"Your highness, congradulations are in order as I have heard there is a legend created about the lion of jungpi who stopped a war between Wei and Caiwong. One of your daughers brokered this deal to make it such that our neighbor will have splendor and stability. The people are rejoicing over this exempliary news."
Queen Langhua smiled thinnly as she took her own small cup of wine and toasted with her minister. "There are many great accomplishments that have come from the people of Caiwong. My daughter is only serving as a good example to her people. It's excellent to have her advising the heir apparant."
The festivities continued for a person who had decided that she didn't want to come to her own commemoration. Zaiyuan baited different officials with different explanations. His cheery expression disappeared as the last official left the party.
=//=
Yan Sha sat in the bath. There was the pass of the crown pr
"Your highness, the princess does not wish to have visitors today. She is tired from her sojourn and is still recouperating at the order of the queen. None are allowed to pass into this corner of the palace." The maid bowed politely as Ning Ren looked on forlorn. He had been pacing back and forth since court had adjourned for the day. The doors in front of the princess's palace were always closed with a pleura of guards standing in front. This was the first time that he had been greeted by a maid instead of a burly general with a mace who looked unamused when he admitted that he had wronged the princess and was trying to make amends.This was the princess whose rise in notoriety had every servant bowing in front of her door like she was some goddess in residence instead of a human being. The servants too who came from within were always very miffed at lower servants who were trying to get a glimpse of their madam. The whole air
There was a rustle in the leaves as there was a disturbance in the night. Yan Sha bolted awake as she had many times in the house of the Minister of War during the night with all midnight visitors. The plots ranged around her with her knowledge but really without her being involved in them as Yan Sha knew Zaiyuan had intended.The minister was unaware of her identity, only that his new deputy minister was given to him by the queen's prince consort, Zaiyuan. Her gender was not something that served to bother him. He did not ask much of her to begin with, she was a glorified shadow of his who knew little if anything.Allowances were made for her to dress as she liked while in her private quarters. Her role was mostly as a maidservant in the manner and outside as a personal aide when she accompanied the minister as a male deputy ministers. Sometimes she would be invited to participate in discussions or would be mentored by the minister, Zhang
"I know you don't really enjoy living in the palace, but I did hear from Minister that you were taken from your room and returned. He did not think that it was his place to question you so he reminded me that if this was the type of activities you would be involved in that you would no longer be welcomed at the manor." Zaiyuan looked miffed as he poured two cups of tea and drained them in quick succession."There is an explanation that I doubt you will like.""Oh? When have you really done what I would have liked? I am not very interested if this is what I think it is."The servants were already removed from the room so Yan Sha spoke planly. "Father, Ning Zhuo came for me."His hand dropped to his knee in alarm. She could see the veins tighten as his voice stayed level. "How did you get out of there alive? Are you compromised? Is there a need for us to get a physician involved?"Yan
Yan Sha followed closely behind Minister Xun as they entered the restaurant. As it was night, the place was crowded with young men. A group of scholars were crowded around a long sheet of paper that had been rolled down from the second floor from the rafters. Yan Sha could read that it was a long stream of poetry where the scholars would each choose a different line.Zhang Xun spoke quietly to the waiter standing behind the counter. Yan Sha tried to see if there was anyone whom she recognized. Most of the nobility of Jungpi were unfamiliar to her as she had not been allowed outside for fear of the attack from Ning Zhuo. Yan Sha wondered what she would do if she ran into him here. His feeling for her were chaotic and difficult to understand.A hand alighted on her shoulder as the minister spoke to her with a reassurance. "Let's go. Don't worry that outside people will be involved with us. These students are the
Ning Zhuo returned back inside to his room at the inn, his servant closed the doors behind them. He looked at the clasp of the door in a skeptical manor. As the prince continued to fan himself, the servant bowed. "Your highness, I feel concerned about the security of the room. From the inside, there can be backup from myself. There are many whom could choose this vulnerable time to harm your body again. I could get a physician to be on standby. This is an unfarmiliar place to us to be in the heart of a foreign capital. Sir, I beg you to please return to the manor which is more obscure.""When is it that I do not plan in advance? Do you doubt me?" Ning Zhuo closed the fan and slapped it against the desk."I would never dare to say such a thing, sir. My job is only here is to protect you. I would like to retain my directive.""I understand you concern. You feel the air too don't you?&nbs
Yan Sha awoke the following day feeling dejected as she knew there would be a bite back from doing what she had been told would be dangerous for her. She knew that this distaste would come hand in hand with something new and unpleasant for her. Her body was strangely restless as she looked outside at the wall which stood as a barrier between Xun manor and the world outside.She wondered for a moment if she truly was still a member of the populance. Why did she still feel common if she technically had a crown on her head? Other princesses worried about silly things like clothing and what nice things to eat for that day. She was learning how best to run a country. Often she wondered if there would be a point in making all of these efforts to be on the same field as the men who wanted to wrench the power away from the women running Jungpi.As she turned to start her tasks for the day which sat in a pile of dismal reports, she realized t
There was an incessant knock against the door frame. There was a snore heard from within the chamber as the servant looked at all of the maids and servants sitting outside. They all looked exhausted as they had been sitting outside all night.The messenger sighed, "One of you sitting here? Why is he sleeping like this? What happened to the crown prince? He's very disciplined. No drinking. No going after bad women. Nothing has been able to shake him for many years."One of the maids bowed to the messenger. "Replying to your question, my lord. His highness is upset over a woman. We don't know the details but he was raving about having us pack up and get ready to head to Wei in the morning. This is why all of us are standing outside as we have followed his commandmants."The messenger made an irritated sound and then shook his message scroll at the servants. "Disregard this. H
"Your highnesses, the crown prince is here." The maid bowed deeply before the two who were giggling in the bath.Yan Sha was in the hands of Yan Ming who was kissing up her back. Yan Sha pulled away and got up out of the bath. A maid came forward with the undergarment. Yan Ming splashed loudly in the bath before doing the same."Come off it, Yan Sha, why won't you listen to me?" Yan Ming hugged Yan Sha to her body as the maid was still bowed after she made the news known to the duo. "Are you scared of him?""I'm not a true member of this family." Yan Sha said softly. "I'm the easiest one if one of us have to leave.""Mother has often told me to treat you like a slave. I am the legitimate one and you are not. I have all the responsibilities and you get all the fun.""Going to cults to learn about the art of war is the least fun. There are so many books and mistakes and people who coul