15 UNSPOKEN RULES

"Consort Bian had already spent the night with General Meng De tonight," the servant informed Cao Song, who was staying the night. "That is all, you can leave" Cao Song said. "After Consort Bian's settlement, move her into the guest manor," Cao Song informed Mother Yan. "Yes," Mother Yan answered. "Meng De will soon have many things to do, he will need to focus during daylight," Cao Song informed Mother Yan. "Understood," she answered him. "If her child is a son, you will have to find her a bigger manor later," Cao Song referring to her moving out of this manor, "when that happens, do not let Meng De have a say, or he will create chaos of women in this household," Cao Song said. With many concubines, Cao Song knew how mentally challenge it will bring to Meng De during his youth. Cao Song, a wise man, knew better and separated his concubines making his life easier. The biggest manor is given to Mother Yan, as the main wife and also having a son. The concubines without a son had small manors just for themselves, their daughters, and consorts. The concubines with a son, would have larger manors with servants and consorts. Many other people with multiple wives did not choose to separate them causing commotion daily. The Emperor is a great example, for all his women to live in the palace and fights daily. Although, wise Cao Song learned from that.

Bian wakes up to the birds chirping outside. She felt pain below her legs and moaned in pain as she tries to get up. She recalls what had happened last night and slowly turn to look at Meng De, who was naked next to her sleeping comfortably. He slowly opened his eyes and both of their eyes met. For the first time, both of them woke up together in a quiet manner. Bian quickly lowered her gaze out of habit. Meng De lifted her chin for her to look at him, "do you want to bath with me?" Bian shocked to hear what he had ask her when he had already promise to dismiss the wedding after what she had given him. Bian stuttered at her words, "Genera Cao Cao, you, and I, no you said…" Meng De shook his head, "I will take that as a no," he said and called for Servant Bo, "Servant Bo!" he yelled. Bian was confused but since Meng De called for Servant Bo, she needed to leave immediately. Bian covered herself with the blanket and tried walking at her best to get her dress where she had stripped off. Bian entered the bath room to get dressed. After getting dressed, she exchanged spots with Servant Bo, letting him come in to start the bath. She walks to Meng De's room to see him in his bath robe ready for a bath.

Bian walked toward Meng De, who was drinking his morning tea. "General Cao Cao, I hope you will not forget our exchange last night," Bian said, "I will be waiting to hear from you." Meng De observed Bian up and down, "are you in pain?" he asked about her knees and indirectly about her below by looking at her legs. Bian lowered her gaze and balled her fist, the more he cared about her the more she feels as she cannot distance herself. She shook her head no, "I am fine," she said trying to control her emotions. "Later I will ask mother about the medicine cream to help your bruises," Meng De said as he sees Servant Bo stepping out the bath room and stood up. "I do not want your beautiful legs to lose its beauty," Meng De said walking past Bian who stood there in her emotional state.

Bian refreshes herself after the return to the consort's hall. Then she goes to Lady Ding's manor to continue to receive whatever Lady Ding do to her. "Lady Ding has woken up early to help with breakfast," the consort, who take care of Lady Guo and Lady Mei, told Bian. Bian wondered why Lady Ding decides to wake up early to cook until she remembers Minister Cao Song has slept over. It is very rare that Minister Cao Song actually spends the night. He would often visit but spending the nights were rare. Those mornings that he spends the night, Lady Ding tries her best to be a good daughter in law, not wanting to fail Meng De.

Bian walked towards the kitchen to encounter Cao Song, who had already woke up and hanging around in the court yard. "Minister Cao Song," Bian greeted him as she lowered her head. He greeted back her and told her to come closer to him. "What is it?" Bian asked. "Look around this court yard, can you tell me what you see?" Bian looked around and saw nothing, "I see nothing," she said. "That is what I see too," Cao Song said, "but it can become something after someone takes time caring for it and making it beautiful, do you think so?" Bian nodded her head. Cao Song understands his son the best and can tell how he feels for this consort even if he doesn't show much. "In the week before Meng De wedded Lady Ding, he did not even visit her or spend time alone with her once," Cao Song informed Bian. Bian nodded because she remembered. "Although, not all situations are the same, like this court yard," Cao Song said comparing Lady Ding and Meng De's relationship to the court yard of having nothing into having something after giving care and love, "what if this court yard had already have been cared for and was already beautiful, do not stop, it can become more beautiful." Bian nodded her head remembering about Concubine Feng's court yard, "yes Minister Cao Song," Bian said. Cao Song cleared his throat, "I have already sent a message to your parents with dowry," he said shocking Bian. "Thank you for thinking of my lowly parents," Bian said and excused herself. Bian needed to see Meng De as soon as possible after checking up with Lady Ding to remind him to let Cao Song know about the agreement her and Meng De had come upon.

