Chapter 4

It took a couple of months to fall into a reasonable routine. Jing gave Hua five trusted ladies in waiting, three geese, and two pigs. In the morning some of Hua's servants would prepare suggested outfits for the day while others prepared breakfast. Hua always ate breakfast before getting dressed as her ladies-in-waiting quickly learned. After breakfast Hua would go for a walk in the courtyard to enjoy the fresh morning air. Occasionally Hua would run into Ai on the garden trail. Sometimes Ai would be harmless playing with her ladies-in-waiting and other times Ai would be acting the opposite of innocent. Hua has joined in on the mischief a handful of times to build a bond with the younger peahen. Many times, Hua had a hard time understanding that this girl was considered an adult in the eyes of her peers. Eventually, she just came to accept that Ai simply had the heart of a child.

By midday Hua would find Jing and would attempt to beat her in a round of chess. So far Jing has yet to lose when playing against Hua. While they played Hua would share stories of her youth. Jing would share stories about the latest palace gossip. Hua did notice that none of her sister-wives seemed too keen on speaking about their youth. And talking about their families almost seemed taboo. Even Genji only gave false praises by gloating about her family heritage. But that is about as far as it gets. No one's childhood was mentioned during Hua's time there.

Once it was an appropriate time to leave, Hua would find herself strolling in the garden again. Most of the time Hua would find herself singing small lullabies on these walks. Maybe it was because she noticed the guards seemed to enjoy her singing voice. Or maybe it was simply because it made her feel less alone in these moments.

Lord Shen has not called for her once since bringing her to his palace. Even Jing seemed startled by his lack of action towards his new wife. Genji rubbed it in Hua's face any chance she got. Hua originally wasn't too concerned about it in the beginning. However, with each passing day her feathers grew more ruffled with anxious anticipation. She knew how chicks were made. Hua's mother gave her a booklet before she left with Lord Shen. Putting it lightly it was a blunt booklet on what men expected from their wives during conception. Hua's cheeks grew hot reading it and proceeded to burn it after she unintentionally memorized its contents. And now she lived day by day wondering what husband neglects his duties towards his new wife.

"Horrible man." Hua eventually muttered behind her sleeve.

After her walk, Hua would venture back to her room to practice the erhu. Ai would also join her at times for these sessions to play the pipa. Sometimes they would create the most beautiful of melodies. But most of the time they would end up goofing off seeing who could play the most annoying note. After these music sessions, it was required for the wives to have dinner together every night. It was not something they looked forward to attending. But it was supposed to give the illusion of harmony within the Lord's family. So, to an uncomfortable dinner, they would go. As usual Jing and Genji arrived first while Hua and Ai normally raced for last to the table. Jing usually changed into a light and simplistic outfit while Genji would again wear some of her most elaborate outfits. Depending on how late Ai and Hua were decided on what they would be wearing to dinner. Which meant most of the time they didn't change their outfits.

After these unpleasant dinners, the wives would return to their rooms. If a guard was found standing by one of their bedroom doors it was a silent command that their Lord wanted their company for the night. The guard would give the chosen wife time to prepare before being escorted to their Lord's chambers. And as the night passes into morning the chosen wife always awakes alone in the Lord's bed. Lord Shen lived by a strict schedule that he did not bend for anybody. And while the city slept cause the sun would not rise for another hour Lord Shen would be practicing his martial arts in his private yard. No wife was permitted to wait in Lord Shen's room after the awoken. They were to be escorted out of the room as soon as Lord Shen finished his morning routine. After arriving back at their room, the routine for the wives would start all over again. Hua, however, never experienced Lord Shen's bedroom. So, she didn't know the ridicule of being nothing more than Lord Shen's personal whore…yet.

Again, Hua found herself walking the annex garden again. Today a servant mentioned that rain was expected. Hua opted to carry her own umbrella as she enjoyed this time alone from time to time. Ai was nowhere to be found and Jing seemed under the weather so there were no visitors to be expected. However, that wasn't the main problem for Hua now.

"I'm lost."

It was a bitter declaration for her to make.

Hua seemed so lost in thought she hadn't noticed wandering off from her normal trail in the garden. This new garden she was in wasn't well kept. It appeared to have been neglected for some time. Walking further into the garden Hua eventually found a clearing with a stone figure in the middle. Curiosity gave Hua the courage to venture closer for inspection. But the sound of metal steps stopped Hua in her tracks.

