Chapter 338 v 1.0

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Hands trembling and jaw clenched, Luo-Luo smoothed her dress and patted her hair in an effort to calm herself as she waited for permission to disembark. The Mother was truly unfair to Her children, but Luo-Luo was determined to endure. Clutching her handkerchief, she faked a demure smile and lamented her fate, regretting all the hard work and effort she’d put into her training. Even as a child, she’d stood out from her hundreds of rivals, always one of the first to learn a new skill or grasp a new concept. Such was life within the Imperial Academy, where the scions of disgraced families were sent to learn a trade in service to the Imperial Clan, a cutthroat world in which the winners became valued prizes and the losers worthless property.

With her mastery in calligraphy, painting, dance, and music alone, Luo-Luo was undoubtedly a most valuable prize, but cruel fate conspired against her. While her inferior rivals were gifted to Imperial Princes and Heavenly Generals back in the homeland while she had the misfortune to be spirited off and abruptly gifted away without warning. An hour ago she’d been sitting in the gardens, trying to ignore the commotion outside the walls while composing a poem to best convey her sorrow when the Imperial Mandate arrived, overturning her life at a moment’s notice. She was to be given away to an outsider, an uncultured tribesman three years her junior by the name of Falling Rain. The Undying Savage they called him, a member of some tribal village in the northernmost mountains of the Northern Province, could the outcome be any worse?

For long minutes, Luo-Luo had sat in silence and wondered if she should invoke her Privilege to refuse the order, but she’d worked too hard to throw it all away now, and it wouldn’t be too late to do so after meeting her husband. Perhaps things weren’t as terrible as she’d feared and he was some... benevolent savage...

The curtains parted and Luo-Luo flinched before putting on a happy face to receive her new husband. Instead, what greeted her was the adorable grin of a chubby-cheeked half-beast, a young girl with twin braids of snow-white hair and large, inquisitive eyes. “Hiya,” the girl said, climbing into the palanquin with a precious smile. “Can I come in? Wah big sister, you’re so tall and pretty!”

“Why thank you,” Luo-Luo said, smiling as she scooted aside so the child could sit. “Such a lovely child.” Were this girl a student in the Academy, she would be a rare treasure indeed, with her porcelain skin and snow-white hair. Judging by her embroidered, red-silk clothes and carefully braided hair, the child was someone of importance so Luo-Luo did her best to make friends. It never hurt to have too many allies, no matter their age or station. “This one is named Zheng Luo, but everyone calls her Luo-Luo. If it pleases you, what should Luo-Luo call you?”

“I’m Tali.” Climbing onto the cushioned seat, little Tali stood to inspect Luo-Luo’s headpiece, a gilded crown shaped like twin phoenixes with a half-dozen amethysts dangling above her eyes. Luo-Luo worried little Tali would grab them and ruin her hair, but the child kept her hands to herself despite the obvious desire to do otherwise. Were she not about to meet her husband for the first time, Luo-Luo would have happily taken the crown off for Tali to play with but a woman only had one chance to make a first impression. Charmed by the child’s manners, Luo-Luo reached into her sleeve for a bag of candied fruits and offered them instead. “Yummy, thanks!” Plopping down on the seat, Tali helped herself to the treats with gusto, still studying Luo-Luo’s jewellery and clothes. “Your dress is so purple and pretty, but it’s really tight and your chest is showing. Mama says only vixens wear tight dresses and show off their chest, but I don’t understand. Where are your fox ears?”

Mother above, were these tribesmen a prudish bunch? Thank goodness little Tali was here to warn her. “Sweet child, Luo-Luo has no idea what your mama meant, but Luo-Luo is human.” Reaching for a shawl to cover her bare shoulders and exposed cleavage, she reminded herself that was no longer in the homeland and would have to adapt to her new people, lest she be shunned or worse. Had she more time, she’d exchange her short, form-fitting dress for a more conservative robe, but her new husband could call on her at a moment’s notice. She knew little about him aside from what she’d heard in passing. Falling Rain, the youngest Second Grade Warrant Officer in history, attendant to the Divine Turtle, and most importantly, a man who already had a betrothed. It was always a difficult prospect encroaching on another woman’s territory, but Lou Lou was confident she could deal with any noblewoman in the Empire, much less an unschooled tribal tent-wife.

Had she known this was what fate had in store for her, Luo-Luo wouldn’t have worked so hard to excel. Maybe then she’d have been gifted to a minor noble or minister in the homeland...

Putting aside her regrets, Luo-Luo returned to the matter at hand, stroking Tali’s silky-smooth hair as she munched on candied fruits. “So tell me Tali, have you met Falling Rain?”

