Young master Yin trembled a little and turned a shade of green, then white, and then almost blue. He bowed very low, and backed away some few steps to his father's side without meeting anyone's eyes. He felt his misstep very keenly and tugged a little on his father's robes.

"Father, I think you should marry me off to that cousin you mentioned... very soon." He gasped out. His father saw the sweat on his brow and had pity on him as well as the foresight to move him to a remote corner of the room.

"It seems Our bride is very popular amongst the locals." The Emperor said mildly, but his gaze was sharp.

"Sure! He's our school's most popular goddess. You should see the local boys fall over themselves like idiots for him." The third brother Du Gang said artlessly. Lord and Lady Du looked at him in alarm.

"I like watching him kick them in the nutsack when they try." Second brother Du Huan said with an evil smirk. Du Gang suddenly looked sick and unconsciously put his hands over his precious parts protectively.

"Should We be flattered then that Our bride has even agreed to the match?" The Emperor asked in a quiet voice, that only the closest to them might hear. Du Fen pursed his lips and looked away, his refusal to answer like an affirmation to all present.

Ah, cute! The Emperor thought to himself with a smirk. He could not deal with an arrogant or scheming male bride, but a reluctant (pretty little tsundere) bride was definitely okay. He took the young lad's hand and hooked it around his arm, startling him.

"Come, introduce Us to your friends." He said to Du Fen with demanding tone. The boy looked at his parents, then up at the Emperor, as though unsure what to do. Normally it would be the parents who took the groom around to introduce them.

"Yes, come son. Let's go around and introduce your most esteemed groom." Father Du said quickly with a smile. He led the boy and the Emperor along with Lady Du, who whispered instructions to Du Fen so that he might not slip up in front of their neighbours.

The Emperor was very congenial with each introduction, if a little cold and distant. It was to be expected though. More importantly to all those who attended was the regard he showed for his bride by being there.

Even the young Ger could not help but be moved. Poor Du Fen was not immune at all to this amazingly tall and handsome man by his side. A fact he tried very hard to ignore so he was not in blushes and stammers all evening.

He waited until the Emperor was taken to a separate bed chamber with his elite guards to sleep... before allowing his excitement to overcome him and fanning his face furiously.

"Honestly. Looks like that should be illegal." He grumbled.

*

"We believe it is tradition to take Our bride home with Us." The Emperor was standing expectantly in the front hallway while the servants packed the young Du Fen's luggage. This had been the answer to the question of how long he was to be visiting them.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It is our northern tradition to have the groom take his bride home with him after the engagement party. Du family is very honoured that Your Majesty has learned our customs for this event." Father Du bowed deeply with a pleased expression on his face.

"Good, We will await departure in the central garden. Our guards will help you prepare." He waved his arm majestically and half of his personal guards came forward without a word to assist the servants and family guards.

"Shall I send Du Fen to accompany you, Your Majesty?" Mother Du saw the opportunity to foist the boy off on... She meant, allow the two to get to know one another... and made the offer.

"Indeed. We believe We would enjoy his company." The Emperor pronounced and then did not wait to walk towards the garden.

"Go get him!" Mother Du whisper- shouted to a servant girl, who bowed quickly in alarm and rushed off to get the Ger.

"Young Master! Young Master!" She called as she ran in the door out of breath. The company in the room looked up in surprise as she barreled into the room.

Du Fen was just about done getting ready, having already finished his breakfast and washing up. The only thing left to do was affix his headpiece and perhaps throw on something warm if there was a chill.

"Your mother sends me... His Most Esteemed Majesty requests... your presence in the central garden." She huffed a breath in between and then slumped to the floor.

The rest of the people in the room's eyes widened in surprise. Du Fen waved one of his servants to help the girl, then turned to set the headpiece on himself, nearly stabbing himself while he did.

The oldest serving woman fussed with a fur wrap for his shoulders and straightened the headpiece with a few tugs, while the younger tried to run the brush over his hair a few more times.

"Enough, enough." Du Fen said impatiently, rising from his seat and rushing out of the room. He did not want to keep the Emperor waiting. It would not be a good start to the relationship. He blushed at the thought.

The result, he was flushed with delicate colour and had the glow of an energetic youth about him when he arrived at the garden. His angelic appearance and swift arrival had the Emperor in quite a good mood.

"Good morning Du Fen. We are pleased you could join Us." He smiled gently at the young Ger.

"Good morning Your Majesty. I am very happy Your Majesty has asked me here." He replied somewhat breathlessly. He bowed low, and smiled a little when the Emperor made an impatient gesture for him to come closer.

He sat on the seat that was gestured, and kept his gaze lowered to the table with tea and snacks modestly. He could feel the Emperor's eyes on him, but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to say or do exactly.

"You may pour Us a cup of tea." The Emperor whispered with a slight smile, seeing the youth's hesitation. With his foresight, he realised the boy had not had the same training as a young miss might in the household.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Du Fen sighed in relief and moved with graceful ease to set up and pour a cup of tea, taking his time. He focused on the task, and then gently blew on the cup before presenting it. The Emperor had a sip and nodded in pleasure.

"You are very good at this. We look forward to having tea with you in the future." His words eased the boy's posture. Du Fen's eyes smiled at the thought of pleasing his majesty, making him seem a bit like a small puppy wagging his tail.

"Yes, Your Majesty." His words were noncommittal, and he turned his face away a little with a slight blush. So cute! The Emperor tried not to grin at his bride's forced lack of enthusiasm.

"Tell Us, what else are you good at?" He demanded as he sipped his tea. Du Fen looked up in surprise.

"Does not Your Majesty have people to tell him what I am good at?" His words were petulant, but the Emperor ignored the tone and just watched him blush deeper in fascination.

"We do. We wish for you to tell Us." He insisted with a direct look. He just could not help teasing the boy. It was too fun to watch those emotions flit across his face. He would have to warn the boy that he was an open book.

"Oh. Uhm, I am good at... horseback riding? Or... at least I like it. And... archery. I enjoy doing that too." Du Fen nibbled his soft pink lip as he thought about what he did during the day usually.

The Emperor suddenly thought that he was very much looking forward to tasting that tender little morsel. It was very refreshing to see him counting off on his fingers too, like a child unconsciously playing with his hands in nervousness.

His thoughts came at somewhat of a surprise to him, as he had never had such thoughts about another boy like this. He couldn't even say that he was mistaking the lad for a girl, because the youth did not dress or act like one in the slightest.

His thoughts on Ger before this were that they were feminine, overly made up with make up and perfume, weak little wisps of boys. Basically women with extra equipment. Not that all women were like that, but the ladies of court certainly did seem to fall into this category.

He was relieved that, while his bride was very beautiful and on the androgynous side, he was nothing like those women and Gers from court that he recalled. Not in the slightest. He even ate properly, taking a big bite of a honey stick and chomping away on it.

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