"I can't stop thinking about your sister," Eirian told Mingzhe while they were soaking in her steaming tub hours after dinner had ended.
Mingzhe froze, wide-eyed as Chenzhou looked over the edge of his book. It was hard to get either of them to sit still long enough to relax and soak, and it was rare she could get them to come in with her. Chenzhou usually brought a book, and Mingzhe often meditated while Eirian floated around. There was just barely enough space with all three of them, but they made it work.
"Um…" Mingzhe looked more afraid than he needed to be. Chenzhou looked concerned and confused, but Eirian had figured out that he frequently looked confused when he was surprised, and it was taking him a moment to register what was happening. Eirian ignored him for the time being.
"Is she seeing anyone?"
Mingzhe's mouth opened and closed a few times before he actually made a sound. "Seeing someone?"
Eirian raised an eyebrow at the confusion in his voice. "Yes, seeing someone? Romantically? Or not romantically, if that's her way."
Mingzhe shifted, eyes darting to Chenzhou for help and back to Eirian when he didn't find any. "Uh…I don't know? Yunli is very private; she doesn't really talk about that kind of thing."
Eirian's eyes narrowed, and she floated closer. "Why not?"
Mingzhe shifted back, running into the stone wall of the tub. He felt distinctly off balance and slightly afraid. Why was Eirian so interested in his sister? Had she lost interest in him? Mingzhe wasn't comfortable involving his sister in this relationship, but if Eirian had lost interest, it wasn't like he would argue with her. He had some pride. "She just doesn't? She prefers to keep things to herself. She has…she has never expressed interest in another woman." He sank into the water, bubbles bursting with his last few words.
Chenzhou's eyes widened as he finally caught up to what was happening.
Eirian blinked. Now she was the one who was confused. "Okay? That doesn't really matter."
"I…supposed not." People could change their minds over time. They certainly did it often enough.
"She seems trustworthy?" Eirian prompted.
Mingzhe nodded. Chenzhou closed his book and set it on the ledge, safe from the water.
"Intelligent?"
Mingzhe nods again.
"Does she have any training?"
"Training?"
"Studies? Does she serve in the Crimson Army? Does she play an instrument? Write poetry? Think deeply?" Eirian straightened, crossing her arms. "Does she listen well and give good advice?"
"I suppose so?" Mingzhe tried to be honest, despite his unease. "She is not one to speak without being asked."
Eirian smiled, pleased. "Really? That's perfect."
"Perfect for what?" Chenzhou finally spoke, moving to Mingzhe's side.
"For marriage, obviously." Eirian stared at them. "You don't want to marry someone who can't help carry your responsibilities, do you?" She gestured at Chenzhou. "Wasn't that the whole point of your plan?"
Mingzhe and Chenzhou shared a lost look.
"No, of course not." Chenzhou agreed.
Mingzhe nodded. Then, cautiously. "But I can't marry my sister." Chenzhou nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
Eirian stared at them. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
"What are you talking about?" Chenzhou burst out. Mingzhe was wide-eyed next to him.
"Eric needs a wife, you idiots. Did you think I was talking about us?"
Ah, that made a lot more sense. Relief coursed through Mingzhe, and he sank down into the water. Chenzhou blushed, gaze focused on a spot on the rim of the hot tube. He poked at it rather than look at Eirian.
"Seriously." She stated. "Both of you."
"You've never said anything like this before!" Mingzhe immediately tried to defend himself.
Chenzhou kept staring at the spot. He looked up suddenly. "Wait, Eric's looking for a wife? Eric the king?"
Eirian rolled her eyes. "Yes, Eric the king. My cousin. It's time he takes a wife, and he asked me to help him find one."
"Shouldn't the Dowager be doing that?" Mingzhe asked.
"She is, too, but she's only looking in Aontacht. And Eric can't completely…Helena has her own concerns for survival. She's not going to pick someone who will threaten her position as dowager even if it's what Eric needs."
Chenzhou nodded in understanding. "Would she support your choice?"
Eirian looked thoughtful. "I think so. As long as it's not a direct threat to her. She does love Eric, and she wants to support him. She'll accept some loss, but not all."
That didn't make Mingzhe feel any better about the idea of his sister being involved in this situation.
"Yunli would tie the Camelia and Aontacht even closer." Eirian continued. "She would give us an ally where we don't have one." She paused. "Unless you think she wouldn't?"
"No, she would. Well, I think she would do the right thing. Yunli doesn't really get…emotionally involved in situations." Mingzhe chose his words carefully. His sister was hard to describe sometimes. He didn't want to say something that made her sound…bad, but she was not a simple woman either. "She can be…detached when she's disinterested."
Strangely enough, that seemed to please Eirian, because she said. "A bit of detachment can be helpful as a leader. To let you see the bigger picture. As long as you still feel strong enough to care for the people you're responsible for."
~ tbc