A/N: An apology for the long non-update! Gomen, gomen! And in case you don't know Japanese, sorry, sorry! Please forgive me if this chapter sounds like crap. Muses kinda ran out of juices. Now, on with the show!
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"I still say he should elope with her." Ling insisted.
Yao jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow. "Quiet!"
Chien Po was asking a fruit seller where the famous Ching Kun's shop was. "Pardon me, sir, but would you happen to know of Ching Kun?"
The man who seemed to be in his mid forties, looked up and grinned, revealing several lost teeth. "Of course! Who wouldn't know of the richest merchant in the Imperial City! He's usually in his main shop. That's by the main road. You won't miss it, what with that big sign announcing a big sale!"
Chien Po exchanged glances with his friends. "Really? Why is that?"
"Oh, his daughter's getting married soon! Pretty big thing for him!"
After thanking the man and buying some oranges from him, the gang of three made their way back to the Choong house. "Xin Soong won't be too happy about returning back to the Imperial City if Ching Kun keeps on telling everyone who his daughter's going to marry."
Ling grimaced. "Especially if that someone isn't him."
They had worked out a plan. If Xin Soong wasn't going to have his parents behind him, then his friends and brother would suffice. They would travel back to the Imperial City again, under the pretense of visiting Shang's family. Once there, they'd bring out whatever they could get their hands on for Shu Fang's dowry and head to her home. It seemed like certain doom and they all knew it. But hoping against hope, they carried it out anyway, doubt niggling at the back of all of their minds.
Shang, Shen Shing and Xin Soong were back at the house, getting ready while the gang of three searched for more information. Shen Shing had begged his parents to let him go with his elder brother. After all, "I did so well in class!" The gang of three returned to the Choong house. As soon as they entered Xin Soong's room, he pounced on them.
"Well?"
"Xin Soong, kindly remove your hand from Ling's neck. You're choking him." Said Chien Po quickly.
"Right, sorry. Well?"
"Shu Fang should be easy to find in the Imperial City. Her father's quite well known."
Yao grimaced. "That has more disadvantages than you know."
Xin Soong's face went grim. "Like what?"
Ling rubbed his sore neck. "It'll be a lot harder to stay inconspicuous for one thing."
"And I don't think your father would like to hear that his son and his friends humiliated the Choong name in front of the entire city."
Shang entered the room. "I doubt if the entire city will be there to hear Xin Soong ask for Shu Fang's hand in marriage, Chien Po." He turned to Xin Soong. "But Ling is also right."
Shang paused. "I can't believe I just said that."
Ling looked offended.
"Anyway, he's still right."
Shen Shing came in, carrying a bag. "I'm ready."
The gang of three stared incredulously at his small bag. "You travel light, don't you?"
"The academy teaches you things other than protecting the people. You pack heavy, you get left behind. I learnt that the hard way."
Ling and Yao felt rather embarrassed being taught stuff by a fifteen-year-old. Chien Po like Shang was pretty impressed. Xin Soong ignored his brother. He was used to it. It irked him a bit to know that his brother was better at discipline but right now, he didn't care much. "Well, go pack, guys. We leave in half an hour." The gang of three rushed off, leaving Shang and the two brothers.
Xin Soong sighed and sat on his bed. "What made me think I could do this?"
Shen Shing supplied the answer. "Us."
Shang, feeling that this was a kinda 'brother to brother' moment left quietly.
Xin Soong looked at his younger brother. "You know, you freak me out sometimes."
Shen Shing raised an eyebrow. "And why?"
"You're too…wise for your age."
He smirked. "I learnt from the best. Don't worry. It'll all turn out for the better. Besides, you don't wanna humiliate yourself in front of your liddle bwother, would you?"
Xin Soong took a deep breath, and got to his feet. "All right, you little pest. Let's go."
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It had been eight days since Shu Fang returned to her home and she was not happy. Her new doubts about Xin Soong and the impending wedding took a heavy toll on her cheeriness and even her father could see that his daughter was depressed. He discussed it with his wife.
"Dear, have you noticed that our normally cheerful daughter has gone rather gloomy lately?"
His wife who busy embroidering a handkerchief looked up. "As a matter of fact, I have. Not even one squeal out of her when we went to the seamstress and made her new clothes. Not even a smile."
Ching Kun frowned and thought for a little while. "Do you think it could have something to do with her holiday in the village, do you?"
"I doubt it. Ping Ren would never let his niece get into any trouble."