Lord Shen appeared from the brush of what seemed to be a well-worn path. The dark sky concealed his features leaving Hua in mystery to his current emotion. But it also hid Hua's presence in the brush. Which she considered a blessing since she wasn't supposed to be outside of the annex grounds without permission or a guard.

"Mother."

Hua had to cover her mouth to prevent the gasp that threatened to leave her throat. Immediately Hua figured that this garden belonged to the previous madam of Gongmen City, Lord Shen's mother. And that the stone figure resting in the clearing seemed to be of her ladyship. But the question as to why Lord Shen, who despised his parents, had allowed this place to still exist left Hua in even more confusion. However, Hua could feel the emotion change in the air when rain drops began to silently fall from the sky.

Lord Shen made no effort to move from where he stood. He had no idea what it was that brought him here today. Maybe it was the rain or the fact he couldn't see Hua, or any of his wives, from the balcony. Shen assumed they retreated to their chambers for the day with the incoming threat of rain. And with no wife to entertain him, Lord Shen found himself looking to the old garden his father had given to his mother. It was a gift for her success in laying a fertile egg. Shen's father loved his wife so greatly that he even paid for an artisan to create a stone statue of his wife to stand erect in the middle of the garden. During Lord Shen's youth, he often retreated to the garden when he wanted to avoid his studies. As if by some invisible force Lord Shen found himself walking the same path, he used to take to avoid his father's guards. A small smile even crossed his face as he remembered his mother helping him hide in her garden from time to time. Lost in his memories Lord Shen found himself face to face with the same garden statue. He couldn't bring himself to bow respectfully to his mother's memory. Lord Shen could only acknowledge her existence and nothing more. He didn't even feel the cold rain as it slowly rolled down his feathers and soaked his finest clothes. For a single moment, everything felt pointless and had no meaning.

Shen didn't know how long he had stood there before the familiar cold pattern of rain hitting his flesh stopped abruptly. Instinct kicked in immediately forcing Shen to grab his feather blade and point it in the direction of the perceived threat.

"AH!"

Lord Shen stared at the frightened peacock that stood before him. She was clutching an opened umbrella in her grasp. The sight almost appeared humorous to the peacock lord.

"Hua?"

Hua looked between the tip of the blade and the questioning stare of her lord. She messed up, she knew she messed up, but how could she ignore her husband who appeared to be in pain?

"You'll…you'll catch a cold. China can't afford to lose its Lord to a cold."

Shen eventually stood straight but did not yield his weapon.

"Why are you here?"

Hua paused before answering.

"Because I choose to be your wife."

That wasn't the answer to the question he asked. But it was the answer to the question he wanted.

"I'm sorry for trespassing my lord."

It was at that apology Lord Shen finally put away his weapon and reached out for the umbrella Hua was desperately holding onto.

"Do you like this garden?"

He stepped closer to Hua, so the umbrella covered both from the cold rain.

"It may look like nothing now. but I believe it has potential, My Lord."

"Potential?"

"Everything has potential when given enough time and care."

Shen hummed in agreement before turning in the direction of his palace.

"Come."

Hua obeyed and stayed by her lord's side as he began walking back to the palace. She tried her best to calm her pounding heart the closer the palace came in sight. Hua could only hope Lord Shen didn't notice her nerves.

Lord Shen immediately noticed her nerves. He knew he was to blame for it. He ignored her for a while and made her unsettled by his neglect. But every time he thought about calling her to his bedroom, he would end up calling Genji or Jing instead. Something always stopped him from bringing her into his chambers. Lord Shen did not care for the emotion that made him hesitate. So, in this moment of numb emotions, Lord Shen personally decided to escort her to his room.

Hua didn't have time to admire the decorations of the inner palace. Or take notice of the stares that many court officials sent their way. All she could think about was how as soon as they reached the palace steps Lord Shen did not send her back to the annex.

"My Lord?"

"I'm wet I need someone to dry my feathers."

Hua immediately felt her cheeks grow hot again. It was an innocent response with no hidden meaning. Or at least it appeared to have no hidden meaning. Hua wasn't so sure when Shen gave her an innocent smile. Lord Shen was many things, but innocent wasn't one of them.

