After a few days, the day of the gala finally arrived. The Zhao palace was heavily adorned with drapes and golden ornaments that were hung from the ceilings and walls. The grand room was lit with gold-rimmed lanterns and thousands of white candles on golden stands. Servants were still setting up the stage and carrying in decorated drums and instruments for the entertainment. The scent of flowers soon flooded the corridors as maids scurried through and the pleasant smell of food caught Xiu Juan’s attention while she dried herself from her bath.

“Ting, Liu. Run and go sneak in some friend dumplings for us!” Xiu Juan grinned at them.

They nodded and skipped away.

Entering into the dressing room of her chamber, her dress was already on its stand waiting for her. It spread widely and seemed more beautiful than she remembered from when she last saw it. The colors glowed vibrantly for her and the herons seemed to wave its silver wings to her to say their greeting.

When she sat down on her chair before her mirror, Fan and Guang combed her dark hair and held it in place with a golden chain. They pinned a few more golden ornaments onto her hair while Xiu Juan painted her own face. With a little white powder, black ink, and red paint for her lips, Xiu Juan finished off by dabbing the plum blossom fragrance she brought from Qin onto her wrists and nape of her neck. She stood up in her white undergarment and Luli and Yue helped her dress in her attire. They waltzed around her as they wrapped layer after layers of silk onto her while Fan and Guang held her hair up. Finally, after folding the last sash, they slipped the black robe through Xiu Juan’s arms and fixed it in place. Surprisingly, it was lighter than Xiu Juan imagined. Then, as always, to complete her attire she strapped on Ying-tai’s charm tightly onto her sash and tenderly covered it with her outer robe.

Stepping back from Xiu Juan, Luli, Fan, Guang, and Yue gaped at the finished piece of art. Ting and Liu ran in with arms full of food and dropped their mouths when they saw their empress.

“Unworldly,” Guang gawked.

“I haven’t seen such liveliness from you since Qin,” Luli smiled happily.

The golden ornaments and chain wrapped around Xiu Juan’s long hair tinkled as she turned to face them. “I’m nervous,” Xiu Juan chuckled. “Meeting all of these people linked to Zhao intimidates me a little.”

The girls shook their heads.

“Your grace surmounts them all,” they pronounced with confidence.

Xiu Juan smiled widely at the comment. She walked toward her table and carefully sat down so as not to wrinkle her formal robe.

“Let’s have a snack before we leave to the gala, shall we?” Xiu Juan poured a cup of tea while the girls eagerly sat down by her and Ting and Liu laid down the snacks they snuck in.

Ngo Kwang glided through Jinhai’s corridors in her glimmering red robe while people stole glances at her extravagant self. Jewels tinkled with each turn she made and Jinhai noticed her attendance from the merry noises in the hall. He was already dressed in his black, silver and gold formal robe when she reached his chamber.

“Halt!” The guards at his doorway stopped her.

“Why are you doing this to me? Let me through. I’m here to see Jinhai,” she demanded.

“He does not want to be bothered at the moment,” one of the guards told her.

“You miserable peasant. How dare you tell me off! I am his majesty’s concubine. I have the right to see him whenever I please!”

Jinhai walked toward the door and stopped the ruckus short. “Let her in,” he said in a low voice, his strict-natured eyes placed on Ngo Kwang. When his guards moved to the side, she looked down on them and let herself in. When they closed the doors behind her, her eyes shot toward at Jinhai.

“What’s the meaning of the words I’m hearing from everyone? You saving that woman? Just what are you thinking? What would your ancestors say?”

“You are speaking out of line,” Jinhai said as he turned his back to her.

“She is our enemy! If you let her die all of your problems would be solved!”

“If I let her die, the Emperor of Qin, her brother, would come after us. Placing her life in danger was not part of the deal,” Jinhai reported.

“She placed herself in danger. They can’t put the blame on you if she was the one who brought it upon herself,” Ngo Kwang argued. “What’s gotten into you? Why did you save her?”

“Are you hinting that you want Qin to storm through the walls of Zhao?” Jinhai questioned. “Because that’s what will happen if she dies within our grounds. It will be all too suspicious for us to claim anything otherwise.”

Ngo Kwang held her tongue. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then why do you question me?”

