Beasts and Roses

By Aariel Gallo

Three incredible tales told as you've never heard them. In Ancient China, a rare beauty is sold to be the wife of a beastly warlord. Meifeng is intelligent and loyal, but not prepared for the intrigues of life in a grand palace. When she hears her soon-to-be husband murdered hundreds of innocents, she wonders if she will ever be able to care for

• Language: English
• Publisher: Falling Lotus Press
• Release date: Apr 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087913889

Aariel Gallo

Author Aariel Gallo

Book preview

1

Beasts and Roses

Meifeng gasped at the feeling of being immersed in freezing water. Her body responded by shivering violently when yet another bucket was poured over her head. She felt anger. She felt shame. The women scrubbed at her back and feet and neck until she felt red and raw.

Meifeng’s dark eyes darted up to her assailants. She glared at them with all her might. It was not as though she was very dirty. She had grown up as the local governor’s daughter and had bathed daily, and yet these servants acted as though she needed to be disinfected from her old life, a life that she knew they did not consider good enough for their master.

The women servants were old and cross; their leader having been with the Hong family her entire life. She had nursed the current Lord Hong at her breasts and he still looked to her for advice. She was to be respected and feared. Meifeng was not afraid of her.

The degrading scouring of her flesh was finished at length, and Meifeng’s sore skin was then perfumed and oiled. The fragrant balm stung her reddened skin. She was escorted by a lesser maid from the bath to her chambers, which faced the sea over the cliff. Meifeng could smell the tang on the air from the brine and went to the open window and then wandered toward the doors that led out to a balcony.

The air flowed through her hair and her aching heart mended a little with its sighing. Shifting her silk swathed self, she turned to examine the rest of her apartments.

Dark wood polished to gleaming, peonies in jade vases and green silk drapes. It was pleasant and well thought out. The scrolls on the wall in elegant calligraphy said, Grace and Honor. Her bed was soft and lush with gold embroidered blue satin. All she wanted to do was lay herself on it and cry.

Her father had cried when she left. He had wept as she had never seen him weep before and that had helped her to steel her heart for the farewell. She had shed no tears, but she had smiled at him and held his hand in hers. For how long had she seen him as the strength in her life? The pillar of their family? Everything she had centered on and from him. Now she was forced from him and from comfort and the life she had known, although to be honest, it had not been the same life it had once been.

Governor Hua had been rich and well favored by the Emperor. His daughters happily enjoyed the fruits of this from their childhood onward. He had no sons, only girls. This was unfortunate, but he loved his daughters so much he could only laugh at fate, and they laughed with him. Surely, they were blessed by Heaven to have everything they could desire at their fingertips. Their father would live long and take good care of them. When the time was right, he would make profitable marriages for them all.

When Meifeng was born, she brought more joy, but also heartache. Her mother had perished soon after the difficult childbirth, and when his wife was gone, Governor Hua lost a part of himself with her. He remained strong, however, and his daughters comforted him. Meifeng became his treasure, for she grew to look like his departed wife, and thus he doted on her.

When Meifeng grew older and demanded to study reading and writing, he smiled at her and hired a tutor right away. When she grew hungry for more knowledge, more tutors were brought to teach her about politics, history and art. She could recite the most famous poems and knew much of the I Ching. She also was adept at singing. How could her father not be proud of her? How could her other sisters not envy her?

All his pride and her accomplishments mattered little when Governor Hua fell out of favor with the Emperor. Heaven’s smiling face shines bright for a time, but when it turns elsewhere, or turns to displeasure, then all the land must beware.

The Henen province was known for producing the Emperor’s favorite fruits. A severe frost was all that it took to ruin the harvest one year, but the Son of Heaven does not understand when nature does not bow to his whims. So, the Governor was punished. The Hua lands were seized and suddenly the constant fortune the Hua family had lived off was gone. Still Governor in name only, Hua was so poor he could barely feed his five daughters and himself. Then a miracle happened.

Meifeng was renowned in the province for her beauty. Such beauty, they say, comes only once every seventy years. Such beauty is known to be lucky and bring happiness to whomever possesses it. Lord Hong needed heirs. His first wife had been sickly and died soon after their marriage. Now he sought another bride and Hua could not have been more shocked when the Chief Advisor to Lord Hong came knocking on his door to inquire about his daughter, Meifeng.

In such cases, there was usually a search conducted by a matchmaker, but Lord Hong had heard much about Governor Hua’s beautiful daughter. The first letter was sent with his advisor, a smiling man who nonetheless seemed to have a very grave face. Hua read the letter twice in silence and his daughters hovered about him, all but Meifeng, who was weaving cloth to keep them warm.

How can I refuse such an offer? Hua said at last to the Chief Advisor. And yet I must, for I have no dowry to give for my daughter’s marriage.

At the word marriage, his daughter’s all gasped, all but Meifeng, who continued to weave.

The smiling advisor bowed and produced another letter from his sleeve. My lord thought that might be the case. If it is, then he instructed me to give you this. The letter changed hands and was read again in silence. By now the daughters could hardly contain their anticipation to know what was happening, but they knew better than to interrupt.

