Scarlet Dandelions

by Fynn Chen

  “Because I view her as my little and my most favourite royal sister. It is an added bonus that everything that Yexuan proposed resonated with me as well.”

  Prince Zhongxian’s answer surprised her. Amongst the three princes borne by the Empress, Wanwan thought that Prince Zhongxian was the least close to Yexuan. In fact, she had never seen the prince visit Yexuan at her quarters before. This proclamation by Prince Zhongxian made Wanwan doubt his words.

  “Favourite royal sister?” Wanwan clarified.

  The good-natured smile on Prince Zhongxian’s face only deepened as if reminiscing some fond memories. “Yes, Yexuan was six when she first came to live with us and unlike the Yexuan you see now, she was a little chubby. Zhongtai and Zhongxiu were both too young themselves to play appropriately with Yexuan. Mother Empress, cognisant of that and how father Emperor would react if Yexuan got hurt, instructed me to be a companion to little Yexuan instead. Despite so, I guess I was a little too mature for Yexuan and my personality was not as radiant as yours for her as well. Besides… I was an accomplice in keeping the death of her mother, Concubine Yue, from her for an extended period of time. Yexuan must not have liked me very much because of that.”

  Wanwan felt a jolt pass through her body at the revelation. All Wanwan knew was that Yexuan’s late mother, Concubine Yue had taken her own life. However, the methods of which, Wanwan had not learnt about and she would very much have preferred for Yexuan to reveal to Wanwan in her confides.

  “Princess Yexuan has never detailed to me about her mother’s death.”

  “And so, I shall not divulge too many details,” Prince Zhongxian’s voice had an apologetic tone to it.

  “I wish to understand this point. Why did you keep Concubine Yue’s death from Princess Yexuan?”

  A look of difficulty passed over the prince’s face as if recalling some very bitter memories. Then, with a renewed look of steeliness in his eyes, Prince Zhongxian began to give his explanations.

  “At that time, young Yexuan was of ill health and my mother Empress had asked of me to keep it from her. Without considerations, I had spoken against my mother Empress and was met with a rage I have never witness from my virtuous mother Empress. On hindsight, I managed to justify for my mother Empress that she was trying to protect Yexuan’s condition from worsening. I do not know if that is a convincing enough reason for you or myself. Nevertheless, till this day, Concubine Yue’s death still plagues me, and I simply cannot imagine just how much worser it was for Yexuan. Yexuan was only nine back then and when she found out about her mother’s death belatedly, she would not speak to me or anyone else at all. She had been deprived of one last look at her mother before they had her buried. If I were to have any regrets in life, this would be one of the biggest.”

  “It must not have been easy. To feel terrible about hiding it from young Yexuan, but to heed your mother Empress at the same time.”

  “When you are eldest born of the Empress, there are more expectations from you, to be an unsuitable companion or to do things out of your wishes. It is all for the harmony of the royal family or for greater political good.”

  Wanwan smiled inwardly as she understood the meaning behind the prince’s words.

  “Don’t get me wrong Princess Zhenwan, I am not lamenting about the fact that your sister was betrothed to me. But if I could have sounded out my preference, I would rather your sister to willingly accept this betrothal. I genuinely like your elder sister, but I wonder if Yanyan feels the same way about me.”

  The inward smile grew wider. This was probably Prince Zhongxian’s true intention. To sieve out information about Yanyan’s true feelings towards him.

  “My sister is free-spirited like myself. I believe that her love for nature has been suppressed and that contributed to her more sombre disposition. Besides, like you have earlier mentioned, my sister is the eldest female child in our family, it is inevitable that her marriage is for the political good of our country as well.”

  Prince Zhongxian regarded Wanwan with a look that she interpreted as a slight doubt. Letting out a sigh for the first time during their conversation, the prince nodded in understanding and the kindly smile returned to his face.

  “Thank you for having such an open discussion with me Princess Zhenwan, I only hope that I can give more to Yanyan. I want her to be happier in the palace, truly.”

  Wanwan reciprocated a compassionate smile of her own to the prince. If the prince truly meant what he said, then maybe he could aid her sister in returning to Bo’er soon. Perhaps she should trust those words, but she would rather err on the side of caution and not bet too much on Prince Zhongxian’s feelings for her sister.