“You used to tell me you would rid all of Qin’s descendants. It was your goal since you were a young boy. It just doesn’t make sense for you to behave like this towards someone you should hate so much.”

Jinhai did not respond.

Ngo Kwang stepped closer to him, “What happened to us? I was supposed to be in her place!” She walked around Jinhai and stood before him so she could get a clear view of him. She gazed upon his beautiful face: his sculpted cheekbones, nose bridge, and eyebrows that always seemed to be furrowing from infinite thoughts. He didn’t look at her for his eyes were lowered. Her long, pretty lashes began to grow dewy from infuriation and disappointment of how her luck with her first love turned. “Tell me, Jinhai. Did you ever love me like I did you? I changed myself for you. I left my family for you. I did so much for you!”

She lifted her hand up to touch his face but he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and stopped her. He looked into her eyes with his usual stern expression. “Ngo Kwang, what I had towards you was not love. There was a time when I was infatuated with you, but it was perhaps the elders getting into my head. We were young then. Yes, you did change some aspects about yourself, but you did a lot of horrible things meanwhile. That was the one thing you forgot to change: your character. In the past, you hurt a lot of girls that were with you. Also, you didn’t leave your family. They were privileged and you were given free access into the palace because of it. If I remember correctly, you were happy to come here.”

“How could you say such things to me? I am the rightful inheritor to the throne next to yours! Don’t speak down to me!”

“Maybe to the elders then you were,” Jinhai commented, letting go of her wrist. “But I am the emperor now and in my eyes you are not the rightful inheritor of the throne next to mine.”

Ngo Kwang started to shed tears, shocked of the words coming from Jinhai’s lips. Jinhai turned his back to her and headed to his door to step out.

“You’ve grown fond of her, haven’t you? The Qin princess,” Ngo Kwang questioned Jinhai softly.

Jinhai, his back still turned to Ngo Kwang, paused. He then turned his head to the side and asserted, “She is now the Empress of Zhao. You will address her that way in front of others.” With that, he stepped through the doors of his chamber without looking back.

Inside the grand room, men and women of noble name began to enter few by few. They were all dressed in their best, dragging their robes with them as they walked and giggled behind their fans or hands. Xiu Juan peeked inside while Luli and the five girls stood behind her. With the drapes, lighted candles and lanterns, and golden jewels around the room, everything was undeniably beautiful.

“The Zhao really know how to be festive, huh?” Luli gaped at the decorative room.

“Indeed,” Xiu Juan agreed. She observed the overly adorned people coming through the doors and commented, “A lot of filthy rich people here.”

“Yes. The gala is also meant to be a charity event but people mostly come here to show off their wealth,” Yue commented.

“I can see that,” Xiu Juan nodded.

Soon, Dandan found Xiu Juan standing behind the draped doors with Luli and the five girls.

“Ah, Empress! What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in there with the party?” Dandan called to Xiu Juan.

Xiu Juan immediately spun toward Dandan. “I was waiting for my moment to go in. I don’t want to attract any attention to me yet,” she admitted.

“Aya. You are too different. Well if you do not mind, I am going to take the girls with me to help me with tasks. There’s just too much to do right now,” she waved her hands at Guang, Ting, Fan, Yue, and Liu.

They groaned but obliged when Xiu Juan agreed and nudged them to keep Dandan company. She returned to scan the beautiful grand room and found Ngo Kwang and the concubines. Ngo Kwang was remarkably stunning in her red gown and heavily ornamented hairdo.

“Ngo Kwang seems to be enjoying herself,” Luli commented.

“Maybe a little too much?” Xiu Juan noticed Ngo Kwang holding a cup in her hands. She had been holding onto it for a while. She was flirting with a lot of men. One man was exceptionally close to her and she didn’t seem to mind. Her friends started to feel uncomfortable with this man and tried to talk Ngo Kwang from taking any more drinks from him.

“What is he doing talking to the emperor’s concubine like that? Is he not afraid of getting into trouble?” Luli began to get worried.

“You’re right. It doesn’t look right. We should probably head over there,” Xiu Juan whispered to Luli and picked up her gown.

Ngo Kwang was giggling excessively while the other concubines sat behind her awkwardly. Two men were persistent on being near her, offering her drinks while she accepted them without halting.

“Ngo Kwang, I think you’ve had enough,” one of her fellow concubines urged.

