Severing Time & Space

The Vivacious Princess, Part II

“First, I would like to speak with Uncle. After that, I think we should travel into Zahn City.”

Wu Jian nodded. “Okay. Let’s do that.”

Once they finished breakfast, the two stood up and made their way toward Father’s complex. Many people looked at them as they passed. Most of them bowed in respect, but he did notice how a few looked at him with jealousy and even more looked at Wu Meiying with l**t.

He wrinkled his nose.

Disgusting old men, but I suppose I cannot blame them. What toad does not want to eat the meat of a swan? I’m pretty sure the only reason no one has tried to flirt with Mei is because everyone knows she has no interest in them.

For the past two years, many young clansmen had attempted to court Wu Meiying, some at the behest of their parents and others to satisfy their own desires. Wu Meiying ignored them all. The few clansmen dumb enough to try and start something were summarily dealt with by either Wu Jian or Wu Meiying herself.

Many clansmen had found their hearts and bones broken by the pair.

As they made it to Father’s complex, loud voices emerged from inside, causing them to stop. Wu Meiying and Wu Jian looked at each other. Nodding, they moved off to the side, found a window, and peered into the reception room.

Father was standing there with Mother and Aunt Taohua. Standing on the opposite side of them was a buff man dressed in thick wool robes that looked blood stained. They were entirely crimson. His dark hair had streaks of gray, and he had a wrinkled face, but that only made his imposing stature more intimidating.

Wu Jian recognized the man called Ming Han. They’d had the displeasure of meeting this man once, and he never wanted to meet him again.

There were two other people with them. One of them was a young man several years older than Wu Jian and Wu Meiying. He looked a lot like Ming Han and wore the same arrogant expression. The other was a quiet adult man who wore armor and carried a sword at his hip—a bodyguard perhaps. Wu Jian didn’t recognize him.

The boy was Ming Shen, the eldest son of the Ming Family. Despite being only three years older than Wu Jian, he had already reached a strength that measured over five thousand, though Wu Jian did not know exactly how strong Ming Shen was. Wu Jian would not say they were rivals or anything of the sort, though some might see it differently due to the animosity they had for each other. If anything, he considered Ming Shen to be one of his most hated enemies.

Another foolish toad who seeks swan meat. I wish Ming Shen would give up. He has to realize by now that Father has no interest in marrying Mei off to someone outside of the clan. Why is he so stubborn?

“Why are you so against it?! A marriage between Wu Meiying and my Ming Shen would tie our two families together and make us even more powerful! We could rule Zahn City together!”

Wu Jian ground his teeth together as he listened in.

“It sounds like the Ming Clan still hasn’t given up on marrying you to their heir,” Wu Jian muttered.

Wu Meiying sighed. “How annoying. I wish these people would realize I’m not interested. Even if Uncle tried to force me to marry someone, I would run away before that happened.”

“And I’d run away with you,” Wu Jian declared.

“I know you would,” Wu Meiying said with a giggle.

“Ming Han,” Father said in a cold voice. “I have no interest in letting Wu Meiying marry into your family.”

“But she’s not even a real member of the Wu Clan!” Ming Han shouted. “Are you really so set on insulting my family over someone you adopted?! I warn you now, if you continue to dishonor me like this, I will retaliate!”

“You are free to do as you please, but I will not hand over Wu Meiying to you or your son,” Father said, his voice cold enough to freeze the heavens.

Ming Han looked like he might blow a blood vessel. His face was bright red and veins throbbed like angry serpents on his skin. It made his already intimidating facial features even more frightening. Even Wu Jian felt fearful of him despite how much stronger he had grown.

I’m really glad I’m not in there right now.

“Fine. If you wish to continue spurning my good graces, then don’t blame me if I am no longer polite to you in the future,” Ming Han ground out through clenched teeth.

“Don’t worry. I won’t.”

It seemed the meeting had reached its conclusion. Ming Han didn’t even bother paying Father any respect as he turned around and stomped toward the exit. The two people with him soon followed.

Wu Jian and Wu Meiying quickly scrambled around a corner so Ming Han and Ming Shen wouldn’t see them, though Ming Han did look their way as though sensing they had been there. He fortunately did not remain long and left, his son and bodyguard trailing behind him.

Once the three vanished, Wu Jian and Wu Meiying walked into the reception hall, where Father, Mother, and Aunt Taohua were still present. Father was sitting on his throne-like chair while Mother and Aunt Taohua stood by his side.

“I can’t believe that man had the nerve to ask for Little Mei’s hand in marriage again. How many times does this make now?” Mother was saying.

Father shrugged. “It is not so unusual considering his son’s infatuation with her, but I cannot in good conscience let her marry out of the clan, considering how special she is.”

“Hmph. So you’re only interested in her ability, dear? Does the fact that Wu Jian loves her have nothing to do with your decision?” asked Mother.

Father looked cross and opened his mouth to speak, but Aunt Taohua spotted Wu Jian and Wu Meiying before either of them and coughed into her hand.

“I believe we should save this discussion another time,” she said diplomatically.

Mother and Father finally noticed their presence. While Father’s brow remained furrowed, Mother huffed.

“Don’t think you’ve heard the end of this from me,” she said. Father just sighed like he was at his wits end.

Wu Jian and Wu Meiying ignored the byplay between Father and his wives. They knelt before the three, left fists clasped in the palms of their right hands, heads respectfully bowed.

“Father, Wu Meiying and I are planning to head into Zahn City today,” Wu Jian said.

“Is that so? Fine then. But don’t get into any trouble. You might also want to stick to districts controlled by the Wu Clan,” Father warned.

Zahn City was controlled by three clans: The Wu Clan, the Ming Clan, and the Juishi Clan. Of them, the Wu Clan was currently the most powerful, but that had not always been the case. Until recently, the Ming Clan had been more powerful than them. Perhaps that was one of the reasons Ming Han didn’t like how Father continued to refuse his offer.

“We will do as you say,” Wu Jian said.

“Also…” Wu Meiying suddenly interrupted, “You will be receiving an important visitor today. I recommend getting ready to receive them beforehand. Oh! And he’s going to be rather worried, so please do your best to calm him down and assure him that his daughter is fine.”

Had anyone else interrupted a talk between the head of a clan and his heir, they would have received harsh punishment, but this was Wu Meiying. Her special talent had been recognized two years ago when she made very accurate predictions that helped their clan. It was because of her unique power that the Wu Clan had been able to rise up and become the most powerful clan in Zahn City. Even Father had no choice but to heed her words.

“Very well. I shall task the elders with preparing to receive our important guest,” he said.

“Thank you, Uncle,” Wu Meiying replied with a bright smile.