Past Loves Ch. 04c: Hu-Li and Bǐng

Shang Dynasty China. Modern day Xiaotun, Huang Province, China: 1170 BC

The trackway which led from the village to the crossroads had become a thick slurry of mud in the spring rains, churned up by the passage of numerous carts, cattle and people. Bǐng kept to the greenery which still grew thick by the verges and provided her with a stable footing, preventing her from losing her footing and footwear in the mud. But the long stems of wet grass reached up and soon the hem of her skirt was soaked through with that morning's rain. She pursed her lips and plodded on, holding her leather bag above her head to protect her head from the new rainclouds which loomed on the horizon.

It was early evening and the sun had already begun to approach the horizon making it harder for Bǐng to see her way clearly. More than once she nearly lost her footing on a slick patch of grass or stepped too closely to a prickly weed, but she plodded on regardless. If anyone else had known that she was out at this hour they would probably have tried to dissuade her from going out at all. There had been rumours of marauders and wolves hiding in the forests nearby and most other folk were sheltering at home within the palisade walls of the village. It certainly wasn't wise to be out past nightfall at any time of the year, but spring was when the bandits and beasts of the forest dared to venture out of their hiding holes after the long cold winter, hungry and desperate for sustenance.

Although, she thought that she probably wouldn't make much of a meal even if she was unlucky enough to cross a wolf's path. She was quite short, the top of her head only reaching as high as the shoulders of some of the other women in the village. And she was skinny too, partly because of her relative youth at only twenty years old. Maturity had skipped over filling out her form that much and it had been remarked by some unkind gossipers that she resembled a scarecrow. But despite her slim frame she had been blessed with a good head of thick dark hair and a pretty face. Her nose and mouth were petite and her skin was smooth and blemish free. She tried to take good care of her appearance and despite her simple lifestyle and upbringing she still carried herself with a dignified grace.

Her life overall was not unpleasant, but Bǐng had always felt as if there were something missing from it, some essential aspect that others had achieved and she had not. She was not quite sure what it was, and had no-one to talk to about her private misgivings, at least until recently. Bǐng had decided that tonight was the night that she would finally walk out of her home and seek answers for the hollowness inside her. She had left her husband Peng behind telling him that she had to go and assist with a difficult lambing two fields over. He had barely looked up from his work when she had told him this. He was currently working on a new carving project and there was little that could distract him from one of those when he was fully invested.

He wasn't a bad man, and from the stories she had been told from many of her friends and neighbours, she could have done much worse. He wasn't abusive, he didn't get drunk or sleep around, but by the ancestors, he was so very dull. He seemed to have only one passion in life, carpentry and woodworking. He was happiest when in his workshop and apparently always thinking of his next project or piece of work that he had to do around the village. At first Bǐng had found it charming and endearing, but after three years of marriage, his lack of interest in her and anything she had to offer was something which had begun to grate on her immensely.

Their love life too was just as boring as the neatly stored tools and supplies in Peng's workshop. Whenever Bǐng did manage to persuade him to lay down with her, she always got the impression that he would much rather be doing something else. Their marriage had also merited no children so far, while many of the other women of a similar age in the village were on their first or second child in the same space of time. Bǐng sometimes wondered if she was doing something wrong, and had consulted the local medicine woman on various herbal remedies which would help her bear a child. None of them had worked, and one had given her an uncomfortable burning sensation for nearly a month afterwards.

And so, she had decided that it was time for her to seek answers for her dilemma from outside the village. She had heard of someone who might be able to provide those answers. The gossip amongst some of the other young women of the village was that not far away in an old shrine in the woods there was a truthseer. Apparently this mystic could divine the future from staring into the flames in their shrine, providing insight and guidance to those that brought them offerings.

Through gentle interrogation, Bǐng had found out where this mystic was supposed to have set up shop, and what kind of offering she should bring. It seemed that this magician was a very well kept secret amongst the women of the village and she had been sworn to secrecy on the matter before she had been let in on their location. Thankfully the old shrine was not too far and apparently sat at the head of a narrow gully in the woods which ended in an old hollowed out cave at one end. She had chosen tonight to visit because it was a full moon which she hoped would lead her plenty of light to find her way back home after the sun had gone down. Already it had begun to brush the horizon and she knew that she would have to hurry if she were to have any hope of finding the fortune teller's hideaway before it became too dark.

