The Chef's Immortal

Chapter Seven

Everyone was thrilled to have the Princess back safe and sound, especially the Khan. Chuluun and the Prince helped her with everyone's names and informed them that although she was well, she had yet to regain her memories. The brothers, though disappointed, only wanted to see their baby sister walk on her own two feet. Other things didn't matter. Nusa seemed to keep her temper and attitude in check, but the Prince noticed she did not relish all the attention. He took the Princess's hand, reassuring her that she was not alone.

The Khan smiled brightly. He may be marrying his daughter off for the future of his tribe, but it warmed his heart to see the two getting along so well. His bright pearl would be happy after all. The 13th Prince signaled for Shunyuan to bring him his pack, and went to speak to the Khan. The room grew quiet.

"I know we've already decided on the Princess's and my wedding, but I didn't want to forego your tribal traditions just because I'm a Manchu Prince." The Prince proceeded to remove a white handkerchief from his pack and handed it to the Khan.

Though the Khan looked surprised, he opened the handkerchief and found sugar, tea leaves, and a pastern inside. This was not the end.  The Prince continued to remove item after item from his pack. There were hada, airag, and sugar blocks. Then the Prince handed over three wine flasks. All traditional Mongolian bridal gifts. The Khan was silent. The brothers, as well as the Princess, were all shocked.

"These are the appropriate bridal gifts, correct? Shunyuan you did say these were the traditional gifts," the Prince questioned.

"Yes," the Khan answered for Shunyuan. "These are all correct.  We just never expected you to present such gifts."

The brothers were pleased. The Khan couldn't conceal his tears any longer. His baby girl was getting married, and the Qing prince impressed.

"Okay, we'll begin the wedding rites in the morning," the Khan said gleefully.

The Prince smiled but noticed that the Princess had an awkward look on her face. He was congratulated by the brothers and kept in the tent half the night drinking with the Chagatai Tribe. The Princess escaped to her room early on and lay on her bed, thinking. Though she liked the Prince a lot, she was still apprehensive about this marriage. She was a modern girl who time-traveled to the Qing Dynasty for god's sake. How could she get married? But, truthfully, she saw no other way to stay alive. It was only marriage.  How hard could it be?

The following morning a group of girls, none of whom she recognized, hurried into her tent.  But Ruolan didn't leave her for a second. They giddily did her hair and dressed her in a bright orange deel. The Han Chinese wore red wedding gowns, but on the grasslands, bright orange was the color for many royal brides. She sat in her tent waiting, a red veil covering her face. This was really happening. She could hear the music and laughter outside getting closer but didn't move from her spot. Her legs were shaking and her hands were sweating.  Ruolan laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

Her brothers ran in, lifted her up, and carried her to a waiting horse beside the entrance to the tent. She barely caught a glimpse of the Prince in his dark deel.  Then the horse was running.  It was a race against the bridegroom's family to see who would reach the groom's tent first. She didn't care who won.  She just wanted off the damn horse, now. When they finally stopped near a large tent on the other side of the encampment, the Prince ran over to help her down. He saw the Princess's face when the horse had taken off. He was convinced that this Princess from another era never rode on the back of a horse. As she was a Mongolian Princess, this was unheard of. So, the Prince tried his best to cover her fear.