  “Thank you too, Prince Zhongxian, for being so kind to my sister. I wish both of you happiness.”

  Timely it was, Yexuan had come over to the talking pair.

  “What are you discussing so intently about, Prince Zhongxian and Princess Wanwan?”

  Wanwan gave a playful smile and said, “talking about you.”

  Prince Zhongxian’s eyes went wide for a moment but before he got to speak, Wanwan continued.

  “About how well you are managing these few days. I gave Prince Zhongxian my honest opinion.”

  The prince visibly relaxed a little but Yexuan’s curiosity was piqued instead.

  “Which is?” Yexuan prompted, a trace of annoyance in her voice.

  “I told him you are doing great for this project! I am doing great as well. In fact, I find we are progressing much faster than planned. Don’t you find it an amazing achievement?” Wanwan spoke smugly.

  The prince laughed as he agreed. “Indeed, Princess Wanwan had told me that you were doing well and that you had praised the heavens for granting us such good weathers for works to be carried out so smoothly.”

  Shaking her head with a small smile on her face, Yexuan said, “I would never think that this trip would have allowed for such idle chats to blossom between the two of you.”

  Putting on an exaggerated face and tone of insult, Wanwan asked, “Princess Yexuan, are you insinuating that Prince Zhongxian and I are idling?!”

  “Do you think that was what I meant?” Yexuan asked in return, donning a slanted smile.

  As if treated to a comedic play, Prince Zhongxian bellowed out in laughter before taking his leave. “I will leave both of you to iron this out. I am no good with defusing the wrath of women.”

  Once Prince Zhongxian was gone, Yexuan had not pursued the discussion and instead only gave Wanwan a squeeze on her arm.

  “Get to work Princess Wanwan, we are going to be behind schedule.”

  “It is time for lunch break, Princess Yexuan. We still have to eat, don’t we?” Wanwan replied in jest.

  Yexuan shook her head again but let herself be led by Wanwan to take their meal with the rest of the relief troops. Wanwan seemed to have the ability to make the relief troops feel at ease as they spoke unreservedly and laughed aloud with her whilst Yexuan watched quietly, soaking in the vibrant aura of the wildling princess.

  Earlier, Yexuan had observed the conversation between Prince Zhongxian and Wanwan from afar for a length of time. Every expression that Wanwan wore, Yexuan had it carved deeply in her mind. Every perturbed look, every littlest crease. Those tiny changes in Wanwan’s face might have escaped Prince Zhongxian’s judgements but Yexuan had captured every single one of it. Yexuan had not believed their claims that they were merely talking about their work at the relief camp. Nevertheless, Wanwan must have her reasons for not speaking the truth with her and Yexuan would not probe further in the presence of Prince Zhongxian. Perhaps, someday, Wanwan would tell her.

  As if sensing Yexuan’s attention on her, Wanwan had stolen a brief glance at her. In that fleeting moment, Yexuan felt a dozen unspoken words pass between themselves. It was difficult for Yexuan to decipher what Wanwan meant but Yexuan was confident that she would find out in time to come.

  For the remaining time of the day, Wanwan had worked closely by Ye
xuan’s side. They were overseeing the transport and organisation of a new batch of building supplies in a makeshift inventory store. A job that Wanwan lamented was boring but she still stuck around. It amused Yexuan when Wanwan had underestimated the weight of some of the building materials and nearly stumbled.

  “Don’t laugh, Princess Yexuan. If I to manage lift this, then I will be able to lift you easily in future,” Wanwan said with a slightly teasing tone.

  Yexuan felt heat spreading across her face and pouted a little, grudging that her emotions were so easily stirred by this wildling princess.

  “We are at work, stop fooling around,” Yexuan said in a hushed whisper.

  Puffing out her cheeks cutely and uncharacteristically, Wanwan nodded. Yexuan could only shake her head and she went back to do her inventory stock take and planning of newer transport routes.

  Night fell upon them once again and no matter how Yexuan tried her best to pry out whatever had been exchanged been Prince Zhongxian and Wanwan, she had not managed to find out anything. Wanwan was the most cautious person Yexuan had ever come across, staying consistent and careful with her words. It was a quality that irked and amazed Yexuan at the same time.

