4 THE PROPHECY

"She will be one to bore three sons in this Cao family. Her sons will end this dynasty (Han dynasty) and become Kings."

The prophecy echo among the halls to the towns and borders of China.

After the foretelling master left, Meng De was confused but mostly angry. "Do not let father know about this," Meng De ordered everyone who was present to shut their mouths or he was going to kill them. Meng De knew the trouble of the prophecy. If it is true, then the Emperor will soon turn him into an enemy.

Mother Yan looked at Lady Ding who was in dismay and hopeless. "Do not frown, your husband will have an heir no matter what," Mother Yan said because she had always taught Lady Ding to put her husband first. "Yes, mother," Lady Ding said, "I ask to leave." "Yes, go rest," Mother Yan said, "but Consort Bian, stay." Lady Ding stopped in her tracks. Bian looked at Lady Ding and worried about her Lady, who was in dismay and hopeless. Whatever the foretelling master said, destiny can always be changed. Bian had planned and knows that she is returning home soon, so the prophecy may not even be true. Lady Ding left Bian to Mother Yan and Meng De. "Come here consort Bian," Mother Yan patted to the seat next to her. Bian followed her instructions. Meng De watched to see what ambitious mother was going to do next. "How old is Consort Bian this year?" Mother Yan asked. "I am turning 19 this year," Bian said trying not give eye contact to Lady Yan. "You can bore children already then," Mother Yan said. "Mother," Meng De wanted his mother to stop. "This is women affairs," Mother Yan told Meng De, "you may leave now." Meng De stomped out.

"Can you do the duty to give birth to an heir for the Cao family?" Mother Yan asked Bian. Bian was silent. It is not even negotiable because Bian have made her mind already. "I have a lover at home waiting for me," Bian lied. "Is that so?" Mother Yan said, "engaged?" Bian slowly nodded her head hoping she will not be killed for lying before leaving the place first. "How come I did not hear this from Lady Ding?" Mother Yan said. "Lady Ding knows but does not like to share other people's personal life," Bian said. "You should think about it, giving birth to an heir for the infamous General Cao Cao, how much gain you can benefit from," Mother Yan said, "you may leave now." Bian left without even double thinking the offer.

"Mother is ambitious," Meng De comfort Lady Ding. "I just feel so useless that I cannot do this duty for you and the Cao family," Lady Ding cried. "It's probably my retribution with you," Meng De said taking the fault, "I have killed so many people in the battlefields, the gods must be punishing me." Lady Ding cried even more, "do not blame yourself, I am incompetence." They hugged even tighter. Bian peeped through the door when she arrived at Lady Ding's room. She heard the conversation and her heart ache to see Lady Ding cry. If she can just take any pain away from Lady Ding, Bian is willing to endure through it all. "Mother is probably asking Bian to fulfill the duty, she is too young to even understand," Lady Ding mentions about her care for Bian. "Even if mother tells her, I will not be involved," Meng De said Lady Ding knowing her husband was faithful to him.

Bian waited until Meng De came out of the room for her to entered. Meng De walked out ignoring her as usual. "Lady Ding," Bian said as she entered the room. "Consort Bian," Lady Ding called her as a sigh of relief. "Come and prepare my night gown for me," Lady Ding said as if nothing had happened. "Aren't you going to ask me what Lady Yan said to me?" Bian asked. Lady Ding smiled at her, "you are my people, I know how faithful you are to me." Bian slowly smiled in relief that her Lady understood her. "Yes, I will never betray you just for a prophecy," Bian said. "Even if you did listen to mother in law, I will not blame you," Lady Ding said. Bian shook her head, "I am not. I will not. Sister Ling is coming soon, I will be returning home." Lady Ding questioned, "what do you mean?" "Here," Bian took out the letter, "Sister Ling sent me this letter, she is coming soon." Lady Ding smiled in happiness, Consort Ling, her best friend was coming.

"I think Consort Bian is a proper lady too," Mother Yan started the conversation. "If you are just going to talk about this, then I have nothing to say," Meng De said. "Then get a concubine," Mother Yan said. "Mother," Meng De voice raised at his mother. "Why are you raising your voice at me?" Mother Yan said, "you are my son and I do all my best for you, everything I do is out of good intentions." Meng De calmed down and sighs, "I have seen enough with you and father, please do not let me hurt Lady Ding." "What we go through is women affairs. You have your own affairs. There is nothing wrong in getting things done to produce an heir. As long as you have the one you love, nothing will change how your heart feels," Mother Yan told her son. Meng De stared at his mother of how those words relate so much to his parent's marriage life. "No, I promised Lady Ding that I will not cooperate anyways," Meng De ended the conversation.

=====

Days passed felt like forever for Bian. She is still waiting for her sister's arrival. "When you go home, bring these two drawings of my daughters for my parents," Lady Ding says as slowly help Bian to prepare. "Ever since I left home and given birth, my parents have never properly seen my children," Lady Ding said. "Yes, I will," Bian said exciting being able to imagine going home. "Tell my parents that they my eyes but their father's nose and mouth. Also, his temper too," Lady Ding covered her laugh. Bian smiled nodding, she will do her best to pass the message.

