Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Three

The friends were on their second round when a young woman sat down beside Wen Hou with flutter of silks and fan waving. "Uncle why didn't let us know you were coming to town? I had Mama to send you the invitation for my engagement party ages ago but you did not reply. She told me not to get my hopes up because of your injuries but I knew you would not disappoint me. You are coming tomorrow evening, are you not?" The girl barely paused for breath.

Wen Hou caught his sister's eye and was guided by the slight shake of her head. "Normally, I would be first in line to cheer for you Sprout, but I am sure the protocol officers have already locked down the guest list. Besides I would much rather come for a real visit instead of standing around in a large group hoping to catch a glimpse of you and your new man." His tone was gentle but firm.

The pleading looks his niece caste over to her mother did not yield any sympathy. "You will come for a visit though?"

"Of course, now run along with your Mama and finish your shopping, or fittings, and any other important tasks you have on your list for tomorrow's event. I will see you soon, Linyan, I promise." It was only with these extra reassurances his niece could be steered away by her companions for the day.

In response to the questioning looks from his companions Wen Hou muttered quietly, "My sister's youngest is marrying into the Choi family in the fall."

"Unfortunate," Zhong-mi observed before he could stop himself.

"Indeed." Wie Hou acknowledged. The Choi's had been instrumental in the whisper campaign against him which had born its bitter fruits while he was still recovering at his country estate. His official rank had been lowered before he was deemed permanently inactive. This drastically reduced his pension and other privileges. It also made it difficult to get the palace investigators interested in the evidence of the corruption among the senior ranks he had gathered over the past couple of years. Corruption that included Qin bribes being funnel through the businesses owned by elder members of the Choi family.

The upcoming nuptials could be just a clever tactic. Wen Hou would be risking his niece's freedom if her in-laws were convicted of treason. So far, he had traced the money through many layers of public accounts but it would take special warrants from the King to access the records of a private business. The gap between what he knew from long observations and what he could prove in writing was just wide enough for the Choi family to wriggle through.

He could only hope that the family was not so cold hearted as to use the young couple like pawns on a chessboard. Wen Hou reminded himself that the marriage was still months away so there may still be time. What he needed was advice. Advice about how to handle his sister and the Choi family, and about the idea of his own training yard his friends were so enthusiastically promoting. There was one person he trusted to see what he couldn't, and who would not hesitate to tell him when he was too wrapped up in his own ego.

Wen Hou was embarrassed when he realized he had been too caught up in his own thoughts to follow the conversation.

"I am sorry my friends," he started but they just chuckled.

"Are we escorting you over to your apartment? I am guessing you don't have the right robes for visiting the Dowager at your forge." Ying-So grinned broadly.

"How did you come to know me so well?" Wen-Hou scratched his head.

"Its just the years of watching what happens when you get drawn into a puzzle. Come-on old friend, let's find you a ride to the palace." Zhong-mi helped Wen-Hou get to his feet and supported him going down the stairs.

Ying-So flagged down a cart and helped Wen-Hou get settled. He paid the driver in advance to provide extra assistance needed at the other end of the route. Once they were out of ear-shot he turned back to Zhong-mi. "He won't always need that kind of help. Just he is too stubborn to take proper care now."

"I know that. When he thinks it through properly, Wen-Hou will know it too."

"What do you think the Dowager will say about the training yard?"

"Knowing her she will just ask Wen-Hou if he has anything better to do with his time." Zhong-mi's impression of the Dowager's imperial accent was stiff enough to make Ying-so bark with laugher. They were so loud they drew attention from the palace guards keeping an eye on the teahouse from across the street. The two men gave the watchers half a salute and went separate ways.