The forest was thick and shadowy and the damp warm air between the trees gave a feeling of density, as if the foliage was trying to push her back out into the open air. She pressed on though, following the path as instructed until she reached a fork and took the left path. It led her slowly downwards and the way here was thickly overgrown on either side, clearly not having been used very often and was more of a natural deer path than a man-made trackway. Bǐng's already wet skirts were now utterly sodden all the way up to the upper thigh and she had to drag them along with her when they inevitably snagged on some thorn or branch.

She was just starting to wonder if she had taken a wrong turn, or maybe the other women of the village had been playing some mean trick on her when she glimpsed the distant glow of firelight in the gathering dark. She took a step back and saw that indeed there was a pale flickering glow reflected on the rocky walls of a ravine off the right hand side of the path. She clutched the bag she had been carrying with her and made her way carefully down the defile, feeling the slick surface of the rocks on either side to guide her way.

As she approached, the light grew brighter and she could smell the distinct scent of charcoal as well as something more pleasant like perfume in the air. The ravine bent around a corner and when she made her way through it she saw the entrance to the old shrine up ahead, within which she could clearly see a small campfire burning amid some stones. The shrine had clearly been abandoned for some time, the carved rock pillars to either side of the doorway were covered in moss and ferns. A mid-sized sapling seemed to have sprung from a crack between the stones, its roots delving deep into the earth beyond and widening the crack further.

From her position outside, Bǐng couldn't see anybody immediately inside through the doorway into the shrine and she approached cautiously, not wanting to startle any residents, especially a powerful and possibly vengeful magician. Once she was at the threshold, she could feel the warmth of the fire on her skin and felt it seeping through her damp clothes. The chamber beyond was quite small, probably no bigger than the main room of the hut that Bǐng shared with Peng but with a ceiling which swept upwards out of view, into which the plume of smoke from the fire disappeared with the sparks. The walls were rough-carved stone with many layers of soot and moss covering them in varying degrees.

She could now also make out through the swirling smoke that at the other end of the room there stood a small dais, upon which there had been laid out a simple collection of pillows and furniture on a lavish patterned rug. There were two sitting cushions and a collection of small wooden chests pushed up against the wall. Seated on one of these was a mysterious cloaked figure.

'Ah, a visitor.'

The voice spoke out of the gloom inside the hood. It was almost certainly the voice of a woman and had a thick accent that was strange to Bǐng, somehow clipped and refined in its pronunciation. She moved carefully into the room, stepping around the fire in the centre, and tried to get a better look at the mysterious denizen of the old shrine. They were seated cross legged with their hands in their lap, completely swathed in a fine brightly coloured fabric with intricate embroidery around the hems and neckline. Bǐng had never seen such a magnificent piece of clothing. Whoever this truthseer was, they were clearly someone of great power to be able to acquire such a garment.

'Hello...' she said nervously as she bowed her head, 'My name is Bǐng Shennong, I'm the carpenter's wife in the village just north of here. I hear that you offer advice and fortunes, in return for an offering?'

The cloaked figure looked up towards her slightly and although the upper half of their face was still shadowed in the hood, Bǐng could make out the shape of a pleased smile on the woman's red-painted lips.

'You hear correct Bǐng Shennong. It seems that my presence here spreads to more and more ears in that little village of yours, I will have to move on soon if my legend continues to spread. I can't have the loose lips of your peers putting me in danger. Although I suppose I am always happy to receive visitors as pleasing as your good self.'

Bǐng wasn't entirely sure what the truthseer meant by that, was she hiding here, or in some sort of danger? Should she herself even be here consorting with her? And what did she mean, pleasing?

'But yes, I do provide... insight.' The woman continued. 'What have you brought as an offering for my services?

In reply Bǐng bowed her head and reached into the satchel hanging at her side and pulled out a simple carved stone necklace, which she made from the numerous brightly coloured rocks which she sometimes found in the fields. It has taken her a whole month to gather enough stones for even this small offering and now, in comparison to this woman's splendid finery, it seemed like a very meagre offering. She held it out nervously in her hand, now a little embarrassed to be standing there, perhaps this had been a mistake after all.

There was a moment's pause, during which the only sound was the gentle shifting of the fire in the pit behind them both. Bǐng felt her nerves beginning to fray at the edges, hoping that her offering had not displeased the truthseer, for which slight they would surely curse her for her disrespect. But after a brief hesitation, the woman raised her cloaked hand and reached up to take the offered necklace. Bǐng caught a brief glimpse of her hand underneath the long red sleeves of her robe and saw that her fingers were slim and delicate, with perfect long nails and several silver rings. The hand retreated back into the truthseer's lap and there was a brief inclination of her head, in assent.

