Henan Zhong: Three Wooers, The Bride Is Not Ready Yet

Wan Hu brought Henan in his room, the crowd of maids and servants came with the royal physicians.

The old physician checked her condition, "There is nothing to be worried about, she took stress greatly and it caused her to lose consciousness for some time, sprinkle some water and she will wake up," Wan Hu felt relieved to here.

A maid brought some water.

Wan Hu gestured everyone to leave the room.

He sprinkled some water on her face and Henan opened her eyes.

She saw him looking at her.

"Henan, you are fine," he immediately grabbed her in his embrace.

"Wan'er, I am fine, how are you? I came to see whether you are alright," she was slightly surprised that she was on his bed, but she liked how passionately he embraced her. 

His deep and warm breathing comforted her much.

"Now, I should go back, father will be waiting for me," she softly asked as if asking his permission.

"Why so early? Just a little bit stay and going back?" He complained.

"You are complaining," she spoke while he was still holding her in his embrace, she was supporting her head on his shoulder, and smiling.

"Yes, I am and I have rights to complain," Wan Hu wrapped his arms around her more tightly.

"You deserve a kiss for this daring complain," Henan kissed on his shoulder and giggled.

"Oh, you kissed just now," Wan Hu looked at her face with surprise.

She was hiding her blushing face from him with her both hands and nodding her head.

"With your kiss, you deserve my kiss," he grabbed her both hands but her soft hands slipped and she jumped down from his bed.

"No, not yet, you have to wait, I am going back," she walked with back steps and walked out of his room.

Wan Hu came out and ordered his guards to carefully accompany miss Henan toward Xing Mansion.

Henan reached at the mansion and told that everything was fine at palace, she then went to rest in her room.

She laid down on her bed.

She was still feeling his warm breaths lingering on her shoulders. 

She liked Wan Hu for his strong character traits, she knew him from the time when she was only five years old.

And the thing which helped her to decide for him was his consistency, he knew that Henan only respect him still he did not take it to heart, he kept loving and it won her heart.

She was blushing at the thought that she ran from his embrace.

Either he would have taken another rest on her lips.

She fell asleep to see him in her dreams.

Early morning, Xing Mansion received a very important guest and the gifts she brought, large trays filled with jewelry were covered with red cloth, and several servants entered in the main part of the mansion.

Xing received the guest with welcoming smile on his face.

""I, Queen Zenna Shang has brought the betrothal proposal and the gifts on behalf of my son king Wan Hu Shang, I request the respected General Zhong Xing to honor the palace by accepting this proposal and gifts on behalf of your daughter Henan Zhong," Queen slightly bowed.

Xing ordered the maids the prepare for hearty breakfast for the honored guest, in the meantime, he met his daughter, she lowered her head, "If father like this proposal, Henan will always be happy with your choice," 

Xing was feeling immensely happy after he got approval from his daughter, he patted on her, "You made me greatly contented and you will remain my proud always, you are my pride," he was happy and his eyes were wet.

They fixed the day of betrothal and because Wan Hu wished it earlier, it was fixed only two days later.

Wei Lan was preparing and getting help from other maids too, the Xing mansion was in commotion because of the preparations.

Xing prepared fifty thousand gold coins for the dowry.

"Daughter, do you need anything," before rushing out he came and ask his daughter.

"Father, will you come to meet me in the palace?" She asked expectantly.

"Ah, I have such adorable daughter," he supported her head on his broad and strong chest.

"Henan, you don't know, how much I am happy, say and father immediately will come to meet daughter," he broke in to smiles.

"I love you father and I am the most fortunate to have you," she wrapped her arms.

The red dress for the occasion was selected, all the other accessories were also prepared, Wei Lan did most of the shopping for Henan.

She was sure that she would accompany her miss, since she was her caretaker, it was normal for a caretaker to follow wherever her miss was going after betrothal.

She finally collected and keep in her room very orderly to avoid any mess next day, next day, the royal carriage would come and Henan would be sent toward palace in the procession of her own guards and the guards of palace.

"Wei Lan, wait," Henan stopped her.

"Miss you called for me? Anything you need?" She stopped and asked her miss in a very uplifted mood.

"Wei, you will stay behind and look after my father from tomorrow onwards, whenever he is home, make sure to prepare all the dishes he liked most, and if you feel he is exhausted in the training, urge him to rest, and yes don't forget to follow his routine, he is little careless about himself sometime...." 

"Miss Henan, there are many servants and maids in the Xing mansion, I am sure they will follow his routine strictly," she felt that her miss was worried for her father.

"I know," Henan nodded.

"Miss Henan, I was supposed to follow you in the palace?" She asked.

"No, no way, you will live in the Xing mansion and don't tell me after spoiling the habits of cousin Xao, you wanted to tagalong miss Henan?" Henan playfully looked at her.

"Miss Henan, there is nothing between us, I just helped him to continue practice without starving with empty stomach," she hurriedly turned to leave without taking her permission.

"And you say, there is nothing, I admit," Henan laughed hard bending on her stomach.

Wei Lan stood rooted at her spot.

"What are you doing, it's already special evening, go and bring the paste I prepared," ChieMo Yi entered the room and ordered the caretaker.

"Henan take off your upper cover, I will prepare you for bridal shower," she spoke.

Wei Lan looked at Henan, Henan looked at ChieMo Yi.

There was drastic change in the girl after she got better from injuries, she acted rationale, she talked like friends and moreover Henan came to know her identity. 

"Is it necessary?" Henan asked.

"Of course, it's tradition," she sat on the chair hiding her inner thoughts and smiling, 'Girl, don't you want to make happy your groom at his first night?' 

The women farmers of the Xing state were also invited, and they were singing traditional songs and blessing the noble girl with their wishes.

Late morning, Wei Lan and few other maids prepared Henan, while ChieMo Yi was giving instructions.

The carriage was sent by the palace with hundred over guards, it was special carriage ordered and prepared only for the new young queen, this carriage would serve her queen whenever she wanted to travel.