Chapter 75 - Doting Husband

The whole family had their silent breakfast in the floating gazebo at the lagoon. Silent because no one else was enthusiastic but Ming.

Zhai and Qinfen didn't have any appetite because of the food served and the scene with the couple. Lei An began daydreaming as she watched Ming serving Xinyi. Lifen smiled, happy and contented watching the couple. While Xinyi sat fl.u.s.tered beside Ming because... 

"Here, eat this to replenish your body after traveling very far." The husband kept on adding vegetable slices on her almost full bowl. "This mushroom is from Ma's garden... Believe me, this one tastes good..."

Xinyi looked at the food Ming gave him and glanced at the rest of the food. And found there was no meat on the table. Oh, her heart melted for her mother-in-law. 

She propped her chin on her palm, thinking, Lifen Ma is doing this for me . No wonder the two guys hadn't taken a single bite. This is also a good time to ask her to teach me her fighting skills.

Ming noticed her smiling at his mother and was dissatisfied. Here he was trying to please her and yet she was not paying attention to him. He picked up another slice of veggie and thought of feeding it directly to her mouth while her eyes were on Lifen.

"Open your mouth," said Ming.

She also opened her mouth without realizing it. She was unaware that they portrayed a lovey-dovey couple while her mind was full of the things she would ask Lifen. While Ming displayed a loving and doting husband to an aloof and dazing wife. Ming was glad and contented after she willingly ate what he gave although she didn't look at him.

However, their actions became an eyesore to the singles. 

"Big brother, big sis, please. You two are hurting my eyes. Your sweetness makes me wish to get married soon, but this is not the time for that." Lei An sighed and left them. It stunned Xinyi to see Lei An walked away.

"Excuse me, I think I need to go to the training ground for my students now," said Zhai and walked away without waiting for their reply.

Qinfen also stood. "Ma, can you teach me about the herbs?"

Linfen saw the opportunity to let the two spend more time together. "Sure. Let's go."

Ming didn't care about them leaving and continued to pick food with his chopsticks for Xinyi. This didn't sit well with Xinyi. She needed Lifen Ma. She tried calling Lifen but realized her mouth was full. Xinyi had to chew and swallow quickly before…"Ma, wait." But Lifen had left.

Her shoulders dropped and emitted a long deep breath. Ming fed her another slice, but she pushed it away from her. "Please, stop. I can eat by myself. Can't you see? You ruined the family breakfast."

"I did not. It was their choice to leave."

"But… you're making them upset with what you're doing." She grunted and transferred to another stool away from him but Ming moved nearer to her.

"I already told you. I will make things right between us. And I didn't ruin anyone's breakfast. We are a couple. They knew that so why would they get upset." Ming sighed in disappointment and put his chopsticks down on a bowl. "Fine, tomorrow, I won't invite them to eat with us." 

Alarming bells rang in Xinyi's brain. She hastily crisscrossed her palms on Ming. "Ahh, no, no. I want to eat with them. We're family. We should eat together." 

Her actions told Ming that she avoided being alone with him and broke his heart. He looked up the ceiling and exhaled in exasperation.

Early morning in the kitchen, Ming accidentally saw the cook feeding his wife. He envied the couple. They were married for years and had four children with heights like a ladder. He wanted that kind of relationship for himself and Xinyi. He also wanted over four children. As a result, he imitated the doting husband's actions but failed.

"I understand you want to make things right but you need not go to my place and escort or feed me. You're the governor. You're a busy man. Mostly with the aftermath of the war. Why not... attend to these problems first?" And gave him her sweetest smile. "Yes? Am I right?"

With that reminder, Ming suddenly recalled why he went to the kitchen early this morning. It was to tell the cook for lunch after the city tour with General Lofey. It was that lovely couple scene made him forget. 

"Never mind." Ming gave a dismissive wave. "We'll do this some other time together. Come with me for now." He pulled her hand again without asking but she jerked her arms to her back before he could hold her. Ming frowned.

"Why do I need to go with you? Remember, I need to train with Nianshi," said Xinyi.

"Do I need a reason when I want my wife to accompany me? Can that training wait for a while? You newly came back. I'm only asking for today." Ming's frustration was clear in his voice.

Wife . Xinyi was guilty with the word. She expected much in this marriage before he shunned her. But now, her husband was already trying to act his part. Yet, she was the one shunning him. Simply put, she'd be blamed if this marriage wouldn't work and... she did not want that. 

"Fine, I'll go with you but don't be touchy, okay?" She eyed him, making sure she got her yes.

Ming did not force her and only nodded. "Let's go. I also have a lot of questions for you. We'll talk as we go." He walked ahead but stopped and looked back when he felt she didn't follow. Xinyi hurriedly ran and strode with him side by side toward the kitchen.

Later, they left the estate in silence but Ming started to talk.

"Xinyi." The name sounded pleasant to his lips and.. unknowingly, to her ears too. This was the first he called her informally and saw her face lit up, so he called her with her first name again. "Xinyi, I was wondering, why are you not affected by the Wag stone?"

Calling her by name, lightened her mood. "Wag?" Her brows furrowed. She remembered Nianshi mentioned this once. "Do you mean that red stone that could weaken a Chiangda?"

"Yes. There were a lot attached to the arrows last night. The other Chiangda from the Goding army got weak too but you're not."

"Hmm. I don't know. I didn't even know why you were weak last night not until you mentioned it now."

"That's odd." They were both Chiangdas. He admitted she was stronger in power but he was the man. He should be the one doing the saving and not the other way around. This added to his frustration. Ming decided he would get stronger for his people, for his clan, and... for her.

"How did you come back? Where were your mount and those little beings last night? Why didn't they help you?"

Oh boy, this will be a long story,  she thought. "I'll explain everything to you later."

---- o ----

A weary man with dusty feet, muddy face, and tugging a horse carrying sacks on its back, went in Fengfu City.

"Name?" asked a guard sitting behind a desk at the city gate.

"Chen Mafan, Sir." The traveler wiped his sweating face and neck with his dark and grubby shawl covering his head.

"What did you bring?" Another city guard opened the sacks on the horse.

"Vegetables I brought for the Governor, Sir. I heard he was a good man, and this city needs food. So, I traveled from Shendai to help with the little food I have."

The man checking the sacks nodded at the first guard. "Okay, you may go in," said the one behind the desk.

"Thank you, Sir. Where can I find the governor?"

"He might be in his house but you need not go to him. Just bring the food straight to the store over there." The guard pointed the warehouse were people lined up for their morning porridge. 

"Thank you, Sir." The man pulled his horse and moved away.

The guards saluted the traveler with a smile and told the other guard. "You seldom find people willing to help nowadays, but this man traveled far to give his vegetables. What a good man."

Little did they know the 'good man' had a menacing plan in mind...