'I assume that you were also told to bring the offering of bone?'

Bǐng reached back into her bag and pulled out the larger object that she had hidden in there, a large flat cattle shoulder bone, shaped like a large triangular spade. Butchered the season before, it was now cleaned and dried, and hopefully ready for the divination ritual. The truthseer took the bone and examined it briefly before turning her head back to face Bǐng.

'I assume that you would like me to carve your question into the bone for you?' she asked, 'Most of the other ladies from your village who have visited me had no knowledge of script either.'

Bǐng nodded in reply and smiled gratefully, she had learned enough from travelling scholars to be able to write her own name, but nothing beyond that.

'Very well, take a seat here girl and we will begin.'

As she took the cattle bone firmly in one hand, she reached up with the other and threw her hood back to finally reveal her face. The firelight illuminated her features in a yellowy orange glow and Bǐng was instantly taken aback by how strikingly beautiful she was. Her face was narrow and hard with pronounced cheekbones and a pointed nose. Her hair was dark, long and well combed, kept up on either side of her head in two symmetrical buns except for two long strands which fell down either side of her face. The makeup she wore around her mouth, eyes and across her cheeks was perfectly applied, as if by a practised hand and must have cost a fortune. And she was young, probably not much older than Bǐng, her skin was still smooth and unblemished by time or marks, she must have been no more than twenty five.

When she looked at Bǐng she seemed to radiate an air of superiority, knowledge beyond her years and the feeling that she was well and truly seeing you for who you were. But also her manner of dress, the gold earrings and extravagant make-up told of a life far removed from the simple background of this backwater province. She was, or perhaps had once been someone very important. Bǐng suddenly realised that she was staring and she blinked and looked away in embarrassment. as she settled into a cross-legged position on the other floor cushion.

'So, Bǐng, what question, conundrum or dilemma have you come to me seeking a resolution for?'

As she spoke, the truthseer had retrieved a stone stylus from somewhere and had begun expertly carving into the bone in her lap. Bǐng recognised the symbol for her own name and knew that his must be part of the spell that the woman would cast.

'Oh Wise One,' she began, ' I would like to know if...'

She was cut off by the truthseer waving a placating hand at her.

'None of that 'Wise One' nonsense, thank you. I am no longer the noble sage I once pretended to be, that time is behind me. My name is Hu-Li, diviner and servant of the royal court. Or at least I was, as you may have guessed already, I am somewhat out of favour with the Dynasty at the moment, hence my presence here. A foretelling of mine did not meet with a happy reception. But still, you may call me Hu-Li and remember to keep your lips shut about my presence here.'

Bǐng nodded emphatically that she would,

'Yes, of course Wise... I mean Hu-Li. I promise.'

'Good, then what is your question?'

Bǐng took a deep breath, looked up into the firm, penetrating eyes of Hu-Li and dug deep down inside herself to retreive up the question that had gnawed at her for more than a year now.

'I want to know, will my husband and I ever have a child?'

Hu-Li smiled, as if she had heard something amusing. Perhaps this was a question she had heard many times from many different people, all of them desperate to know what the future held, and for some hope to hold on to. She began carving once again, her quick practised hands incising mysterious lines and curves into the bone, the meanings of which were beyond Bǐng's understanding. It didn't take long for her to finish and once she had, she handed the bone back to Bǐng.

'Hold this offering in your hands, focus on your desire, the future that you want to achieve. You say you wish to know if you will ever bear your husband a child? Then think of the act which will implant the seed of a child within your belly. Think about what you have tried in the past, what the present has left you with, and I will divine what the future may hold for you.'

Bǐng blushed slightly when Hu-Li talked about the making of a child, such a thing seemed crude for a magician such as her to be even mentioning. But she did as she asked, she held the cattle bone in her hands, her fingers tracing the freshly carved lines across its surface and imagined herself and Peng laying together. She imagined his weight atop her, the feeling of his breath on her neck, the energetic rutting of his hips between her legs, and the warm wet feeling of his completion. Although the conjured dream brought her some satisfaction, once again she felt that elusive yearning for more nagging at her mind as she thought about it. As if there should be something more to making a child than laying back and waiting for Peng to finish.

