Xinye's view

We were woken at lunchtime to get ready, the person who woke us seemed very surprised to see me. A horrible look crossed her face, as if I was dirt to be next to my husband. I quite frankly wondered at the look, Surely Xin has told his family of me? Why does she look like that - if looks could kill I am pretty sure I would be dead.

I doubt I would have seen the look had I not already been awake, I had been awake a few minutes, but rather than getting up I had rolled over, put my head on my husbands shoulder and hugged him. He had put his arm around me at some point so this was not that difficult to do.

"Xin, time to get up," she said, totally ignoring me.

"Thanks," I said, knowing she would not understand me, causing her to scowl for a second, when Xin's eyes opened she quickly changed it to a smile.

Xin looked at her and asked, "What are you doing here ChunLi?  I thought I told you to leave me alone, I have a wife, look here she is right next to me. Are you blind or something?"

"Xin I was just..." she tried to explain herself, as I got up, there was little point lying there now, she had quite ruined our time together.

"I know what you were just," he snarled as he sat up, "We would have been there on time, the servants would get us," and just then they came in, "Look see, what did I say, Now go, before I get really annoyed." 

ChunLi bowed and left with tears down her face.

"Why was she crying?" I asked him.

"Because my mother promised her that I would marry her, despite me telling my mother I was not interested in marriage and to stop setting me up," he explained.

"So why did you marry me then? If you weren't interested in marriage," I asked.

"That feeling that occurs between us," he said, "I don't get it but I am not going to argue with it either, so far you have been nothing but a blessing to me, despite your bad health. I doubt any other woman would have been able to save another as injured as me as sick as you are. Also what happened to that cat we had?"

"The cat?" I asked as if I did not know what he was talking about.

"The cat, don't think I did not notice it coming and going and keeping you company when I was sleeping," he said with a smile.

"I did not get to do anything with it," I said, "I hope that it gets its meals with the other cats as I asked Li to show him where to go if I was too sick to feed him. There is enough water in the bucket for him. I just hope he will stay with us despite us all deserting him."

Xin nodded, as he indicated to the servants to put our clothes down, "We will dress ourselves." and he chased them out the door. "Seriously I am over people trying to dress me or rather undress me. Mama may not realise it but maids dressing me is the reason why I do not want to get married." He shuddered, "Although you were the first I wanted to be with, I was forced to have sex a few times. I am ashamed to say it as men are not supposed to be raped, but I was."

I was brimming with curiousity as to who and how many times he had been subjected to this, but I did not ask. I had always found people would tell you if they wanted to eventually. Somethings were hard enough to say, that he trusted me that much to say this much said alot, but I wanted him to know I wanted to know, "When you feel you can talk about it, I would like to know about this. Thanks for telling me this much."

He nodded and started undressing, reminding me that I too had to undress. I started changing, for me it was a task best done quickly, so I stripped, went to the basin and cleaned myself off again, then I turned around to get the garments I was given to wear. I glanced at my husband then only to find his face flushed and he was turned away from me.

"Are you ok?" I asked him.

"Well I would be woman if you were not so shameless," he said as he continued to change facing away from me.

I chuckled, he was so adorable, I could not help then but give him a hug from behind, "You're my  husband, why is undressing with you shameless?"

"I don't know..." he stuttered, "It just seems like it."

"Marriage is the unity between two people, so why would one be ashamed of the other? or in front of the other?" I asked him, "Now if it were strangers like your servants before, that I would understand. I don't want anyone else touching you unless I can't look after you myself and even then I do not think I would like it."

"I see, so that explains why Fergus was helping then."

"Your privates were covered," I said as if that explained it all.

"Hmm," he nodded and he wriggled out of my arms, "Hurry up we can't dawdle around like this all day...Oh, I forgot to tell you, your son Bryce is here."

"Bryce is here?" I was surprised at the news, "So, I have all 3 sons here. How were they? Did Bryce look well?" 

He nodded, and seeing me struggle with the last bit of the kimono he said, "Let me do that." and took the binding from me. I stood then and let him finish me off. I knew he would be fine once his clothes were on him, I would need to help him into them though. We were a pair - one could start the dressing process, and the other had to finish. 

