I rise from the bed when the sun streams in. I rub my eyes and yawn so big my jaw cracks. I slept terribly. I am ready to just get this day over. I quickly dress and leave the room I have been assigned. The house is still. I believe I am the first one to wake. I take quiet steps down the stairs and head toward the exit I took with Shee last evening. Once outside I take a deep breath of the morning air. There are a few servants moving about. Today feels odd. I had awoken so happy the last few days because I knew that I would see her soon. I dread today. Yesterday’s confusion will have our parents pushing us together. On one side I will be forced to spend time with her as if we are courting. On the other hand, we could use the time to strategically plan what we can do about our impending nuptials. How can I be happy with either of my choices today when I know Io will just be waiting for me. I wonder how long she will wait until she realizes I will not show.
There is a throat clearing behind me. When I turn from my thoughts there is a young servant boy behind me. He bows in greeting.
“Sorry to bother you. I wondered if…. well…I “he stammers having a tough time.
“You may speak freely Pachong. You will receive no trouble from me at the moment” I inform him. He takes a deep breath of relief and straightens his back.
“I was wondering if it is true. That you seek to find a way to sever your arranged binding too” he asks. I nod to him. I do not want to voice my thoughts and offer too much hope.
“Well, I will inform you that if she were to outwardly be jealous and vocally object to you taking other women as your concubines you could declare her to be unfit to be your bride because of your station” he rushes to say. When he sees that I understand he quickly takes his leave back to the hut.
I rush after him in my excitement. Finally, a way has presented itself to let me be with Io. All I have to do is get her to talk about this in front of our parents. My father would never let this stand. He wants me to be just like him. As I try to follow him, he disappears from my line of sight into a room. When I look into the room it appears empty. Entering back out into the hall I run directly into Shee. I have to throw my arms out to catch her before she topples backward from the force of my body on her small frame. My gaze meets hers and I realize I have her cradled in my arms as if we are about to kiss. I swallow and release her taking a step back. I scratch my head and clear my throat.
“Sorry I was rushing to find you. We need to talk…. come on” I say as I try to lead her out the exit.
“Wait, our parents are waiting for us in the sunroom to break bread. We can talk after.” She replies turning in the other direction.
I follow after her thinking that I was outside much longer than I thought. In the sunroom I see two empty plates on the table. My father and Xiyi have already eaten. Now that are engagement has been agreed upon, I must wait for Shee to make my plate while our mothers make their own. I take the plate from her once she is finished and nod my thanks. Yesterday I was unable to eat much in my disgruntled mood. This morning I tuck into my food with renewed strength. I want to finish the food so I can tell Shee of the solution to our problem.
“Slow down boy, you will get to spend time with her until midday” my father urges me. “Perhaps you should take her on another walk once done instead of spending time in our presence” he offers. I meet his gaze and nod my head because my mouth is full. He chuckles at my response. While waiting for her to finish her food I run what I will say through my mind. I feel my mother place her hand on my knee to stop it from bouncing and I blush scarlet. I take a deep breath to center myself into a calm state. Once she finishes, I stand and offer my arm to her. She takes it and I practically tug her from the room to reach outside where we will not be heard.
“What’s has gotten into you?” She says as we reach the path.
“I have a plan. One where we both can get what we want. You have to be jealous.” I state.
“I am not jealous. I hardly even know you.” She says.
“No, I mean jealous like the old laws. It is something my father will not stand for. He wants me to be like him. If you are jealous, he will try to find a new arrangement for me” I rush to say. As I watch her think about it her eyes light up.
“That’s brilliant. If we get him to not want the arrangement, then my parents will be at no fault. “She cries.
“True but it has to be done in front of them. Are you ready”? I say ready to go back inside.
She nods and walks back onto the path. When we make our way back to the sunroom all eyes turn to us in confusion. I believe it is because they might have thought we would spend all the time we had together until leaving. I quietly berate myself for not having thought about how our quick return would seem.
“Back so soon?” Xiyi says.
“Yes, I thought it would be prudent to get to know the whole family I would soon be a part of and not only Draco” she conveys. Her answer makes me smile at its convincing tone.
“So, what is your home like in your village” she looks at my father and speaks. She could not have asked a better question. He loves to boast about all he has.
“It is a home of twenty-five rooms all colored of blues and golds. It is spread over three stories and is the biggest in the village. The gardens stretch far beyond the property almost the size of your home. We have many animals in pasture far beyond what we can eat. As for the shops in the center, I am sole owner of many. “He gushes to everyone.
“Oh my” her father exclaims. “Why so many rooms?”
“I am an ex-general of the Chinese army. I must have a place for my concubines and their offspring” he says with ease. I look at the faces of her mother and father watching them instantly pale. Shee sits there with her mouth open. I think to myself that it may be easier than I thought to make her jealous.
“Hem…...uhm how many concubines do you keep” Xiyi now ask.
“I have seven for now. One for every day of the week. My wife has her own estate apart from me” he gloats. My mother shrinks into her seat as they all turn to look at her. I feel a moment of anger at what he just implied aloud. Before I can defend myself Shee looks at me.
“Would this be what I have to look forward to as your bride, Draco” she says. I can understand something clearly at last in her eyes but her tone however reeks of contempt.
“Well, I don’t know about having seven, but I would like to have a concubine or two. If it makes you happy you do not have to live on an estate apart from me” I offer salaciously.
“I beg your pardon. What makes you think I am to tolerate that kind of thing going on in my own home. If I am to be your wife you shall have none other, not even in death” she practically bellows.
My father sits higher in his seat at her declaration. He has gone red all over and I can almost smell his fury in the room. This has gone more perfectly than I could have ever imagined.
“Now you wait just a moment. He is the son of a general and should be treated as such. He will be the man of the house which shall be tended to upon his wants especially having to marry someone such as the likes of you” he shouts back.
“Wait. Let us take a moment to calm down before someone says something they cannot take back.” I yell. When everyone relaxes a bit, I continue. “Shee and I have done fine on our own. I am sure that with time we can come to an agreement. It is our lives we are talking about here.” I hear her sound of disagreement already in the air, but I must make it seem as if I want this arrangement. “We still have thirty-six days for me to court her with gifts and letters. I believe we should take that time to find common ground since time has been invested” I plead.
“Fair” my father says with a flick of his hand. “Ready the horses. It is midday and I wish to take my leave from here” he commands. Two servants rush to do what he says. With all that just happened everyone sits on in silence not knowing what to say. Shee and I exchange a look of tempered joy knowing that we have just won this battle. Now I must count on her to keep the plan of staying jealous. That is all there is too it.
When we reach the wagon, my father sits in his seat as he stares out the window. My mother and I see his fury, so we do nothing to detour it. We sit in silence too. Out my window I see the suns position in the sky and my soul begins to cry. By the time I make it home Io will realize that I will not be there today at all.