Before the sun rose the next morning, Xiu Juan went into the room of her maids and nudged Guang awake. “Remember yesterday you asked why I was dressed like this and I asked you if you could keep a secret?”

Guang’s eyes became widely awake and she nodded excitedly.

“Get dressed and follow me. I’m going to need some of your help,” Xiu Juan whispered to all of the five girls.

As they got dressed, Xiu Juan waited.

“Don’t dress too nice. Where we’re going doesn’t require that,” Xiu Juan informed.

They looked at her, confused.

“Where are we going?” Fan asked.

Xiu Juan smiled proudly at them, “To the village.”

Their mouths dropped and they jumped excitedly and frantically got dressed.

“We have to be quiet about it though, okay?” Xiu Juan placed her finger to her lips. “And there’s one rule, you must not address me as your Empress.” They sealed their lips shut and didn’t ask any questions. They huddled next to her and they slipped into the quiet hallway and tiptoed their way out.

“Now, tell me, where is the ice room?” Xiu Juan asked quietly.

“The ice room?” Yue repeated.

“Yes,” Xiu Juan nodded.

“The south wing of the palace,” Ting reported.

“Okay, lead us,” Xiu Juan said. She didn’t quite know where the south wing was from her standing point. Bo and Luli met them on the other side of the hallway and Xiu Juan ordered them to meet her at the south wing with the horses and wagon that was used to transport ice during the harvesting season.

While Ting led them, Liu asked, “Why do we need to go there?”

“You’ll see,” Xiu Juan said, her eyes forward.

When Ting opened the heavy doors of the ice room, a mist immediately oozed through and greeted them. The coolness seeped through Xiu Juan’s clothes and sent a chill through her back.

“It’s cold,” Xiu Juan liked the feeling. She waved her hand at Bo and Luli who soon arrived and they entered the ice room. Luli shivered while Bo embraced the cool air.

Xiu Juan looked at the ice blocks and was impressed at how the Zhao harvested them.

“The eight of us will be in pairs to help carry the blocks into the wagon. We need to hurry,” Xiu Juan ordered.

With enough blocks of ice inside the wagon, Bo closed it shut and placed a sheet over it.

“Just say you’re doing a delivery for me and they’ll let you pass,” Xiu Juan told him. “We’ll meet you on the other side.”

Bo nodded and yanked the reins of his horse and rode first through the gates of the palace.

With the sun rising and their shadows beginning to show on the ground, Xiu Juan led the girls through the secret path to outside of the palace. Outside, there were horses waiting for them and they mounted on and rode down the mountain.

At the village, Bo had already arrived at Ms Lin’s and they waved when they saw Xiu Juan and the girls arrive.

“So what was your plan with the ice?” Bo asked.

“I wanted to make some cold treats for the people,” Xiu Juan revealed. “Chilled drinks, maybe?” She went to the back of the wagon to open it and looked inside. On the bottom, she noticed white dust and touched it. It melted as soon as it met her fingers.

“Bo, give me your dagger,” she turned to him. He was puzzled but handed it to her anyway. She shaved the surface of the ice and the pieces flaked off. She remembered the wonderful fruit syrup she had the day before and it gave her an idea.

“We can shave the ice and pour fruit syrup on top of it. It will be like a drink and a sweet snack all in one,” Xiu Juan presented her idea.

“Shaved ice?” Ms Lin tilted her head, intrigued.

“Yes!” Xiu Juan smiled.

“We’ll have to go to the market to buy some syrup,” Luli said. “We could go quickly to get some while you guys get things ready and keep the ice cool!”

“Yes, and please hurry back,” Xiu Juan agreed with the plan.

Near that afternoon, Jinhai trained inside the sparring room while his men watched and trained alongside him. Ngo Kwang and the concubines came to visit him towards the end—as usual—and gaped at him. When he completed his training, Ngo Kwang approached him with her tea cup. When he saw her, he had his eyes on the bandage that was wrapped around her wrist that he struck when they were so-called sparring.

