A Love Written In The Stars

The Minister's quill scratched furiously, plotting the ruin of a man who dared defy his authority.

———

The Minister sat at his desk, stewing over the recent events. That fool Li wei dared question his authority and refused to cooperate.

His aide stood quietly, head bowed respectfully while waiting for his rage to pass.

"That insolent fool Liwei thinks himself better than me?" The Minister tapped his desk lightly "After everything I've done for him, the positions and privileges I bestowed, he dares to insult me."

The aide said nothing, knowing better than to speak until spoken to.

"He knows too much already, he has to be silenced. But how?"

"Releasing that pest would be a mistake. No, I need a plan—one that ruins him for good."

His loyal aide inclined his head. "Minister. May I make a suggestion?"

The Minister waved an impatient hand for him to continue.

The aide continued "There may be a better way to deal with commander Li wei, Minister, without directly acting against him ourselves."

"Out with it then, I'm losing my patience," snapped the Minister.

"What if documents were to surface, confidential documents linking Li wei to contacts in the Northern region? Papers that appeared to show he had been secretly passing military intelligence in exchange for gold?"

A vicious smile crept onto the Minister's face. "Forging treason, what a smart way to destroy him. A dishonorable discharge would merely be the start of his demise."

"That soldier under Liwei's command, the one with family troubles. He could be influenced to testify against Liwei's character during the trial, with the right...persuasion." said the aide.

A nasty grin spread across the Minister's face. "Well done, I knew there was a reason I kept you around. See to it at once."

"Make sure the charges are severe, something that results in more than just dishonorable discharge. I want Li wei to disappear, completely and utterly."

"Ensure the court martial finds him guilty"

"By the time I have crafted the evidence, even his most loyal supporters will feel they have no choice but to convict. Liwei will be imprisoned for life, or face...harsher punishment."

"And even if he tries to expose what he knows, no one will believe the words of a national traitor"

"First, release Liwei from the cells," The Minister commanded. "Ensure he makes it home safely. For now."

Bowing low, the aide slipped quietly from the room to put the plan in motion.

———

Yu Jin paced nervously, wringing her hands as she awaited her husband's return. It had been several weeks since Li wei left for work. When the front door finally opened, she gasped to see Li wei standing battered and exhausted in the doorway.

"My love!" Yu Jin cried, rushing to embrace him gently. He winced in pain but held her tightly.

He lowered himself carefully onto a chair, exhaustion evident in every line of his body.

"Forgive me for worrying you so," he said quietly. "The past few weeks have been difficult, as disturbances near the border have kept us constantly on patrol."

Yu Jin sat by his side, concerned about his well-being. "But these wounds - they seem too severe for a mere border skirmish. Tell me true, what really happened?" Yu jin asked while she fetched bandages and ointment. As she tended his wounds in silence, Li wei took her hand gently in his. "The patrols were indeed busy, leaving me little time for rest. On our last mission, as we faced heavy fire from rebels, I was struck down protecting my men. But it matters not how I was hurt—what is important is that I have returned whole."

He cupped her chin as words of the minister crossed his mind, revealing all he knew now would only endanger Yú jin and the children. For their sake, he must make plans carefully and soon.

Liwei smiled gratefully as his wife brought him a cup of water, the cool liquid soothed his parched throat. "Thank you, dear. It seems I am greatly in need of sustenance after these long weeks."

She looked at him with concern. "Can you eat food now, or do you need to bathe first? I want you to have your strength back as soon as possible."

"A bite to eat would be most welcome," he said, pulling her to settle on his lap. "I have missed you dearly. Tell me, where are the children? I hope they didn't cause you much trouble?"

She ran her fingers through his hair, brushing it softly as she slowly massaged his scalp, the motion soothing him. "The children have been well behaved. They went out to play with their friends just before you returned."

"I see. You smell wonderful—were you expecting me today?" he teased, pulling her closer and resting his head against her chest.

Yu Jin arched a brow, a playful smile on her lips. "I can't say the same for you, young man," she retorted, earning a laugh from him before she carefully slipped away and headed to the kitchen to serve his meal.

Li wei began to eat slowly, savoring the simple meal after so long without. Yu Jin poured him more tea before bustling off to draw a bath.

As Li wei ate, his thoughts went back to the Minister. If Yu Jin knew the full extent of the Minister's deeds—the lies, the betrayal, the cruelty—would she stay silent for their safety, or would her bold heart take action, risking the wrath of a powerful enemy at their doorstep?

No, revealing more would gain them nothing, he decided. The Minister believed him broken already; better to keep it that way. Yu Jin's compassionate heart would urge her to confront this evil directly but direct action would be met with lethal force.

For now, keeping Yu Jin and the children unaware was their best protection. He finished his meal in silence, looking up just as Yu Jin returned, her timing perfect as he set down his chopsticks.

"The bath is ready, my love," she said softly. "I hope the warm water helps ease your aches."

He smiled faintly as he rose slowly, his strength gradually returning. Moving behind Yu Jin, he wrapped her in an embrace, resting his chin on her shoulder. She placed her hands over his, leaning back into him.

"I've missed you," Li Wei murmured, his voice soft. Yu Jin turned in his arms, her eyes filled with love as she studied him. "Is something wrong? Is there something you're not telling me?"

He held her close, his grip gentle yet firm. "N-no. Why would you think that?"

She searched his face before her features softened into a tender smile. "You're extra clingy when something's on your mind."

Li wei gave a thin smile. "So I can't want to be close to the woman I love?"

"Not this much," she replied, laughing softly. "You're my husband. I know you too well."

"Or did you meet another woman while you were away?" Yu Jin asked, suddenly eyeing him suspiciously. "And now you're feeling guilty about it?"

Liwei laughed loudly, pulling her closer. "I wouldn't even dream of it."

Yu Jin lifted a hand to caress his cheek, then she leaned into his embrace.

Liwei closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, savoring the warmth of the moment. Yu Jin, amused by his clinginess, teased gently, "If you hold me much longer, the bath water will get cold!"

Liwei chuckled softly at her playful prodding.

He looked around as if noticing another's absence. "I just remembered, is Meiying home?"

"Mei has been staying with her cousin, Xiao at the palace," Yu Jin replied.

"Now come, this battered soldier is in dire need of washing and afterwards, another meal and story with the kids will lift his mood fully."

Li wei released Yu Jin and followed behind her to the bath.