Dance - Cinderella Retold

Part 4

FOUR

Years passed as Jing taught her daughters court dances for their absurdly tiny feet, and Mai practised increasingly complex martial dances with her father. On her sixteenth birthday, he gave her a sword made especially for her. While Mai stood speechless with joy at such a thoughtful gift, her stepmother trotted into the courtyard with a scowl on her face.

"That is not a suitable gift for a girl!" Jing said. Ten years had not been kind to her. She had tried to give Fu more children, but none of them survived very long. "You should return it to the armoury, to await the birth of your son." She patted her belly with considerable satisfaction.

Mai suppressed a groan. When Jing was pregnant, she made Mai do everything for her, including running errands she should send servants to do. Though she knew her father wanted a son, she hoped Jing would miscarry early this time, instead of giving birth to a stillborn child. Better than nine months of hope only to have them dashed at the end.

"If you bear me a son, my blacksmith will craft him his own sword," Fu said firmly. "This belongs to Mai. She needs it to practice, for a wooden sword is no longer enough."

"She needs a husband," Jing grumbled, shuffling back inside.

"For your next birthday, I will see about finding you a husband," Father said. "But in the meantime...will you dance with me, Mai?"

Mai smiled. "Gladly, Father."