Xie Song-jun

2022 years after The Long Night

Hei’an City

It was early in the morning on the market streets of Gen Jin when Xie Song-jun first heard the whispers…

“The winds knocked over mine and my neighbor’s stalls yesterday-”

“You think that’s bad?! The clouds are blocking out all the sun, there’s no way to get any laundry dry!”

“Looks like a storm’s approaching… do you think we’ll get any lightning?”

Because Song-jun has been collecting data of all of this and more for the last several years, the fact that others are suddenly talking about it comes to her attention immediately. In the past, weather changes and winds shifting were never topics discussed by the citizens, as none of these things seemed to interfere in their day to day lives. If they were discussing it, it must be getting worse.

She’d only come down to take a stroll, but it wasn’t even noon before Song-jun found herself back in the palace, stopping by the banister and crouching low so no one saw her. This was her favorite place to listen in on official court meetings, not like her fathers kept much from her, but it used to be a fun game.

Now, Song-jun was actively listening, as it seemed Xie Yi-jun had called for a sudden meeting with the two Royal Advisers and Commander of the army. A few nobles and gentries were always present at these meetings too, and today Jin Songcai was seated by his husband’s side as well. Truly quite the turnout. Song-jun listened closely to hear what they had to say…

“-understands how concerning this is. But, I still don’t believe we should panic.” Xie Yi-jun said calmly.

Another voice rang out, “Not panic?? My Lord, forgive me but, while there is so little documentation on the effects of The Long Night, I believe I speak for my colleagues here as well when I say that what we do know is likely starting again.”

“Please explain, Shue Wren.” Songcai said.

The nervous advisor began again, “Dramatic weather changes, a cold front moving in suddenly from the Northwest… not to mention, we have it on good authority that the entire North is covered in ice. If this is the next Long Night, it has already gone past Leung Shan and will reach us in a matter of weeks!”

An anxious buzz began down below, as Yi-jun asked for everyone to stay calm and present their solutions and ideas. Song-jun wondered quietly to herself whether her father’s face had that slight frown and furrowed brow he sometimes got when he was very worried about something.

“-it not be prudent to prepare for an evacuation?”

“Evacu- good lord man! Were you not brought up in Hei’an City?! Where is your sense of bravery? Of grit?!”

A few arguments broke out until Songcai evidently shushed them all a single not-so-patient look.

“There is no reason to worry about evacuating the city,” Yi-jun said evenly. “Like you say, if this truly is The Long Night returning, I believe the safest place for us is right here, where we can defend ourselves from any potential dangers.”

“But my Lord-”

“-not enough time!”

Song-jun can’t hear anymore. She stands and takes off in a random direction. While lost in her own head, she somehow managed not to hear or see Wen Reian calling for her-

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“Oof!”

She still remembers when her uncle was several feet taller than her and would sometimes carry her on his shoulders… now they were almost the same height. Reian laughed as they both caught themselves and then he seemed to see Song-jun’s expression.

“Is everything okay?” Reian frowned, “Do you feel ill?”

Song-jun stopped him from checking her meridians, but then the man broke into a soft smile and he said;

“We’re heading home today. I was going to ask if you’d like to come visit your poor uncle, you know your bedroom is always ready, but then Kai-Le mentioned something else you might be interested in more.”

Song-jun reassured Reian that she would indeed come for another month or two and visit soon. She really did enjoy hunting with Lan Kai-Le, and cooking with Wen Reian. Now however, she was just… puzzled. How was she supposed to get all the way to Wúmeng by herself, and without anyone knowing?!

Her fathers, Reian too, they’d probably want to send a small army with her if she asked to go. Besides, how could she convince them to let her go during what was sounding more and more like a city-wide emergency? God, she hoped Reian would be okay if he left-

“Well, you know how Kai-Le picks up odd things on his visits to Xibu Shataar? Apparently he brought back more than just that book for you. After hearing you and Songcai talk the other night about the island near Wúmeng and the tree… what are the odds… Lan-Le says he’s heard multiple times that a group of scientists and historians have been commissioned by the Governor to travel there and investigate. He doesn’t know when exactly they’re going, or if you could come along, but supposedly they’ll be stopping in Sanlín City for a time.”

The gears in Song-jun’s mind were turning faster than they ever had before.

“Perhaps Kai-Le and I could accompany you? Ah, I don’t even know what your fathers would say, maybe I should have asked them first-”

“Uncle.” Song-jun apologizes for interrupting, then she crosses her fingers behind her back and lies;

“Unfortunately I am needed here. I wouldn’t want to leave my fathers in a time when they might need me,”

The softness in Wen Reian’s eyes is momentarily too much. Song-jun hates deceiving her fathers, but lying to her uncle is worse somehow. He raised her, but he didn’t have to. His love isn’t dependent on her being his daughter… Reian stayed just because he wanted to.

“Oh,” he smiles fondly and puts a hand on her cheek. “You’ve gotten so mature these last few years. Hmm, did I ever apologize for letting you be captured by Xie Xingyue?”

Song-jun laughs, “Many times. Don’t worry Uncle, and I promise I’ll visit you both very soon!”

It’s a bit later that afternoon, after Reian and Kai-Le have left the palace, that Xie Song-jun joins her fathers in the throne room, shortly before dinner.

Yi-jun is saying something with an aggrieved expression to Songcai when Song-jun walks in, and then he quickly smiles in her direction.

Song-jun has mentally prepared herself all day for this, but it still tastes bitter on her tongue, these words…

“Is it okay if I go with Uncle Wen? It’s true I haven’t spent much time there in the last two years, and I don’t want them to get lonely.”

She assumes it’ll be hardest to convince Yi-jun, but for some reason tonight it’s Songcai that asks the most questions.

“Wen Reian didn’t ask us about this…”

Song-jun smiles, “Oh, we just talked about it. I said to wait for me in Gen Jin while I pack up a few things. I told him to wait until just after sundown and if I haven’t shown, to leave without me and I’ll catch up. So, what do you think? Can I go?”

Songcai seemed hesitant.

“I don’t like the idea of you wandering out there alone at night,” he says, looking at Yi-jun. “It’s… probably safer to stay home.”

To the Princess’ surprise, Xie Yi-jun is the one coming to her defense in this, whereas normally it would be Songcai.

“Dear,” Yi-jun smiles at his husband and takes his hand. “Do you really think Wen Rei wouldn’t wait around a bit longer for A’Jun? Surely it’ll be fine.”

Then he turns to Song-jun and sighs.

“You must send me a message with the ink spell once you’ve found your Uncle, yes? If you can’t find him you must return. I want to give you this freedom, but don’t wander. Even with your skills, it is not safe.”

At that, Songcai gives Yi-jun a strange look. Song-jun chooses to ignore it and instead smiles widely and bows in a rather clumsy manner that makes Songcai scoff. Song-jun is teasing her father though, and finally as she rises she runs to them, heart racing as she begs for them to forgive her someday.

“Thanks,” she says as she hugs them. “I’ll write to you often and I won’t be away for long… Uncle will take care of me.”

Songcai brushes her hair back softly and nods.

“Take care of yourself too, A’Jun. We love you.”

I know, she thinks. That’s why I’m doing this-

“I love you more.”