Zhao Li sat back on the bed looking through the window. The purple and gold hues of dusk was spreading across the Sichuan landscape. She’d lived in the valley most of her life and was unable to see golden hues to this extent.
She smiled watching it, feeling at it ease. A loud click followed and she snapped left, she snatched up her veil and conical hat, putting them on without effort.
Susu entered the room carrying a wrapped bundle in her arms. She too wore a conical hat and veil, which made Zhao Li feel at ease. “Oh…you’re ready,” she said with a smile.
Zhao Li nodded shyly and squinted through her veil at the item Susu had in her hand. “I’ve brought something for you,” Susu said softly, then walked up to the bed and placed the bundle on Zhao Li’s bed.
She looked at the bundle, then Susu. Susu nodded to her to go ahead and she touched the bundle. The course feeling of the paper sent goosebumps up her hand.
She pulled the bundle to her, then untied it. A set of exquisite purple, black and gold hanfu robes revealed itself to her. The fabric was a rich and upon closer expecting, a delicate cloud pattern along the hems. Beneath the robes lay a pair of black leather gloves.
“Go on…see how they fit,” Susu warmly urged. “You don’t have to wear oversized clothes. These were made to fit you.”
“But…”
“Take them Li’er, I’ve seen how you look at me. I’m sorry it took so long, but from now on. You will only wear fine clothes.” Susu said with a smile.
Tears began to well within Zhao Li’s eyes. Ever since she’d left the valley, she’d been uncomfortable in the large clothes. The oversized clothes were mean to hide her Axsumite heritage from outsiders, and they did its job. “Go on,” Susu urged. “Try them on.”
Zhao Li sat up off the bed and began to undress herself. Susu approached and then waved her under underclothes onto her body, then helped her with her robes. The silk felt like cooled water against her skin, making her feel light and transformed. The robes moved with her rather than hanging from her body, and the gloves fit snugly, providing the concealment she needed.
“You look beautiful my dear,” Susu said simply.
“Thank You, Mo…Lady Susu.”
The room didn’t have a mirror, so she walked up to her bag and searched through. She dug into her bag, forever searching, then eventually pulled her mirror free. She looked in the mirror and saw obscure her face was with the conical hat and veil on. She then transitioned the mirror up and down, alongst her body.
She turned and looked up to Susu and smiled through her veil, ““Thank you,” Li’er whispered, “I feel pretty.”
The soft thuds of Susu’s followed her as she walked up to Zhao Li. She knelt down in front of her and smiled. She unlaced the silk cloth of Zhao Li’s conical hat and pulled her veil down. “You’re the most beautiful girl in the world Li’er, never forget it.
Zhao Li hugged Susu so tight, she didn’t even realise what she’d done. It was just instinct. She wanted to be loved, she wanted to be hugged, but most of all, she did not want be a lone. The two of them stood there hugging each other for a long while, without realising it was soon time to go.
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The disciples of Purple Mist Sect were preparing for departure. As Li’er walked out into the courtyard, she adjusted her hat as the struck her eyes making her squint. As hard as she tried, she still wasn’t used to walking with a veil, but at least she could see.
She watched as Liu Fang sitting in the back of the carriage, still looking pale. He’d received the antidote, but for some reason when Susu tried to move from his body, some of the body had stayed within his left hand.
Susu had asked Master Quan to help and he too wandered why the poison wasn’t moving from his left hand.
Eventually they had hypothesised that this was a new strand of poison, forcing them to return back to the sect.
Luan, Mei Ling, Wei Zhen secured the supplies for their journey back to their valley. Luan turned to his left spotting Li and Susu. He approached, bowing to Susu and smiling at Li’er. “The northern style suits you, Xiao Li,” he said with a gruff kindness.
“Thanks Brother Lu,” She said bowing.
Ming Lei seemed to be intermittently tapping something on his chest, which made Li’er wonder if he’d caught the cold. His drifted to Li’er and he tapped Wei Zhen on the shoulder, then pointed at Susu and Li’er with his nose. “Safe travels, Master Susu, Xiao Li…we will see you in their near future.
“Take care of Liu Fang,” Zhao Li answered.
“We will.
“Remember what I said,”
“Yes Master,” They all said in unison, then bowed.
“Good…Li’er, lets go…”
As they all said their, Li’er and Susu made their way to their horse. Susu helped Li’er mount their horse before climbing up behind her. The early evening darkness clung to the streets, offering perfect cover for their departure. They had chosen this hour carefully, when few eyes would be around to notice their leaving.
