His Grip On My Heart

2 - Unexpected Visitors

         

When Chu has those glamorous dreams, she writes them down in her journal. She wants to make sure her husband knows exactly what she'll use his money for. Chu giggles at the thought of having a husband unwilling to spoil her.

In this age, it's rare you find an abusive man for a husband. Many men believe in respecting their wives and women overall, some because of religious purposes and others because of common sense. However, there's a fair share of men who rape, murder, and traffic woman. You'll find these traits in powerful men and disgusting pigs.

Chu heard that before Sheng Emperor took the throne, he and his soldiers raided poor villages and killed commoners. It's a rumor that the Empress was once a slave of Sheng that he took a liking too.

People in town say Sheng Emperor raped the Empress in order to produce their children: two heir's and one gōngzhǔ (princess). Chu does not take disrespect from men kindly, and in her head, would surely kill a man before he rapes her.

Almost an hour after her mother left, thunderclouds form and staff members go outside to prepare for the rain that will follow. Chu decides she doesn't want a fussing from her mother and starts to clean rooms before she gets back.

While sweeping the floor of an upstairs bedroom, knocks louder than thunder could be heard throughout the house. Even the old man who rarely wakes up pokes his head from the door in curiosity.

"The army of the Qing Dynasty commands you to open these doors!" those booming words almost cause Chu to faint on the spot. She realizes that the army goes nowhere without their general, Qiang Shen and the general goes nowhere without his best friend and second heir to the throne, Prince Jiang Wei!

After seeing his portrait on the outskirts of town 2 years ago, Chu has been obsessed with him. Wei is absolutely perfect to Chu and younger Chu was determined to get his attention someway, somehow. Now, he's about to walk into Chu's home and sleep in a bed she made.

Chu has more common sense and knows her old, second-hand rags wouldn't get the attention of pigs. So, she'll settle to be able to feast her eyes upon his amazingly beautiful face and maybe serve him. Genji's brown eyes widen and she practically runs to the front door. A huge smile is plastered on her face once she's in the presence of the Prince and a few soldiers of his army.

The floor shakes from every guest kneeling before him, including Chu and Genji. The Prince and his party walk around Genji and looks around the large estate. "This will have to do for the night, don't you think Shen?" Jiang smiles to his general.

Shen raises an eyebrow and goes over to Genji, who's still on her knees. "Stand up!" he orders, and she does so. Once Genji realizes who he is, her smile fades and the joy in her eyes is replaced with fear. "General Shen, w-what can I do for you?" Genji puts her hands behind her back to avoid trembling.

Qiang Shen is the Prince's longest childhood friend and general to the first heir's army. But he's widely known for his violent battle strategies, sinful personality, and handsome features, despite the thick scar that runs alongside his cheek.

Qiang Shen shows zero mercy and uses his power to strike fear in the hearts of citizens. Most people believe he's utterly insane, but Chu has a feeling he's trying to impress Sheng Emperor. They possess the same qualities and Shen almost always dedicates his wins to the Emperor.

"You put my men in your best rooms and have some comfort girls brought up. Because of your town's poor dirt road, we're stranded here until morning. I won't tolerate anything less" Shen growls to Genji and Chu bites back her anger. Shen would surely kill her if she tries to sass him.