Savage Divinity Chapter 342

The more Luo-Luo uncovered about Falling Rain, the more peculiar he seed.

Having overheard sweet Tali asking her handso Papa what they should cook for dinner, Luo-Luo learned there were no plans for a welco party in motion, a most depressing realization. Heart heavy and spirits low, she cringed at the thought of confronting Falling Rain about the evening festivities, knowing she would be blad for the expenditures and inconvenience. Her new husband was a man of violence and bloodshed, proven quick to anger and likely even quicker to act. Though he had yet to threaten her physically and often comnted on her safety, Luo-Luo feared her death could co at a monts notice should she upset or disappoint her Lord Husband, Falling Rain.

Or worse.

Earlier, he told Luo-Luo to eschew her marital duties, but as a woman and a Servant, she was determined to fulfill her purpose, only... what if he were to lose his head in the throes of passion and forget she was but a frail young damsel? Unlike Mila or Li-Li, Luo-Luos body would crumble under any rough or violent handling. Though lacking firsthand experience, shed studied all the books there were on the art of lovemaking and knew only too well how frantic and brutal n could be. No matter how many tis she studied those diagrams, Luo-Luo couldnt imagine how she was supposed to derive pleasure from such strange, contorted positions.

No matter. If things went well, Luo-Luo would find out soon enough, after her Lord Husband was suitably plied with drink and more relaxed in her presence. Though she wanted to bring up the party the mont she discovered one wasnt being planned, she feared to do so without help from her sister-wives. Unfortunately, Lin-Lin had fallen asleep in her hubbys embrace while Mila and Falling Rain exchanged quiet smiles and soft touches, so comfortable in each others presence its as if they were in their own little world with just the three of them and the adorably fluffy Mama-Bun. Burning with jealousy, Luo-Luo imagined what it would be like were she to switch positions with Lin-Lin or Mila, but all she could think about was how uncomfortable itd be considering their stark height differences.

Such is life. This was but a trial placed in her path by the Mother, and like all other trials, Luo-Luo would co out on top.

In a manner of speaking.

Despite her growing anxiety, Luo-Luo couldnt bear to disturb Lin-Lins nap, who looked so darling as she snuggled with both husband and bunny. Instead, Luo-Luo clutched the precious book to her chest and took asure of the Bekhai tribesn who marched on stage, adjusting her views accordingly. Savage tribesn though they might be, her Lord Husbands people were undoubtedly a powerhouse of the North, with his family prominently standing out. A Lieutenant General for a grandmother and a Major General for a father, Falling Rain was the tribesn equivalent of a noble prince, though how he ca to be adopted was still a mystery. For two half-beasts to rise so high in rank was no easy task, and one of them a beautiful woman no less, a testant to their ambition and ability, especially considering the family lacked a powerful civil servant. With a family mber in both the Defence Forces and Army, not to ntion how he was the youngest Second Grade Warrant Officer in history, Luo-Luo concluded that Falling Rain, despite his uncouth appearance and ill-mannered attitude, was a man of both ans and wealth, especially considering hed only just won twenty-thousand gold gambling a week past.

A tight-fisted, penny-pinching man of ans and wealth who seed overly protective of his cooking pot, but surely even he would understand the need to please his benefactor.

When the opening ceremonies ca to an end and the charming half-hare finally woke from her slumber, Luo-Luo imdiately drew the sweet girl aside and plied her charms while Falling Rain busied himself collecting his pets. Turning Lin-Lin to her cause was much easier than expected, those fetching brown eyes going wide with gleeful anticipation at the thought of hosting a party. As Luo-Luo painted a picture of what was to co, Lin-Lin beca so excited she launched herself onto Falling Rains back, her arms wrapped around his neck and chest as her feet dangled in the air, joyously going on about the splendid party to co.

Endearing as it was, Luo-Luos heart stilled as Lin-Lins spontaneity ruined all her carefully laid plans, the half-hares over-eager approach too much for Falling Rain to accept. Shutting down Lin-Lins enthusiasm with a single uttered stop, he tore Luo-Luos suggestions apart without rcy. No dress, no jewels, no handmaidens, he even thought six restaurants too many whereas she thought it too few. Did he care nothing for face? How was he to hold his head high as the number one talent in the Empire and properly thank his benefactor with a shabbily dressed concubine in a one-restaurant banquet? And what was this nonsense about not knowing enough people? Did he not see the opportunity to connect with nobles, politicians, and soldiers from across the Empire? If anything, he should be worried about having too many people to invite rather than too few and making enemies of snubbed guests or worse.

