Vol 2 Chapter 20 (1/2)

Chapter 36: Death Trap

For the empty Prime Minister position left by Li Cai’s suicide, every faction works hard to push for their own candidate. Huo Qu Bing continues his usual stance at court of being cold and uninvolved. He goes to train the soldiers, play football, hunting, and making merry. In the football field, Crown Prince Liu Ju becomes a regular partic.i.p.ant. Huo Qu Bing even takes Liu Ju out hunting, the two cousins not following court protocol and going into the mountains without any servants or guards. They are gone for three days and return bearing lots of animals.

Because the Crown Prince was gone for three entire days, the normally gentle Empress Wei is furious. Liu Ju kneels before his elders and asks forgiveness. He puts the entire blame on himself and tries to say Huo Qu Bing had nothing to do with it. Empress Wei sighs “Both of you cousins need to be punished!” Turns out Liu Che shakes his head and says “Forget it! Forget it! Qu Bing’s wild personality isn’t new. The first time he went into battle he took eight hundred soldiers and attacked a Xiong Nu army base. We should be relieved that he didn’t take Ju Er on a trip to Xi Yu.”

Qu Bing not following rules and doing what he wants is nothing new. What is new is how close he and Liu Che are becoming. When Fall arrives, Liu Che decides that the Crown Prince’s tutor shall be the next Prime Minister. After the suicide of Li Guang, the battle against the Wei family finally comes to an end, with the Wei family netting a major victory.

I’ve never spoken with the Crown Prince, and my impression of him remains from the gossip in court. His personality is very different than Liu Che, and more like Wei Qing and Wei Zhi Fu. Even though he is the Crown Prince, he is very polite and solicitous to everyone. He understands the suffering of the common people, and takes a very different perspective than the military-minded Liu Che.

The Crown Prince’s behavior this time really stunned me. He knows Huo Qu Bing’s intentions and agreed to go out hunting with him. Based on his usual reserved and cautious personality, everyone will know this was Qu Bing’s idea. But he took all the blame and kept insisting it was his fault. This makes Huo Qu Bing look even more culpable, and everyone will praise the Crown Prince for being so generous and kind.

“Qu Bing, the Crown Prince is still young but he’s so calculating already.” Qu Bing smiled wanly “In his position, being calculating isn’t a bad thing. Don’t blame him. If he didn’t have some deviousness, then we ought to worry he won’t be able to handle things later.”

Even though Qu Bing said this, I can see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes. I feel hurt and frustration for him. He is doing everything to help them, but they still don’t trust him completely. They want him to work for them, but they also continue to find ways to chip at his power and influence in court in any way possible.

I want to change the subject so I stick my tongue out at him and then pout “If you want to be a scapegoat then fine with me! But……” I walk up to him and tug on his arm “You have to take me out hunting. I hear the Emperor has invited all hundreds of ministers and officials to Gan Quan Palace (his Summer retreat) to hunt. Take me……”

He immediately said “No!” I shake his arm and keep pleading, but he walks away and refuses to look at me “I’m off to the army base, let’s discuss when I get back.” I ignore his escape tactic and stick by his side, shaking his arm non stop. He pleads with me “Yu Er, later when I have time, I’ll take you to the mountains for a few days of fun. Why go with them? It’s a hunt but really it’s just more political arrows and slings. You won’t have fun.”

I humph “When you have time? When do you have any free time these days? You claim to be busy with important business, or maybe even unimportant business. Playing football and hunting, all you do is play. Everything you do has an ulterior motive, so you’re just exhausted inside. I can tell you don’t have much free time and don’t expect you to take me out to play. So take me now! Take me…..”

As we walked, all the maids saw me whining to Qu Bing and they all lower their heads and look away. Qu Bing sighed “You’ve become so shameless now!” I was staring at him this entire time so I didn’t notice our surroundings. With his reminder, I felt a bit embarrased but I didn’t want to concede defeat “I learned it all from the Great General Huo! Since they’ve seen even more intimate moments, why do I have to worry about? Take me! Take me please…………” I continue chanting the same spell.

He finally couldn’t handle it anymore and turned to look at me. Initially his eyes were very sure but once he saw my expression, he gave a long sigh and shook his head dejectedly “Fine! Stop giving me the pitiful whining look. I’ll take you.”

I burst into a brilliant smile while he smiled in defeat. But once he saw how happy I was, he turned happy as well. He reached out and lightly pinched my cheeks “No wonder Meng Jiu does whatever you want and can never say no to you…….”

I don’t know if my smile stayed the same, but his immediately disappeared. He realized what he said unconsciously, joking about me and Jiu Ye, so he swallowed the rest of what he was going to say. He changed the subject casually “This is fine, go back now.” I see we are at the front door of the estate so I nod.

