Chapter 26
Arise and shine Qinghai
After some time, an older eunuch came and announced the arrival of the Qinghai Queen. The empire is not easy to breach, but its walls have ears. When the Qinghai Queen heard about the arrival of the crown prince and his whereabouts, she immediately went to Prince Ra Zheng's palace.
She was the reason why the crown prince had been taken away by his maiden mother. She also controlled the empire in the absence of the Qinghai King, who locked himself in his palace and never returned to the office after dreadful cover-up stories and the loss of his only son, the heir to his sword and throne.
The Qinghai King also ordered the underworld spies to burn down Xie's household due to the false news the Qinghai Queen told him about who had abducted his son, killing all the innocent people in the Xie household, including the King's first love, Lady Yueshen.
Out of his guilt, repeated failures, and the destruction of the Chu Jing kingdom, and the death of his brother, King Chu Teng Gao, the kingdom fell into a deep slumber, and the entire empire hibernated through its longest, darkest night.
Without the Moon Kingdom, the Sun Empire did not awaken from its nightmare and had not seen daylight for many years.
The King took an absence from office and gave the temporary seal of authority to the Qinghai Queen.
Since then, the King had lived a carefree life in Qinghai's harem, giving himself over to drunken, lustful pleasures, unable to find the rational mind to return to his duties. It was rumored that the Qinghai Queen had put the King under a spell and set him up to fail so that she could take over the empire.
Out of jealousy toward Lady Yueshen, she once said, "If the Queen cannot have the King's heart, at least the Queen can take over the kingdom."
While Prince Zheng, Yuwen Yue, and the band of brothers bonded, the Queen came to interrupt.
The old eunuch announced her arrival, and everyone was startled except for Yuwen Yue and Prince Zheng.
Prince Zheng and Yuwen Yue stood to show respect to the Queen. She entered, wearing her royal dragon black silk robe made of the finest quality silk, embroidered with gold-thread flowers. Her cold eyes were distant, her pitch-black hair adorned with a gold hairpin, and her jade-like skin gleamed.
She walked tall, as if floating on air.
The band of brothers fell to their knees and bowed their heads, as did Prince Ra Zheng and Yuwen Yue, followed by all the servants surrounding the banquet table, waiting for the Queen's words.
The Queen portrayed a warm but stern attitude with elegance, yet there was a cold and mysterious glance she cast toward Yuwen Yue.
She immediately recognized the crown prince by his stature. There was no doubt he was Qinghai's King's most revered son. Her eyes also focused on Yuwen Yue's waist, where the Poe Yue Jian sheath hung. She approached the banquet table and sat in the middle, where Prince Zheng had been seated.
Prince Zheng and Yuwen Yue sat down, facing each other.
Everyone seemed frozen in time until the Queen spoke, saying, "Let's continue the banquet." Her voice cut through the air, and everyone, holding their breath, finally exhaled the cold air.
Noticing the band of brothers unmoved, she said, "Arise, crown prince's knights, and show them where they would be deployed under the Crown Prince Yueshen's palace."
The older eunuch bowed to the Queen and led the band of brothers outside of the banquet hall, taking them to the Crown Prince's palace.
With a graceful hand gesture, another royal servant came to the Queen's side. They served her a jade goblet of wine, which she drank elegantly.
After setting down the jade goblet, she said, "Prince Zheng, I believe a family member arrived today. Would you please introduce me to your little brother?"
"Qinghai Queen, this is Ra Yue, the seventh son of King Ra and the crowned prince of the Qinghai Empire."
Yuwen Yue seemed to be about to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. Prince Ra Zheng nudged him under the table, and Yuwen Yue got the message, saying, "It is an honor and a pleasure to meet the Qinghai Queen."
Yuwen Yue was lost in thought, wondering whether he had pretended to be the crown prince or had acknowledged that he was the crown prince. Prince Zheng, secretly amused, broke the silence to cover his brother's hesitation.
"Queen Zhejue, what shall we do to announce to the entire Qinghai Empire the arrival of the crown prince and his knights?"
Then Prince Zheng corrected himself: "His band of brothers, as Ra Yue calls them."
"The crown prince will stay in the assigned Crown Prince Palace. We shall meet again after I visit the King to discuss such matters."
The Queen glanced at Yuwen Yue, who, narrowing his eyes, stared at the table, playing along, though there seemed to be something left unsaid. The Queen waited for his affirmation.
