A/N:

My first attempt in this fandom. I just need to satisfy my Muse for more of this pairing. I mean they make such a cute couple. Though I am in favor of Shurei being paired off with other characters. But this one took most of my attention.

Oh, I used their names based on Wikipedia entries. Some English subs used different name spellings for the characters. But I am sticking with this.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ramblings here.

30 June 2014 updates: Some minor corrections on spellings and grammar.

A Conversation Between an Uncle and a Potential Suitor

He studied his friend's blissful face while drinking his favorite peach tea. Somehow it irks him to think that after all these years, Reishin Hong still has the power to irritate him so even by just a display of an expression. Though it is well known throughout the Kingdom that they are very close, he still can't stand the fact that his friend had the gall to steal his intended bride under his very nose. It took him a few years to recover from that insult.

However, all will change. The wheel of fortune is turning on his favor-he can feel it as winter drew to a close.

Reishin placed his own cup down and sighed dreamily, face flushed red with a perverted look of pure happiness. How many times did he stifle the urge to kick that look on his face before?

It's time to return the favor, he thinks privately to himself. Oh yes, indeed. Soon.

"You are in a very good mood today, Reishin."

"Huh?" he looked up at him, eyes still unfocused.

"Did your ward tell you he's found a wife?" Referring to Koyu Ri, Vice- Secretary of the Civil Administration, and Reishin Hong's most beloved adopted son.

"Hmp!" Instantly, his friend's face contorted into disgust. But then again, Reishin Hong is so easy to tease. "No! No woman of noble rank can ever equal my cute ward, Hoju!"

"Really?" Ah.. times like this, it's nice to see him flustered. Thank the gods his friend adopted that brilliant boy! It gave him a chance to tease him on other things beside being such a devoted follower of his older brother. He is getting tired of the brother complex act he always pulls given the chance.

Fwap! His expensive fan opened with a quick flick of his deft fingers; the silky, colorful edges now hovering to cover his mouth.

"Damn those enterprising officials whose daughters clamored around my ward! Now my Koyu developed an aversion to women! My wife has been nagging me to do something about it!" Irritated, he took another sip from his own cup of tea.

He could feel himself smirking. It is lucky that he still have not taken off his mask yet, otherwise, his friend will surely stomp off and leave him to find amusement elsewhere. He is just beginning to enjoy the conversation, a perfect form of relaxation to cap a day's worth of hard work.

"I am in a perfectly good mood not because of Koyu." His friend continued, tapping his lip with his fan. "Although I always am in a good mood whenever I see him." Reishin's expressions changed with lightning speed. "I just saw my niece, Shurei!"

Hoju Ko finally removed the ribbons tying the mask to his face. Ah.. It's good to feel the air on his skin again! "Oh?" he answered idly, placing down the mask carefully on the table, smoothing out the ribbons and folding them neatly.

"Yes!"

Ugh. That annoying goofy grin again. Honestly! How can an esteemed leader of the Hong clan display such an expression? Is he lusting after his niece despite having his beautiful Princess Yuri as his wife?!

"How old is she by the way?" he asked as casually as he could. The last time he saw her was when she was but a mere toddler. That was when he and Yushun Tei lost a bet with him and was forced to endure a half an hour of peeping through the plum trees and watching his older brother's family play and relax in their home gardens.

Shurei Hong was a chubby, happy kid back then. But she did not exhibit any of her mother's legendary beauty.

"Let's see.." Reishin made a display of putting his one hand on his chin and stroking it leisurely. "I would say, she's about to turn eighteen this spring. Yes! I remember now. Her birthday coincides with the blossoming of the cherry trees."

"That's in a few week's time." Hoju murmured, more to himself.

Suddenly, his friend stood up, excitement shining upon his eyes.

"Oh, marvelous! Marvelous! I have the most brilliant idea!" Reishin simpered, fluttering his fan furiously. "Simply marvelous! Ooohh! I can't wait!"

This I have to see. Hoju leaned back, finishing his tea. Reishin's antics are almost always entertaining-as long as he is not roped into his atrocious schemes.

"I am going to plan a most wondrous birthday present for dear Shurei!" his friend said excitedly, pacing left and right in his room.

Here we go again.

"And what are your plans?" he asked, finally putting down his empty cup and stifling the urge to sigh.

"Oh, I will give her a most splendid makeover! Yes! Girls her age should know how to wield their looks and start wearing finer clothes!" Reishin Hong is practically shaking with excitement it looks indecent. For an uncle who dotes on a niece who never knew he ever existed, he really is something else.

"Good luck on that! I heard she has no time for such female accouterments given that she is worries too much about running a worn-down household filled with men." He pointed out the obvious. He has always been privy to the circumstances of the elder Hong brother who has forsaken the leadership of the clan. Reishin's father banished Master Shoka for his supposed unwillingness to lead the family. The princess of the Hong clan lives with her father, and her adopted brother, Seiran; though most of the time, her home serves as a form of second home for a motley crew of different people: Reishin's own adopted son, Koyu, and Shuei Ran, the general of the Shaorin army, to name a few.

"Argh! I know that!" his friend whirled about, his gold and crimson robes reflecting the lights from the candles lit up around his room. "I will definitely find a way to convince my brother to let me borrow my niece and let my servants do a makeover on her! After that, I will take her on a personal tour of the palace gardens!" his eyes shone with perverse delight.

"Good luck on that!" He said. He stood up and stretched gracefully. He wants to retire for the night.

His friend eyed him sympathetically. "Hmp! I pity you! You are already twenty-nine and yet you are still alone! Your life is too boring. It's all about work, work, and more work! Too bad you don't have such a pretty niece to look forward to seeing every day." Reishin prepared to leave.

"I know. But I am content with my life." He answered. Though frankly that sentence doesn't feel right.

"Whatever!" his friend snapped his fan shut and went to the door, opening it. "Maybe I will pay you a visit while Shurei is with me. And I will relish the look of envy on your face!" and with that, Reishin slammed the door behind him.

Hoju Ko shook his head, contemplating his friend's word. Indeed. He is getting old. His father's letters expressing his lament of ever seeing his future grandson is increasing every year. Ever since he lost Princess Yuri to his friend, he stopped thinking about making plans to marry. He found that the process of courtship has left a bitter taste on his mouth. Even though Reishin finally admitted he was the one who wrote that damning letter, he still cannot accept the fact that he is even more physically beautiful than most women.

He washed his face and hands, liking the cooling sensation of the spring water prepared for him. Scenting his hands with lemon, he disrobed his work clothes and put on fresh clothes to complete his ritual before sleeping.

As soon as he lied down, he suddenly realized his bed feels too big for just one person.

Shurei Hong. The esteemed eldest daughter of the Hong clan. The child grew up never knowing the power held by her family. Although Master Shoka has voluntarily cut all his ties from his direct family, his younger brothers made sure that they take care of him and his daughter, even if sometimes they do it covertly. He heard that Shurei Hong has a reputation for trekking the common markets of Saiunkoku, talking and mingling with the populace and no harm has ever befallen the child. It pays to have several spies dogging her every move to keep her safe.

Shurei Hong. The princess of the Hong clan; a worthy bride even for the blessed emperor of the Eight-colored Kingdom. Those stupid advisors should have snapped her up when they got the chance and made sure her term to stay as the Emperor's companion is binding. If they were shrewd enough, they should have realized how much of an influence that young girl can bring to their Emperor's rule.

Hmmmm.

Come to think of it. Wouldn't it be also suitable if he made this Shurei Hong as his wife? After all, his clan is held in the same esteemed status as the Ran and Hong clan given that the Ko clan are well known in banking and commerce as well as literature. Most of his ancestors are well travelled and wrote many books of knowledge still being regarded as sources of wisdom and advice in times of trouble. Even the learning curriculum of the emperors of this land includes his ancestors' books as part of their training to govern and rule wisely.

Shurei Hong becoming his wife. He wonders how Reishin Hong will react. He would be furious beyond measure. How delightful!

His curiosity piqued, he finally went to sleep, his dreams now being visited by a serene, mesmerizingly beautiful woman with long shiny hair that could rival his own.

A/N: Let me know what you think.