Six years before…

A ten year old, happy, Tang Daiyu skipped alongside her father as they walked down the streets of Jiangzhou. Just inside Heping's border, the bustling city of Jiangzhou situated at the junction of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers, promoted wealth and tranquillity.

Chancellor Ru nodded to himself in approval. Tang Daiyu looked up at her father.

"Father? Why did you want decide to come to Heping all of a sudden?"

"Shh, Daiyu. If you're going to come with me, then you have to promise me that you won't interrupt my meeting."

She nodded quickly. "I promise."

He smiled and patted her head. "Good girl."

They soon entered a busy restaurant at the center of the city. Chancellor Ru walked over to a well-dressed, proper-looking woman. Tang Daiyu followed on his heels.

The woman looked up, stood, and smiled. "Tang Ru, it's been many years."

Chancellor Ru bowed respectfully.

"Yu Xiulan, you're as lovely as ever."

She blushed and looked down at her cup of tea. Then, her eye caught on Tang Daiyu.

"And who is this little beauty?"

"This is my daughter, Tang Daiyu."

Yu Xiulan's eyebrow raised. "You have a daughter? Wow, I wouldn't have pegged you as someone for marriage."

"You know what my father's expectations were. My ancestral home should not be without someone to take care of it in the future."

"Yes, yes, of course. I understand."

The rich lady eyed Tang Daiyu and smiled. "You're so young and already such a beauty. Whoever becomes your husband in the future will be very lucky. I'm afraid he'll have to guard you well, else every man in Chang'an will try to court you!"

"Many thanks, Auntie."

"Tang Ru, did you hear this? She called me Auntie," Yu Xiulan cried happily. She looked around the restaurant. More to herself, she muttered, "Now where did he go?"

"Who?"

She looked up at Chancellor Ru. "Well, Tang Ru, I have a child now as well. Though he is a few years older than Xiao Tang.

After looking around some more, she called out, "Yun'er! Yun’er! Yun'er!"

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Soon, a pre-teen boy appeared. He came over and stood next to his mother.

"Yun'er, this is Uncle Ru. He's an old friend of Mother’s."

Yun'er bowed to him. "Greetings Uncle Ru."

Chancellor Ru chuckled and said, "Nephew."

Then, Yun'er turned to Tang Daiyu.

"Greetings, Younger Cousin."

She returned the bowed and said politely, "Greetings, Older Cousin."

Finally, Yu Xiulan swallowed and said, "Tang Ru, I know we're here to speak on some important matters, but first, I'd like to ask you a favour."

"Of course, what is it?"

She eyed the children before saying, "Yun'er, why don't you show your younger cousin around Jiangzhou? Maybe take her to see the river junction?"

He nodded and took her hand.

As they were leaving, she heard her aunt say, "I don't know what you're aware of, but Heping's court politics have gotten dangerous. Please, if something happens to me, will you ensure Feng Yun is kept safe?"

"FENG Yun?"

"Yes, he's Emperor Taio's eldest grandchild. After my family and I returned from Nanchang, I was chosen to enter the palace as Third Prince's concubine..."

Then, Tang Daiyu was pulled out of the restaurant.

~~~

At the river junction, she talked and argued with Feng Yun. To him, she seemed way too knowledgeable about political matters and men's problems. To her, he seemed like a bosom friend who she could freely converse with.

"Younger Cousin, why do you know all of this?"

"I'm my father's only child. So, he's passing everything he knows onto me."

Feng Yun nodded in understanding. "It must be hard that he doesn't have a son."

Indignant, she flew into a fit. Lightly punching his arm, she cried, "Father does love me! He's happy that he has me! What? Am I not good enough just because I'm a girl?"

Realising he was wrong, Feng Yun quickly apologised. After he had managed to appease her, she let out a long sigh.

"I know I can't become Chancellor like him, but at least his knowledge won't be lost."

Then she turned towards him a little more and asked, "If you're a prince, why aren't you living in the palace?"

"My mother doesn't think it's safe. Since my father's dead, she could only take me and escape to Jiangzhou."

She looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, my father died a few years ago now, so we've been here ever since."

"Older Cousin?"

"Yes?"

"Daiyu!" Chancellor Ru interrupted them. She pouted at first but turned around to face her father.

"Are we going, Father?"

"Yes. My meeting's finished. Come along."

She turned and waved goodbye to Feng Yun. He waved back. Turning on her heels, she left with her father. Feng Yun watched as they walked away.

Finally, he sighed. For being as smart as she is, that younger cousin is too naive. I hope she grows up quickly or otherwise, I fear her future will be bleak.

"Yun'er."

He turned around to see his mother approaching.

"Mother."

"Come on, let's go home."

As he too left the river junction, Feng Yun knew that even though he didn't know when he'd see her again, he'd never forget his younger cousin.