My King of Flowers

CHAPTER EIGHT

Before she left her home, Danni prepared her one last talisman for a safe journey. While Yinuo appreciated the gesture, she initially resisted taking the token before he pressed it into her hands and said even if the journey wasn’t far, she still deserved protection on the road. Uncle Gao’s house sat at the edge of the town, within walking distance, but her brother Ruijian met her at the gate with a carriage while her father looked on as if just another task were being completed.

That was two days ago; today, she woke up beside her cousin Taomei, wheezing in her sleep, the only reprieve she got from the blabbermouth. Don’t misplace her affection; Yinuo loved her cousin and brushed a strand of hair from Taomei’s mouth. She’d always wanted a sister, but each pregnancy her mother borne had been a boy; first Ruijian, then Mingdan, Sile, and even the one they buried had been male. Her parents must have done many good deeds in their past lives to have had so many sons. And it bothered her slightly that she had this desire to connect with Danbei’s bride, Lei Xing, knowing full well that after her own marriage, she would probably see the woman once a year. Daughters are like water; they disappear. At least, that’s what Nainai said, and she’d had six sisters and one brother.

With that unpleasant thought, she quickly got ready for the morning. Eager to get to Lei Xing’s house to meet her mother and help her future sister-in-law dress. She was excited, bustling even, grabbing a pomegranate from the bowl of fruit on the table. Carefully packing up some final supplies, she made her way towards the main gate. The sun hadn’t risen in the sky, and overcast clouds lingered around them. A storm was coming, and she ignored the twinge in her leg.

“Miss, where are you going?” a maid called to her, carrying a vase.

“I need to meet my mother at General Lei’s. Where is the carriage?” she explained.

The woman cocked her head and then shook it. “There were no instructions about leaving so early. Please, go back to bed. Master Gao is not expected at the wedding until the afternoon.”

“I have to go! I can’t miss my brother’s wedding! I have to help—”

“Yi’er,” her uncle’s grim voice called from the main house, still with sleep in his eyes.

“Uncle! Have them prepare me a carriage. I have to meet—”

“No,” he stated in an obsolete tone that stunned Yinuo as if she had been struck. “We are not leaving, and you are excused from the familial obligations, child.”

“Uncle!”

“What is this disrespect!”

“Has Ruijian left! My family would not exclude me from this important role.”

“Your mother asked me to protect you. You’re staying on the grounds until we leave,” he ordered. A guard grabbed her arm, and she yanked herself free of him.

“How dare you,” she retorted at him. “Uncle, please,” she begged him.

“Bring her back to Taomei’s room,” he ordered again, brushing her off and returning to his room. Every instinct told her to run, but instead, a flurry of pink lunged at her, catching her arm. Taomei’s pleading eyes grasped her shoulders.

“Come, jiejie! We’ll have breakfast together!” Taomei said urgently, looking towards the guards. “No need to be rough with her. I’ll make sure she doesn’t leave.”

“What is this about Taomei?” Yinuo asked.

She pressed her finger to Yinuo’s lips, “Sh.” Taomei dragged her back to her room, and as the door slid shut, two shadows guarded them.

“What is going on?” she asked.

“Father has the best intentions, jiejie!” Taomei said.

“What do you know, Taomei?” Yinuo leaned into her. One of the perks of being a gossip meant that she couldn’t keep a secret either. Yinuo leaned in as Taomei’s face flitted with expressions from resistance to smugness. All Yinuo had to do was slightly cant her head.

“Okay! Okay! There were more suitors!” she bleated. “A servant said they saw someone stalking you, and they didn’t want you to worry!”

“What! That’s ridiculous. I spend my life at home; who would be stalking me?” she probed to get the name of the entity. However, her family’s fears didn’t reflect her feelings towards the peaceful entity that only made her aware it watched her. Yinuo folded her arms and shook her head.

