Family heirloom

The servants of Lee manor were curious of the beautiful graceful lady that walked in between the men of the manor. They were chatting in a very relaxed manner and occasionally smiles can be seen on the two usually stoic men. There were excited internally but did not show it outwardly, finally they are meeting their future lady boss of their Young Master. They have been speculating about the lady that successfully conquer their Young Master's heart. Now that they have seen her, they did not need to wonder how she did it, she is just drop dead gorgeous.

Master Lee's was left feeling a little disappointed that Jade declined supper because he was hoping to eat some forbidden food during supper. Jade used Master Lee's health as one of the reason for declining. Derek was gloating because he knew his father's trick and with Jade declining supper he could drag her straight to his bedroom and demand his raincheck which has been long overdue.

Master Lu was irritated by Derek's smugness and suggested for them to sit in the garden to admire the full moon tonight while drinking hot Chinese tea. He instructed the servants to bring out the outdoor warmers to warm the chilly air. Before Derek could brush off his father's suggestion, Jade had already voice out her agreement. Now, it was the old man's turn to be smug.

Jade shook her head at the two of them clearly adults with such childish behaviour. However, it brought her happiness and reminded her of good times she had with Mama Lu. Her eyes started to be teary startling the two men. The furrowed their brows giving each other a menacing look blaming the other as the caused of Jade's sudden change of mood. Jade sensing the air of hostility between the two looked up and was dumbfounded with the situation, the two men were trying to stare the other party to death. "Why are you two glaring at each other? You two can continue and I'll get someone to show me to my room." she said as she stood up. Immediately, the hostility between the two immediately ceased. Derek was the first to grab her hand.

"Please sit down. The moon is indeed beautiful tonight especially in your presence because you enhanced it's beauty." Servants all around could not help but salute their future mistress, she not only tamed the Young Master, she even turned him into someone who knew how to sweet talk. Plus, she had succeeded in domesticating Master Lu. They made a note to never slight her, ever.

"Thank you for treating me as family because never once I thought this was possible after Mama left this world. I have always imagine dying alone and nobody will attend my funeral." she explained the situation when it dawned upon her that she was the reason they turned hostile on each other. The two men felt something inside them twist in pain when they heard her words. Derek pulled her to sit on him and back hugged her. He rested his head at crook of her neck and he inhaled her scent in.

They then moved on to a lighter topics. After spending around 1 hour talking mostly nonsensical stuffs with the young and old master bickering most of the time to vie for her attention and affection, finally they called it a night. Derek was a little dismay when he saw how tired she was and in his heart he was bearing grudge towards his father for ruining his plans for tonight. He was planning to feast on her and now it was all ruined.

Derek told one of the servants to show Jade to his room while he will accompany his father back to his. After Jade left Derek spoke, "Father, I know you are lonely, but please let me have quality time with your future daughter in law so you know... you get to be a grandfather fast, then you won't be lonely no more." Derek thought that his father will be supportive of his plans but he was so wrong. Master Lee smacked the back of his son head. "You brat! when do you planned to propose? Please don't short change my future daughter in law. I want the wedding grand. Come follow me." Derek reluctantly followed Master Lu to his study and there. he received a lecture about respecting women and their rights and how he should not take advantage of women and he should stop having improper thoughts until at least their marriage was registered.

At the end of the lecture, Master Lu took out a box from his safe. "This was your grandmother's ring and then it was your mother's. Now it's going to be hers. I know you have your own rings designed, and think that this ring is old fashioned and redundant. I understand young blood, I was like that too. Listen, the bearer of this ring has the power to mobilize a nation of army when in any dangerous situation that the hidden guards can't handle. It has a special activation mechanism. It requires a drop of blood of the bearer. Your mother activated it the day she died, that saved your life."

Derek went near to his father and his father reached out for a hug. It was a short hug, as short as it takes for the eyes to blink. Seeing his father sad expression, Derek didn't want to delved further fearing he might trigger an arrhythmia. Derek returned to his room to find an already asleep Jade. He pecked her on the forehead and proceed to bathe. The rings he had design will be arriving tomorrow, might as well, hasten the proposal and the marriage registration.