Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

Courtship

(WANG DAO)

I cannot believe Wang Hua will do this to me. I cannot believe our parents can do this to me.

Forced, blackmailed and begged me to chaperone Hua and the oldest prince while they walk around our garden. They are forcing me to watch my twin smile and blush while conversing with her prince.

Ugh! Hua's prince. I hate it already.

They are learning things about each other. Talking about their interests and things they enjoyed doing.

"I like climbing trees," Hua said before letting out a ladylike laughter. I frowned, I don't think Hua is fine. Why is she laughing like that? She is creeping me out!

"Climbing trees, I already know that." Prince Jin agreed and they smile together again. It's nauseating, at the very least.

"I also like books, sewing and sweets..." Hua listed things she loves actually.

"She is glutton for sweets," I cannot help interjecting from behind them. Hua gave me a baleful look. I shrugged and widened my eyes to her. "I am just telling the truth..."

Prince Jin laughed, "The cook in the Palace makes delicious sweet dishes. Shall I ask him to make some for you, Lady Wang? Tell me your favorite sweets..." and they walk again. Getting closer to the bridge on the lake.

I can't take this anymore. The Prince and Hua are killing me. Plus my two companions are not helping.

"Are we really going to do this all night?" I asked the Prince's two guards. They are also chaperoning the two wooing couple.

I can't believe this is where my life is now.

"General Wang's instruction is clear. One walk around the garden and Prince Jin had to escort Lady Wang back to your home..." the taller guard said.

"Her name is Wang Hua. Stop calling her Lady Wang..." why are they addressing my sister like that anyway?

"But she told us that she is Lady Wang." The shorter guard, I need to know their names, frowned at me. "So we call her Lady Wang..."

"When did she said that?"

"When that incident with the shopkeeper on the bookshop happened." The taller guard...know what...I need to know their names. Now!

"Give me your names, please. I cannot address the two of you as "taller guard" and "shorter guard"."

The shorter guard's mouth fell open. "You!" He pointed at me. "Refer to me as shorter guard in your head?"

"Why yes?" I said.

"I am not short!" The shorter guard is clearly offended. I wonder why. I point at the other guard, "He is taller than you." I said and that rest the case when the taller guard said, "He is right."

The shorter guard glared at me and pouted. The taller guard held out his hand. "I am Yong. This is Manchu," he introduced even the shorter guard's name.

Yong and Manchu. Okay...

"I am Wang Dao," I took Yong's hand. "Twin brother of Wang Hua. The one giggling with your Prince." I added blandly.