Chapter 44
Iron Bone Encounters White Prince
Two shadows were lurking inside the General Quarters. Chu Qiao returned to her quarters when suddenly, a sack was thrown over her head.
A woman with hellish eyes and lips caught a black ninja wearing a black band, a jade in its center, and smelling ferocious. However, another bloodthirsty figure took the ninja, hypnotized him, and he fell into a trap.
A spy, disguised in a Yanbei uniform, carried a woman away from the Meilin border pass camp. He put her down, removed the sack from her head while her hands were tied behind her back.
Chu Qiao stood in the presence of the white ninja, who wore a long, majestic white cape with a hood, white boots inlaid with intricate gold designs, and a white band on its head with a jade crystal. The ninja unsheathed the Cheng Yin sword in his hand.
He closed his eyes and turned around, revealing his fresh, handsome face. His plum lips appeared cold, but his narrow eyes met hers.
The White Prince opened his eyes, astonished by the woman before him. The woman, however, did not blink or show any fear, despite the silver sword in his hand, ready to strike at any moment.
The White Prince, unable to speak or move, stared at her, shocked but calm and composed. He uttered, "Are you a ghost?"
Chu Qiao did not answer but moved swiftly. She somersaulted in front of him and, using her feet, kicked the two spies disguised in Yanbei uniforms. The two spies fell, writhing in pain, experiencing the wrath Chu Qiao had unleashed on them. She returned to her calm stance and looked at the White Prince with fierce eyes, saying, "Can a ghost kick flesh-and-blood spies?"
The White Prince, now assured that she was no ghost, sensed that the woman was prepared to kill him. He raised his sword, and like magic, the blade disappeared.
Chu Qiao's back was wracked with pain as the flower tattoo on her skin began to glow. The light activated her powers, but she suppressed it by humming an ancient oracle, closing her eyes to maintain control. The wind blew fiercely, and snow began to fall on the road. The two figures stood facing each other, neither daring to make the first move.
Chu Qiao's back glowed, threatening to burn, but she was determined not to use her powers. Suddenly, she passed out, collapsing like snow falling to the ground. The White Prince's eyes widened, and he rushed to catch her. At that moment, an arrow was shot at his back, but he shielded the woman.
A white horse waited by a lonely tree outside the Meilin border pass, blinking its eyes. The White Prince whistled, and the horse's ears perked up, recognizing its master's call. It quickly ran toward him.
The White Prince managed to place the woman on the back of the white royal horse as it knelt to receive them. Though in pain, the prince tapped the horse, and like a flash, they rode away from Meilin border. After two hours, they reached the Wei Valve gate.
Two cold, distant eyes lowered a bow and white-feathered arrows. A voice said to his servant, "A'Jing, it is done. One is down, but the Star was taken by him."
"The World, you cannot announce your presence or expose yourself to vulnerability. You must remain an unknown entity. Control yourself. The young prince will either care for her or die trying. In the meantime, focus on your efforts as your wedding approaches. And remember what happened that day, on that platform."
Yan Xun, dressed in a black hood, clenched his palms until one of the feathered arrows snapped. Tears filled his eyes as he walked away, hoping for a better outcome with his Star.
The White Prince, carrying the beautiful Xuili General in her light garment, was pale and exhausted. He tapped the royal button, and the Wei Valve received the Royal Prince. They descended vertically via an elevator-like mechanism and took a shortcut to the Wei Crown Prince's palace.
Yuan Song, with an arrow lodged in his back, made his way toward his royal room. He broke protocol by gently placing the woman on his royal bed and refraining from asking for any assistance.
Like his nomadic ancestors, he viewed a hunt like this as a prize. He lit a tea candle nearby and let the thin red curtains of his royal bed drape down. Little clinking sounds echoed in the royal room.
Despite his back gushing with blood, Yuan Song ignored his injury. He stood by his bed, gazing at the woman, admiring the lovely arch of her face, her eyebrows, her closed eyes. Even though he was losing blood by the second, delaying emergency treatment, he could not tear his eyes away from her. In that moment, he felt like a god, gazing at the long-lost love of his life.
Yuan Song suddenly felt the biting pain in his back. He placed a blue royal jade beside the sleeping beauty and crawled toward the south side of his room to pull the bell, asking for immediate help. He could no longer hold on, as his blood loss flowed all over the room, and he passed out.
On the south side of the palace, the royal maidservants rushed to the 13th Prince's palace and were horrified to find Prince Yuan Song lying in a pool of blood. Thinking he was dead, they screamed for help while others ran to fetch the royal family doctors.
A few minutes later, the doctors arrived and found the prince in a gruesome bloodbath. They did not move him to his bed. Instead, right there on the expensive carpet, they cut his white ninja attire and began gently wiping the blood. The maidservants, with tears welling in their eyes, watched as the doctors surrounded Yuan Song, searching for any signs of life.
