The Ballad of Luwei

Chapter Seven

On the third morning the prince took his time in his morning ablutions. He made sure that he was dressed impeccably, then he summoned the servant assigned to his rooms to request for a meeting with the new guest in his study and for breakfast to be brought for both. Once the servant bowed and left the white prince left his quarters and made his way to the study that he was given for his personal use when he arrived. As he waited for either a reply or the woman herself to appear he began to compose a letter to the Great Bei to request a visit. By the time a servant announced that the princess had arrived he had finished other various letters. When she had entered she was a vision in a deep ruby red with gold embroidery deel of her people. She truly looked like the princess she claimed to be. Her hair was woven into various intricate braids and crowned with a simple yet superbly crafted djasal headdress. He had to admit that she did know how to transform herself with clothing. He could not help but wonder what she would look like garbed in the traditional hanfu that the women wore in his country. Wasting no time he greeted his lovely guest and gestured for her to sit across from him before signaling the servants to bring in their morning meal.

Weiwei greeted the man before her trying to hide her nervousness. After the incident a few nights ago she did not know what to expect. She primly sat in the seat that the prince indicated to her which appeared to be directly across from him. Her mind screamed that this was not proper. An unmarried man and woman should not be dining alone but she was curious to find out what he wanted. She waited in silence as the servants placed various plates of sumptuous foods in front of them, tested each plate for poison and showed both royals the results then promptly left the two of them alone. But the smiling prince said nothing as he ladled congee into a bowl and indicated for them to trade bowls. She glanced at him dumbly for a moment until she picked up the bowl in front of her and replaced it with the one in his hand. Their fingers brushed momentarily and Weiwei felt that same spark that she felt last night as he was inspecting her injury. Her eyes widened and she pulled her hands back and tried to cover her reaction by concentrating on eating before she realized that she was eating like a heathen. Swallowing the large spoonful of porridge in her mouth she asked "It's not that I am not appreciative of the meal. I must ask, why have you requested this highly irregular and scandalous meeting?"

Xiao Nai couldn't help but smile at her fluster. Clearing his throat he replied. "I would prefer to keep this discussion just between you and myself for the time being."

"And what kind of conversation would this one be?" Weiwei asked.

"One that can benefit the both of us." Xiao Nai smirked.

Intrigued Weiwei asked. "Which is?"

The white prince leaned forward and said in an intoxicating voice. "What can you tell me about General Zhen?"

Taken back Weiwei looked dumbly at the prince before taking a moment to gather her wits and reply. "When he was younger he was very popular in the tribes because of his impressive battle records. Before my father became chief my grandfather chose to test his heir and hold a contest to rule. Zhen was one of the few to enter; he lost to my father. Years later shortly after I was born he tried numerous times to betroth his son to me. In order to and I quote strengthen the foundation of the tribes. My father refused more times than I could care to count. As I grew my father publicly took on a set of foundlings to train to be warriors to protect me instead of Zhen's son. This was partially true. My father did indeed take a foundling under his wing but there was only one foundling that he was training. The identities of the foundlings were Kei Oh and myself disguised as a boy. When I proved myself a capable warrior my father allowed me to break off into my own tribe and my male persona was promoted to be the leader of that tribe's warriors Kei Oh followed me as my aide. Again Old Zhen was angry that his son was passed over in lieu of some parentless and nameless welp. It didn't help that my warriors kept on bringing further honor to the Rising Jade Seas tribes and my father often spoke very fondly of the red general. Or that on numerous occasions I upstaged both him and his son on various ceremonial hunts and arena battles. His right hand man, Li Haiming is a person you have to worry about though. He is the one who does things behind the scenes. Li Haiming is a dangerous man to be on the wrong side of. He had been trying and failing to get spies into my encampment for years now."