30 30: A Mournful Drink (1/2)
A few days after the Shanhe rulers' death, Joaolong spent the day in the study, hoping to find solace in knowledge. The stuffiness in his room only dampened his spirits, reminding him of the happiness drained from the world. The empress was gone. The sweetest person that lived had been taken. It felt unfair. The gods already took his parents. Why her too? At this rate, Joaolong would be all alone. Maybe he was cursed. After all, apparently it was an ally who killed the empress. Joaolong still couldn't imagine Jiang doing such a thing. It felt impossible to believe.
”Nothing in this one,” Disung announced and chucked the scroll on the table where Joaolong sat. The sudden movement made the candlelight flicker.
”Try another,” Joaolong snapped. The anger was misguided but Disung forgave him, attempting a half-smile before picking up another scroll. At least he isn't still attempting dirty jokes about red, puffy eyes, Joaolong reminded himself. It could be worse.
Yet, it felt like they hit rock-bottom; innocent died, enemies thrived from their absence and they were no closer to discovering the Fox's intentions. Since the hunt, Joaolong invested his time into Cheng's history, trying to source some secrets or intent to harm. Nothing came from it. Anyone Disung investigated which were involved with Cheng's past had either died or knew him as another face in the crowd. It seemed suspicious not a single person acknowledged him from before role in the palace, apart from Qiaolian who was just as secretive. Then, the Zhao family history lacked information. How did a man with little history or commendable family name gain such a worthy position in Shanhe? He never won the hunt or aced studies. It seemed impossible. Is this why the Fox warned me? No one answered the question.
This left Joaolong to be reminded of Jiang. In the morning, he heard the cheers for her beheading from the palace. He refused to attend. The image of her head rolling on the ground made him want to cry. She was family. Despite everything, he found himself still caring.
”Let's wander around and maybe steal some wine,” Disung suggested, noticing Joaolong's darkenening expression. ”Drink our sorrows away just like in the old days.”
Joaolong nodded and left without a word. The cool night breeze felt soothing. The faint scent of rich, earthy incense drifted in the air, carrying the message another generation of rulers had fallen. For awhile, the men wandered aimlessly around the palace, lost in thoughts they wished to escape. The constant ache in Joaolong's chest was almost unbareable but if he lost control, a sea of mournful tears would fall from his eyes. The enemies could never see this weakened state and he needed to keep his emotions hidden. Just like he had done for the past few days.
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”Stay still. Pretend to admire the scenery,” Disung whispered suddenly, slicing the silence between them. Immediately, his body turned rigid and stoic. It was ridiculous how quickly he adapted to his role. Joaolong remembered the first time this change happened.
Disung ushered Joaolong inside his room, continuing to appear oblivious and carefree in the night as he did guard duty. Joaolong hid against the wall, behind pots and plants. Outside, grunts, clashes of swords and thuds filled the air. Then, the world fell silent. Joaolong heard his heartbeat loudly in his chest. Someone approached. He tensed.
”Miss me?” Disung grinned.
Outside, they inspected the bloody mess of assassins. Apparently five had attacked. Joaolong looked at Disung, who stood under the full moon, red and viscious as a deity of doom.
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The beast had returned. He crept towards the kitchen area of the palace just as a dark figure swung themselves into the building. There was a slight gasp from an unsuspecting servant but apart from that, Joaolong heard nothing else. The person was well-trained for this.
Disung and Joaolong stared at each other in the darkness. They both waited, holding their breath while their minds synchronised to the same possibility; the Fox had returned. It almost seemed too easy to capture him. It wasn't rational the assassin was lurking this early in the night around the kitchen area but still, Joaolong felt his heartbeat race. Suddenly, Disung acted.
Smash!