The Last Calm VII
- Location
- UK
[] You wish to marry Lu Lingqi, but you feel like you are both too young. Make a commitment to her, but this can wait until you are both older.
[] You cannot risk the consequences and won't push societal expectations that far. You can both wait until marriage before you meet again like this.
[] You cannot risk the consequences and won't push societal expectations that far. You can both wait until marriage before you meet again like this.
A short while later, you are both sat there close to each other, hands held and talking about nonsense, laughing at each others' bad jokes. Raising your free hand, you run it gently through her hair, and smile to her.
"We should one day start to make arrangements to marry." You say to her, which causes her to gasp softly.
"Isn't it...isn't it a bit soon for that?"
You nod in agreement, "Yes, yes it is. We are both very young, and because I am devoted to my promise to help my people, I must prioritise other matters." You say, moving your hand out of her soft hair and bringing it to your side. "We should probably be patient and wait a while before we begin the proper arrangements. I will of course have to try and persuade the head of my household and family that this is the right decision."
She almost lets out a snort as she giggles. "Be sure to give yourself a convincing argument! I want to see you standing in front of a mirror, using all your charms and rhetoric to persuade yourself about the benefits of marrying me!"
"So...so...you agree, then?"
"Yes! Yes, of course I do! You will still have to discuss this with my father, of course...but I would like this very much, Shu!" Lu Lingqi blurts out, sounding rather excited. "As long as...as long as you promise me that we will be wed one day, then I can wait for as long as it takes. I have never even really thought about marriage or husbands before, but if it means I get to spend my life at your side, then this is an idea I can get behind! B-Besides, I will still have some years to prepare first, right?"
You nod, and take her other hand, looking at her very seriously. "I promise you, Lu Lingqi. When we are both older and when we are both ready, we shall be married."
As her response, she leans forwards and kisses you again, quite eagerly this time. You savour every second of the warmness and closeness of her touch, but as you pull away you know that you will need to be extremely cautious carrying on like this.
"...After tonight, we will not be able to do this again for quite some time." You say with a frown. "Tomorrow, we can talk as friends and I will still greatly appreciate your support and counsel, but this is not something we can risk." You say, raising your held hands. "Until we are wed, the consequences could be..."
"I know." She says, quietly, frowning herself. "My father would kill you without a second thought if he believed that you had put my honour at risk. I understand. I can wait! After all, I do much prefer your head on your body!" She smiles brightly, before slowly letting go of your hands, your fingers finally separating, as she shuffles her body away from yours. "This was...this was nice, though. You are the only person in the world who I can talk to like this. When we first met, I knew you were very handsome and skilled with martial arts, but I never once thought that I..." She raises a hand to her chest, "...that I would feel so strongly about you like I do now." Her face flushing again, she slowly stands up, straightens down her robes, and begins to adjust her hair. "L-listen, it is getting late. I should probably be getting to bed. It's back to work tomorrow! We have a lot to do, and-"
You practically leap to your own feet, and interrupt her with one last kiss. Placing a hand on her shoulder, you smile. "Goodnight, Lu Lingqi."
She punches your arm. You wince. It stings. "Always got to get the last word in, haven't you, Bird Boy?"
"You know me too well."
She lightly pushes you away, and makes for the door. "You should go get some rest yourself, when you can. It's been a busy day. I will see you tomorrow, okay?"
With that, she leaves the small room, leaving you alone with your thoughts.
Lu Lingqi Rapport ++++
Liang Shu and Lu Lingqi learn new Traits
Vow Made - Marrying Lu Lingqi
You have made a promise to Lu Lingqi that one day, you shall both be wed and she will be your first wife. Your first, and perhaps largest, obstacle will be convincing her father...
Vows are promises or obligations you have made to a person or faction. Breaking a Vow or not obligating it will tend to have severe consequences.