“Yup! Rainy’s my uncle and he’s the best.” With Luo-Luo steering the conversation, Tali revealed much about who Falling Rain truly was, a kind, gentle man who cared for Tali and her brother Tate, a learned man who taught them to read and write, or brought them out to fly kites and make pinwheels. Ignoring the child’s wild tales of bears, birds, and wildcats, Luo-Luo stitched together an impression of what to expect from her husband, but it was all in vain. Somehow, he was both a dedicated Martial Warrior and educated scholar, a warm hearted family man and charming scoundrel, a talented cook and budding herbalist, and lets not forget a successful businessman and generous philanthropist.

How could one man be so many different things? Even allowing for the viewpoint of a child, this was too unrealistic to fathom.

Worst of all, Luo-Luo learned she wasn’t encroaching on one woman’s territory, but three. According to Tali, wherever Falling Rain went, Lin-Lin, Mi-Mi, and Li-Li were close behind, although there was talk of finally reuniting with Yan-Yan, whoever that might be. So not only was Luo-Luo faced with an unfamiliar setting, she was also outnumbered by his many legal wives, her new husband a man of voracious appetites. The only upside was that all the other women were half-beasts, which meant Luo-Luo was the only one who could give birth to an heir, her sole bargaining chip in all of this.

Then again, given how well Tali was treated and the prevalence of half-beasts, it’s possible these tribesmen care less for the difference between adopted and true-born kin...

The curtains parted once more and Luo-Luo smiled prettily for her husband, a smile which slipped away as she identified the intruder. Sniffing around the palanquin was an honest to goodness black bear, its golden-brown muzzle parted in obvious hunger. A small bear, but a bear nonetheless, wandering around on its own with only a white bandana to restrain it. Gathering Tali into her her arms, Luo-Luo brought her away from the voracious predator, only to find a second black bear poking its head in from the other side. With cushion in hand, she readied to fight the creatures off but instead, Tali giggled in delight and tossed out tow candied fruits. Struggling out of Luo-Luo’s embrace, she jumped down and hugged the bears one at a time and said, “This is Banjo and this is Baloo. Or maybe the other way around, it’s hard to tell, ya? Rainy can, and Tate says he can, but I think he’s just pretending.”

It took several minutes for Luo-Luo to accept what was happening right in front of her, watching with wide-eyed disbelief as the two bears climbed into the palanquin and nuzzled the child, their warm furry hindquarters brushing against her bare calves as they clamoured for treats. Sensing no threat from the wild creatures, Luo-Luo tentatively reached out and stroked the closer one’s shoulder, marvelling how docile and gentle the large creatures were, sitting like dogs as they emitted a low, pulsating chortle and carefully accepted their treats, allowing neither fang nor claw to touch little Tali.

How incredible... if Tali’s stories were true, then didn’t that mean there were wildcats and birds too? Were they all as well-behaved as Banjo and Baloo? How did Luo-Luo’s husband tame them? Perhaps she could impose on him for a pet of her own, like a tiny fox or adorable mink...

The curtains parted a third time and again, Luo-Luo smiled for the intruder, this time a hare-eared, honey-skinned young woman in blue robes and a white shawl. “Hi,” she exclaimed with a toothy grin. “I’m Lin-Lin.”

Heart skipping a beat, Luo-Luo resisted the urge to huge the adorable girl. Instead, she curtsied in her seat as best she could, restrained by the twin bears crowding around her feet. “Consort Luo greets Madam Lin.”

Though at least twice Tali’s age, Madam Lin shared the same hairstyle and reaction, her brown eyes going wide with wonder. “Wah, so tall and pretty!” Patting her cheeks, she squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head before continuing. “Madam sounds so stuffy. I don’t like it. Call me Lin-Lin and I’ll call you Luo-Luo ya?”

Hesitating a moment, Luo-Luo lowered her head and waited before replying, “If Lin-Lin insists then Luo-Luo is happy to comply.”

Smiling so hard her eyes turned into lines, Lin-Lin tugged on her braids and nodded while giggling in delight, won over with a single sentence. “Come,” she said, reaching for Luo-Luo’s hand. “I’ll bring you to meet everyone. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll all get along fine, ya? Tali, why don’t you take Banjo and Baloo to play with Tate?”

This sweet, beautiful girl was almost too much. If her husband’s other wives were like this, then Luo-Luo would have nothing to fear.

