At the busy market. She is so happy to see there are other children. However she doesnt understand the word 'begger' or 'poor' She just want to play with them. I don't mind them playing together but society wants to have a clear distance line. The parents of those children comes running to pick up their child. They bow and walk off as fast as their legs can take them. Only two begger children is left behind.
"Where do you live?"
Both of them did not reply but stare at me. While little peach is eager to play with them. One of them wants to speak but the other hold the hand to signal to stop. In the end I give them some coins. They take it and run away. Little peach wants to follow too of course I hold her tighty. "Their mother is calling for them to go home. Let's go home too." I'm not sure how ,such she understands but she walks with me occasionally she turns back to look.
Back in the mansion, dinner is almost ready. She is running around with the maids. While her father is in the study room with Bo Wu. I ask him to stay for dinner. He agree to annoy his old friend. While eating, they talk about today's affairs and I personally feed little peach. She keeps on staring at BoWu, "What is wrong little one? Is uncle BoWu very good looking?"
She point to BoWu with her little chubby finger.
"Do you want uncle to feed you?"
She looks at me and nod her head. BoWu put down his bowl and pick her up on his lap. She looks amused and smile at me. BoWu pick up her spoon to feed her with the congee. She eats happily and hold his hand which is feeding her. She seems to be amazed how big his hand is. Dingbat naturally is not happy. He eats his vegetables noisly on the side. I ingore the big baby and watch BoWu and little peach. If only her father is that patience and nice, maybe she will not hide whenever she sees him.
"You are lucky little peach, i dont feed any girls in my arms just like that. Only the good looking ones are the fortunate girls."
"So my daughter is pretty? She is not grown up yet, how can you tell?"
"I can tell! You will have trouble when she grows up. Men will be lining up but you can save yourself that problem."
"How?"
"Easy. Wait till my son is born. Get them engaged, Then..."
"Pleaseeee who wants to be in-law with you? Also you are not married by the time your son, my daughter will be older by at least eight years beyond. Why should my daughter wait? Besides that can you grantee that he is not a mischeif? Can you grantee that he wont tanish the good name of your family?"
Both men squabble on the dining table non stop. In the end, i have to feed little peach faster so that she can get ready for bedtime.
After BoWu left the masion, i check on little peach. I find her still sitting and playing on her bed. Coaxing her to sleep makes me sleepy too. i walk back to my room in a daze. In my blurry state, i thought i see general Tang in the courtyard talking to my dingbat. She spot me in a distance and she disappear. Entering in the bedroom, i change into my sleepwear and undo the knot on my hair. Just then dingbat walk in with a frown on his face. I ask him what had happen. He did not say anything and just go to bed without changing his clothes.
The next few days, i keep seeing general Tang in the mansion. She seems to be coaxing dingbat in doing something. As i am already busy with little peach, i decided not to interfere whatever is happening. One afternoon, i am practicing my writing when little peach is taking her naps. Dingbat comes back with a pokerface. He sit down beside me and take a slip on the tea that is on the table. He then walk left to right infront of me.
"What is it? Say it. My written characters are getting crocked with you walking around me."
"I ... i told you that i am not going to marry again but this time it's not for the benfit of the royal family. It's more for me'"
"What do you mean?" The brush drop from my hand.
"Old general Tang suggest that i marry Tang Li so that i can inherit his military power, He is unwell and dieing soon. His greastest wish is to see that Tang Li get marry before he lays in the coffin. He knows that i want to be the leading general of the biggest army in our country. By marrying Tang Li, i will get my wish."
"Doesnt he have a son or nephew..."
"He only have a daughter. His only nephew is dead years ago on the battlefield. So he hopes that i inherit everything he have including his daughter. However there is a condition to this."
He sits down next to me and hold my hand.
"She cannot be marry as a concubine. She must be listed as an offical wife. So if i marry her, she will be listed as my second wife."
I look straight at the paper that i had practised writing all afternoon.
"I know i keep saying and keep promising you that i wont marry other woman. This come rather sudden. Tang Li is always my best friend, My second in command in our leading army. I never have romatice thoughts about her. I see her as my brother never a woman. Even we sleep together on the ground, i still see her as a man. I swear this with my ancestors. "
"So what are you planning to do about this Prince Xian?"
"Why are you calling me Prince Xian? Are you angry? This is frustating! I really really really dont want to marry her but the military power will be either dissolved or the other royal family will covenant it and destroy what is build up. I really..."
"Marry her then. You already have make up your mind. But let me tell you this. I will never accept this. The first time it happen i try my best to accept what is happening. I dislike it. Everyone told me to accept what is going to happen. I cant but i have too. Now it's happening again. I will never want you in my bedroom again. If she cant accept me as the first wife then you divorce me. Cause your military power is more important than any issue."
With that i got up and leave the study room. It is my wish after all to divorce him and live a life that i want. Maybe this is better this way.
The next three days, i begin to hear rumours of the second marriage. Little peach who doesnt know what is going on is the happiest person around me. Granny Li who is older now is upset to hear the rumours. i confirm to her that it is happening. Soon general Tang move some of her belongings to the mansion. She did not appear after dingbat talk to me that day. However i meet her while briinging little peach out in the market. General Tang is dress in a woman's outfit. She looks very feminine. Her face turn red upon seeing me. She greeted me and talk to little peach. After awhile, we go on our ways.