She opened her eyes once more and Hu-Li took the bone from her and examined it briefly before turning back to her.

'Good, I can sense that there is much turmoil in your mind when you think about conceiving a child, I see your furrowed brow, the tension in your shoulders. Tell me, how long have you and you and your husband been married?'

'A little under three years, my friends and family have told me that sometimes these things take time, but it's never taken anybody else in the village this long. Is there something that I am doing wrong?'

The truthseer didn't answer at first, she stood and stepped over to the fire which was still burning merrily in the centre of the chamber. Kneeling down beside it, she reached out and pushed the bone with Bǐng's question carved onto it, in to the glowing embers. The movement made a fountain of sparks burst up from the fire and dissipate upwards towards the unseen ceiling like a swarm of orange fireflies. The heat of the fire seemed to have no effect on Hu-li's skin and she came back to sit opposite Bǐng with not a burn or welt on her delicate manicured fingers.

'The fire will reveal the answer to your question,' Hu-Li explained as she brushed a lock of her hair aside from her face. 'But while we wait, I would like to know more about the nature of you and your husband's... technique. It may help me to interpret what the fire tells me more easily.'

Bǐng blushed deeply again, for a moment the thought of discussing her and Peng's sex-life with this sophisticated powerful woman was enough to make her want to stand up and run out of the cave in embarrassment. But as she took a deep breath and looked up to meet Hu-Li's intense eyes once more, she felt her discomfort fade away, at least a little bit and be replaced by a resolute fortitude. The firm and unyielding look in Hu-Li's eyes banished her hesitation, she felt that she could not deny this woman.

Haltingly at first, she began to talk through the life that she and Peng lived together. Their little home, their work and their desires. His love of woodcraft, but sometimes she felt, not necessarily of her. She told of how they would lie down together, and how she always felt that there was something just out of reach when they did, Peng's furtive indifference to the act, and seeming disinterest in her body. The conversation was punctuated here and there by small cracking sounds from the fire as the heat began to crack and warp the carved bone within its embers.

As Bǐng reached the end of her explanation, Hu-Li smiled and nodded with a slightly amused expression on her beautiful face, as if she had heard many such stories before. She stood and pulled a thick leather glove out of one of the chests beside her before moving over to the fire once more. With delicate movements she reached her gloved hand into the embers and pulled out the warped bleached bone white remains of Bǐng's oracle bone, the surface now cracked and scarred by many rifts which sprung from carving to carving. She placed it gently on the ground, allowing it to cool before she came back over to sit on the cushion opposite.

'Tell me Bǐng, when you and your husband lay together, have you ever experienced a moment of focused concentrated joy, a blinding paroxysm of delight which fills your whole mind and body, blocking out all other senses?'

Bǐng's mouth hung open for a moment as she thought, trying to recall anything which remotely came close to what Hu-Li was describing. There was pleasure sometimes to be sure, but it felt more like a growing itch or yearning than any climactic completion.

'No... No I don't think so, should I? Is that what's needed for me to have a child?'

Hu-Li laughed a little derisively and reached out with a delicate palm to pat Bǐng on the knee.

'No my dear it's not completely necessary. But, it certainly helps. I've seen enough women bear a child to know that you're far more likely to become pregnant if you achieve... hmm, completion when laying down with a lover. I can assume from your answer as well that you've never ever had such an experience before, even by yourself?'

Again, Bǐng was lost for words. How would someone be able to have sex by themselves? And what would be the point? Surely nobody could make a child that way? Apparently the expression of puzzlement on her face was all the answer that Hu-Li needed because she chuckled to herself once more and reclined back on the pillows behind her as she mused, partly to herself,

'Oh you poor sweet darling girl, you have so much to learn. There is so much more to life than you know, even these simple pleasures have been denied to you through terrible lack of education in such matters.'

'What matters?'

Bǐng asked, now slightly annoyed but intrigued by Hu-Li's mysterious allusions. She had come here for answers, not to be condescended to about her love life. But at the same time there was something so fascinating about this woman, she knew things, about love and sex and more besides. Things that until this point in her life had eluded Bǐng. She had to know more.

'What do you mean? What more is there to know? I know how babies are made, I'm not a child!'

'Oh sweet innocent thing, I see now Bǐng that you are a child in so many ways. There is so much more to sex than merely making babies. Have you never even experimented with yourself? You are certainly old enough to have passed well beyond the point where you should have figured these things out by yourself by now. I can teach you if you like, we have a little time while we wait for your prophecy to cool.'

