A royal messenger scurried through the golden corridors of the palace with good news of Ying-tai’s conquest. As he scurried, his robe dragged behind him, appearing as though it was trying to catch up.
“Good news of Ying-tai’s conquest of Wei!” He announced to The Emperor.
“From Ying-tai? I must call for my family to hear this!” He smiled widely and told his servants to find Xiu Juan and Jiao Long.
Xiu Juan was reading in her room when a servant made it to her chamber and waited for her way in.
“Princess Xiu Juan, a servant is here for you,” the doorman announced.
She stopped what she was doing and slid her papers to the side.
“Let her in,” she said.
The servant made her way in and bowed lowly to her.
“The Emperor asked for you. There has been a message pertaining to Ying-tai and his conquest,” she announced to Xiu Juan.
Xiu Juan’s heart pumped fast. “Ying-tai?” She glowed, “I’ll be on my way.”
The servant left and Xiu Juan quickly gathered herself to leave.
“Come, Luli,” she said and flowed through the doors.
At the grand room, she strolled toward her father holding the envelope containing Ying-tai’s letter. Her smile fainted when she saw Jiao Long.
“Ying-tai said the conquer of Wei was successful. They were able to siege the capital and the emperor surrendered the state to Qin. They will now head to Chu.”
Xiu Juan smiled proudly but Jiao Long’s expression was unchanged.
“That’s wonderful news,” Xiu Juan said. “Ying-tai is defending the glorious reputation of Qin.”
The Emperor bellowed proudly. “He will lead this nation and conquer these vast lands with endless victory! It won’t be long till Qin reigns all corners of the country!”
Xiu Juan kept her smile, not being able to help herself from being happy for Ying-tai’s conquest. Jiao Long only sarcastically grinned and bowed to show approval of The Emperor’s comment.
“Does it say when he will return?” Xiu Juan asked.
The Emperor scanned the paper with his eyes and shook his head and looked at his daughter, “He didn’t say.”
Trying to conceal her disappointment, she moved one side of her lip to force a smile and nodded.
“I don’t understand why you even bother, Xiu Juan,” Jiao Long began. “Clearly, he does not have time to bother with you.”
“Jiao Long,” The Emperor scorned.
“Save yourself from heartache, dear sister, and don’t waste any more time on him. He is a warrior on oath and he will forever put that before you. Nonetheless, I know how men are and what they only seek after. He won’t feel the same way you do.”
“That is enough!” The Emperor glared at him. He pulled himself back and sealed his lip.
Xiu Juan clenched her fists and bit her lips. Then she took a deep breath
“Dear brother,” she began, “First off: unlike some unfortunate people, I would die happy knowing I had the ability to care for someone without expecting anything in return,” she mocked him. Then she pierced her eyes into his, “Second, one should NEVER claim to know what a chivalrous man is when they can’t even measure up to the small things out of the great attributes that the chivalrous man bears. And this I speak of is honesty and loyalty!”
“You!” He slammed his fist down and shot up from his seat. Shirong was there too and was glaring at Xiu Juan.
“Jiao Long! Xiu Juan! This is enough!” The Emperor roared. Jiao Long sunk back into his seat, keeping his eyes on Xiu Juan.
The Emperor sighed, “Whatever happened to you two? You used to get along so well! Jiao Long, Xiu Juan is your only sister. You should not put her down but instead lift her up when she needs support. Xiu Juan, he is your only brother. You need to honor him.”
They both remained glaring at each other.
“Well?” The Emperor slammed his fist down as he shouted at his children.
“Yes,” they both answered, not shifting their stare.
“This meeting is dismissed,” The Emperor declared and dismissed his son and daughter and all of the officials inside the room.
Later in the golden corridors, Jiao Long, walking aside Shirong, confronted Xiu Juan. “What was your intention on pointing that out toward me like that in there?” Jiao Long scorned at Xiu Juan.
“You offend me so, brother,” Xiu Juan glared. “You should never shame a woman like that. I will have you punished the next time you speak down on me.”
“You always cry to father,” he scoffed.
“I’m not reliant on father,” Xiu Juan argued.
“Ooooo. Ying-tai is not here, Xiu Juan. Don’t try to make yourself seem like a big shot. You must remember you are a princess. In the end, you always get the bottom say in everything.” he mocked.
Xiu Juan shook her head. “You may be The Emperor’s son, but you must not let that ease you,” Xiu Juan fiercely looked at her brother and Shirong, strode toward them in poise, and paused beside them. “Fish may be comfortable under its waters but its oblivion is ceaseless to the heron above it,” she advised, not turning her head toward her brother when she spoke. Jiao Long and Shirong turned to her and watched her gracefully shuffle onward; her white and deep emerald green layers of her dress and dark hair dragging behind with Luli following closely by.
Jiao Long was sitting in his room when a servant called him.
“Prince, The Emperor wants to see you,” he informed.
He looked at Shirong then turned to the servant.