"Lady Ding," Bian called entering the kitchen. "Consort Bian," Lady Ding called her, "come stir this porridge." Bian nodded and helped her. Bian knew Lady Ding was the type to easily let go of situations and forget about matters. Seeing Lady Ding's active and telling her what to do, is a sign of relief. After cooking, the consorts set up the dining table. Cao Song, Mother Yan, Meng De, Lady Guo, and Lady Mei attended to breakfast with Lady Ding. Bian sets the last dish, the porridge, a bowl each person. "Consort Bian," Cao Song said, "sit down and eat," he demanded. Bian looked at Lady Ding for permission but Lady Ding only tended to Lady Guo and Lady Mei, adjusting them to eat. "Yes, you will soon be a part of this family," Mother Yan smiled at her, "sit down and eat." Bian didn't want to be rude and didn't know how to reject them, so she sat by Meng De, the only available spot next to him. Sitting by him was like claiming her spot as a concubine since Lady Ding sat on the other side of Meng De. Bian can feel the tension and hate it, wanting to run away. "Everyone eat," Cao Song said starting to eat first and giving permission for everyone to eat.

Bian chew on her food slowly. This may be the last time for everything, she thought to herself thinking maybe Meng De haven't told his parents about the dismissal of the wedding. Cao Song and Meng De talked about the history of the Han Dynasty, the last couple of years in their success. "This dynasty had the strongest generals ever recorded in history," Cao Song admitted, "I doubt the Han Dynasty will ever be destroyed, long live the Emperor." Meng De agreed, "yes, father, our comrades have been more stronger each time after a success." Listening to the conversation, Bian was reminded of the prophecy. She thought about how can her existence destroy this dynasty if these men believed in their power. How can her future three sons take over a whole empire. Bian starts hitting her chest because of ingestion and stood up from the table. She headed to the kitchen for water. Everyone shocked of her action. "I will check on her," Meng De said following Bian.

After Bian drank the cup of water, she sat down by the well and catches her breath. "Are you fine?" Meng De asked her as he reaches her. Bian rubs between her chest and nodded her head yes. Meng De pity her, this pregnancy is taking a toll on this fragile woman he truly cared for. He squat down next to her rubbing her back, "is it the baby?" he asked. Bian stops rubbing her chest and looked at Meng De. He is being gentle to her again. Bian can feel her heart racing as her hand is still on her chest. "I am fine," Bian said she slowly standing up. Meng De nodded and lead them back to the table. "Be careful on eating," Mother Yan told Bian. "I am sorry," Bian said.

"Today from now on," Cao Song started, "Consort Bian, you do not need to tend Lady Ding anymore, instead Lady Yan will help prepare Consort Bian for the wedding." "Yes father," Lady Ding said. "I heard you had another consort from your hometown or would you like Lady Yan to assign you one?" Cao Song asked. Lady Ding smiled, "I will decide." "That is good," Cao Song said and looked at Bian, "Consort Bian, being a consort, you have never had a consort but soon as a Lady of our household, you will receive a consort, do you also have a preference or should Lady Yan finds you one?" he asked. Bian gulped and answer, "I am just a consort, barely learning now to be a Lady, I do not have much thoughts." Meng De informed Mother Yan, "mother, please help find one for Consort Bian." "We have many consorts," Mother Yan said, "I will find a capable one."

Being a consort, you must devote your life to a Lady. Bian was worried about who is willing to devote their life to her. She had never given or done anything for a consort to give their life to her. Bian was worried and felt different at her role change. She looked at Meng De, who is peacefully eating and everyone else eating away. "Very good food this morning," Cao Song complimented. "Thank you," Lady Ding said smiling.

