Scent of Cherry Blossoms (Ongoing)

Chapter 7 - It's Unavoidable! (Part B)

Please excuse spelling and grammar mistakes. Thanks!

---------------------------

Chapter 7 – It’s Unavoidable! (Part B)

In the family meeting hall, everyone was present except for Xiao Heng’s children Xiao Enlai and Xiao Hong. Xiao Heng and his two wives sat on one side while Xiao Ming and Xiao Ruo sat on the other opposite them. Xiao Ming’s mother Zhu Ehuang sat on one of the seats at the head with his father Xiao Feng. Xiao Ming sat anxiously in his seat as they all waited for his father to tell them the news.

Xiao Feng’s brows were knitted together as he pondered on how to lay the news down to everyone and especially his second son. He held a cup of tea to his lips and sipped from it. The taste was somewhat bitter with a hint of sweetness mixed in. After drinking it, Xiao Feng’s weary mind eased and his facial expression relaxed some. He sighed and placed the tea cup down on the small tall table next to him.

Seeing that her husband was ready to speak, Zhu Ehuang took the initiative to begin the conversation that has been on everyone’s mind.

She placed one of her hands on her husband’s shoulder and asked, “Husband, how did the meeting go with the Emperor? Did his Majesty dissolve the decree?” Her eyes slipped from her husband to gaze worriedly at her second son for a moment and then back at her husband.

Xiao Ming swallowed hard as he glued his eyes on his father and perked up his ears to listen to the words that were going to come out of his father’s mouth. His heart thumped impatiently with each passing second as he waited.

Xiao Feng saw the anxious look on his son’s face and sighed quietly. He shook his head from side-to-side. “I failed. His Majesty insists on the marriage.”

“When I spoke to the Emperor last night, I was sure that the Emperor would give in. I tried all I could to convince him. Why, I had even used the collective services that our Xiao family has done for the Emperor to change his mind. It seemed to have worked; I was gleeful for a moment, sure that I was going to succeed. The Emperor was the verge of conceding.” Here, Xiao Feng paused dejectedly and continued. “But, out of nowhere, a letter from the 3rdPrince arrived. After the Emperor read it, he immediately refused to overturn the decree. I was informed by Eunuch Zhu He this morning before my departure that the wedding will take place in two weeks.”

Xiao Feng directed his sullen gaze at Xiao Ming and crinkled his facial features in dejection. “Son, I have failed you. I am deeply regretful that I could not prevent this. Now, it is unavoidable. You must go through with this marriage. If we do not comply, our whole family will face the consequences. Father understand that you feel humiliated, but…but… Father begs you…to go along with this marriage.” Xiao Feng’s voice croaked as he said the last sentence. He deeply felt that he had wronged his son.

While Xiao Ming listened to his father talk from beginning to end, his face turned a ghostly hue.

On the side, Xie Cuifen smirked inwardly at the outcome while displaying a sympathetic expression in front of everyone. Yu Lin, sitting next to Xie Cuifen, was paled face as she looked worriedly at Xiao Ming. Xiao Heng frowned dejectedly and sighed. Xiao Ruo showed a regretful and concerned look toward her little brother. Thinking back to her careless words from earlier at the Water Lotus Garden, she cringed apologetically. This useless brain of mine really is insensitive and thoughtless. How can I say that in front of Ah Ming. This mouth is such a jinx! Xiao Ruo internally thought this as she bit her lower lip. Zhu Ehuang’s heart sunk as she heard her husband. She turned to Xiao Ming, wanting to go to him; but she forced herself to remain next to her husband’s side. Looking at Xiao Ming’s pale face and stiff posture, she knew that he did not want to be comforted now.

Xiao Ming’s mouth was dry. He felt as if he could not mouth a response to his father’s words. He didn’t know how to answer his father. He stood up stiffly and walked out of the hall.

---------------------------------

[Imperial Palace]

In contrast to the depressing atmosphere in the Xiao family, the Emperor was bouncing with happiness. A big smile stretched across his face as his body radiated with unending delight. His joyful mood was as high as the heavens. In his sleeve pocket was the letter sent from the 3rd Prince. He couldn’t help thinking of the contents of that letter. Every time it came to mind, a silly smile would appear on his face and joy would flush through his entire being.

Within the letter, the following texts were written:

Imperial Father, Mother is filled with gratitude to hear that Imperial Father is protecting this child and subject by getting the assistance of Prime Minister Xiao. Mother wishes to see Imperial Father very much to express Mother’s gratitude and joy.

…

The Emperor happily made his way to Maple Leaf Manor, where Noble Consort Wang resided. [Note: Maple Leaf = emblem of love in China]

Noble Consort Wang’s whole name was Wang Meili, and she was the 3rd Pince Tian Jin’s mother. Wang Meili was a commoner and came from a poor background in the countryside. She’s only birthed one child since her marriage to the Emperor.

Being a concubine from many within the Emperor’s harem, it might be strange that the Emperor would happily reject the request of a powerful prime minister because of a few good words from her. However, in this case, it was not so strange. From his youth to now, the Emperor has always been in love with Wang Meili. Since his first meeting with her in the countryside, he had been infatuated with her and then in love with her. Although he knew that she did not love him back, he still loved her deeply. When his Imperial Mother wanted him to marry her niece, he had made a bargain with her. He wanted the countryside girl Wang Meili as his Noble Consort, a position second only to the Empress position. So, he married his mother’s niece and forced Wang Meili to marry him afterwards. Stripped away from the one she loved, Wang Meili developed an intense hatred for him. Understanding her hatred, he persisted to melt her cold heart with his love. Many incidents occurred in the past trying to tear Wang Meili from his grasp, but he stubbornly clung to his love for her and refused to take her down from her position as Noble Consort. Although he had married many concubines, those were to satisfy tradition and political support. His true heart remained with Wang Meili. (But when he’s butt hurt because of her, he would seek the comfort of his other concubines. -_-)

Just the thought that Noble Consort Wang, who had always been cold to him, wanted to see him, happiness continued to brim within his heart.

He entered Maple Leaf Manor and found Noble Consort Wang sitting quietly in her garden beneath the cherry blossom tree. She was sitting on a stone bench with a circular stone table before her. Her hands were busy doing an embroidery.

The Emperor stopped three meters away and looked at her with loving eyes. Although Noble Consort Wang had aged, she was still beautiful and graceful. In his eyes, she looked just as beautiful as the first time he had seen her. He smiled with nostalgia in his eyes and then went to sit beside her. [Note: Emperor =47 yrs old; Noble Consort Wang = 45 yrs old]

She looked up from her embroidery and smiled warmly at him.

------------------------

So that's it for chapter 7. What do you all think about the characters so far? Do you like them/ hate them? Which one? And Why? Do you think Tian Jin's mother's smile is genuine?

P.S.: Thank you to everyone for reading and supporting me in this quest to continue this story. Also, thank you to those of you who showed words of concern when I said I might become homeless. It meant a lot. And I've decided that I'm just going to wait and see what's going to happen instead of stressing my butt off. There's no use stressing when it's something out of my control. Really, I can't really do anything else since I've already done what I could.

See you all in chapter 8! ;)