*THE PRI MINISTER’S MANSION*
"The Second Prince is here to see you, Master," the Pri Minister’s chief butler announced his arrival.
"Show him in, show him in, don’t keep his highness waiting," the Pri Minister said jovially. He had a good feeling about this visit.
The Pri Minister rose and gave his seat to the Second Prince, as the highest-ranking man in the room. The Second Prince inclined his head slightly in acknowledgent.
"Pri Minister, I trust you’re well?"
"Yes, yes, never better your highness, never better," he motioned for his servants to serve them tea, and the two n waited for them to withdraw before continuing.
"What brings you here this fine afternoon your highness? Have you had a chance to consider my offer? It has been so weeks, and I must admit I was becoming a little concerned that you might be planning to turn down."
"That’s not the case Pri Minister," the Second Prince said gruffly. "I needed so ti to make my own arrangents and fully consider the ramifications of our alliance. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to rush such a significant decision," he drawled.
"Quite right, quite right," the older man smirked. "But now, you’ve co to a decision I take it?"
"I have, Pri Minister. I will take you up on the offer to marry your daughter, Li Fengfeng, and forge a close alliance between our interests in court."
"Capital! Capital!" the man clapped his hands together in delight. He called out for his butler. "Bring us so of the peach blossom wine from the cellar," he commanded the man. "I’ve been storing this particularly fine drop for a very long ti in hope of just such an occasion," he told the Second Prince gleefully.
The prince nodded regally, "I thank you for the honour of sharing it with then".
"Just as it should be," the man interwove his fingers and rested his chin on them.
The Pri Minister cracked open the vintage bottle, and poured a cup for the prince and one for himself, holding up the cup to toast the young man.
"To a lifeti of happy marriage between you and my daughter, and a prosperous and fruitful alliance between us."
The prince nodded, and the two n downed their cups.
The Pri Minister was more excited than he could recall being in a long ti. Though there was a difficult path ahead... with the Second Prince on his side, it was certainly achievable.
The Crown Prince was uncontrollable and stupid to boot, and the position of his first wife was already taken, leaving the uncertainty of Fengfeng’s ability to climb to power within his harem.
Far superior to take the more certain bet, of being the Father-in-Law of the Second Prince’s through his legitimate wife and backing this young man to take the throne.
The Second Prince was more competent than the Crown Prince, and an excellent political player. Their alliance would be a formidable force to be reckoned with.
"I already have the Emperor in favour of this match," Pri Minister Li advised him proudly.
"Yes, I’m aware. My Emperor Father has asked to accept your offer," he gave the cunning man a small smile.
You underestimated this old man at your peril. The prince knew that he had his work more than cut out for him from here on in.
The Pri Minister raised his eyebrows at his future son-in-law. "Let’s not waste any more ti then. Shall we set the wedding date for as soon as late next week?"
"As soon as possible," agreed the prince with little enthusiasm. "I’m sure you can get so ta monks to provide us with so auspicious dates in the very near future... father-in-law," he addressed the man by his soon-to-be title.
"Yes, yes, son-in-law, I’ve certainly paid enough dues at Purple Cloud Temple to call in so easy favours like that."
"And how do you plan to keep from being sent into exile in Gu, father-in-law?" the Second Prince asked him with more interest in this topic than the upcoming nuptials.
"Leave that to , son-in-law. You might have to lead a little military campaign to earn your stripes with the Emperor."
"No problem. The sooner the better," he thumped his fist on the low table. "I won’t ask what your plans are for my elder brother."
"No, no, it’s better you don’t know. You of all people should know I won’t have to do much. The Crown Prince will be hoist by his own petard."
"Indeed. But you’ll have your work cut out for you with my Emperor Father. There’s no way he’s unaware of most of what my elder brother’s involved in, and yet he stands by and does nothing."
"That’s because he’s been able to with no one exposing the Crown Prince’s misdeeds. Once they co to light in a fashion that requires punishnt, things will move very quickly, you’ll see."
The Second Prince nodded. He would leave this workstream to the old man. This is the stuff he excelled at after all.
The prince would never have agreed to this awful alliance of convenience if there were other more palatable choices.
*THE EMPEROR’S GARDEN*
The Emperor’s Garden was devoid of leaves, and covered in late-Winter snow not yet lted, bright red plum blossoms the only splash of colour.
The Second Prince waited alone for her in the pavilion on the bridge, his entourage arrayed on the far bank.
Usually ili loved this ti of year with its promise of spring just around the corner, but because of what the season signified for Bai Li and her brothers, this year the red flowers made her feel lancholy.
She wore a pale-pink winter cloak trimd with white fur; her hair pinned with delicate gold flowers.
Looking for all the world, like the Moon Goddess Chang’e, thought the Second Prince, as she approached him.
Her long hair flowed loosely down her back. In the bright winter sunlight it had unusual warm tones that perfectly matched her eyes. She walked elegantly, with her hands clasped just below her pretty bust.
"Hers was a beauty that could bring down a kingdom," the prince muttered to himself.
"Second Prince," she curtsied with so trepidation, seeing the efforts he had gone to, to et with her alone like this.
She noticed he was prominently wearing the dragon pouch she had embroidered for him.
ili joined the prince at the railing, and they both gazed out across the lake.
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