Holding hands and merrily chatting with her new diminutive ‘friend’, Luo-Luo stepped out of the palanquin and took in her first glimpse of her husband’s soldiers. The mere sight of so many tribal tattoos had her mind spinning in turmoil, wondering if she’d just been married off to a society of rustics and cave dwellers. Her husband’s soldiers were a motley, boorish bunch, especially when compared to the uniform and disciplined Imperial Death Corps around her. Hopefully her husband’s status would be enough to protect her from his brutish troops, but if not, Luo-Luo was not without her own defences.

Leaving the Imperial Death Corps standing in place, Lin-Lin brought Luo-Luo on a short jaunt through the camp and what she saw set her mind a little more at ease. While many of her husband’s soldiers appeared scruffy and unkempt, there were a handful of more presentable ones, mostly surrounding a handsome young man with long hair and a styled moustache, congratulating him for something or the other. While these tribal warriors lacked discipline, they had plenty of respect, parting for little Lin-Lin with smiles and waves, like kindly uncles sending their niece off on a trip to the market.

Their curious domiciles were rather intriguing, large canvas or leather covered huts with room enough for at least eight people side by side and height enough for her to stretch. Even if Luo-Luo had to share with her handmaidens, it was a significant improvement from the linen tent she’d expected to be housed in, which did wonders for her spirits. Then there were her husband’s war mounts, the large, bipedal otters who supposedly enjoyed frolicking in the waters, though the ones she saw bore long fangs and sharp talons which gave her pause. As they approached the camp’s centre, the Divine Turtle came into sight, a majestic creature of power and might laying next to the commander’s hut. Heart aflutter, Luo-Luo readied to meet her husband, but regrettably, Lin Lin steered her towards a different hut sitting adjacent to her husbands. Ducking her head to step through the doorway, Luo-Luo came face to face with a scowling, freckled red-head and a stony, cold-blooded brunette. Instantly recognizing them from Tali’s descriptions, she ignored the large wildcats sprawled around the room and gave a flourished curtsy, taking a calculated risk as she greeted them with a smile. “Consort Luo-Luo greets Madam Mi-Mi and Madam Li-Li.”

How depressing. Luo-Luo lowered her guard and allowed Lin-Lin to lead her right into an ambush.

A cold snort sent a chill down her spine and told her she’d made a mistake, so she fell to her knees and waited for permission to rise. This only seemed to infuriate ‘Mi-Mi’, who growled, “Oh for the Mother’s sake, not this again. Stop grovelling and stand up straight.”

Cursing herself for her carelessness, Luo-Luo kept her eyes down and did as she was told. Unlike Lin-Lin, Mi-Mi and Li-Li were warriors, so aptly demonstrated by the various weapons lying within arms reach of them. Surely they wouldn’t beat or mutilate Luo-Luo before meeting her husband? Then again, being uncivilized tribesmen, they might not understand the repercussions of such an action. Resisting the urge to back away, she cursed herself for wasting so much time on chess, history, and politics instead of honing her Martial skills.

Long seconds stretched by, and Lin-Lin was first to break the tense silence. “Don’t be so grumpy Mi-Mi,” she said, still holding tight to Luo-Luo’s hand. “Hubby already said he’s sorry about all this, and it’s not Luo-Luo’s fault. The Legate sent her here so we can’t send her back, and she was really sweet with Tali ya? When Banjo and Baloo snuck in, Luo-Luo to moved protect her, so she’s not a bad person.”

It took every scrap of self control Luo-Luo had to keep from staring at Lin-Lin, annoyed she’d underestimated the adorable half-hare. The dainty young woman was more calculating than she appeared, having sent little Tali in to see how Luo-Luo would react. Oh, such a shame to be married to a henpecked husband, having to play these games with his wives before even meeting him. How could she rely on his protection if he couldn’t keep his house in order?

Deflating with a sigh, Mi-Mi uncrossed her arms and stepped forward, standing at about chest height as she gazed at Luo-Luo’s face. With her short, fiery hair, pale complexion, and endearing freckles, Mi-Mi had a different sort of beauty and possessed a tantalizing athletic frame to boot. Proving her husband was a man of varied tastes, Li-Li differed from Lin-Lin and Mi-Mi, a buxom, full-figured, bronze-skinned woman brimming with sensuous allure. With each woman here a unique beauty, Luo-Luo’s hopes of standing out through beauty alone came to a crashing end.

Though things looked dire, it was still too early to invoke the Privilege. Luo-Luo still had other charms besides her physical beauty, she only needed to find the right one to entice her husband...