“It’s true! Jiejie!” Taomei pleaded. “There are all sorts of rumors, and I think the hostage prince has the most vile intent! They say he’s vying for a political marriage to appease the Emperor, and last week, a maid died from touching a half-written hex in his room!”

“You shouldn’t listen to such nonsense, Taomei,” Yinuo said. “I don’t care about the rumors. I am going to be a part of my brother’s wedding. I am going to make a connection with my sister-in-law.”

“Jiejie? Aren’t you terrified that someone could have ill intent because your father holds an important role in the court! What if someone is hiding among the guests to abduct or hurt you! The wedding will have so many strangers.”

“And all my family to protect me,” Yinuo stomped her foot. “If they dare to interrupt a wedding, heaven will not turn a blind eye.” Yinuo shook her head. “Meimei, I won’t be scared. My family is too important to me to be scared.”

Taomei sighed, but did not say anything else. It wasn’t until the afternoon that her uncle decided it was time for them to leave. Taomei hadn’t finished putting on her makeup, and Yinuo helped her in the carriage to avoid mistakes with the bumpy ride. The rain hadn’t come yet, but the gloom falling over them continued to approach. Taomei squeezed her hand with a reassuring smile as the carriage came to a crawl, and she jumped out in front of Yan Estate.

Yinuo climbed down, catching herself on the side, as her leg again refused to function. She smacked it gently. “Yinuo!” Danbei called to her, and she looked up to him dressed in fine red silk.

“Congratulations, Danbei. How was the parade?”

“Perfect. Is your leg okay?”

“I’m fine; don’t fuss over me!” she called back. A servant passed her the bundle of silks, and she thanked her before turning to her brother, who was busy engaging with her uncle and Taomei. Yinuo dipped away from the greeting party, passing her family and guests with smiles and purpose as she slipped into the room where her future sister-in-law had been set up. A gaggle of women surrounded a central figure, blocking Yinuo from her. She cleared her throat, and her mother, at the center, turned to see her.

“Yinuo,” she said simply, “Come greet your sister.”

The small framed woman behind her sat in a chair, dressed in a beautiful hanfu of red and greens. Mouselike, almost to the point of not looking at her. Yinuo gave her best smile as she drew near. “My name is Yan Yinuo, I am your—”

“Little sister,” Lei Xing corrected, “It is nice to put a face to the name.”

“Y-yes, congratulations on your marriage,” she said. “I..umm...”

“Yinuo?” her mother prompted, and she held out the bundle.

“I prepared some silks to make gowns for infants. I hope they’re to your liking,” she smiled. A maid at Lei Xing side, possibly with her since childhood, took them from her and then presented them to Lei Xing. In return, her sister smiled gently but did not thank her or comment on them.

“My lady, the wedding should start soon,” her maid interrupted the silence, tucking away her silks. Yinuo’s mother took her elbow and stationed her to the side as she switched places with her. Never had Yinuo felt so detached. Set to the side like everything she had done to get the silks had been for nothing. Yinuo closed her mouth and remained silent to the other women who continued to fuss over Lei Xing. She got lost in the background of their laughter. Yinuo wasn’t a part of this, she was a part.

Feeling dejected, Yinuo slipped into the main hall and brushed her dry face. Suddenly, the pain in her leg intensified, a persistent ache that had been haunting her all day. The rain hadn’t broken from the sky yet, but it would rain on her brother’s wedding day. The daunting thought of having to smile made her grimace a little more.

“You’ll sour the occasion with a face like that,” a voice called to her, prompting Yinuo to throw down her hands and turn to meet the speaker. She found herself facing dark, intense eyes, but a smiling disposition nonetheless. Well dressed in robes fitting for the ceremony, his eyes lingered over her form. “I take it my sister has offended you. She’s not easily impressed, but your gesture is surely appreciated.”

Yinuo bit her tongue, finally appreciating the custom of not speaking to strange men. Though, from the way he carried himself and the sound of his voice, she figured that this man was associated with the Lei family. You couldn’t hide his rigorous posture, or the way that his steel eyes evaluated every inch of her presence like a general surveying troops. The man smiled, coyly brushing his hair from his face and tucking it behind his ear.