His Chi flow was extremely weak. The doctors quickly applied acupuncture to his meridians to stop the blood loss. One doctor examined the wound on his back, held him sideways, cut some white cloth, and poured spring water over the wound, preparing to remove the white feathered arrow.
Although it was winter and cold, the doctors and their assistants were sweating as they worked. They used acupuncture to insert an anesthetic into his principal meridians, and soon Yuan Song fell into a deep sleep, his groans of pain subsiding.
Several hours later, after learning of what had happened to his Crown Prince, the Wei Emperor rushed to the 13th Prince's palace. Upon seeing Yuan Song lying in bed, pale and lifeless, the emperor's face turned ashen with shock.
The Wei Emperor narrowed his brows deeply, raising them high as he scanned the room. The doctors, eunuchs, guards, and maidservants were silent, too afraid to speak. Then, the old royal eunuch stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, protocol has been broken, and someone must pay the price. But please take a look at this."
The royal eunuch revealed the blue jade resting in the center of Prince Yuan Song's bed, signifying immunity for the guest sharing the bed. The servants understood this gesture but were unsure of how the emperor would respond.
The Wei Emperor's eyes fell on the Cheng Yin sword beside his son's bed, and a fleeting expression of nostalgia crossed his face. He remembered it well. Despite his nostalgia, the emperor looked at his son's severely wounded body.
The head royal doctor approached the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, we have done all that we can. The surgery was a success, and the prince will live."
Another medical assistant stepped forward and presented the white feathered arrow to the emperor.
The Wei Emperor took the arrow, staring at it coldly. His brows creased once more as he finally spoke: "First, protocol was broken. Gather the 13th Prince's guards, they shall not live to see the sunrise." The room filled with terror at the emperor's first command.
"Second, a blue jade was presented to the traitor of Wei State, indicating immunity, honoring the seal of the 13th Prince of Wei. The woman beside him has no entitlements to occupy this royal bed. Because the 13th Prince of Wei has used his Blue Jade for the first time, its authority shall be respected for three days. Afterward, a verdict will be passed, and the woman shall face a special trial. If found guilty, she will be punished for trespassing on the 13th Prince of Wei's royal bed."
"Third, the white feathered arrow confirms that the Rebel Prince Yan Xun was the one who shot him. Summon the 7th Prince of Wei."
All of the Wei State servants, from the highest to the lowest rank, bowed their heads in submission before the emperor. Without glancing at anyone, the Wei Emperor, with his usual aristocratic composure, left the room. Outside the 13th Prince's palace, his concubines were waiting. When they saw him, they bowed, but the emperor did not acknowledge them. He walked straight to the Shen Jin Palace.
At dawn, an iron pole was erected in the middle of the Xuili camp. A Black Prince was tied to it by iron shackles and suddenly woke up, but he couldn't lower his head due to the iron neck cuff. The small, pointed spikes around the cuff resembled sharp vampire teeth standing upwards. If the Black Prince attempted to lower his head, he would risk ending his own life.
His fierce eyes glared out from behind a jade band on his head, his face marked with black ink, and his neck slightly raised. The Xuili military officials and enlisted personnel had never seen such a form of public torture. With their centurion absent, they began to whisper among themselves, surrounding the scene.
Since Chu Qiao took command of the Xuili army, General Chu had instilled her principles, including the importance of respecting the rights of enemies, especially those captured as prisoners of war (POWs). Yet, this captured prince was considered a prized catch, evidenced by the jade on his head, confirming his high status as a royal from the Northwestern territories.
This Black Prince belonged to the Bathuja family, long-time rivals of the Yan Royal clan. Their territories were in dispute with Yanbei over land, as they sought to rule Yanbei instead of staying in their cold, harsh homeland, where winter lasted year-round, and the sun only appeared once annually. The Bathuja family thrived despite these conditions and were known as the "favored Bathuja Royal Family," protectors of the Northwestern state and guardians of the Wei State's northern borders.
The story of the Yan Royal family began when Yan Schicheng, the King of Yan, was commissioned by the Wei Emperor, overlord of all the Western States, to guard the outer borders. The Yan Generals, descendants of heroes from nomadic ancestors, were the pillars of the Western regime's military might. The Yan Royal family ruled the northern lands, known as Yanbei, and claimed direct descent from the Yuan Royal Throne, brothers to past Western emperors.
However, the current Wei Emperor, in his pursuit of selfish political agendas, neglected the loyalty of Yan Schicheng. As a result, the Yan Royal household was abused and fell from grace. Despite this, the Yan family retained their skills as archers, marked by their signature white feather arrows, renowned for their precision. Their cold-blooded nature reflected in their training, where young boys were taught to hunt animals from an early age and later joined the military. While the Yan hunted animals with their cold, provincial mindset, the Wei descendants, colder still and more urban, hunted humans, their conquests spreading fear and showcasing their military might across the empire.
