The last couple of months had gone by too fast no matter how much I wanted time to slow, to give me more time to prepare. Only two days until my engagement party. Mother was busy ordering the servants around, making sure the mansion was spotless and nothing went wrong. It wasn't even a big celebration.
Only our family, Fu Clans and their families of the respective heads of B country were invited.
When I asked Martial Zhen, he said it was for safety reasons.
The truce was still too fresh to risk a gathering of hundreds of guests. I wished they'd cancel it altogether.
For all I cared, I didn't have to meet Fu Shao until the day of our wedding.
Then Su Liang, my youngest little brother, twin of Su Qinli. He was born after Qinli, after 2 minutes. He then jumped up and down on my bed, a pout on his face. He was only five and had entirely too much energy.
"I want to play!"
"Mother doesn't want you to race through the house. Everything needs to be perfect for the guests."
"But they aren't even here!"
Thank God. Fu Shao and the rest of the family clans guests would arrive tomorrow.
Only one more night until I'd be meeting my future husband, a man who killed with his bare hands. I closed my eyes.
"Are you crying again, Big sister?" Su Liang hopped off the bed and walked up to me, slipping his hand into mine.
His dark curly hair was a mess. I tried to smooth it down but this little guy jerked his head away.
"What do you mean?" I'd tried to hide my tears from him.
Mostly I cried at night when I was protected by darkness.
"Qina sister says you cry all the time because Fu Shao, who has bought you."
I froze. I'd have to tell Qina to stop saying such things. It would only get me in trouble.
"He didn't buy me."
"Same difference," Qina said from the doorway, startling me.
"Shhh. What if Father hears us?"
She shrugged.
"He knows that I hate how he sold you, his own flesh like a lamb."
"Qina, that enough," I warned, nodding toward Su Liang.
He peered up at me.
"I don't want you to leave, big sister," he whispered.
"I'm not leaving for a long time, Su Liang."
He seemed satisfied with my answer and the worry disappeared from his face and was replaced by his up-to-no good expression.
"Then Big sister. Catch me!" he screamed and stormed off, pushing Qina aside as he darted past her.
Qina tore after him.
"I'll kick your butt, you little bun!"
I rushed into the corridor.
Then Qinli poked her head out of her door and then she too ran after my brother and sister.
As my mother would have my head if they smashed another family heirloom. Then I flew down the stairs.
Su Liang was still in the lead. He was fast as a chipmunk, but Qinli had almost caught him while Qina and I were too slow in the high heels as my mother forced us to wear for practice.
Su Liang dashed into the corridor leading into the west wing of the house and the rest of us followed. I wanted to shout at him to stop.
But Father's office was in this part of the mansion.
We'd be in so much trouble if he caught us playing around.
Even Su Liang was supposed to act like a man.
But how a 5-year-old boy acted like a man?
Kid still a kid.