  “Yexuan, you need to stop asking. It is getting late, and we have even more repair works underway tomorrow. Do you intend to fall sick in the middle of this trip?” Wanwan asked in a severe tone.

  Yexuan hated to admit it but she rather liked this serious side of Wanwan, especially when it was because the wildling princess was concerned about her. Mellowing herself, Yexuan took Wanwan’s arm.

  “I will… but I am too curious to sleep. If you won’t tell me the contents of the discussion between Prince Zhongxian and yourself then you will have to lull me to sleep in some other ways. I know… play the Tsuur. You brought it with you, didn’t you? Play that tune I love,” Yexuan negotiated and was treated to Wanwan’s look of helpless frustration.

  Nevertheless, Wanwan rummaged through their luggage and retrieved the Tsuur, playing the tune that she had learnt from her late mother. The deep melody from the instrument echoed within the confines of their tent, calming Yexuan’s mind. Yexuan soon found herself hypnotised by each movement of Wanwan’s finger to cover the nodes. A warmth of contentment spread across her chest as she thought about how Wanwan had always been so obliging to her requests every single time. Before long, the combination of the deep drawling tune from the instrument, coupled with the lethargy of her body, had coaxed Yexuan to a dreamless sleep.

  17 Bitter Medicine Yet Soft Lips

  The warm summer sun beamed unfailingly at the relief party, chasing away any rain clouds that might gather and dampen their progress. The princesses and the troops they brought had just moved to another smaller town to begin similar repair works. Tirelessly, the princes and Yexuan worked, often participating in the physical labour. Meanwhile, Wanwan had begun to involve herself with learning about the security measures utilised in anticipation of the rebel groups’ infiltration.

  Over the weeks, Wanwan had become friendly with the captains of the imperial guards and learnt their strategies. The captains were in turn impressed with her martial prowess and interestingly, they had divulged a few secrets the imperial guards had employed for this mission.

  From the use of trained hounds to detect dangers to laying conspicuous traps around the perimeters of their camp to ensnare their intruders, Wanwan learnt them all. Hounds, it reminded Wanwan so greatly of the golden eagle that she had trained with when she was back in Bo’er, and she was once again cognisant of the value of a useful partner. Conspicuous traps, Wanwan had never found it glorious to use such secret methods to defeat foes. However, when she gave deeper thoughts to it, she realised that it was silly to not try gain an upper-hand in one’s own territory. The use of such traps was indeed anticipatory and clever. It was no wonder, the imperial guards had often led them to skirt about certain areas lest they fall into trapping pits or triggered a rope snare.

  Finding herself growing more curious, Wanwan even began to observe the imperial guards more keenly during their trainings and when they were on duties. Later, Wanwan formulated a few stratagems of her own and found herself revelling in the activity. Her mind began to wonder what she could do with her knowledge.

  Each day, Wanwan would enquire more from the captains and by night, she would narrate all that she had learned to Yexuan. Yexuan would always prop her head up on her hand and listened with attentiveness until she had fallen asleep. Whenever that happened, it made Wanwan laugh, reminding her so much of herself nodding off whenever Yexuan played the zither.

  With an affectionate smile, Wanwan pulled the covers over Yexuan, and patted the courtly princess’s smooth hair lightly. Despite undertaking this complicated task with a hectic work schedule, Yexuan had looked so much at peace during her sleep. Wanwan even detected a faint smile when she inspected more closely upon Yexuan’s beautiful face. Emotions stirred within Wanwan. Of pride, of joy, and of an unexplainable feeling germinating within her heart. This unexplainable feeling was one which Wanwan found herself pondering over. Yet, her mind was still unable to comprehend.

  What is this feeling, Yexuan? Why do I enjoy looking at you so much? Why do I yearn to see the smile on your face so dearly?

  Sighing softly, Wanwan tried to tune her mind out of such thoughts as she slipped into the covers with Yexuan to rest for the night.

  Things progressed peacefully for the subsequent days, but that fateful moment eventually arrived. The rebel groups had finally come for another assassination attempt on the royal family. It was deep into the night and the two princesses were sleeping when chaos broke outside of their tents, hounds barked relentlessly and there were sharp shrieks about them.