Crinkling her button nose in an adorable grimace, Mi-Mi muttered, “Too beautiful,” beneath her breath and shook her head. With another sigh, she shook her head and said, “It’s all his fault. Even if he didn’t outright ask the Legate for a concubine, Rain’s indecent behaviour led to this.” Holding a hand up to forestall Lin-Lin’s arguments, Mi-Mi continued, “No, don’t make excuses for that mule-headed fool, you saw his stupid, perverted smile when he found out.”

Excellent, at least her husband was interested in Luo-Luo, else she might as well give up now. Seizing the opportunity, she played the part of meek, frightened young girl, difficult as it was while being the tallest person in the room. “Honoured Madams, Luo-Luo has yet to decide if she will submit to her orders, so if she could meet dear husband, then perhaps all your concerns will be laid to rest.” Let them believe she was ready to refuse Imperial Mandate so she could finally meet her husband and make a decision.

“Wait,” Mi-Mi asked, confusion plastered across her face. “You have a choice in the matter? You’re not a slave?”

Bristling in indignation, Luo-Luo drew herself up to full height and replied, “Of course not. This one is no slave, but an Imperial Servant, gifted in tribute to the Imperial Clan and educated at the Academy.”

The three women traded puzzled glances and shrugs. “What’s the difference?” Lin-Lin asked.

Calm yourself, Luo-Luo, they ask not out of malice, but ignorance. “A slave is bound by their Oaths, while a Servant suffers no such restrictions, attending to his or her duties out of loyalty to Imperial Clan. Imperial Mandate proclaimed this one to be the concubine of Falling Rain and this one obeys, because such is the Will of the Son of Heaven and Emperor of All Mankind.”

The girls traded awkward glances once again before Mi-Mi asked, “So... you can refuse to marry Rain?”

Luo-Luo nodded. “All Servants have the right to refuse their duty by invoking the Privilege. At such a time, our patron is duty-bound to summon a Justicar so the Servant may submit their grievances for the Emperor’s perusal before they ascend into the afterlife.”

“You’d rather die than marry Rain?” For some odd reason, Luo-Luo’s stance seemed to upset Mi-Mi. “Why? Is it because of the rumours? He’s a lecher, but really not all that bad.”

Li-Li took the opportunity to speak for the first time. “If you truly do not wish to marry him, you need not take your own life. Sister will keep you safe.”

“But you should marry hubby. He’s the best,” Lin-Lin added, hugging Luo-Luo’s waist as if afraid she’d run away.

Head spinning from the abrupt reversal, Luo-Luo responded without thinking. “This one has yet to make her decision, not because she is reluctant but because she knows nothing about her husband aside from his name.”

“Oh, we can fix that.” Dragging Luo-Luo down to sit, Lin-Lin launched into a tale, dead set on convincing Luo-Luo to become Falling Rain’s concubine by telling tales of his kindness and generosity. Though less enthused, Mi-Mi also chimed in with stories of his martial prowess while Li-Li sat silently on the side and brushed the lazy wildcats, though she nodded along when she agreed and frowned when she did not.

It was all incredibly informative, and were it not for Luo-Luo’s impeccable manners, she’d have called her new sisters liars a half dozen times. There was more to Falling Rain than they would say, but overall, she was dazzled by his astonishing accomplishments and lofty pursuits. In truth, little Tali wasn’t far off the mark, though she forgot to mention Luo-Luo’s husband was the newly-crowned number one talent in the Empire. That alone was enough to convince her the Imperial Mandate was without fault, quashing all her thoughts of invoking the Privilege. Eager to meet him, Luo-Luo steered the conversation towards that end and soon enough, Lin Lin was happily escorting her to meet him, with a less enthusiastic Mila (as she preferred to be called) and an apathetic Li-Li (whose ears fluttered in delight at the familiar appellation) following behind.

Following Lin-Lin around the Divine Turtle, Luo-Luo held her breath as she laid eyes upon her husband for the very first time. Broad of shoulder and slim of waist, he laid curled up against the Divine Turtle’s arm, no doubt exhausted after a long morning of gruelling, hard fought duels. A fierce, indomitable warrior, he belied all expectations by curling up with at least a dozen rabbits, including one fully grown rabbit snuggled against his chest. While not the most handsome man she’d met, a little skin care and make up would go a long way towards enhancing his appearance, not to mention a proper haircut and tailored clothes. As Lin-Lin skipped over to wake him, Luo-Luo glanced down and made sure everything was in place before donning her best smile and raising her head to meet her husband.

Only to realize she raised it far too high, for she stood a full head taller than the number one talent in the Empire.

Oh Mother above... her husband was so tiny!