I took the time he was undressed to observe his wound. It had healed completely over, but it was still a very angry thick red, "How are you feeling today? You said you had looked for us all night on horseback, that cant have been comfortable." I traced his wound with my finger, praying for healing again.

He shook his head in answer, letting me trace his wound before closing his attire, "I did not notice it, I was to worried about you. But you are right, I should take it carefully today. It is a bit tender, but nothing that will stop me from taking action if needed."

We were finally dressed, but our hair remained undone. I normally just wore my hair in a pigtail, and I knew this was not going to cut it this time. "Umm, Xin, my hair, what do I do with it?"

He looked at the long bob I had and grimaced, "Let me try something." and sat me down to play with my hair. He put it into a bun at the nape of my neck using a filler so that it looked like I had longer hair than I did, then put an ornate strait sided head gear, that looked a bit like a sailors hat if you really stretched the truth or perhaps a crown. I have no idea what it was called but it was very ornate, the colors suiting the outfit I was given perfectly.

Xin looked at the finish product and nodded with satisfaction before realising I had no make up on, "Xinye, do you have any makeup?"

I shook my head, "No, I never wear the stuff usually. Why? Is it important?"

He nodded, "Yes, you need to wear it for certain events, this, unfortunately, is one of the occasions."

"I will be looked down on won't I for not wearing it?" I asked him worriedly.

"Yes," he nodded, "But I think if I borrow some rouge we can get away with it. Your skin is so perfectly white... stay here, I will ask my sister for her rouge. She usually has several pots of different shades." and he hurried out to where his sister was.

A few minutes later I heard a squeal and an angry, "XIN! YOU KNOW you are not meant to be here! Go, Shoo Shoo."

"But sis, I will go as soon as you give me a pot of rouge," he said, clearly not moving.

"Aiya, what are you made of?" a serving girl asked him.

"I will go once I get a pot of rouge," he stubbornly said.

"Fine!" his sister huffed, "Have this one. Its a color that does not suit me."

"Thank you sister!" I could hear his voice as if he bowed while saying it.

"Fine, fine! What do you need a pot of rouge for anyway?" She asked before adding, "No, Nevermind, I do not need to know, I am sure it is for some nefarious purpose I do not want any part of."

I could imagine Xin smiling wickedly at that, but I heard his footsteps hurrying to our chamber and he burst through the door in triumph, "Look XInye!" he crowed, "Rouge, and in a color that will suit your skin perfectly!"

I smiled and nodded.

"Let me put it on you!" Xin asked, his eyes looking like puppy dog eyes when they beg for food or affection.

I nodded again, "Sure, I would probably put it on incorrectly anyway. I do not know how to put make up on according to your customs, I only know ours."

"Thank you," he put down the pot, cupped my face and kissed me, "You will not regret it. You will be the most beautiful person there." 

I rested my forehead on his for a minute before he pulled back, went to the wash stand, pulled out, what looked to be a paint brush, then came back to me and began to apply rouge to my face. When he had finished, he stepped back and inspected his work with satisfaction. With a small nod of pride he said, "That will do, I do not want to do anymore or you will outshine the bride. Do you want to see it?"

"Sure," I agreed as I wondered what he was doing painting not only my lips and eyes, but my forehead too.

He offered me a small oval copper mirror to see. I looked at him for a minute deciding if I should look or just remain oblivious. He must have understood my hesitation, as he ushered me, "Look Look! Don't worry, I would never make you look bad."

I looked then and was staggered by the delicacy with which he had painted my face with just the single color. My lips looked to be a deep red, making them look fuller and more inviting than they actually were, my eyelids were sprinkled lightly in the corners, and a dark red line following my eyelashes and the center of my head looked like he painted a phoenix or flower, I was not quite sure which, but it was so delicate and refined, I thought I looked like an entirely different person. "Wow," I breathed, "It looks good."

"Thanks," he said with his eyes averted.

"Xin," I questioned him.

He made the mistake of looking at me, I saw his pupils dilate and his breath deepen, "Yes."

"Nevermind, I see the answer to my question now," I apologized to him, "Lets go."

"You go, I need just a minute to calm down," he said.

"Ok, I will wait outside for you," I agreed, allowing him the time to compose himself. 

As I waited his sister walked by with her attendants towards the waiting room set up for her. She stopped for a moment inspecting my make up, "Did Xin do your make up?" 

