The Head Elder's Ambition

                                    

                                          
It was decided after having their fill of refreshments that they would head to their own buildings, change into something more suitable for dinner, and meet back up at the dining hall.
Wu Meiying walked alongside Hou Jingshu. The young princess had her own housing unit, but it was closer to Wu Meiying's residence than Wu Jian's. It still looked the same as every other building though, with a slanted roof, dragon statues on either end, and columns holding up the extended ceiling.
Dragons were deeply rooted symbols of Shang Kingdom culture and were long associated with the Emperor. The imperial throne was even called the dragon seat and the emperor's ceremonial robes were called dragon robes.
There was a story from long ago that said the Shang Kingdom was founded by a great dragon named Huanglong. Before ascending to heaven, he appointed a man with the surname Hou to be his successor by allowing the human to drink his blood and gain the strength of a dragon. Thus the Hou Family line had been born.
Whether this story was historically accurate or not was unknown since, if it had truly happened, it would have been thousands of years ago.
Either way, since the Shang Kingdom worshipped the dragon Huanglong, many clans, families, and sects decorated their compounds with dragon statues.
"Do you think I'll be allowed to participate in the tournament?" asked Hou Jingshu.
Wu Meiying pursed her lips for a moment. "Perhaps... if you ask, but I don't know. Uncle Yōushì is pretty strict when it comes to propriety and tradition. Since you're the princess of our nation, I'm not sure he'd let you take part in a dangerous tournament that you might result in you getting injured."
"Oh... that is true."
Hou Jingshu's shoulders slumped. Feeling bad for the girl, Wu Meiying smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"That said, if you train hard and prove that you're strong enough to compete, I'm sure we can convince him. Worse comes to worst, we can ask Aunty Àiliàn for help. She's always been good at making Uncle see reason."
"So there's a chance I might be able to participate?" asked Hou Jingshu.
"Possibly. Yes."
That seemed to be enough to satisfy her. With a smile back on her face, she followed Wu Meiying as they walked down the path to their respective buildings.
However, about halfway there, someone stepped in front of the pair. He had short black hair, dark eyes, and a slim build. His body was adorned with the standard white hanfu of a Wu clansman branch member. It took Wu Meiying a moment to put a name to his face. She was not very good at remembering people she had no interest in.
"Wu Ming, can I help you with something?"
Once upon a time, Wu Ming had been one of Wu Yong's flunkies. He followed Wu Jian's older half-brother like an obedient dog, did everything the other boy bade of him, and often picked on Wu Jian. That was probably the only reason Wu Meiying recalled his name. She was good at remembering the names of people who hurt her Wu Jian.
She was also good at holding a grudge.
"The clan head and elders are calling for you," he said.
Wu Meiying furrowed her brow. "Just me?"
"Just you," he said with a nod.
Something didn't feel right about this. She was never summoned by herself. At the same time, she could not disobey a direct summons from the clan head or elders. Now would have been a great time for her prophetic visions to kick in. It was too bad the heavens didn't hear her plea.