Chapter 4: THE GREAT GENERAL
I was suddenly dumbfounded. What was I going to do? I was still processing everything that was happening and now, I was going to meet my father, THE GREAT GENERAL.
"Tell him am sick and unable to meet him" I say to the maid hoping it will buy me enough time.
"No! Please Suyin, don't tell him that. Young mistress will soon be down." Ruomei says and the maid takes her leave.
" Young mistress, have you truly lost your mind? How can you say you are unable to meet him?" Ruomei says facing me.
"What do you want me to say? I don't remember anything about this place. How do you expect me to meet him?"
I say obviously knowing it will be futile to hide the truth since I don't know anything.
"Oh no, oh no!! Young mistress, why didn't you not say anything? It must have been because you hit your head trying to save me. What should I do? If the general finds out you have lost your memory, I will be dead." she says pacing around.
That is impossible! I know I am not from this world. I am not the young mistress of this house. But if they find out, what will happen? Its always best to be cautious.
"So, I hit my head?" I ask
" You truly don't remember? This is bad. Young mistress, we don't have time. We have to go down to meet the general. After, I will call the physician"Ruomei says.
Ten minutes later, I stand admiring the dress. Who knew it took so long to dress up in Ancient China?
"Wow, this is so beautiful. So, tell me everything I need to know about the general?"
"Young mistress, first of all, don't address him as the general. He is a strict man and won't be happy with it. Just don't say or do anything impropriate. I will be there to help you through this" she says opening the doors.
Even the doors were different. Anybody could easily come into my room with this kind of wooden doors.
As we approached the main halls, my personal maid, Ruomei made sure to check my dress a final time. Looks like I was going to have to rely on my experience of Chinese movies to get through this. I may be bad in history but I was a Chinese movie super fan. My mother had always chastened me whenever she saw me watching Chinese movies but today, it was going to save my life.
"Greetings to you father" I say bowing the way I remember seeing the Chinese girls doing. My heart was racing. How will the general look like?
"Juan'er, come and sit" a masculine voice said.
"Thank you father" I say turning back to look at Ruomei who nods. I come and sit opposite him.
"Beautiful and graceful just like the flowers of the palace, rare and colorful just like a Phoenix. Wu Lijuan. That was what your mother named you. You are destined to rule as an empress. And you have not disappointed my expectations. His Majesty has issued a decree. You are to marry Duke Minsheng, Huang Chaoxing. Things are unstable in the palace. I want you to prepare." He says.
He is just like I expected. Strict and posed. Exactly like a true general.
"The boarders are chaotic right now. All of us know that everyday on the battlefield may be our last. Where you are going is just like the battlefield. The harem is a battlefield that is more dangerous and deadly. Our family has always served the Emperor faithfully. You must not disappoint your ancestors. Am I clear?"
"Yes father. How long will I be able to stay here father? Am not yet ready to leave you." I say wanting to see if I can change his mind.
"Don't be weak minded Juan'er. This is no time for sentiments. Go and prepare. The prince will be coming next week." He says dropping his tea cup.
Ruomei comes to my side and helps me stand up.
"Respectfully taking my leave father. Please rest well. The sun shines so bright in the morning but fades away at night. Beauty is the same father." I say thankful I excelled at poetry. As I turn to take my leave, I realize this is going to be a long way to peace.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone