A Winter Flower Blooming in Summer

• Fiction
• History
• Short story
• Fantasy

								
Spring time finally arrived. While everyone was busy with the preparations for the Spring Festival, Dōng Huā busied herself by going downtown. She walked among the crowd, ignoring the stall owners who tried to get her attention. She always had her parents order the finest robes, specifically made for her. After all, the town was known for its jewelry and not for its fabrics. Colorful stones adorn the nicest hairpins, which men would often give to young maidens. She had previously acquired several of them when requested for her hand in marriage. It was pointless, since she had rejected them all. Their family believed in marriages occuring out of love and not for political purposes. But rejection after rejection, the years passed, and she reached the age of nineteen.

Just as she was about to take a better look at the pretty bracelets, one of the Dōng disciples approached her. After bowing to her out of respect, the young boy spoke up.

"Senior Sister, Sect Leader Dōng has requested you return immediately." 

That was unusual. Something serious must have happened. Filled with worry, she dropped the bracelet she was holding and, along with the young disciple, took the way back home. 

Upon arriving, she rushed to the Frozen Hall, where her father was waiting for her along with a man, whom she assumed came from the Summer Sect. The man was tall and bulky, definitely terrifying. All the men of Summer Sect were built like that thanks to their tough training. 

“Young maiden Dōng,” the man greeted her with a bow, which she returned out of courtesy.

“I, Xià Deming of the Summer Sect, have brought a letter from our Sect Leader. Leader Xià and his Lady believe that it would be a great idea to form a bond between our sects with the marriage between you and Young Master Xià.”  

The news struck her like lightning. How could they force them into marriage? Especially when their Sect is against arranged marriages.

“With all due respect to both Sect Leaders’ decision, no. I do not accept getting married into the Summer Sect. I refuse to suffer for a lifetime! Find another maiden to marry your Young Master!” she rudely replied.

“The decision has been set.” This time, her father spoke up in a strict voice that held no room for arguments. “To strengthen our Sect’s reputation, we should form an alliance with the Summer Sect; hence, the wedding will be held in twenty days. If not, I’m afraid a war will break out. Now you’re excused.” 

After bowing to her father, the maiden left. She had to pass by the guest chambers to get to her own. She was snapped out of her thoughts by an unknown voice. “Young maiden Dōng.” Upon turning around, she saw a man bowing to her, and she returned the gesture. “I am Sect Elder Xià. Xià Huan. I happened to hear that you rejected the offer of marriage between you and our Young Master. I understand that there are many differences between both Sects, but you, the young generation, always bring about changes. After all, ladies have a big influence on their husbands. Please give it some thought.” After bowing again, the elder left for the guest chambers, leaving Dōng Huā to rethink her decision.

First thing the next morning, she announced to her father that she had decided on accepting the proposal. The dowry preparations began immediately, in order to be sent to the groom’s family as soon as possible. In less than fifteen days, the dowry had been sent, and the wedding robes were ready.  

It was about time to set off for the Summer Sect. Dōng Huā set off in a carriage with three of her maids, accompanied by two carriages with the most trusted disciples of the Sect. It was a ten-day trip, so on the sixth day they decided to stop at Nanjing City. They found an inn to settle in for the night. After getting their rooms, they decided to have dinner.  

While waiting for their food to be served, Dōng Huā played around with her maids, causing a commotion. Elder Xià approached their table, staring sternly down at the women. 

“Maiden Dōng. Is this how a Sect Leader’s daughter should behave? You’re not only bringing shame to your own Sect, but to your in-laws as well. You should take your position more seriously. That’s not how a young master’s lady should behave. If you can’t take your responsibilities seriously, then please break off the marriage and return to your Sect.” 

She felt embarrassed, and it was clear from the blush on her pale cheeks. But the elder’s words made her realize how foolishly she was acting and that she indeed needed to correct her behaviour.  

After their dinner, everyone retired to their rooms to get some rest. The next morning, they set off again. From inside the carriage, Dōng Huā could hear the guards talking. It took her a while to realize that the topic of their conversation was her. 

“Can you believe that she, out of everyone, would marry their Young Master? She is so spoiled! I feel so bad for him!”  

“She is so annoying. She is lucky that she is the Sect Leader’s daughter, or no one else would put up with her childish behaviour.” 

One of her maids, Dōng Mei, snickered behind her sleeve, while the other, Dōng Fen, just glared at her. 

“My lady, how dare they talk like that about you?” 

Dōng Huā simply raised her hand to silence her. She would deal with the guards later for daring to insult her. At least she found out that they were not to be genuinely trusted. She couldn’t even trust her own maid! She dared to laugh right in her face. 

On the tenth day, they arrived early in the morning at the Summer Sect. She was already dressed in her wedding robes. She was led to the ancestral hall, her three maids following close behind her and the disciples as well. The red veil didn’t allow her to see much of her surroundings. The wedding procedure didn’t take long. They followed every step according to tradition. They bowed three times; to heaven and earth, to the groom’s parents, and lastly, to each other. After that, they followed the next step that would close the ceremony; offereing tea, which contained two lotus seeds, to the groom’s parents. 

Even from their first night with Xià Hu, she made the mistake of arguing with him. They were not off to a good start. He disliked how disobedient she was, while she despised his patriarchal beliefs.  
Three months after the wedding, their relationship was more strained than ever. Her relationship with her parents-in-law wasn’t good either. At first, Dōng Huā had made it her personal goal to raise women’s awareness about their equal rights. Something that was not accepted by anyone except by her mother-in-law. While Lady Xià personally encouraged her at first, she would scold her and criticize her about it in front of her husband and son.  

Dōng Huā was confused when it came to Lady Xià. She would advise her, yet judge her in front of others, as if she wanted to turn everyone against her. Sect Leader Xià was against her beliefs and the changes she wanted to bring to the Sect, yet his son was the scariest person she had encountered. He found it hard to tame her, so he locked her in their chambers and forbidden her to step out, and anyone to step in except for his maids. 

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