He nodded. "True. What's important now is how to cheer her up. We can't marry a gloomy, sad daughter to Lung Yin, can we?"
"Of course not. What would cheer her up?"
The merchant thought for another minute then snapped his fingers. "We'll ask Lei to accompany her into town. You remember how she loved looking at everything?"
His wife smiled. "A wonderful idea, darling!"
So, her brother who was getting rather sick and tired of her moping as well dragged Shu Fang out of the house. Literally.
"Lei, I told you, I don't want to go. It's not going to cheer me up."
"Will you at least just move?! My arms are getting tired."
Sighing she got up and moved along reluctantly. She didn't smile but it distracted her from her doubts and problems. As brother and sister walked, Shu Fang accidentally bumped into an old woman. "Oh, I'm so sorry, madam!" The bent old lady shook her head and smiled kindly at her.
"Are you all right?"
She nodded and without a word, brought out a flower from her straw bag. A pink rose with a rather long stem. The thorns had been picked off. She handed it to Shu Fang.
"But, madam, I'm afraid I didn't bring any money with me today." The old lady shook her head and pressed it into Shu Fang's hand.
"For you. Your sadness perhaps, can be lifted." She said softly.
Shu Fang tried to give the rose back but the old lady just shuffled off quickly and was soon out of sight. She tried to follow the mysterious lady but could not find her. Lei, who'd nearly been talked into buying a cracked hair comb for Yi Min saw her looking around. "Who're you looking for?"
Shu Fang explained and showed him the rose.
"Hmmm…I don't know what to make of it, little sister."
Shu Fang looked at the rose. It was pinkish mixed with red. It was lovely and nothing like Shu Fang had ever seen. "It's beautiful though."
Suddenly, a commotion up the road attracted their attention. "I DIDN'T STEAL IT!" yelled an irate man. The stall vendor glared at him then proceeded to ask for someone to help bring him to the local magistrate.
Lei stepped up. "What's going on?"
They grew silent seeing Ching Kun's eldest son. People respected the young man as much as they respected Ching Kun. He was quiet, and didn't say much but when needed, he was reliable and the local people trusted Lei.
"This man had one of MY dumplings in his pocket! And he walked off without paying! And now he has the gall to insist that he didn't want to buy it in the first place!" explained the vendor.
Shu Fang came up behind Lei and gasped. It was what was his name? Yao. The one who liked An. Yao was too angry to notice the girl they had come for. Lei looked at the short stocky man, with the thick moustache and an expression like he was about ready to punch anyone who accused him of stealing.
"And your name, sir?"
"Yao. And I did not steal anything! I was just walking by when I felt something being dropped into my pocket! When I pulled it out, he," Yao glared at the vendor. "Said I owed him two coins for it. When I said I didn't buy it and wanted to return it, he said that was unacceptable. He said that no one would want to buy a dumpling that was already in MY pocket! When I gave him back the dumpling and walked off, he started yelling that I was a thief! " Yao was starting to breathe heavily.
"Please calm down, sir." Lei turned back to the vendor. "I don't think this man is of the stealing type. He's certainly an honourable looking man and I don't doubt his words. Perhaps it was an accident. And besides, he did return the dumpling."
Suddenly, another man came by. "Excuse me, pardon me, Yao!" Lei looked at the man. He was tall, in respectable clothes and had his hair tied up in red ribbon. He looked stern and was clearly puzzled by what had happened. "What happened?"
Lei spoke up. "Your friend was accused of stealing, sir. But it could be resolved if both sides compromise." He turned back to the vendor. "What if Yao paid you one coin and took the dumpling. Would that do?"
The vendor thought for a while then shrugged. "Fine."
"I'm not about to-"
One look from the stranger and Yao shoved his hand into his pocket and brought out a copper coin. Handing it to the vendor, the crowd drifted off, some staying long enough to praise Lei for his judgment.
"Anyone could've done it," was his quiet reply.
The stranger bowed to him. "Thank you, sir."
"It's all right. Although next time, I suggest your friend keep a farther distance from the stalls. Some other vendors may try the same thing. Who are you anyway?"
"I am Li Shang. You already know my friend, Yao." Nudging Yao, the short man mumbled a thanks.
"I am Ying Lei. My sister," he turned around and waved her over. Knowing full well their reaction, Shu Fang came forward demurely, her head bowed.
