The Engagement

"Later then, Minerva. You can visit us anytime. We live on the very top of the mountain. But just so you know, we are usually only at home for the morning." Said Morality Cheng.

I waved goodbye to the warriors as they tapped the ground with their feet and leaped off. Leaving with their fast qingong. I was feeling a lot better than when I first arrived. I had made friends with the organizers of the Jade Mountain Contest.

...........

"Minerva? Where are you?" I called as I trekked up the mountain.

She usually visits a very still pond in the deep forests. However, I had trouble finding it. Normally, I rarely visit Jade Mountain, unless I need firewood. Which means that I am not familiar with the route of the mountains.

"Minerva? It's me, your brother! Can you hear me?" I called again.

I was at the edge of a light bamboo forest when I heard rustling behind me. I turned around and saw a surprising sight. Minerva looked happier than ever, standing behind me with a plastered on her oval face.

"Brother, you have come to the mountain too?" Minerva asked in a curious tone.

I looked at her and shook my head.

"Don't act dumb Minerva. You made me trek all the way up here to find you. Why are you even here in the first place." I said, narrowing my eyes at her.

"I'm just here to relax. We would visit the waterfall here, it's so beautiful." Minerva answered, still smiling.

I sighed in annoyance. Why does Minerva try to hide everything? For a 16-year-old, she is sure independent- and quite frustrating.

"Let's just go home then. Next time, don't come up

all the way here just to cry. It's dangerous." I said.

"Not dangerous for me if it's not dangerous than you. You don't even know martial arts. And I didn't cry. I was just shocked at the news of a marriage proposal. So I came here to relieve stress." Minerva shrugged.

I suddenly remembered Mrs. Shang's marriage proposal between Minerva and Shang GuoWei, which I forgot in the midst of panting and sweating as I climbed up the mountain. I was also uneasy at the marriage. I knew Minerva wouldn't want to marry, but this offer was coming from a noble and powerful family. Can we afford to turn down? Would Mrs. Shang feel offended if we did? After all, the last thing we want to do is offend a noble. And Shang GuoWei, what kind of a guy is he? I've only heard that Shang GuoWei was very skilled in martial arts and is going to become a General. Will Minerva like him?

"Minerva, listen, it's okay. Father knows that you do not want to marry. He will turn it down for sure." I said, trying to think of more reassuring things.

"Really? He can turn that offer down? What will the Shangs do to him if he did? What about our mother? She looked very excited to join families with a noble. And speaking of that, why did Mrs. Shang propose marriage between me and her son in the first place? I thought nobles only married other nobles." Minerva ranted on.

"Let the Heavens decide our fates then. Don't worry, your fate is always the best as it could be. So if you are marrying Shang GuoWei, there's probably heavenly reasons for it." I said, still unable to find better things to say.

"Let's go home already." Yawned Minerva.

We trekked down the mountain and reached Sparrow Village. It was the afternoon and strangely, Old Yan was missing. He wasn't at the usual front gates of Sparrow Village, neither was he at his straw-hut beside the front gates. The people around were also stunned by Old Yan's disappearance. I haven't seen Old Yan anywhere else since I was born.

Madame Kui, a widow in her fifties and the neighbour of Old Yan, usually brings him food. Her hut was sealed shut today, very unusual.

We entered our home and Minerva's face sunk.

Mrs. Shang had left in her sedan chair and left ous piles and platters gifts. It was clear that mother and father have accepted the marriage. Mother was gleaming at the ornaments and fine textiles that Mrs. Shang gifted.

"Xin'er, Minerva, you two are home. Quickly, come look at Mrs. Shang's gifts. They are very exquisite, I must say that nobles are truly different than us commoners. Look-look!" Mother chanted as she held up a red folded silk textile.

I looked over at father, he turned his face away in embarrassment and went outside.

I then glanced over at Minerva. She merely nodded and kept her face sunken. I walked up and closely examined the material. It was a floral silk brocade with gold threading. It was definitely worth many taels of silver. We could barely afford fine textiles. Mother had always worn cotton, even on special occasions. Silk was a symbol of class, gold-threading too.

"Isn't it extravagant Xin'er?" Mother asked while opening a box of jade earrings.

"Definitely, how could such a textile not be?" I answered.

"Ah, Minerva. How lucky of you to be selected as the bride of Shang GuoWei." Mother congratulated.

Minerva glimpsed solemnly at the silk brocades, jade earrings, silver combs, and golden hairpins. Shifting her gaze to mother, who seemed confused at her reaction, Minerva hauled out a smile on her lips.

"I believe it was all due to your blessings and father's good fortunes."She stated.

Mother chuckled happily.

"Our family is truly blessed. Thank the heavens!" She exclaimed.

Mother wasn't wrong. A circumstance like this one is a rare occurrence. If Minerva marries into a noble and well-respected family like the Shangs, she is set to have a comfortable and wealthy life; looked-after by servants, and envied upon by her female peers. Our lives would also be much different. We'd be able to have servants, eat meat every day, wear silk, and etc.

Minerva is actually kind of lucky.

"Mother, did Mrs. Shang tell you why Shang GuoWei is marrying me?" Minerva asked.

I was truly curious too. I eyed mother as a confused look played out on her face. And then, she smiled again.

"Well my dear child, you and Shang GuoWei are a match made in heaven! Shang furen sought out Eternal Yan to find a match for her son. Your birth date, your name, and your zodiac match completely with Shang GuoWei. It was predicted that you will bring great fortune to the Shang family. Shang furen also approves of your character. Besides, you are very beautiful. Who wouldn't want a beautiful wife for their son?" Mother happily chimed.

My eyebrows furrowed at that. Minerva is pretty but Mrs. Shang had only met her once. And they barely exchanged a few words. As for the zodiac signs, the nobles are very serious when it comes to matching these for marriage.

"The best part, however, is that Shang GuoWei also practices martial arts, and has a prominent position in the martial world. You two have so much in common!" Mother squealed.

In my 17 years of life, I had never seen mother this excited. She had never squealed like that.

"Well, then Minerva, you can practise martial arts with him after you two are married. Isn't that great?" I told Minerva.

"Yeah, I guess so," Minerva uttered. She took out a jade bracelet from the pile of gifts and tried it on. I walked over and saw that Mrs. Shang had even gifted Minerva a pair of shoes. Red, satin-woven lotus shoes. However, they were small, for the bound feet of the noble ladies.

What does this mean? Does Mrs. Shang want Minerva to- My thought was interrupted as mother suddenly spoke.

"Oh right! I almost forgot. We are visiting the Shang Manor in 3 days for the engagement festival! My daughter Minerva is leaving home." She announced.

Minerva crashed onto the clay flooring with a loud thud.