10

Ning Fan and Ning Ren exchanged glances on the balcony as they watched Bingquing play with some white rabbits in the garden.  They had been caught to be roasted and served to guests, but as she had found them in their covered baskets by the kitchen, she had insisted that she wanted to have them as pets.  The wide eyed cook could say nothing as a boiling pot of water simmered. 

The chef had apologized profusely for not being able to prepare the rabits as she had been ordered.  Ning Ren had held up a hand when the older woman had cowered before him,  he didn't seem bothered much and instead deftly changed the subject to use some old jerked meat for the filling, saying it would add a rustic taste to the existing  palate which he had not often eaten.

Ning Fan had exchanged glances with the cook in alarm, but quietly the better meat had been exchanged for one that the cook knew was not really appreciated by the princes who prefered fresh meat to one that had been dried over several months.  It was an odd change to the plans of Ning Ren who had always had things in the veins of his plans.

She seemed carefree as she played about with the animals.

"We should not involve an innocent in our affairs, Ning Ren."  Ning Fan's arms were crossed tightly as he considered the girl.  She looked like a fairy dancing with her rabbit familiars.

Ning Ren eyed his new maid, "She is absolutely perfect."  He unfurled a scroll and showed it to Ning Fan.  "Look at her." 

Ning Fan unfurled it slowly and it was a portrait of a resplendant woman in a gorgeous silk embroidered violet dress.  Her jewelry marked her as a royal princess.  Ning Fan looked up with a stoic expression before closing the scroll.  "Why are you showing me this?"

"That's Princess Yan Ming of the Jungpi royal family, father wants me to marry her."

"He didn't send any imperial edicts."

"It was delivered to me inside a flower vase.  He wants me to take precautions against the crown prince."

"The one who orchestrated the rebel uprising and then miraculously saved father from the assassin who calls himself sleeping suns."

"This means that father is aware of the details, but is choosing to keep it to himself.  I have a sneaking suspicion that my other brothers were given similar orders."

"What were those orders?"

"For Ning Qi, probably to negotiate with the generals of Wei.  For Ning Yu, as he is the youngest, to marry into Yan.  And for me to marry into Jungpi."

"I still don't understand."

"Father wants more territory.  He wants to see which of us is the most worthy."

"Well then why don't you secure all three to show that you are the most intelligent and military minded."

Ning Ren rolled his eye.  "I have no interest in starting my own harem.  I want to watch one single flower.  I want to tend to it and have many beautiful years with it.  A garden full of flowers, each with its own desires and instructions to care for sounds tedious.  To marry two noble consorts and deal with some gruff old men . . . I'm sure Ning Zhuo already has sent his bridal gifts to Jungpi and Yan.  For me to make a move, I'll need to travel there in person."

"What about this flower that you're admiring now?"  Ning Fan jerked his head into the garden and the one playing there.

Ning Ren smiled.  "I have plans for her."