“How’s your wrist?” He asked as he took a small sip of her tea.

She clutched it close to her chest, “Still trying to get better. Thank you for being concerned.”

He knew that she was lying. The move he used on her was only to numb the nerves of an opponent to falter them momentarily, not to harm them. It shouldn’t be hurting at all. Instead, he only smiled lightly and apologized, “I’m sorry. I hope you heal quickly.” He drank a little more of the tea to be polite and handed it back. “Thank you for the tea,” he said. Ngo Kwang handed it to the maid by her and followed him to his study while the other concubines walked behind.

When Jinhai slid his doors open, he was surprised at the sight of his table finally being accompanied with a tea kettle. Thinking it was probably Dandan who dropped it off, he proceeded straight to his desk after he opened the paper screen doors leading to the garden to let the breeze in.

“What is this?” Ngo Kwang asked. There was a small white folded paper by the kettle. Ngo Kwang bent down and proceeded to pick it up but Jinhai fanned it up toward him with his sleeve and gently caught it in his hand. Ngo Kwang was startled at how he moved to her side in such a quick amount of time and with such silent steps.

The moment he fanned the piece of paper up, Jinhai smelled a familiar pleasant scent. The fragrance of plum blossoms told him exactly who it was that placed the paper and the kettle on his table. He unfolded the delicate paper and read the handwriting:

By the time you see this kettle, the contents in it will already be cold.

However, it will be a warmer day today so it wouldn’t matter anyway, would it?

Enjoy the tea. Or the look of your table finally having a kettle sitting on top of it

once again. Your choice.

Xiu Juan

Xiu Juan had delivered the tea early that morning before she left. Jinhai smiled at the letter and folded it back. He placed it in his sleeve and continued on to his desk.

“What was it?” Ngo Kwang asked him, curious of the rare expression of warmth in his eyes.

He didn’t respond to her.

She looked down at the kettle and felt it with the back of her hand. “You don’t even like cold tea. I’ll toss it and tell them to get you a new one.”

“Leave it,” he said, not even looking up from his books.

Ngo Kwang stopped and stared at him. “Why? You never drink cold tea.” She left the kettle alone and stood by the opened screen doors to light her pipe.

Jinhai listened to the concubines stirring and talking loudly, and playing mahjong outside in the garden of his study.

“You don’t have any place to be at today?” Jinhai looked up.

Ngo Kwang turned around and looked at him. She faced outside again, puffed her smoke, and then spoke, “I’ve got no plans for this god forsaken hot day. I cannot stand this heat. I do not know how peasants deal with it out there every day.”

Jinhai paused his reading.

“But I guess when you’re built for something, you’re built for it.” She puffed her smoke. “And when you’re lucky, you’re just lucky,” she smiled at herself.

“A bird may fly over trenches, but wise is the man who builds bridges,” Jinhai commented, putting his book down.

Ngo Kwang stopped smoking. “A man who builds bridges?” Ngo Kwang repeated.

“Luck can only go as far as you let yourself see it,” Jinhai explained. “Do not mock a working man who builds himself opportunities just so he can live another day.”

Ngo Kwang and the concubines kept their eyes on him as he stood up.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone,” he told them.

“Of course,” the concubines bowed.

Ngo Kwang just glared at him and when all of the ladies left the room, she left after them, leaving Jinhai to himself. When she shut the door behind her, Jinhai walked to the table where Xiu Juan’s kettle sat and lowered himself down to the table. He poured himself a cup and let the cold liquid pass through his lips. It was smooth and the aftertaste was superb. It was even sweet. His eyes grew big at the pleasant flavors and stared at the liquid in his cup, surprised of the taste. He continued to pour himself one cup after another and meditated in his study, enjoying the tranquility and the view of the wavering willows in the garden outside.