Yuwen Yue had to decide and act in the moment. It seemed his temporary visit would now be extended for a few more days as he continued pretending to be "Ra Yue," which was playing to his advantage.
Someone had dropped off his Poe Yue Jian sword the previous day, and now he had a kingdom to call his own. It appeared he wouldn't escape easily. But one thing stayed on his mind: if he remained for a while, he might gather more information about the Chu Jing Kingdom, use Qinghai's resources to infiltrate the Moon Kingdom, and discover its secrets. Eventually, he would save the half of his band of brothers who were in captivity.
Yuwen Yue could only think positive thoughts for now, knowing that his brothers were still alive. Most of the responsibility rested on his shoulders to free them from the mysterious kingdom and return to the West, to his Yuwen household.
"Yes, your majesty Queen, thank you for your favor and earnest kindness," Yuwen Yue replied, and the Queen acknowledged him.
The Queen secretly rejoiced inside, ready to plan how to control the crown prince. However, she realized she would first need to study him, as she knew nothing of his strengths or weaknesses. Having been hidden from her sight where the King concealed him, she had no idea what to expect.
The Queen rose from her seat and excused herself from the banquet. Like a floating flower, she walked out of the banquet hall, followed by her royal eunuchs and servants, who faded from view.
The two princes also rose from their seats and stepped outside the banquet hall.
After Prince Zheng instructed his eunuch to show Yuwen Yue to the Crown Prince Palace where he would stay, he also assigned some maidens to serve him.
Yuwen Yue said to his brother, "Prince Ra Zheng, I do not wish to have maidservants. I only wish to have my man, Zuo Zong, from my band of brothers."
Prince Zheng replied, "Your wish is granted!"
Prince Ra Zheng called another servant to prepare clothing in accordance with Qinghai's dress code and arms and to send someone to teach them Qinghai's code of expression.
"Very well," the servant said.
"Thank you, Prince Ra Zheng," Yuwen Yue said, and the eunuch led the way to the Crown Prince Palace. Along the way, they encountered the 6th Prince of Qinghai, his cold burgundy eyes, fiery aura, and jade-like skin gave him a godlike appearance. The eunuch bowed to the 6th Prince.
The 6th Prince was aristocratic by nature, dressed in a dark red royal Hanfu robe with a gold hairpin. Accompanied by his eunuchs and servants, he stopped and said, "The crown prince has arrived indeed. What an unfortunate day to behold his handsome face, resembling a god like myself, even though he's in disguise but still carries the Poe Yue Jian sword."
The 6th Prince looked down on the crown prince for not following Qinghai's code of dress and judged him by the simplicity of his clothing.
Yuwen Yue, though a bit annoyed, remained as calm as ever. He knew that dressing simply had always been his strength during his travels, and he would not be brought down by a mere look.
The more rugged his appearance, the more it radiated confidence, charm, elegance, and cold-heartedness. He replied, "When you are a weapon, weapons do not weep; they simply kill."
The 6th Prince was stunned by Yuwen Yue's words. He couldn't respond immediately, but after narrowing his eyes, he understood the meaning.
Yuwen Yue had expressed his disdain. Though the 6th Prince looked down on him, Yuwen Yue held his head high, refusing to let any insult about his clothing be spoken in his presence.
Yuwen Yue's aristocratic look intensified, far surpassing his half-brother, the 6th Prince Zhun.
There was no arrogance to hide.
As they continued walking, the 6th Prince remained standing where he had first encountered Yuwen Yue.
Yuwen Yue stopped, and all the eunuchs and servants behind him halted as well.
He walked toward the 6th Prince and whispered in his ear, "Next time, if you must look down, do not stare at me. It is not just my sword you should see, but who I am."
The 6th Prince's eyes flared in anger, and his fists clenched tighter. He was frozen in place, unable to respond or move.
Smiling, he finally said, "Very well, brother, the weather is yours for today!"
He spoke in an unseemly manner, as though he had just declared civil war for the rest of time.
With calmness and cold eyes, Yuwen Yue smiled and replied, "It will be mine not only today but tomorrow and the day after that. You won't have any days left for yourself because they all belong to me."
Yuwen Yue walked away, ending the conversation.
The old eunuchs sneered but seemed impressed with Yuwen Yue.
One thought to himself, "No wonder he is the crown prince. He knows how to handle power and still looks like a god after a storm. Crazy!"
Yuwen Yue snapped back to the present moment, and the rest of the servants behind him arrived at his palace.