“These men are trying to take advantage of you,” another concubine tugged at Ngo Kwang.

“Ah, let me be! It’s the festival of the year. We should all enjoy ourselves!” Ngo Kwang bellowed.

“Hear, hear!” The men by her cheered.

“Say, how about another drink from me to honor such exquisite beauty?” One man offered her a cup while twirling his fingers around her hair ornament. Ngo Kwang's giggle encouraged him to advance toward her more.

“I would take you to be my wife if the emperor didn’t already take away you and all of the pretty women in the country! I should just steal you away!” Another man chuckled.

“He doesn’t know what he’s missing out,” the first man who spoke drank his cup and sniffed Ngo Kwang's perfume on her neck. “I would rip you till you run dry,” he chuckled hysterically.

“How dare you! We are the EMPEROR’S concubines! You have no right to speak to her or us in this way,” one of the concubines interjected.

The men looked at the concubines and mocked them, “Yes. You are his Property. That’s what you are. That’s ALL that you are. We are noble men! We may speak towards property in any manner we please!”

“We are women!” Another concubine argued.

The men burst out into laughter. “Women! What are you going to do? Wipe the dust off our feet and fill our wine glasses?”

Ngo Kwang's face went solemn but she continued to pour herself another cup. She lifted her eyes at the sound of a familiar voice.

“I think you’ve about had enough,” Xiu Juan alleged.

She ignored Xiu Juan’s comment and continued to pour herself and the men a drink. Xiu Juan grabbed her arm and stopped the rim of the cup from touching her lips.

“Stop. For these men to disrespect your status as the first rank concubine of his majesty, don’t you see that they are also disrespecting emperor Jinhai? If not for him, you must at least have some respect for yourself.”

Ngo Kwang yanked her hand away and drank the wine.

“Hey, lady. Let her drink to her heart’s content! She’s just being a great hostess!” The men laughed.

“She’s a concubine! She’s just doing her job!” One man yelled and extended his arm out to touch Ngo Kwang. Xiu Juan pulled Ngo Kwang's arm and yanked her to her feet and stepped back away from the men.

“Don’t touch her!” Xiu Juan snapped.

The men soon became aggravated by this. “Hey, you’re ruining our fun! Go away!”

“Despicable. If spitting condescending remarks towards women is your way of having fun, I would hang my head in shame in a forgotten corner if I were you.”

They got up on their feet and advanced toward Xiu Juan who pulled the intoxicated Ngo Kwang behind her. The concubines soon got up and backed away from the group of men.

“Who are you?” They demanded. “Who do you think you are speaking to us like you’re something? You are in for a lot of trouble.”

“Look at yourselves. There are men dying for your country. Men fighting everyday of their lives so you could sit comfortably and pour yourselves a cup of wine with fine women. Are you not embarrassed knowing that there are less privileged men braver and more honorable than you?”

“You are speaking out of line, woman!” They roared and raised their arms. Before the first step lifted off the hardwood floor and toward Xiu Juan, men in dark armor dispersed before her with their weapons ready. They made a wall between her and the men and they cowardly stepped back at the spine-shivering sight of the elite guards of Zhao in their ceremonial armor. Behind Xiu Juan, she heard a familiar low, calm voice speak out.

“Is there a problem here, men?” Jinhai stepped from behind them and through the wall of elite Zhao guards. He was intimidating; standing tall and poised in his long dark formal wear while looking down at the men who lowered their heads at him immediately.

“Your majesty! Of course not! There is no problem at all!” They cried. “We were just having a tease with the women, that is all!”

“I advise you to not force your way with the royal concubines. They have as much rights as you do,” Jinhai warned firmly.

“Of course! We do not mean to!”

Jinhai turned his eyes to Ngo Kwang who had her eyes down. He returned his strict stare back to the bowing men, “Disrespecting them would be like disrespecting me. You will not go unpunished. I hope grown men like you understand this.”

They nodded and bowed lower.

Jinhai gave a friendly smile and changed his tone into a more welcoming one, “Well, carry on with the rest of the evening. It is a joyous one.” He turned around and the elite guards moved aside to let him through and then turned around to follow him. The concubines looked at him admiringly and then glared at the men who harassed them. Jinhai looked past Xiu Juan to Ngo Kwang.

