Girl with Flying Weapons

by Aya Ling

  Fang sighed. He placed a hand on her arm. "Lynn… the emperor has made you an offer of marriage."

  "What?" Lynn's eyes were round like saucers. "I'm to become a concubine in his… his harem?"

  "No! It's not like that! He has arranged a marriage for you. The groom is the Hwa-Lu governor's eldest son."

  Lynn stared. She got off the swing and walked away.

  "Sister!" Fang went after her and caught her arm. "Lynn, I know this is a huge shock for you, but it's the imperial command…"

  She turned around, and he was pained to see tears brimming in her beautiful eyes.

  "I know, I know, there's nothing we can do," she said, wiping her face fiercely. "It's just so sudden. I've always thought that Father would allow me several candidates to choose from, but now I have no choice. I have to do what the emperor says. It's all because of the stupid peace they're trying to maintain between districts, I suppose?"

  "It is." Fang took her hand in his. "I'll do my best to help you, sis. I can't revoke the decree, but I can accompany you to District Hwa-Lu. Father would likely want one of us to go with you, so it might as well be me. I'll meet your future husband before the ceremony and make sure that he'll treat you well."

  But he didn't sound very convincing. It was quite possible that the groom would be a good-for-nothing, like Magistrate Ho's despicable son. He might possess a bad temper, be fond of drinking and gambling, or even have a violent nature. But it was the emperor's order. There was nothing they could do.

  TWENTY SEVEN

  "Golden Lotus, can you hang up the clothes for me? I've already finished washing this load."

  Hong set a basket of freshly washed laundry on the stone-paved ground.

  "What's the hurry?" Golden Lotus asked. "Are you going to Old Man Liu's again?"

  "No. I am going to see Young Master Fang. The robe you've been talking about… may I borrow it?"

  "Oh! Of course, go right ahead! It's in the trunk under my bed." Golden Lotus reached out and patted Hong's arm. "So you've finally come to your senses?"

  Hong blushed.

  "Ah… getting shy, aren't we? Honestly, I don't see what you have to be nervous about. Shu-Mo said that Young Master has liked you since you were childhood friends. It's about time, I'd say."

  About time to leave, in fact. Now that the murderer had been found, she should not stay any longer. Old Man Liu was planning to fabricate a story of another lute master who lived in Hwa-Lu District, so she could leave the Shue household and go to Hwa-Lu in search of the Lost Manual. Shue Song had promised that he would honour whatever decision she made.

  Still… a pang of frustration and pain gnawed at her mind. Even though she had been mentally preparing herself for the eventual separation, she found it difficult to simply go and bid her young master goodbye. But it had to be done.

  The robe that Golden Lotus wanted to lend her was elegant and lovely—pale yellow upper sleeves, apple-green skirt, and a flowing white sash that almost fell to the floor. It was more revealing than the dark blue robe she used to wear every day, but since Golden Lotus used to say the cut of her robe resembled a nun's, any other outfit would be easily considered spicier.

  She applied a light layer of scented cream, re-painted her eyebrows, and inserted a single jade hair pin in her hair. No other ornament—she wanted to look nice, but not too dressed up.

  Hong picked up her lute and headed for the garden.

  She was slightly surprised to see Fang with his sister, instead of spending his time with his elder brothers or sparring with the soldiers. Lynn seemed to be upset about something, and Fang had his arm around her shoulders, obviously trying to comfort her.

  Hong wondered if she should go back. But when she paused, Fang happened to lift his head.

  "Hong? Are you going to Old Man Liu's?"

  "I…" Hong swallowed. "Welcome home, Master Fang. I thought I'd play one song, if you weren't busy…"

  Fang started. It was the first time she had volunteered to play for him.

  "But of course," Lynn said, rising from the bench. "I think I'd better go back to my room now. My makeup must be a mess now."

  She wiped at her face and hurried away.

  "Forgive me if I'm intruding, but is Mistress Lynn all right? She usually is so carefree."

  Fang sighed. "We just received the imperial messenger. The emperor has decreed that Lynn should marry the eldest son of the Hwa-Lu Governor."

  "Hwa-Lu?" The beggar spies had told her that Calligrapher Pai was staying at District Hwa-Lu before he returned to the city.

  "I suppose they're trying to maintain peace between the districts. We haven't heard much of the Hwa-Lu governor, but I'm going to accompany Lynn to her wedding. To make sure that her prospective groom is good enough for her."

  Fang tried to sound optimistic, but he felt his tone was falling flat. Even if the Hwa-Lu governor's son was a good-for-nothing, what could he do? The emperor's decree was the law.

  "Do not worry, Young Master," Hong said gently. "Mistress Lynn is the daughter of Master Shue. Moreover, she isn't the kind of woman who would let herself be treated badly."

  "I know." Fang rubbed his forehead. "Still, it is troubling news for her. She always thought she'd have a say in her future, but now it's decided for her." He looked at her, and something changed in his expression. "Are these… new clothes?"