My eyes see him off before my face finally crumbles. I owe Jiu Ye so much, and the only thing he wants is the one thing I cannot give him in this lifetime. So all I can do is live happily like he wanted for me. Then maybe he will feel some comfort. But then what kind of comfort could that be? I raise my head to look at the blue sky. Are there really G.o.ds who live up there? Then I beg you to please let Jiu Ye forget me, to give him true happiness.

We were on the carriage out of Chang An headed for Gan Quan Palace, but Huo Qu Bing still couldn’t understand why I insisted on coming for the hunt. He knows I hate gathering with n.o.bles and courtiers. And this hunt will be all such n.o.bles and courtiers. Crown Prince Liu Ju, the three princes, Great General Wei, Gong Xun He, Li Gan, Li Guang Li, Zhao Puo Nu….. A bunch of new and old n.o.bles, all the important ministers in the court. With so many people there, the security is sure to be tight.

It appears like a hunt, but it could turn into a monumental political moment at the blink of an eye. Who knows which faction is hunting the other at this banquet. I don’t want to stay in Chang An worrying, I just want to stay by his side. Even if I can’t help, at least if anything happened we would be together.

When Liu Che saw me, he pointed at Huo Qu Bing and shook his head with a smile. Huo Qu Bing saw Li Yan standing behind Liu Che and also smiled “Your servant I once again have the same idea as Your majesty.”

Liu Che laughed “The same idea is good. With you blocking for me, those folks can’t annoy me and claim that I’m a ruler who is mired in womanly wiles and can’t rule. Who says a proud and true man can’t have his emotional safe harbor. Living such a life is the true measure of a man.” Huo Qu Bing and Liu Che toasted each other after that little speech. The relations.h.i.+p between them resembled that of warriors living by the creed of honor, rather than an Emperor and his subject.

No wonder Liu Che favors Huo Qu Bing. Deep down they share a lot of similarities, with very proud and pa.s.sionate personalities, but neither adheres to the rules and restrictions. But in another way they are nothing alike. One seeks power and the other eschews it. And this is yet another reason Liu Che trust Huo Qu Bing. Li Yan wasn’t very well and she rested in the carriage in a very tired way. She must not be doing well these days, plus her health was never very good. With her inner worries, no wonder she’s constantly sick. Seems like Liu Che specifically took her out of the Palace to cheer her up.

Liu Che truly adores Li Yan like no other in his harem. Coming out to hunt, he doesn’t care about the inconvenience and still wants to bring along a Li Yan who probably would topple over if a gust of wind hit her.

Gan Quan Palace is located on Gan Quan Mountain, hidden deep in the woods with rocky formations, streams, and an unending spectacular view. Qu Bing has been here with Wei Qing and the Emperor since when he was a kid so he’s intimately familiar with this place. As we entered the mountain, he pointed to every place and told me all about it.

Finally he just led me away from the entire procession, not even taking the horses, and we ended up walking hand-in-hand through the woods. We don’t know when the others arrived at the Palace, but we played the entire way up so it was dark by the time we arrived at Gan Quan Palace.

We still didn’t take the major road and instead continued to amble up across the little streams and over the rocks. Between an outcropping of rocks we could vaguely see two people standing there. We both have above average eye sight, and with even a little moonlight, we immediately know who it is.

I was momentarily stunned but then I composed myself, whereas Qu Bing was shocked beyond belief and he immediately stopped and in his eyes was pure disbelief. It was impossible to tell if this was a chance encounter or one of Li Yan’s specially orchestrated “encounters”. We see Li Gan kneeling and bowing before Li Yan and wis.h.i.+ng her well. Li Yan reached out her hand to tell him to rise, and the moment Li Gan rose he reached out and grabbed her fingertips.

Li Yan was likely as taken aback by Li Gan’s gesture as we both were. Her face was shock and her body shook, and in her eyes there were unshed tears. The normally smart and alert Li Yan turned into a rock and didn’t immediately pull her hand back. She just stood there staring dumbly at Li Gan. Li Gan raised his head and looked directly at Li Yan. Their eyes met and he appeared to shock himself out of his stupor and he immediately released her fingers and took a few steps back.

Even though it was mere seconds, so short I wondered if I was seeing things, and it was just three fingers and Li Gan probably didn’t even feel the warmth from Li Yan’s hand, but the explosion of hidden emotion between them was stunning to see. It wasn’t clear if Li Yan was planning on saying anything to Li Gan, but right now she just said nothing and rushed away from Li Gan. She was moving so fast that neither Huo Qu Bing nor I could hide ourselves and she saw us.

She immediately stopped and looked at us with her face ashen. Li Gan also saw us and immediately rushed in front of Li Yan as if we were ferocious beasts ready to harm her. But then he realized that we could be even more dangerous than ferocious beasts. Li Gan’s eyes were sharp and cold and his hands clenched into fists. Huo Qu Bing stopped looking so shocked and he pulled me behind him to s.h.i.+eld me “Third brother Li, are you planning to get rid of the eyewitnesses?”