Once her Lord Husband finished scolding her, Luo-Luo curtsied and apologized, accepting her undue criticism with grace and dignity, but Falling Rain surprised her with his response. Instead of dismissing her opinions, he asked her to work with him and find a middle ground they could agree on. Emboldened by his willingness to compromise, she followed him into his hut only to belatedly realized this was her first ti inside a mans private quarters, her Lord Husbands no less. If everything went according to plan, though Luo-Luo had little reason to believe they would, in a few hours, this was where she would surrender her maidenhood to Falling Rain.

Inside a musky, poorly-lit hut in the middle of an open field, without having so much as bathed beforehand. Not exactly the venue shed have chosen for her first ti, but the choice was never hers to begin with.

To her imnse surprise, Falling Rain gestured for them both to sit as he personally boiled water and set about fixing snacks. While Luo-Luo made idle conversation with Lin-Lin, Falling Rain fed the pets and washed his hands, using a fragrant bar of soap and a bowl of water to scrub his skin and nails clean like a man possessed. Once finished scraping his hands raw, he wiped them dry with a clean washcloth hanging on the water bowl. Still holding the washcloth, he used it to open a hatch in the huts floor to reveal a small, underground larder, his actions quick as he removed a side of at and a cloth sack. Snapping the hatch closed, he was just in ti to stop Jimjam from diving into the larder, an opportunistic hunter whod been lying in wait to steal a bite from the trove of edible treasures.

His actions revealed a new side of her Lord Husband, his movents deft and well-practised, his smile wide and laughter genuine. While Lin-Lin brought her to wash their own hands, Luo-Luo watched Falling Rain with growing interest, wondering why a man with his talents would have to prepare his own food and tea. Fending off the bears and wildcats with gentle nudges of his hips and knees, he placed the at onto a platter and cut it into thin slices, generously trimming the fat and tossing it to his pets. His warm smile was so natural and unrestrained, his mouth moving in silent praise as he made sure each animal got their fair share. Sensing food to be had, a plump, rotund bird fluttered down from an opening in the roof to a land on Falling Rains shoulder, squawking out an almost human laugh of delight. Unperturbed by the intrusion, Falling Rain greeted the bird cordially and tossed it a chunk of at. Good afternoon Roc. No shinies today? Well, thats all right, better luck tomorrow.

Luo-Luo half-expected the bird to answer, but Roc fell silent as it gobbled down his treat. Finishing his preparations just as the water boiled, Falling Rain brought over the at platter and placed it in front of Luo-Luo alongside a second plate stacked with round flatbread and a dish of chopped herbs. While he busied himself preparing the tea, Lin-Lin took a disc of flatbread, sprinkled on a dash of chopped herbs, wrapped it around a piece of at, and nibbled away in a dainty, lovable fashion. Help yourself, Luo-Luo, Lin-Lin said with a mischievous grin. Hubby makes the best snacks. He calls this a beef wrap.

Her preconceived notions of Falling Rain shattered beyond repair, Luo-Luo fashioned her own wrap and bit in, eager to taste what her Lord Husband prepared. As the burn of hot pepper and horseradish flooded her nose and mouth, she learned why Lin-Lin ate with dainty nibbles, the too-spicy treat setting her lips ablaze and eyes to watering. Suppressing the urge to regurgitate the fiery mouthful of piquant beef, Luo-Luo chewed and swallowed as quickly as manners allowed, praying it wouldnt burn her throat as it went down. Delicious, she uttered, though the lie was evident.

Oh sorry, I shouldve warned you. Handing her a cup of lukewarm tea, Falling Rain admonished the giggling Lin-Lin with a small shake of his head. Go easy on the spices, you only need a little to feel the heat. Fashioning a second wrap, he exchanged it for Luo-Luos half-eaten one with a smile and urged her to try it. Just a small dash for flavour is good enough.

Draining the tea in a single gulp, Luo-Luo silently whimpered as she stared at the wrap, reluctant to subject her mouth to further tornt but unwilling to disappoint her Lord Husband. Chuckling at her hesitation, Falling Rain filled half her teacup with hot, fresh-brewed tea before topping it off with a second pot of cold, spring water. A considerate and sweet gesture, though to be fair, it was his fault Luo-Luo was suffering to begin with. Steeling her nerves, she took a deep, cooling breath, drained her tea cup once more, and bit into the wrap.

