บท 3: Old Man

The wedding day came.

Xian Xinyi sat alone inside the carriage, feeling uneasy. Not because her family married her off without meeting her first after years of separation but because she wanted to sneak a peek outside the carriage and look at the man she would marry. But they warned her not to do so.

Aside from that, the one thing she wished most was to see the city and people standing at the street she believed came out to greet her. However, tradition dictated that the carriage should be closely curtained to prevent the bride from seeing "ominous signs" such as a widow or a black cat.

This marriage was a farce for her but it freed her out from that place at last. She might miss her animal friends but to live with humans had been her dream. Her nanny, an older woman named Yan Ma, was the only human companion she had after they sent her to that land and who loved her dearly like a daughter. Then another old lady came years later who became her mentor.

Ever since that fateful day fourteen years ago...

The day... her powers manifested, which caused her family to cut all ties with her until they had to bring her back for this imperial edict. It was not an evil power but people having that supernatural ability was rare. Most would think she was crazy or demon-possessed.

Also, for an official to sire a child with that ability was ominous. It would harm the father's position as the prime minister and the enemies would use it against him. The prime minister's enemy could connect the child's ability to witchcraft and demonic practices. They could spread the rumor that the prime minister used that occultic power that's why he rose in power and sired that kind of child wielding that ability.

Hence, they thought she had to go, for her own good and for the good of her family. She cried during those early years in isolation and spent a lot of time wailing herself to sleep. However, when she grew older, she had come to terms with reality. From then on Xinyi enjoyed life in the valley despite the loneliness that set in sometimes.

Now she savored this newfound life; or rather, a new adventure she would face with this Lei Ming, whoever he was. She hoped this man was not someone old enough as her father and thought of what it would feel to be a married woman.

Then she realized what her nanny told her about the thing the couple would do on the first night.

"Oh, no, I'm not ready for this. I haven't even fallen in love yet, nor met a man in my life." She said this for their house here in Fēngfù had no male servants. She fanned herself with her hands. "Don't panic, don't you panic, Xinyi. You'll get through this. But make sure not to anger your husband on the first night."

Yet, she still wanted to cry. "What am I going to do? Am I pretty enough for him? And what was that thing Yan Ma told me?" She propped her chin on her hand, thinking. Yan Ma was a single old woman. Therefore, the only advice she got was what Yan Ma had heard of, where couples got naked and kissed their lips in bed through the night.

"He will undress me and see my naked body? Ahh, no." She covered her face with her palms in nervousness but... also hopefulness. "Wahhh, I'm weird." She felt guilty thinking as if she was also looking forward to it with great anticipation.

Good thing the maids bathed her well in a tub full of hot water and flower petals. She smelled her skin and the fragrance of flowers filled her nostrils. "Ah, I smell good," she complimented the maids mentally.

However, she couldn't bear lying naked in front of a man. "With no clothes and smooch through the night? Wahhh. What is that smooching thing?" Xinyi was in a dilemma. She realized she hadn't given her first kiss yet. In fact, she didn't know how to kiss a man lips to lips.

"This is crazy. What am I going to do? Oh, I hope I won't be a disappointment." She fanned herself again, feeling ashamed and trying to douse the feeling of excitement.

Then the carriage stopped, and she heard someone kick the wall of the carriage three times but no one opened the curtain to assist her. She waited... waited... but... at last, someone lifted the curtain and opened a palm for her to hold. Somehow, it was the hand of an old person.

Xinyi gasped in horror. Was she really married off to this old man?

----- o -----

Historical Facts:

Yōushì - means Dominant.

**An official and his children are married off through betrothal either by the parents or elders of both sides or through imperial edict. It is an honor for these officials if the king will grant the marriage through imperial edict.