Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
JavaScript is off/unavailable on your browser. You will not be able to experience this website as it was intended without JavaScript enabled.
“…It is true that you are strong in debate,” Jin conceded. “We could do this all day… but I know that I would not win you over. You have made up your mind… I shall press the matter no further.”
“…Perhaps you might also want to apologise to my wife for your insinuation that she has been unable to provide me with a child,” Kongming said ominously.
Yueying looked at her husband with swollen, teary eyes.
“…I meant no offence,” Jin insisted. “If any was taken by my poorly chosen words, then I beg forgiveness from you both.”
“What then, was your intention…?” Kongming asked.
“I simply said that, since I now have two sons, there was always the possibility of your adopting one of them,” Jin explained. “It is not meant as offence… the Liu Bei you hold so dear has an adopted son because he has yet to father a son of his own… and that child is not even a Liu by blood. Surely what is good enough for Liu Bei is good enough for you, Kongming…?”
“Again, your tone drifts towards contempt,” Kongming seethed. “Why do you bear me such hostility…?”
“I am frustrated with you!” Jin admitted. “I love you, brother! We grew up in this house together, you and I, and we were solid as a rock! Now we are a land apart, opposite sides of the Great River, serving different masters, and enemies, no less! How can this not be distressing to me???”
“If your master were to follow the example he expects his generals to abide, then Sun and Liu would be allies this very day,” Kongming replied calmly.
Jin knew and understood what the cutting remark referred to, and exhaled wearily.
“…Forgive me,” Jin sighed. “You are as knowledgeable as they say… I cannot argue with you. …Once again, I apologise… but my offer still stands, Kongming. If you and your graceful lady wife would condescend to adopting my youngest son, I should be most humbly grateful. And I meant no offence… after all, I am seven years your senior, and have only just started a family myself.”
Before Kongming could answer, Yueying broke the etiquette of the day and said, “Even we are blessed with children born of our love, we would be honoured.”
“…Lady Huang, you are peerless among women in your wisdom,” Jin declared. “I envy you Kongming, for having such a wife by your side.”
“…I suggest we refrain from further political debate,” Kongming sighed wearily; he stopped fanning himself, and lowered his arm. “…Let us be brothers, and not ministers: let us be friends.”
Jin smiled gratefully. For the rest of the day, the atmosphere was relaxed and warm, as Zhuge Jin fondly recalled his own time in the forest cottage.
Later that night - once Zhuge Jin was settled into the family guest room - Kongming and Yueying sat together silently in the living quarters, facing each other. Kongming was fanning himself once again.
“I hope you do not hold it against me that we have been unable to hold a child in our arms,” Yueying said suddenly. “Perhaps it is not just my looks that are poor.”
“…Nonsense…!” Kongming chuckled softly: he put the fan down, and embraced Yueying warmly. “We are busy, we are stressed… and as my brother said, even a mighty warlord like Liu Xuande, a man with two wives and concubines, has yet to father a son between them all. It is not a sign of weakness… it is, perhaps, a sign that we are to be doubly blessed. After all, do not people say, ‘Great things come to those who wait’…?”
“You always know what to say,” Yueying whispered miserably.