In a word: Delicious.

Yummy right? Lin-Lin asked. Told you, hubby makes the best snacks. Holding her teacup out, she bead with pride as if shed hunted and cooked the food herself while Lord Husband poured her tea. Wait till you try his rice crackers, he makes them so deliciously crispy and...

While Lin-Lin extolled the virtues of Falling Rains cooking, Luo-Luo made another wrap and reconsidered her opinion of this odd, affluent Lord Husband. Unlike most n of his status, Falling Rain had no attendants to clean his hut, no maids to launder his clothes, and no slaves waiting to help him change. There was no sign of any help waiting nearby, with Falling Rain living alone in his hut and taking care of his own needs. No, not just his own, whether it be pouring tea for his sweet wifey or eating with one hand while stroking his supine birds belly with the other, Falling Rain was a man who enjoyed caring for others.

Hardly the attitude expected from the number one talent of the Empire. Even the lowest of rchants could afford a maid or two, and Falling Rain was far richer than a common shopkeeper. As much as she wanted to comnd his humble nature and frugal lifestyle, he took things too far. How could he be so miserly, sitting on so much coin and refusing to spend it on even the most basic necessities? He kept plain clothes which had been nded and patched, slept on a wooden bed resting on four stones, cooked his own als, made his own tea, and likely even emptied his own chamber pot. Was his avaricious nature truly so domineering that he couldnt bear to spend enough for even a single dostic slave?

As Lin-Lin and Falling Rain finished the last of their wraps, a soldier arrived with a bundle of docunts for them to peruse. Clearing the table, Falling Rain placed the dirty dishes aside and wiped down the surface before settling down to business, ready to negotiate and quibble over every last copper spent. Pulling out a blank sheet of paper, he ground his ink and prepared to write, only instead of a proper brush, he held a thin tal stick with a pointed tip which he dipped in ink. Unable to contain her curiosity, Luo-Luo leaned over to study the implent, finding nothing out of the ordinary about it, rely a tool he used in place of a brush to write with. Maddeningly oblivious to her interest, Falling Rain looked through the docunts and scrawled down a series of symbols, the likes of which Luo-Luo had never seen. Minutes passed in silence aside from the scratching of his stick, his calligraphy uninspired and lacking, like random scratches made by a blind man. The only saving grace was how tiny the symbols were, though what they entailed was still a mystery.

Okay, he said, drawing a large circle around four symbols at the bottom of the paper. Ill run the numbers again to double check, but I can afford to spare around two thousand four hundred gold. Assuming shes willing, we could borrow another thousand gold from Li Song, and probably more from Grand-ntor and Marshal Yuzhen, but Id rather we didnt have to. Asking my future mother-in-law to fund my concubines wedding banquet is... well, lets just say I want to live a long and happy life.

Luo-Luo is grateful for Falling Rains understanding. Three-thousand four-hundred gold would have to do, but her curiosity demanded she ask, How did Falling Rain arrive at this number? Was he trying to trick her?

Stop using my na like a title, its awkward. Drop the formalities and speak like a normal person please. There was no smile for Luo-Luo, but he answered her question regardless, pointing at docunt and writing out the numbers in Common next to his illegible symbols. According to these docunts, as of this morning I have twenty-eight thousand, seven hundred and sixteen gold left in my war chest. This would have lasted almost half a year, but now I have to factor in another three hundred and sixty soldiers. Deduct wages, food costs, other estimated expenses, and a reserve fund for ergencies, were left with two-thousand four hundred and thirty five gold, the absolute most I can spare. Keep in mind, this is it. Theres no more money coming in either, aside from my wages as a Second Grade Warrant Officer. A piddling thousand gold per month which wont even cover feeding my retinue, ridiculous.

Blinking in confusion, Luo-Luo sifted through the docunts in search of the final number, surprised by her Lord Husbands substantial inco and confused by his staggering expenses. Why was he paying his soldiers such high wages? Were his scruffy, thuggish soldiers all Experts? This was all out of pocket no less, was his family lacking coin or could it be a custom of his people, to teach their youth the value of coin? The food costs alone were exorbitant, exacerbated by his choice of top quality feed for soldiers and mounts alike, not to ntion the vast swathes of inco ear-marked for Tanaraq. A na of soone or sothing perhaps? Hush money for an illegitimate lover or child? No, this was far too much... Pensions were another large part of his expenses, though it didnt say who or what he was paying for. It was all a ss, but there were more pressing matters to attend to. Luo-Luo is confused. How did you arrive at this value without an abacus?

