Midnight at the Prince of Wen’s estate.
Bamboo groves flourished within enclosing flower beds totaling tens of thousands. Leaves woven densely together surrounded a secluded pond amid winding corridors and ornamental pavilions. Lush summer lotuses bloomed as the night breeze stirred, sending white petals adrift lazily.
With a splash, red scaled fish leapt up through the waters before plunging down sending ripples dancing.
By the pond stood the young prince in loose robes absently tossing fish feed from a white glazed porcelain vase, gazing thoughtfully as breezes lifted his sleeve. His silhouette seemed carved from pine and bamboo.
Approaching footsteps sounded as a girl in palace dress entered holding an enameled lantern, stopping by his side.
Hearing her Prince Xie Rong did not turn, still observing the fish gathering expectantly below. “Cannot sleep this late night so came calling?”
“If Rong isn’t sleeping either could it be weighed upon by worries too?” Princess Xie Yuan watched him closely. “You always feed the fish when conflicted.”
“Awaiting news from Huai Xi long overdue by now,” Xie Rong murmured. “The Northern Office at court abruptly turned silent these days, seemingly plotting something… I cannot shake this bleak premonition.”
Abruptly rushed footsteps neared as a servant knelt before the prince, forehead touching the ground. “Your Highness, the Crown Prince…!”
“What of him?” Xie Rong whirled sharply.
“The Crown Prince was ambushed after leaving the palace tonight… The Princess Consort just brought him to the estate wounded…!”
Before he finished Xie Rong had already strode off with the girl hurriedly following.
Xie Rong shoved open an inner chamber door, light pouring out. A still figure lay abed as a blood-soaked girl beside tightly clasped his hand — none other than Jiang Kui.
“What happened to Wuyang?” Xie Rong asked tersely, hastening over.
“We were attacked near East Tower Lane. I cut us out from encirclement but his old injuries acted up causing current unconsciousness. We must urgently summon Doctor Shen from Chang Le Square,” Jiang Kui reported lowly.
“I’ll instantly send for him.” Xie Rong turned to exit.
Xie Yuan anxiously pulled her back. “Princess, the blood on you…!”
“It’s fine, not mine.” She gave a wan smile. “Nor is it his. Just our foes’ blood from the fight breaking through. Many died and bled tonight.”
Just as Xie Yuan relaxed she uttered thinly “…Luo Shiyi hasn’t returned.”
A blank moment passed before Xie Yuan grasped those words as Jiang Kui repeated faintly “Luo Shiyi hasn’t returned.”
Light cascaded from above through layers of swaying curtains, the shadows stretching long and lean beside the bed where she sat. Head deeply bowed, tremors echoed through shoulders and hair tips.
The person beside her slept unaware, fingers chill to the touch.
She firmly held that icy hand within both of hers, leaning heavily against the bedside as if barely able to withstand some unseen burden. Moonbeams slipped noiselessly through the window beams, gliding listlessly past her bent head to pool silently on the floor.
Her muted voice quavered. “Don’t tell him…”
Xie Yuan hid both hands within voluminous sleeves, clenching hard enough to still their trembling. She wanted to offer comfort but her numb lips shaped voiceless words until closing helplessly. Behind her Xie Rong lingered by the doorway with eyes shut, head tilted back infinitesimally.
The long hours trickled past beneath that solitary luminous moon suspended high in lonely skies.
The estate burned lanterns ceaselessly through the chaotic night, shadows drifting to and fro restlessly.
Servants scurried about busily as Doctor Shen rushed in with medicine kit to swiftly tend the unconscious Xie Wuyang, retreating to brew potent decoctions. Jiang Kui gently raised Xie up, inner energy mending his wounds. Across them Xie Rong composed an urgent letter with brush in hand, Xie Yuan by his side grinding ink silently.
At first light rushed footsteps sounded from outside once more.
Another servant knelt by the gates, forehead touching the floors. “Your Highness… News arrived regarding Huai Xi…”
Xie Rong’s writing stilled, glancing over.
