Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

A Bride for the Third Prince

(MEI)

After sending that letter to Dayu, I watch my lover and partner, Captain Jiang, left the Capital for SiChuan.

That night, I received two letters. One from Dayu, saying he wanted to talk to me. Another from Uncle Feng, the former governor of SiChuan and Uncle Shu's close friend, saying he wanted me to set up a meeting with the three of us.

I feel tired already. From the fight with Jiang to worrying about what Dayu would feel and think about our decision to arranging this meeting.

I wonder how Dayu can manage to juggle too many things while managing their estate. I don't manage our estate, my focus is on my family, Captain Jiang and our two children, but that is enough to tire me.

The next afternoon, I welcomed Dayu and Captain Wang in our home. Dayu bearing gifts for me. "Sweets, for desert. Some dried persimmons. You love them, remember?"

That made me smile, "Yes, thank you cousin." I hugged Dayu tight and shook Captain Wang's hand.

We retreated to our tea room. I asked a helper to serve us some tea and to leave us alone while watching out for the arrival of my other visitor.

The three of us settled in a table. "You look tired, Mei." Dayu observed. "Is someone sick? Is it ZhouLin again?"

"No," I shook my head before sipping my tea. "I am happy to say that both my children are in great health. ZhouLin pulled out another loose tooth. We don't even need to call a physician to pull it for us. He does it by himself. His pain tolerance is..." I sighed while remembering the pride in my four year old son's face after he showed me a bloodied tooth he pulled put by himself.

Captain Wang chuckled, "Dao is the same. No need to worry, it looks like our ZhouLin is growing up just fine."

"I thank Buddha for that, Captain Wang," I said. Then I turn to Dayu, "Jiang and I fought two nights ago." I confessed.

That surprised my visitors, "Why?" Dayu asked worriedly. "Is it serious?" Then he winced, "Were you forced to take out your weapon?"

"No," I shook my head. "Although I won't mind clobbering his head. But I didn't. Because he is just being a parent. Like all of us..."

"What happened?" Captain Wang asked curiously.

I look at them squarely, "We received the same offer you both got."

"An offer we got?" Dayu didn't understand my words fully.

I nodded, "The Emperor approached Jiang. Wanting a marriage alliance. Our ShuYin for the Third Prince, Prince Han." I clarified.

That stunned Dayu and Captain Wang. Then Captain Wang snorted, "That sly Emperor," then he turned serious. "And is Jiang jumping on the offer?"

I sighed and nodded. "I want to ask," I gave Dayu a grimaced look. "What is Prince Jin's chance at getting the Crown Prince throne?"

"Big," Dayu gave to me straight. "But he doesn't want it." He clarified.

I nodded. "Luau told us the same thing. He came here bearing gifts for ZhouLin and ShuYin. She loves the pin. Then Luau talked to me and Jiang. Told us that the two older Princes are not interested in the Crown Prince title. That would leave Prince Han, the third Prince, to grab the throne. Luau asked us if we are interested to marry ShuYin to the third Prince."

Dayu was bothered by that news. "When did Luau started being a mouth piece for the Emperor?"

"Since I asked him," we all look sideways and saw Uncle Feng by the threshold of the tea room. We all stood up in respect for him.