Shoe Feng Zhi (Hai Tao)

— Head Shoe, — the adept's voice distracted from sad thoughts. Many worries had fallen on the shoulders of the Head of the Order this winter.

— Is something wrong with the lady? — the man raised his head, brown hair flew up in waves from the sudden movement, and there was genuine alarm in voice. The wife was never able to recover from her last birth. For many years, every day, her health became worse.   

— No, — the intense gaze of bright green eyes frightened the comer so much that he even shook his head to be convincing, — A letter was delivered from the Head of the Bailing Hu Order, and I hurried to bring it. I apologize if I got distracted.

Belatedly clasping his hands in the traditional gesture, the young man bowed respectfully. Shoe Feng Zhi just sighed heavily looking at this. Since I don't have enough time, I need to instruct my sons to pay more attention to teaching good manners to the younger generation.

— Fine, — taking the letter, nodded towards the door, — you can go.

Not expecting to see anything good, he opened the envelope and smiled. Just an invitation to a reception. Pushing the papers aside, the man stood up. It was time for a family dinner.

Shoe Xiu Li (Gui Ying)

The paths along the lake wind like the dark hair of a young beauty in the wind. Shoe Xiu Li, in his usual manner, strolls through them before dinner, enjoying the beauty. On her slender shoulders lies a green dress, that her mother gave her when she could still walk. Lady Shoe has not gotten up for several years, and the maiden, every day, without losing hope of recovery, helps the doctors take care of her mother.

Gray eyes look like fog, which most of the time spreads across the water surface. Somewhere fish are splashing, the girl smiles at this. It would seem that there is no one around, and at the same time everything around is alive.

She takes the last steps and sits down at the table where Shoe Sheng Lang is already waiting. The servants hurriedly fill it with various dishes.

 — Where is our youngest? Aren't you together? — she asked her brother worriedly.

Shoe Sheng Lang (Bai Hu)

— Sister? — the young man turned his dark gray eyes to the girl and smiled carefree, pushing a strand of black hair that had fallen out of his hairdo away from his face, — everything is as usual, Lay is just a little late, don't worry. How was your day?

He had absolutely no intention of sharing the details with the young maiden. Can she be interested in men's affairs? Yes, and why?

Now the young men were investigating. Residents of surrounding villages began to often be attacked when visiting the forest. The bodies that were found looked as if they had been dried - bones covered with skin. Of the known creatures living in these lands, not one has done anything like this.

Shoe Chung Lei (Chuan Li)

Dinner time has already arrived. A young man running through a market crowd knows this for sure. You are not supposed to be late, your father doesn’t like it and will be unhappy. From such thoughts he bites his lip, but there is no desire to talk about the reason for being late, the Head of the Clan already has plenty to do, and then there’s his mother…

Hanfu floors raise dust. Black strands like waves flutter from her disheveled hairstyle. He had to work really hard to learn something new, but now he had something to tell his brother.

The gazebo was already in sight. When he reached it, he found his father approaching. Having accelerated and, almost knocking him off his feet, he muttered in a breathless voice as he walked:

 — Those who came before their father were not late, — The young man, pleased with himself, quickly sat up and began to straighten his hair, building an innocent light gray gaze, — what's new?

Shoe Feng Zhi (Hai Tao)

Head Shoe had to make an effort not to laugh at yet another antics of his youngest son.

— Let's start dinner, — the man, slowly, took the chopsticks and started eating. The young men clearly wanted to discuss something, but they would have to wait. He glanced with pleasure from one to the other, noting once again how different they were, but it seemed that this did not interfere with their friendship.

But Xiu Li... it would have been time for her to be married long ago if it weren’t for her mother. Throughout her childhood, her wife only talked about how she dreamed of her daughter’s wedding.

Shoe Xiu Li (Gui Ying)

The maiden waited until the others had begun to eat, and only then began to slowly serve herself food. Once again, reaching for sweets, I discovered rice cookies, which I had baked earlier in the day, wanting to please everyone, but had forgotten, while worrying about my mother. She wrapped her palms around the bowl and lifted it up.

 — I completely forgot, I made these cookies myself, — suggested to father and brothers, — they might not be very sweet, but…

Xiu Li sighed, looking at her family's faces, and putting down the treat, sat down with her head down.

 — Mother, of course, made much better ones, but at least give it a try.

Shoe Feng Zhi (Hai Tao)

The Head looked at his daughter with sadness - a good figure, a beautiful face, that’s just her age... but, nevertheless, she will make an excellent wife and mother. This issue must be resolved as quickly as possible. Reaching into the bowl, Feng Zhi picked up one cookie.

— Wonderful, your mother will be proud of you. Xiu Li, if you have eaten, take her dinner. She will be very happy to spend time with you, — smiling softly, he added, — and don't forget the cookies, they're really delicious.

Shoe Xiu Li (Gui Ying)

The virgin nodded briefly, stood up and put the baked goods in an empty bowl.

— Mother is glad to see everyone who comes to her. Father is right, of course, — taking the treat in one hand, she fixed a strand of hair that had fallen out of her hair with the other, — I wish everyone a pleasant dinner and good night.

Having given the family a smile, she went to lady Shoe's chambers.

Shoe Feng Zhi (Hai Tao)

When the daughter left, the Head Shoe, putting his cutlery aside, leaned back in his chair.

— So, I have an important matter for you. In two weeks, the Bailing Hu Order will host a reception on the occasion of the Head's birthday. Both of you will represent our Clan there. The preparations, the selection of gifts, and the preparations for departure are also your responsibility. Try to make new acquaintances there. Also, I have another important and urgent matter for you. You must carefully look at the spellcasters present at the festival and select a worthy match for Xiu Li. I'll work out the details myself later, — he thought for a second whether it was worth taking into account the wishes of the girl herself, — take your sister with you. It will be useful for her to unwind a little before marriage.

Shoe Chung Lei (Chuan Li)

Chung Lei is well aware of the position taken by the Head, but what he said made him happy for a moment. The young man smiled and looked at his brother in bewilderment and then back at the man.

— Father, we have affairs to do here, — pointed his finger at Sheng, — we cannot leave the Order now.

He wanted to object to the decision, but bit his lip.

Shoe Sheng Lang (Bai Hu)

— We will begin preparations immediately, — glanced warningly at the younger one, — you don't have to worry. To whom should we transfer our affairs while we are away?

Shoe Feng Zhi (Hai Tao)

Shoe Feng Zhi watched the children with pleasure:

— Bring all papers to my office. I'll figure out what to do about it next.

Shoe Sheng Lang (Bai Hu)

Satisfied with the answer, Sheng smiled at the corner of his lips.

— Do you completely trust us to choose a groom for Xiu Li, or should we pick several candidates?

Shoe Feng Zhi (Hai Tao)

— The choice is entirely yours. I'm sure you can handle it, it's high time your sister started her own family.

Shoe Sheng Lang (Bai Hu)

— Can we go? — The young man rose smoothly from his seat and, having waited for a nod, bowed respectfully, — good night, father.