Meanwhile, Xiu Juan with her sun hat over her head, and everyone else that came with her stood by the pier to share the shaved ice with everyone who came by. The new creation was wiping the village like a wild storm and even the city folks who heard of the discovery came by to taste it. Of course, though, the children were the most excited by the treat. Because word was spreading so quickly, it got to the palace. Curious, a few men from the palace were sent to see what the big deal was among the people and return with information.

This peaked Hui Zhong’s interest and he headed to the pier himself. When he got there, the civilians moved to the side and lowered their heads to him. As he neared the shaved ice stand, he recognized Xiu Juan, Luli, Bo, and the five maids from the palace who were having their happy moment with their families. When the five girls saw him, they quickly got on their knees and bowed. After Hui Zhong passed them and made his way to Xiu Juan, they kept a close watch on him.

Sensing a familiar aura Xiu Juan didn’t like, she paused from what she was doing and listened to the footsteps come close to her.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“So this is what you’ve been up to,” the familiar low, soul trembling voice spoke.

She turned to the voice and found Hui Zhong standing in front of her with six elite soldiers behind him.

“Empress,” he addressed her loud and clear.

As Xiu Juan’s eyes grew wide and her chest heaved at the exposure of her identity, she watched every person gasp and turn their big eyes to her. Ms Lin and Mei trembled and lowered their heads from her with everyone else and stuck their eyes onto the ground. Xiu Juan shot her piercing eyes at Hui Zhong who interrupted her and the people’s merry moment.

Hui Zhong ignored her displeasure in him and continued, “I was right to say I have to always keep an eye on you. Stealing ice from the palace and bringing it here? Empress, you are really something.”

“I’m only offering them a small gift in this unforgiving heat. These people deserve it,” Xiu Juan interjected.

“Does the Emperor know?” Hui Zhong questioned.

Xiu Juan did not respond.

Hui Zhong walked up to the load of ice. He turned to Xiu Juan. “Don’t think just because you are the Empress of Zhao punishment pardons you,” he warned. He turned his hawk eyes to the peasants and the children. “And for them to take part in it, they will also receive a penalty.”

Xiu Juan quickly spoke up, “This was my idea. They had no idea or part in anything.” She stepped closer to Hui Zhong and stood tall. “You will not touch these people. If you must pursue punishment for the sake of example, you will only inflict it upon me,” she demanded.

Unable to argue with the Empress, Hui Zhong frowned and exhaled heavily. “We will see what the Emperor has to say about this,” he said as he spun away from her while his men marched from behind. “See you at the palace, your highness,” he bowed his head as he walked away.

Everyone raised their heads when Hui Zhong was gone from their view. They looked at Xiu Juan who had her eyes lowered.

“I’m sorry I lied to you,” she said softly. “I’m sorry I almost got you in trouble.” She placed her wet towel down and turned her face away. “What you must think of me.”

“You’re the Empress that came from Qin?” A lady asked.

“Qin?” People started to tremble. “They are our enemy! Fearful people, they are!”

“How did we get an Empress from Qin?” They shuddered.

Xiu Juan shut her eyes. The people that she was once friends with now feared her.

Ms Lin and Mei watched her then fell onto her knees. The children who followed her daily and sang songs with her copied Ms Lin and Mei’s gesture.

“You are Xiu Juan: Merciful, compassionate, and strong willed! That’s what I think of you and I am proud to say that you are my Empress!” Ms Lin proclaimed.

“Yes!” The children agreed. “How did we not know our friend was no one other than our dear Empress!”

Everyone else thought for a moment then they also got on their knees. Xiu Juan turned around and placed her eyes unto them.

“Empress!” They all addressed her as they bowed. “You guarded us peasants from the wrath of Hui Zhong. For that, we are forever indebted to you!”

Mei smiled at Xiu Juan with shimmery eyes, “You are not just our Empress, Xiu Juan. You are a friend.”

Luli and Bo smiled at Xiu Juan proudly.

Luli dabbed away her little tears, “Look at what greatness you’ve achieved, Xiu Juan. You aren’t just their Empress. You are their trusted friend!”

