***

“A coalition! Is that true?”

“Grandfather thinks so.”

“No wonder Grandfather was so motivated, if it's true we will need to start preparing now.”

He was shocked by his wife's response. She had always been quick, but it seemed in the time he was gone she had grown up.

“Do you think the other clans will listen?”

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“It's hard to say. The Zhu and Mu families should at least.”

“Damn, they can't forsake their image for one second?”

He could not help but smile now watching his wife get so frustrated. Maybe it was because they were married so young, but he had witnessed her childish temper many times and knew it well. With age she learned to hide it. It brought him comfort to see his wife with balled up fists.

“Enough about that. How has my wife been?”

“Tired, bored, lonely, worried…”

“Okay, Okay, I'm sorry.”

“You left so suddenly and left me all alone.”

“I'm sorry.”

“And there was so much to do well you were all gone.”

“I'm sorry.”

“I think I would have gone insane if it wasn't for little Chao.”

“I'm sorry.”

“And I think I'm going to hit you if you keep saying sorry”

He smiled. He knew it did not matter what he said next because it would be the wrong answer. He pulled her close and kissed her. The moon rose above the manor and the day had passed.

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