Uh... Math? Unwilling to explain, Falling Rain glanced at Lin-Lin for help.

Mm, dont worry Luo-Luo, hubby has the right amount, hes really good with numbers.

Unable to accept how quickly he derived an answer, Luo-Luo studied Falling Rains scrawls for more clues, her Lord Husband and sister-wife happy to give her ti. Finding a pattern in the illegible scrawls and the Common Script hed written for her benefit, understanding dawned on Luo-Luo. These symbols represent numbers? she asked, pointing at the page. This vertical line represents one? Why change the number one? Its already written as a horizontal line...

Wah, Luo-Luo is so smart! Lin-Lins praise was without derision, nodding as she explained, This symbol is two, and this one is three, and-

Lin, Falling Rain interrupted. Maybe we should leave the numbers lesson for another ti and stay on point.

Desperate to understand, Luo-Luo pointed at the four circled symbols and asked, Then how does this represent two thousand four hundred and thirty five? To write the sa out in Common Script would take seven characters, and while she recognized the new symbols for two and three and assud the others were four and five, she was at a loss on how to decipher it to arrive at the above total.

Rolling his eyes, Falling Rain sighed and hastily explained his system, and while Luo-Luo wanted to dismiss it as absurd, the more she heard, the more impressed she beca. His explanation was a little lacking, but it was essentially a positional nural system where the first column had a place value of one and increased by a factor of ten for each column to the left. It eliminated the need to write out the qualifying terms like hundred, thousand, or ten thousand, leaving only numbers on the page, a clean and simple solution to a minor, almost negligible issue, though still useful to save ti and add clarity. Only... Why did you need to make up new symbols for each number? Why not use the nurals of the Common Script?

Lin giggled. Because Rainy didnt know how to write numbers in Common, so he had to make up new ones.

No... Well, yea, but thats not the only reason. You also dont have to lift your brush. You know. More convenient.

He didnt know how to write numbers, so ca up with numbers of his own? Then he arranged them in a well-thought out system which would remain logical all the way to infinity? He must have had help, perhaps from his Teacher? Eager to brag, Lin-Lin continued explaining the rits of her hubbys system and how writing the numbers in certain arrangents helped the reader with ntal arithtic. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and even division was made simple so long as one had access to ink and paper, solving complex equations using logic and a few strokes of the brush rather than rote morization. He even had symbols to denote what type of calculation took place, allowing soone to easily double check their work or a reader to follow along without notes or explanations from the author.

Mother in Heaven...

See, isnt Hubby smart? Lin-Lin asked, her eyes barely visible through her smile. Everyone should write numbers like this, it makes so much more sense.

Reeling with shock, her thirst for knowledge overpowered caution and Luo-Luo asked, Why wasnt this in the book of inventions?

Surprised by her tone, her Lord Husband didnt take offence or scold her, taking it in stride as he sipped his tea and shrugged. I thought about adding it, but I had to cut a lot to keep the book at a reasonable length. Besides, its just a different way to show numbers, its not that big a deal.

Not that big a deal? Was Luo-Luos Lord Husband an idiot or a genius? This system would revolutionize how the Empire approached mathematics, a language of numbers and nothing else. The possibilities alone...

Forestalling her next question, Falling Rain asked, Look, lets get back on topic. We have two thousand four hundred gold, but its hardly enough for a six restaurant banquet. Stuff is a lot more expensive than I realized, and while I have art and things I could sell, itll raise uncomfortable questions. Hell, if I hadnt won twenty-thousand duelling all those greedy idiots, Id barely have enough to feed my people for the next two months, assuming prices dont increase.

Oh her poor Lord Husband was no miser, but a man weighed down with debt and duty. Wishing she could help lighten his burden, Luo-Luo set her mind to work parsing through his holdings and contracts to find ways to help him save money, but there was too little information. Unfortunately, money still had to be spent, for Lord Husbands exalted status demanded no less. Were he to host a substandard or shabby wedding party, he would lose face for both himself and his benefactor, while driving away allies and emboldening enemies with his poor reputation. Chewing her lip, she ntally revised the nu for this reduced budget and asked, What items do you intend to sell? If reluctant to part with it, perhaps we could find a pawn broker instead? This banquet is important after all.

