Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

A New Mission

(CAPTAIN WANG)

The first moment that we learned of Jiang's return from his sojourn in SiChuan, Dayu and I rode our horses to get to Jiang Estate.

Mei welcomed us, "He is waiting for you at his office." He said before guiding us inside their home.

Jiang was standing beside his desk and reading a piece of paper when we got in. "Ah, just the two people I want to see." He said before gesturing us to sit at a meeting table in one corner of his office.

Jiang's office is like my office in the Wang Estate. Well organized with minimal furnitures. We took our military habit in our homes. We are used to the minimal space we have back in Hanzong Base so we kept things simple even though we now have our own offices.

Mei ordered tea to be served to us. "Or do you all prepare strong spirits?" He asked us.

We all shook our head. Jiang pulled Mei close and kissed Mei's temple. "We would like to have clear minds while discussing this issue, my love. Please have a seat and stop being the perfect host for a while." Jiang pulled a chair to help Mei sit.

I prevented myself from snorting or snickering. Jiang always treat Mei like my former second in command is a fragile and breakable glass. For Jiang, Mei is so precious that he will always protect Mei. Never mind that Mei is a sharp movement art teacher and can probably put Jiang in the ground anytime.

But Mei do look a little pale these past few days.

"It's the stress," Mei said before sipping some tea. After drinking, he put down his cup gently. "I think I want to bundle the children and go somewhere where no one can find us." He confessed.

"I understand," Dayu said. "I feel the same way about the twins everytime some disturbing things happen around the Capital." Then Dayu gave me a sour look.

Jiang and I look at each other. He winced at me. Saying silently that he understood the feeling of being blamed for something he never even started.

I think Mei is blaming all of what is happening to Jiang. Just like how Dayu blames me when something untowards happen to the twins.

"So, Jiang..." I called my friends name before things escalated more. "How was your meeting with the Emperor?"

"Informative, to say the least." Jiang sighed. He looked at Mei, "Stop blaming Luau, it's not his fault. If anything, he tried his best to stop the Emperor from involving our ShuYin in this mess. If you want to blame someone, blame these two." Jiang pointed at me and Dayu.

"Why us?" Dayu exclaimed confusedly.

Mei sighed, "Because the Emperor is desperate to hold on to the both of you. He cannot persuade Prince Jin to take the Crown Prince throne. It would mean that even if Prince Jin married Wang Hua, the protection you promised to Prince Jin will still not extend to his family. If you will absorb Prince Jin in the Wang clan, both of you will think that that is the end of your association to the Imperial Family. Well, the Emperor will not let the two of you go just yet. He wants reassurance that you will also protect his other children. Marrying Prince Han to you goddaughter, ShuYin, is the Emperor next attempt to lure the both of you to protect the Imperial Family. You will not let anything happen to ShuYin, right?"

"Of course!" Dayu answered readily.

"ShuYin is our daughter too," I agreed with Dayu.

"Does that mean that you two are agreeing to let ShuYin marry into Royalty?" Dayu asked Mei and Jiang.

Jiang nodded slowly, "The Emperor is promising the Jiang Enterprise first rights to every business deal that will come from foreign land. I will be stupid to pass that chance to expand our business..."