"This is my younger sister, Ying Shu Fang." Shang and Yao started. She looked up and gave them a look. Not a word.
Shang coughed. "Well, we must get going. Thank you again."
Yao's eyes bugged out. "But, but, captain!"
Lei's eyes grew wide. "Wait, Captain LI Shang? The one who helped Fa Mulan save the emperor?" Shang nodded.
"An honour indeed, to meet the famous captain."
"No, the honour belongs to Fa Mulan."
Yao, in a stroke of brilliance, feigned recognition. "Wait. Your father is Ying Ching Kun, isn't he? The richest calligraphy merchant in the Imperial City?"
Shu Fang spoke up. "Yes, he is. Our father's shop is just two roads away. We live near the main shop."
"Well, we have to go. Thank you again for saving Yao." Lei bowed and the two men left, looking pretty pleased with themselves.
Lei turned to his sister. "What was up with that?"
"With what?"
"Telling them where father's shop was and where we lived."
Shu Fang pretended to pout. "I was just making conversation. Come on, let's go home." Lei suddenly realized that his little sister was quite cheery again. She smiled and kept on sniffing the rose.
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Guess papa's plans must've worked…
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"You're sure it was her?!" asked Xin Soong excitedly.
Shang nodded. They were in the Li home. Shang's mother, Li Wan had welcomed the five men and her son the day before with well-disguised surprise. Shang spent some time with his mother and brother, telling them why he hadn't come home sooner, and about the war.
It was difficult seeing Madam Li try to choke back tears when Shang explained why his father was not with them. Sniffing, she wiped her tears away. "Look after Chen while I cook, will you?"
Handing the boy to her eldest son, Li Wan went into the kitchen. What Shang did not see were the tears streaming down her face as she walked to the kitchen.
Sadly, Shang looked at his brother. The innocent five-year-old would never quite know his father. Right now, his brother would have to step into General Li's shoes. Xin Soong and Shen Shing came into the room with the gang of three.
"You alright?" asked Xin Soong quietly, forgetting his troubles for a moment.
"My mother's heartbroken. I'm worried about her. She loved my father even if their marriage was an arranged one."
Shen Shing looked at the five-year-old boy beside Shang. "Is that your brother?"
Shang smiled a little and placed a hand on Chen's head. "Li Chen. He's thirteen years younger than me as you know."
Li Chen glared at his elder brother and swiped his hand away. "Stop that!" he said in the normal five-year-old tone.
Shang grinned and obliged. The little boy wandered off into a room to play. The six followed to make sure he didn't get hurt. As the five-year-old played with Shen Shing (a reluctant baby sitter), the others talked and planned. Xin Soong said he would go when he felt ready. And he didn't feel too ready yet.
"So, when WILL you feel ready? When Shu Fang's already married and with three kids?" asked Ling sarcastically.
Xin Soong glared at him. "Don't. Push. Me." Ling gulped and looked at Shen Shing trying to save his topknot from getting pulled off by Chen.
Shang sighed. "Xin Soong, you've got to be brave. You're a man. A captain of the Imperial Army. We're supposed to be courageous, fearless!"
"Need I remind you that you were shaking and sighing as well?"
Shang rolled his eyes. Chien Po, ever the voice of reason, gave his opinion. "Now, we are repeating what we told him. And you must take your own advice."
Xin Soong grimaced. "What advice?"
Yao still recalled what he said and grinned. He repeated it with Chien Po. "If you love her, go after her."
The normally cheery captain couldn't deny that he wasn't taking his own advice. He went to bed that night, nervous and afraid. What if Shu Fang refused him in favour of that Lung Yin? No, surely not. Shu Fang was not like that. He needed to trust her. And trust her, he would.
The next morning, Xin Soong still hadn't worked up his nerve. Deciding he needed to clear his head, he got up in the wee hours of the morning just as the moon and stars had gone. Surprisingly, a small breeze had started and was blowing across his face. He walked across the Li compound, anxiety and an emotion he did not often show, fear playing across his face. What was he going to do? More than a week had already passed. And three weeks was not too long a time. He wished he were as confident as he had been with his father. Xin Soong thought over his friends' and his own words as he walked aimlessly through the quiet streets, heading into the main part of town.
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If you love her, go after her…
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He did love her. More than anything in the world.
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We're supposed to be courageous, fearless.
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In battle, yes. But in the matters of the heart, there wasn't much he could do. Besides he felt so…helpless.
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When WILL you be ready?
