Marriage to the Emperor's Daughter Part I

                                    

                                          
Wu Yōushì sat in his office, going over the clan's finances and setting next year's budget. It was a thankless job. He'd have much rather been training, but sacrifices were sometimes necessary for the betterment of the clan.
Thanks to Wu Meiying and her strange ability to predict the future, the Wu Clan had been able to secure themselves the top position of Zahn City's three clans. They had discovered several mining deposits that contained mithril. While the mithril was impure, even tainted mithril fetched a high price, especially this far out in the countryside. A deal had been made with the Zhou Family, who had transported the materials to the auction house in Dahua City. That deal alone had netted them enough money to last the clan for ten years.
As he read over several documents detailing their next business venture (also a result of Wu Meiying's ability to predict the future), Elder Wu Jinsu burst into the room. His face was red as if he had run all this way, and he was out of breath.
"Huff... huff... Lord Yōushì... huff... carriage... here..."
"Calm down, Elder Jinsu," Wu Yōushì said in a calm voice, though he did frown. "Take several deep breaths, calm yourself, and tell me what has happened."
Elder Wu Jinsu placed a hand against his chest and took several calming breaths. Then he began again. "A carriage just arrived. It is unmarked. We thought it might be a trap or maybe someone coming to ask for Wu Meiying's hand in marriage again... but it actually contains Emperor Hou Jun! He's in the reception hall right now and—"
That was about as far as Elder Wu Jinsu got. Wu Yōushì leaped to his feet and marched out of the room as swiftly as he could without running. His heart was thumping against his chest as he hurried into the reception room.
Did Wu Meiying predict that this would happen? Did she know the emperor would arrive today?
He burst through the doors and looked around, easily spotting the emperor. He was pacing the reception hall. Wu Àiliàn and Wu Taohua were also present, staring at the older man in concern.
"Your Imperial Majesty!"
Emperor Hou Jun stopped pacing and turned his head. His eyes lit up when he saw Wu Yōushì.
"Brother Yōushì," he said in a hurried manner.
Wu Yōushì walked over and began to kneel, but Emperor Hou Jun stopped him by placing his hands on Wu Yōushì's shoulders.
"There's no need to bow, my friend, especially right now," the emperor said. "I apologize for arriving unannounced and even more for what I'm about to say, but I need your help. My daughter snuck out of the carriage we were in while on our way here. You have to help me find her."
"Ah?"
Hearing that Emperor Hou Jun's daughter was missing made Wu Yōushì realize why he was so distraught. It had been over a decade since he had seen the emperor, but that did not mean much. He remembered how often this man would talk about what he would do if he had a daughter back when they served in the military together. Wu Yōushì was sure Emperor Hou Jun doted on his daughter, which made it all the more concerning that she had gone missing on their way here.
"Emp—no, Brother Jun, do not worry. We will mobilize the entire Wu Clan and find... find... huh..."
"Brother Yōushì?" Emperor Hou Jun said, tone questioning when Wu Yōushì trailed off.
He had suddenly remembered something from this morning.
"Also, you will be receiving an important visitor today. I recommend getting ready to receive them beforehand. Oh! And he's going to be rather worried, so please do your best to calm him down and assure him that his daughter is fine."