House Han

Han Jinyu was a petite she-elf, and the youngest daughter of Han Jin. She sat inside the very elegant Han Clan Tower, in front of a mirror, while a couple of human maidservants brushed her long golden hair. She watched with her green eyes through the mirror as they worked, knowing her combination of traits was very rare for this part of the world. Furthermore, she would be wed to the new Celestial Emperor, a man, normally incapable of breeding an elf, but accepted her new husband regardless. Jinyu did not care if he chose her as Empress, and did not care if he never touched her. All she cared about was being the best wife she could be to her new husband, even if she would outlive him, and likely never marry again by Celestial law. Her father, Han Lian, watched her be groomed from the side while admiring the elvish inspired Hanfu that she wore.

“You are nurturing, compassionate, and kind.” Said Lian for the hundredth time as she got groomed, “There is no way the Celestial Emperor will not make you his Empress. Even though his Royal Councilors spoke ill of him, I am sure you can bring out the best in him.”

“I have read the scrolls, daddy. I think his councilors misjudge him. I shall nurture him as we do the seeds that feed our great empire from the vast fields our house maintains.” Said Jinyu with a smile.

“Ah,” Lian sighed, “My youngest daughter, to be married. Emperor Yun will be the envy of the world with a wife like you.”

Lian started again with praise for Jinyu. As the maidservants groomed her beautiful hair that would extend to her knees in length if she stood, she thought about her future husband. The scroll from Empress Dowager Yi expressed that Yun was small in manhood and seed, just like Jinyu in a way. Her petite figure, and her unlikeliness to bear her husband a child on account of being an elf. Their imperfections will harmonize with each other so that they can become the best couple the Grand Celestial Empire could offer.

The thought of infertility made Jinyu put a hand to her lower abdomen. As known as it was, she hoped that this “Son of Heaven” that wore the Celestial Crown would somehow be able to put a child into her so she can make his line endure. It was all she ever dreamed about. But for now, she would have to settle for being the best wife he could want so that she can make up for the shortcoming of being an elven wife. Her dagger shaped ears twitched a little as a maidservant tried an attempt at a braid in Jinyu’s sideburns.

“I think Empress Dowager Yi favors me too, daddy.” Sang Jinyu, “She made mention of his compatibility with an elf given his small attributes. She must really want what is best for her son.”

The two human maidservants glanced at each other briefly, knowing that the young elf misinterpreted the Empress’ meaning. Lian just smiled at Jinyu’s naivety, knowing Yi’s character as well, but it only made him adore his daughter’s purity more, “Ah, my beautiful Jinyu, to be a bride! A perfect bride!”

Not perfect. Jinyu thought, her hand still hovering over her womb. But she would do everything to be as close to perfect as she could.

An elf servant walked in the room and bowed to Lian. “Master Lian. The packing and movement of the young missus’ stuff is proceeding as planned. With any luck, we can have her spend the night at the Imperial Palace as soon as tonight.”

“Splendid! Splendid!”

Jinyu suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach at the announcement. With as much haste as the servants were putting in, she might just be the one to get a first encounter with Yun, and he might make her his Empress on account of it.

“Oh, which reminds me. How fares the shipyards in creating that fleet for the Hinyu lands?”

Jinyu’s father went on to other business with the servant, finally halting his unceasing praise of Jinyu. Jinyu took the time to stick out her thumb out on one hand and rub it with two fingers and her thumb with the other hand. According to the scroll written by Empress Dowager Yi, this should be about right. Experimenting further, Jinyu started sucking on that thumb.

The two human maidservants grooming her glanced at each other again. They knew exactly what she was doing, but this time, the innocent nature of it got them giggling. Jinyu thought nothing of their laughter as she continued to suck her thumb in earnest.