'I don't... I'm not...'

Bǐng stammered briefly, as she seriously considered standing and walking out of there, annoyed at Hu-Li's attitude. But at the same time she was curious about what she was telling her. For a long time she had thought that there was something simple in her life which eluded her, and this woman was awakening some strange feelings inside her which she couldn't ignore. A curiosity and desire to learn from her what it was that had eluded her all these years.

'All right,' she answered at last, 'Show me what you mean, what am I missing?'

A coy smile spread across Hu-Li's perfect lips and she looked Bing up and down in a strange predatory way, as if appraising her for some secret assets.

'Good, then follow my example and my instructions very carefully, understand?'

'Yes, I understand.'

Bǐng answered demurely, if this was the game that Hu-Li wanted to play, then she would go along with it for now.

'Good.' Hu -Li continued, 'Then take off your clothes and do as I do.'

'Wait, wha..?'

Bǐng started to protest, but a quick look from Hu Li's dark intense eyes made her think twice. She had agreed that she would do as the truthseer asked. If this was what it took to get some answers, then so be it.

She began to tug herself out of her still sodden simple clothes. At the same time Hu-Li also shrugged off the long brightly coloured robe that covered her and Bǐng was shocked to see that it had been the entirety of what she was wearing. She wore no undergarments of any kind and immediately Bǐng as treated to a full view of the woman's well formed body. She had shapely hips with a delicate waist which led up to her perfectly pert and rounded breasts. Her legs were not very long but very well shaped, with curves from one end to the other. Her skin was as smooth and perfect over the rest of her body and she felt the involuntary urge to reach out and stroke her.

Once Hu-Li had shed her robe and cast it to one side she came back down to lounge on the pillows which she had arranged around her and allowed her legs to splay open wantonly in front of Bǐng. She was treated to a full unmitigated view of the small carefully trimmed patch of hair which topped the split mound between her legs. Bǐng could see a glimpse of pink inner lips peeking out through the slit and there was so much naked skin before her that she didn't know where to focus her attention.

By this point Bǐng had also managed to cast aside her own garments and sat with her knees tucked up before her, with her arms crossed in front of her chest, ashamed and a little uncomfortable with the whole situation she had found herself in.

'Relax my dear.' Hu-Li cooed from her lounging position. 'This won't go anywhere unless you are completely relaxed. Now do as I say and sit back on the cushions behind you, let your arms fall to your sides and open your legs for me. I want to see what you are hiding there.'

Pursing her lips and feeling the redness of embarrassment flushing her face, Bǐng did as Hu-Li asked and fell into a more relaxed position, although she still felt tense and uneasy.

'Hmmm,' Hu-Li mused as her eyes roved all over Bǐng's naked form. 'Not bad, all things considered, for a peasant girl. Not much to speak of in the way of a bosom but you have a fine body, a little on the skinny side but I'd say that you have a pretty face and a good set of hips to you girl.'

'Thank you?' Bǐng replied uncertainly.

'Now we get to the lesson. Do as I do girl and we will see if you can be taught the ways of pleasuring oneself.'

Hu-Li reached up and inserted her two forefingers deep inside her mouth, covering them in a thick coating of saliva. Bǐng did the same, mirroring her every motion as best as she could. The sensuously provocative woman then slowly reached down between her legs and spread the lips of her slit wide, exposing her most secret inner passage for Bǐng to see. Again Bǐng tried her best to mirror the motions, feeling shameful and embarrassed but also elated and turned on at the same time.

With gentle slow circles, Hu-Li then began to rub her two wetted fingers over the tender crux of her hole, while at the same time reaching up with her free hand to cup lightly on her own breast. When Bǐng followed suit she fumbled awkwardly for a moment, trying to match the other woman's rhythm. The technique was all new and unfamiliar to her but after a few moments she found that she was able to freely fall into the motions, they felt natural to her, and it felt good. She could feel a delicate hardening nub of flesh beneath her fingers, small like a bean and tender. But not like a bruise or a cut was tender, this felt tender in a very different, very deep and wonderful way.

