Fang Xin's point of view

I was reluctant to leave Xinye behind, but there was simply no option but to go ahead and prepare for her arrival. I was responsible for these men, and they needed housing. Maelgwyn and Fergus's presence was required so that the horseless carriage would not be destroyed overnight by superstitious people in the manor. My sister met us at the entrance.

"Xin! Welcome, come, come, you have to meet my husband to be," my sister gushed, then looking at the two men next to me asked, "And who are these people? I know the rest are soldiers to be housed until the horses have arrived, but these aren't dressed the same."

"These are my adopted sons," I explained, "They are from my wife's first marriage."

"You're marrying a widow? She must have started young for you to be marrying her. You couldn't possibly be marrying someone older than you," I was dismissed before I could even explain. "I never thought I would get married, but then Bryce came along - he's one of those foreigners that fell from the sky. He's perfectly adorable. He does everything I say when I say and leaves me to do what I want. Perfect for me, it's as if Buddha knew what I needed and wanted and crammed him into this man."

"You said Bryce?" Maelgwyn questioned, a quizzical look on his face. Fergus ears picked up then, too, and the same expression filled his face, too.

"Yes, I did," my sister agreed, "Why do you know a Bryce?"

"Yes," Maelgwyn nodded, "Our eldest brother is called Bryce."

I could tell my sister was not really listening by the look on her face, "Anyway, come meet him." and we went to the meeting room.

"Bryce!" Maelgwyn said, followed by a whole lot of the language Xinye spoke in, except I could not understand them, yet I could her. The only words I recognised were Mum, Dad, Bryce, Maelgwyn, and Fergus, everything else was unrecognisable.

"So, this is Bryce?" I asked my sister seeing the men give each other a slap on the back and grinning as if they knew each other, Perhaps this Bryce is Xinye's oldest son. Is it ok for my sister to marry if he is my adopted son? Or is it best for me to not adopt him - he is a bit old for it now anyway.

"Yes," my sister nodded linking her arm with his earning a bemused look from the fellow.

"Does he know he is marrying you?" I asked her.

"I guess so, he has made no objections to the situation," she said.

"Fergus," I addressed Xinye's youngest, interrupting their playful banter.

"Yes?" Fergus acknowledged me.

"Ask Bryce if he understands what is happening, and is he ok with it," I instructed and Fergus relayed the question.

"Not really," was my answer back.

"Can you explain to him that he is expected to marry my sister tomorrow, and become as a wife would normally be as he had no family estate or belongings, he is being married into our family, he is to take on our name. Is he ok with that?"

Fergus asked the question and apparently it caused a bit of ribbing as he looked to be teased and punched with the pair smiling at him. Eventually, Fergus replied, "He is ok with it, if it is doing as he has been doing - he feels pretty useless not knowing the language or what is expected. But if he is making her happy, he is content. He asked is he making her happy?"

My sister answered, "Yes! Of course, he is! I would not be marrying him if he were not."

"I just want to clarify something," I asked Fergus, "Is Bryce your brother?"

Fergus nodded, "Yes, will this be a problem? You know since you have married Mum?"

I shook my head, "No it shouldn't be, I did not adopt him yet so he is not officially family yet. Though in saying that I think we should keep it quiet until after the wedding. My parents would not like it. Can everyone here promise to not say anything?"

Everyone in the room nodded solemnly.

"Brother! Come with me!" My sister dragged me out then and showed me my room, "Do you like this room? Do you think your wife will like it? When will I meet her? Mum is going to be so annoyed you marrying without her permission or approval. What is she like?" her questions seemed endless passing over me in a flood of words. I did not get to answer any of them except to nod my head that I did think my wife would like the room, there was nothing ornate in it, it was clean and functional. The only thing that showed it was for a couple was the bed and bedding, they were extremely luxurious.

I was left to bathe and change and was ordered to go to the dining room when I had finished for supper. I half undressed as I was use to my mother's not so subtle attempts to pair me with unwed females. I always kept myself covered in such a way that I could not cause a compromising situation should she do this again. The last thing I needed was another wife. I was happy with just the one.

I was thankful I had only half undressed as a female came in offering her services shortly afterwards, "Fang Xin, your mother asked me to attend you. Let me wash you."

"Get out!" I growled at the girl drawing my clothes shut, "I am perfectly capable of bathing myself! If I can't do it, my wife will do it later when she arrives. I have no need of you."

"But your mother said you were unmarried!" the girl flustered, "Is she wrong? Where is your wife now?"

"Coming, and that is all that matters," I snapped, I grabbed the girl by the arm and escorted her roughly to the door, "Now go! And tell my Mother I have a wife! Stop setting me up!"

The girl ran away howling, "Mama, Mama!"

I grimaced, knowing my mother would be here shortly I hurriedly finished my absolutions. I just finished when I heard my mother's angry footsteps outside of my room, "Xin!" she angrily called my name as she entered the room.

I wiped my hands dry and turned to her, "Yes Mama?" I replied in a chilly but warm voice, she was still my mother and I did love her, I just did not want to be arguing with her about my wife.

"Is it true? You are married?" Mother asked me.

