Chapter 340 unedited as per usual

Not entirely content with this. May make sweeping changes. we'll see.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17H7uLXwoTz6Oo8djBs7Lv0j6Cd3DIZR7LnfNVZFyLHk/edit?usp=sharing

Luo Luo had much to be aggrieved about.

During her graduation ceremony, she’d drawn the eye of every Noble, Royal, Imperial in the room as she was presented on stage. They’d seen her poetry compositions, calligraphy scrolls, painting exhibits, and dance routine, with only the musical performances yet to be performed. Although Luo-Luo failed to take first in any category, losing out to the lyrical verses of handsome poet Wah On and seductive dance of the exquisite Diao Chen among others, she’d performed admirably by ranking second or third in each previous category. While other Servants had surpassed her in their chosen fields, none of could replicate her feat of placing in every field, nor had there ever been a Servant who excelled in all five. It had not been easy to reach her level of mastery is so many different skills, with years of her life spent in dedicated practice, but such was her burden to bear. Her pride would allow no less, and while those watching expected a superb performance, Luo-Luo knew something none of them did.

Music was her chosen field and most practised skill.

Although it wasn’t the name she was born with, Luo-Luo always felt a connection to the zither after her music instructor told her she shared the ‘Zheng’ character with the instrument, so she poured her heart and soul into her practice. On that fateful day, she performed an original arrangement she’d spent years perfecting, and when the strings fell silent, so too did the crowd, for she received a standing ovation from the Imperial Emperor himself.

In an instant, Luo-Luo’s star soared into the heavens, rising far and above her peers as she became the most sought after Servant in all the Empire. Not only could her skills earn her patrons a tidy sum, Luo-Luo was a woman with talent enough to tug at the heartstrings of the Song of Heaven. As she knelt and received her applause from the Son of Heaven, she’d envisioned herself inundated with offers of Service from across the homeland and living a pampered life playing songs, painting scrolls, and composing poems for her patrons. Her days would be spent in leisure and her nights attending parties, with handmaidens to her bidding and nothing to want for, a blessed existence for one with her status.

Unfortunately, cruel fate had other plans in store for there was such a thing as too valuable a prize. Contrary to her lofty expectations, Luo-Luo received only two competing offers for her Service. There were no mention of terms or conditions, no efforts to sway her choice with promised benefits or expensive gifts, not even an assurance of her safety or well-being. The two offers arrived in the form of a single scroll each, borne by the lowest of servants and containing nothing more than her prospective patron’s seal and signature, one from the Grand Marshal and the other from the Prime Minister, the two most powerful members of the Imperial Court.

Only then did Luo-Luo realize she’d underestimated the immensity of Heaven and Earth and grossly overestimated her worth. Although she enjoyed certain privileges due to her unique circumstances, in the end, no matter how talented she was or illustrious her background, she might be, she was nothing more than a mere Servant, hardly worth the price she would have otherwise demanded. Worse, with the Grand Marshal and Prime Minister competing for her services, Luo-Luo sat atop a mountain of blades within a sea of fire. No matter her decision, she would offend a man with the power to move mountains and drain seas, and while her patron might offer her adequate protection, it was much easier to assassinate an individual than it was to protect one.

On the advice of her teacher, Luo-Luo had no choice but to reject both offers on the grounds of being unworthy of such prestige and in doing so, doomed herself to a life of oblivion. After rejecting the Grand Marshal and Prime Minister, who in their right mind would dare accept her Service? She was merely a talented Servant, hardly worth offending two of the most influential men in the world. Thus, she languished in the Student dormitories and watched with envy as her peers, then her juniors, then their juniors entered Service year after year, having learned the price of hubris from Luo-Luo’s example, the forgotten Servant too talented to Serve.

And now, after six years spent dreaming of what could have been, Luo-Luo finally had a chance to Serve. While becoming the concubine of the Undying Savage was not ideal, at least Falling Rain was a talented hero blessed with a brilliant mind. Or so she thought until she first laid eyes on her bantam Lord Husband and saw how he reacted to her charms. While her lessons were long behind her, Luo-Luo played her part to perfection, doing everything as she’d been taught to. She was demure, yet available, timid, yet eager to please, swallowing her embarrassment at being reduced to a mere breeding sow as she presented her best features for her Lord Husband’s viewing pleasure.

And his response?

He. Yawned.

YAWNED.

In what way did Luo-Luo lose out to the women around her? Yes, Lin-Lin, Li-Li, and Mila were all beauties in their own right, but so too was Luo-Luo. Why was he not entranced or even interested in her? If anything, her Lord Husband seemed amused by her antics, disdainful of her attempts to win him over, and generally displeased by her presence. Worried his rejection would send her back to the Academy or worse, Luo-Luo even overstepped her bounds and hinted at her lineage, but neither he nor Luo-Luo’s senior sister-wives gave any reaction when she mentioned she was of the first generation of Nobility. Did none of them understand what that meant?