I nodded, "Yes, ma-am."

"I forgot how good he was at doing make up," she mused, "I should have got him to do my wedding make up too. Oh well, mine is done now. Where is Xin?"

"He is inside," I replied.

"Why did I bother asking?" she answered me, "I can't understand you anyway. I do not know how Xin seems to know what you are saying. It makes no sense marrying someone you do not understand."

Xin  came out then, "Sister," he greeted her, "Please excuse us, we must be on our way."

"Understood," she said before turning and walking away. Xin linked my arm with his and led me to the hall where the ceremony was to be held. Being the eldest son and his wife were were closest to Xin's parents table where the bride and groom were to greet the parents.

"I wonder what her groom looks like," I mused quietly to Xin, who looked at me in bewilderment.

"How could you....? Oh Nevermind, despite what happens be quiet through the ceremony ok?" Xin instructed me, "You can question the groom later. Just be silent when you see him."

I nodded, wondering why he was warning me of this, surely the man was not that problematic. Nothing would have prepared me for seeing Bryce when they entered the hall for the ceremony.

I was kneeling as I was required too, but upon seeing Bryce I went to get up, "Bryce!" I said before I even thought. Xin touched my elbow, gently reminding me of my promise.

I looked at him and nodded, to let him know I understood.

The couple looked lovely. The first bit of the marriage was to serve tea to the parents. 

Bryce and Xin's sister had agreed to serve me tea too. This action caused a stir, shaking the very area we were in.

"Why are they serving Xin and his lady?" I overheard someone whisper.

"Perhaps its because Xin is the eldest son and heir to the family estates?" the person they were whispering to replied.

My son and now daughter-in-law must have heard the whisper and said, "Mother, Father-in-law/brother."

"What?!?!" most people unknowingly gasped, "She's his mother?!?! This is scandalous! How can the son marry the sister? Aiya, this is bad."

"I think its intriguing," Li said to all the protesters, "And kind of romantic, don't you think? I mean the whole family is clearly attracted to each other, what does it matter the ages?"

"The crown princes eunich is right," they swiftly changed their tune, "Let's just enjoy the ceremony and celebrations."

The ceremony was finished and we banqueted for the next 3 days, going back to our rooms late each night. Bryce and his new wife seemed to be happy, so I did not worry. As Li had changed the majority of opinion, I foolishly let my guard down and treated everyone with kindness and respect as had been my custom even before we came to the past.

I missed the fact there was a small group of people that was not happy with Xin's and my marriage, the core being his mother and the girl who his mother wanted him to marry. I was just happy to be beside my husband watching him enjoying being with his family.

On the third night Xin said to me, "Xinye, I have to go tomorrow with my men to attack Ningyuan. Taiji will be joining us there with another 100000 troops, so we will have 200,000 troops altogether. We should be able to add Ningyuan back into the empire."

"Be careful Xin," I said to him, suddenly filled with dread, "Please be careful, I have a really awful feeling about that battle, I don't know why. I do not think things will go as you and Taiji have planned."

"Do you know something about the upcoming battle?" he asked me.

"No," I answered, "But I do know not all battles and expansions went as planned in Chinese history."

Xin was silent then and hugged me as if it was the last time we would be together. We slept till early morning when he woke me up with his love making, again as if it was the last time he would see me. I did not have any such concern as I had entrusted him to my God and he had not told me of any upcoming disaster to Xin personally, just his troops.

I saw him off with my son, Maelgwyn, at sunrise the next day saying, "Be careful Maelgwyn, come straight back if you can."

"Yes mum," he said rolling his eyes at me, "I am not there to fight, just transport the men. Besides which I have to stop some distance before the area as Taiji said that he did not want the horseless carriage to be captured."

"Ok, but still be careful," I worried.

They nodded and left me at the Fang manor in the care of my mother-in-law and her daughter. I turned and went to the isolated garden that most people avoided as they thought it haunted. It was not haunted, just a family of squirrels running amok. I found their antics amusing so I would often take my tea and go there. 

I had no one I could really talk to except for Bryce, but he was too busy with whatever tasks his wife had him doing. I felt it only natural that a resentment for me would grow, being unwell most of the time. I was just thankful that Bryce fitted in well, nothing however, prepared me for what was to come.

🍀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. 🍀