EDITED

Ru Ying Sui Xing – Chapter 2 – Reason

Father lifted his glass of wine. "You should know this, and that's why I expect you to act as feminine as possible!"

He and I sat down. I folded my arms. "Father, you should know that I have no female role model! Remember? Mother died like fifteen years ago!"

Father sighed. "Never mind. Hey, are you going to answer my question?"

I looked over at father, confused. "What question?"

"The question about young Zhuge. Do you find him in any way attractive?"

I turned red directly. Where does father get the nerve annoy me so? "Father! No!" Father eyed me. "Maybe..." Father shook his head and chuckled. "Alright, alright! I do! He's cute, but that's ALL! Happy?"

"So it is as I expected."

"Expected? How did you know?"

He tapped his head. "Call it male instincts. If that's even possible."

"It's not." I solved. "No man has instincts."

He scoffed. "Fine. You are just like your mother, as I recall days with her. So, do you wish to finish your conversation with the young Zhuge?"

I got up. "The man seems nice. Perhaps."

"I thought you said he was just a boy, Ying." Father reminded.

"I suppose not. I mean, he actually has...I mean...Looks can be deceiving. He has to learn that about me too."

"So are you ready?"

"Of course."

Zhuge fanned himself. I heard the sound of feathers as I waited outside. Father entered the main room. "Young Zhuge!" He began. Young sounds better than noble I guess. "Give my daughter a second chance. This is her – Huang Yue Ying."

I stepped out from the hallway and into the room. "Zhuge Ling," I bowed.

"Liang." Corrected father and Zhuge.

"Zhuge Liang," I said. "Forgive me. So which of the three kingdoms do you stand for more?"

He patted the seat next to him. "I live in Shu, and I shall serve Shu."

I just realized how peaceful and wonderful his voice was at this point. The way he spoke – I love it.

Three Hours Later

Father held a platter filled with goodies and cookies when he entered the main room. Zhuge Liang and me were exchanging stories filled with laughter, horror, suspense, romance, and drama, basically all of what you can think of.

"Excuse me," he said to Liang. "Ying you didn't get a chance to eat dinner. If you are hungry, here are a few treats for you. For the both of you."

He winked at me and left.

I sank back in my seat. Liang's eye twitched. "Your father's embarrassing you, no?"

I glanced at him and grabbed a cookie. "Yes, I suppose so. Hungry?" I offered, holding the platter up to him. "No, I'm more of an earning person than a receiving one."

I was surprised by his words. He hadn't made a remark on my appearances yet, so he's modest. "So what do you do for a living, Zhuge Liang?"

"Miss Huang, me and younger brother Zhuge Jun are farmers."

This was new. "Wait! Father said that you wanted to take over your father's position of minister!" Zhuge Liang shook his head. "I know your father. If I had said I was a farmer, he wouldn't have allowed me to meet you Miss Huang."

He glanced outside the window. "My, it's getting late. I should be getting home now." He grabbed a cookie. "Do you mind? I am a little hungry actually."

I shook my head. "No. Help yourself." Zhuge chuckled and grabbed a cookie. "You know, I've always found that phrase offensive." I tilted my head. "Really? How?" He answered, "Well, it implies that you are literally helping yourself, no one to assist you if you encounter problems." I giggled. "You are very sophisticated, Zhuge Liang."

"We've known each other for three hours. I asked for your hand in marriage. Please call me Liang, Miss Huang." He threw the cookie into his mouth.

"Okay then. You can call me 'Ying'."

Liang shook his head. "Miss Huang. You outrank me. You are with the high class, second to emperors and ministers. Me? I'm just a peasant; a farmer."

I got up. I call him Liang but he calls me Miss Huang. I had to think of something, because he seems decent and if I get married to him, we have to start on a first name basis. "But still! I'm a girl! You-"

"You are not a girl anymore, Miss Huang. You are a woman. Anyways, laws are too sexist these days. I told you already, you outrank me."

I hesitated. "When will I see you again?"

"Next week, at your house. I want to show you something."

Next week. Why did that seem so far?