Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

Center of Attention

(CAPTAIN WANG)

The news of Prince Jin's night visit in our estate after he halted and cancelled his own bride selection ceremony made the rounds in the Capital the next day.

I got ready early. Dayu and I woke up before the sun to have a meal together and to get ready for my visit to the Palace. I know the Emperor will want a word with me. I want to talk to him too. Now that our children are embroiled in a courtship, we have to talk about rules and tactics on how we will approach this matter.

"Just be firm on him," Dayu said as he straightened my uniform and pass his palms on my chest to smoothen it. "We don't need any unnecessary attention for Hua. No lavish gifts. No grand dinner in her honor at the Palace. Certainly no party or heaven forbids, a banquet. She is not yet married to the prince. She is no Princess. No need to toast her yet. Please make sure to tell the Emperor that."

I smiled at my worried lover. Dayu is being firm, he doesn't want anyone, certainly no enemies of the Emperor or Prince Jin to turn their eyes on our daughter. Not when Prince Jin is just a suitor.

The sun had risen when I entered the Palace walls. It looks like the Emperor is expecting me because I was welcomed by one of his guard and guided to his sleeping chamber.

I kneeled in one knee and bow to him. "A pleasant morning, your Majesty." I said in greeting.

"Is it, General?" The Emperor waved to order me to stand. "I hope this is a good visit and you are not here to make a liar out of my son who told me last night that the Wangs had accepted his request to woo their daughter."

"No, your Majesty." I said formally. The Emperor's shoulder straightened and his face showed immense relief. "So it is true, Jin is now courting your daughter."

"Yes," I nodded.

"That's wonderful news indeed." The Emperor laughed. Then he turned serious, "General Wang, I assure you..."

"Your Majesty, our family accepted the request of the Prince to woo our Hua but we are not saying yes to a marriage. I need to clear that one up."

The Emperor was silenced for moments, then he nodded. "I see. And tell me, General, is there a chance it will end up in a marriage?"

"It will be in the Prince and Hua's hands. Not ours," I said.

The Emperor smiled. "Then that relieved me. Thank you, General. And give my regards to your partner. For allowing this courtship to happen. Knowing that you will let your daughter decide her fate and that of Jin's is a great relief for me. I hope my son can prove himself to your daughter."

"We hope so too. We only want one thing, for Hua and the Prince to get through this courtship without getting hurt in any way." I said.

The Emperor nodded, "I understand. I will have a lengthy conversation with Prince Jin about being cautious,"

"And discreet. I hope the Prince can be discreet as well. We want this courtship without any complications and undue attentions to the children. My partner requested that you will not start any dinner or ball or banquet in Hua's honor as nothing is promised yet. I hope we can let the children's story progress by their own choosing. Let's not decide or assume anything for them."

The Emperor sighed, "I see that you and your partner had thought this through. I will respect that request."

"Thank you, your Majesty." I bowed to him.