As if to rub salt in her wounds, her Lord Husband not only forbade her from referring to him as such, but he now showed more interest in her Honour Guard than he’d shown for Luo-Luo. For the first time, she saw his surly grimace shift into a smile, gazing upon the Death Corps soldiers with a covetous eye. How mortifying to be valued less than her slaves, a blow to Luo-Luo’s pride from which she might never recover. Was this to be her fate, a caged bird with no one to sing for? Would she grow old and ugly, unloved and untouched, an unwanted stranger in her own home?

Perhaps now was the time to invoke her Privilege. At least she would leave behind a pretty corpse upon the funeral pyre, even if no one would mourn her.

“So, you soldiers are part of the Imperial Death Corps.” Striding through their ranks, her Lord Husband all but disappeared among her Honour Guard as he inspected them one by one, and Luo-Luo had to stifle a giggle. “Which one of you is the ranking officer?”

Mother above, his ignorance was almost too much to bear. Hesitating over what to call him out load, she settled on using his full name as he’d instructed her. So what if it was disrespectful, he hardly deserved her respect. “Falling Rain, the Imperial Death Corps has no officers, only soldiers. Only Royal Guardsmen may hold rank in the Imperial Army.”

“Oh.” Stepping out from the sea of soldiers, Falling Rain reappeared with his surly grimace back in place. “That’s disappointing. So they’re all just common soldiers huh? Damn, I was hoping for some elites. Well, whatever, I can work with soldiers. Listen up. I am Second Grade Warrant Officer Falling Rain and you are all now members of my retinue. For now, conduct yourselves properly and all will be well. Saluk, bring these soldiers to Mister Rustram and tell him we have 360 more mouths to feed and bodies to shelter.”

Distressed by Falling Rain’s actions, Luo-Luo watched in muted protest as her Honour Guard saluted and strode off. It was her fault for telling them to obey his orders, but for him to so openly covet her dowry made Luo-Luo worry for her future. She had little else besides her Honour guard, merely her bedding, clothing, a small box of jewellery, and a basket of items for her firstborn, but Falling Raing would likely take those away too. Stupid girl, she’d even been dreaming of having a hut for herself and perhaps a handmaiden or two, but Falling Rain cared nothing for propriety at all. She’d probably be lucky to have a bed at all, seeing as how he told her to forget about being his concubine. He might even gift her to his soldiers to sate their animistic desires, treating her like a common whore to be used and discarded. If she invoked her Privilege, would he even comply, or would he laugh and throw her to his soldiers anyways?

“Hmm, so many more soldiers to pay for. I’m not sure I can afford them.” With a grin which made him look even younger than his nineteen years, Falling Rain sighed in contentment, “Oh well. Nothing I can do except work harder and earn more. Ah wait, Luo-Luo, how have you been paying them?”

So aggravating and shameless. He wanted nothing to do with Luo-Luo but was only too happy to take her things. Where was his pride? Before Luo-Luo could lose her temper, Mila spoke softly as she watched the soldiers march off with a plaintive look. “They’re not expecting to be paid, beloved. They’re Oath-sworn slaves, every last one of them.”

The change in Falling Rain was startling to see, his eyes flooding with compassion and empathy, neither emotion something she expected from a man in his position. “Ah, fucking hell.” Stretching his hand out towards Luo-Luo, he said, “Their Token. Give it to me.” His voice burned with cold anger and hinted at violence to come should she refuse, and Luo-Luo scrambled unclasp her pendant, arms trembling all the while.

Coming to her rescue, Lin-Lin interposed herself between Luo-Luo and Falling Rain. “Hubby, you can’t do that, ya? That’s Luo-Luo’s dowry, you need to ask first.”

“Huh? I thought the dowry belongs to me?” Genuinely confused, the ferocious, steel-backed warrior melted away beneath his adorable wifey’s disapproval, puffing his cheeks to mirror Lin-Lin’s. They were so adorable together, two childhood friends turned lovers. Why couldn’t Luo-Luo be so lucky? All she wanted was a place at her Lord Husband’s side, a simple fraction of the affection he gave the other, but he refused to even give her a chance.

“No silly,” Lin-Lin replied, leaning against Luo-Luo’s chest with a reassuring smile. “The dowry belongs to the woman. That’s how it works, ya?”

Also leaping to Luo-Luo’s defence, Li-Li added, “By custom, the husband should add to, if not match, the dowry. This is to ensure a secondary wife or concubine will be cared for in the event of his death.”