As they rode through the city gates, Li’er cast one last look back at the shrinking figures of the Purple Mist disciples, feeling a pang of melancholy.
“Li’er…we’re heading to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Its north, its a very recluse place, it should take us five days to reach, alright?”
“I understand Lady Susu…but can you tell me about it?” Li’er asked, trying to form conversation.
“Of course, The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is different from most mountains in Huaxia…its peaks are cloaked in mist, and snow falls year-round near the top. No one lives there due to the weather, but its a peaceful place. Also, they are hot springs within the mountain, making it easier to survive.”
Li’er found comfort in Susu’s words and let them sink in as they travelled through the changing landscape. The flat plains of Sichuan gradually gave way to rugged, forested terrain. Her new robes kept her comfortable against the chill, and the gloves proved far better suited for gripping the reins.
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“Are you ready?” Susu asked.
“I am,” Li’er nodded. Susu removed her veil and so did Li’er, a gentle smile resonated on Susu’s face, then she flicked the reins and the began their final journey to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Tian Jin
The rhythmic pounding of hooves against packed earth filled Prince Jin’s ears as they rode hard through the forest. His muscles ached from maintaining such a gruelling pace, but they couldn't afford to slow down.
It gnawed at him, not knowing who was chasing him, but it didn’t matter did it? They wanted him dead. “Grab the boy, he seems important!” Of course he was – he was the crown prince.
When they finally slowed their horses to rest at a small stream, Jin couldn’t hold his frustration any longer. Yes, his family was dead…they thought they had gotten away, but why were their so excessive. “Master Xiu,” Jin said whipping away water from his lips. “Do you recognise any of those men that are chasing us?”
“I do not Young Prince. None of them are from the Black Cauldron.”
“Black Cauldron?”
“Yes, The Black Cauldron is a special bodyguard unit that protects the imperial family in secret.”
Jin mind stirred as he looked at his protector’s weather-worn face creased. He surveyed the area and once he was satisfied, he drank a few mouthfuls of water. “Are you a Black Cauldron?”
“A Dingshe, young prince.”
“A ding…she?” Prince Jin asked confused, looking at the bodyguard puzzled.
Shi Xiu rose from quenching his thirst and massaged his horse and looked at the prince. “That’s what we’re called, A Dingshe, not Black Cauldron. That’s what the entirety of our group is called.”
The prince dropped the ground with a thud, he squeezed the soil in hand and felt the dirt harden within his hands. “I don’t know anything,” He whispered.
“Your seven years old your highness, the world doesn’t expect much of you.”
Those words sent a jolt down his spine, he knew he was young, but he was very proud of how easy he could discern situations, and the one that he was currently in, was ill-fated.
“Are you sure my cousin will welcome me?”
“I’ll be honest. I don’t if he will,” Shi Xiu said firmly, “The attack could’ve been orchestrated by your cousin for all we know…but the protocol dictates we retreat to Faizou.”
“I see…do you trust the protocols?”
“I trust them to keep you alive, but I am not limited to following them. If you don’t want to push forward to Faizou we don’t have to.”
“…but I need allies,”
“You’re too young to be thinking of that your highness. We must first survive, but I agree, allies would be great.”
“Let’s observe Faizou before we decide if to trust Prince Liang.”
“As you command your highness, but we don’t have to worry. We have something that’ll delay the ascension of the next Emperor.”
“What are you talking about, ascent?”
“Prince Jin, you do not have the power to regain the throne. Not yet…we have to accept this. Once we accept this, regaining the throne is one step closer, but its as I said…we have something they don’t have.”
“…and what’s that?!”
A ghost of a smile played across Shi Xiu's lips. He walked back to his horse, then dug his hand into his sack. He pulled a wooden box free and knelt. He opened the wooden box and Jin’s heart stopped upon sight.
The Imperial Seal of Huaxia lay nestled in the wooden box. The seal was carved from rich piece of jade that gleamed an exquisite deep green. The seal gleamed softly under the dappled forest sunlight. It was almost square in shape, with its edges meticulously smoothed.
At the centre of the seal, an engraved coiling was curling protectively around the inner square. The scales were defined as though it would’ve come alive at any moment. The dragon’s eyes were small but big enough to pierce through anyone who looked at it. Its claws were sharp, poised and clutching the edges of the seal symbolizing the iron grip of the emperor’s authority over Huaxia. Its mouth was open in a silent roar, proclaiming dominion and justice over all who fell under its gaze.
The dragon’s head were stylized clouds floated, embodying divine protection and the Mandate of Heaven. The inscriptions on each side of the seal were written in ancient script, elegant. ”Destined by Heaven” and “Ruler of All Under Heaven.”
