Jing Li: Wine, tea, and whispers

"He must give us positions!" Jing Heng said loudly as he slammed his bowl of rice on the table. He and the his siblings were sitting around a table, far off from the new minister's apartments. Far enough away that they heard sheep louder than some of the revelry.

They were in on of the many tea houses that had filled up for the event. People came and went but the Jing family ate together, just as they had for months.

They were all there, from Heng the eldest, his two married brothers, down to the youngest brother, Yi. Even meek Yun was there, although at her age, being out and about without a husband was becoming something of an issue.

Qiang spoke. "I have read the stars, brother, and they portend well for us." His wife nodded. "Mother has agreed to speak with father, though he seems a bit busy at the moment. I am sure our brother will offer us grand positions as befits our relationship."

"Mother has said there are others." Yun said quietly. "Father was, um, very manly in his youth. She said he had given them letters of introduction, should they want to seek a position with Li."

Yi put his large hand back into the bowl for rice. Though the youngest, he was clearly the largest. It was said he was almost as big as the Ox General, though that was not a fair comparison. The latter had five summers on Yi. Perhaps soon, though. "He did send food, though."

"Mother sent this, I bet." Heng said. "It was the best she could probably do, even though our illustrious brother and his friends are feasting on roast pork, honey dumplings, and barrels of wine."

"I would not mind a honey dumpling," Yi said, between chews.

"It's that woman he has." Heng said, leaning forward. "I heard she was a northern witch, and she has ensorceled our brother."

"No such thing, Heng." Qiang said. "She is a beauty, of course, but I heard she was a princess. The stars say it will..."

"Shut up with your stars!" Heng slammed his bowl again, for effect. "All I know is Li has left us to eat far away from the festivities. I say we deal with that woman the way she should be treated. Then Li will be sure to...Oww!" Heng yelped as a solid bowl bounced off his forehead. Rice flew everywhere as he stumbled and the regained his feet. Heng put a hand on An's shoulder to steady himself.

"Are you out of your ever loving mind?" The family looked at an enraged woman as she grabbed a bowl from a man beside her. He tried to reach for it but she had already cocked back her arm for another throw.

"Brother, you're bleeding!" Yun said.

"Hey!" Yi said, getting his massive girth up and facing the woman. He pushed her back onto the table she had been eating at; food and implements went flying as she struggled to get back up.

The man whose rice she had taken managed to save his wine cup. "I do believe you deserved that." He said simply.

"Shush, you!" She let fly with his rice bowl. Qiang had tried to help his elder brother sit when the bowl caught him on the back of the head. He slumped into his sister's lap, face first. His rump stayed partially elevated.

Heng's cotton shirt flew wild as he stumbled over Qiang's rump, bowls on the table, and two large platters of fish sauce. The blood gushed from his forehead and made it difficult see. He drew his short sword and almost dropped it as he missed the end of his table and the start of hers.

"No blades, please." The man at the other table said as Heng stumbled forward. He sipped his wine.

The woman picked up a large crock. As she lifted it over her head the wine sloshed and shifted weight. She fell backwards and the crock broke near her head, sending a fragrant vintage onto several tables. Those who had not already made sufficient room, gave even a wider berth.

"No blades, please." The man repeated as Heng grabbed the woman's tunic and raised his sword.

"Stay out of this, you!" Heng spat as he pointed the blade at the man.

Still sitting, the man punched Heng in the knee. There was a sharp crack and the man grabbed Heng's tunic and pulled him down hard onto the table. The wine cup flipped in the air as Heng slammed.

"Hey, that's my brother!" Yi said and reached out at the still sitting man. "Ooofff!" He exclaimed as his knees buckled and he held his stomach. Yi collapsed and rolled onto his side.

Finally, the man stood and faced the family. Behind him the crazed woman stumbled forward a bit, drenched in wine.

"You would be Jing An." The man said. He nodded to Yun and added. "And Jing Yun." The teahouse owner came forward angrily until the man tossed a few extra coins on the table.