He saw the servants cleaning and uncovering the white curtains from the furniture, and the old eunuch invited Yuwen Yue to the western side of the palace. There, Yuwen Yue saw a huge, long, heavy gold curtain with long tassels at each end.
"Your Highness, if I open the curtains, you may enjoy the view of Qinghai's Mirror of the Sky," the old eunuch said, pulling the curtain back to reveal a 360-degree view of the Crown Prince Hall facing the spectacular lake.
Everyone was astonished and in awe. As for Yuwen Yue, he walked to the side and inspected the tall glass. He inhaled and exhaled briefly, gazing at the perfect view before him.
The sky mirrored the blue lake, and the lake reflected the sky.
Swans glided over the waters, while black goshawks soared freely above.
The shore was home to a bed of flowers, and, interestingly, a small kingdom resided there. The skyline was a vivid and mysterious attraction of the site.
Yuwen Yue said while walking around his palace, "Am I going to wake up every day looking at this bewilderment?"
The old eunuch seemed anxious, thinking Yuwen Yue might not like the view, though it was the best spot ever built in the entire Qinghai palace.
"Your Highness, if you do not like what you see, we can close the curtains or automatically lock the glass walls."
Yuwen Yue thought the eunuch was right. He had noticed the iron windows outside and the trigger mechanism. He replied, "Is this the switch to activate the iron windows and block the view?"
The old eunuch bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness. It was easy for you to detect, a sign of your clever observation."
Yuwen Yue brushed off the praise but replied, "And you're going to teach me more and tell me what happened to this empire, right?"
"Anything you wish to know, Your Highness, your servant will answer."
"Good. Can you tell me more about the secrets of this palace?"
"Which ones, Your Highness? From the beginning or what is happening now?"
"I prefer to hear from the start," said Yuwen Yue.
The old eunuch glanced at Yuwen Yue's sword and said, "Your Highness, that sword you carry is both the beginning and the end of the Qinghai Empire. Without it, people would turn against each other, and the empire would descend into chaos."
"My sword?" Yuwen Yue raised his voice slightly and continued in a cold tone, "I've heard many stories about this sword, but in the West, where I come from, it's just considered a household sword, nothing more, nothing less. It's just a sword, period."
"Your Highness, here in the Qinghai Empire, the Poe Yue Jian sword means life or death, power or powerlessness, peace or chaos."
"Alright, that's enough for now. We'll talk more tomorrow. I want some rest, you may leave."
Yuwen Yue sat on the expensive dragon carpet, ready to begin his meditation, facing west in his hall. He instructed the old eunuch to leave the view undisturbed, as the sun was preparing to set on the horizon.
The old eunuch bowed and said, "Your Highness, I will return later to serve your dinner and introduce your garments and the weaponry hall."
Yuwen Yue began his meditation.
All the eunuchs left, and the rest of the servants outside finished cleaning and arranging the palace, bringing it to life.
For the first time in a long while, the servant girls finally lit the incense burner located in the center of the crown prince's mini-throne room. The fragrance filled the air, creating a lively ambiance as the plum scent spread throughout the palace, reaching the crown prince's hall where Yuwen Yue was meditating. It reminded him of his Yuwen household, where fresh plum blossoms on the first snow were his favorite scent.
After an hour of meditation, the sun had set on the horizon.
Yuwen Yue emerged from his palace and called his Yuwen Parrot, who was nearby.
The parrot flew to Yuwen Yue's arm, and the palace guards took notice.
Yuwen Yue then summoned one of the nearby male servants and asked him to fetch his brother Zuo so they could talk. He also wished to meet with the rest of his band of brothers, his staff and cold warriors, so they could replace the Qinghai guards assigned to his palace.
"Master, how do I look?" Zuo asked, arriving dressed in the Qinghai code of attire befitting the crown prince's convoy.
The rest of the brothers wore almost identical dark blue capes with light iron shoulder caps, well-designed breastplates, and were armed with spears, swords, bows, and arrows. They were now equipped like warriors heading to battle, a stark contrast to their usual simple attire or ninja-like outfits with light weapons.
Yuwen Yue, with the Yuwen Parrot on his arm, sat in the crown prince's office, at a grand chair before a long wooden royal table, testing various inks and brushes. He said, "Zuo, do you wish to scout this palace?"
Yuwen Yue's serious expression made it clear that he meant business.
"I'll scout this place at dawn, Master Brother. Do you have any specific instructions?"
"We're not here to live comfortably. We'll use this opportunity to search for our brothers. Understood?"
"Master Brother, aren't you going to stay here? You are the crown prince of Qinghai."
