Foxes Among Wolves - Chapter 12 The Empresss Secre

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 wrote a 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.

The table was already set an as Joaolong sat, tea was poured and nectar offered to sweeten the taste. Yenay enjoyed fussing over him like a grandparent dotes on their grandchild. In this light, the empress’s name suited her; ‘she who loves’. Their distant and likely falsified bloodline did not matter to her. She treated Joaolong like a son and so, he returned her affections with a warm smile. Without her, he would already be dead in a failing field of rice.

“How is Liu Disung?” She asked.

“Same as always. Reckless. Stubborn. Determined.”

“As long as he is well,” she replied. “How is your health? I got notice that you were ill.”

“Summer is better than winter but spring is the silent killer. There is too much pollen in the air and I was fortunate to only have symptoms for a few days,” Joaolong explained. “Why did you really want to speak with me? It is late and not an appropriate time.”

Yenay chuckled to herself. “You can read me like an open book. You are aware of the hunt that will commence shortly.”

The hunt was an annual tradition, all men from any status participating to win a favour from the emperor. The winner was determined by the grandest kill but it was a dangerous game. Both men and introduced, deadly animals thirsted for blood without consequence.

“I am begging you to participate for my favour to be granted.”

Joaolong remained still except for his brows, which knitted in confusion. “Why would you request this of me, knowing my constant poor health? Choose Liu Disung to grant your favour.”

“It has to be you,” Yenay replied firmly but didn’t elaborate why. “The emperor will stop at nothing to conquer Linlong. If the Linlong royal family is wiped out, he can rule it while the Crowned Prince becomes a minister for Shanhe until it is his time to rule. I believe Hong Huli will not be a great ruler. I also have my doubts about the emperor’s intention. I love him but I can’t love what he does. I need your help.

The empress passed a bundle of cloths to Joaolong who unfolded them cautiously. Inside was a long jade token of a lotus flower, combined with the description of ‘True Prince’. “This is”

“The token of the lost prince,” Yenay stated.

“This was buried with your son. I don’t understand.”

The tragedy of the true prince was common knowledge. The empress, after many miscarriages, finally gave birth to a tiny baby boy. It brought great joy to the kingdom and he was announced to be the heir of Shanhe, despite Huli’s presence, since it was the empress’s child. A few months after this prince’s birth, his life was taken from him. A snake snuck into his crib late at night and bit him, causing the infant to be forever lost in slumber. The whole kingdom cried that day and shared Yenay’s grief. No one was surprised that the motherless empress rejoiced to find a child relative in the countryside that she could adopt.

“You are all I have left and the person I trust most with this secret. There is something inside the jade.”

The jade hid a treasure far more worthy than gold. Joaolong turned the long pendant upside down and a thin stone slid out. It was the exact same material as the scroll revealed the emperor during the war council meeting. On it, words were carved delicately and Joaolong recognised Yenay’s handwriting.

~The Fox has taken my son, the heir of Shanhe, to reach manhood safely after several assassination attempts. On his return, the truth shall be revealed. Wang Yenay.~

“This is a monumental secret,” Joaolong muttered, wrapping his head around everything. “I don’t understand how the hunt favour benefits you.”

“After two and a half decades, the day has come for my son to be revealed and bring peace to Shanhe. I need you, my relative, to win the hunt and request the true heir’s identity to be revealed. Only then, I will say his name aloud and confess his location. This token will be enough proof to the emperor and maybe, my son will rule before the war begins. I beg you to do this for me.”

Joaolong was lost for words, staring at the stone and jade in wonder. The stone was carefully returned into its protective slot inside the beautifully carved jade. Joaolong clasped Yenay’s ageing hand, tenderly stroking her with his thumb. “Focus on your safety before anything else. I will try my best to do this for you, as you have done so much more for me.”

Yenay smiled and tears welled in her eyes. She took her hands from Joaolong and patted his cheek affectionately. They drank their tea for the next hour and talked of life in the palace and memories of Joaolong’s childhood. Finally, near midnight, Yenay retired to rest.

“How is empress?” Disung asked curiously when Joaolong emerged from the room and they were nearly outside.

“Weak,” Joaolong replied simply. “I do not know which I fear more. The emperor’s intentions or empress’s plan.”

“Did the empress suggest I marry a fair maiden? You must be jealous that I will belong to someone else,” Disung boasted, attempting to ease Joaolong’s stress.

“No one wants to marry a savage like you,” Joaolong replied half-heartedly.

“I will have you know that I am popular among the ladies. One whisper that my name is Wang Joaolong and they flock at my feet. Be careful in public from now on. I broke a few hearts with that alias and some maidens will claw your eyes before kissing you again.”

The jest was welcomed. To be ignorant of the true troubles, Joaolong was thankful. Dark clouds were forming overhead and he had to prepare for the players in this game for power. Hesitantly, his fingers brushed against the jade token in his robes. The revealing of a new, true heir would bring great, irreversible change to the Lotus Palace. If the empress believed the change to be good for the kingdom, Joaolong would sacrifice everything for her dream.