“Tell him I’m coming,” he said.
The servant bowed and stepped backwards to his way out.
In The Emperor’s tea room, the door man announced Jiao Long’s arrival. The Emperor allowed him in and Jiao Long walked in and bowed to him.
“Have a seat, son,” The Emperor motioned his hand to the seat in front of him. Jiao Long obeyed and sat down in front of him. They sat by the screen door that led to the bonsai garden. The early spring rain was pouring outside onto the leafless trees. Jiao Long listened to the clinking of the rain against the tiles on the roof while The Emperor poured them tea.
“Why did you call me here, father?” Jiao Long asked.
“Mmmm, can’t I just have a tea session with my son?” The Emperor smiled as he poured the tea.
Jiao Long did not respond.
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“When you left home, my heart was never at rest. Your mother and I always wondered if you were well, if you ate enough, or if you were warm enough in the winter. Now that you’re here, Ying-tai is gone and now my heart is not at rest again.”
He sipped his wine.
“Ah, neither tea nor wine can quench the void you children leave in my heart.”
“I’m sorry. Please know it is not our intent,” Jiao Long stated and took a sip from his cup.
The Emperor took a long look at Jiao Long and put his cup of tea down.
“My time is near, Jiao Long,” The Emperor sighed. “I will not be with you children forever and I need to trust the hands of the person who will lead the future of my nation—a place I made home.”
Jiao Long looked at his father, anticipating his next words.
“You are my son, but lately I feel as though I do not know you,” The Emperor began.
“What do you mean by that, father?” Jiao Long asked.
“When you were little, you were kind. But as you grew, the more you changed. You grew bitter. I thought it might have been because your mother and I sent you away and caused you to be spiteful, but I found that that could not be it. We sent you away so you could learn the ways of a leader. If anything, you should have returned home a greater man.”
“I promise my heart did not change,” Jiao Long insisted.
The Emperor got up and walked to his porch. He stared into the raining sky.
“That is the thing, Jiao Long. It did not grow any larger and that is what Qin needs. In the midst of chaos, they need someone who will comfort them. Someone who will encourage them. I have been watching you, Jiao Long, and you do not have that trait in you. Yes, you are knowledgeable. You do obtain all the knowledge an Emperor needs. But to be my successor, you will need more than that.” He turned to Jiao Long, “You look down on others. You speak to your heart’s content, not caring about the effect it will cause. You are too careless and confident in your status, unaware of what might be lurking outside your walls.”
Jiao Long stood on his knees and bowed his head, “Forgive me father! Please allow me to prove myself to you once more!”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he approached Jiao Long. He bent down to him and spoke in a low voice, “Tell me, son, how you could prove yourself to your country once you have attempted betrayal.”
His voice sent chills down Jiao Long’s spine. He widened his eyes and went numb with fear.
“W-what do you mean, father?” He stammered.
“How foolish do you think I am, Crown Prince Jiao Long of Qin!” The Emperor roared. “I know of your association with Zhao!”
Struck with fear, Jiao Long nailed his head to the floor and cried, “Please forgive me, father! I did not intend to fail Qin! I was doing it out of good purpose!”
“They. Are. Our. ENEMY! This is prohibited! Did you not think I would notice, Jiao Long? I am The Emperor! And as Emperor of Qin, the responsibility of knowing my successor is essential. And you, my son, you failed me!” The Emperor flicked his gold embellished robe and spun his stare away from Jiao Long who was crying on the floor.
“You break my heart,” The Emperor addressed.
“I deserve to be punished,” Jiao Long sniffled.
The Emperor was silent for a long while.
“The name ‘Crown Prince’ will be stripped from you and handed to Ying-tai,” The Emperor announced. “I took him into this household and raised him, therefore essentially making him my son.”
Jiao Long’s heart stopped and he immediately ceased crying.
“Father, please! I promise I will prove myself worthy of Qin to you!” Jiao Long objected.
“Until then, Ying-tai will be Crown Prince,” The Emperor declared. “I trust our nation in his hands and I see it fair as he cares for his country, for you, and your sister.”
“You can’t do this!” Jiao Long protested. “The court will not allow this!”
“I do not fear politics,” The Emperor stated. “I am the law!”
Jiao Long’s blood boiled. He clenched his fist and looked at his father. He pulled out a silver needle from his sleeve. He stood up slowly, walked up to his father and bowed to him.
“I’m sorry father,” he said, “But I cannot allow that to happen.” He pierced the needle into The Emperor’s arm. The Emperor, shocked, quickly retaliated and threw a blow to his son that sent him flying into the air and crashed onto the table. Jiao Long, his hand to his chest, pulled himself up and looked at his father while trembling a little bit.
“Jiao Long!” The Emperor choked. The poison was working fast due to his fast heartbeat.
“Forgive me, your majesty,” Jiao Long said, not showing signs of remorse of what he had done.
The Emperor pulled the long needle out of his arm and observed it. He discovered it was indeed coated with poison.