  Wanwan’s eyes shot open, and she woke Yexuan up urgently as well. Seizing the sword lying by her side, Wanwan was ready to burst out of her tent when she felt restraining arms about her waist. It was Yexuan. Yexuan had refused to let her join the fighting. Of course, Yexuan would stop her, they had bickered over this topic countless of times and each time Yexuan had insisted Wanwan not involve herself in any fights that could potentially occur.

  “No, Wanwan, don’t get yourself involve in the fight. Please, I do not want you to get hurt in any way. Just stay here, the imperial guards can deal with this situation. You told me yourself, they are skilful enough and have been trained to do this. Please, Wanwan.”

  Wanwan wanted to listen to Yexuan but the neighing of the horses, roaring of men, and clanging of the metals awaited her outside of this tent. Wanwan needed to make herself useful.

  Unclasping Yexuan’s arms around her waist, she said, “Yexuan, trust me, I will be fine. Stay in the tent, I will be right outside the tent. Do not come out until all of this is over. Do you hear me?”

  “No, Wanwan!” Yexuan made a desperate grasp for Wanwan’s arm but Wanwan was just so much quicker and was soon outside of the tent.

  Blood splattered onto Wanwan’s face the moment she emerged from the tent. A rebel had plunged his sabre deep into an imperial guard’s chest right before her eyes, the very same imperial guard whom she had shared jokes with a few nights before. The sight of the gruesome death enraged Wanwan, and she wrapped her hand firmly around the hilt of her sword in an instant. The rebel was merciless as he came for Wanwan next.

  The rebel must have mistaken Wanwan for Yexuan. He was surprised when Wanwan had sidestepped aside easily and gave him an upward slash as she unsheathed her sword. The fierce Bo’er princess had not given the rebel a chance to recover himself as she waved her sword once more and sliced the man’s throat in a clean motion. Blood sprayed like a fountain from the rebel’s neck, and he gurgled as he clutched his wound before his body thumped heavily to the ground.

  Sucking in a deep breath with her eyes shut, Wanwan’s replayed what happened in her mind. When she reopened her eyes, Wanwan could hear the rush of her blood in her ears and her limbs itching to get into action again. This was the first time Wanwan had taken a
man’s life, but it felt as though she had been prepared for it all these times.

  Her heart drummed wildly as she scanned the environment. Their campsite was in utter chaos; with ripped tents, whinnying horses, and flying arrows. Wanwan reckoned there must have been a few hundred rebels fighting against half the number of imperial guards who were on duty. The rebels had planned this well and knew of their numbers. If not for the hounds and traps, their imperial guards would likely have perished already.

  It would take some time for the military men who had set up their camp farther away to come to their aid, Wanwan must join in this fight. Sheathing her sword, Wanwan picked up an idle bow and a barrel of arrows. Then she began loosing the arrows rapidly. One, two, three, four, five. They all found her targets swiftly and pierced into them easily. Wanwan realised that humans were much easier to aim for than animals.

  Their imperial guards had put up an impressive fight as well. Amidst them, Prince Zhongxian, Prince Zhongtai, and Prince Zhongxiu had also taken up their weapons. Wanwan grinned fiercely, the princes had not disappointed her. As she was just loosing what seemed to be her tenth arrow, Wanwan heard a sharp cry from inside Yexuan’s tent and her blood froze.

  Some of the rebels must have cut into their tent from the rear. Wanwan ran back into the tent and was greeted by the sight of Yexuan throwing a wooden basin at a rebel. The Bo’er princess wanted to laugh but she knew that she could save her laughter for later.

  Bounding over to Yexuan in a few strides and shoving Yexuan behind her, Wanwan unsheathed her already-bloodied sword just in time to fend off the rebel’s first blow. The sharp ring from the clash between their swords reverberated throughout the tent. Feeling a sharp jolt of pain spidering down from her wrist, Wanwan very nearly let go of the hilt when their swords connected. Wanwan began to realise that this was a real swordfight unlike the one before; this man was likely one of the most skilled fighters in the rebel organisation. It was evident from the hardness in his eyes and his pristine fighting form.