Hua’s face turned pale, and then his eyes widened. How is this possible? Then he turned and bowed before the advisor, who immediately helped the governor up. If this is true, then I am indebted to Lord Hong. I dare not refuse him anything, even my greatest treasure. Tell your master I accept his conditions.

As soon as the Chief Advisor bowed and left the house, the daughters all turned to their father. Even Meifeng was now curious what could cause her father such joy and worry at once.

My dear children, we are saved from poverty. I did not know how I was going to pay all our debts. I thought we would have to live like beggars in the street. Now that will no longer be the case. In fact, we can live again as we used to! Our former glory is restored! Tears were in his eyes as he relayed this joyous news to the delight of his daughters.

What is the cost of such a great favor, Father? Meifeng asked. Her eyes were dark with concern. She had learned that nothing in this world was ever free.

Well, her father began. He would not meet her gaze. We are honored by a marriage proposal from Lord Hong. He wishes to wed you, Meifeng. You need not have a dowry either. He accepts you as you are, with the promise that you will bear him sons, of course. You are young and healthy. Of course, you will bear him many children! Still, he would not look at Meifeng.

After a moment Meifeng got off her stool by the loom where she had been weaving. She bowed before her father. Thank you for this opportunity to serve the family and to marry a fine lord. I am truly honored and grateful. What else could a dutiful daughter say? Her father had sold her to pay his debts.

* * *

In eight days, she would be wed to a man whom she did not know. This was not uncommon. In fact, a bride and groom never met before any wedding if it could be helped. In normal circumstances, she would not be allowed to visit or stay in her groom’s abode. These were extraordinary circumstances. Lord Hong wanted his prize to be kept under lock and key now that he had paid off the debts of her father. It was too tempting a possibility for her to run away and then where would he be without a bride or heirs and the money already given to the lenders, who would not give it back.

Meifeng paced her chambers. She had written to her father the first day here, letting him know she was well and comfortable. She did not write to her sisters, for they had not learned how to read.

Now she felt she had nothing to do with herself. She wanted to read or study to get her mind off her current situation, but every time she went to leave her room, a maid asked what could be fetched. That and a guard down the hall let Meifeng know she was a prisoner.

Decadent meals were brought to her rooms, and she nibbled at each dish. They were delicious; rich and yet simple. She enjoyed the flavors, but not the experience. There was no one to talk to and no one to enjoy the food with her. Her appetite waned.

After four days, finally she could take it no longer. She woke up and waited for the maid to come in to open the shutters and help her into her hanfu of blue silk. Her maid was named Jie, and she was very sweet and docile. Meifeng did not think she was very intelligent or special, but she tried to be patient and kind this morning.

Jie, I need to get out of these rooms and feel some fresh air. You must help me. Meifeng smiled kindly at the maid. Please?

Jie shook her head and sadly looked away. I dare not let you. Please don’t make things difficult for me, my lady.

Meifeng bit the inside of her cheek in frustration. Very well. If you won’t help me, then I will ask your mistress. Bring her to me! She turned away with a flourish of silk and would not look at the maid. She wanted no refusal this time.

Yes, my lady. Jie finally bowed and left the room. A few minutes later the stern-faced mistress was there, her dark eyes glinting with fire and annoyance at having been summoned.

Meifeng sat perfectly still on her divan, fanning herself. The mistress of the household bowed before her and then said, I am Daiyu. What can I do for your ladyship?

Meifeng did not answer right away. She looked at this woman and took her in. They both knew full well that one was at the mercy of the other. They both remembered Meifeng being scrubbed head to foot at Daiyu’s order.

Meifeng clucked her tongue. You have been remiss, Mistress Daiyu. Your servants should be better trained to please me. I only wish to go to the library to read and study, and yet they forbid me. I will waste away with nothing to do or see within these walls. Surely it cannot be so bad to allow me to read?

Daiyu pursed her lips. Lord Hong has given us all orders. We must follow them.

Lord Hong, the Devil you mean? Meifeng snapped. I have heard all the stories of him. They say he is a beast. He slaughtered whole villages without reason.

That shows how little you know him, my lady. He is no monster, but the most just lord one could ask for! Daiyu dared to show her anger.

So just he locks up his own betrothed and will not even allow her to read? Meifeng countered.

If you wish to read my lady, I will ask for volumes to be brought to your chambers, with Lord Hong’s permission, of course. Will that suffice?

Meifeng let out a breath of exasperation. I suppose it must for now. Go, ask your master for permission.

As Daiyu left, Meifeng pondered on the stories she had heard. Most were rumors and rumors could be vicious and ugly, but she knew these rumors had some basis, in fact. She had traveled with her father to visit the decimated towns to write reports of the deeds for the Emperor.

Lord Hong was known mostly for his shocking lineage. He was born of a Chinese father and Japanese mother. The Japanese people were considered ugly and barbaric by most Chinese. How could such a man be just and fair? People said that he had killed his previous wife because she would not obey him, poisoning her so that it seemed like an illness. Now Meifeng was here in his palace, and she was not used to being obedient all the time. She was willful and used to getting her way. She tried not to be afraid of what he would do to not only her, but to her family, if she displeased him.

When Daiyu returned later that afternoon, she found Meifeng pacing the quarters like a caged