“Ngo Kwang, you’re smarter than this. Don’t disgrace yourself any further tonight,” Jinhai said only for Ngo Kwang to hear.

“I’m sorry,” Ngo Kwang bowed her head.

“Try to sober up,” Jinhai commanded gently.

Ngo Kwang nodded.

Jinhai finally placed his eyes on Xiu Juan who handed Ngo Kwang over to the concubines. She turned her eyes to him and caught his gaze.

“Empress Xiu Juan,” he addressed her, “please follow me.”

The men who were harassing them shot their heads up and their faces fell pale.

“Empress?” They squealed under their breath.

“What did I just do?” One man smacked his own face.

“Did you get a good look at her?” Another man asked the other.

“No! I didn’t focus on it because she was scolding us!”

“Who talked back to her? Who’s getting their tongue cut off?” One man asked and they all pointed at each other.

Following Jinhai closely and with Luli by her side, Xiu Juan felt eyes of all the people in the room on them. People would smile and greet Jinhai cheerfully but then the smiles diminished as soon as they saw her. Perhaps they didn’t know how to react because they weren’t so sure as to who she was. As they neared the dais, Xiu Juan picked up her skirt to climb the steps but paused in her movements from the surprise of seeing Jinhai extending his hand out to her. She hesitantly placed her hand in his. The room fell into silence as they watched them climb up the stairs to their throne. Heads of noble men and women were weaving in and out within the crowd while trying to catch the first glimpse of their Empress.

When they reached the top, they turned around to face the invited crowd. Xiu Juan looked at the faces of all of the officials and noble people and felt herself tremble. These were the people that ran the state of Zhao.

“I am overjoyed to see you all gathered here today,” Jinhai began. “This past year, Zhao has suffered a lot. However, because of that we also triumphed that much more. All of the losses will not be forgotten and all of our gains will not be taken for granted.” Jinhai paused and turned his eyes to Xiu Juan. “As you know, we have come to peace with the Qin state. For this we are entirely grateful as it is one less war to fight.” Jinhai let go of Xiu Juan’s hand and poured them both a cup of wine a royal servant fetched. He gave a cup to Xiu Juan and held his before her. “I pray this peace between us will never unbind. If, however, fate does turn to decide otherwise in this life, I plea for the gods to give me the next ten thousand years of peace with you.” He bowed his head and then lifted the cup to his lips and drank his wine. His gaze remained on Xiu Juan, waiting for her to take her drink.

Xiu Juan finally lifted her cup to him in the manner a wife would to a husband. “Well said,” Xiu Juan smiled as she looked at him heartrendingly, knowing things will turn. “But not only for ten thousand years. For all eternity.”

Jinhai’s eyes grew wider at her statement and felt his heart rush. He watched her close her eyes as she sipped her wine quietly and the people cheered for their opening speech. Xiu Juan returned the cup to the tray the royal servant had in her hands and watched her walk away. Jinhai saw Xiu Juan’s eyes were saddened even though she had a light smile on her lips. He quickly turned his eyes away, afraid of the uneasiness he was feeling in his chest. Xiu Juan kept her eyes lowered, her heart grieving for the inescapable fact that the peace between them was fated to unbind.

They sat in their thrones silently while watching the people from around the world display their art. When Xiu Juan saw Brother He and his brothers display their talent in martial arts, her eyes brightened and she smiled widely for them and they acknowledged her by saluting her. Jinhai noticed this and glanced over to Xiu Juan who was clapping for them.

A lot of women performed for Jinhai in hopes of becoming his consort. Many even approached him and attempted to hold a conversation with him. He did hold a conversation with them though—even when they were glowing red and flustering—because he was too polite to turn any of them away.

When it was Ngo Kwang's turn to show her tribute, Xiu Juan was marveled by how delightfully she danced even when intoxicated. This was probably why the late empress favored her. Ngo Kwang was indeed talented with her feet, making so many men drool over her. Each time she fluttered a red sash of silk hanging by her arm, oohs and ahhs echoed through the room. Jinhai smiled lightly with warm eyes to acknowledge her and continued to sip small portions of wine. Xiu Juan couldn’t help but wish to be on the same floor with Ngo Kwang and cheered merrily when her act was finished. Ngo Kwang looked up at Xiu Juan and grinned. She then walked toward the dais and spoke in a clear voice.