He continued to speak, “I am surprised. I have heard that the Yan’s daughter is known for her boldness. I hope I haven’t offended you by speaking without an introduction. Let me remedy this,” he bowed to her, with a grace she had only ever known in the courts. “I am Lei Yingzhe, the bride’s brother.”

Yinuo did not reply. She knew the origin of his gaze. The ominous feeling she experienced was as if she were greeting a beast instead of a man. This was the “family friend,” the intruder who had inquired about Dehai. She bit her tongue.

“Well?” he raised his eyes to her.

“Yinuo!” Weixin’s voice boomed from behind her. She gave a bob and ran to join her brother.

“Ah, Master Weixin, it has been a while since we last met. You seem concerned. I was merely inquiring about your sister’s wellbeing. The weather looks as if it will turn soon.”

“We are needed in the grand hall for the ceremony,” Weixin stressed, taking his arm around her shoulder. “Lei,” he dismissed him. Yinuo turned with her brother, following him into the hall as the uncomfortable feeling lingered on her back. She was glad for Weixin’s arm, and felt sad when it left her. She took her place away from Lei Yingzhe, but could not escape his eyes. They lined up in birth order at the side of the wedding spar for Danni, who was performing rites, so she stood between Weixin and Ruijian.

As the ceremony progressed, with Danbei and Lei Xing walking towards their parents and familial shrines, Yinuo thought they balanced each other. However, after that, she lost most of the experience, distracted with the thoughts in her head. She heard “bow to heaven” and “bow to parents,” but everything else started to blur.

Because her uncle wouldn’t take her to General Lei’s, she’d missed helping Lei Xing dress and quelling her qualms about marriage—the sisterly things she had desired ever since learning she would finally have a sister. Yet, the pang that ate at her more was the family breakfast she should have been at. When would be the next time she ate with Danni or Weixin as a family? Why was she so isolated from the people she wanted to be with the most?

Ruijian took her hand. “Are you all right,” he whispered. Yinuo nodded but then felt him wipe her tears from the side of her face. Out of all her brothers, Ruijian was the most reliable. He pulled a handkerchief from his shirt and passed it to her.

“It’s just beautiful,” she lied, brushing off the tears, and then thanked him silently.

Weixin pulled her into a side hug with a whisper in her ear. “You’re okay.”

Yinuo nodded. The ceremony finished with cheers and hollers of joy around her. Then they followed the bride and groom out into the courtyard where the banquet was being held. Weixin didn’t release her until they’d reached partway, and he saw friends who beckoned him to drink.

A maid hurried over to her as soon as he’d parted from her. “Young Miss, please help! There’s an urgent issue with one of the dishes! We need your advice right away!”

“Yes,” she said, her excitement almost too much. “Of course, how can I help?”

“It’s Lady Xi! She’s having an allergic reaction to the bitter melon mango slaw! We didn’t know, young miss!”

“Take me to her,” she quickly instructed the servant, then followed them to one of Lei’s elderly relatives, fanning herself with swollen lips.

“Oh, Madame! I am so sorry about this,” Yinuo stepped forward. “How can I help?”

“Aiyah! This is nothing! Who said to make such a fuss? I will be fine after a minute. I am just thankful my Xiao Mei saw the dreaded fruit before I’d taken more of a bite!”

“Stay with Madame Xi. I will be back in a moment,” Yinuo bobbed, then hurried to the kitchen. She grabbed another servant, pulling her aside. “Lady Xi is allergic to mangoes; please ensure her tables have something else. There’s fresh star fruit we can serve instead. The meat isn’t prepared with a glaze, is it?”

“No, young miss, braised duck with goji berries is set to be served,” the cook replied.

