Chapter Seventy Four - A First Wife for Second Prince?

The Emperor, Wáng Yi Jun awoke beneath stained silks beside his concubine Du Xinyi.  The man lay upon his side, his face away from his husband, lashes fluttering as he slept.  Du Xinyi had been amongst the first of his Male concubines and was well versed on how to pleasure his Emperor, but in truth Wáng Yi Jun was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the men and women in his harem and no new butterflies passing by had caught his attention.  Only he knew why.  He wanted desperately the one person denied to him.

He rose from the bed, his servants came hurrying about him to clean his soft flesh with cloths, to dress him and comb and arrange his long black hair and present fresh slippers for his feet.  He let loose a slight grunt as his feet bore the weight of his large body and proceeded to return to his own Palace, where the servants were preparing his bath.  "Where is Feng Chun?" the Emperor demanded.

"I am here, your Imperial Majesty," the eunuch knelt before him and bowed.  His knees protested as they rocked upon the cold ground.  Ah he was no longer a young man!  He looked as he saw his Emperor slip into the sunken bath.  It was well that the Emperor Wáng Fu Han had spent gold upon this feature, the current Emperor too owned too great a girth to easily fit the baths normally found within the Palaces.

"How are my sons this morning?" The Emperor asked.

"Ah Fifth Prince has begun learning to ride his first horse," Feng Chun preened, proudly.  He often spoke of the four Princes as if they were his own, such fondness he held for them.  "Third Prince has also been studying more seriously of late.  First Prince..."

"Yes, Yes," The Emperor cut him off testily.  "How is my Yu Long doing?"

Feng Chun sighed inwardly.  "The eyes of many Ministers and officials are upon Second Prince as well as First Prince. Also there are scholars seeking to gather Second Prince's poems for prosperity."

The Emperor said nothing, but there was a slight frown upon his round face, having appeared when he heard that others were watching Yu Long.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Feng Chun, cautiously spoke, "might this humble servant know if his wise majesty has any thoughts to betrothing First and Second Prince to strengthen their places within court..?"

"Just choose a suitable match for Jie Long," the Emperor dismissed Feng Chun's question with a irritable wave.

"And what of Second Prince?" Feng Chun asked.

"There is no one worthy of Yu Er," the Emperor said, shortly. Feng Chun bowed in acknowledgement, before he left the Yang Palace. The marital matter remained upon the Emperor's mind for a while longer, before deciding to visit his beloved son. He rose from the waters and waited as his servants attended him.

*****

Feng Chun approached the White Orchid Palace with trepidation; despite the power his Emperor had bestowed upon him over the years, he was at heart a humble man and did not feel worthy of making the marital decision by himself. Alas, there was no Empress nor Empress Dowager nor even Concubine mother to ensure that First Prince wed well. No one would be fool enough to seek advice from Ministers, who wanted to strengthen their own families with the Prince's marriages, as there would be concubines as well as a first wife to place beside First Prince. And as the Emperor wanted no say, Feng Chun could only discuss this matter with the First Prince himself.

He found all four Princes in the courtyard of the White Orchid Palace. First Prince was teaching Third and Fifth Prince some small martial arts, while Second Prince looked forlorn, half smiles with distant eyes. Such harmony was rare amongst Imperial Princes, for all four were expected to vie for the throne, but all four had no such thoughts upon their minds at that moment it seemed.

"Greetings, your highnesses," Feng Chun prostrated before them.

"Rise Feng Chun, don't bother your knees before us," Jie Long told him. He felt slight dampness form within his eyes and movement in his heart for these sons not of his blood. Feng Chun thanked First Prince. "You wish to speak with us?"

"Ah yes, about a possible betrothal for First Prince," Feng Chun said. The two smaller princes instantly looked up at their eldest brother, as Second Prince glanced over, slightly amused, before becoming distracted once more.

"Big brother is getting married?" Fifth Prince, Laquan asked, with widening eyes.

"What, no," First Prince denied. "Feng Chun, What is this about?"

"First Prince is an adult and has a good chance of becoming Emperor one day," Feng Chun mentioned. "It is only right that First Prince seeks to be betroth to a House that can strengthen First Prince's place."

"Ugh!" Ya Bao grimaced. "If that is what it takes to become Emperor, I refuse. Girls are all rats and foxes. If Mother wants the throne, she can marry the girl!"

The eldest Princes both chuckled at the boy's response. "I'm not sure it works that way, little brother," Yu Long smiled. But as before his smile faded and his eyes drawn away.

"Is something the matter, Second Prince?" Feng Chun asked, worriedly. He'd never seen the Second Prince so hopeless.

Jie Long looked at his brother, whose head rested upon his palm as he softly sighed and recalled the events of the prior afternoon. Who knew that the Living God would claim Second brother as his husband?! And more unbelievable, Yu Long had agreed! They had not even wished to part for all that they had known each other for less than ten minutes. But the Second Prince could not just disappear, the Emperor would tear apart the continent for this beloved son. The Living God had been reluctant for him to leave, but it was not as if he could stop him; though their people held blame for the impromptu invasion, they remained the greater force even on retreat.

