had been mumbling off about the empress' birthday festival for the last half an hour while his mother kept drinking tea without a word.

When they heard of what he did, they rushed to the capital the very next morning. Only when they saw that he was physically unharmed did they calmed down. Understandably, they were worried, so he spent the last couple days with them to soothe their minds.

"You must be careful, my son," Ou Xing finally concluded. "General Song has always been out for your life. If you make a mistake, he won't miss the chance for the final swing."

Na Zhen's hand that held the cup trembled. The empty expression on her face crinkled, finally showing her worries. "Jun, why don't you come back to the countryside after the wedding?"

"I'll think about it, mother. I need to have a talk with Mohua first." After all, she'd become his wife. Ou Junsan signaled to his parents as footsteps came down the hallway.

Ou Jie knocked on the door three times before pushing in. Behind the three figures was a large window that opened directly to the lotus pond. Shen Mohua's attention was immediately drawn to the dark robed figure seated between two elders.

The room had been carefully chosen and planned for utmost comfort in its location, seating, and decorations. Even the dishes being brought in upon their arrival had a variety of everything. It was clear how much thought went into the family meeting. There was a slight feeling of ticklishness in her heart.

"Come, come, don't be shy." Na Zhen and Ou Xing stood up to welcome them in.

Grandma Shen, as the elder, took the lead and sat down. She glanced back teasingly, "Mohua, would you rather sit next to this old lady or go to your beloved?"

Shen Mohua's face was on fire. With all eyes on her, she looked to Ou Junsan for a way out. He, who was unaware of her pleading eyes, calmly placed his cloak down.

Na Zhen moved to the other side of her husband. "Mohua, have a seat next to Jun."

Thankful for any directions, Shen Mohua made her way over. As she sat down, she made sure their clothes were not touching. Lest, he complained about the closeness between them. Curious of his reaction, she secretly eyed over in his direction. His expression was as calm as ever, she couldn't read his emotions.

As her parents settled down, she quietly whispered in a reassuring tone, "I'll keep my distance."

"I can't believe it's been a year since we last met," Meng Jia said, her eyes twinkling upon the memory.

"Yes, time sure flies. At last, we have both the children here," Na Zhen added. "Thank you again for accepting our family's proposal. We loved Mohua as soon as we saw her."

"Not at all, it's us who should thank Junsan for taking such great care of our daughter."

While the elders happily conversed, Shen Mohua listened and ate. Noticing his empty plate, she leaned over. "What do you like to eat?"

Ou Junsan felt her breaths tickling his ears. The corner of his lip curled upwards. Was this keeping distance? He quietly cleared his throat. "Anything is fine."

Every now and then, she dutifully placed various dishes onto his plate. True to his words, he really wasn't picky at all. Everything she gave him was eaten clean. It eventually became so natural to her to take care of him that she forgot she was doing it while listening to his mother's epic story. Everything that she ate, he also had a portion.

"Anyone else remembers how Mohua joined us last year...?"

Everyone at the table knew exactly the moment Na Zhen was referring to. Meng Jia massage her temples and Shen Liu held back the laughter in his eyes. Grandma Shen's lips curled in amusement. Who could forget?

"...It's still clear in my memory like it happened just yesterday. I had a drumstick in my hand when she flew in through the window. Handing it back to me, she flashed the brightest grin and called me auntie!"

"Me, me, I know exactly how I looked like!" Shen Mohua piped up with full enthusiasm. "I had been hiking all morning when I remembered about the meeting. As I ran back, I slipped and got dirt all over my face and clothes. Shen Fai dared me to enter the room as the way I was--"

"That boy gave you the ridiculous idea?" Meng Jia interrupted. That stinky boy!

"Nah uh." Her mischievous eyes sparkled. "I bragged that I could do it even better, so I rolled down the roof."

Ou Junsan choked.

Meng Jia's mouth dropped. "Shen Mohua!"

The Ou couple shared a glance, shocked and impressed at the same time.

Grandma Shen burst into laughter. "I've always suspected you to be behind such an idea."

Shen Mohua seemed not able to control her mouth since she started talking and thus, opened her mouth to tell another story. A soft bun was pressed against her lips.

"Eat more," a certain person said.

Shen Mohua opened her again only to have the bun pushed in. "..."

"Aww, look at how lovely the two are already," Na Zhen exclaimed dreamily.

"..." She couldn't speak even if she wanted to, alright? Her glare towards Ou Junsan was met with a nonchalant expression. Trying to act innocent? Shen Mohua directly took a large bite, then set the other half of the bun down. "Let me finished off what I left on earlier. Well, on our way to Ping Jing--"

He abruptly stood up, pulling her up with him. "I'd like to have a talk with Mohua if that's alright."

"Of course, go ahead," Shen Liu replied. "You two should talk before the wedding."

The elders at the table all shared a knowing look which Shen Mohua didn't catch on as he pulled her out of the room. She was a little bummed she didn't get to finish her story. From the doorway, she waved goodbye.

"You're so slow," he said coldly.

She ran up to where he stood and smiled to herself. Who was it that just slowed down to wait for her? Her mischievous eyes shone once again. "Why don't you carry me then?"

Ou Junsan's lips pressed together. "Men and women must keep distance."

They continued along the long corridor and stopped in the center of the floating pavilion by the lotus pond. Shen Mohua perched herself on the railing and swung her legs back and forth childishly.

The cool breezes combed through her loose hair soothingly. She turned to face him. "What did you wanted to talk about?"

His cheeks instantly turned a slight shade of red. He didn't utter a sound.

Her laugh rung through the air like soft little bells. "Ou Junsan, you liar."

It was a little bit later that he suddenly spoke. "I did have something to ask of you."

Is that right? She grinned innocently. "En, what is it?"

"Mother wanted to know if you'd like living in the countryside after we..." He cleared his throat. Suddenly, the last word was a bit hard to say aloud.

"Marry?" The word slipped out of her mouth with ease.

Ou Junsan stiffly faced the lotus pond. "En."

"Wherever you are, that's where my home is. Isn't it..." Shen Mohua stood on tip toes and leaned close to his ear. "...Husband?"

A certain pair of ears immediately turned red. The sound of her soft laughter that followed still rang in his ears late into the night...