Day breaks and Bolin wakes up to the sound of a someone knocking on his bedroom door. Unable to get much sleep last night as he was too excited from everything that's been happening, Bolin ignores the knock and closes his eyes again.
"Young master, please wake up!"
The male servant barges in and heads towards Bolin's bed. He attempts to wake up Bolin once again.
"Young master please wake up!"
"Ugh.....I'm up....I'm up....what is it?"
"Your father is requesting for your presence at lunch today. Please get ready. you don't have much time."
"What? Why? That old man's never asked me to eat with him."
"I don't know, but your brothers are also here."
"Fine....have the maids draw a bath for me."
"Yes, young master."
After bathing, Bolin felt more awake and was able to keep his eyes open. Dressing in the outfit his father sent him, Bolin couldn't help but think his father had ulterior motives. Following the servant's instructions, Bolin heads for the garden. After ten minutes of walking, Bolin could now see his father and everyone sitting around a large table filled with food. He watched as his nieces and nephew ran around causing a ruckus. Bolin finally walks towards his father and greets everyone as he was the last one to arrive.
"Good morning father, mother, first madam and brothers. I apologize for being late."
"Take a seat next to me Bolin."
Bolin stands up and seats himself next to his father. Silently munching on food, he glances around him to see why everyone was being so suspicious.
"Father, why did you call for a family gathering today?"
"Hmmm? Is it wrong to want to eat with everyone every once in a while?"
"No, it's just unusual. Surely you didn't gather everyone here just to eat."
"Ha Ha! You got me there son."
The prime minister stands up and announces to everyone of Bolin's wedding plans. He had thought Bolin would never get over Ying Yue and be destined to be alone.
"I gathered everyone here to let you all know that in four months we will be having Bolin's wedding!"
Bolin's older brother, Gao Zhong was the first one congratulate Bolin on finally settling down. Although they had different mothers, the brothers all got along as Bolin was never interested in inheriting his father's title.
"Congrats Bolin! Who's the lucky bride?"
"Ah...is it alright to talk about this father? It hasn't happened yet."
"It's fine, I got the duke's permission this morning. The wedding will proceed as planned in four months after you return from your border scouting."
"Bolin, what's this border scouting?"
Bolin's mother who was sitting next to him tugs on his shirt as she looks at him. Bolin scratches the back of his head and tells his mother of the task he had received from the emperor.
"There's been news of bandits raiding small villages near the borders. His majesty has ordered me to look into it. I will be heading out in three days. Seeing as I have to check all the borders, I won't be back until the harvest season."
"That long? This is why I was against you joining the army in the first place."
"Mother, I'll be fine. This is nothing compared to what I've gone through."
"Okay fine, have it your way. Anyways, who is the lucky bride?"
"Her names Zhi Ruo. She's the only child of duke Dong."
"Zhi Ruo? Are you sure you're over Ying Yue? I mean ever since you were a kid you've always talked about how you were going to make her your bride."
"Mother!"
"Opps!"
Bolin's mother quickly covers her mouth to silence herself. Bolin on the other hand goes beet red from embarrassment. His face flushes red as his brothers and sisters in law had no idea Bolin used to be so infatuated with Ying Yue. Slamming his right palm onto his face to hide his embarrassment, his second brother, Zhan An laughs out loud and walks over to pat Bolin on the back.
"Ha Ha! We had no idea you had that side to you Bolin!"
"....Give me a break...."
Bolin continues to bury his face in embarrassment before his mother apologized for speaking about something he didn't want to share.
Meanwhile, Zhi Ruo's father had call her to join him in the main hall as he had news for her. Unsure as to why he's called for her so early in the morning, she leaves her residence thinking nothing much of it. After walking around with Chunhua following behind her for fifteen minutes, Zhi Ruo was now standing in front of the main hall. She could see maids going in and out of the main room with plates of food.
"What's with all the food? Chunhua do you know what's going on?"
"I'm not sure, lady Zhi Ruo. Is it not just you and your father eating?"
"Hmm....well! Let's go in."
Zhi Ruo pops her head in through the door and sees her father dinning with her uncle and his family. Although her uncle wasn't related to her father by blood, Zhi Ruo grew up around them so she always viewed him as family. Zhi Ruo quickly runs to greet her uncle who she hasn't seen in three years.
"If it isn't uncle Du Ning and aunt Gao Yi. Greetings, it's been a while since I've last seen you."
Zhi Ruo's aunt stands up from the table and walks over to give her a hug. Zhi Ruo's cousin, Zi Meng who was twelve years old was also present. He walks over to Zhi Ruo and shouts out.
"Zhi Ruo! I told you to wait for me to grow up! Why didn't you wait?!"
"Father? What is he talking about?"
"Ahem....that's enough Zi Meng. Zhi Ruo, the prime minister's household sent word this morning with a marriage proposal. Will you accept or decline?
"Marriage?"
"Yes, with Bolin of course. It will be hard to find another great offer like this, so think it over."
Zhi Ruo breaks into a smile and places her hands to her cheek to make sure she wasn't burning up from the excitement. Zhi Ruo squeals out words of happiness as she runs to her father.
"Father! Tell them I accept!"
"Very well, if that's what you want."
"You're not against me marrying someone in the army?"
"Bolin isn't so weak. I trust him to keep his promise."
"What promise, father?"
"Who knows... Now, seeing as how happy you are, I'm sure no one at this table has any objections."