“Our main forces routed near Song Zhou…” The servant knocked his head lower to the ground. “The Huai Xi Inspector led twenty thousand troops in ravaging Song Zhou and Ye Zhou… Within three days they will reach the capital, throwing Guan Zhong into chaos…”
He hesitated briefly, lips dry. “The regional commander denounced the Grand General’s incompetence in military affairs… And half the talismans have reportedly been relinquished…”
“The memorial and battle records were submitted to Taiji Palace.”
“Ridiculous,” Xie Rong hissed. “A mere regional commander daring to interfere with campaigns?”
Before his voice faded more rushed footsteps arrived heralded by another servant’s loud knocking bows outside the doors. “Your Highness! Palace whispers say over a hundred and seventy three signed a mass overnight petition urging withdrawal from Huai Xi…!”
Another deep bow followed. “His Majesty refuses all visitors by decree… With Taiji Palace gates barred shut. Only the memorial and battle records were permitted entry…”
“He means to order retreat,” Xie Rong stated heavily. “I will personally counsel him against it.”
“Your Highness!” A third servant strode quickly over from the corridor, bowing loudly outside. “After the East Tower Lane fires Jinwu Guards suddenly cordoned off the eastern city near palace grounds, claiming to capture arsonists…”
Yet another knock of the head upon the floor. “Lord Ling and Zhou’s estates were encircled. All letters dispatched by Your Highness tonight failed to reach their destinations.”
“Blatant intimidation tactics…” Xie Yuan bit her lip anxiously. “They want to terrorize opponents into compliance so none dare speak against retreating.”
“Someone must dissuade His Majesty regardless.” Xie Rong rose while donning his surcoat, shaking his sleeves. “I depart for the palace immediately.”
“Rong—”
A muffled cough interrupted as the bedded figure roused unsteadily into wakefulness beside the supporting girl.
Battling pants he slowly righted himself, gripping the edge of the mattress before straightening through stubborn effort. “With Jinwu Guards daring such shows of force this likely bodes worse than empty threats… Your entry may prove difficult.”
Leveling a steady gaze upon Xie Rong he continued. “As Crown Apparent none would obstruct me. I shall go.”
Xie Rong slowly shook his head in dissent. “Wuyang, you remain injured.”
The younger man fell silent, glared at him unmoving with stubborn eyes.
Xie Rong laughed softly. “Still that obstinate temper I see! Well then…”
Striding over he slapped Xie Wuyang’s shoulder casually with some strength. Caught unprepared, the young man stumbled heavily back onto the bed coughing while lifting dark eyes towards Xie Rong reproachfully.
Xie Rong chuckled again. “Rest well, nephew mine. Your behavior makes it seem I head for certain doom!”
Sobering, he lectured “Despite your lack of manners I am your elder kin. The Emperor is my royal brother whom I comprehend well enough to advise what must be said. Thus I shall be entering court, no arguments further.”
He turned and exited, taking an imperial gift of golden lotus lantern in hand while straightening voluminous sleeves and boarding the awaiting carriage by the gates.
Iron wheels clattered over stone-paved roads, fading slowly beyond the crossroads.
Tense silence reigned in the estate, water clocks dripping steadily into the quiet.
Inside the lit room Xie Wuyang sank into restless slumber as Jiang Kui kept vigil at his bedside. Xie Yuan stood at the writing desk repeatedly lifting her brush without managing to set any words. She began pacing the room anxiously awaiting news.
Hurried footsteps sounded again at the door followed by a servant striding in to pass a small note towards Jiang Kui. “Crown Prince…! Lord Ling managed to secretly send an urgent letter…!”
Jiang Kui accepted it, handing the slip to Xie Wuyang after helping prop him up. Squinting under wavering candlelights he scanned the crumpled parchment.
“Ambush on the road to palace… Stop Rong…” He coughed out between pants before attempting to rise, only to pitch forward. He steadied briefly against the girl’s sudden embrace before drifting back into unconsciousness, head lolling limply to the side.
“I’ll go.” Xie Yuan stated firmly.