“Everyone,” Xiu Juan was deeply touched by the people of Zhao. “Thank you.”

“What happens now?” Bo asked.

“We need to return the palace,” Xiu Juan said as she looked toward the direction Hui Zhong left.

“What will happen to you?” Ms Lin asked.

Xiu Juan looked at her and smiled warmly, “Whatever happens, it will not keep me from you guys.”

Ms Lin nodded and patted Xiu Juans hand.

“Ready the horses,” she ordered Bo and he left quickly to retrieve them.

After Jinhai returned from making his rounds with his war officials with Nianzu, a eunuch rushed toward the two of them. He bowed to both of the men before facing Jinhai alone.

“Your majesty, I have some rather urgent information to deliver to you,” he announced just to him.

“What is it?” Jinhai motioned him to continue.

The eunuch approached Jinhai closely and whispered into his ear while Nianzu watched closely.

“I see,” Jinhai said. “Thank you,” he dismissed the eunuch and he scurried away.

“What was all of that about?” Nianzu questioned Jinhai when they continued walking.

“Just a small matter I will have to soon attend to,” Jinhai explained, his eyes facing forward.

“Trouble at the front?” Nianzu wondered.

Jinhai shook his head, his eyebrows furrowed. “It’s the Empress.”

“Ahhh,” Nianzu chuckled. “Being a handful?”

“Apparently,” Jinhai replied.

“I see this as something you must handle alone,” Nianzu stopped in his tracks.

Jinhai turned to him, “You could come if you wish.”

Nianzu shook his head and headed another way. He paused and turned his head to the side, “Jinhai, despite everything, she is still your wife. You must treat her fairly.”

Jinhai thought about this. Before he could say anything, Nianzu was already gone.

In the grand room, Xiu Juan entered and saw Hui Zhong already inside waiting for her. He was standing next to Jinhai who had his eyes on her the moment she walked in. She avoided Jinhai’s subduing gaze while she walked to them.

“Your majesty,” she bowed to Jinhai to greet him when she stood before the two men.

He lowered his head to her in politeness.

“Your highness,” Hui Zhong began, “her majesty has committed a crime—“

Jinhai raised his hand to stop him. “I know what has happened.”

Hui Zhong was surprised by this and kept quiet.

“Xiu Juan of Qin, you were born inside the world of strict systems. I trust you know the consequences of what you have done.”

Xiu Juan lowered her chin.

Jinhai breathed in and continued, “Stealing from the Zhao is not something we let go of easily—”

“Is it stealing though when I also own it?” Xiu Juan stopped him.

Jinhai was drawn back by the surprise of Xiu Juan speaking up against him.

Xiu Juan looked at Jinhai and Hui Zhong, “You must remember that you brought me here as a bride. Not just a bride but as your Empress. Yet you treat me like—not even a guest—but a stranger.”

“You are speaking out of turn,” Hui Zhong warned.

Xiu Juan ignored him and looked at Jinhai, “We don’t like it, but you and I are lawfully married. So what is yours is mine and what is mine I must share with you. Now tell me again, how did I steal when what is in this palace belongs to me as well?”

“You gave it away without authorization!” Hui Zhong argued.

Xiu Juan shot a glare at him, “What I choose to give to my people is entirely my business as Empress! Also, I’ve seen how hard they work. And I know it because I have walked in their place. It was only for a few days but it was unbearable in the heat.”

Jinhai’s eyes softened at this.

“All I did was offer them a gift that would make their one day out of their many hard ones easier. It was small, but it made them so happy! If you are going to collect a debt from something like that then I’ll repay your spiteful dues.” She turned her pleading eyes to Jinhai who raised his to her, “And if you must punish, punish me. All my people did was receive happily. They mustn’t be punished for that.”

After a small silence, Jinhai lifted his chin up to speak, “You called them ‘your’ people?”

