“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Faced with the pressure of the main family's wishes for Ou Ki to marry and finally produce an heir, Ou Ki and Tou devise a plan to circumvent their wishes. You are an aspiring civil servant looking for a place to rebuild and find the meaning of home once again.
And here’s an excerpt from chapter one:
“Ou Ki-sama, have you given any further thought on that matter?” Tou says from his position behind his lord. The sun’s light shining through the window behind them had long since gone, but nonetheless, the general was fixed behind his desk, the candlelight illuminating the words on the pages he read.
“I didn’t believe it needed further consideration, Tou.” The great general replies seemingly carelessly. However, after his many years of service, Tou was all too familiar with his Lord’s tells. Nonetheless, this was not a matter that could be further ignored.
“Yet another messenger has arrived from the main branch asking for your thoughts on the contenders they presented.” Tou thinks back on the boy, no more than fifteen years of age, trembling clearly tasked with retrieving his Lord’s response or not returning at all.
“I have no desire for those dull noblewomen they seek to foist upon me.”
Tou pauses his inquisition for a moment. It was true, the recommended women were all of gentle birth with no real ambitions but marrying up. However, for many of the more fainthearted women, Tou wouldn’t be surprised to learn they’d been all but forced to present themselves as an option to the Monstrous Bird of Qin.
“May I speak freely, Ou Ki-sama?”
“Nfufu, I’m eager to hear what you have to say, Tou,” Ou ki says, finally turning to his second in command. It was rare that the man sought to share his thoughts freely.
“Could you not sire an heir with any woman you deem fitting? While the main branch desires for you to finally take a wife and secure your lineage, most of this opposition would cease even with a bastard if you recognize it as your heir.”
“An interesting prospect, however, a woman of such caliber is not easily found.” Even though he didn’t dare mention her name, Tou knew that his Lord’s mind had drifted to thoughts of that woman, to Kyou-sama. Since her passing, every woman has paled in comparison.
“True, but at the end of the day, all she has to do is bear your child. You need not marry her, my Lord.” Tou says cautiously. With time, the wound Kyou’s loss had left on Ou Ki’s heart had scabbed over, but it had never fully healed. Leaving the man with grief and heartache to this day.
“In that case, I’ll leave this matter to you.”
“My lord?” Tou questions in shock.
“Yes, you shall find me this woman. I have faith in your abilities, Tou. I look forward to your selection, nfufu,” Ou Ki says, rising from his desk. His smile widens. It truly amused him to see just what kind of woman Tou would bring to him.
“I see, I shall endeavor not to disappoint, kokoko.”