The Princes had declared that General Jun had to pay recompense to the Living God and his people, half his estate less the Emperor hear of what he had done! It was probably an empty threat for they knew the Emperor would have forgiven his slight had he obtained the Living God for him, but the General had not and had declared war on the Emperor's behalf without the Emperor's official approval. This was enough to cost him his life! The Princes could be considered to be benevolent! Half his estate was a blow, but he lived and still held charge of the Second Army, at least for the time being. He had no will or way to fight this, so better accept it.

Yu Long had grabbed the small hand of the other and placed one of the two rings he always wore upon Xiang Ah Liû's finger. It was the black metal ring he had received from their mother all those years ago. She remained unforgotten in both their hearts. "I will return soon," Yu Long had told him and kissed the other man's hand, causing a soft blush to tint the pale cheeks.

Was Jie Long envious? A little, for another had claimed a place in his brother's heart, which had held only him and mother for so long. But deep down, he knew that his brother would wed eventually and at least he was happy with the hand dealt him. Still, it was not going to stop him teasing Second brother a little.

"Ah, Yu Long is thinking of a lover he met as we travelled," Jie Long grinned earning Yu Long's baleful glare.

"Lover?" Feng Chun looked pleased. "If Yu Long has someone he likes, surely that person can be brought to the Palace and become first wife or concubine if circumstances don't allow the former!"

"Yu Long's lover has status enough," Jie Long told him, "but alas, this bride is unable to come to the Palace."

"For what reason is she denied?" Feng Chun asked, surely he could fix this. He wished for Yu Long to wed more that Jie Long, who did not attract his own father's black attentions. "She is not already married, is she?" Tell him Second Prince was not forcing another man to wear a green hat!

"Not married," Jie Long reassured. "Not married nor betrothed to anyone."

"Let it alone," Yu Long warned his playful brother.

Jie Long sniggered, then glanced at the overly concerned face of Feng Chun, so decided to ease the eunuch. "Needs must wait. They will be together in due time."

Ah, so it was like that! Feng Chun let out a breath as he misunderstood First Prince's words. This little bride was too young yet, but the family could be approached soon. This was good enough. Feng Chun left the White Orchid House happy, it was nearly ten minutes later when he realised that he had forgotten about First Prince's marriage!

He did not notice that the Emperor had been standing not far from the White Orchid Palace, a distance enough not to be seen by the distracted eunuch, close enough to hear almost every word!

*****

Xiang Ah Liû had remained at the Summer Temple. An attachment of the invading army led by the man named Wu Chang had remained and were helping any injured Heartlanders as well as burying the dead. The surviving Heartlanders were naturally aggrieved as circumstances held them back from holding the Emperor accountable. The two Princes, one who happened to be the Living God's Guardian had sworn to their gods that the General of the Second Army had acted out on his own and their Imperial Father had sent word to have him halt and return his men to the barracks. Who were they to refute these claims? Worse, if they did, they already knew they were no match for the sheer numbers in just one army, let alone the Empire had at least six!

"Ah, I miss him already," the Living God pouted as he stared at the black ring with it's white pearl decoration. He cheerfully played with it upon his finger for a bit, before releasing a soft sigh.

"Your Holiness," a temple guard named Chen Xue Min approached and knelt before him.

"What is it?" Xiang Ah Liû asked glancing at this man with curled hair for a moment before his eyes were drawn to Wu Chang, who was ordering his men about. A wicked grin appeared upon his face.

Chen Xue Min shuddered, involuntarily, but did not know why. He shook off the feeling and asked; "Will you not return to the Sun Temple?" The Sun Temple was located in the Capital near the heart of the Holy Lands and the Living God usually resided there. Chen Xue Min was actually one of its Temple guards and had been worried about this journey since the first, but he knew the Living God would not have made this pilgrimage without reason. But now that reason had been fulfilled and at a cost. Chen Xue Min thought it best they returned home now.

Ah Liû was not without some regrets. Once he had spoken to Minister Hu he knew that this journey would come with a price, but he also felt that he would not have another chance to meet his Guardian so the risk was necessary. He wished he could denounce that Minister for he was as much to blame as the General who had invaded, but even he could not move without evidence. His power was not like that of the Emperor, he could not just have heads removed! He sank into melancholy. It would be easier if he could!

"Let us prepare..." he paused mid sentence, his body straightening like a knife, before a cold shiver travelled down his back and his eyes were drawn south and slightly to the east. His heart began to falter and he felt a sickness in his stomach. Something was to go wrong and it was with his Yu Long! No he had only just found him! He couldn't lose his Guardian already!

*Do you wish to save him?*

Translations;

forcing another man to wear a green hat! Making another man a victim of adultery.