The wind swept through the alley stirring the faint rustling of leaves.
The youth before her gazed down steadily, eyes bright yet piercing as starlight upon still waters.
Slightly stunned she blinked blankly. “…Storm the execution grounds?”
“Mm,” he nodded. “We’ll go together.”
“But—”
As realization dawned she abruptly glared up at him. “Zhu Zi’an, are you an idiot? This is Chang’an! Beneath the emperor’s very feet! Storming the execution grounds is punishable by death… It’s outright defiance against the emperor himself—”
Her tirade was cut short by something abruptly shoved into her mouth.
Instinctively she bit down, the cool sweetness of sugar suffusing her senses.
He had stuffed a piece of candy to stopper up her speech.
Watching her confronted with a mouthful, incoherent protests stifled, the corners of his lips quirked up irresistibly.
After swallowing the candy she huffed indignantly, “Zhu Zi’an! What’s the meaning of this?”
Abruptly he waved a hand before her eyes forcing them shut briefly. The gentle pleasing tone was laced with mild exasperation. “Jiang Xiaoman, why must you always cry so easily?”
“Huh?” She froze bewilderedly.
“Your eyes are swollen,” he stated gravely. “Like a raccoon.”
“They’re not!” She touched her lids self-consciously.
“Indeed they are,” he insisted.
As she lifted her face to glare, the sly mirth dancing in his eyes gave him away. Momentarily forgetting everything else in her frustration, she balled up her fists raining blows onto him.
He simply stood there stoically allowing her to vent her frustrations. When she finally tired herself out he gently asked again, “Still terribly upset then?”
“A little better now,” she mumbled.
“Then let’s storm the execution grounds.” The twelve day grace period still remains,” he carried on smoothly. “We’ll save your family.”
“But—” She hesitated uncertainly.
He smiled askew. “What’s this Jiang Xiaoman, don’t tell me you’ve gotten cold feet?”
“Of course not—” she began heatedly before catching his gaze.
All hints of laughter vanished from his eyes as he looked to her with utmost gravity. The hazy moonbeams tilting onto his head scattered across his refined features in varied depths of shadows, resembling traces of silver dust.
“Jiang Xiaoman,” he uttered softly. “We’ll raid the execution grounds.”
Tidying her disheveled hair he grasped her shoulders, staring straight into her eyes as he enunciated clearly, “This is Chang’an. We’ll oppose the emperor himself. We’ll free your family.”
“Every single one of them I promise you,” he avowed solemnly.
“Definitely,” he reaffirmed after a pause. “You have my word.”
“Foolish Zhu Zi’an,” she accused thickly.
“Foolish Jiang Xiaoman,” he repeated lightly. “There, no more grieving. We’ll be busy now.”
As if by magic he made another piece of candy appear from thin air, popping it into her mouth.
“Don’t worry or panic,” he consoled her. “There’s ample time still.”
She trailed after him sucking the sweet, meandering far through the maze of streets and alleys beneath the hazy moon to the distant dead end.
There awaited a carriage draped in azure and embossed in white, the youthful driver’s conical hat tipped low as he held the reins in patient wait atop the coach.
“Where are we headed?” Jiang Kui asked as they boarded.
“The bookstore. Rest first, we’ll discuss specifics upon arriving.” Zhu Zi’an ushered her into the carriage before following suit in after.
The rhythmic rumbling of wheels resounded through the tranquil night accompanied by the whispering rustles of pagoda trees lining the wide avenues.
Jiang Kui sat with knees hugged to chest despondently before Zhu Zi’an, head bowed dejectedly like a crestfallen kitten surrounded by a miasma of gloom.
“Don’t be like this Jiang Xiaoman,” Zhu Zi’an sighed. “Talk to me instead.”
He sat opposite her attempting various methods of distraction while fighting back yawns unrelentingly. Beneath the wan torchlight strands of his hair shone fuzzy bright.
Noticing his constant yawning she finally asked out of concern, “Haven’t you slept well recently either Zhu Zi’an?”
“If you can’t rest of course neither can I,” he complained wearily. “Talk of the general’s estate is all over town. I guessed you would head there the night the Imperial Guards came for them. That’s why I rushed out to find you.”
Another sigh slipped free. “Jiang Xiaoman, wandering around so recklessly… Aren’t you worried about distressing your husband?”
Rambling a little incoherently her interest was gradually hooked drawing her into dialogue. Temporarily forgetting her sadness she propped her cheek on a palm, musing aloud, “I was masked when I left, even if something happened it wouldn’t implicate him. With my martial arts I’m confident I could fight my way out safely with one companion.”
“Leaving nothing but a missing crown princess behind you mean?” His breath of laughter ghosted past her ear.
“You don’t understand. Our relationship is more akin to…comrades I suppose.” She elaborated, “With the general’s manor fallen I’m of no more use so even if I disappeared it would be inconsequential. He understands my arrangement is a nominal marriage of convenience.”
“I rather like the comparison you used…comrades,” he interjected casually prompting her to continue. “So he doesn’t know you left?”
“Likely still asleep now,” she surmised.
“I see,” he chuckled softly. “Yet it’s already the hour of Xu. Would he truly slumber so late?”
