Suitors

Inside Duke Li Shenyang's private study where only his closest friends and relatives were allowed to enter, the twins sat in pure silence. Books and scrolls of all sorts lined the shelves. The categories and titles changed from "To Lead a Nation" to "Herbology: The Different Plants of Wuyi." 

Finally, Li Chenyang broke the silence. "Why can't Xueyue be in here?"

"She can, but not for this discussion," Duke Li Shenyang said. 

"Why?" Li Wenmin asked while leaning his cheek on a propped up arm.

"I've found something in the Palace today," Duke Li Shenyang noted. 

He headed towards his desk where he slid open a drawer and pulled out a single hairpin. Silver and gold were molded into thousands of petals as gems of all shades and colors were blended into a glistening hydrangea flower. Pearls dangled from the hairpin, swaying furiously when Duke Li Shenyang presented it to the twins.