The Wei Emperor, seated on his throne and informed of the white feather arrow's presence, played with it thoughtfully in his hand. He had not seen the Rebel Prince for years, but he knew him well. "This act reveals more than meets the eye," the emperor mused. "The woman with the 13th Prince of Wei is not just anyone; she's the General of the Xuili Army, lying in her enemy's bed."
The Wei Emperor rose from his throne, pacing as he continued to think aloud. "The Rebel Prince escaped Changan, played the role of a rabbit for a while, became a snake to his best friend Yuwen Yue, lost his tiger, and put her into hibernation. Now, suddenly, she reappears... and with my son's life at stake. What a mess."
The emperor had been so focused on securing a marriage alliance between the Liang and Yanbei states that he had overlooked this critical development. Yan Xun had married 18 concubines in a single day after the Ice Lake Incident, but had not slept with any of them, leaving his throne without an heir. However, this action alone had garnered him wealth and allies, more so than the emperor's own princes.
Tapping his fingers against his jaw, the emperor considered another possibility. "What if I make this Xuili General the Crown Princess of Wei, marrying her to the 13th Prince? If they have a royal grandson, could this break the Rebel Prince's heart and extinguish his hopes? What could be more devastating than a broken heart and shattered dreams?"
The emperor continued, "Not to mention granting the 13th Prince's wish to marry a slave, not even a commoner, into the royal family as the next heir. And worse still, she's a traitor to the Wei State, though once recognized as the first woman to join the Wei elite forces, holding the High Order of Archer Coach, second only to the 7th Prince, Yuan Che. What would the political implications be if I allowed this change within my Imperial government?"
Realizing the magnitude of his dilemma, the Wei Emperor knew he was losing his political game, but this new move might secure his victory.
Turning to his eunuch, the emperor asked, "Is this what Yuan Che once referred to as his 'ghost love'?"
The eunuch, bowing respectfully, replied, "Your Majesty, I believe whoever the woman is, she has been the source of the 13th Prince's strength. His condition has been dire, but after the icy lake tragedy, we noticed he became stronger and his worldview changed."
The Wei Emperor reflected on the eunuch's shrewd observation about his son. He had been too preoccupied with the Rebel Prince to notice the changes in the 13th Prince's behavior. For the first time in two years, a genuine smile touched the emperor's face. "Who would have thought," he mused, "that the next queen of Wei could be the wild kitten from the bushes?"
However, the emperor was concerned about how the aristocrats and nobles would react to such a significant change. Would they accept it if a decree were passed?
The eunuch, seeing the emperor in a good mood, suggested, "Your Majesty, why not hold a contest to justify the selection? If the wild kitten gains the support of the political parties, it would secure a positive future for the 13th Prince and avoid many potential problems."
The Wei Emperor, intrigued, turned and looked at the eunuch. Bowing his head, the eunuch continued, "Pass a decree, write your propositions, and invite all the fine princesses and noble maidens for the selection of the Crown Princess of Wei. Let it be done before your time passes."
The emperor, gazing out at the serene Chisui Lake, added, "I would also like to see my first-born grandson, a future flesh and blood heir of Wei, through the 13th Prince."
A few hours later, Yuan Song woke up and saw the curtains of his royal bed. He tried to move, but his body, wrapped in silk and bandages, prevented him. Seeing a pair of beautiful eyes nearby, he joked, "Did I just give up being single and wake up with the real love of my life, instead of a ghost love?"
The woman, not wanting to ruin the moment, replied, "Maybe," and moved her eyes away, adjusting the royal blanket. "You are badly injured. You need more rest. We can talk later." Yuan Song smiled and closed his eyes, drifting back to sleep.
Three days passed, and Yuan Song was still recovering, but much had already changed within the Wei Palace. The Wei Emperor honored his three decrees: executing all the royal guards who had failed to protect the 13th Prince during the tributary hunt, putting Chu Qiao on trial for trespassing into the Crown Prince's bed, and fabricating a love story between the 13th Prince and the Xuili General.
The trial shocked everyone. It was revealed that Prince Yan Xun had shot the 13th Prince out of jealousy. The Rebel Prince, it seemed, had hidden his Tiger General for years, only for her to fall in love with the 13th Prince of Wei. The news spread, and the King of Liang was furious. Yet, Yan Xun remained silent, retreating to the Xiu Xiu mountains for three days.
Meanwhile, the Wei Emperor publicly condemned the relationship between the 13th Prince and Chu Qiao, threatening her with execution. However, Yuan Che intervened, preventing the emperor from carrying out the execution. As Chu Qiao's former commander, Yuan Che delivered a passionate speech, highlighting her chivalry, achievements, and her high rank as the Archer Coach of the Xiaoqi Elite forces. He reminded the court that the emperor himself had decreed her rank, second only to the 7th Prince of Wei, Yuan Che.