"While this woman is known to deserve much abuse, and as usual she reeks of wine, she is also one of the main entertainers for the current wedding that you have, in fact, been invited to. Were you not invited you could not have found a place within twenty li of the city."

Behind him the woman straighted up and huffed. "I am only occasionally drenched in wine."

The man looked back at her and grimaced. "This week." He turned back to the remaining Jings. "You might want to tour the city your brother captured from rebels instead of whining about why he doesn't dote on you. You might want to notice that men, and women, who excel are given prominent positions in his retinue. Sure, you could find something as a sibling. You could probably do much better if you showed any talent what so ever."

He turned to leave, and adjusted his sword. "You!" He said and shook his head. The woman waved daintily to the Jings and caught up to the man. She grabbed his rear and said. "You look cute when you're possessive."

The man snorted and just shook his head.

"Well, son, it's like this." Jing Zhengli said. His wife sat impassively next to him. Kui Ji-min sat beside Li Li.

They were taking a small meal together, the elder Jing had requested a few minutes and his son never denied his family a chance to dine well. Many revelers were roaming the streets outside, but the noise was deadened by the strong walls and distance.

"Many years ago. Many." He repeated. "I, um, had various funds available and it seemed prudent to grow the family. Very important in those days, you know. One must prepare for one's reclining years."

Jing Li raised an eyebrow. "I don't recall this discussion, father." He shrugged. "Still, I am not sure how it affects me."

The elder Jing licked his lips. "I thought perhaps you could see if there was anything needing doing in your new role." He looked at his wife, and continued. "You have three siblings you probably don't recall. I have given them each a letter of introduction to you, should they wish to..."

"Father?" A young girl stuck her head in the room. "Oh, sorry, sirs." She blushed.

"It's alright, Lingqi." Jing Li smiled. "I saw your father earlier, but I believe he has gone out for something." He looked at Ji-min, and she nodded and stood. "Kui Ji-min will help you look. Please send her back shortly though, as I will miss her."

The girl giggled as she and Ji-min went looking.

"You were saying, father?"

"They will seek you out, if that is their will. I only ask that you remember them fondly." He looked at his wife. "The other matter is your other siblings. Have you considered if there was a place for them in your ministry?"

Jing Li blew lightly on his tea, and sipped it slowly. "Last year, late, I was out hunting bandits. We stayed in an old abandoned building for a night, and I felt it oddly familiar. In the morning I walked around and realized it was the house we had stayed in the winter our home burned."

"That was a difficult winter." The elder Jing nodded. "Much was lost."

"Yes." Jing Li said.

"Yi's grave was still where I remembered it. The plum tree that was planted with her still grows." He paused. "It showed signs of being tended."

"That would be Yun's doing. She tends the tree." Zhengli said. "She goes there two or three times a year. It worries me, bandits and all. Yet there is no stopping her."

Jing Li nodded. "I have spent a year at war, and a few months at peace, interrupted by more war. When the wedding festivities are concluded I may have to go to war again. There will be little in the position of minister that does not come from war. Should I put my siblings at risk?"

He shrugged. "Let me think on it. Be thinking of what else my siblings won't stop at doing."

"Yes, very brilliant." Jing Li replied. His breathing slowed as Ji-min crawled into bed with him. Some partiers were still at it but most sane people were long asleep. "Gaoming never fails to impress me." He breathed deeply. Like any soldier, he could sleep anywhere and wasted no time in doing so.

"Mao Tun, he was wonderful with those voices, wasn't he?" She said quietly. "And Little Brother, lifting that huge rock! No one thought he could do it at all!"

"MmmMM...."

Ji-min put an arm around Li Li's waist. "Ziyan is pretty isn't she? All those beautiful things you said about her were nice." Her finger traced a pattern on his chest.

"mmm.....MMMmmm....." His breathng slowed.

"I was a little jealous." She whispered. "You haven't said things like that about me." She brushed her lips against his. "Still, there is one thing you cannot say about her."

Ji-min smiled. "No matter how beautiful she is, she cannot carry your firstborn, can she, Li Li?"

"zzzzZZZZZZ......." He snored.

Ji-min cuddled with the two of them.