The week went by fairly quickly. Lin Rou spent her time learning how to manage her new home from Fu Ping and Aunt Mu. Mu Chen took the Lin brothers up into the mountains to show them where he found Lin Rou and to introduce them to his Tiger family. Lin Jukai was roped into protecting the women and guarding the young children of the Mu family. Uncle Mu had already helped Lin Rou sow her seeds into the new garden Mu Chen had built for her. Fu Ping had given her some flower seeds to plant near the windows to the main room the sent would help make her home smell nice and give the yard more color. Mu Chen designed a wall that separated the yard from the farm so that Lin Rou would have a place to relax outside without viewing the farm. Grandma Mu had a cherry tree sapling planted in the center of the yard and several more planted around the border for shade and a more calming atmosphere. Mu Yuqin and Lin Jukai dug a koi pond and had fish delivered. As a noble daughter of the dragon general, Lin Rou had to have a beautiful yard that matched her status.
The day grew closer to when the army would leave. Fu Ping spent the day before telling Lin Rou to mind her husband and not to cause him trouble. "Don't worry mother, I will listen to Ah-Chen. He built my garden and the farm so I never have to go up the mountain. I don't have to worry about him because he has a tiger that helps him on his hunts. I'm protected by Yin and Yan so he doesn't have to worry about me."
"Good, remember to keep him happy and keep his home well. That woman Li Xue will be a problem and I believe his mother will also try to do something to you. Be careful my Sparrow."
"Yes Mother." Lin Rou hugged her mother and went into her room. Now she can walk slowly without the wall and with only a little pain. Mu Chen had the doctor make her a walking stick to help ease the pain so she could move about somewhat freely. He still carries her occasionally. But he leaves to hunt for the village most days and she needs to be able to move about on her own. Lin Rou removed her outer robes and slid into bed. Tomorrow her family would be leaving and she would be on her own to take care of the chores with Aunt Mu and her sisters to help.
Mu Chen came in and smiled lovingly at his wife. "The farm where I got our animals wants me to hunt for them tomorrow. I'll go after we see your family off. Aunt and Uncle plan to help you take care of the garden and father is going to go to the market for you. Write down a list and he will get it."
Lin Rou smiled and pointed to her writing desk. "I already did. I have an embroidered piece for the cloth merchant. He liked my designs for our curtains and wedding clothes and wanted me to embroider fabric for him. He is paying me for each piece I make." The work was of a river with a flower field on one side and a forest on the other. It could be used as a partition screen. The one she made for their room had a bamboo forest design.
Mu Chen removed his robes and sat down beside her on the bed. "How are you feeling today?" Her headache was getting worse and she had nightmares about the mountain every night. "Better, but I'm still getting nightmares. It's like the memories are trying to surface but I'm refusing to remember what happened." Mu Chen pulled her gently into his arms and kissed her lips. "Its alright now, I'm right here. I will always be there to keep you safe." Lin Rou hummed in answer and he kissed her lips. The room heated up as Mu Chen loved his wife. So far, since their wedding, they have been together every night. Mu Chen knew that if this continues, he will be welcoming a child into his new family. He couldn't wait to hold his and Lin Rou's child.
The next morning, Mu Chen helped his little wife wash up and dress in a pale blue robe. He helped her with her hair before washing up himself. Lin Rou walked slowly to the main room to have one final breakfast with her family before they left. Fu Ping had set down the last dish and then moved to help Lin Rou to her chair. "Rou'er, do you remember what I taught you this week?" She was going over the lessons on managing the household for Mu Chen.
"Yes mother. I already wrote a list for Father Mu to take with him to the market later. I also had the embroidery screen wrapped and ready for the cloth merchant. I asked him to bring back leather so I could make collars for my pets. Ones that will grow with them."
Her mother nodded in approval and Mu Chen came out of the room fully dressed and carrying his weapons. He kissed Lin Rou on the cheek before sitting beside her and filling her bowl with the brown sugar porridge she liked. "Eat, my love. You need nourishment to heal." Once her bowl was filled he placed a meat bun on a plate beside the bowl for her then filled his own plate. Lin Jukai filled his wife's plate as he spoke with his sons. "Are the men set to travel?"
"Yes father. We also set two men behind as a guard for Rou'er. As you ordered."
He grunted in reply. "Make sure they understand that their primary job is to protect their new master. Their secondary job is as servants for their master's farm. I want no mistakes this time. We still don't know who or what caused her fall." Mu Chen nodded and wrapped his hand around Lin Rou's for comfort. "While I'm gone, Feng Dai and Feng Li will protect you and act as servants. Their job is to answer the door and maintain the farm. Only my family is allowed in the house. I have them building a servant's house on the farm grounds so you won't be disturbed by them. Yin and Yan have full run of the main house and yard."
Lin Rou absorbed the rules and nodded. "Yes Husband, I understand." She would not make the mistake of allowing anyone into her home.
Since she woke up, her home grew from a simple courtyard home to a sprawling manor with a farm. Lin Jukai had two more rooms built on either side of the main room and a bath house behind the kitchen. He called it a wedding gift for Mu Chen, but they both knew it was to give his child more comfort she was used to. The extra rooms had their own bath houses and the shared room of the newly married couple was given a private bath house as well. The bath in the room was large enough to seat both of them at the same time. Mu Chen took gleeful advantage of the fact that Lin Rou still needs help bathing.
After breakfast, Mu Chen helped Lin Rou out to bid her family farewell. Fu Ping hugged her daughter one last time. "Write to me child. If you need help just write to me and I will help if I can. Not all of your lessons can be learned in a week." Lin Rou assured her that she would write to her every week. Lin Jukai hugged his daughter. "Remember little Sparrow. Papa is only a letter away." Lin Rou hugged her father back. "I know, father. I'm okay now. Ah-Chen spoils me. I'm safe here." Her brothers hugged her and bid her farewell as well, she watched them leave with Mu Chen beside her. Feng Dai and Feng Li stood off to one side saluting their general and his family. Mu Chen called them forward.
"Wife, this is Feng Dai and Feng Li. Twin brothers that will be our servants from now on. Feng Dai is our butler and Feng Li is in charge of protection for the property. If you need anything, Feng Dai will take care of it." The two men saluted Lin Rou. "Madam Mu, it is an honor to serve!" They spoke at exactly the same time. "I am in your care gentlemen. See to the animals and make sure the manure is cleaned out of the sheds." They both saluted her again and left to see to their duties. Mu Chen pulled her into a hug. "I'll return this evening before dinner." Lin Rou nodded and kissed his cheek. "Be safe, my Crane." He grinned. "Always, my love."