40 Placing Her Bets

Old Marquis Lu was, at this moment, rather troubled. Like that of his in-law Duke Ning, the Feng family was full of men. There were three family branches that sprouted from each of Marquis Lu's sons, each with lots of leaves, but no fruit. The only exception to this was Ming Xia, who was called the fifth young miss of the family. Her father's branch of the family was not as prominent. After all, he'd been born from one of Marquis Lu's concubines and while he was an official in court, it was a position of lower rank. So in normal circumstances in other families, she would also have been treated differently because of that lowered status.

The reality was that every single person in the Feng family doted heavily upon this only daughter. By this point, all of Marquis Lu's sons were more advanced in years and a new child had not been born since the sixth son was born to the third branch several years back. It could be said that these six children would be it for this generation.

Besides, Feng Ming Xia was quite the little lady. To make up for her deficiencies of birth—which had been completely out of her control in the first place—she polished herself in other areas. While it was true she was somewhat easily excited and had a tendency to speak too quickly, her family found this adorable. She was like a little bird, chirping away happily all day. In other respects, she could be considered quite accomplished. She excelled in the four arts, she was beautiful, and she had a wide circle of friends. She often accompanied her uncle Marquis Lu-shizi or her aunt Duchess Ning to various events.

This could not make up for the fact that she'd been born from an "illegitimate" branch, but the only ones who really cared about such a thing were the sort of snobbish noble families that Marquis Lu had no interest in, anyway. This was proven by the fact that marriage offers were starting to come in regularly. Ming Xia was already 15. She'd had her hairpin ceremony and it was about time to start considering her future husband. Old Marquis Lu had gathered up a list of the most esteemed gentlemen who'd proposed marriage and had his subordinates get portraits of them and find out more information about their personalities and the current statuses of their courtyards. These were all fine, strapping young men with great prospects and clean inner courts. Ming Xia would be treated very well and would surely be happy no matter which husband she chose.

Yet what had this beautiful, vivacious, infuriating granddaughter of his said? "Oh no, Grandfather, Ming Xia won't marry any of these men." She'd said it with a brilliant smile, her tone bright yet firm.

"And why not? Give Grandfather a reason or else I can't accept this!"

Feng Ming Xia pouted, looking rather troubled. It had to be said that this was a rare look for her. She always got what she wanted in this family and so when had she ever been seen as something other than bubbly, excited, and carefree?

"I don't fancy any of them," she replied honestly. "I have my eyes set on someone..."

"Who!? Tell Grandfather!"

"Ming Xia can't tell Grandfather. It's not a done deal yet, so I won't spoil it now."

"So you wish for me to reject all of these proposals... To spoil all of these prospects for something that is not yet a 'done deal'?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"Yes!" Feng Ming Xia's grin was truly free of cares. And the worst part of it all was that she had every reason to be free of worry. Though Old Marquis Lu gave her the sternest of looks, she didn't budge, blinking her eyes slowly and innocently. "Grandfather, I won't be unreasonable. If things don't work out with this person, Ming Xia will give up."

"Good, good, truly reasonable!" he nodded, feeling ridiculous. What was this "I won't be unreasonable"? She was already being awfully unreasonable! But Marquis Lu did not have the heart to refuse her heart's wish. "Is it someone..." he couldn't finish his sentence. He was afraid of this granddaughter of his aiming too high and being disappointed. There were some beings in this Yinchuan who wouldn't deign to even glance her way, but surely she already knew that.

"Don't worry, Grandfather. I won't be unreasonable and I won't make bets that I don't feel I can't win."

The marquis could only sigh.

It was a few days later that Feng Ming Xia visited Duke Ning's estate and narrated part of this tale to her good cousin.

Yan Qiu Yue shook her head with a smile. "So the marquis is looking for a husband for you, too. Why not accept one? Then we can both be married ladies together."

Feng Ming Xia hadn't told her cousin of the reason for her refusal, as it was somewhat embarrassing. So she protested, "What! Big Sis is already 17! It makes sense for you to get married, but I'm still a fresh spring chicken. I can afford to wait at least until I'm your age."

"Fresh spring chicken..." Yan Qiu Yue couldn't stop herself from laughing out loud. Her maids all felt relieved seeing their young mistress laughing freely. She was beginning to look more like her usual self again. The wedding was now only a month away.

* * *

At Prince Rui's estate, Wei Tian Ao was sitting at his desk. There was a document in front of him, the contents of which were causing his brows to be deeply furrowed. It had now been a few weeks since he'd spoken with Duke Ning. The conversation had tempered his excitement towards the marriage somewhat. Or rather, it had buried that excitement deep within his heart where he knew it shouldn't be touched.

"Was it...wise? To make such a promise to the duke?"

The one who had spoken was a steward by the name of Yun Xing. Though only in his 30's and relatively young, he had been one of Tian Ren's most trusted aides. He had not been part of the delegation, but nevertheless recently arrived from Northern Xi to take care of Wei Tian Ao. Naturally, he'd been present during Wei Tian Ao's conversation with Yan Qiu Yue's father at the Duke Ning estate.

Wei Tian Ao smiled sadly. "I hardly had a choice. Besides, I understand what he's thinking."

Yun Xing hung his head. "All fathers care deeply for their children." In Tian Ao's mind flashed the images of his two fathers. One was now gone but had loved him with all his heart. The other... He grimaced. Who knew what that old fox Prince Rui was thinking? Was this sort of treatment considered "caring deeply"? Wei Tian Ao didn't think so. Yun Xing quietly probed, "Young Master... Is it really not possible for us to return to Northern Xi?"

"Yun Xing. You had been loyal to my father for so many years. Your entire family is still in the north. There is no need for you to be stuck here with me." Wei Tian Ao's tone was gentle but resolute. He could not return, not while those who were responsible for his father's death were still free to terrorize others.

"This servant wouldn't dare! Even if Madam Tian hadn't sent me here..." he clenched his hands into fists. "You cannot do this alone, Young Master. If you are to remain in Eastern Wei, allow this servant to accompany you."

"Very well, then. I am glad of it." Wei Tian Ao smiled faintly before he returned his attention to the troubling documents before him.