The Prince and The Matchmaker

Too Much Yin

***

The King, His Majesty sits on his throne with a furious expression.

"Royal astrologers, it hasn't been raining for a year now. The people are crying to the heavens! The wells have dried up and the fields were barren. You said there is too much yin energy in the Palace and so I've even dismissed a handful of female palace attendants and a few court ladies. And now, what?! Still no rain! Can you take responsibility should the outrage of my people cause a rebellion?!"

The high ministers and other court officials had another onslaught of the King's wrath as drought continues to rule the land while the common populace suffers from its devastating consequences.

In the midst of bowing officials, Chief Astrologer Kan stepped forward and addressed the King.

"Your Majesty, there is indeed a great imbalance in the yin and yang energies disrupting the state of equilibrium. And the drought is its apparent manifestation. To appease the heavens and balance the energies out once more, your subjects of marriageble age must wed and the Royal Family must encourage the people to do so by serving as a good example. I'm afraid Prince Yin's marriage can no longer be delayed."

Chief Astrologer Kan's words rang loudly in the otherwise quiet hall. The mention of the 'cursed' Prince's name is giving rise to various conflicting sentiments in the Azalea Hall.

"The Prince's marriage has been weighing on my mind this past few days as well. His failed marriage happened three years ago and I believe the time is ripe for the Prince to seek another marriage alliance and finally settle down. It's about time for him to start a family of his own." Said the King.

However the Noron faction has a different opinion on the matter.

"Your Majesty, the Prince is of Royal lineage. His marriage must be meticulously planned and carried out. His royal partner must be carefully chosen. I'm afraid rushing him into matrimony to solve our country's current quandary won't do justice to his marriage." Chief Censor Min stated.

The King knew that what the Chief Censor said was reasonable but at the same time he also knew that the country has pressing concerns at the moment. And stopping the drought and appeasing the people must be done with urgency.

"Proper preparations and due diligence in choosing His Highness's royal partner will be done if that's what the Chief Censor is worried about. However the matter of the Prince's marriage must no longer be delayed. Three years is already a long time. The Prince is already the oldest member of the Royal Family in history to be still unmarried at the age of eight and ten."

Quick enough, a debate regarding the Prince's marriage has ensued in the morning court session with two parties bearing conflicting intentions present argument by argument how it is advantageous and disavantageous to have the Prince enter into a royal marriage.

Meanwhile, in the Cold Palace, a young man of princely appearance with a deathly glare sits alone in a long table eating breakfast while being attended by a number of female palace attendants.

Oddly enough, in the said Palace of the infamously known 'cursed' Prince Yin, all his attendants, low-ranking servants and even those who are in charge of guarding the residence were all female. Eventhough the ladies can't be said to be among the greatest beauties in their time, all have their unique charms and soft, feminine qualities that will make many hot-blooded male forget their names but the young prince remains unmoved. For most men, this is what heaven on earth probably looks like but Prince Yin couldn't care less. His romantic sensibilities were non-existent and feminine charms work on him like a fine brush on ivory, or a soft feather on slab of metal. They can't even arouse his interest in the least.