Before Lord Husband could answer, a brief knock sounded at the door as it swung open, revealing an older woman in poor health being carried in the arms of a handso, blue-eyed half-wolf. Lips pursed in a frown, the older womans brown eyes narrowed as they focused on Luo-Luo, scrutinizing her as if she were a prized horse. Visibly unimpressed, the older woman snorted and said, Pei. A wastrel and a milksop. Not even here for half a day and already you ask my son to sell his hard earned valuables? What makes you think you're worth the expense? Smacking the half-wolf on the chest, Luo-Luos Mother-in-law added, Enough looming about, you blockhead. Put down, Im feeble, not crippled.

While her Lord Husband fetched cushions and helped his mother get comfortable, Luo-Luo stood and curtsied, greeting the fearso woman and her silently disapproving husband with trepidation. Consort Luo-Luo greets Father and Mother. Did everyone in her new family eschew convention? Why would his parents not send word of their arrival?

Waving off her husband and son as they fussed about, Luo-Luos Mother-in-law sat on her cushion with back straight and neck craned, sipping her cup of tea. Oof, get down girl, youre too tall as it is. As Luo-Luo knelt to obey, the domineering woman asked, Now whats this about pawn brokers?

Cheeks burning with sha, Luo-Luo answered as quickly as she could, hoping to reverse the poor impression her in-laws had of her. Oh, this was so mortifying. Why didnt her Lord Husband or Lin-Lin speak up in her defence?

Hmph. Unimpressed with the explanation, Luo-Luos Mother-in-law pinched Falling Rains cheek. Unfilial child, have you no respect for your parents? Well pay for your wedding banquet as is custom, though this is getting out of hand. A third woman? How many will you have before youre satisfied? Think of how poor Mila and Lin must feel. Turning to her dour husband, she added, This is your fault you know, yours and Akanais for always leaving him to fend for himself. Not only has he picked up these bad habits, the boy doesnt even think to ask for help, he just shoulders everything by himself without a second thought. Irresponsible is what it is, but luckily I insisted we co visit. Oh, how shaful would it have been if people found out Falling Rain, the number one talent in the Empire, had to borrow money for his wedding banquet? Rain, go fetch your second, the smart one with the moustache, not the wispy-bearded pretty-boy. Theres work to be done and not much ti to do it.

Awed and intimidated, Luo-Luo knelt in place as her Mother-in-law took command, a dragon among tigers who possessed an air of natural authority and brazen impudence. Her needling statents made Luo-Luo want to curl up and cry, but at least Mother-in-law wasnt stingy, looking down on Luo-Luos suggestion of hosting the banquet at six restaurants. Instead, Mother-in-law decided the Magistrates courtyard would be their venue and proceeded as if it belonged to her, declaring, No ones using it so why not? While ordering extravagant delicacies and ostentatious decorations to be put in place, she simultaneously interrogated Luo-Luo on her history and what she needed for the banquet.

No wonder Luo-Luos Lord Husband was henpecked. His father and brother were too...

In short order, Mother-in-law decided she needed to be on-site to plan the banquet and Luo-Luo was quick to offer the sharp-tongued woman the use of her palanquin. Heart pounding with fear and excitent, Luo-Luo sat across from her Mother-in-law and bead with delight, happy to finally get the banquet shed dread of as a little girl, with promises of a new dress, jewellery, and even a zither to perform with. Of course, the banquet wasnt so important anymore, Luo-Luo only placed so much emphasis on it because she thought she was destined for a wretched and gloomy existence, married to an uneducated brute and deceiver. After learning more about him and his burdens, Luo-Luo was now thoroughly convinced of her Lord Husbands worthiness. It didnt matter if he had help creating his number system and other inventions, for he excelled in both Martial and intellectual pursuits while others struggled to excel in one or the other. The Heavens had not forsaken Luo-Luo, for even with all his quirks and shortcomings, her Lord Husband Falling Rain was a brilliant man and worthy Patron. With or without this banquet, Luo-Luo would be proud to bear his children, children who would be destined for greatness.

With her Lord Husbands talents and the blood of Emperors running through their veins, how could their children be anything less?

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