#3: The Bustling Capital City

(Jia Li's P.o.v)

Since the last two weeks, Uncle Dong kept visiting my father, but my father is always troubled by his visit, it seems as though he were welcoming the emperor. You need to welcome, but hard to serve.

I became quite familiar with him, he and I would go to the market and see the plays, I always kept him entertained by taking him to the market.( believe me it wasn't for my sake, though I made him buy ten more volumes)

In these two weeks, I embroidered a handkerchief for Peng. Though I don't have much skill, I did prick my hands a thousand times and almost gave up. but, I finally made it, a crane in middle of clouds and roses. It was a masterpiece, though I lack skill, it was my very first successful embroidery.

I will surely give it to him when I see him, keeping it with myself just gives me fear that I may tear it or drop some soup over it and spoil it.

Today, Uncle Dong took me to a clothing shop.

"Uncle! I already have many clothes waiting for me, I don't need more!", I shouted as the lady of the shop was taking me to try a dress.

"No my sweet peach, your father buys you all of low quality material, I want to dress you up in good quality dress.", he said.

"But uncle! It would be very costly! for what would I even wear this dress?", I asked protesting against the lady.

"Tomorrow you're gonna visit the palace right? to meet your sister and for the general's awarding ceremony, It's for that! Maybe you can get yourself an admirer!!", he said.

"I already have a fiancée, and he is one of the best guys out there, He is very kind to me too(blushes)", I said finally able to keep myself away from all the materials.

"What?? A fiancée??? Who?", He shouted abruptly, and got up.

"My Fiancée, the young master Peng. Didn't you know? He is a very kind person. He looks after me well."

"What? that womanizer?", said Uncle Dong.

"Womanizer, no! he is not a womanizer, he doesn't have any other women in his life except his mothers and sisters and me.", I said, kind of blushing.

"Well, I just saw him the other day with another woman who wasn't his sister."

"It must be a mistake, he always walks with his sister only."

"I suppose you both are not officially betrothed right? it was just a pre-natal talk. Right?", Uncle Dong asked looking very much worried.

"Yes, though father did tell me he was going to officially make me engaged to him"

"What? Hmmm...", Uncle Dong didn't respond nor praise me like he usually does on the way home.

We soon came back. Uncle Dong bid us farewell, saying he would meet us again and went back to his home. I came out and gave him some dumplings which I had made for him to eat on his journey back. These days with him was quite fun, especially the fact that he let me buy books.

I came back home walking and saw Peng, he was with his sister. His third sister I guess? Well, almost his whole family has 7 daughters and 2 sons. He is very sweet, he always protects them all from all other wooers and pampers them.

Since I saw him here, I should just give that handkerchief, I took it out and went towards them, but oh! the whole street was full, I knocked into many people and dropped their stuff too, after apologizing and helping them pick up their stuff, I looked again. Peng was missing.

"Huh", I slowly went over near the water, I had scraped my ankle in process of saving the handkerchief, blood began flowing. And I was freaked out. I can't stand blood!

I weakly wobbled at the sight of blood. I slowly went over and kneeled on the grass. slightly pulling up my dress, thank god all were on the street and not here. Otherwise, me, a noble girl pulling up my dress would be quite a scene of shame and gossip.

I braced myself as my hands held water, My pricked palms were already burning since I fell and had to take my palms as support in the harsh ground. I washed my hands, washing itself was painful.

"ah.... hooo~" I mumbled as I slowly blowed on my ankle, I washed away the blood with water. but it was still stinging. Yup, I am really a silly noble girl who can't even bear a fall. In the novels I read the villainess opposing to the lovers was always a stuck up noble lady who can't bear pain. Am I the same? Huh! maybe! but I certainly don't oppose men love~ tee hee~

*rustle rustle*

Hmm, some one might be coming, I got up and hid behind a tree. I know I am not a thief or anything but I suddenly felt the desire to hide.

I slowly set my dress properly so as to not look weird. I saw from the gap between branches, it was Peng!!!

Gods! my luck was good. I could finally give it to him, I reached out for the handkerchief... um... where is it???

Sh*t!! I had kept it on my lap folded while washing my ankle, so when I got up, it must have fallen on the ground!!! no way! was it stained? I almost ran out when, Peng's sister spoke,

"Brother, someone has dropped their handkerchief. Just look at it, how unlucky! an owl in middle of fallen cherry blossoms! it must be a bad luck bringer! isn't it?", she chimed in her high pitch voice.

"Uh! don't see such things Mei, It must really be a bad luck symbol. I wonder which old hag must have embroidered it? she probably cursed the owner of the handkerchief.", Peng said.

Wow? people embroider owls too? They must be crazy. I guess they didn't find my handkerchief.

"Brother, I don't want to get married to Master Mu Xi, I want you~.", Mei began crying on her brother's shoulder.

Ah? Did my hearing go bad?

"Brother, I can't stay away from you, I only want you, no one else. I love you~", she cried.

What?? Incest? I lost my moment to give entry. Don't tell me she is confessing right now? Anyway, Peng will always treat her like sister only. She must give up her impure thoughts.

"What can I do? I too love you, but our bond forbids us. Let me just get a legal wife, and I shall be able to be with you.", Peng said holding her even closer.

What is happening? Peng loves his sister? Isn't that... I mean.... his heart belonged to his sister. No way! I don't think so. It must be a misunderstanding.

