[10] Cha-Lou

The room was filled with antique Chinese furniture lit by the bright sunlight pouring through the window. Outside the birds sang from atop the branches, with the noisiness from the street below was only a distant echo.

"It's been a long journey for all 3 of you. I am glad all 3 of you can make it here today." Wang-Yi scanned the figures sitting at the round table.

"Time is limited, so I am going to cut to the chase." The prince turned and spoke to the figure on his right.

"Yu-Xiao-Xi, I will be appointing you to the position of vice minister of culture of Hu-Shang."

"It is my honour to receive such a position from you my prince." Yu-Xiao-Xi answered. She appeared to be in her early twenties, tall slender build, serious features, piercing brown eyes, shoulder length black hair, and she wore a blue and white Chinese dress.

"I will be looking forward to your service." The prince replied.

"San-Qi, I will be naming you the captain of the new Special Forces, 300 swords. And your men shall become the new members of the 300 swords." The prince looked to the figure across from him.

"Sure. As long my prince can afford it." San-Qi crossed her legs. She appeared to be in her early thirties, she had a tall strong build, she wore an eye patch over 1 eye, with her other eye being grey like a gathering storm. She wore a black muscle shirt, black leather belt, blue jeans and combat boots.

"You can't talk to your prince like that!" Yu-Xiao-Xi stood up in protest.

"It's fine. I have known San-Qi since my training days. This is just the way she talks." The prince signalled Yu-Xiao-Xi to sit down.

"You heard the prince. It's just the way I talk, it can't be helped." San-Qi placed her arms in an arched position on the desk and rested head on her hands in a grin.

Yu-Xiao-Xi opened her mouth, but decided against it, then sat down.

"Jiang-Yi, I will be appointing you to the position of the vice treasury of Hu-Shang." The prince turned to the figure on his left.

"Thank you my prince for trusting me with such an important position." Jiang-Yi said humbly. She appeared to be in her late teens, she had a short petit build, sapphire blue eyes, long strands of blue hair like the streams of the river, and she wore a blue Chinese dress.

"I appreciate your trust in me as well." The prince replied.

There was a knock on the wooden door.

"Who is it?" The prince asked.

"It's your humble servant Shi-Er-Wa, my prince!" Came Shi-Er-Wa voice from outside.

"Very well, come in." The prince said.

A moment later, the door opened and Shi-Er-Wa came pushing in a cart loaded with sweets and tea.

"Close the door behind please." The prince said.

"Yes my prince!" Shi-Er-Wa diligently replied, then turned and closed the door behind her.

Seeing the three's silence, the prince spoke up:

"It's fine, Shi-Er-Wa is my personal servant."

Seeing the prince's approval, Yu-Xiao-Xi spoke up:

"What types of tea are there?"

"The West Lake Dragon Well Tea, Bi-Luo-Chun Tea, Black Dragon Tea, Dragon Dance Tea and Pu-Er Tea. If there is a specific tea you want my prince and greatness, your servant shall fetch it at once."

"It's fine. I will take the West Lake Dragon Well Tea, thank you." Yu-Xiao-Xi said.

"Yes, your greatness." Shi-Er-Wa bowed, then turned to the prince. "And you my prince?"

"I will get the Black Dragon Tea, thank you." The prince answered.

"I don't really drink tea; I will be getting what the prince is getting." San-Qi spoke up.

"I will be getting the Dragon Dance Tea, thank you as well." Jiang-Yi said.

"Yes my prince and greatnesses. Your servant shall prepare your tea at once!" Shi-Er-Wa began to set up the tea cups and tea pot on the table.

"Who's the new capital governor?" The prince asked no one in particular.

"A eunuch named Zhang-Ran." Yu-Xiao-Xi answered.

The prince was silent for a moment, the smile disappearing from his face. He lowered his head and a moment later and his smiled reappeared.

"It all makes sense now." The prince said.

"What makes sense now? I didn't quite get what you mean my prince." Yu-Xiao-Xi looked confused.

"The one who is behind all this." The prince paused. "We'll hold a meeting about this tonight at our residence. But for now, let us drink tea."