While the household had not been surprised that Dee and Manchu had made up, they were surprised to find both children helping with the other's chores. Quon Wing had tried to dissuade the two from helping with the extra chores assigned as punishment by adding more chores. After repeatedly finding Dee helping to scrub the bathing pools or Manchu helping to with the pots and pans in the kitchen, he finally gave up.

{Why do they not realize that I'm giving them these chores as punishment? They shouldn't be helping each other with them! They are not learning their lessons,} he grumbled to his wife, as they got ready for bed.

{Did you think, perhaps, that they have learned a lesson more valuable, Love? I think they have learned that teamwork is more important than squabbling.}

He rubbed her swollen belly as he thought about her words. She was right. When it came to points like this, she was rarely ever wrong with her conclusion.

{Yes, teamwork is important for them to learn. I spoke with Jiaoshu again today on their progress. He's of the same mind as you and he gave me some very interesting news.}

Li Rong raised a delicately arched eyebrow at him. {Oh? About the children?}

Quon Wing nodded with a small smile on his face. {He told the Elders there about the progress the children were making and of the disagreement they had. With the outcome, the Elders have begun to think about allowing Xiaohu into the triad.}

Gasping at this, she asked, {They would consider her for a member?}

{It is unusual, but the girl has shown a great deal of dedication to the Jade Tigers already. So far it is just a consideration. You and I both know that no definite conclusion will be made for a few more years.}

Li Rong nodded at this. She wasn't certain if she should be happy for the chance the girl would get or be worried. While Li Rong knew how determined Dee was to prove her worth to the triad, the girl still refused to settle into some of the calmer traditions set forth to female members. Dee refused to even consider marriage or children, wanting instead to be a fighter only. The Gotham Elders had voiced this concern on the few occasions they had asked to speak to Li Rong on Dee's progress in feminine arts.

{The baby is active tonight,} Quon Wing smiled as he felt the baby kick against his hand. {Our baby will be strong.}

{Too strong, I think,} she replied wincing as the baby kicked again. {I think our little one wants out before it is time!}

Quon Wing chuckled. {See? Strong. Wanting to run before it can crawl!}

{Darling, I hope that you aren't filling Xiaohu's head with hopes of being accepted. Unless she starts accepting the traditional ways more, I don't think she'll be allowed in.}

{Don't worry about that. She knows nothing of what I've spoken to the others about and I don't plan on telling her. We'll just see how things work out for her, ok?}

Nodding, Li Rong curled against her husband as best as her belly would allow her to. With the extra weight of the child in her, she was easily worn out. Even with her disinterest in childbearing, Dee had been wonderful in making certain Li Rong was comfortable. The child had even stopped adding pickling brine to her tea. Li Rong sighed as she closed her eyes. There was still time for the child to change. Perhaps there would be a blossom of love in the girl's heart that would change her mind.
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