After breakfast, Cao Song and Meng De left the manor to talk about political issues with the rest of the palace people. Knowing they won't return until late, Lady Ding wanted to rest after a long morning. Bian felt different not knowing what Lady Ding is doing at all times. Mother Yan told Bian about her staying in the same manor as Meng De for the time being until the guest manor is prepared for her, but before the wedding, Bian can still reside in the consort's halls. "Since you are here for a long time, think of me as your mother, preparing your wedding dress for you," Mother Yan smiled at Bian. Mother Yan has only one child which is Meng De, a son. She had always desired to prepare a daughter's wedding outfit and things she can give to her daughter take with her to prepare her life. Since Bian's parents were not part of her life now, Mother Yan had to prepare all this for Bian and even excited to.

"The seamstress will be here to measure your sizes," Mother Yan told Bian. "Yes," Bian answered. Mother Yan taught Bian names of important relatives from other towns who will attend the wedding. Bian remembered many of them from Lady Ding's wedding when Mother Yan had told Lady Ding before. "The seamstress is here," a consort said leading the seamstress in. "Consort Bian needs a wedding dress in 6 days," Mother Yan ordered. The seamstress nodded and instructed Bian to raise her arms and legs to measure her size. "I will have the wedding dress in 5 days," the seamstress said and returned. "Here," Mother Yan said giving a medicine cream to Bian, "treat your knees, you do not want to have bruised knees on your wedding day." "Thank you," Bian said and took the medicine.

After putting the medicine on her knees, Bian couldn't stand being alone not knowing what Lady Ding is doing. She was used to knowing what Lady Ding is doing and tending her needs. "Lady Guo!" a consort called after the running girl. Bian smiled and walked out to the court yard to see Lady Guo playing around. "Lady Guo," Bian whispered as if she haven't seen Lady Guo forever, even though she had seen Lady Guo in the morning. "Consort Bian," Lady Guo came running towards her. Bian picked her up and played with her. "Consort Bian," the consort tapped Bian, "please do not carry Lady Guo," she said. "Why?" Bian confused and dropped Lady Guo. "General Meng De had instructed that you cannot carry anything heavy, especially Lady Guo," the consort said. "It is fine," Bian said, "I can carry Lady Guo." Bian was surprised what Meng De instruction to all the consorts and servants since from his last warning. "Where is Lady Ding?" Bian asked. "She is sewing new clothes for her baby," the consort said. Bian recalled Lady Ding was still wearing her fake pregnant sack on her stomach. Bian thanked the consort and went to Lady Ding's manor.

"Lady Ding," Bian called entering her manor. "Consort Bian," Lady Ding waved for her to sit. Bian shook her head no, "I can just stand," she said being used to standing. Lady Ding locked her arms with Bian like she used to and lead her to sit on the new tea table. "Sit with me, we are going to be sisters soon," Lady Ding said as if nothing happened last night. Bian smiles at her seeing how happy Lady Ding is at the moment and that she had already forgotten what happened. "Lady Ding, please listen to me," Bian wanted to explain her and Meng De's agreement in a good way, most likely hiding that she exchanged her body for it. "Stop it," Lady Ding stopped her before she can even say anything. Lady Ding's expression changed, "it does not matter anymore," Lady Ding looked at Bian, "what is done is done," she said. Bian nodded. Then Lady Ding smiled and grabbed Bian's hand, "as long as you keep your promise," Lady Ding said looking down to Bian's baby bump. Bian smiled and puts her other hand over Lady Ding's hand, "I will never break my promise to you."

Lady Ding smiled and continue her sewing, "I am sewing an outfit for my son," she said. Bian admired Lady Ding and knew that Lady Ding will love the baby she is carrying. "I do not love General Cao Cao," Bian blurted out wanting to assure Lady Ding. Lady Ding stopped on sewing and looked at Bian. Bian smiled at Lady Ding, "I never have and never will, so do not worry, he is still your man," Bian said and sighs in being able to say what she wanted to say. Lady Ding smiled even more genuinely at her.