“What did you do to me?” The Emperor gasped, his eyes full of anger and disappointment. He fell onto the floor.
Jiao Long crawled next to him, “A lethal dosage of The Hemlock’s Kiss,” Jiao Long whispered. “The poison will numb you and soon your lungs will be paralyzed.”
Tears shed from The Emperor’s eyes, unable to say anything from the heavy dosage of poison. He grunted and turned to the door.
“Shh, don’t say anything. The poison will work faster the more you resist,” Jiao Long whispered.
The Emperor stared into the grieving sky and clenched his fists, weeping at the cruelty of his own son. His heart cried out but his lips did not emit a sound. He slowly felt his own breath decline and let go of his life. Jiao Long knelt by him and shut his father’s eyes, not showing any sign of woe.
“Princess! Princess! Princess!”
Xiu Juan awoke early the next morning at the sound of her name being called. There was a lot of commotion outside. She wrapped herself in her long white robe as Luli answered the door. It was a royal servant who served The Emperor. There was horror in her face.
“What is it?” Xiu Juan asked.
The servant broke down, “Princess! The Emperor! He—He—...” She sobbed, unable to finish her announcement.
Xiu Juan’s heart dropped immediately, assuming the worst. She picked up her long gown and burst through the doors. She ran fast to her father’s chamber. She darted through the veranda crossing the gardens, the bridges over the streams of koi fishes, and then she arrived at the golden corridors. When she arrived, she saw imperial officials, advisors, and the elite officials of the Qin army standing with a solemn face. When they heard her arrival, they turned to her and immediately got down on their knee to salute her. Her heart was in her throat, ready to explode. She made her way through the silent golden corridor and then into her father’s door. As she stepped into it, she saw Sir Guozhi mourn by the bed of the still Emperor. He heard her come in and got on his feet. His eyes were welled up with tears.
“Little Princess Xiu Juan,” he managed to say.
Xiu Juan shook her head in disbelief. Sir Guozhi took her hand and led her to her father’s bed.
Still maintaining her composure, she placed her fingers on her father’s neck and desperately tried to find a pulse. “Father,” she called out to him softly. When he didn’t respond, she tried again. And then again, her voice breaking more and more each time. She finally accepted the fact that he was gone and collapsed onto her knees. She wrapped her arms around her father and wept, her gown spreading carelessly over them.
Sir Guozhi placed his hand gently on the shaking shoulders of Xiu Juan. “It was not his time,” Sir Guozhi mourned over his passed friend whom he counseled and fought with in battle for years. “I was supposed to go before him.”
Xiu Juan lifted her head up and caressed her father’s expressionless face and looked at him for a long time. He had aged so much through the years. The silver linings that she hadn’t noticed before were now very visible.
“How did he die?” She asked as she wiped her tears.
The imperial physician responded, “Princess, it’s unexplainable. I presume he died in his sleep. Probably from cardiac arrest.”
“How can that be? He was in good health. He was walking and talking to everyone fine just yesterday,” Xiu Juan wept.
The palace stood in silence. Everyone had their heads lowered to mourn for Qin’s great loss.
Afterwards, royal servants carried The Emperor away and shut the doors to the master chamber. Xiu Juan, eyes swollen, watched as they closed it off and carried her father away. Sir Guozhi walked to her and urged her to go clean up.
“Princess, you must return to your chamber to change.”
Xiu Juan slowly turned away and nodded. Before she walked away she asked Sir Guozhi in a low voice, “What will happen now?”
Sir Guozhi looked at her and sighed, “We will have to appoint someone to take The Emperor’s place: The next person in line for the throne.”
“The Crown Prince? My brother?” Xiu Juan furrowed her brows.
“Yes,” Sir Guozhi nodded.
“We can’t! He is not ready to be Emperor of Qin. This is suicidal!”
“Leaving Qin without an Emperor is suicidal. It will make us vulnerable to the other states. As dreadful as it sounds, Prince Jiao Long will have to do for now.”
Xiu Juan and Sir Guozhi stared at Jiao Long who appeared nonchalant. They observed him and watched how he responded to those who came to console him. He was insincere in his grief.
“I did not get the chance to look at him as I was lost in mourning. Did he not grieve over our father’s death?”
“No. He was rather poised,” Sir Guozhi said.
Xiu Juan turned to Sir Guozhi who was still keeping his eye on him, “You don’t think…”
“Don’t speak out any theories, Princess,” Sir Guozhi softly advised. He turned and looked at her. “You are in vulnerable ground now,” he said. She could see the worry he had for her in his eyes.
“Ying-tai will return home when he learns The Emperor has passed,” Sir Guozhi informed.
“You are going to write to him?” Xiu Juan asked, her heart lightening up a bit.
“The officials will send him one anyway as he has the right to know. I will talk to him then. Until then, we must be patient.”
Xiu Juan nodded and relieved Sir Guozhi from her presence before parting her way to her chamber.