The next month, the Grand General reported defeating Huai Xi troops at Song Zhou.
Several more days later the Huai Xi army retreated to Shi Qu. There the Grand General led a cavalry charge to strike them down.
Within a month, the Grand General routed Huai Xi troops at Bai Shui, capturing the city and pacifying Xia Zhou.
Battle report after battle report streamed endlessly from the military encampments into Chang’an together with the Crown Prince’s memorials, piled high as snow, ceaseless as storms.
Autumn winds stirred bringing the depths of winter early.
That year, snows arrived exceptionally soon.
Late at night heavy flakes swirled thickly over the leather tents stretching across the grounds. Patrolling soldiers trudged through the accumulated drifts, iron-shod boots crunching loudly atop the icy paths.
A girl entered bearing an oil lamp, pushing aside the door flaps.
A figure sat before the desk inside rubbing his palms over a small silver brazier tucked between his knees, dressed warmly in an arctic fox fur-lined surcoat secured by a thick woolen blanket draped over both shoulders.
Eyes downcast he wrote silently away. One hand pinned a sheet of gold-speckled stationery while the other gripped a slender brush, knuckles pronounced yet elegant. Snow dusted his shifting blanket whenever he moved, the hairs glistening gently beneath flickering candle flames.
Hooking the lantern behind hanging curtains the girl approached, leaning tiredly into his shoulder. Slipping an arm about her waist he bent his head, brushing a soft kiss over her coiled hair. “It’s late, rest first.”
She shook her head. “Can’t sleep with such chaotic battles of late.”
Setting his writing aside both arms encircled her fully, drawing her into his embrace.
“Sleep for a while, Jiang Xiaoman,” his warm breath drifted across her eyelids. “You’re exhausted.”
Ensconced against him she shut her eyes briefly, sensing his chin lightly touching her hair. His refreshing wintry scent settled round her comfortingly like a gentle cocoon, lulling her into repose.
Embers crackled pleasantly within the brazier’s bronze receptacle infusing the air with a faint sandalwood redolence. Cradled in his arms she drifted asleep.
Soon figments swirled hazily through her subconscious mind.
Early spring winds swept Chang’an, the most beautiful season blossoming across the land. Peach trees erupted into vibrant pink splendor, carpeting meandering rivers as fragile petals swirled down into the clear currents inundating the entire city with sweet floral fragrance.
Her dream-self wore light blue fighting robes with a woven bamboo hat, folded cloth bundle in hand much like their first meeting at the bookshop along East Tower Lane.
The bustling avenue brimmed with passing people as smoke and chatter infused each corner. Hawker calls and laughter echoed between alleys while carriages clattered past over grey cobblestones, stirring fluttering petals in their wake.
Brilliant warm light drenched everything. Snowy apricot blossoms danced around her amidst the lively crowds.
Pushing open that familiar second-story door she called loudly for him, voice brimming with joy. “Xie Kang—!”
At the window that figure turned, resplendent crimson silks glimmering at his waist stirring in the wind like clouds about his flowing spacious sleeves. Dark eyes creased with laughter, his entire form haloed within glorious radiance as blossoms eddied through the air.
She stretched a hand out towards him—
“Xie Kang!”
No reply came.
Abruptly the grounds crumbled away and she plunged into sudden darkness, all light and sounds extinguished.
Stumbling blindly through the void searching for him yet his presence disappeared without warning.
The very next second, roaring flames erupted, consuming the dreamscape entirely.
Amidst blazing fires the bookshop crashed thunderously, sparks shooting about wildly.
Those drifting petals became scattered paper money instead, funeral lanterns etched with bold black characters for the procession winding somberly onwards. Rows of white-clad people flanked a pristine carriage draped in white.
And within that coffin rested a peacefully slumbering figure, clothed in familiar red and jade.
She dreamed of a funeral.
For her dearest one departed.
“Jiang Xiaoman—” a voice called urgently.
With a gasp she jolted awake by his soft kiss.
“A nightmare?” He asked gently. “You cried for me.”
She flung both arms tightly about his neck, burying her face against his shoulder.
Somewhat stunned he reciprocated, soothing her with calming words. “Don’t fret, dreams aren’t real.”
“I dreamed you were—” she couldn’t finish, tremors coursing through her frame.
He held her closer. “I’m here, don’t be scared.”