Xiu Juan tilted her head and raised her eyebrow.

“You said what you choose to give to your people is your business and that your people shouldn’t be punished,” Jinhai repeated.

“Well…I meant your people. The people of Zhao,” Xiu Juan clarified.

Seeing that Xiu Juan cared for his civilians, it brought him comfort. Jinhai smirked at this and then inquired Xiu Juan, “State what it was that you took.”

Xiu Juan paused before answering, “Ice. Ice blocks from the ice room.”

Jinhai turned to Hui Zhong, “We shouldn’t be so stingy over something as small as ice. Besides, we harvest plenty enough to last us through the summer. Giving away a few won’t cause any harm.”

Xiu Juan’s eyes brightened at Jinhai’s leniency and her shoulders relaxed.

Hui Zhong’s eyes widened, “But your highness—“

Jinhai’s eyes let him know he must say no more so he lowered his head. “Of course, Emperor Jinhai,” he obeyed. He glared at Xiu Juan.

Jinhai dismissed him and when he turned to Xiu Juan he saw her smiling brightly at him. The apples on her cheek showed themselves finely and gave out a light blush of red.

Not knowing how to react, he raised his eyebrow at her. “Is there something else?”

She tilted her head to the side. “I didn’t know the Emperor of Zhao had this side to him,” she marveled.

Jinhai furrowed his brows lightly at her, “You seemed to have a problem with me being discourteous, now you tease me for being nice?”

“No! I didn’t mean it that way,” she shook her head. She lowered her gaze and scratched behind her scrubby head of hair and grinned, “This is good, you being like this.”

Jinhai warmed his expression and smiled lightly. He straightened his shoulders and crossed his hands behind him as he began, “I’ve heard of your deeds outside of the palace.”

Xiu Juan lifted her head and stared at him. He lifted his eyes to her while his face was still lowered.

“What things?” Xiu Juan managed to speak.

He lifted his chin and faced her straightly, “What are your intentions, Xiu Juan of Qin? What are you doing with my people?”

“I don’t mean any harm if that’s what you’re implying,” Xiu Juan interjected.

“You must not hurt them. They tend to trust people easily,” Jinhai warned.

“It’s okay to trust in people, your highness,” Xiu Juan countered.

“What do you mean?” Jinhai questioned.

“Without knowing who I truly was, they accepted me and I was able to gain their friendship. If they shunned me at the start, I wouldn’t have been able to stand my ground today. And if I only saw your people as enemies of Qin, I wouldn’t have discovered how truly wonderful each one of them are.”

Jinhai’s spirits were lifted by this and his eyes beamed. He looked away from Xiu Juan, “I see. Just be careful, Xiu Juan of Qin. It’s dangerous out there for someone of your title. Don’t get carried away and roam too far.” He turned to leave.

Xiu Juan smiled warmly at the hint of his concern for her. “Yes!” She responded as she watched him smile from his side and walked away.

“And change your clothes. I can smell you from here,” Jinhai told her.

Xiu Juan’s eyes grew wide and she smelled herself. Really? I can’t seem to smell myself. She huffed after Jinhai, spun around and left to her chamber.

Luli and Bo watched her walk out of the grand room and rushed to her.

“What happened?” Luli asked. She was gripping Xiu Juan’s hand tightly.

“Are you going to be alright?” Bo’s eyes were full of worry.

Xiu Juan smiled and nodded. Bo and Luli pulled back, surprised.

“The Emperor didn’t say anything?” Bo was confused.

Xiu Juan continued on walking, “He did. But it wasn’t anything bad.”

Luli’s mouth dropped open, “You mean he let you go? Unit Commander Hui Zhong made it sound so bad!”

“He makes everything sound bad,” Bo pointed out the obvious.

“Ah, yeah. That’s true,” Luli realized.