The chiselled lines were worn by time, but still retained a boldness that suggested unwavering legitimacy and stability.
The bottom of the seal bore the official engraving used to mark imperial decrees—a symbol not just of authority, but of legitimacy to rule over all of Huaxia. The weight of it, both literal and symbolic, seemed to radiate from the box. It was not merely an object; it was the very soul of the empire.
“Young Prince, I present to you…The Imperial Seal of Huaxia.” Shi Xiu said softly. “The symbol of Heaven’s Mandate.”
Jin stared at it longingly, it was as if his father was still alive. He tried to pry his eyes from it, but he just couldn’t. The dragon motif seemed to writhe in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. “How... how long have you had it?”
“When you sent me to the Dragon Palace to confirm that the Imperial family were all gone. I ensured that I took this with me.”
“…tha…that was good idea.”
Shi Xiu shut the wooden box and rose to his feet. He placed the box back into the sack and turned to the prince. “Your highness, I don’t know what to expect from Prince Liang. But I do know, I will protect you with my life. I swear it under the heavens!”
As Prince Jin’s gaze lingered on the wooden box that Shi Xiu had tucked back into the saddlebag. He walked up to Shi Xiu and a sudden rustling sound blossomed from among the trees.
“Stay behind me, your highness,” Shi Xiu whispered, his face hardened as he placed a hand on Jin’s shoulder
Twenty men emerged from the shadows, double the men that had encountered on Yangzhou. Their eyes were fixed on Shi Xiu and Prince Jin. They fanned out slowly, surrounding Shi Xiu and the prince with practiced precision.
One of the men stepped forward, scrutinizing Shi Xiu and the young prince with a calculating look. He smiled grimly and the scar on his right cheek flickered. “I’ll keep this short, whatever it is you took…return it.” He said calmly, voice smooth but laden with menace.
“It is not mine to give,” Shi Xiu said calmly, stepping in front of the prince, shielding him, but that was no good. They were surrounded.
Prince Jin watched as Shi Xiu met the man with the scar’s gaze. Goosebumps rippled through his body as the wind grew cold, as if coming from Shi Xiu.
“Look…we’re all part of the game. There’s no need for this to linger. Just tell me what you took, and you can report back to whoever you work for.”
They don’t know the imperial seal is missing? Jin asked. “Uncle.”
“Son, there’s no need for the ruse any longer, we’ve been caught.” Shi Xiu said firmly.
“F-f-father…”
“Its alright.” Shi Xiu said coldly. His eyes never left the scarred man’s face. “Nine years ago, I was assigned to guard one of the emperor’s concubines. That’s where I met her – Mei Hua, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting.”
The wind whispered through the trees as Shi Xiu continued, his words carrying the weight of long-buried memories. “We knew it was forbidden. A palace guard and a lady-in-waiting...but the heart rarely listens to reason.” He continued bitterly.
Jin watched their captors still stood their cold face, unimpressed with his swords. One of the men even slid his hand onto his sword, but their leader, the man with the scar on cheek raised his hand, signalling for him to stop, as if he were interested in Shi Xiu’s story.
“After a year, she had gotten pregnant. We knew what it meant. Discovery would mean death – not just for us, but for the baby as well.” Shi Xiu said, his voice growing softer. “She made the choice to give our child to an imperial guard who was leaving service. I never knew his name – she thought it safer that way. But I watched from afar, as any father would.”
“And why are you telling us this touching tale?” the scarred man demanded, though Jin noticed several of his men exchanging uncertain glances.
“Because I serve Prince Tian Yang of Chongqing. I was his spy within the imperial palace.” Shi Xiu said firmly. ”When I heard of the fire, I searched everywhere for Mei Hua, but that was to no avail. I eventually took my son out of the Dragon Palace and returned to the Dragon Palace looking for her body. My son deserved the chance to pay respects to his mother.”
“Commander, you’re not going to believe this FARCE of a st-“
“Silence!” the scarred man snapped.
“Search us if you wish,” Shi Xiu offered. “You'll find nothing but a simple urn.”
The scarred commander's face twisted into a snarl. “You expect me to believe that a spy of Prince Tian Yang would risk everything for ashes? That this...” he gestured at Jin, “is your secret son? No. You're lying.” His blade raised. “And I'll cut the truth from—“
“Commander!” One of his men protested. “We have no proof they—“
“I said SILENCE!” The commander's voice cracked like a whip. The commander stood they’re for a long second, contemplating. He then shook his head and looked at all of his men. “Kill them.”