The Birth of the War Goddess

-Ah... What a pleasant night... Isn't it young Miss?- I look beside me to find a man with pitch black hair, lightly braided with metal rings in it...

A fierce gaze and clothes talking about war, which is absurd for how elegant they still are... Black fabric with dark gold refinement

-Surely-

-Good food, fine wine- he rises the cup in his hand

-pleasing music, charming dancers- he looks at the dancers spread all over the garden -Love is blooming even- my eyes falls on Hua down in the garden dragging my brother by the wrist

-So many things we all take for granted- he finishes the sentence harshly, turning away from the sight.

-What do you mean Mister...?-

-Wang Chia-Hao, pleased to meet you- his oblivious expression disappear for a brief moment and a perfect gentleman appears before me -I just mean that it really would be awesome for things to always remain like this, isn't that right? Future is unpredictable-

-Is My Lord perhaps referring to the lives of the people in the North?-

-Not at all...

Don't mind my words too much, I might be just a soldier but I question myself a lot, that's all...-

-I understand-

He turns to me smiling -What is this Miss, who still hasn't told me her name, thinking about of the future to come?-

-How impolite of me, I'm Ying ChangLai...

And... Actually I never thought about it, I'm supposed to dream of a prosperous Kingdom not knowing a thing about what happens in the world, or mostly I should think about my own family...

But I never had such ideas in mind, none at all to be honest.

I never got asked my opinion for the future and I have never asked myself...-

-That's a good thing if you permit me-

-How?-

-Isn't it boring to plan an unreachable future and live forever trying to achieve it just to one day realize you missed all the fun?

Even less pleasant is life when your future is already been chosen by someone else, so dreaming of something else will only anger you more... I say dreaming because some people will dream and scream of how an injustice that is, yet won't fight against it... Look closely- he points to an angry girl arguing with her mother

-They have always been told to be perfect, marry well and have children but never stopped one second to enjoy life, just one scolding and they would give up anything they love to please others instead... Do they look happy to you?-

I do not reply

He points after at a guy walking behind his father and loosing himself staring at the water, the father just sigh taking off the decorative sword hanging on his side... General Zao Lao and Zao Xiao...

-What about this? Forced to be a warrior when they are as dumb as an insect... Do they look happy?-

-No but... What are you trying to prove Mister?-

-Just that it is better to not have plans and go with the flow... If She were to find a tiger on her way, what would a Miss do?-

-Try to run away or scream in fear... In both cases she needs somone to rescue her-

-Why not fighting tho? She would be dead anyway so why not trying at least?-

-Arrows are difficult to shoot with short distance and a sword may be too heavy for an untrained person... A Lady won't stand a chance even if she tried-

-A Lady... Yeah, a Lady won't...

Well forgive me for having bothered you, hope to meet you again soon- he bends going away...

I move down the stairs heading toward my brother, in front of me are walking some old Ministers and I happen to overhear them talking which makes walk slower behind them -We must do whatever we can to not let those news reach the people here for now, we'll deal with the rest later-

-But Lord Guo, rumors are already spreading- -Yes exactly! My maid went to buy pears and even in the fields peoples murmured weird things-

-But why should we bother My Lords? Lord Guo is right... Just some rebellious Mongolian aren't a menace for us at all! We are the Empire of China!

As long as peoples don't feel fearful, they won't stick their nose into such business so they'll remain just rumors from a few peoples who could be liying!

Some are dying yes, but such things always happened-

-Forgive me for overhearing on your important conversation My Lords but I seem to understand it's about the North that you are discussing about-

I slap myself mentally

The four men stops walking and turn around -And who is this?-

-She's from the Ying family-

-What do you have to say woman? Just say it and leave us men solve this quickly... We should be having fun instead of thinking about work!-

-I'm deeply sorry to bother you with my opinion but... It seems like peoples from there really need our help, They feel forgotten but China surely remember them am I right?

Even just sending more soldiers or food night help, or the people in the Mainland would start to have doubt about the Empire's rightfullnes-

-Ah little Miss this is not something you should concern yourself with... Plus what if our soldiers never returns? Or if we end up feeding them for free?-

-Then why not move the people in the North somewhere they can live normally on their own? Some families can't afford such a journey with their own money-

-Are you telling us to pay for them?! As if Chinese Empire doesn't already spend too much on the commoners!-

-Isn't this abandonment then, My Lords?- -Abandonment you say? And to what?! Nothing important is happening, just a few weeks and it will be all forgotten-

-If really it is nothing important then what could possibly be the reason of no return for the strong almighty soldiers of our Empire?-

-It's...! Argh... Of course the reason is the malnutrition of the peoples in the North and this is all!

Now woman go and have fun talking about tea and Fabrics, we have some important work to do!- say one man almost running away...

I really hope it will be all gone in a few weeks.

...

Riding back the carriage my father discuss with my brother about a few contestants

-I'm not saying they'll marry her but I just said they are really interested and would like for their sons to meet her on a more private occasion-

-Father, you know too they are not worth my sister-

-Who cares about that my son? They have a really high rank and their heirs are quite handsome so she gain twice the reward!- yells my mother

I keep looking outside lost in my messed thoughts...

"Those Ministers only knows to hide behind the palace walls and use the commoner's flesh as a shiled...

But... Will thinking about something I can't change really help anyone? Is this what that man meant...?"

-Oh by the way, I noticed Ol'Feng taking your sister somewhere... You know anything?-

-As much as you father, but you know... She's here right beside me why don't you ask her instead of me?-

-Mmh... I guess it can't be helped... Lai'Er... Can you tell us something more?-

-Uh?... Oh yeah...

He introduced me to someone... I don't really recall his name but he was one of the consultant of the Emperor- I say quite absent minded

-Mister Bo?! Could that be him dear husband?! He does have a son late in marriage... Oh that's amazing!- almost jumps my mother

-So... Has he said anything more to you?-

-Well... The son actually proposed a marriage-

My brother's face gets darker

-Oh Holy Spirits! And I who wanted to rest after the banquet for days...

I will have to get the sailor called, we'll have to chose all the fabrics... And so many presents will have to be sent out... Do you think the wedding will take place at the Royal Palace my dear husband? Such an honor for our rank!-

My brother pinch his nose having reached his limit -That's why I went to work away from home...- he murmur to himself

-Mother... No wedding is happening-

-Don't tell me you refused such a perfect placement?!-

-No... But I asked for some time to think it over...-

-Stupid girl! Think about what?

It's not like you can consider marrying the Royal Heir so this is the best option existing after royalty!-

-Dear...-

-No HuiZhong! We have been trying to find her a husband for so much time now but she keeps asking for "time to think"

As if there's anything to think about!

You just need to participate in a Ceremony and lay down on a bed, it's not that complicated!

But why she always turn them down?! Have we been too weak on her? Is it time to force her into what's best for her?!-

-Just cut it now!!!- Yell my brother as the carriage stops in from of our mansion

-Do you even hear yourself Mother?! "Placement"? Is she an object, an ornament in you eyes?!-

-She's a woman son! You can't understand what we are made for!-

-Oh come on! Women have a brain just like men so they are ment for what they wish for themselves!

What if she has other projects for the future?! Uh?!

What if she doesn't want to spend her life as a paid prostitute for a disgusting man like every woman with no brain does?!-

I look at him with scared eyes

"please don't betray my secrets!" I pray in my mind and he hesitate in the middle of his sentence looking at my pitiful face

-PeiZhi! Stop offending your mother!- my father slaps him making him turn his face to the side

My brother smile angry behind his messed hair -I really am happy to have separated myself from you all... And I should have took her with me- he says dropping off the carriage.