Li Yan laughed and walked out from behind Li Gan ” Our fates are not what the General cares about, but the life of your precious son surely will be.” I reply “I don’t know why you are all acting so strange. When Qu Bing and I came over all we saw was your highness running over. Before we could greet you, we saw Lord Li running over.” Li Yan smiled “I’m tired and best be off to rest.”

As she walked past me, I said “I never intended to use this for anything, otherwise why wait until today. It’s not out of fear, it’s out of sympathy.” Li Yan disappeared into the night, but her normally straight back appeared bowed, as if she couldn’t stand the pressure. Li Gan coldly shot us a look before also departing.

Huo Qu Bing stared at me with a raised eyebrow and I make a surrender gesture and said I would tell him everything. I only tell him about Li Gan finding the handkerchief, me giving it to Li Yan, and the reason Li Gan tried to shoot me with an arrow many years ago. I don’t say anything about me burning the first handkerchief and then handing a duplicate one to Li Yan later. It’s not that I want to conceal this from him, I just don’t know how to talk about that time without my feelings back then, and I worry how that would make him feel to hear it.

When I finish the story we walk back to our room. He didn’t say anything and just laid there on the pallet watching me get ready for bed. Many times I want to say something but he doesn’t respond. I finally fall silent, and the room descends into an oppressive silence. I look at the him in the mirror and my hearts hurts more and more. I bite my lip and want to say something when he suddenly gets up and walks behind me. He sits down and picks up a brush and starts to brush my hair.

“Qu Bing, I……”

“No need to explain. Those things you did for Meng Jie back then were not wrong, that is your personality. I like you because of who you are. I can only say that I am luckier than Meng Jiu, and in the future all of what you do will be for me.” He pulled me into his embrace and said all this softly.

Despite his tender and sincere tone, I can see his face in the mirror with a devilish glint in his eyes. I push him off me and hit him “You did it on purpose! You pretended to be upset, to care, all to scare me! You’re so petty!”

He laughed and easy dodged me. One hand grabbed my arm while the other snaked around my waist. The two of us fell on the rug “Back then you led me on a merry chase, scaring you a little right now is nothing compared to what you put me through.”

His laughter and mine fill the entire room.

…………………………………………………….

For the next two days, I am like a puppy following behind Huo Qu Bing. When it comes to hunting I’m as good as the men, maybe even better. But now is not the time for me to show my hunting prowess, I just need to show that I’m not a burden tagging along with Huo Qu Bing.

But I have a bad habit. When I see a prey, I always forget to use my bow and arrow. My instinct is to rush it and Huo Qu Bing almost laughs himself to death as he reminds me “Yu Er, you have a bow and arrow on your back you can use. Don’t be like a wolf rus.h.i.+ng it with your claws and teeth.” I give him a sidelong glance and he quickly adds “Your claws and teeth look is cute, I really like seeing it.”

Humph! His smiling is all lopsided, who would believe him! From across the mountain I hear loud yells of “A herd of deer!” I immediately clap and shout “Deer meat!” Huo Qu Bing rushed forward “What a great catch. Watch your hubby’s skill, I promise you’ll eat your fill tonight.”

It really was a herd of deer numbering in the thousands, all running through the mountains, the sunlight glistening off their horns. I look at the herd with confusion. Deer herds are never this big, so how did so many deer happen to gather together in one place?

I turn around and see Gong Xun Aou standing next to Huo Qu Bing. I don’t know what he said but Huo Qu Bing’s face turned dark and he looked furious. Gong Xun Aou nodded to me and then said “General wanted to keep this quiet. I only learned about it yesterday night when I heard the General’s personal servant discussing it. Now that you know, keep in under wraps for now and continue to enjoy the hunt.”

I ask “What’s going on?” Huo Qu Bing pointed an arrow towards the deer herd “Li Gan hit my uncle” and his arrow hit a deer directly in the neck. “What, he….” I don’t know what to say. How could Li Gan be so rash and strike Wei Qing?

Wei Qing is very special to Huo Qu Bing, who grew up without his father and back then Wei Qing didn’t have any children yet. The first time Huo Qu Bing got on a horse, Wei Qing put him on. The first time he held a bow and arrow, Wei Qing held his hands. The first story Qu Bing heard was his uncle’s battle against the Xiong Nu. Qu Bing’s lifelong dreams were cemented because of his adulation of his uncle. Even though now it appeared they are at political odds, but no one could take Wei Qing’s position in Huo Qu Bing’s heart. Li Gan hitting Wei Qing is worse than if he hit Huo Qu Bing directly.

“Didn’t you want to eat deer meat? Let’s hurry otherwise all the deer will have left.” Huo Qu Bing rushed towards the canyon and Gong Xun Aou followed. I can see him restraining his anger so I don’t want to discuss it now and let it go, following them down into the canyon.