Ever since the last unfortunate event of the foretelling master, Bian and Lady Ding's relationship has even strengthened more. Also, Lady Ding and Meng De's relationship has even been sweeter. Although due to Meng De's busy days at the Emperor palace, he hasn't had time to hang out with Lady Ding. This makes it easier for Bian to avoid any mishaps or misunderstands. "Will you fine alone?" Bian asked Lady Ding. "Yes, I am mostly fine by myself," Lady Ding said as she played with her daughters in the court yard. Bian was leaving to join the some of the consorts in their shopping trip. Being exciting about return home, Bian wanted to join them one last time before she leaves.

"Guo," Mother Yan called for her granddaughter. "Granny," Lady Guo ran towards her grandmother. "Careful," Lady Ding told her daughter. Guo was already two years, talking in broken sentences and understanding commands. Mei just turned 1 years old and there is still needed to a celebration for her 1st birthday. Mei followed her big sister to their grandmother. "Mei," Mother Yan carried Mei. "What are you doing outside today?" Lady Ding asked knowing Mother Yan liked staying inside. "Just wanted to enjoy the nature like you are," Mother Yan said. "Do so, the weather is beautiful today," Lady Ding agreed. "I heard Consort Bian is returning back home?" Mother Yan asked. "Yes, Consort Bian was a temporary consort in place of her sister, who is my actual consort." "That is nice to go home," Mother Yan said reminiscing never being able to go back to her home ever. "Consort Bian said she is engaged?" Mother Yan asked. "Consort Bian is too young to be engaged," Lady Ding said as she played with her daughters. "Consort Bian told me that she is engaged and will return to be married," Mother Yan said. Lady Ding stopped in her actions. Lady Ding knew Consort Bian must have lied to get out the situation with the prophecy. "Oh yes," Lady Ding lied to protect Consort Bian, "She is also returning to be wedded."

"As the main wife of Cao Song, even if Cao Song is not with me, I have the power to make demands among all my other sisters (concubines), decisions that benefit Cao Song. Even if it means, putting my pride and selfishness away for the moment," Mother Yan started teaching her daughter in law again about their purpose and existence as main wives. "I ask for your hands for Meng De, a general, because I know you, a noble lady, knows what is best to be done." Lady Ding didn't know how to respond to her mother in law. Usually she is the type to have answers or even talk back, but this time, her words were stuck in her throat. "You never know if the prophecy is right or not, unless you try it. But I know that Consort Bian is too young to be engaged. So you know what to do from here on," Mother Yan said pressuring Lady Ding. She hugged her grandchildren once more and left, leaving those words "so you know what to do from here on" echo in Lady Ding's ears.

Meng De had returned from the long tiring day of work from the palace. "How was your day?" Lady Ding asked. Meng De doesn't say much knowing Lady Ding does not like to be involved in politics much. "Everything just goes back and forth, no moving on," Meng De said and drank the tea Lady Ding brought for him. "Will I always be your main wife even if you have multiple concubines?" Lady Ding popped the question out of nowhere. "Aren't you the main wife now?" Meng De said. "That's good to know," Lady Ding said and waved at the servants to bring in liquor. "What is it?" Meng De asked. "To get you going," Lady Ding tried keeping a still face. "What happened?" Meng De asked worried. "I have decided, I am actually fine if Consort Bian bore you an heir," Lady Ding said. "I do not want to talk about this topic anymore," Meng De said angrily. "If it was any other concubines, I would probably fight for your love every day and be jealous. But if it is Consort Bian, I rather have her over someone I do not know." Meng De snapped at his wife's stupidity, "get out!". He has done everything for her to not put her in the shoes of those miserable. Lady Ding blinked a couple of times in fear, "I am doing this for you," she stood up to leave. "Bian is all pampered and will come to your manor tonight," Lady Ding left the room. Meng De couldn't understand these women. His mother was right, it's all women affairs.

"I have returned Lady Ding," Bian smiling as she entered Lady Ding's room. Bian sees Lady Ding sitting on her tea table with the book General Cao Cao gave her months ago to read. "Did General Meng De gave this to you to read?" she asked. Bian answers, "yes," and wonders how Lady Ding knows about this book. She hasn't read it, instead she hid it because she didn't want to be involved with anything to General Cao Cao. "You should return it," Lady Ding handed the book to Bian. "I can return it tomorrow morning," Bian said, "I have…" Lady Ding cuts her off, "no, you must return it tonight." Bian was confused about her attitude. If Lady Ding was either jealous or cared for her safety, she was confused. "Yes, Lady Ding," Bian said obeying her Lady.

Bian walks in front of General Cao Cao's manor and knocked on the door to see if he was inside. No answer, Bian closely listened. Meng De opened the door and sees Consort Bian. "You really came after all," Meng De said. Bian diverted her eyes downward and raised the book, "I've come to return this." Meng De grabbed Bian by her wrist, dragging her towards his bed.