Olivia kept quiet, allowing the woman to think. I’ve said my piece. I could keep going until I’m blue in the face, but Ju has the final decision.

“I think…I’d like to hear those stories,” Ju looked up, a fire burning in her gray eyes. “While we’re traveling.”

Olivia blinked. “Really? That's great - wait. You’re fine with me traveling with you? I mean, it’s nice that you’re offering, but are you sure?”

“Well, you are a stranger here, Li,” Ju pointed out, “and you have no map or knowledge of the roads. And Ping and Min would be happy if you join us.”

“Besides,” Ju’s face turned a little playful. “It would look bad on me if I turned away someone needing a guide on the social protocol. Can’t find your way home if you’re in jail for accidentally offending someone. Or worse, forced to leave the city at night.”

Olivia pondered that for a moment before chuckling. “Well, when you put it like that, might as well. I got lucky last night, but I really wouldn't want to push it with these ghosts Min keeps talking about.”

Snatching up the now-empty mugs, with plans to wash them later, Olivia asked, “So, got an idea on where to go, so your in-laws don’t come after you right away?”

“I think heading to Měilì City is the best choice. It’s the capital of Shānhuē, and it’s large enough that people can easily get lost in it.”

“And hide while gaining allies to help with family legal issues?” Olivia grinned.

“That is the idea. Work will be difficult to find, but not impossible. I have some skill in herbology, so that might help me find a job with that.”

Olivia shrugged. “Works for me. Even if we weren’t traveling together, I would have been heading to the capital to begin my search for a way home. When do you want to head out?”

“As soon as we can,” Ju stood up from the table, Olivia following. “I don’t think Madam Bǎozhèng will be patient for much longer.”

“Probably not,” Olivia agreed, walking over to fetch her horse tack. “It’ll probably escalate because I got involved. How long do you think before that Yin guy decides to spill the beans?”

Ju blinked at the odd phrase before saying, “I wouldn’t know. Yīn Liáng does have other duties besides gossiping to Madam Bǎozhèng. And at this time of year, Madam Bǎozhèng and her family are known to visit relatives in other towns for weeks.”

“So theoretically, we might have a few days or weeks to get ahead.”

“Something like that,” Ju stood up. “I better go fetch the children and let them know we'll leave soon. I should also leave a note for Mr. Yuan to tell him we left, so he doesn't worry. I really hope I can repay his kindness one day.”

“Let me help any way I can,” Olivia offered. “Just don’t ask me to hitch the wagon. My Uncle Donny still hasn’t let me try wagon hitching after I got the straps tangled beneath the horses.”

Ju blinked, perplexed. “How did you-?”

“Trust me, I’m still trying to figure out how I did that.”

“Mom?”

“Yes, Ping?” Ju turned to the door, clearly surprised to see her son there. “Is something the matter?”

“Erm, well,” Ping looked not at his mother but at Olivia.

“We need help with something.”

#

There wasn’t enough mint water in the world for this.

Olivia rubbed her head. It hadn’t become a headache today, but the scene before her might push it. I wonder if I've rubbed the skin raw yet. Need to find a mirror to check.

“Ping, Min,” Olivia tried not to groan, “correct me if I’m wrong, but we put Chester in his own stall last night, right?”

“Yes,” Min said nervously. “You even put the rope across yourself.”

Olivia sighed, eyes focused on one smug, pretending to be innocent Arabian standing next to Yu in the mare’s stall, the 'door' to both stalls undone at one end. How does he keep doing this?

Standing next to Olivia, Ju had a hand over her mouth. The violent shaking of her shoulders showed that she was moments away from bursting into laughter.

At least one of them was getting a good laugh out of this.

“Just so you know, Chester,” Olivia glared at the horse. “I’m not paying Child Support.”

Chester threw his head with a snort.

Finally losing the battle of composure, Ju collapsed on the barn floor, laughing uproariously.

Olivia could only sigh.