“Empress Xiu Juan,” she grinned on, “why won’t you come down and give us a tribute?”

Xiu Juan looked at the rich crowd that began to cheer at the proposal.

“Surely you have something prepared. Or are you afraid?” Ngo Kwang challenged.

Xiu Juan turned her eyes to Ngo Kwang. “I am not afraid,” she clearly stated.

Ngo Kwang tilted her head and began to pace around, “I would expect so from one they hail as The Song of Qin.”

Xiu Juan kept her stern eyes on Ngo Kwang who cheerfully paced around the steps of the dais.

“I’ve heard that the sound of your voice makes mountains waver and waves of the sea come to a halt,” she smiled while closing her eyes, mimicking the dreamy expression of a person. In a theatrical voice she cried, “Oh, Brilliance of Qin! How heavier the rains in your homeland must be in which the heavens bestow on them for giving you to us!”

“That’s enough!” Xiu Juan stood up from her throne. She pierced a glare unto Ngo Kwang who gave her a cynical stare.

After a tense moment of silence, a voice from the crowd chimed in, “Sing for us Empress! We would love to hear that voice of yours!”

“Show us what the world speaks of!”

“Yes! Please share with us, Empress!”

Xiu Juan looked up unto the crowd with big eyes, surprised by the encouragement they showered upon her.

Nianzu smiled, stood up and spoke to Xiu Juan, “I’ve only heard of this ‘Song of Qin’ from spread of word by wind. They say it is so deeply loved that the heart of its notorious red army will only be swayed by this ‘Song’—which in actuality is you—and no other. To be able to bear witness of such thing will be an honor, your highness!”

Xiu Juan smiled and placed her hand on her chest at the flattery. While Ngo Kwang scorned at the unexpected encouragement from the mass, Xiu Juan humbly lowered her head to the people in agreement to display her art. She picked up her skirt and drifted down the stairs gracefully while the herons on her back danced behind her proudly with each step she took.

Nianzu sat back down by Hui Zhong while he kept his eyes on Xiu Juan stride up to the stage in the center of the ornamented grand room. He tilted his head toward Nianzu. “You mean HEARTS of its red army,” Hui Zhong commented apathetically rather than questioned. “As in plural. There’s more than one of those vexations,” he grumbled as he popped a fruit into his mouth.

“No. HEART of its red army,” Nianzu clarified to Hui Zhong. “I don’t forget famous proclamations like that.”

Hui Zhong raised his brow to Nianzu. “Hmm,” he grunted while sipping on some wine. “The heart of an army. The heart of an army. The heart of an army,” he repeated to himself while thinking. “That is often defined as the vital part of the militia force which is none other than its commander. If that really is the case then who is it?”

“Hui Zhong, relax. You are thinking too much about this. You’re starting to sound ridiculous pulling ideas out of thin air,” Nianzu smacked his shoulder and interrupted his train of thought.

Hui Zhong grunted and stretched, “Well, when you put it like that I suppose I do sound crazy.” He peeled a fruit from the basket before him. “Still, we mustn’t overlook the things she does too much,” he said as he stared coldly at Xiu Juan.

When Xiu Juan’s feet touched the floor of the stage, she took a deep breath before looking up. The first people she laid eyes on were the musicians in the back of the stage with their instruments. Then she raised her eyes higher and turned her head around while scanning the people who all had their eyes on her. They were so decked out with their jewels and shimmery silks they made the grand room glow. The last person she laid eyes on was Jinhai. He stared down at her with calm eyes, waiting patiently to hear her song. Xiu Juan’s chest rose significantly as she took in a deep breath. She lowered her eyes and fanned her magnificent gown out and took her seat before the white guzheng. The lanterns and candlelights flickered against the vibrant colors of her robe causing the plum blossom petals to appear as though they were fluttering around and about carelessly. As she moved her arms up to her instrument, the willow branches by her sleeves almost seemed as though they were breaking out from their confining threads to sway on their very own.

