by Fynn Chen
“I know. It is precisely because I was reminded of that fact that I have returned. I wanted to hunt all I could as a free Bo’er princess and not care about anything else in the world, but I realised that I was wrong. I had lost sight of my goals during that nine months but now I have regained them thanks to Princess Yexuan’s misfortunate sickness. I will stay in the palace, Yanyan. I will achieve both progress for the Bo’er people and your freedom at the same time. Do not dissuade me, Yanyan.”
Yanyan’s jaws quivered as the sisters stared each other off.
Wanwan’s mood had been soured as she thought about the earlier conversation with Yanyan. Why could her sister not understand her efforts and believe in her promise? She was twelve but she could comprehend things that no ordinary child knew. She would eventually achieve things that no ordinary person would as well. Just like her father Khan, Wanwan would accomplish things beyond the ordinary and leave a mark in this world.
Once she was back at her quarters, Wanwan had not even bothered to change nor bandage her arms to protect herself as she lashed out vicious blows at her wooden dummies. Couple of times, a few palace maids had urged Wanwan to go easy on herself. Yet, she paid no heed and continued with her routine; flesh struck against wood.
They too, did not know that she had gotten so much tougher in the wild fields of her homeland. She was a Bo’er princess, not some courtly princess who waited for their fates to be decided for them.
Wanwan’s martial routine was not disturbed until she heard the sounds of footsteps coming from a distance. The soft rustling of tunic and short dainty strides helped Wanwan make out who was approaching. Yexuan.
Trying not to pay too much attention to Yexuan’s presence, Wanwan continued throwing punches and kicks at the dummy with greater force. Leaping onto the beams with lightness and ease, Wanwan displayed careless arrogance as she did continuous somersaults, landing on alternate foot on the narrow surface of the beam each time she flipped. Then, she would combine the flipping with a couple of fighting sequences at a speed that was greater than regular martial men. Yexuan must be awed with her martial arts capabilities by now, Wanwan thought smugly.
“Is it your turn to be bedridden?” Yexuan asked with a sharp edge to her tone as she made her appearance directly before Wanwan.
Wanwan paused mid action and met Yexuan’s eyes. Shortly after they shared a look, a canted smile broke on Wanwan’s face.
“No. Since you are not yet ready to accompany me by my bedside.”
Yexuan’s cheeks flushed pink, and she covered her face with her hand, likely to hide a smile. It was a pity, Wanwan would very much like to have seen the smile with that beautiful blush on Yexuan’s face. Before their conversation could continue, more sounds of approaching footsteps came.
From a distance, Prince Zhongtai’s voice travelled to them. “They told us Princess Wanwan and my royal sister are finally ready to receive visitors and we immediately came. How do you plan to reciprocate our loyalty to you, princesses?”
Wanwan let out an exaggerated sigh as she turned to the approaching princes. There were bright smiles on their faces but Wanwan could not muster the same emotion as them.
“Your Highnesses, we would very much like to be left alone, thank you very much.”
Both Prince Zhongtai and Prince Zhongxiu let up a smile that was wider than before.
“No, we would not allow that. Welcome back Princess Wanwan, Bo’er’s precious gem, the Great Khan’s most loved child.” Prince Zhongtai said in a sweet mocking tone.
Wanwan would have crossed arms with the prince but not before everyone else’s sights. They would do it next time, more formally, on a sparring ground.
“Yes, yes, I am back. So, what gifts have you brought me?” Wanwan asked jokingly but to her surprise, the princes had really brought her gifts.
With a snap of Prince Zhongtai’s fingers, the palace maids brought forth a variety of things, all laid within colourful boxes inlaid with silk. Fancy details which Wanwan had no interest in. Most prominent amongst the gifts was a saddle with gold trimmings and a gilded whip.
“Feels like the olden times, doesn’t it? Where we bring you surprises.” Prince Zhongtai said.
Wanwan rolled her eyes at that reminiscing act. “Olden times? It was barely ten months ago.”
“Feels like a long time ago…” Prince Zhongtai said with a longing sigh.
