Peach and dragon (V)

A few weeks after, the emperor and noble Lady Su have announced that the selection of crown princess will be done in the palace. Noble families who have eligible daughters will be able to attend. The only claus is that the daughter must not pass her Ji Li. She must be the age of twelve to fifteen to match the sixteen years old crown prince. It will be various test on the noble ladies. First poems, second music and lastly handicrafts. They are free to write their own poems, choose their own music instruments and their own handicraft. 

That day of selection, the palace at the eastern palace is fill with young girls. They are all eager to see the crown prince. Peach is there as to help him to select a crown princess. She is delighted to be there as Noble Lady Su is there as well. After a long day if watching, listening and talking, Both Peach and Noble Lady Su is tired. They watch the girls of noble family leaves with the sun setting. 

"Come my Peach. Let's have dinner together. It's been so long."

She holds Peach's hand tightly and they slowly walk to the eastern palace dining hall. There, the crown prince is standing and waiting. He smile when he see the two favourite people in his life is walking side by side. 

"My mother, my sister! Come!" 

The table is fill with things that they like to eat. Noble Lady Su is surprise to see Peach and the crown prince to eat in a fast speed. 

"Can you both slow down? No one is snatching away food from both of you. Peach, please eat like a lady. Look at you." Lady Su takes out the handkerchief to wipe the chin. It is dipping with sauce as Peach is inhaling the food infront of her without stoping. Peach is happy to be treated like a baby again by her mother. For the first time, she see the face of Lady Su so close. She is older now however she still have a smooth and youthful look. Looking closer, Peach can see her eyes are tired. There is sadness too. Peach put down her bowl of rice. She touch her mother's face. Lady Su is surprise at it but she is happy. After dinner, they talk about which girl should be selected as a crown princess. In the end they narrow down to three girls. Their names will be submitted to the emperor to decide. 

Peach stay over a night in the eastern palace. The crown prince and her drink in secret through the night. They try not to laugh too loud but they did anyway. Talking non sense is the fun part.In the morning, they are found asleep on the main hall. One on the floor the other on the table. The maids hurry to wake them up. The male servants carry the crown prince to his bedroom. While the maids try to wake Peach up. In the end, She wakes up wanting to vomit. She puke into the flower vase in a hurry. When she is done, she wipe her mouth with her sleeves. She look up to see a man staring at her. She blink her eyes a couple of times. The maids are all bowing at the same time while trying to handle Peach. In the end, she is carry out by him. 

The next few days, Peach is grounded to stay in the mansion. She practise her sword dance everyday. Sometimes she is so bored that she naps. Till grandma comes by to wake her up. "Little Peach when you nap, can't you be more like a girl? Why are you sleeping like a man? Be more refine be more gentle! How are you going to get marry in this way?"

"Who would dare to marry me? Grandma i have to live with you and grandpa for a long long long time." 

A week time past, soon there are rumours that the chosen crown princess will be from another country instead. There will be Heqin. The crown prince and Bo An goes over to the mansion of Duke Su to see peach. Three of them sit there to talk about it. 

"You are in a deep trouble, my crown prince. Heqin marriage is like getting a duck and a goose to marry. Both speaks their own languages and eat different things. How is this marriage going to work?"

"Even if they speak the same language and eat the same thing but think differently, the marriage still can't work."

"I have no saying in this. It's for the peace and stability of both countries. I have to just get along."

"Well at least she have to be a beauty. There is no point if the girl is like Peach."

"What do you mean?! Am i that terrible ?!"

"You are not terrible. Just incredible ! No man can match up with you."

She roll her eyes and snorted. 

"My sister is a person who is able to take care of herself. Maybe she can take care and safe her family if she wants to. "

"Hear that. Bo An."

"Yeah yeah... in any case, you will turn out to be like your step mother! Marrying a young man later in life!"

Peach got up and hit him hard on his leg. He scream and rub his leg. 

"Marrying later in life won't be bad. At least still marry off. "

"Yeah whoever get to marry you, got to have a really hard body to withstand the beatings. Your kicks and punches are no joke. "

"Well your father must have a hard body. He can take the kicks and punches from your mother."

"That old man, i pity him. That's why he take it out on me. Burning my toys that i make. Sigh, so therefore i must marry a gentle girl. Totally opposite of my mother and Peach. She must be gentle with me. Appreciate my art works. Love me unconditionally."

"Sounds like she should be a tofu. All soft and jiggly."

"Well in that case, I can lick her all day long."

He stick out his tongue and lick his back of his palm. Both Peach and the crown prince feels sick and Bo An laugh. 

A month later, the princess for Heiqin arrives in the capital in a grand ceremony. The people gather on the street to welcome her. She only get off her carriage when arrive at the palace. She have a hat with flowing fabric covering her face. She slowly walk up the 108 steps to the main hall. The crown prince who is sitting next to his parents is nervous.While Peach and Bo An stand behind him. The hall is fill with court officers to witness the event of the engagement of the princess and the crown prince. 

After a long time, she finally appear at the main door. The eunuch announced her approval. She stands at the door with a few maids behind her. Her male servants and body guards have to surrender their weapons before entering the main hall. Everyone can see they are reflected to do so. However after the order of the princess in their languages, the weapons are removed and place in the care of the palace guards. Finally, she step into the hall, slowly and with grace. Her royal brother who is following along, walks behind her. They all bow to the emperor and the royal concubine Su. 

"Please remove your hat."

The eunuch speaks loudly. For a while she did not move. The eunuch repeat it. Finally, she lift her hand up and untie the string. She remove her hat to show her face. She is indeed a beauty however there is a fierce energy from her. Her royal brother bow alone. "My name is Batu. I am the fourth son of my father the great Khan. This is my sister Baatar. The second youngest daughter of the great Khan."

Peach and Baatar stare at each other. Each deciding that they don't like each other.