The Butterfly Arrives in Wu

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"I am assuming... so. Lord Sun Jian has a son, a very brave son at that, much like his father. I doubt that it is through adoption, seeing the close resemblance that they have. Why do you ask? Are you intending to marry him or something? Haha." Yes, he passed the topic as a joking matter, but deep inside something made Han Dang temporarily boil with jealousy. Was Nohime aiming for a man of power, one whom she had never even met? Was that what Yigong was for? Had her seductive actions been of no meaning?

[Nohime]

Nohime felt a little deflated after hearing that he had children. To cover it up, she smiled at Yigong and laughed with him. "Of course not, I was simply curious," she replied. "After all, I don't even know the man. I would have to know everything about him before I could even consider him."

Uh oh, just as she feared. Yigong was expecting that she was seducing him for a reason. Don't get her wrong, she thought he was very handsome and very kind. She just wasn't sure what kind of potential he had in this particular kingdom and whether or not he was the best possible person for her to be with. She knew that one day her seductive prowess would lead her into trouble one day...here it was.

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Silently calming himself down from his internal fears and angers, Han Dang smiled once more as he signaled again toward the direction of Wu, intending to forget the matter but of course not Nohime and her beauty. But first things more important were at hand, and his personal feelings would not get in the way of business or matters of the land. Being a nuisance to Sun Jian and Wu¡¯s future was a cause of self-punishment in results most severe; he would not let that happen. "Lord Sun Jian will be waiting for my return; let us go, shall we?"

[Nohime]

"Oh yes, of course," Nohime agreed with a sweet smile on her face. She held herself steady on the horse, most likely subconsciously revealing that she had actually ridden a horse before. By the way Yigong sounded, it was like he didn't seem bothered anymore, but judging by the look on his face, the opposite was true. Acting against her better instincts, she turned to Yigong as they continued down their path.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked him. "Did I say something that upset you?"

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Damn, she caught him off guard. No matter, improvisation was a part of Han Dang's daily matters, in all circumstances. "Oh no, my lady. I was simply concerning myself with the matters of the land, the current affairs and situation of chaos that prospers endlessly throughout the many provinces and districts. I often find myself doing so; I believe that it might be the duty of one who is truly devoted to a strive in conquering the land.

[Nohime]

Nohime didn't buy it. She knew that he was bothered by something else. She wasn't going to stop badgering him until she either felt like he was really telling the truth, or if he actually told her the truth. She continued to eye him. "Come now, you can tell me," she replied. "I won't bite." The last part was added just as a joke. She truly wanted to know the truth.

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Hmm, now she was looking through his false improvising statements? Well, maybe they were a bit unsuitable for a casual-going man like Han Dang, the idea of thinking matters at state. But what he said he would stick to unless strictly proven otherwise that there was a better option, or until he was forced out of it. "I am telling the truth, my lady. I was indeed concerned deeply with thoughts of the state affairs and the chaos caused by bandits and even the corrupt court of the Han."

[Nohime]

She could tell she wasn't getting anywhere with trying to convince him to speak the truth. She sighed, but decided not to pursue the matter any further. However, she was beginning to become interested in this so-called 'corrupt court of Han'. "Since I know bandits are a problem for any ruler, may I ask what you speak of when it comes to the corruption of the Han?" she asked. "What exactly has been going on there?"

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Glad that the subject had finally changed, Han Dang answered Nohime's question. "The Han court is riddled with officials who only ask for bribes and who will stop at nothing to get power and wealth. These men have taken over the emperor's authority and are using it to their will, as the emperor lies only as a puppet to be controlled by the officials and, even more, the eunuchs. And now the eunuchs are involved in internal fights among themselves, a quarrel over who to put on the throne as emperor after Emperor Ling's passing away. It is total disaster."

[Nohime]

This was quite troubling. For something as serious as an emperor being manipulated by mere officials...it was shocking in all honesty. She bit her lower lip for a bit as she thought of something else to ask to delve into the subject a bit more. "Who runs the Han exactly?" she asked. "Surely there is someone who is behind all of this chaos. I'd like to know so I can possibly have a target in the future." She said the last part a bit unashamedly and bluntly. She didn't like the idea of people like that were beginning to control more than they should be allowed to.

[Fu Sheng]

Xian was riding along the provincial road, his duty required him to travel along the province as an Officer under the Sun clan inspecting the villages and making sure the people were satisfied with lord Sun Jian's reign. As he rode along the road escorted by four guards he spotted Yigong headed towards the Sun Clan's quarters accompanied by a lady he could not recognize. He fastened his pace to approach the general. As he pushed the reins to slow his steed down he faced him and said:

"Ah master Dang it's good to see you, mind if I accompany you on your stroll?"

He then faced the lady riding along with him and could not stop to notice her beauty, her eyes were captivating and her robes were not those of a common peasant so he immediately realized she was some sort of noble woman. He closed his eyes and he bowed his head profoundly saying:

"Milady."

((Mind if I intrude? ))

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"Well, the people who actually run the Han government are majorly a group of ten eunuchs, known as the Ten Regular Attendants, who start and lead all the corruption and destructible actions within the court. None have stopped them, as the emperor will refuse to listen to opinions other than the eunuchs', as it was how he lived his years so far."

Han Dang was talking about this when he saw approaching them a familiar face, none other than Zheng Xian, another officer of Wu. Hmm, wonder what he was doing here at this time? And he was escorted by four guards as well? Well, he must have been on some business of his own, no need to inquire too far into such matters. Nodding to Xian as he began to approach them, Yigong waited until he was near before he spoke:

"Greeting, Zheng Xian. I would like you to meet Lady Nohime, of Japan. We were on our way back to Wu to meet Lord Sun Jian."

[Nohime]

((I haz no problem ^_^))

Nohime couldn't help but cringe every time she heard the word 'eunuch'. Just the thought of what they did to themselves...it just made her uncomfortable in all honesty. To make matters worse, this so-called 'emperor' was following their example. To have a nation under such odd control disturbed her. Perhaps she could help some nation take over the empire...not likely, but possible. Suddenly, a new person wondered into their midst. As he was introduced and asked to join them, she couldn't help but smile.

"Of course you may come with us," she replied. "There's plenty to go around." She added a little giggle at the end. She was flirting, yes, but it was meant to be more subtle and hopefully unnoticeable.

[Fu Sheng]

As he kept riding along with the two of them, Xian talked with general as he faced the general.

"Have you seen master Cheng around? I haven't been coming across him for awhile and..." he sighed and looked away with a serious face over the horizon as he carried on "...there are certain things I must talk with him about."

He turned his head over the lady realizing he had not introduced himself yet.

"Ah! Where are my manners? I am Zheng Xian of Zhangji, pleased to meet you." he paused as he looked over to the horizon and looked back at her with a gentle smile "Japan say you Dang? That one island across the sea hmm, I've heard rumours but I could never afford to leave this province I'm afraid, what can you tell me of it lady Nohime?"

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"Unfortunately, no, I have not seen Cheng Pu around anywhere... He should be busy as always, deeply obsessed with any work he can get his hands on, from training troops and raising morale to agricultural support, however that works. Man, he knows no rest, though he really needs some." And as Zheng Xian asked Nohime if she could tell him anything about Japan, Han Dang chimed in: "Indeed, I too would like to hear more about this island across the sea. We have yet to even sail thus far over the waters; they must have strong vessels there... Is the ship that brought you here by any chance still docking at China?"