Wanwan frowned and threw an exasperated look towards Yexuan. She was surprised to find Yexuan’s head nodding slightly in agreement with her royal brother’s words. Maybe it did feel that long to the royal siblings who stay cooped up in this palace all day long.
The usually quieter Prince Zhongxiu had spoken then. “D-Do you like the saddle and the whip? We chose a lot of equipment you could use for horse-riding. You haven’t forgotten about Scarlet, have you?”
Wanwan’s eyes widened. She did actually forget about her horse which she had not even had a chance to ride.
“Oh, judging by your look, you must have forgotten. Poor creature, to think that our royal sister had specifically given instructions for your equine to be taken utmost care of,” Prince Zhongtai remarked.
Wanwan glanced at Yexuan again and saw the look of unease on the courtly princess’s face. Feelings mixed between gratitude and shame assaulted Wanwan once more. Wanwan had led a carefree life back in those steppes unlike Yexuan who must have been pining for her return.
“Thank you, for taking care of my Scarlet,” Wanwan said.
Yexuan had given little nods in response and Wanwan found the courtly princess more adorable than before.
“Want to get into my quarters? It is a little too cold out here, let us head in. I can get someone to prepare snacks and tea for us,” Wanwan offered.
“Worried about our royal sister, aren’t you? Sure, let us head in since you are treating us to snacks and tea,” Prince Zhongtai replied enthusiastically.
Once they were inside Wanwan’s quarters, which was kept pretty much in the same way as before, they had ordered the usual snacks they used to have. It also became apparent to Wanwan that the two princes, having reached beyond the age of fourteen, were starting to polish their capabilities in managing the country.
Back in Bo’er, Wanwan’s elder siblings frequently went out to wars with her father Khan when they have proven themselves and earned the trust of their people. It was an honour to fight alongside their mighty comrades and for Bo’er. Wanwan had intended to do the same to fight for glory for her homeland when she was of age as well, but that goal had shifted. Now, she was rejuvenated by the thought that even if she were far away from home, she would still be able to help Bo’er in some other ways. Perhaps she could start by learning a thing or two from the princes about the workings of the country of Pei.
Prince Zhongtai had shared about the things he had learned in war strategy meetings with the Generals and of how he had begun learning combat on horseback without reservations. The princes had also given away the information that their elder brother, Prince Zhongxian would soon be having his first battlefield experience. Wanwan listened to them all with an attentiveness that would shame even the most diligent student in the entire country of Pei.
Later, Prince Zhongxiu told Wanwan about the meetings he had with the treasury and agriculture ministers about the management of a country’s resources. These knowledge piqued Wanwan’s interest and in Yexuan’s eyes, Wanwan thought she saw some enthusiasm as well. Yexuan was especially engrossed during the times when Prince Zhongxiu delved into details about the numerous relief efforts the royal family used to support. The look in Yexuan’s orbs had started out as a small ember initially but as more information was being divulged, the ember was slowly being fanned into a raging blaze. Yexuan looked as if she were about to beg Prince Zhongxiu to share more.
A smile touched the corner of Wanwan’s lips. It heartened Wanwan to know that maybe Yexuan was still interested in all these country affairs after all. With Yexuan’s cleverness, Wanwan was
confident that if the courtly princess ever involved herself in politics, the country of Pei would become a much better place. Her young wisdom and just perception in life was communicated in the poems she writes, her refined and upright character was told through the disciplined characters in her calligraphy, and her other-worldly sense of empathy and sorrow was expressed in the zither pieces she plays.
Yexuan would have been a formidable rival for the throne, if only she could compete for it. As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Wanwan found herself admiring Yexuan more and more. Wanwan’s gaze was solely concentrated on the courtly princess without herself noticing it. Yexuan must have felt Wanwan stares on her and met them. An unexplainable shyness crept into Wanwan and she veered her gaze away, pretending to be unbothered.
The conversation was later diverted from the princes’ sharing and focused on Yexuan when the princes enquired about her condition.
“So… sister… how does it feel to be back from the dead?” Prince Zhongtai asked teasingly but was met with a hard punch to his chest from Prince Zhongxiu.