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"ARGH! Stop asking me!" He said out loud. Xin Soong looked around and found that he was facing a big shop. The sign above the door, in most beautiful writing read 'Calligraphy Merchant'. Then, he noticed a red paper stuck to the door. Going closer, he read the notice.
"On the occasion of Ching Kun's daughter's upcoming wedding, all things sold will be at half price…"
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Shu Fang…
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He clenched his fist. Then let go and sighed. What is wrong with you! A voice inside his head scolded. Just go over to her home and ASK for her hand in marriage! Is THAT so hard?! You love her, don't you?! You sound as pathetic as…Shang! When he was with Mulan anyway. That made him remember something.
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"How can I do this?"
"You love her." answered his friend in such a simple tone that Shang felt irritated.
"I know that. But…"
"I repeat, you love her. And that should be enough to make you ride straight to her home and ask her to marry you."
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Then, all of a sudden, something jumped at Xin Soong.
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It is sometimes a flower that softens even the emperor's heart. Particularly one that blooms in winter.
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There had to be a reason why she said that. It's got to have something to do with me, he thought. Me, Shu Fang…Shang, Ling, Yao, Chien Po…wait…flower means girl. What girl?! Shu Fang?
He groaned and smacked his forehead with his hand. Think! Think! The Gang of Three's girls? No…Shu Fang? What has she got to do with the emperor…
His eyes widened suddenly and a shaky grin covered his face.
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The emperor! That's it! Why didn't I think of this before?!
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He ran straight back to the Li home and told his friends his plans.
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Days passed and Shu Fang had not seen even the Gang of Three's, Shang or Xin Soong's shadow. However, she kept up hope. After all, he was here and he would come. Right? So, she carried on with the preparations more calmly than before, feeling that it was all a joke since Xin Soong would come for her. Her family thought she had finally cheered up from whatever was pulling her down. Lei was rather suspicious but he shrugged it off. After all, if his sister was happy, then he'd leave the matter alone. But, time passes quickly and Shu Fang began to feel worried all over again.
The day before the eve of her wedding day arrived. Xin Soong, she thought desperately. Where are you? She went out into the garden, a scary thought that she'd been refusing to think, echoing at her. What if he wouldn't come?
"No. Don't think that. He will come. You must have faith." She murmured to herself, feeling the texture of a flower petal.
"The flower pales by comparison, fair lady."
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Xin Soong?!
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She spun around and was dreadfully disappointed. "Lung Yin…good afternoon. What brings you here?"
The man, of a fair complexion and neatly tied black hair smiled, resembling a very hungry shark spotting its' prey. "I came to discuss some last minute details with your father. Now that we're about to be married, I wanted to make sure everything was going to plan."
Shu Fang resisted running. "I see."
"I've planned some names for the three boys you're going to have."
Her eyes bugged. "Three…boys. Lung Yin, we're not even married yet. And you're picking out names?"
"Why shouldn't I? After all, my last two wives bore more than just one son. I expect you to do the same."
Fire that even Lung Yin could not ignore burned in Shu Fang's eyes. "Really. And if I should have a girl? Or no children at all?"
Lung Yin raised an eyebrow. "Then, you have not reached my expectations. Or filled my wants. Isn't it a wife's duty to satisfy her husband?"
It was not so much of a question but a statement. It angered Shu Fang greatly.
"And is it not a husband's duty to take care of his wife's feelings?!" She burst out, his last question being the last straw. "You had no respect for me or any of the women in my family when we were children. You have not changed, Lung Yin. I'm at a point where I don't care whether you torture me after we're married. I just want you to know something. I never, in my entire life, no matter WHAT my family says, loved you. I didn't like you from the start."
Lung Yin looked outraged. He raised his hand and his palm hit Shu Fang's cheek at such an impact, she fell to the ground. Instead of crying like Lung Yin expected, Shu Fang just took a deep breath and got to her feet again, her hand softly stroking her cheek, trying to reduce the sting.
"I can see this has not gone our way. But I will have you for my third wife."
He stalked off. Shu Fang walked back into her room, a single tear running down the cheek he had hit. She looked at her dressing table and saw the rose she had gotten so many days ago. It had not wilted, nor faded. Instead, it was the same. She picked it up and looked at it for a while. It seemed to tell Shu Fang not to lose trust in Xin Soong. Not to lose faith in love.
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As long as that rose doesn't wilt, I won't give up hope on Xin Soong.
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But please…hurry.