Bo paused, thinking. “The Emperor of Zhao is known to be unforgiving and callous. For him to pardon you like that…do you think he…”

Xiu Juan stopped him. “It was just something small. He didn’t put too much thought into it. Neither should you.” She turned to face them, “I’m going to get some rest. I’ll see you guys later,” Xiu Juan said and parted.

After she bathed and slipped into her long white night robe, she opened the doors to her balcony to let the breeze in and lit the lamps in her room as the sun was starting to fall behind the mountains. Ting knocked on her door and Xiu Juan turned around to her.

“Ting! You guys are back!” Empress smiled.

“Yes. And Luli told us everything went fine, which we are all so glad to hear,” she beamed. “I just came by to ask if you wanted any tea. I was going to go make us girls some.”

Xiu Juan nodded and then suddenly remembered the tea she delivered to Jinhai early that morning.

“My kettle!” She exclaimed and picked up her long skirt.

“Your what?” Ting was puzzled.

Before rushing off, Xiu Juan turned to Ting, “Ah, just place the tea on top of my table when you have it ready!” She fluttered on while holding onto her skirt. She flew through the corridors toward Jinhai’s study and when she finally arrived, she saw the concubines passing by on their late stroll. With their lamps in their hands, they turned to her and lowered their heads to greet her.

“Evening Empress,” The concubine with dark red lips greeted. “What brings you here at this late hour?”

“I was just coming by to pick something up,” Xiu Juan said. She noticed Ngo Kwang wasn’t with them. “Ngo Kwang isn’t with you, I see,” she mentioned.

“No, she said she had some duties to tend to and went to see Emperor Jinhai in his chamber,” The one with sharp cheekbones informed.

Xiu Juan felt sudden disgust. “Oh,” was all she said.

They suspected Xiu Juan’s discomfort and grinned at each other.

“Were you planning to go see him?” The round-faced concubine asked.

Xiu Juan looked at her, “No. I have no need to.” She turned from them to enter the study.

“She was going to marry him. Ngo Kwang that is. They had something. But that changed when it came to be known that he was going to marry someone else,” the dark red lipped girl revealed.

Xiu Juan turned her head to the side. “Why are you telling me this?”

“So you will stop ending your days in disappointment trying to do things to please him,” she bluntly stated. “Save your teas from being thrown out every day.”

The concubines giggled. Xiu Juan twisted around to them but they already strolled off.

Spiteful. She cursed.

When she went into the study, she noticed a small glow leaking through the paper screen doors. She slowly approached it and quietly slid the doors open to find Jinhai still reading.

“Your highness?” Xiu Juan addressed.

He quickly raised his head and saw Xiu Juan standing at his door. Her hair was tied loosely and her freshly washed skin was pale against the light of his lamp. Her long white robe that swept the floor made her appear like a graceful white swan. He sat up straight. “Xiu Juan of Qin,” he addressed. “What brings you here?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I didn’t think you’d be here anymore. I thought you would be in your—“ she stopped herself. She suspected the concubines had lied to her about Ngo Kwang accompanying Jinhai in his chamber to put her spirits down.

“You thought what?” Jinhai continued.

“Nothing,” Xiu Juan responded.

Jinhai could tell she was deep in thought.

“What are you still doing here at this hour?” Xiu Juan asked.

“I thought I’d catch up on some things I didn’t get to this afternoon,” he said as he started to write.

Xiu Juan understood and made her way to collect her kettle. She noticed her little note was gone and when she bent down to lift the kettle up, she froze midway at the surprise of its lightness. Holding it in her hands and shocked that the kettle was completely empty, Xiu Juan did not know what to think. Did he drink it all? Or did he pour it all out?

“Continue to bring me your tea, Xiu Juan of Qin,” Jinhai said to her.

She spun around to him, her chest heaving. “You drank it?”

“It’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?” He raised his eyes.

“I wanted you to enjoy it.”

“It was pleasant, thank you,” Jinhai lowered his gaze as he said those words.

Xiu Juan smiled from ear to ear. She looked down at her empty kettle and walked out with a fulfilled heart.