Chapter 6
Hua showed a new glow after becoming a mother. De brought out a new side of confidence and determination. Lord Shen admired this development about Hua. He didn't yet have a strong attachment to his son. Jing says it's normal for the father to provide and protect while the mother cares and nurtures. Lord Shen was pretty sure that he just didn't care for his son's existence. If he didn't need an heir Lord Shen would have been content with his life and his four wives. But De was here now, and Hua was ecstatic by his existence.
"My Lord?"
Genji had found herself in a predicament. She was losing favor with Lord Shen and the insignificant Hua had birthed Lord Shen's first heir. Now her father was sending in family aid that Genji would have preferred would mind their own business.
"What is it?"
Lord Shen barely acknowledged Genji's presence. His eyes were trained on Jing and Hua who had a young De walking back and forth between them. The child was still too young to show any proper plumage. But Lord Shen had a suspicion that De might be an albino as well. The idea came when the chick opened his eyes for the first time. Lord Shen was informed immediately about De's blood-red eyes. Now he just needed to wait and see if the fresh white downy feathers would stay white. Then Lord Shen would be certain that his heir was an albino as well.
But for now, Lord Shen would have to wait, observe, and deal with whatever nonsense Genji wanted to bring to his attention.
"My father isn't well."
"Is that so?"
Shen thought for a moment, wondering if he had read a report somewhere saying Genji's father was indeed ill.
"Yes, My Lord. My father requests that my younger sister be allowed to visit for a short while."
"Your sister?"
"Yes, My Lord."
Shen hummed in thought. He already could smell the plot Genji's father was playing. But he also didn't see the harm in letting Genji's father have his way... for now.
"I don't have a problem with that. Send your father my condolences."
Lord Shen began to walk away from Genji and her somber mood.
"Yes, My Lord."
Genji was timid in this exchange. She wasn't her normal brash and demanding self. And she hadn't sought out Lord Shen's affection since the birth of De.
Shen wasn't a big fan of this development. When Genji isn't causing problems, someone else will pick up her slack.
"Say hi to your father."
Lord Shen turned his head abruptly at the sound of Hua's voice. He saw Jing hiding a smile behind her sleeve while Hua encouraged their son De to wave in his direction. The young chick smiled aimlessly as his mother guided his hand to wave in Lord Shen's direction. The scene is what many would call endearing and memorable. Lord Shen, however, simply saw a mother aiding her son in basic motor skills.
"How…cute?"
Lord Shen walked off not bothering to wave back at Hua and De. He needed to prepare for Genji's sister's arrival.
It took a month for this new peahen to arrive. No separate room was prepared for her as she was blood-related to Genji. She was roughly the same age as Genji with similar features. Her feathers mainly contained pink that then transitioned into a pale red. Genji's sister also inherited the liquid gold eyes that seemed to run in her family genetics.
"Greetings, Lord Shen. I am Min."
Lord Shen was sitting on his throne when he received Min. Her revealing attire left little to the imagination. Lord Shen could only look at her in amusement. Genji's family's intentions were clear as day. Breed this daughter instead of the one who couldn't give him one egg. And when she carries a son make him your successor instead of Hua's son. It was all laughable.
"Welcome to Gongmen City." Lord Shen, however, decided to play along for now. "I hope your father is well."
"He is sick in bed now but was most pleased when he heard of your regards."
Lord Shen's feathers bristled when Min didn't keep her gaze down. She blatantly gave him a flirtatious look of desire. Even Genji wasn't this blatant in the beginning.
"Yes…well. My servants will escort you to your quarters. Please enjoy your time here as your father recovers."
Min stared after the albino warlord in utter dismay. No one has refuted her so easily before. But a new challenge was welcomed amongst the normal responses she got from her flirtatious looks.
"This way, Miss Min."
A servant led Min to the annex post haste. The newcomer gave off troubling vibes that the servant didn't want to take part in.
Arriving at the annex Genji waited near the doors to receive her sister. No one had approached Genji in fear of her rising temper that peaked the day prior. Today, however, she was a tired peahen with countless worries. And the sight of her approaching sister made Genji deflate even more.
"Genji!"
It was such a fake greeting.
"Min."
At least Genji remained true to herself.
"Such a cold greeting to your little sister, Genji."
Genji ignored her sister's crocodile tears. A common tactic that Min used regularly in their youth. A useless weapon to use in their maturity.
"I'll show you your room."
Min glared at her elder sister. It was no secret that the sisters disdained each other. Neither were born from the madam of the house. They grew up fighting for their father's approval. When Genji was chosen as the daughter to bear Lord Shen's heir Min threw a tantrum worthy of the history books. But when their father received word that a nobody had given Lord Shen a son instead of Genji, Min jumped at the opportunity.
"My temporary room you mean?"
It was such an innocent question on the surface. But Genji knew better from playing the same tactic on others. What Min really meant was 'Your room will become mine when I bear Lord Shen an heir. That temporary room will soon be emptied as you are sent back home." And probably a few vulgar thoughts are thrown in too.
"Yes. Your temporary room for when Father is well again."