“That man really enjoys his sleep alright,” she nodded affirmatively. “Though he hasn’t been resting well recently, even refusing to retire at times. If I hadn’t knocked him out just now…”
“You even go about striking people unconscious?” His scornful exhale carried plainly.
Then in an undertone she couldn’t catch he grumbled sotto voce, “No wonder I mysteriously blacked out earlier…”
Obliviously she elucidated in detail, “Considering his poor health who knows what troubles might arise if I didn’t make him rest? Last autumn I brought him hunting, after a single night in the wilderness he was comatose for half a month straight…”
She skipped over his condition summarizing simply, “Anyway I left a letter so he’ll see it upon waking.”
“He seems a fine gentleman,” he remarked neutrally, face still inclined downwards.
“Truly exhausted out these days… Of course I understand everything clearly,” she asserted solemnly.
The barest wisp of a smile flitted across his features. “If he heard that it would surely please him.”
“Not necessarily,” she demurred after some contemplation. “He’s a reticent sort, always gentle and tranquil. Impossible to guess his inner thoughts.”
“I see. A rather odd fellow then,” remarked Zhu Zi’an.
“Very eccentric indeed,” she concurred readily. “I keep feeling he hides things from me.”
“Also, one point of endless vexation – ” she declared heatedly. ” – he clearly cares nothing for his own well-being! I’m determined to cure him fully yet he refuses to share a single detail. Utterly frustrating.”
Mildly curious he asked, “You’re that intent on healing him? I assumed you disliked living in the Eastern Palace, planning to flee when chance presents itself after his passing.”
“While it’s true I detest palace life if he can make a full recovery I’m willing to remain by his side lifelong. After all I’ve already married haven’t I?” She rationalized pragmatically, “We each mind our own duties without interfering so he doesn’t object to me seeking you out.”
Once more she reiterated earnestly, “Truly he’s an excellent man.”
“You’re just as good,” he whispered gently. “Very very good.”
She eyed him strangely. “Zhu Zi’an, it’s rare hearing you praise me so highly. Makes me rather uncomfortable to be honest.”
Another yawn split his face. “Merely drowsy I expect.”
Observing his haggard appearance she realized his exhaustion barely held in check.
“It’s still a ways off. Try resting first, I’ll wake you upon arrival.”
“No need,” he instantly refused.
She blinked, nonplussed by his unexpectedly adamant rejection.
Scratching his head he slowly shook it declining her offer. “That one time after I’d just woken you suddenly asked me something out of the blue… Scared me half to death with that headache… Too horrifying. I’d rather not sleep around you.”
Bewildered she struggled to recall the vague memory. With so much occurring recently she couldn’t remember a single instance of misconduct towards him. Abashed she could only stammer contritely, “Ah well…sorry about that I suppose.”
Before he could respond she hastily moved on to more pressing issues. “So what hour is it presently?”
“Just past the hour of Hai,” he reported gravely. “Not too late.”
Bathed in hazy moonbeams they headed inside one after the other.
But Zhu Zi’an didn’t lead her upstairs this time, instead turning into the rear chamber. From the glowing braziers he gathered up a square of white linen, lightly tossing it atop Jiang Kui’s head in a single smooth motion.
Warmed from the heat it draped over her shoulders still carrying the traces of char and ash. She poked her head out from below blinking blankly. “What’s this about?”
“Hot water’s been readied in the back,” he informed her. “Care to wash up and change?”
She froze uncertainly just looking at him.
“Bathing helps cheer one up when feeling low,” he explained earnestly. “Cleanse thoroughly then dress in fresh new attire, everything changes for the better. Why not try it out?”
With that said he ushered her onwards into the bathing chamber. The wooden door shut with a quiet “creak” behind her.
Silence pervaded the candlelit room apart from the sound of running water.
Several oil lamps illuminated swirling curls of vapor amidst mingling flames and steam.
The tiled floor was lined with smooth bluestone bricks. A sizeable wooden barrel stood squarely in the center functioning as a bathing tub. Ringing it were a few coal braziers for extra warmth.
A fresh set of thin undergarments were left floating atop the water’s surface. Beside it hung a garment rack draped with another set of warm clean robes.
Jiang Kui lingered motionless for a spell. Shedding her outer layers along with the restraints in her hair she slowly submerged herself in the soothing heated bath, holding her breath briefly with eyes shut tight beneath gentle rippling waves dyed a serene azure.
Eventually she broke the surface, beads sliding down her arms as she peered down at the shimmering reflection of the moon.
Its sparkling aura winked brightly within her eyes.
“Jiang…Xiaoman?” Accompanied by light taps against the window came the muffled query.
“Mm?” She stirred from her thoughts.
“Feeling better?” His voice remained muted.
“Mm,” her own reply echoed faintly, blurred by the swirling mists.
“You’re not…crying again are you?” He asked tentatively after some moments.
“I stopped ages ago,” she demurred gently. “When time comes I’ll return to the Eastern Palace.”
“Don’t go back,” he countered unexpectedly.
She froze in surprise.
“Stay here instead why don’t you,” he suggested, tone perfectly reasonable.
Author’s random ramblings:
Xiaoman: (talking about Xie) He’s likely still asleep now.
Xie: (poker face) My, he sure can sleep.
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