==
As you make your way back downstairs, many of your guests have retired for the evening by now. The music has died down, the chatter quieting. Due to the difficulties of travelling at night, you had made arrangements for all of your dignitaries and guests to stay the night on your estate or in the nearby Fenshan village. Due to the limited size of your manor, only a few of the more important lords and ladies were to be accommodated in your manor itself. Of those staying the evening within your walls were the Ge family - and as you are saying your farewells to some of the others, the venerable and wizened Ge Lang approaches you with some of his other family members. Ge Maiyu is nowhere in sight, however.
"Ah, Lord Ge," You say with a polite smile and a bow. "My thanks again for coming. I do hope that the festivities were to your liking, my lord."
He gives you a kind, almost grandfatherly look in return. "Sir Liang, you have exceeded all expectations with your wonderful banquet to bring in the New Year! All of XInshen and beyond shall be talking about this evening for many years to come, I assure you."
"You flatter me, my lord."
"Nonsense, young master Liang. It is rare to see such merriment and joy. You should be very proud of what you have done." He says, a hand running through his white beard.
You bow again. "I am not worthy of such praise, and I have much to thank from the Ge family for assisting in inviting so many great clans to my small and rustic estate for this evening." You say in a respectful tone. "My apologies if the accommodations for you and yours are small and unworthy, Lord Ge. I do hope the rooms do not cause you too much offence."
"I am sure the accommodations will be acceptable, and much preferred to travelling back this late at night in winter!" He gives a generous smile, then looks around to the rest of his family, before patting you on the shoulder. "Liang Shu, if I may, could we have a quiet word as two heads of families, in private?"
You nod, "Oh, certainly, Lord Ge. Who am I to refuse?"
You lead the elderly gentleman away and find a quiet spot to speak with him.
"I can confirm, Liang Shu, that almost all of the gentry in the county are committed to assisting you and your Azure Lances in dealing with this rebel menace that threatens our homeland." He says quietly. "We will begin to arm our lads and get them ready as quickly as we possibly can. Of course, it will take time to do so, and allow me to apologise to you on behalf of the other lords of the county for our tardiness in this matter." Ge Lang bows his head.
"Please, it is fine, Lord Ge." You say quickly, "I am most reassured to hear that, and I can never be more grateful for the support. United, I have belief we can triumph over any adversary that dares to oppose us."
He nods slowly, his smile thinning somewhat. "Indeed. There is another, related matter that we need to discuss, whilst we are on the subject of unity. Normally, this would be something that I would discuss with an elder of your family, but...well..." Looking to you, he trails off and frowns for a moment, before continuing. "You seem to be a very capable young man - you are energetic and popular, and have a good and kind heart. I would very much like for you to receive the full extent of support from my entire family, and share in all of the bounty of the Ge family. Hmm, please allow me to get to the point here, lad. Ever since I was spurred by that cur, Leng Jun, I have been searching far and wide for a suitable spouse for my beloved granddaughter, Ge Maiyu. As I am sure a young man like you would agree, she is a true beauty and has many suitors indeed, but it is difficult for me to find one who is genuinely worthy. Well, she does appear to be fond of you, and she has been assisting you in your endeavours in recent weeks. Arranging a marriage between the two of you would be quite easy for me to do, and you can expect a significant dowry for her, as well as having the Ge family pay for all wedding costs. You can consider this my thanks for your part in removing Leng Jun from office. It would be a great honour if you would accept, Liang Shu. When your family is united with the Ge, there will be few within the region who will not fall under our influence. As you can see, we have mutual benefits, and we share the same morals and same cause." He gives you a warm smile. "Will you make this elderly fool a happy man by marrying my most beloved, favourite granddaughter?"
...Well this is awkward timing.
[] This opportunity is too good to miss. Accept, even if it means you already break your promise to Lu Lingqi.
[] Thank Ge Lang for this, but tell him that you need more time to think this over. Stall this for as long as you can get away with.
[] Thank him, but tell him you have already promised to marry another.
[] Try and convince him that you are in no way worthy to marry Ge Maiyu.
[] Tell him you have no interest in Ge Maiyu like that, you see her as a friend but do not think you would be compatible as husband and wife.
[] Refuse, you have no interest in the Ge family's offer.
[] Write in?
There is a four hour moratorium on this vote.
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