Hu-Li maintained the motion on her slit but had also started to softly twist and pluck at her nipple with the other hand. The dark round bud now stood out hard and proud atop the soft mound of her breast and was clearly bringing the woman some pleasure whenever she flicked and tugged on it. She bit down sensuously on her lower lip and her eyes were half-closed as she maintained eye contact. Bǐng's own nipples were much smaller than that of the truthseer's but as she tried to emulate her technique she also found a tingling rippling out from it as she inexpertly twisted and pulled. Once or twice she went too hard on herself and let out a gasp of pain, only to return a moment later with gentler motions, eager to feel more of the vibrant energy which her fingers conjured.

The motion of her fingers on her slit had also started to produce a thick slick fluid from inside which Bǐng could also see flowing freely between Hu-Li's legs. In the past she and Peng had used spit to lubricate her hole, but it seemed that she had the means of producing her own when properly motivated. It also felt amazing to touch herself in this way and Bǐng cursed herself for never having found out about this on her own. It was so simple but so wonderfully intoxicating.

For some reason the view of Hu-Li also touching herself and feeling the same things at the same time was heightening the experience too. She loved the way that the woman's cheeks were flushed with passion, how her eyelids fluttered and the soft insistent sound of her breathing as she ground her fingertips into herself. She was fascinated by the motion of her fingers, which moved alternately in swift circular motions, and also rapid side-to-side vibrations which made her grit her teeth and arch her back slightly. She tried as best she could to copy each and every moment of her hands and was delighted when each new wave of bodily pleasure rippled out from her long-ignored loins.

'Mmmmnnff! Good girl!' Hu-Li cooed softly as she watched Bǐng's first desperate attempts at self pleasure. 'You see, you're a natural. It feels good doesn't it? So good that you never want it to stop.'

'Yes!'

Bǐng gasped in reply, her head filled with the fuzzy overwhelming pleasure which was overriding everything else. Her hesitant embarrassment had completely disappeared as her fingers moved of their own accord between her legs. She felt something large and powerful growing inside her. The desperate yearning need that had lain ignored and unsatisfied for so long had reared up into a terrible insatiable beast that demanded satisfaction. Her head rolled back and her eyes closed as she bit down hard on her lower lip and pulled tightly on her nipple with her other hand, the rapturous scintillating pleasure rolling over and through her.

'Oh by the spirits!' she cried out, unable to hold back the beast which was straining inside her. 'Something's going to happen! I can feel it coming, I can't! I can't stop! OooohhhHH!'

A violent, shuddering incredible feeling erupted through Bǐng's mind and body as her fingers worked like a blur across the tender nub at the head of her own slit. She felt it crack and rumble inside her like a burst of thunder, the white hot lance of pleasure ripping her in two like lightning. She was dimly aware of her whole body shaking and of the sound of her own long howling drawn out cry of bliss which echoed inside the high ceilinged chamber.

Her cry mingled with the moans of Hu-Li's own climax which followed on not a moment later, her eyes not leaving Bǐng's face for even a moment, intent on soaking in every drop of the woman's fresh pleasure. With shuddering limp motions Bǐng felt her body slowly relax, her muscles untensing from the terrible wonderful feeling which had filled her every fibre. A wash of warm comforting energy flowed through her, like a river retreating after a flood leaving the land glistening and fertile in its wake. She could smell the fire and the scent of both her own and Hu-Li's juices mingling in the air and she slowly opened her eyes to look over at her. The woman appeared completely relaxed, her fingers still lightly plucking at her nipple with a self-satisfied smile on her face.

'I hope that was as wonderful to experience as it was to watch my dear.'

She mused gently, while also bringing her wet slick-covered fingers up to her lips and delicately licking the moisture off them. Bǐng did the same and found the taste to be unusual, but savoury and delicious as well.

'You've certainly shown that you've got a lot of pleasure to make up for in your life. And I hope that, with practice, you might even be able to teach that husband of yours a thing or two. But even if he doesn't learn, you'll be able to figure things out on your own I'm sure.'

'Thank you...'

Was all that Bǐng could bring herself to breathe softly, her head still filled with the after-effects of the shattering climax she had just experienced for the first time in her life.

'Well now, let's see about that prophecy of yours shall we?'

Hu-li rolled onto her elbow and reached over to grasp the now cooled cattle bone in her hand. She looked over it for a moment or two, her fingers tracing the lines of cracks that the fire had burned into its surface.

'What does it say?' Bǐng asked, her curiosity revived, 'Does it tell you if I will ever bear a child?'

Hu-Li looked up from the oracle bone with a small smile on her severe and knowing face.

'My dear, I'm sure that if you practise everything that I've taught you and more. Then you'll be just fine.'