As I saw, I could see them getting closer. The way a couple should be, I understood then, it was a true love, his heart never belonged to me, nor his attention, only his concern to provide a cover for his suspicious relationship belonged to me.

I support true love, though it might have been a curse that they were born as siblings. I hope they could find happiness which possibly would never be mine. They soon left after a 3 rounds of kisses. I went over to see...

Oh... The owl on the handkerchief was mine. Well no one can help it. My embroidery sucks.

*Drop*

Wow... I am crying... why? I never gave anyone my heart.... I never gave it to anyone.....*sob*.. I can't stop crying.... I shouldn't have believed any living man would like me. The only men who are good are the ones in novels.

*sob sob*

*After a half hour, at evening*

I began walking back, to where I usually read. I saw a book calling me, though not literally, it called me and I found happiness. This was true love. My love to 2d men.

As I bought the paintings, I saw a book, with an odd painting accompanying it, the painting had a warrior of sorts holding a sword, the book titled, the legendary general line.

Uh! it was a biography book! I wonder who reads it. I hate such 'real' books, I prefer imaginary ones.

But the it looks interesting.... Let me just buy it, I can read later....

After buying it, I went home, cried and told everything to my family and slept, tomorrow the General who won the war is coming to capital, So, The Emperor hosted a banquet, I skipped attending all these years by claiming sickness.

But this year, the invite specially called for me, Don't know why though.....

*The outskirts of Capital*

"Hey General, That woman is no good. I tell you, she is probably aiming for high ranks. Just because she looks good and kind of your type.... No way!! She can never be my mistress.....Hey....Answer me!!!",shouted Xiao Li.

"Shut up, I don't love her nor plan to make her mine. I just find her interesting...", muttered Huang Lei.

"What???? Interesting? That is the first line for falling in love is 'interesting'.....",said Xiao Li

"Fine... Just let me sleep. Stay watch and don't let anyone come in... I need to catch up on three days of sleep before seeing unc- I mean the emperor.." Muttered Huang Lei as he fell asleep.

"Hmph.... Alright... Hey you! Stop dawdling around and back to bed! Tomorrow all of you can go back to your sweethearts!", shouted Xiao Li outside the camp.

The night was long... and peaceful for some and heart breaking for some. Jia Li's father upon hearing about Peng and his sister's story stayed up all night preparing the letters for annulment of the agreement and returning the gifts from their family.

It was all a mess. The next day, the whole streets were crowded, as the army came through, Jia Li wore the dress uncle Dong had bought and went ahead to the palace with her sister Qinyang to meet their elder sister.

The palace was totally busy.. Apparently, the General found a beauty lost in the woods, and fell in love with her, and probably wants to make her his concubine.

"Gosh! I really want to once fight with General Huang Lei! He is the most strongest man in the city. No, probably the whole country.", said Qinyang.

"Yeah.. yeah... first let's go meet Lihua, I miss her a lot...", replied Jia Li.

"Hmph! you just don't wanna listen to me right? I know it.", said Qinyang pouting as they went towards the hall.

"There's Lihua and brother-in law!! come", Jia li pulled Qinyang.

"Jia Li! Qinyang! So you both did come! I was afraid you wouldn't come! Did you finally leave book men alone? and you left the training hall? It might rain in the deserts today!", said Lihua.

"Stop pestering my wife, sisters", said the crown prince approaching them.

"It is so sad that even during our personal time, Lihua talks about you both and not her handsome and righteous husband. ", he said pouting.

That line left the three of them embarrassed and each left to their places as the emperor and empress were arriving.

"Here comes the Sun of the empire, his Majesty and his wife, the moon of the empire!", announced the eunuch.

All of them bowed their heads, as Jia Li lifted her head she got shocked.

"Uncle Dong???", said Jia li.

The emperor just smiled at her with a wink. She was shocked and remembered her blunders. Even Qinyang was shocked. The banquet was fun until the general arrived with a woman behind him.

This scene shocked each and everyone, the rumors were true! The emperor showed displeasure at the seemingly beauty behind Huang lei.

"Your Majesty, This humble subject, Huang lei, has come back from war, with victory and assurance that our northern borders are safe.", he said in quite a regal tone.

"That was mentioned in the report, but who's this beauty behind you that dares not to bow her head to me", said Uncle Dong... I mean Emperor.

"She is a refugee from the war, who lost her home and village, I have promised her to help her settle her life as we were also causative for the destruction of a village.", said Huang lei.

"Fine then, First off, you shall receive your rewards for your contribution for safety of the citizens. Give me the decree, I shall announce it myself". Said the emperor.

All stared in awe, it was not everyday that the emperor himself read a decree, that too of a reward.

"I, The Emperor, declare Huang Lei, To be a general of the Zhou Empire, Rewarding him for his accomplishments. He shall receive the flaming pearl of the west, the Dragon silk, a thousand year old ginseng, a token for the control of soldiers of the palace and a marriage decree with the third daughter of the marquis, Huo Jia Li as his legal wife before the full moon.", The Emperor said, his voice thundering.

All officials began murmuring....

"But, your majesty, the marriage was not discussed..", said a scholar.

"It is decided, Huang Lei, shall marry Huo Jia Li as his wife by the end of this week!", said the Emperor.

"Hmm... what? me? with him? General? why?", Jia li began mumbling.

"I shall accept your decree", said General Huang Lei as he went and received it.

"Now let's enjoy the banquet!", said the empress.

The banquet took place well, all were happy and satisfied except for three people, Jia Li, Huang lei and the woman from woods, Ying Yue.