Xiao Mian was prepared. She had meticulously planned things out if Anshi had set off without her and she was determined to follow him. If only she could find time alone with him, away from the wary eyes of her parents and the rules of Cloud Recesses. Once he shed his blinders, she stood a good chance of proving her devotion and worthiness of becoming his wife. Her mother defied convention when she chose an ordinary man who never cultivated and adored her. She, in her turn, would defy them all, even Anshi himself, to secure him as her husband. She had always gotten her way with him as she grew up and she saw no reason to not continue to do so. But her plan was tricky and depended on timing above all. It had to be perfect.

She began by appearing listless, depressed, and resigned. She even burned a few minor trinkets he had given her over the years, weeping as the flames consumed them. She stopped eating the day he rode off and rarely left her room. Lan Zhan tempted her with her favorite dishes, yet she would only eat a bite or two, leaving most untouched on her plate. Wei Ying tried to distract her with witty tales, jokes, and games. Finally, three days after Anshi's departure her fathers came to her room. Lan Zhan had her sword and Wei Ying carried her favorite cloak.

Lan Zhan spoke to her reluctantly. If not for a jab to the ribs from Wei Ying's sharp but lovely elbow, he would have gladly let his partner do all the talking. He still wasn't sure enough time had passed to allow her out on her own.

"We have decided to allow you to visit the Lodge for a while. Your Aunts say stay as long as you like, We agreed on a week."

Wei Ying chimed in. "Go visit! Have fun. Put this mess behind you." They watched as her face turned bright and she squealed, "Really! That would be fun. Thank you, Baba Zhan! Thank you, Baba Ying!" They softened even further at the childish endearments and they left smiling. When they returned to their room, Xian Ming began to feel the hem of her cloak with light fingers and smirked when the faint crackle of thin tissue paper was heard in the last panel of silk. Did they think she was muddleheaded? She and the boys had sniffed out Wei Ying's habit of secreting Tracking Talismans on them all as soon as they hit twelve.

Early the next morning, she set out flying through the brilliant blue skies toward her Aunt's Lodge. She landed outside of the security Arrays, used the family Talisman to open them, and then sealed them back immediately. The attack on the property was still an open wound to the family. She walked leisurely up the pathway to founder Lan An's Night Hunting Lodge. So much family history was here. Cleverly built to blend into the surrounding forests, it had almost become invisible to all who did not know of its existence. Even those searching for it from any angle would easily overlook it. Or would, if the sound of laughter from children did not continuously give it away.

Her Aunts were constantly rescuing orphans, and many times, adopting some of them along the way; Anshi and A'Qiang had been among the many lost and emotionally battered who had been sheltered by the strong and devoted women. It was much the same as she had been adopted by her aunts' brothers, Lan Zhan and Wei Ying. Under the benign leadership of Lan Xi Chen, many of life's discarded ones found a bastion of support at Cloud Recesses. She felt a tug of guilt as she thought of how she was betraying her family however, her mind was made up. But while her aunts were kind and loving, they were also formidable and tough. She must not underestimate them.

The first to notice her arrival was her cousin, Chang A'Zhen. Sweet, pretty, and as innocent as her name, the fourteen-year-old adored her elegant older cousin. She dashed forward and wrapped her arms around Xiao Mian's waist, hugging her tight.

"Oh Xiao Mian! I am so glad you came. It's been ages!"

"I've missed you too, Sprite!"

"It was just so mean of Uncles to keep you housebound like that. My heart was broken for you."

"No matter. I was defying their commands and I deserved it."

"And Anshi is so stupid, you are perfect for him. Big idiot."

"Now, I can't listen to you say mean things about him."

"Well, he's my brother so I can. Big idiot."

Xiao Mian smiled. She loved the young girl, still holding her in a sisterly embrace. She felt bad about using her in her plan, but it could not be helped. She smoothed the shining head and moved into the Lodge.

Her tiny Auntie Qinyang was stirring a pot of soup, simmering nicely and waiting for the first wontons. Auntie Yenay was nearby at a table, hewn hundreds of years ago from pine found on the property, planks glowing with age, and the patina from hand-rubbed tung oil. She was neatly repairing a pair of child's boots. Even though it was early spring, jobs, small like this and much larger ones had to be done through the warm months. Winter showed early in Cloud Recesses and the surrounding mountains.

Yenay looked up with a quiet smile, "Xiao Mian, you are here!" She could not stay angry at Xiao Mian for long. Her late mother had been a companion in arms, a good friend, and had cared for her Anshi very much. With time, she hoped the bright young girl would move on, and recover from her infatuation with Anshi. She hoped that perhaps one day, the child would realize someone else close to her was a much better match. She looked at her other adopted son, A'Qiang fondly. His stability and commitment were a much more appropriate match for the rudderless teen. An anchor in a storm she might require later in life.

Qinyang dropped the soup ladle on the stovetop and rushed over and Xiao Mian was smothered in warm embraces from her loving Aunts. Again, Xiao Mian had a twinge of conscience, but she firmly shoved it aside. Instead, she settled at the table as her younger cousins milled about and clamored for her attention, so she kissed rosy cheeks and hugged them tightly. If all went according to plan, she would not be able to do this again for several years. She reached into her bag and began handing out trinkets and toys to each of the small little ones. She brought hairpins in copper and amber since that was the only jewelry they would wear. An intricately carved trinket box brought squeals of delight from eleven-year-old A'Liu. She smiled at A'Zhen and said, "I am saving the best gift for last. Just be patient. A'Qiang is next."

He blushed as she approached him, who had been sitting quietly, watching her with his usual shy demeanor. He knew she was hurting, and he wished he could fling etiquette aside and declare himself then and there, but he knew it would be a long time before she would even consider a change of heart. He had his own bit of guilt to deal with As much as he adored his older brother, a small part of his mind was relieved that he would be gone for a long while. It provided him with a period during which, he might be able to show her the depth of his love He was so much like his Uncle Lan Zhan when it came to the devotion of the heart. Uncomplaining, totally steadfast, and uncompromisingly loyal. It had not been an easy road for Lan Zhan to travel, but he triumphed in the end; his nephew felt he was destined to do the same.

Xiao Mian approached him and handed A'Qiang a small packet. "Please do not open it yet I am too embarrassed. I should have purchased these at the market instead of making them myself. I am much better at stitching wounds than embroidering Forget-Me-Nots on handkerchiefs. But you always lend me yours and I am terrible at getting them back to you."

"I must disobey you. I am afraid. I want to see them now." She had been right. The hems were absolutely uneven, The Forget-Me-Nots looked like drunken chrysanthemums and were purplish instead of a light blue. But they were the most beautiful handkerchiefs he had ever owned.

"They are perfect, " he said.

'Like you," he thought.

Finally, she turned to A'Zhen who was waiting eagerly. She reached into her bag and removed the fine silk clear that Wei Ying had handed her earlier. She smiled. "Little One, you have always loved this cloak and I have found I am quickly outgrowing it. Would you like to have it? I can only part with it to some who also loves it."

Her cousin shrieked with joy and threw it on immediately." Oh, Oh! I am never taking it off! Thank you, thank you!"

Qinyang spoke with dry amusement. "Yes, you will. It is lunchtime and you do not want noodles to stain your new cloak, do you?"

The girl shook her head frantically and Auntie Qinyang took the cloak to the hooks at the entrance. Xiao Mian held her breath as her aunt smoothed the folds in the cloak, praying that the tissue-thin tracking talisman did not crackle as she handled the garment. When her aunt returned to bring the soup to the table, Xiao Mian breathed deeply in relief. So far, so good.