"I've heard these stories before, so none of this surprises me," Yuwen Yue replied.
"You knew all along that you were the missing crown prince of Qinghai?"
"It's not that I knew everything, but to be honest, without this sword, I wouldn't be identified as the crown prince, I'd just be an ordinary person like you."
Yuwen Yue put down a small brush and picked up another. Then he said, "What I'm curious about is the woman who dropped my sword and took half of our cavalry. It's like what happened some time ago when the Canhong sword was dropped at the Old Shrine. I read a letter on my 12th birthday. It seems my Aunt Tai Furen sent me the letter and the Canhong sword as a gift. The letter was blank, but I used a special powder to read it. She wrote about this empire and the Poe Yue Jian sword and said that one day, I would find my path.
I never understood it until now. I realize now that I am the one she was talking about. She also gave me some old maps, including the layout of the crown prince's palace that once belonged to my mother. I studied them and memorized them. I hid them in a book my grandmother gave me, replacing its contents to conceal them.
While others were celebrating, I was reading. I grew up with these stories."
"Whoa!"
Zuo looked stunned at Yuwen Yue's revelation. He asked, "Can I ask you something personal?"
"What is it?" Yuwen Yue asked, glancing at Zuo, who appeared serious.
"Do you think you'll stay here longer?" Zuo asked, but Yuwen Yue remained silent.
"Master Brother, I think this empire needs its crown prince. We've seen much suffering here, slavery, injustice, and many mysteries to uncover. We've also heard that the Qinghai people believe everything will be set right once their crown prince returns, sword in hand, to restore peace."
Yuwen Yue considered Zuo's words. He might have a point.
He had grown up hearing these stories but never thought he was the one behind them.
If all of this is true, Yuwen Yue would have to reunite with the King, his real father. If he did, he would be declared heir to the throne.
However, the thought pierced his heart, knowing that Yuwen Hao, the father who raised him, the man who taught him wisdom and trained him, was an archenemy of his kingdom. It felt like a dagger in his chest.
And what of facing his real father? Could Yuwen Yue accept what the King had done to his mother's Xie household?
How could he return to the Western Empire to search for his Xinger when he was bound to run the Eastern Kingdom?
These questions hung unanswered. Only time would reveal when Yuwen Yue would find the answers.
A sword, a palace, an heir to the throne, a mysterious Moon Kingdom, what more lay ahead? Yuwen Yue now had a responsibility not just to his band of brothers but also a princely duty to the entire Qinghai Kingdom.
Snapping back to reality, Yuwen Yue answered Zuo's question: "By the way, you look terrible in that suit," he said with a slight smile, a hint of ridicule.
Zuo gave him a sly grin and asked, "You don't appreciate what you see?"
Still smiling, Yuwen Yue responded, "You cut your hair just for this? I must work hard, then, my brother."
Zuo laughed heartily. "It is my duty and honor to serve the crown prince of Qinghai, who also happens to be my Master Brother. From this day forward, I swear it."
The Yuwen Parrot interrupted, squawking, "Master Brother, Master Brother, the crown prince, Qinghai, Qinghai."
Yuwen Yue smiled faintly, still focused on the table as he tried out the brushes. In a cold voice, he said, "Zuo, it seems I am destined to repeat my mother's story, the Cinderella of this tale. The only difference is that I am supposed to accept it. It seems I have no choice but to share this destiny with my father."
Zuo, returning to his usual look, replied lightly, "If this is your path, so be it. As far as I know, I'm still alive and have never wavered in the vow I made that day on the mountain cliff, to serve you for the rest of my life, the crown prince and my Master Brother."
Zuo tapped his left chest, kneeling and bowing his head to Yuwen Yue. Yuwen Yue, deep in thought, remembered Yue Qi and snapped back to the present.
Maintaining his cold expression, Yuwen Yue looked at Zuo and saw the mountain cliff flash before his eyes. Finally, as if he owed Zuo an affirmation of his loyalty, he said calmly, "Very well. Whatever this Cinderella story brings, we'll be in it together."
Zuo stood up, delighted, as the Yuwen Parrot chirped, "Master Brother, Master Brother, Master Brother."
Yuwen Yue said, "Tomorrow, bring me some interesting information. Find out who Prince Ra Zheng's secret spy is. I've heard no one has ever found him or seen him. I need his background. He might be useful to the Qinghai crown prince, and he can also guide you, Zuo."
Zuo replied, "A spy spying on another spy?"