“Tch.” Annoyed by the prospect of parting with his wealth, Falling Rain crinkled his nose and grumbled, “I’m not giving her more soldiers. I only have 500 myself. Besides, what does she need so many guards for and how does she expect to pay them? I suppose I’m footing the bill for that too. Unfair.”

Grateful to her senior sister-wives, Luo-Luo sniffled and stepped aside, curtsying as she presented the jade pendant to which her Honour Guards were sworn to. “As Lor- Falling Rain says, this one has no need for soldiers. Please, accept them with this one’s blessings.” Like she had a choice. Why did it matter anymore?

At least Falling Rain knew enough to look ashamed as he took her jade phoenix pendant, the only item she had to remember her birth parents by. Whoever they were, she was forbidden to know, but she’d hoped against all hopes that they still remembered her, that they’d swelled with pride when Luo-Luo performed her masterpiece during her graduation ceremony. She never resented them for offering her as tribute, for such was her place as defined by fate, but in the past six years, she often dreamt about what life would be like if they’d kept her.

Mostly, she wondered if they regretted the decision. Did they know of her troubles now? Would they even care?

Tears spilled out of Luo-Luo’s eyes and down her cheeks as she stared at her feet, trying not to make a scene. After a long silence, Falling Rain sighed and said, “Look, I’m sorry. Please stop crying. I’ll... reimburse you for the soldiers, okay? Double in fact, just as soon as I have the funds available. It’s just... I don’t like slavery.”

Dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, Luo-Luo nodded without answering, too choked up to speak. Ever the sweetheart, Lin-Lin hugged her tight and whispered, “Don’t worry, ya? Hubby’s been really grumps lately, he isn’t always like this.” Turning to Falling Rain, Lin-Lin said, “Hubby, why don’t you give her a half-stake in your businesses instead? That’s more than fair, ya?”

“What?” Evidently, Falling Rain didn’t agree with Lin-Lin’s proposal. “But... you’ve been handling that with Mister Rustram, I figured...”

“It’s so boring though, and Roo-Roo will eventually leave to take over his daddy’s company, ya? So why not let Luo-Luo handle things from now on?”

“...I need the income and... well... you know...”

Mother above, Falling Rain didn’t even trust her to run whatever business venture he had. What, was he worried she couldn’t manage a few hundred gold, or that she’d run off with his ‘fortune’? How did he not understand this was merely a token gift, a method contrived by Lin-Lin to help him save face in front of his soldiers? Her spirits low and future grim, Luo-Luo followed behind her sister-wives in silence as they discussed the matter with Falling Rain. Let him have all her possessions, Luo-Luo would not be long for this world regardless. As soon as she had some privacy, Luo-Luo would write out her grievance and find some way to send it to a Justicar before invoking her Privilege. She only hoped her grievance would reach the Emperor’s ears and he would care enough to demand justice for poor Luo-Luo, the Servant who once moved him with a song.

Upon arriving at the beach, Luo-Luo sat in the sand an arms length away from Falling Rain and stared out over the bay, cherishing the last few hours of life left to her. She didn’t want to take her own life, but what choice did she have? Falling Rain had already demonstrated his disdain for her, happy to take everything she had and leave her with nothing, not even willing to allow her to pretend to be his concubine. Even Mila seemed sympathetic to Luo-Luo’s plight, the temperamental red-head a gentle and affectionate woman at heart. She clearly loved her beloved dearly and thought of Luo-Luo as a threat, yet Mila still was kind enough to switch tack when she learned about her Privilege and try to convince Luo-Luo to stay. Li-Li was kind too, also sitting apart from the three contented lovers, though not kind enough to sit with Luo-Luo.

There the five of them sat nestled against the Divine Turtle’s arm, the young hero Falling Rain with a woman in each arm and two more waiting at the sides. How they must look upon him with envy, not knowing what he was truly like, a shameless, uncivilized, miserly boor who refused to give a poor girl the chance to even prove herself. Hmph, already Luo-Luo could see through the cracks in Falling Rain’s facade, utterly convinced his ‘brilliance’ was a sham. It took three explanations from three different people for him to understand why his rank of Imperial Consort was significant, and despite it all, he still seemed annoyed by the honour. Falling Rain might be a talented warrior, but a genius mind? Not so much.

“Hi big sister.” Hugging a sheaf of documents to her chest, sweet Tali ran over and crashed down beside Luo-Luo, making herself comfortable as children were inclined to do. “Lin-Lin said you wanted to see Rainy’s book, ya? Here you go. I like the pictures, but it’s not a good story. Do you know any good stories?”

