Chapter 1: The Shattered Engagement

The lively mansion was filled with the sounds of excitement, laughter, and occasional shouts. "Mei! Stop, Mei!" was called out but did nothing to slow down the lady who was a whirlwind of silk and happiness as she dashed through without caring for the commotion around her. In no time she ran into the more poised figure of Princess Qian Hua.

Princess Hua, a soft pastel beauty, staggered back, her delicately arched brows knitting in confusion. Chen Xiu, the ever-vigilant maid, exclaimed, "Your Highness! Are you alright?"

Shaken but steadied, Princess Hua offered a reassuring smile. "I am fine, Chen Xiu," she replied, her voice steady.

Before Mei could even begin to form an apology, Madam Feng, General Wang's second wife, emerged next to her. With a quick, vicious motion, she struck Mei on the face.

Mei, the city's notorious mischief-maker, was a curious mix of pure innocence and impish charm. Her eyes like summer skies swelled with tears and ran down her glowing cheeks. "W-why did you hit her?" 

A deep voice pierced the din. Wang Wei, Mei's older brother, was wheeling his chair along the path. Even that pale face showed a trace of anger. Bao, Wang Wei's faithful bodyguard, stood behind him protectively. Although frail in appearance, Wang Wei was very formidable; his intellect was keen and his determination resolute.

"She's spoiled! That's what she is!" Madam Feng exclaimed, her voice full of contempt.

"Spoiled?" Wang Wei's voice dropped, a tremor of anger lacing it. "Is that how you view my sister?"

Princess Hua was a diplomat by nature, and she stepped forward. "I...I am sorry, Mr. Wei. It was an accident."

Wang Wei did not pay attention to her apology. "Come, Mei," he said softly as he signaled Bao to wheel him away.

As they departed, Madam Feng observed her eyes shining with malevolence. "They are so arrogant," she said scornfully, turning to Madam Li. "Madam Li, please lead the Princess to the main hall."

Shaken but not stirred, Princess Hua kept her poise. She accepted Madam Li's help graciously. "Thank you, Madam Li," she said softly. "Are you okay, Your Highness?" Chen Xiu asked with concern. Princess Hua nodded in reply.

A large wiry man with tired-looking eyes walked into the hall: "Princess Hua, welcome to my modest abode. Please take a seat."

"Thank you, General Wang," she said, curtsying gracefully before taking her seat. Immediately, servants brought in tea.

The General inquired of his Princess "What brings Your Highness to my modest residence? ", his gaze lingering on her face.

"I... I come here about the engagement," Princess Hua began, her voice barely a whisper. "Regarding myself and this family."

General Wang nodded, his expression serious.

Madam Feng, on the spur of the moment, moved towards the General and whispered something to him. His face went pale.

"Princess," he started, his voice thick with remorse. "I… I should have brought apologies on behalf of Mei and Wei."

However, Princess Hua surprised them all. "General Wang," she spoke confidently, "I want to untie this engagement. Here, I have a large selection of gold, silver, and jewels as a part of my sincerity. Be kind enough, please, put your signature on this annulment letter and these babies will belong to you."

General Wang looked astoundingly into her eyes. "Princess . . . I . . . I do not think I deserve such riches. And Wei . . . Wei and Mei . . . had lost their mother so early, and I . . . I do not remember being the best of guardians.''

But Princess Hua was adamant. Once again, throwing her head back for dramatic emphasis, she took out a pen and insisted that he sign.

Just as the General reached for the pen, Mei burst back into the courtyard. With a defiant shout, she snatched the letter from his hand and tore it to pieces.

"Mei!" The hall erupted in gasps.

General Wang, his patience finally worn thin, slapped Mei hard. Even Princess Hua, her composure finally breaking, gasped in anger.

"Someone," General Wang bellowed, his voice resonating through the courtyard. "Give Mei ten strokes of the cane!" He turned to Princess Hua, his face marked by shame. "Princess, I… I apologize. This is unacceptable."

With a face full of rage, Princess Hua stood up. "General Wang", she huffed, "I think I've made my intentions clear enough." After giving the confused family a last look of contempt, she walked out of the courtyard, with her guards following her.

Even though this came as a surprise, General Wang felt quite the relief. He had no intentions to get involved with the royal family. The Emperor was a temperamental and merciless figure and he feared the consequences of that type of union.

Madam Feng, her eyes shining with triumph, turned to the General. "What are we going to do now?" she asked, her voice tinged with a chilling dissatisfaction.