"I do!"
Zhi Ruo's little cousin Zi Meng screams out in protest as he had hope to someday marry Zhi Ruo. Zhi Ruo had always brushed him off as he was a child. She had no idea he would still pursue her after not seeing her for three years.
"I'm sorry Zi Meng. I cannot marry you as I have my heart on someone else."
Zhi Ruo's uncle laughs and jokingly tells Zhi Ruo that he just a child and to not take him seriously. Zhi Ruo on the other hand knew she couldn't just ignore his feelings for her, even if he was still considered a child.
"Zhi Ruo, you don't need to take my son so seriously. He's just attached to you since you used to play with him years ago."
"I understand uncle, but I think it's only proper for me to let him know so he can forget this as he grows and someday properly find a new love. Do you understand what I'm saying Zi Meng?"
"Yes...but! I will only give you up if I find this Bolin man worthy of you."
"Pfff.....Ha Ha! Very well, I will call for him here. Will that be enough?"
"Yes!"
Zhi Ruo motions for Chunhua to head to the prime minister's residence and deliver a letter to Bolin. Once Chunhua was off in a carriage headed to the prime minister's residence with Zhi Ruo's letter; Zhi Ruo seats herself next to her father and continues to eat as she waited for Bolin and Chunhua. After thirty minutes of eating and waiting, Chunhua finally returns with Bolin.
Bolin quickly greets the duke and his guests as he entered the room.
"Greetings duke Dong."
"Ah! Welcome Bolin. I apologize that you've been dragged into this mess."
Chunhua walks over to Zhi Ruo and asks her what she wrote on the letter to be able to summon Bolin over so quick.
"My lady, what did you write on that letter?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just told him he's going to lose me to someone else if he doesn't show up. Ha Ha!"
Zhi Ruo walks over to Bolin and grabs him by the hand, she then walked them towards her cousin Zi Meng.
"Zi Meng, this is Bolin. Will you give up now?"
Zi Meng's face twists with sadness and amazement at how tall Bolin was.
"I need to talk to Bolin. So, Bolin! Let's have this man to man talk!"
Bolin scratches the back of his head and smiles at the thought that his rival was still a child.
"Very well Zi Meng. What did you want to talk about?"
Zi Meng asks for Bolin to follow him to the corner of the room. Away from the noises and away from everyone. Once they got to the corner, Bolin pulls out two chairs as he didn't want to hover over Zi Meng, seeing as he was more than double the height of him.
"Bolin was it. What do you do?"
"Oh, I see. This is like an interrogation isn't it?"
"Come on, answer me. If you plan to take Zhi Ruo from me, at least answer me properly."
"Ha Ha, Very well. I won't treat you like a child then. You wanted to know what I do for a living right? Well, my father is the prime minister, but I am the imperial general of the royal army."
"The imperial general?! Are you strong?!"
"I guess I am. Of course, I'm nothing compared to last general."
"You mean lady Ying Yue?"
"Oh, you know your stuff."
"Well, there's not a single person in Xin that hasn't heard of her. She's famous everywhere! There's even paintings and dolls made from shops that are dedicated to her!"
"She.....truly is a hero..."
"Ahem, now back to Zhi Ruo. If I find out that you're not sincere about her, I will come take her from you once I'm older! Just so you know!"
"Don't worry little man. I will treasure her."
"Hmph You should be glad I'm young! Otherwise we'd be using out swords to talk!"
"Ha Ha!"
Bolin couldn't contain his laughter anymore and bursts out. Even for someone so young, Bolin could see he was going to someday be someone great.
" Zi Meng , you're definitely destined for something great when you're older."
Bolin pats him on the head and heads back towards everyone else, Just as he was biding everyone farewell, Zhi Ruo quickly offers to walk Bolin to the entrance. As they walked towards the exit of the room, little Zi Meng tries running after them.
"Wait! I'm coming too! I can't trust you with Zhi Ruo alone yet!"
At that moment, Zi Meng 's father grabs hold of his sleeve and motions for Bolin and Zhi Ruo to quickly leave if they wanted time alone to talk. Bolin grabs hold of Zhi Ruo's hand and makes a run for it. Once Bolin realized they were far enough from the main building, he finally lets go of Zhi Ruo's hands.
"Sorry for dragging you out so fast."
"It's alright, I don't mind."
"Shall we walk as we continue talking?"
Bolin gestures for Zhi Ruo to walk ahead of him as he follows. As they got closer and closer to the main entrance, Zhi Ruo turns around and faces Bolin.
"Bolin! Do you think we can invite Ying Yue to our wedding in four months?!"
"Ying Yue? I don't mind, but how are we even going to send her an invitation?"
"Oh...that's a good point..."
"Hmm....Zhi Ruo, do you think the head priest can send it to the dragon world?"
"Oh! That's a good point! I guess I'll have to pay the head priest a visit."
Once they reached the entrance, Bolin could see how sad Zhi Ruo was to see him leave as he was going to be busy for the next four months, To keep her happy, Bolin promised to write to her and quickly catching her off guard, Bolin pulls Zhi Ruo into an embrace and places a light kiss onto her forehead before hopping on his horse."
"Be sure to be loyal to me until I return, Zhi Ruo."
"Bolin, that's sly!"
Bolin breaks into a laughter and rides away as the embarrassed Zhi Ruo covered her forehead.