Reaching his room, attendants stood at every corner waiting for their master's command.

"Bring me a towel."

"Yes, My Lord."

Hua flinched at the loud response in unison from the attendants. Attendants began to prepare Lord Shen a change of clothes, warmed his bath water, and the senior attendant approached with a towel.

"Shall I escort Miss Hua back to the annex my lord?"

"No. leave us."

Immediately all attendants stopped what they were doing and left the room. The two gorilla guards closed the doors to Lord Shen's chambers with haste. Hua was left standing confused holding the attendant's towel for Lord Shen.

"I won't get dry by you just standing there."

"S-sorry!"

Hua mentally criticized herself before hesitantly approaching Lord Shen. The said lord had sat himself at his chess table impatiently waiting for Hua.

Placing herself behind her lord Hua tentatively began drying Lord Shen's wet feathers. At first her motions were rigged and stiff but eventually she eased into the care of Lord Shen. Once he was fully dried Hua began to take a step back only for Lord Shen to grab hold of her wrist. No word was uttered between the two except for the burning lust in Lord Shen's eye. Hua stood frozen under the command of that look. Something akin to a fire swirled in her stomach. Pulling her gently to stand before him, Lord Shen pulled Hua onto his lap. Totally ensnared with his feral beauty, Hua remained obedient to Lord Shen's will. And that is when Lord Shen finally took Hua's first kiss. It was sloppy at first much to his amusement. But she eventually matched the rhythm he was setting for them. As they traded kisses Lord Shen grew impatient and began to undress his wife. Hua did not refute him as her burning desire only began to grow with each touch he made against her. Soon Hua found herself disrobing Lord Shen as well. And when both held onto each other, bare as the day they were born, Hua finally felt like a wife.

It was a long day with an even more passionate night that followed. Lord Shen only allowed her breaks to dine with him. Even when they bathed together Hua was not safe from Lord Shen's teasing. At first, she assumed that once he had his fill, Lord Shen would order her to go back to the annex. Instead, the two albinos began sharing similar stories of their youth between their bedroom escapades. Lord Shen enjoyed hearing Hua's stories of outmaneuvering her enemies. While Hua wanted to hear more and more about Lord Shen's travels during his banishment. At one point they even enjoyed a round of chess together. Lord Shen won as Hua wasn't one for planning more than two steps ahead in her strategy. When night came and Lord Shen finally allowed Hua to sleep in peace, he realized that the annoying unknown feeling was no longer present. Instead, he felt a sense of connection and harmony with Hua. Eventually, he too came to fall under the spell of sleep.

Hua was prepared mentally for the morning humiliation when she opened her eyes. However, Lord Shen was still in the room reading over some documents at a nearby desk.

"My…Lord?"

"You should get some more sleep if you are tired."

"But-I…you-"

Lord Shen could practically read her mind as she stared at him confused. Why did he stay with her in the morning? Lord Shen wasn't sure if he knew the answer. Maybe it was because Hua was a wife he trusted not to stab him in his sleep. Or maybe it was because he felt a sense of guilt at making her put up with him for an extended amount of time. Lord Shen simply did not know the answer to his own actions. So, he opted to do something more mundane as a response.

"Can a man not choose to stay in his room after enjoying his wife's company?"

He was teasing her. Lord Shen was teasing the confused Hua. His wife continued to stare at him dumbfounded for a moment. Then Hua giggled at the absurdity of his answer. In Hua's mind, the reason her Lord stayed must have been merely because he took her to bed unexpectedly. It was nothing more than an attempt to save her from more embarrassment. However, now she was in the predicament of being the only naked person in Lord Shen's chambers. And the way he continued to watch Hua made her fear that she was going to make it back to the annex in time for lunch.

Lord Shen eventually allowed her to get dressed, with minor incidents and had one of his guards escort her back to the annex. No more words were exchanged between the two. But Hua wasn't sure if she would have heard it anyway compared to the sweet whispers he uttered in her ear throughout their escapades. Hua was officially Lord Shen's wife according to Jing's words. And Hua could not feel any happier knowing Lord Shen did indeed have some emotion towards her. Even if that emotion was purely possession, it solidified her position in the annex.