Yan Sha awoke the following day feeling dejected as she knew there would be a bite back from doing what she had been told would be dangerous for her. She knew that this distaste would come hand in hand with something new and unpleasant for her. Her body was strangely restless as she looked outside at the wall which stood as a barrier between Xun manor and the world outside.
She wondered for a moment if she truly was still a member of the populance. Why did she still feel common if she technically had a crown on her head? Other princesses worried about silly things like clothing and what nice things to eat for that day. She was learning how best to run a country. Often she wondered if there would be a point in making all of these efforts to be on the same field as the men who wanted to wrench the power away from the women running Jungpi.
As she turned to start her tasks for the day which sat in a pile of dismal reports, she realized t
There was an incessant knock against the door frame. There was a snore heard from within the chamber as the servant looked at all of the maids and servants sitting outside. They all looked exhausted as they had been sitting outside all night.The messenger sighed, "One of you sitting here? Why is he sleeping like this? What happened to the crown prince? He's very disciplined. No drinking. No going after bad women. Nothing has been able to shake him for many years."One of the maids bowed to the messenger. "Replying to your question, my lord. His highness is upset over a woman. We don't know the details but he was raving about having us pack up and get ready to head to Wei in the morning. This is why all of us are standing outside as we have followed his commandmants."The messenger made an irritated sound and then shook his message scroll at the servants. "Disregard this. H
"Your highnesses, the crown prince is here." The maid bowed deeply before the two who were giggling in the bath.Yan Sha was in the hands of Yan Ming who was kissing up her back. Yan Sha pulled away and got up out of the bath. A maid came forward with the undergarment. Yan Ming splashed loudly in the bath before doing the same."Come off it, Yan Sha, why won't you listen to me?" Yan Ming hugged Yan Sha to her body as the maid was still bowed after she made the news known to the duo. "Are you scared of him?""I'm not a true member of this family." Yan Sha said softly. "I'm the easiest one if one of us have to leave.""Mother has often told me to treat you like a slave. I am the legitimate one and you are not. I have all the responsibilities and you get all the fun.""Going to cults to learn about the art of war is the least fun. There are so many books and mistakes and people who coul
"Prince Consort, Your serene higness, I want both of you to rest assured. The result of the plan that you have set forwards has come back through the crown princess's servants as well as the imperial physician who was decided to stay on alert as the incident was unfolded. As you have predicted, the result is completed to the satisfaction." The servant bowed in front of the duo who were eating their evening meal together. Most of the dishes were uncovered, but hardly touch as neither had really touched this food which had been brought before them. The soft heat had ceased rising from the dishes which the servant looked nervously at. "Please let me take away these cold dishes and replace them with something warm from the kitchen.""No there is no need. You can return back, tell my daughters that we would like to speak them before they retire for the night. If they are afraid, have the maid return with some guards. They canno
"Madam we have been here for a little over a month, the lord has not visited our pavilian once. Concubine Wu has been making fun of you as someone who will never garner the favor of the lord."Yan Sha sighed with a soft smile as she took a delicate sip of the tea which had been handed to her. "The lord has many wives to visit in the midst between his military expeditions. What need is there for us to compete for favor. Eventually all will get a turn. I can rebuff him as I know there are many here whom are waiting to be favored by our lord. I am not in a rush to be close to our lord duke, there have also been many accidents in the yard, why rush into a place where we do not know which hand will help or hurt.""But madam, we would get such nice treatment from the household service. You would get the best food and nicest things.""The food we get is satisfactory. It's fine. The clothing though often not the best
Yan Sha looked around at the strange surroundings which was the servants chambers. The windows were small and the smell of the moss covered stones above where strangely having a drowsy effect on her. She moved the bed over to where the ground was less damp."Madam, I apologize for leaving you in such squallid conditions. Yangfeng likes to have her courtyard and that of the concubines fixed quickly. My own rooms are in this state of extreme disrepair. It's a bit of an embarassment that I have to leave you here while we have guests in the house. I wish there was some other accomidation which could have been set up, but it is inappropriate for you to stay outside."She nodded slowly as she got up to see the Duke standing with his manservant who was holding additional bedding. Her two servants came from behind them and rushed in with whoops of amazements at such a condition. The duke looked progressively more and more uncomfo
Master Guo stood in the backroom of the embroidery shop with a gruff expression as he read reports which had been returned to him by members of court who were pushing his policies forward. Zaiyuan's impatient handwriting was seen on a note that sat uncrumbled on his desk. He burned it with annoyance as he wondered if he really could keep such a vivacious girl in line doing what a group of men were telling her to do.Langhua was pressuring him to return her daughter home as Yan Sha had slowly withdrawn from her after the whipping incident with Yan Ming. It was irritating that he was in the middle of the Jungpi royal family who could not get along. Adopting a new family member did as always come with it's complications which the family often tried to ignored.He burned the letter with impatience as he watched the paper turn into ashes, a shadow appeared above him. Automatically he flinched and looked up.Ning Zhuo smiled down at him a
In the cover of darkness, Ning Zhuo was quiet as he returned to the house of General Xun. The only reason he had really even come was due to his own investigation and leads into the case he had promised his lover to find. General Xun was responsible for secretly investigating the Chu massacre incident, before being stopped by the emporer once it came out that it was he whom was the criminal.The general had been ascended to a due to his loyalty to the crown. Even in burying the case without question, the duke had been good at hiding his tracks. Everything was sabatoged to stage it as if the task has been completed by bandits, instead of by the true perpetrator. Another reason that Ning Zhuo was interested in the duke was whether he was aware of his reputation as an assassin.Duke Xun was either beyond caring about the case or a much smarter man than he appeared to be. To have that kind of control of emotions, would be str
Master Guo returned from the embroidery shop on a carriage that he had rented for this purpose if he needed to visit important persons who wanted designs from the women working at the shop. Now the use of it was proactive rather than visiting for service, he stood in front of the manor of the Xun family. The guards outside aimed their spears at the elderly man who put up his hand slowly. His voice wavered as he spoke, "Hurry, please tell Ah Mi that her grandfather is here.""Grandfather? Are you sure that you can stand outside here like this? I should find a servant to tend to you.""Tend to me, good soldier. Don't worry. That won't be necessary. I have more than enough to entertain myself. Or would you like to become the seat I sit on?""I'm on duty sir. The Duke will not be happy if I leave the post to tend to your needs. I have told someone to bring her forth. They're moved from their usu