Before her footsteps faded the hem of a palace skirt vanished through the doors.
At first light crimson already touched half the eastern skies. She leapt from her carriage, racing towards that person against the burgeoning dawn.
“Rong—!”
At the end of the long palace lane that figure turned, framed within the glow of a golden lotus lantern.
In the next instant an arrow sliced through the clear morning air, piercing straight through his throat.
Everything slowed then as the graceful silhouette collapsed soundlessly into the spreading pool of crimson, the beautiful jade pendant at his waist snapping apart as beads bounced across the palace walkways with discordant clinks.
She fell to her knees frantically trying to seal his fatal wound. No longer able to speak he mustered the last dregs of strength, lightly bumping her forehead with his upheld palm before it too went limp.
Rushing winds stirred within the stillness, abruptly turning back time to her small child self who wandered from dense foliage hoping to capture a little bird, accidentally crashing into someone along the deserted palace route.
That person had lifted a hand to bump her forehead in the exact same manner.
Jade ornaments jangled loudly amidst the stirring winds.
He’d asked: Who taught you that?
It was you.
Slowly unclenching bloodied hands she took up the scarlet stained golden lotus lantern, pacing forwards over those smooth jade-inlaid steps ascending towards the magnificent gates of Taiji Palace. There she knelt atop the crimson reflected silhouette of herself over those myriad descending stairs leading to the majestic structure, head lowered to the Ruby Halls’ doors.
“Father…” She prostrated herself. “Your daughter begs an audience.”
The palace gates did not open.
Gusts of wind moaned as they swept through the silent halls and corridors, lifting her loose hair and skirts.
Within Taiji Palace water clocks dripped continuously counting each soundless minute trickling by.
Brilliant sunlight dappled over her bent form.
After an eternity an ornamented phoenix carriage approached, its green silks and carved white jades gleaming despite ornately gilded metalworks with swaying bright tassels amidst melodic chimes from the swaying jade pendants adorning its exterior.
The refined occupant parted gossamer curtains, stepping down those smooth jade stairs to gently embrace the kneeling girl on the grounds.
“My child, accompany Imperial Aunt back instead.”
A lone tear trailed down her stricken face.
That day Princess Chang pulled the young princess into Taiji Palace’s closed doors. The vermillion robed ruler waited alone within the great halls, silently avoiding their gazes.
Before those Red Doors the eldest princess held forth her petition, kneeling to the tiled floors listing pros and cons for continued military action.
Therein she stated: “Victory and defeat are both common in war. How can a single defeated general serve as basis for immediate retreat?”
And again: “We must exert our full efforts for our families and citizens by achieving victory through defeat.”
In the summer of the 9th year under Jing De’s reign, Huai Xi invasion met with failure. Despite opposition against retreating gaining traction once more, palace eunuchs rapidly canvassed support and persistently denounced the ineffective military governance, gathering a hundred and seventy three overnight petitions urging retreat.
That day, Prince of Wen Xie Rong fell to assassination upon personally remonstrating before the throne.
The noble Prince Rong paved the path towards conquering Huai Xi in blood.
Three days onward within an Eastern Palace side hall.
The one soaking in medicinal waters woke at long last from persistent comatose states. Stepping from the steaming pool he slipped on crimson robes, resting quietly behind ornamental screens.
Palace attendants offered endless bows relaying recent events and news to him.
The very instant the mournful announcement concluded he buckled violently, coughing out blood.
The girl beside him swiftly pulled him close. He shut his eyes slowly, frame shaking ever so faintly as if bearing crushing weights that inexorably bent his spine yet kept him upright regardless.
“I will lead the troops personally.” His voice was low.
The golden carriage of royalty exited the Eastern Palace, turning onto stone-paved walkways lining the towering Chengtian Gate. Halting before magnificent Taiji Palace, crimson robes whipped about in the winds spilling vivid pools of color down each smooth jade step.
“My lord father…”
He prostrated himself fully at the base of those grand stairs.
“Grant this child commander of forces to conquer in Your Majesty’s name.”
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