C40 (2/2)

”My name is Aruna.” I looked at my aunt timidly.

My aunt nodded and said, ”It is a good Borgizt daughter of mine to ride so far as to come riding with Tahir and the others.”

Listening to my aunt praise me, I smiled.

”How old is she now?” she asked kindly.

”She's eight years old.” I'm not afraid to see my aunt being kind.

The aunt nodded again and looked at her father. ”I see that this child is very clever and intends to betroth her to the emperor, who is ten years old and of a suitable age.”

”This …” The father looked at her and said, ”This is the honor of our Ah Ru. This child has been pampered since he was young. I'm afraid he doesn't know the rules.”

Cousin, I think this girl is very sensible. Alright, it's a deal, and I'll let you take her back first so that you won't miss her. When she's thirteen or fourteen years old, I'll have the emperor marry her into the palace.

His father knelt down before his aunt and said, ”Then this subject shall kowtow and thank the empress dowager for her grace.”

I don't know what it means to be there, but what does it mean to ”grant it to the Emperor?” Why does father need to thank me? I looked at Brother Ta and I saw that he was also looking at me. However, there seemed to be a hint of sadness in his eyes.

I miss it so much, I don't know if I've grown up looking at the lamb's cloth and if it's growing up to be more robust. The cloth and the mnemonic meaning ”strong,” I named it because I wanted my little lamb to be the strongest sheep on the prairie.

On the way home, I stopped joking with Brother Ta as before. Whenever I spoke to him, he would always reply in a low voice, but never let out a smile again. Because I was always in grief when my uncle was no longer with me, I always teased him on the way home.

I finally returned to the Horqin Prairie. As soon as I entered the house, my father told my mother that I had been betrothed to the Emperor of Great Qing. She smiled at me and said, ”At the very least, it will be a lifetime of wealth and prosperity.” I couldn't help but ask, ”Ah Pa, what is a promise to the Emperor?” Father rubbed my head and said smilingly, ”You're the future wife of the Emperor.”

”But Aruna is going to marry Brother Ta. To be his wife.” I looked at my father in confusion.