“The bookshop fire,” she mumbled almost inaudibly. “Everything burned away.”
“We’ll rebuild it someday,” came his reassuring murmur by her ear with another kiss pressed into her hair. “Remember all the money I made? Enough to reconstruct things even grander than before.”
Raising her head she gazed at him, grip tightening desperately. “Stay by me always. However long you promised to accompany me, I want every single moment of it.”
“I promise.” He kissed her tenderly.
“Winter is ending, spring will come.” She pondered aloud. “Take me to see apricot blooms after thaw breaks next year?”
“Gladly,” he pledged between kisses.
The brazier still crackled merrily away. Inhaling his unique scent of frost and plum blossoms she gradually calmed, eyes drifting shut imagining the distant future.
Just then, crunching military boots approached beyond the tent flaps followed by a loud external hail. “Your Highness! We captured a man claiming acquaintance with someone called ‘Lady Jiang’—!”
Jiang Kui started. “Let him enter!”
Flanked by two soldiers, a lanky youth dressed in grey robes stumbled through the entrance before crashing to his knees with a loud shout. “Chief Madame—!”
“A friend, release him,” Jiang Kui directed the guards away before blinking in surprise. “What brings you here, Zhao Xiaochuan?”
The bandit chief Zhao Xiaochuan lifted his head just as he noticed the scarlet-clad Crown Prince beside her, immediately prostrating himself. “This peasant Zhao Xiaochuan greets the Crown Prince…!”
Helping him rise, Xie Wuyang chuckled for some reason. “You should call me grandfather.”
Utterly lost, Zhao Xiaochuan stared blankly back.
With another quiet laugh Xie Wuyang explained. “During our first encounter you addressed me as ‘Sir’.”
Zhao Xiaochuan goggled speechlessly for long moments as the implications sank in, opening and closing his mouth without forming words.
Jiang Kui interrupted impatiently. “We mobilize soon so speak concisely.”
“I offer what aid I can.” Zhao Xiaochuan collected himself swiftly. “That treacherous Inspector is the enemy of us bandits. My extensive familiarity with Huai Xi regions could greatly benefit the Chief Madame’s endeavors.”
Jiang Kui considered briefly before asking “My troops make haste towards Huai Zhou by covert means. Can you guide such a route reliably?”
“Naturally!” Zhao Xiaochuan exclaimed. “Command me as you will!”
“Have your men accompany us then,” Jiang Kui nodded.
Musing deeply she concluded. “With your gang navigating the minimum odds of success raise from fifty to seventy percent.”
“General,” the man beside draped a surcoat over her shoulders. “Return victorious.”
Rising on tiptoes she stole one final swift kiss. “Await me.”
Beyond the tent openings a guard held their mounts, reverently offering up her weapon.
Spear in hand she vaulted into the saddle, keeping a steady grip on reins as ebony tresses whipped wildly in the howling winds like ink spills. Three thousand elite cavalry mobilized behind that solitary girl’s silhouette backlit by the dancing flames of war.
That heavy snowfall night a spur-of-the-moment forced march propelled ten thousand soldiers over a grueling one hundred and eighty mile journey. As the barest hints of dawn touched the skies they arrived beneath Huai Zhou city.
After two days and nights of intense battle, scarlet banners ascended the conquered walls.
At daybreak the very next morning the Crown Prince and Grand General led thirty thousand in reclaiming the war-ravaged Huai Zhou.
Beneath its damaged walls, chains slowly winched opened ironclad gates as the three mammoth doors of Huai Zhou thundered apart. A girl emerged astride her warhorse swathed in crimson, galloping over scarred battlefields littered with weapons and armor. Halting at the desolated plain’s edge, at the fore of assembled troops stood a figure holding the reins of an unsaddled steed wearing an identical red robe who turned at her swift approach.
She threw herself into his arms the very instant her boots met earth.
“I missed you,” she declared fervently.
He laughed with sparkling eyes. “When have I ever left your side?”
“Right now, so you better hug me,” she instructed solemnly before happily burrowing closer when he immediately obeyed.
Beyond the wide open skies after snowfall shone refreshed and clean. Radiant dawn poured over the icy plains and weapons strewn over the land.
Amidst the shimmering celestial lights they held one another close beneath heaven’s brilliant gaze.
Leave a Reply