12 The Empresss Secre (1/2)
The emperor was anxious since the Fox's warning. A beard sprouted on his face, untrimmed and messy. Every minute, the man was tensing at every movement, expecting the assassin to return. This paranoia stemmed from the fact that he had no intention to stop his attack on Linlong and so, was risking his life.
A few days after the Fox's appearance, Joaolong was requested to attend a meeting in the main hall. The emperor needed both reassurance and reliance regarding the potentially seen war strategies. Disung accompanied Joaolong to the building, relaying the information of the events that took place the night of the Fox. He looked worse for wear, bruised and walking with a small limp. After he had lost the Fox, he swiftly searched the throne room and collected the wooden planks that the emperor left lying around. These were stashed away and given to Joaolong. The men stayed up for a few nights, constructing the possible conversation and it marginally eased the anger Disung harboured towards his failure. This also provided insight for the emperor's recent request for the nobleman's audience.
”I still find it odd,” Disung confessed aloud as they walked down pathways to the imperial building. ”The Fox purposely left clues about the conversation with the emperor. What is his aim?”
”I believe he wants the matter to be public. Servants would clean the room and read them, gossiping about it to everyone. News will spread that any upcoming war will be started by Hong Weishan, not Linlong.”
”He is cunning. It would put the emperor in a tricky predicament with his people. I still don't understand how Bai Juan is connected to this,” Disung said, recalling the wooden messages. ”Why does the Fox want her?”
”I cannot give you a proper answer.” The men stood outside great, tall doors that hid the main hall. ”Disung, stay near the back of the hall, out of sight. The emperor will be angered to see you again, especially when you have failed to capture the Fox.”
Disung grimaced. ”I am much angrier than him.”
Joaolong entered the main hall gracefully. Inside the throne room, there was no sign of the Fox and the emperor's meetings. The only small difference in decoration was the new banners of the Shanhe emblem – a lotus flower – placed on the door. The emperor was on his centred throne in front of a beautifully painted wall of mountains, rivers, flowers and a hidden water dragon. He sat forward to quietly talk to a beaten eunuch and Cheng. The empress sat on his right in a blue cushioned chair, posed elegantly, wearing a white and blue dress. She looked like a doll and had pretty features that, like wine, got better with age. A huge smile consumed her face upon seeing Joaolong but quickly faded under the imperial concubine's scrutiny.
The imperial concubine sat on the far left of the emperor, her posture stiff and tense. She was undeniably attractive, a sensual atmosphere constantly floating around her. Dark rouge robes hugged her petite figure, managing to display her curves in spite of the layers of material. Her hairstyle was similar to the empress, tied completely up to represent their noble rank, and adorned with silver hairpins. The concubine, however, had more glamorous jewellery than the empress, which matched her flashy personality.
The prince sat between the concubine and the emperor. His build was not as stocky as his father and most traits were similar to his mother; his face was slim and pale, mostly containing sharp features. It was surprising he was in the palace since he was sent away months ago to train with the royal army in the valley. The prince was renowned to have a secret talent at swordsmanship that would give Shanhe pride and security in the future. This fortune of greatness originated from a prediction based on the startling eye colour; Huli's left iris was a warm honey colour, while his right was a cold russet.
Joaolong took his rightful seat and calmly listened to the meeting. The first half of the meeting was unproductive, many councillors expressing their shock at the Fox's visit and cooing their concern to the emperor. The wooden planks made by the Fox were never mentioned and the emperor told the story from his bias perspective.
”Master Wang Joaolong!” Weishan beckoned and Joaolong walked passed all the seated council members and kneeled before the emperor at the end of the narrow, navy blue carpet. ”I seek your guidance on this matter.”
”Please specify your needs.”
”News of the Fox may reach Linlong royalty. If they learn about the Fox's visit, false assumptions may be made about a war and they could attack.”
It was not the Fox that would inform them. Already, Joaolong wrotea secret letter to an ally in the other kingdom and it would be burning in their fireplace while this meeting went on. ”We must give them a reason to put trust in Shanhe. I suggest we solve this with marriage between heirs.”
Noise erupted from the councillors. Yenay interfered in a soothing tone. ”Let him speak. It is best to have a shield and a sword rather than two daggers.”
Joaolong elaborated his points. ”I have been considering this for a while. To maintain peace, we unite the kingdoms together and potentially, slowly merge the kingdoms as one as you've intended. I suggest that a marriage be arranged between the eldest Princess of Linlong and Prince of Shanhe. We can contact Linlong to suggest this before someone else takes the lady as their wife.”
There was a chorus of gasps and the concubine's eyes bulged, barely held in their sockets. At a rapid pace, her face turned an unflattering shade of violet. ”What treachery do you speak of? You are throwing the Crowned Prince to the enemy!”
”It would be an offering from both kingdoms to form a treaty,” Joaolong explained steadily in a raised voice.
”That is preposterous,” Huli argued. ”Nothing good will come of it. Linlong won't increase the supply of produce over a wedding. Father!”
Joaolong inwardly sighed, already expecting the emperor's answer. ”Please consider it, your majesty.”
Of course, the emperor did not such thing. ”We will not wed the Crowned Prince to outsiders. His marriage for the empress position has already been predetermined.”
”If you do not wish this and suspect a war, then we must prepare to battle as soon as able. Allow Linlong to attack first and by expecting it, we counterattack with great success. Details should be discussed at the war meeting.”
Any quiet, mumbled discussions were stopped by the emperor's smile. This was more agreeable with most of the court. ”Excellent. Master Zhao?”
”I believe more discussion is needed with other councillors in private,” Cheng replied. He wore green and bronze clothing, along with a matching dongott that hand strands of woven leather, representing his close relationship with the emperor as an advisor.
”Are there any men that wish to speak?” Everyone remained on their knees. ”Master Wang, councilmen, you are all dismissed unless requested.”
Joaolong bowed and left the room silently, giving the empress a quick glance. Later, he indeed was called upon but not by the emperor. It was a few hours into the night when Jiang knocked on Joaolong's door to request he have tea with the empress, before disappearing to the servant area. Under Disung's protection, they snuck around the palace to visit the empress in her private room. Although it was not unusual for relatives to visit each other, the relationship between Yenay and Qiaolian was complicated. The concubine could turn a simple greeting into a plot to overthrow the emperor. It was this trait that gave her power and any meetings became a secret for the sake of their lives.
”Rise. There is no need for formalities,” Yenay said when Joaolong and Disung bowed.