Genji's response seemed innocent as well. However, Min also knew how to read Genji's words. What Genji meant was 'You will be sent home when Lord Shen ignores you and only sees you for the harlot you are. When you don't lay an egg Father will send you back home before you have the chance to pull a scheme.' With a few vulgar words to match Min's imaginary ones.
Once they reached the room Min would be staying in, the servants ran away in desperation. The two sisters found themselves alone for the first time since reuniting. Immediately the fake friendly smiles disappeared, and disdain immediately appeared on their features.
"Why is it so hot here?"
Min complained while placing herself on the edge of the bed.
"It only feels hot because of your cold blood."
"Bitch."
"Whore."
"Why are you even acting so high and mighty? You failed the family. Some little miss nobody gave birth to the first male heir! Did you really think that would go unnoticed at home?"
"I have a plan. The letters I sent told our father about my plan."
"Have you become a comedian? Father believing what you write. Such a comedic thought."
"Either way I have a plan. Your presence is just going to mess it up."
"How about you stick to your plan and I-" Min leaned forward in a flirtatious manner."-I will stick to mine."
"Harlot."
Genji insulted her sister one last time before exiting the room. Min could only smile viciously to herself. Once a minute had passed with no trespassers Min reached into a pocket hidden in her gown. Slowly and delicately a small vial filled with a clear liquid appeared in Min's grasp.
"I'll make sure Lord Shen can't ignore me."
The sound of a child's laughter made Min quickly hide the vial. The child's laughter was faint as it was annoying. Min left her room to find the sound of the incessant laugh.
Min eventually found herself walking down a hallway to one of Lord Shen's wives' rooms. Two gorillas stood guard at the entryway. They paid her little to no mind when she approached. Only when she peaked inwards did the gorillas react by blocking Min's view.
"Oopsie. My bad boys." Min acted playfully to hopefully lower their guard.
It didn't work.
Min accepted the loss and began to walk off the way she came. Once she reached the end of the hall Min had to pause at the sound of a new voice.
"Why won't you hold him?"
It was the commoner wife with a baby white chick wrapped around her neck. She smiled happily at Lord Shen. He returned her smile with a bored expression.
"What could I possibly gain by carrying him?"
"Admiration?"
"No."
It was a playful banter that one would witness between an adoring couple. Lord Shen waited for Hua to place his heir in the arms of one of her servants before guiding her out of the annex. Once she did, Lord Shen offered his arm to Hua so he could escort her. Hua accepted it happily. She was already brimming with joy from De's mere existence and now Lord Shen said he had a gift to give her. Lord Shen also choosing to personally escort her had Hua walking on air.
Min made it a point to hide herself from their view. She needed more information on Lord Shen's favorite wife.
One Gorilla guard followed the couple while the other stayed to protect young De. This made it difficult for Min to eavesdrop on their conversation. Any time she got too close the gorilla guard was alerted by her presence. Eventually, Min just opted to follow and see where Lord Shen was taking Hua.
Lord Shen told Hua very little on their walk. Hua didn't mind and simply enjoyed the journey with her husband. Soon, however, Hua noticed that the direction Lord Shen led them to the late madam's garden.
"My Lord?"
"Shush."
Immediately Hua went quiet at her husband's command. As usual, her obedience pleased Lord Shen.
Leading them to the center of the garden Lord Shen gestured for the gorilla guard to give them space. Once the guard backed off from the couple Lord Shen led Hua to his mother's statue. Once they stood in the shadow of the statue, a cool breeze passed over the two before Lord Shen spoke.
"My father gifted this garden to my mother. I neither have the passion to tear it down nor the care to make it splendid as it once was."
Hua took a moment to observe the surroundings. It was overgrown, unkept, and any flower that once bloomed there had long since died out. Hua, however, could see the great care that was once put into this garden. Old decorations hung from the trees, birdhouses were posted into the ground, and elegant stonework lined the garden pathways. Everything was worn, torn, and needed intense repair. But Hua could see the potential for what the garden was and what it could be.
"However, since taking you as my wife you have done what neither Jing, Genji, nor Ai have done. You have successfully given me an heir, a son. Such a feat deserves a reward. This garden is now under your authority."
"My Lord?"
Hua was shocked to be given such a gift. This is a sense of property ownership within her Lord's domain. Wives are gifted items such as jewelry, perfume, and clothes to claim as their own. They cannot claim the house, the children, the servants, let alone property for themselves. The only person who has the right to these items is the madam of the house. Hua was not the madam of the house. Jing acted as one without complaint from Lord Shen. So why wasn't Jing gifted property instead of Hua?
"You will be given an allowance for the upkeep of this garden and the servants employed to this garden will be under your command. Jing will help you sort out the payroll."
Lord Shen stated these things so matter of fact that Hua couldn't find a moment to even try and refuse. Only once Lord Shen faced Hua and pulled her into his warmth did Hua respond.
"Thank, My Lord."
As usual, only Hua knew how to respond correctly to Lord Shen.
Min couldn't catch the entire conversation with the gorilla guard keeping watch. But was able to discern that Lord Shen didn't know what was considered an appropriate gift for a wife of Hua's standing. And that she would have to work quickly to put her plan into action.