“Good, hand me that fine china, and follow me with a bottle of huangjiu. I’ll get this settled.” Yinuo helped to cut up star fruit and arranged them with a simple syrup over the edges. She cleaned the bowl and smiled at the refined elegance before rushing back to Lady Xi.

“Ah, young miss! What do I owe the pleasure?” Lady Xi said happily.

“Here, Madame, fresh star fruit with simple syrup. It will be a wonderful appetizer to the braised ducks the chefs have prepared. And here,” she motioned for the servant to bring her finest porcelain cup set. “A toast to the lovely bride. Have a drink with me, grandmother.”

“Ah, I have inherited a capable granddaughter! See, Jingjing, Young Miss Yan, is a capable host. Her mother is lucky to have her to help.” Yinuo drank with the women at the table, mending the relationship as quickly as it had been severed with mangoes. She smiled happily, the crisis averted. “Tell me, Miss Yan, when will you be celebrating your wedding? I would love to return this kind gesture.”

“So many are eager to see me married, my brother has barely had an hour of happiness,” Yinuo expressed.

“We’ve heard there have been several proposals. Jingjing, your husband mentioned Lord Yan’s dismay at the list of prospects just yesterday, correct?”

“En, Miss Yan, has your father not shared it with you?” she inquired, the woman’s cheeks rosy from wine.

“The wedding preparations must have delayed him. I only knew of the one from Lord Nie, though my father said he wouldn’t entertain any prospects until after today.”

“Oh, that Nie!” the woman spat. “Yinuo, dear, do not even consider him. Prince Cuilin is nothing but trouble for a young woman! He will break your heart and ruin your reputation! Have you not heard of him?”

“Oh, Jiaoqi, don’t bring this up on a happy day,” Jingjing protested. “But...if we were to warn the young miss. We do not wish to see a bright young woman suffer from the misled affections of a hostage prince.”

“Prince Cuilin has already angered the Emperor and put his delicate position in danger. He escaped the palace once before, and as punishment for trying to leave, he was put out into the front lines.”

“En. That is why he’s so frightful. The coward was captured and had to be rescued, but not before the enemy scarred him. He nearly lost his eye in the battle.”

“Exactly!” the woman said as she poured herself another cupful. “Young Yinuo, no matter what your father says, you cannot even bring yourself close to that man! ”

“Lady Yinuo would look better at Young Master Lei’s side,” the elderly Jingjing giggled.

“Oh, what a lovely pair that’d be!” Madame Xi boasted. “He is such a just and handsome man!” the woman shook her head, prompting her maid to pour her wine again.

“Have you no compassion!” Yinuo snapped at them, rising to her feet as her hands slammed onto the table. She could only see the smug faces of the women before her, oblivious to the curious stares from onlookers. “He almost lost his life, and he risked everything, only to be treated so horribly!” Yinuo keenly felt the pain of being trapped and the lack of control in her own life. “How can you mock him!”

A clap of thunder broke her retort, and screams erupted as a torrent of rain filled the courtyard. The women panicked and rushed toward the main hall, while Yinuo seized the moment to escape from her new relatives. Rain poured down in buckets, soaking her to the bone and blurring her vision with its swirling colors as servants struggled to bring in the plates. It was as if the weather had finally broken, mirroring the disquieted storm within her, the last straw of her composure swept away in the downpour.

Her leg seized up, and she stumbled, caught by a flailing hand through the rain. The blurred image of a man dragged her from the courtyard and rushed her toward the back gardens. She recognized the smudged peonies and then the latticework on the covered pavilion as the man brought her to the center and placed her on a rosewood chair. The rain was relentless, pounding against the shelter but not invading the space.

In a sweeping motion, the man shed his outer robe, the fabric flowing gracefully before he deftly draped it over the rail. As he turned towards her, drops of rain clung to his dark hair, like morning dew on fresh blossoms. His piercing blue eyes met hers, capturing her breath in their intense gaze. A subtle scent of earth and rain mingled with the delicate fragrance of peony, stilling her world.