  Hong blushed. "Golden Lotus kindly lent it to me. I thought… maybe a celebration… something different…"

  "You should wear this more often," Fang blurted. Hesitantly, he reached out and put his hand over hers. This time, she didn't back away, didn't shy away from his touch. Was it compassion after his imprisonment, or was she beginning to feel differently towards him?

  His heart pounding, Fang leaned closer. "Hong, would you like to…"

  A voice interrupted them. Ping, his arms crossed, strode towards the bench.

  "Fang, come here for a second. Father has returned and heard of the news."

  If Ping had invited him on a hunt, Fang would have refused. But he couldn't refuse to see his father, especially when there was the marriage decision concerning Lynn.

  "He wants all of us in the office. Now."

  Reluctantly, Fang removed his hand from Hong's and stood up.

  A few days later, Hong went to see her sifu to give an update on their search of the Lost Manual. Meng-Ting, who was newly released from prison, also dropped by with some herbal medicine. Due to the advent of autumn, Old Man Liu had developed a cold. Despite gruff protests that his cold would soon be gone, Meng-Ting wasn't reassured and insisted on bringing more medicine.

  "I have failed you, sifu. When I tried to get him to reveal where the Manual was, he chose to take his own life instead. I also searched the inn he stayed at and his old house, but nothing turned up."

  "Hmph. Did you ask the innkeeper? The other guests?"

  "I did my best. But it is hard when the inn receives numerous guests every day. I did find out that he came from District Hwa-Lu."

  "Isn't that where the governor's daughter is going?" Meng-Ting said. "It's all over the city that the emperor ordered Lady Lynn to wed the eldest son of the Hwa-Lu governor."

  "What a coincidence!" Old Man Liu said. "This wedding—you say that it takes place in District Hwa-Lu?"

  "Yes."

  "And you just said that Pai came from the same place?"

  "It is the place he went to after he was nearly beaten to death by Yao."

  "Excellent!" Old Man Liu barked. "Hong, this is your chance. You are to offer to accompany Shue's daughter to Hwa-Lu. While you are there, use the opportunity to look around. See if you can find anything on Pai."

  Hong's heart leaped. She would not have to leave the Shue family—not yet. Fang had said he was going to accompany Lynn to Hwa-Lu. She could still spend some time with him—it might make her eventual farewell more painful, but right now she didn't care.

  "But Grandpa," Meng-Ting said hesitantly. "Servant maids who accompany their l
adies are usually regarded as—er—additional concubines for the groom. It's the custom. What if the Hwa-Lu governor's son claims Hong as his?"

  "No matter." Liu was unconcerned with worldly manners. "Hong will find a way out. Right?"

  Hong bowed her head.

  "Yes, sifu."

  * * *

  Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed the book, please help other readers enjoy it too by leaving a review online. Of course, Hong's story doesn't end here. Will she find the Lost Manual at District Hwa-Lu? Can Fang make further progress in his courting Hong? To learn when the next book will be released, please sign up for my mailing list at http://www.ayaling.com.

  ~Aya~

  *If you'd like to learn about other stuff I've written, including a FREE book, please turn to the next page—>

  ~PRINCESSES DON'T GET FAT~

  A fairy tale romance with a plus-sized heroine and plenty of dessert.

  Princess Valeria of Amaranta is fat, but she doesn't care. All she wants to do is to eat and lead an idle life. When it becomes apparent she cannot get a husband, her mother decides to send her to the Royal Riviera Academy of Fighting Arts. For a chubby princess who has never picked up a sword, life at the Academy is torture. Worst of all, the food is terrible.

  Valeria decides to improve Rivieran cuisine by sneaking into the palace kitchens and offering her expertise, never expecting the crown prince would take interest in her kitchen excursions. As they spend more time together, the princess must decide whether she should become thin or stay in the kitchens with her beloved food and remain fat.

  *Princesses Don't Get Fat is currently FREE at most online vendors. Visit my website for more information!

  ~PRINCESSES DON'T FIGHT IN SKIRTS~

  Who says a girl can't wear a dress and wield a sword?

  It has become fashionable now for princesses to run away and seek adventure. Princess Arianna of Linderall, however, is willing to stay home and be proper. She screams when she sees spiders, enjoys sewing and dancing, and always looks at her reflection first thing in the morning.

  What happens when her great aunt, the first woman warrior in history, decides that Ari is too "traditional" and sends her off to the Royal Rivieran Academy of Fighting Arts? Can she survive the vigorous physical training and earn the respect of her peers? Moreover, can she attract the attention of a prince even when she's forced to relinquish makeup and dresses during training?

  ABOUT ME

  Aya is from Taiwan, where she struggles daily to contain her obsession with mouthwatering and unhealthy foods. Often she will devour a good book instead. Her favourite books include martial arts romances, fairy tale retellings, high fantasy, cozy mysteries, and manga. Visit her website for more information.

  As a native Mandarin speaker, she has also created a series of Chinese vocabulary flashcards under the name of Tina Ling. If you, or someone you know, happen to be learning traditional Chinese characters, check them out at Tina's website here!