“What a beautiful servant, Madame Tung-Mei!”

Mengyao, with a graceful hand, gave the Elder Master Duan his tea, along with the other members of the Duan family. What Mengyao knew about this family was that they were wise but fierce. Strategy and Battle ran through their blood with a force. Because of these qualities, they were dubbed “The Western Dragons”. 

“He is quite a sight! If he were a woman, you would have had him and A-Wei set up a long time ago, Junjie!”

One of the Elder Duans slapped the back of the other as they laughed. When Mengyao handed Longwei his tea, he noticed that Longwei continued to look at him. Though Longwei sat quietly, Mengyao shifted a tad uncomfortably as he served tea.

“Where did you find one like this? He’s like a painting come to life!”

“Are we here to discuss business or are you here to flirt with my servant?” Madame Tung-Mei asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah, lighten up! We’re just having fun,” one of the Elder Duans said. “Anyway, you’re right. We’re here to discuss business. As you know, the Su Family were our strongest allies until their demise. And considering the magic your family is capable of; I think it’s best we become allies as well. We’ve been having problems in the West and our forces are growing thinner and thinner by the day.”

“And you wish for the Yi family to help you.”

“Well, considering that we had no other allies aside from the Su family and the Huang family; we don’t happen to have much of a choice in the matter.”

“How did that fire start anyway?” one of the Duan members asked.

“Not sure. Master Su must have pissed off someone for them to want to completely kill the entire family. Makes me wonder why they didn’t call for us to help them,” Elder Junjie said, sipping his tea. “Guess he figured he could handle it by himself. Shame. He wasn’t much of a fighter in the first place.”

Mengyao silently took a breath and continued to do his best to serve the guests but the moment they brought up his family; he felt like his heart was gripped and squeezed. He knew the Duan family was very close to his. 

The voices began to fade away from his mind as he stood back. He began to see images.

Horses.

Riders.

Fire.

Mengyao continued to stare off while the corners of his mouth twitched. Almost everything faded away from sight and he stood in darkness. All he could hear was his heartbeat pounding in his ears. It kept pounding, as if threatening to burst his eardrums.

“What about the boy? We haven’t found him yet!”

“He won’t survive the fire and if he does; we kill him.”

It seemed like those words would haunt him for the rest of his life as they echoed through his mind. His hand instinctively gripped his sleeve for dear life. He lowered his head and his breath quickened.

It wasn’t until he heard Madame Tung-Mei’s voice that broke him out of his trance.

“A-Yao.”

He looked up as his cheeks tinged pink and he bowed. “I’m so sorry, my lady.”

When he glanced up, Madame Tung-Mei waved her hand away. “I think it best for you to ask A-Zhi to come in and take your place. You are dismissed.”

“My Lady.” 

Mengyao gave the deepest bow he could give before taking his leave. Before he left, he saw Longwei looking at him while sipping his tea. Mengyao sighed. 

He knew he embarrassed himself and possibly Madame Tung-Mei in front of the Duan Family. What punishment would await him once they were done? If anything, nothing would be good enough. 

He went looking for Peizhi, whom he knew would hang around the kitchen. He heard crashing and shouting. He walked toward the Kitchen as Peizhi burst through the door, covering her head as a ladle zoomed by to hit her.

“Luli-jie is mean!” Peizhi shouted after running a distance and turning around.

“I wouldn’t have to be if you just stayed out the kitchen like you’re supposed to!” Luli shouted, standing at the doorway before looking over to Mengyao. “Glad you’re here! Come take her away! I was in the middle of making more food for the guests and she decided now was the best time to make xiao long bao! And she managed to scorch them!”

“That’s how they’re supposed to look! You’re the one that messes them up!” Peizhi shouted.

“That’s enough,” Mengyao said, sternly to both girls. “Zhi-er, Madame Tung-Mei has called for you.”

“For me? I knew Madame Tung-Mei wanted me to charm our wonderful guests! I knew she’d recognize my talent!” Peizhi said, grinning as she folded her arms triumphantly.

“I’m pretty sure the lady wants you to stop bothering me for once,” Luli commented, folding her arms.

“Zhi-er, hurry now. Don’t keep Madame Tung-Mei waiting. And please, don’t…” Mengyao began.

“Open my mouth and behave myself. Okay, Yao-gege,” Peizhi said, walking toward the main hall. Mengyao sighed. He was pretty sure he sent her to the tiger’s den but he believed in her. Someone had to, right? As long as she served the refreshments, he was sure Madame Tung-Mei’s anger would subside.

“Yao-ge, I have some of the awful xiao long bao Peizhi made. Take them. I know you’re going to feed the koi with it,” Luli commented as she went back into the kitchen and tossed a basket of xiao long bao at him.

He caught it before raising an eyebrow. “What made you think I’ll visit the koi tonight?” he asked.

“Usually when it’s either a full moon or you’re upset about something. And considering it’s both; you’ll be heading there,” Luli said, going back to cook more food.

“Thank you, Luli-mei,” Mengyao said, sighing as he took his leave. He heard a small grunt from her as he left. 

He looked at the xiao long bao. They didn’t seem too bad from the looks of them. When he took a bite, his eyes widened and he almost spit it out but forced himself to swallow it. It was way too salty! How could Peizhi make something so salty? 

He wondered if he should even give it to the koi. Salty foods are bad for fish, right? But he didn’t want to waste the food his little Peizhi made! He decided to take the risk and if anything happened to the fish, he would just tell Madame Tung-Mei.

As he approached the pond’s side, the koi began crowding around  the location he stood. He smiled as he began to toss the xiao long bao in. Almost as fast as the xiao long bao went into the water, it disappeared into the mouths of the koi. However, after three xiao long bao, the koi left them alone.

Mengyao chuckled as he squatted down. “Too salty for you too?”

They continued to splash around toward him, their mouths out of the water and waiting for food.