Wanwan followed up with a punch to Prince Zhongtai’s biceps too and gave him a reproachful glance. How could Prince Zhongtai joke about Yexuan’s life? As someone who had made a tireless rush back from Bo’er; traversing over mountains, rivers, and across the border for days and nights on end, Wanwan would not allow that. Yexuan had barely escaped the clutches of death and she had not fully recovered. It was not appropriate to make a jape out of Yexuan’s condition so carelessly.
“Woah… now that the royal guards aren’t here, you guys are planning to murder me? I was joking, please don’t take offence, my royal sister,” Prince Zhongtai tried to placate.
Yexuan however, seemed to not have taken offence in the slightest bit, merely giving a soft chuckle and nodding her head with understanding. No matter what, it still could not dissipate the unhappiness within Wanwan, and she found her hands searching for Yexuan’s beneath the desk. When their skins made contact, Yexuan’s eyes briefly went wide but a small smile soon spread across her face. A small, sweet smile which made Wanwan smile along as well.
“See! Our Yexuan isn’t even angry, unlike you two who overreacted. So, after meeting the gates of hell, how are you feeling now, sister?” Prince Zhongtai asked again, as crudely as before.
There was a light squeeze from Yexuan’s hand and Wanwan read her meaning; for Wanwan to not get so easily riled up. Pouting slightly, Wanwan held her tongue and listened as Yexuan spoke.
“A lot better. My cough is almost cured, and I am allowed to walk short distances outside of my quarters every day,” Princess Yexuan told her brother in a reassuring tone.
Yexuan must not have wanted her royal brothers or even the Empress to learn too much about her condition. Wanwan would have helped mention that Yexuan’s cough would return with a vengeance at night from time to time if only Yexuan’s restraining grip on her hand was not so tight. This courtly princess had already begun to read her mind and anticipate her moves. As if hearing her thoughts again, Yexuan turned and flashed a warning smile at Wanwan. Sighing inwardly, Wanwan conceded defeat at this silent tussle of their minds.
“That is great to hear! Mother Empress was worried sick about you, always enquiring after your condition with the royal physicians.”
The compliant smile that Yexuan usually wore returned to her face. The princes who did not know Yexuan as well would have interpreted it as a mere good-natured smile however, Wanwan found it cryptic instead. As if behind those smiles, there was a wealth of deep thought that even Wanwan found difficult to comprehend. Perhaps in time Wanwan would, if only Yexuan would divulge more to her. Another squeeze from Yexuan’s hand, as if telling Wanwan to not wander away from their conversation with her own thoughts.
Zhongtai continued, “you should do more things to improve your health. Anyway, Princess Wanwan, you are really a blessing, our sister immediately became better once you have returned.”
Wanwan produced a weak smile as she felt guilt creeping in her heart again. This time round it was Wanwan who compressed Yexuan’s hand with a sort of tenderness that she did not know she was capable of. It conveyed apologies. A small gasp escaped from Yexuan’s lips that was imperceptible to the princes but known only to Wanwan herself.
“Yea… Princess Wanwan… we all missed you so much while you were gone. Yexuan was especially forlorn, you were meant to be her playmate and companion,” Prince Zhongxiu added and made Wanwan feel all the more guilt-ridden.
Wanwan felt her hand slacken slightly and could not say anything when she saw the look of unspoken sadness in Yexuan’s eyes. One that Yexuan must have tried very hard to hide. Wanwan had no idea that she had been staring for an excessively long time until Prince Zhongtai had called for her attention again.
“Why were you gone for so long, Princess Wanwan?”
Wanwan scratched the side of her head as she thought of a response, but Princess Yexuan had jumped in to her rescue.
“Princess Wanwan missed racing across the endless grass fields and shooting down birds from the clear blue skies and it is only natural that one would lose their sense of time in such comforts of the wilderness.”
Both Yexuan and herself had gripped each other’s hands tightly and all traces of sorrow disappeared from Yexuan’s eyes. It was as if Yexuan had convinced herself of her own words.
The princes sighed dreamily at that thought.
“Your homeland must be a really nice place. Even we find the palace a little too stifling at times and have to rely on occasional hunting trips to re-energise ourselves,” Prince Zhongxiu said.