Overcome with emotion, Luo-Luo hugged little Tali tight and wished things could be different. Such a sweet girl, Luo-Luo would happily spoil this adorable niece rotten, but things weren’t up to her. If Falling Rain wouldn’t accept Luo-Luo, so as a destitute, unmarried, and unguarded woman, how was she to survive? She’d heard the stories of rebels sharpening their blades and Defiled hiding in the wilderness of the vast, untamed outer provinces, where a fate worse than death awaited her.

While telling Tali a short tale about a greedy little dog, Luo-Luo studied Tali’s father sitting beside them, a handsome, short-haired tribesman name Charok. Since Tali called Falling Rain uncle, then Charok must be his older brother, though they shared few similarities aside from eye colour. Was he also a warrior like Falling Rain? With Tali’s goat-horned brother in his arms, Charok’s easy smile made Luo-Luo wonder if he’d be more receptive to a concubine, for he too was married to a half-beast woman. His wife, a tigress named Alsantset, watched Luo-Luo with a predatory glare, disliking how her daughter sat in the arms of a stranger and her husband was so close to a beautiful woman. Finished with her story, Luo-Luo smiled at Tali’s beautiful mother and said, “Your sweet child is such a delight and has the most impeccable manners. You must be so proud of her.”

“Hmph.” Alsantset took the compliment poorly, responding with a dainty snort and a scowl. “Are simple manners something to be proud of? Or is it because it is so unexpected, coming from a tribe of savages?”

Feeling wrongly accused, Luo-Luo shrank back and stifled her sobs, abolishing her plans to try and seduce Charok. At least Falling Rain’s wives were kind to her, Alsantset looked ready to murder in cold blood. Trying to ignore the tigress’s burning glare, Luo-Luo opened the book and pretend to study it, taking care not to get her tears on the parchment. Only a few hours more, a few days at most. The Emperor would most certainly hear about how these tribesmen treated His Servant, and repercussions would follow soon after.

“Don’t cry,” Tali whispered, patting Luo-Luo’s cheek with tender affection. “Mama’s scary but she won’t hurt you. You’re marrying Rainy, ya? So you’re gonna be my auntie and her sister-in-law.”

Doing her best to smile, Luo-Luo shook her head and explained. “Sorry sweet child, but your uncle Rainy doesn’t want to marry Luo-Luo, so she can’t be your auntie no matter how much she wants to.”

“Oh.” Puffing her cheeks, Tali paused to think, alternating her gaze between Luo-Luo to Falling Rain. Leaning forward, Tali reached for her uncle’s sleeve and came woefully short. “Rainy, how come you don’t wanna marry Luo-Luo? She’s so pretty and nice.”

“It’s complicated sweetling.” Pinching Tali’s cheek gently, he glanced at Luo-Luo and offered a reassuring smile, the first kind gesture he’d shown her all day. “Don’t worry though, even though we won’t be married, we’ll still be friends. She’ll be around to tell you more stories, if that’s what she wants.”

“Yay!” Snuggling back into Luo-Luo’s arms, Tali beamed in delight. “You’ll stay, right?”

Unable to refuse or lie to the sweet girl, Luo-Luo nodded and hugged Tali tight, relief flooding through her as she clung to life. The Privilege would always be there if she needed it, but she truly didn’t want to die. Perhaps she would live to regret this decision, but until all hope was lost, she would never have the courage to go through with it. Drying her tears with a handkerchief, she started on another story for sweet Tali, making sure to include her adorable, chubby-cheeked brother as he turned his attention towards them.

Perhaps things weren’t as dire as they first appeared. Falling Rain still had to keep up appearances lest he inadvertently offend whoever gifted Luo-Luo to him, which meant there would be a party in her name later tonight. Perhaps there she could find a protector for herself, someone high ranking and powerful in his retinue perhaps. Thinking back to the handsome, long haired gentleman or this mysterious Mister Rustram, Luo-Luo set to work planning her future, ignoring how precarious her situation might be.

Wait...

Running her fingers over the parchment, Luo-Luo marvelled at how smooth and thin it felt. Once Tali hopped up to cheer for her ‘great granma’, Luo-Luo flipped through the book of inventions and marvelled at the knowledge bound within its pages. There was so much they could do with it, Luo-Luo hardly knew where to begin. Cast iron, that was certainly the most important discovery, cheap, durable metal which could be used in buildings. The paper itself was another, how wonderful would it be if she could write her music out instead of memorizing it as she went along?

Steeling her resolve, Luo-Luo made an impetuous decision. Whoever the brilliant mind behind this book was, she would marry him and see him to greatness. Even if it was an old, sickly man of mundane strength and no wealth to speak of, Luo-Luo would be his dutiful wife and support him with all her heart.

For this was a man destined for greatness.