Yuan Che acted on his own accord, but the Wei Emperor knew how to manipulate everyone around him. He responded, "Well, the High Order of MU LAN is the only decree that cannot be affected by any actions of its subjects, from the time it was passed onward." The Eunuch then stepped forward before the Emperor's vast audience, which included the Wei Valve elders, Palace concubines, the Zhao nobility, and even the entire Yuwen household, and recited the decree once again:
"To govern the world with civilization and suppress rebellion with the military. Commanders and generals are the pillars of the nation and the mainstays of the government. Thus, I promote talented individuals based on ability, not background. The lady named Chu Qiao is well-educated and trained in military exercises. She is both virtuous and talented, treats her Lord with loyalty, serves the emperor with honesty, and acts like Mu Lan, becoming a model for others. She is appointed as the Archer Coach in the Qiaoqi camp. I hope you will fight with honor on the battlefield, set aside selfishness in service of the public, and not disappoint my expectations."
Chu Qiao, blindfolded and dressed in her Wei Archer Coach uniform, announced her presence before everyone. The Wei Emperor, following his custom, did not execute high-ranking officials in Wei attire, but the crowd was unaware of this. He had specifically ordered Chu Qiao to remove her Xuili General uniform and wear her former Mu Lan Archer Coach uniform, reminding all of her service in the Xiaoqi camp.
As a result, political parties, noble families like the Yuwen's, the palace ministers, Wei Valve elders, and all of noble society began to sympathize with her. The Wei Emperor, achieving his aims without even directly influencing Yuan Che, saw his plan succeed.
The murmuring nobles forgot the topic of treason, their attention diverted, until Yuan Yang, like a prosecutor, suddenly brought it back into focus, saying, "Do not forget that the MU LAN of this empire broke the Xiaoqi military code of loyalty. Treason cannot be overlooked and must be punished by execution."
Yuan Che, standing again like a lawyer, responded, "I, Yuan Che, have not forgotten the provision for pardon under the subject of treason."
"Chu Qiao, the MU LAN of the empire, may have joined the Rebel Prince Yan Xun and stayed by his side. But do not forget that the Yuwen household commissioned her as a secret agent to protect our Empire. The last time I checked, Yuwen Yue, the heir to the Eyes of God, along with his bodyguard Yue Qi, and through her influence in the Xuili army, fought to save him at the frozen lake, though they ultimately perished."
"If anyone here doubts her valor and loyalty, I, Yuan Che, open the floor for anyone to step forward and execute her now."
Yuan Che's voice trembled with emotion, his eyes brimming with tears. He couldn't help but remember Yuwen Yue, and the noble crowd, equally moved, shared in his grief. Although Yuwen Yue's name had long been forbidden, the memory of the brave young general and lost heir of the Eyes of God lingered in their hearts. They remembered him not as the man who died fighting for a maidservant but as a symbol of honor and sacrifice.
The Wei Emperor, hiding his satisfaction, felt proud of how everything was unfolding. He knew that this would infuriate the Rebel Prince Yan Xun, who would be unable to recover from the emotional blow.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed throughout the hall. Yuwen Huai, the former Supreme Court Official, grand and powerful, approached the stage and looked directly at Chu Qiao. He untied her neck from the pole, released her hands, and removed her blindfold. The crowd gasped in astonishment at her beauty, her face radiating like a light in the darkness of their hearts.
Chu Qiao looked at the beautiful crowd, though she loathed them in her heart. She had heard everything, and her memories began flooding back. But strangely, she did not feel they all belonged to her. Much like her first encounter with Yan Xun, many of her memories resurfaced, but she couldn't react as she once had. There was still a missing piece in her mind.
As she stood there, the mention of Yuwen Yue's name haunted her. She had been searching for answers about the frozen lake, about the Rebel Prince, but what troubled her most was the Wei Emperor's tale of a love affair between her and the 13th Prince, Yuan Song.
She couldn't believe it and continued to question herself. Were they truly lovers?
The Wei Emperor, meanwhile, continued to manipulate events, his methods like a mousetrap closing in on Yan Xun. The Rebel Prince, despite his power and might, maintained a cold facade, trying to protect his Tiger General. But the situation was now out of his control. The emperor simply awaited the full recovery of the 13th Prince, after which the selection of the Crown Princess would begin.
What could be more painful than seeing the beautiful General end up in the Yuan throne's bed rather than the Yan throne? A mortal enemy might never recover from such a blow.
Connect to Chapter 46: Marriage in Crises and an Engagement not engaged
Look back at Chapter 42: Tributary Hunt
No comments:
Post a Comment