Chapter Two
Pressing a hand to her head Cam wanted to know what deity she'd offended.
Just as she'd gotten a plan of action together for her next step she'd been dragged away by some secret soldiers and knocked out.
Still groggy, she was staring at the ceiling in dark amusement. This definitely had to be a book world because the drama was over the top.
"Madame, she's only recently awoken," a bright voice spoke beyond the closed doors.
"Good, then I will see her now."
The doors were slid aside, and Cam forced herself to sit up. One of the servants who'd entered walked over to her and assisted her to lean back against the back rest of the bed.
The woman who she assumed to be the Madame approached the side of her bed, soft smell of wind and flower following her. Her robes were intricately woven with peonies and birds. Her pale skin was unblemished, and her every movement was filled with tightly controlled grace. Taking seat she observe Cam, her own expression carefully blank for a slight smile that decorated her slips.
"I first wish to apologies on behalf of my men, they described to me how they acquired you and I can only say it's due to our desperation that they committed such an act."
Cam snorted, "Ah, sure apologies have always been acceptable in the face of kidnapping."
"How dare you!" One of the servants stepped forward angrily. "Watch you're mouth peasant, our madame is—,"
The madame raised her hand, cutting the servants angry words short. "Enough."
Cam leaned back not feeling phased by the servants outburst. "She's fine to be angry on your behalf...Madame, but it's still kidnapping so—rather than an apology I would more be interested in the reason behind it."
The madame frowned at the girl who sat across from her. Brown eyes, brown skin, yellow hair from starvation and a few of her scars peaked from her rough woven clothing. Her body was woefully thin, and yet those brown eyes sparkled with life and her pose was relaxed and there was even a slight tinge of annoyance between her brows.
She wondered what made this girl so confident.
"I required a woman to marry my son."
"Ah, marriage seeing your appearance and servants I can't help but wonder what must push you to grab a random woman from the road."
For some reason, Madame find herself being honest when speaking to the girl in front of her. "My son is going to be banished, he's being held in dungeon in the capital, and I've learned he's to be exiled to the boarder. To serve as guard there, it's rough and dangerous place."
She pressed her lips together as she felt her heart tighten at the memory of when she'd last seen her son. Broken, and dead eyed as he learned how he'd been betrayed by those who'd he trusted. The woman he'd sworn to protect had chosen his enemy, and his enemy rather than take his life had forced him to live protecting the border till his last breath. Away from her, and everything he knew. And who would follow an injured man into a war zone coveted by barbarians.
"If I agree to marry him, what can you give me?"
Cam was a realist, she didn't want to eek out an existence in a small village. Sure, she could develop a product and develop it, try to copy those other reincarnated characters and slowly build her influence while fighting off and face slapping her enemies.
But she wouldn't, why?
Cause she was lazy!
Why should she have to scrape and fight her way to the top, when she didn't even want to be on top? Just well fed, and taken care of.
Though a war zone wasn't exactly the place she wanted to live out her existence, but she wasn't in an disadvantage she brushed a hand over her wrist where a faded design remained.
The Madame frowned, her eyes narrowing. "You shouldn't be too greedy it might lead to a bad outcome."
Cam smiled, "I don't think it's too much to ask if my brother can be brought with me?"
This body had a younger brother who'd been a bright five-year-old, until an accident had stolen his smile. He'd fallen off a cliff, and luckily survived but he limped and because of it was mocked and treated like dog by the Gou family.
"I am willing to marry your son and accompany you to the border. I don't fear war or struggle, but I can see from your clothes and nature that this family is well off. I want four things, one; if my husband, your son doesn't treat me with respect and kindness I can request a blameless divorce with no demands on me. A simple and clean divorce, I will not remain with a man who beats me or causes harm to those I come to care for. Two; any thing I do that may lead prosperous outcome will not be seen as your families property unless I contractually sign it over. Three; if my husband and I do become a real couple and I have children I can give one of those children my property and they can inherit my wealth separate from this family. And four, if he takes a concubine, sleep mate or a consort to his bed I will be given right to divorce and aside from the first son all children will be given to me."
"W-what, how could I—," shocked by the young girls words the Madame tried to work through it. She'd never heard of a woman so openly of Divorce. It was something that no one ever wished for, and some woman would rather die than deal with the dishonor. "How could you mention divorce, such a thing would be seen as a dishonorably thing to happen."
"What is dishonor? Can I eat it? I prefer to focus on my happiness and having a long life than something that only matters to those who have wealth and power to defend it. Also, my brother coming with me is no negotiable, but the other things are up to discussion, uh, I also would like a dowry."
**
Madam Lu Jiayi was shocked by the girls demands and as she walked to see her Master Lu Yize. As she passed the servants lowered their heads once she entered the Masters courtyard she didn't wait to be announced and entered his room where he sat sipping tea as he stared at the Go board in front of him.
He didn't look up as he elegantly moved another black piece. "What did she say?"
Lu Jiayi told him Cams demands and frowned waiting for his words.
A low chuckle emanated from the elegant older man, and he set his cup aside brushing his hand down his short beard. "Honor is for those who have the power to defend it, indeed."
"Master, we can't support her demands for divorce can we? What if she claims he harmed her? Will our Yuxuan be bullied by her?"
Lu Yize turned his gaze on her, "Did she appear to be the type to do such a thing?"
Lu Jiayi though back to the girl she'd left behind, and thinking back to her clear gaze and open manner she reluctantly shook her head. "...No. She seemed to be open and calm and even said aside from her desire to have her brother accompany her she would be willing to discuss the other things."
Yize stood with the help of his servant and walked over to the large window that overlooked the bamboo forest near his room. The breeze brought along their smell which was pleasant and head clearing. "Agree to her demands. It is our luck that the Wu girl cut ties and ran away. From what you're telling this young woman may be a better partner for our son."
"Husband," Lu Jiayi stood. "How can you say that? Wu was elegant and knew the six arts. She was one of the top beauties of our capital."
"Yes, but does Wu girl know what it is to starve? Does she know what it is to survive and what it means to go without? The virtures that would make her good wife for Yuxuan in the capital could be negative traits for her once she's in the wild. Clearly, the Wu family believed this which is why the quickly cut ties with our Lu family and stopped us at the gates. Soon, the crown prince will turn his eyes to our family. It is better to send as many Lu to the border with Lu Yuxuan."
Lu Jiayi pressed her lips together and lowered her head. Wishing she could go and tear the face of that demon woman who'd ensorcelled her son to love her, there by ruining his rise to power.
Yes, her husband was right. The girl despite her appearance was honest and easier to talk to. None of the cunning of that Wu girl or that witch in the palace. She much preferred it.
"You have two months to prepare her, her brother and her dowry. In two months the emperor will send the sentence they must be ready by then," Lu Yize said turning around to face her.
"Yes, I will ensure it's done."
With that Lu Jiayi swept from he room. She'd make sure her son had the perfect wife and if she had to give that wife her left foot she would.
And when her son returned triumphant she'd step on the heads of those who'd dragged her Lu family down.
TBC