"Yes, Mama," I nodded in agreement, "It is true, I am married now."

"Who to? Does she bring benefits to the house? Will I approve of her? Where is she?" Mother's questions were fired out rapidly.

"Her name was Chen Xinye," I started.

"Chen!" Mother interrupted, "She has the same name as that boy Cheung is marrying."

"Yes mama," I replied, "They also have the same last name as Hong Taiji's eunuch Chen Li, it does not have to mean anything."

My mother looked at me sceptically, "So when will I meet her? Is she here?"

It was then that I realised that she had not arrived yet, "She should have been here by now. I wonder what happened to her. I am sorry Mama, but I need to find her, she isn't very strong."

My mother nodded, and looked to be about to say something but I did not stick around to find out what it was she wanted. My first point of call was to head back to the "Ute". I headed out and found nothing. I questioned the gate guards but they knew nothing and had seen no one seeking entry to the manor. I then headed back in and told her children of their mothers missing status and then I headed to where the elite troop were being housed for the week and had them set out looking for her. Once I had done this, I took the horse allocated to me whenever I was home and galloped around the lanes looking and calling her name.

I was up all night looking and calling for her and Li, having no luck. I returned in the early morning before dawn, and collapsed in the family shrine to pray to the Gods for her protection. I was not particularly religious, but I had seen prayer answered, specifically Xinye's prayer. But I did not remember what God it was she prayed too; all I knew was it was different to the ones our family prayed too.

"Xinye's God, please look after her and keep her safe. Please let me find her!" I asked her God with all my heart. My stomach growled then, making me aware of how hungry I was, so I bowed and headed to the kitchens to cook myself something as I did not think there would be any cooks up at that time of day.

I had to pass by the family "jail" the route I headed to the kitchen. I paid little attention to them as there was always some poor soul in there for some injustice, my mother just could not help but be petty to her servants, but somehow, she all had their undying loyalty, despite her short comings.

"Please, help us!" I heard, "Please Sir, call General Fang to come here."

I grimaced, the person did not recognise me, but then considering how overdressed and yet raggy from riding round the countryside with one thought in mind, I was not really surprised. Most of my men did not recognise me when I was dressed as a noble, not to mention it was dark still, being just before dawn.

I decided to humour the person and walked over, "What do you want with General Fang?" I asked still some distance away.

"Xin!" I heard my name spoken with such hope and affection, followed by something I did not understand as it was in English. I wondered then how it was I had been able to understand my wife, she only ever spoke English.

"Xin," a different voice said, a voice that reminded me of Li, "Thank God you are here. Get us out of here, Xinye is suffering a lot, even though she is not complaining, I can tell she is. Not to mention it is disgustingly filthy and smelly in here."

I rushed over then and looked through the bars to see my wife sitting on the ground looking very uncomfortable and Li standing looking out at me, "So this is where you were! I have been looking everywhere for you. How did you end up in here? No Never mind that, you can tell me later - I will be right back." and I hurried away to get the keys to let out my wife and Li.

I found the guardsmen sitting somewhat drunk in their room, laughing at the prisoner's expense. This made me see red, I do not know what happened exactly, but when I came to my senses again the 3 men that were in that room were knocked out and the keys for the jail was in my hands.

I looked at them and then the keys in confusion, before shrugging and hurrying out to free my wife and Li - the sun just peaking its head over the horizon then.

"What happened to you?" Xinye asked me when I collapsed down next to her and hugged her tightly to me, blood spattering on my expensive dress clothes.

"I was worried about you. Thank God, I found you!" I said, and it was then I realised, I truly did owe her God a thanks as he answered my prayer indirectly. I would never have found them if I had not decided to feed myself just after my serious prayer. I just hugged her so thankful for about 5 minutes before she withdrew, pushing me away.

"As nice as this is," Xinye said, "Can you please take me somewhere to lie down properly?"

I nodded and helped her up from the ground. Li, just silently watching us both. "Come this way," I said as my stomach growled again, "Oh sorry," I blushed in embarrassment, "We will have to go via the kitchens first, I need to get some snack food to hold me off until breakfast. Do you want some food too? I can't imagine they would have fed you when they through you in."

"I would love some food," Li said, "I am sure Xinye would like it too." and Xinye nodded at her words as if to say she would love food too.

After we snuck some food, I showed Li to his room and then took Xinye to ours, drawing the paper doors behind me closed thankfully. I went to hug Xinye, but her endurance must have been at an end as she hurried over to the washbasin, took the cloth and quickly washed her face and hands before turning to remove her outer wrap and collapsing on the bed. It was all so fast that I suspected she had actually fainted onto the bed as she had thrown her wrap at a nearby chair as she collapsed.

I smiled, cleaned myself up properly after her, and did the same thing except slower and with more thought. I took off her shoes, which were on her feet overhanging the bed and moved her properly onto it, before removing my own shoes, and I then lay down beside her, hugging her. "I am glad I found you." I sighed and fell asleep almost immediately, relieved that my wife was beside me and well.

🍀A/N If you enjoyed this chapter, please take the time to vote by pressing the star. If you see any errors, please let me know as this is unedited. 🍀