Yuwen Yue responded, "Why not?" and continued, "We need extra hands. It won't be easy to breach the Middle Kingdom, and I'll be deeply involved in princely affairs from now on. That means I won't be able to move as freely as before, but you'll be my eyes, and the secret spy should be your ally."
A servant knocked on the door and announced that the old eunuch had arrived with Yuwen Yue's garments.
Yuwen Yue dismissed Zuo, instructing him to have the band of brothers replace the Qinghai guards assigned to his palace. A sudden change of command occurred, and Yuwen Yue felt more relieved, knowing his cold warriors, staff, and spy brothers were now in charge of his safety.
It was like commissioning them instantly, and without hesitation, his band of brothers accepted and assumed their roles as the crown prince's convoy.
There was still much to discuss, but Yuwen Yue said it could wait until later, and they were dismissed.
Yuwen Yue hesitated slightly before allowing the servants to enter. "You may come in," he said. He then turned to Zuo, "You are dismissed."
Almost in unison, Zuo bowed as he left, while the servants bowed as they entered. Zuo noticed the crown prince's garments, which matched the battle gear suits, and some expensive, lightweight clothes befitting a prince were presented.
The old eunuch busied himself, carrying the important garments, while more servants followed with the royal attire. He said, "Your Highness, we'll need to try on these garments, and you should take a warm bath. This way, please."
Yuwen Yue replied, "I'm a bit hungry. Can I eat first?"
The old eunuch had no choice but to agree. "Yes, Your Highness," he said, meaning they would wait for him to finish eating while carrying all the heavy garments before he took his royal bath.
The old eunuch couldn't help but roll his eyes, thinking the crown prince was quite unusual in making him follow his every request and instruction.
Yuwen Yue said coldly, with a hint of ridicule in his voice, "Are you really going to stand there waiting for me, carrying all that?"
"Yes, Your Highness," the old eunuch replied, and Yuwen Yue, amused, gave him a playful smile, though it was not so fun for the old eunuch.
Yuwen Yue walked to his royal banquet table, where the kitchen maids served his meal. He was not accustomed to this lifestyle, so at times he would ask the maids to let him serve himself, while other times he allowed them to serve him.
As he began eating, another maid arrived, halting him. "Your Highness," she said, "I am assigned to be the crown prince's royal food taster. If there is any poison, it may save your life."
Yuwen Yue considered this for a moment but remained silent. As the former master of the Eyes of God, he had been trained to detect poison in food.
In a cold stare and voice, Yuwen Yue said, "You should have done that the first time I dined with Prince Ra Zheng."
"Spare my life, Your Highness," the maid begged, adding in deep sadness, "If you do not let me do my duty, I will be dead by tomorrow morning."
Yuwen Yue was not a master who followed others' orders blindly. He believed in the Yuwen household's code of conduct: "Slaves obey."
Everything felt controlled to Yuwen Yue, as if he had to follow someone else's rules. Coldly and angrily, he said, "Then you'll be dead by tomorrow if I'm not the crown prince when the sun rises."
The maid did not taste the food.
It was clear that Yuwen Yue would not be controlled by anyone, nor would he be weakly obedient.
He had been toggling his aristocratic facade on and off, demonstrating to the Qinghai servants that he was not a naive crown prince but someone who understood the palace, who was in control, and who would bow to no one unless in dire circumstances, and even then, only if it involved his Xinger.
The last time he had been pushed to the brink was at the frozen lake, which had nearly cost him his life and his precious bodyguard, Yue Qi.
The maid wept, but Yuwen Yue gave her an indifferent sneer and said, "From now on, you will not be a mere pawn to save someone else. Your life is your own, but stay and watch over your master."
Yuwen Yue spoke with conviction, yet his voice was cold and soft.
He smelled the jade bowls and touched the golden chopsticks.
To make a show, he even twirled his chopsticks with a bit of gongfu before starting to eat.
The palace kitchen servants noticed his moves and clapped in approval, but Yuwen Yue paid them no mind.
The old eunuch was amazed and impressed. This was exactly what Yuwen Yue needed to accomplish, to gain more allies, not people who simply followed palace norms.
Yuwen Yue had to show them who was in control and demonstrate the strength of the Yuwen household's values. This was an advantage for the time being.
Though many changes had already taken place, Yuwen Yue was aware of how far he could push the boundaries of obedience. This was what the moment demanded of him.
In front of his band of brothers, Yuwen Yue was still the same person they had sworn their allegiance to at the most crucial time in his life.
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