Wanwan nodded, perhaps a little too enthusiastically and heard a chime-like giggle from Yexuan. They shared another discreet look with each other before Prince Zhongtai had supplied them with a new piece of information.
“Speaking of hunting trips, would you like to come on an upcoming trip with us, Princess Wanwan?”
A hunting trip? Wanwan’s heart leapt at that proposal but before she could reply, Princess Yexuan had objected with a voice that was much louder than usual.
“No!”
Wanwan and the princes stared at Yexuan in stunned silence. Yexuan had rarely raised her voice, much less to interrupt someone. Peering at Yexuan, Wanwan was a little dismayed to find that the courtly princess had refused to return her gaze.
With her eyes veered away, Yexuan spoke in a calm voice.
“I mean... remember the last time you all went for the hunting trip? Princess Wanwan got injured really badly that time. I am just worried that either three of you might get hurt again.”
A sort of warmth blossomed in her chest and a smile wended its way into Wanwan’s face at Yexuan’s concern.
Prince Zhongtai coughed into his hand at that reminder of his carelessness which led to Wanwan’s injury.
“Well… it would be different this time round for sure. Sister, there would be a bigger hunting party with the participation of other princes and princesses.”
“Other princes and princesses?” Princess Yexuan repeated, there was caution in her tone.
Prince Zhongtai nodded his head excitedly. “Yea… Princess Wanwan’s royal sister, Princess Yanyan, would definitely be joining us with her betrothed, our brother, Prince Zhongxian.”
Wanwan tried to hide her grimace at how her sister was described as the prince’s betrothed, but must not have done a very good job because Princess Yexuan was now staring intently at her.
Avoiding Yexuan’s eyes, Wanwan proceeded to give her response to this invitation, “well… that sounds like a pretty… boisterous affair. When will this take place?”
Temporarily forgetting Yexuan’s worries, Wanwan felt her moods lifted considerably at the thought of that. She had really wanted to work her joints after staying in the palace, mainly Yexuan’s quarters, for such a long time. She did not dislike staying by Yexuan’s side, but she was beginning to miss being more adventurous. Perhaps, Yanyan was right in calling her a rough child and
a wildling princess. She indeed had a wild soul that could not be easily tamed.
Zhongtai leant forth towards Wanwan and said in a conspicuously low voice. “It has not been officially decided yet, but it should take place approximately one month from now.”
Wanwan grinned fiercely as her blood pumped with excitement.
“That sounds good. Perhaps I can train Scarlet up and bring her along for the hunt. With her potential, she would catch up with any prey.”
Prince Zhongtai slapped his thigh with enthusiasm, “then it’s decided! I shall relay the message that Princess Wanwan is joining the hunt when the time comes.”
It was only after their discussion that Wanwan realised that Yexuan had become non-responsive. Even the hand that was held in hers had become cold. From the corner of her eye, Wanwan saw Princess Yexuan fuming and thought she might need to think of ways to placate the princess.
11 A Star-filled Night Sky
As the sky changed hue from a dusky blue-grey to a dull orange-red, the princes bade their farewells. Prince Zhongtai and Zhongxiu were summoned to their daily evening meetings leaving Yexuan and Wanwan to themselves.
Wanwan looked ponderous as she peered out from the window into the darkening sky. Rain was imminent and would perhaps fall through the night, Wanwan must be thinking the same as Yexuan did. It would be a cold night and she would have to take utmost care to prevent her cough from returning.
Sighing, Yexuan paced over. Wasting not another moment, Yexuan sat by Wanwan at the windowsill and broached the topic on the hunting trip with Wanwan.
“Don’t go for the hunting trip.”
Yexuan saw the wildling princess screw her mouth to a side before Wanwan turned and took a good long look at her. There was conflict in Wanwan’s eyes which made Yexuan’s heart quiver for a moment.
“I promise to be safe. I want to go, I miss hunting,” the wildling princess replied.
Yexuan felt her heart struck by a sudden feeling of nostalgia, of course, she should be the one above everyone else who understood why the wildling princess had missed hunting. This might even have been the main reason why she had not returned for nine months after all.