Xiu Juan ran her fingers across the strings of the guzheng and plucked a note. Then another. And another. The people placed their cups down and held their breaths as they listened to their empress play her song. The vibration of the notes she played echoed through the room and pulled at the hearts of the listeners. Xiu Juan curved her lips into a smile and then opened them to sing while she lifted her eyes up to those who will bear her song:

The dusted road foreshadowed our unfortunate departure

All mountains and rivers waved with your wind that caressed my face for a long goodbye

All heads rose for a salute at the first sight of your red silk and steel armor

Meanwhile, my head bowed and my heart continued on with its accustomed soft sigh

By this harbor, relentlessly I wait for blank sheets and absent sounds of footsteps

I’ve befriended songbirds that whistle, “Who is it that she so sings for by this gate?”

I pled the birds who pled the howling wind to carry my song to reach your address

From the battlefield where your soldiers march, return home and follow the road I’ve traced

Jinhai, with his eyes lowered, stopped the rim of his cup from touching his lips and listened attentively. After her chorus, the crowd cheered and applauded. The musicians behind her were so charmed they sounded their instruments and joined her song. Xiu Juan smiled at this and began to sway with the music while she closed her eyes and continued to play her guzheng.

Hear, the remaining parts of my being still beseech thy name

For fate turned to me and summoned upon my name to make me the bearer of thee

In my last of breath in my day of doom, I will still bless this flower terrace

Ah, for my dear reminiscence of home is nothing of the other but thee

At this point, Xiu Juan’s smile slowly diminished and her eyes fell into their place of darkness. Jinhai turned his eyes to her at this impression he sensed from her.

Red silks, now from afar, to you I cry: Hear, I’ve not ceased from wishing the same wish!

My dear soft pleas, do they ever draw nigh? Perhaps time’s come for me to be conscious:

One must also yearn for what one so yearns; maybe then endless hurt will meet its end.

So then, your wishes I turned into mine that way everyone could be amended.

Xiu Juan’s eyes welled up while the crowd ceaselessly poured themselves wine and continued on listening with jovial spirits, nodding their head with each word sung from Xiu Juan’s lips.

Ah, I will have no regrets as long as you find the one thing you so dearly seek

Till then, I will dream about the familiar kindness from that flower terrace

And if I must not live to see those days, lay me in the grounds of your world at least

That way, though parted, basked in the world of your ways I can smile to you from heaven

The cheering of the drunk crowd pulled Xiu Juan from her trance and the gem-like dew from her eye spilt and streaked her white cheek. She quickly wiped it away before anybody noticed and forced a smile and bowed. To her oblivion, though, Jinhai kept watch and saw everything.

The audience roared with cheers and lifted their porcelain wine cups.

“Magnificent!”

“Enthralling!”

“Empress has quenched one thousand years of thirst with just one song!”

Under the loud and happily intoxicated crowd, Luli lowered her head from the inside message of the song and gripped her garment by her chest at the pain she felt for Xiu Juan. Bo, who was one of the guards outside, heard her song too and looked up at the sky to keep his wet eyes from spilling.

“If there is a God up there,” Bo’s voice trembled, “bring the righteousness Xiu Juan deserves.”

Brother He was among the drunk crowd but he and his brothers sat quietly with solemn faces. Brother Kang took in a deep breath and swallowed hard to keep the bitterness in his chest calm as he tried to recover from the song. He turned to Brother He and saw water droplets on his clenched fists.

“Brother He—” Brother Kang started but immediately cut his sentence short when he saw Brother He’s shoulder trembling.

“Indeed, he was right,” Brother He softly whispered. “He was right!”

While everybody celebrated at the phenomenal performance of the empress, Sir Weizhe, who was sitting by Sir Nianzu, kept quiet and sipped a cup of wine to soothe his tender heart. While he kept his eyes closed and felt the burning sensation from the wine wash down his body, Sir Nianzu spoke to him.

“You’re exceptionally quiet, Sir Weizhe. Were you not pleased?”

Sir Weizhe opened his eyes and raised them to Sir Nianzu. “I am pleased beyond imagination,” he smiled. He placed his empty cup of wine down on the dark, glossy wooden table before him. He turned again to Xiu Juan who rose to her feet and smiled at the audience. “Tell me, Sir Nianzu,” Sir Weizhe began, “why do people applaud with jovial spirits for a song about tormenting longing?”

“Mmmmm,” Sir Nianzu thought, “many only want to recognize the surface of the art and do not bother to glance at its depth. Empress does have a serenading voice and her talent is one you cannot put a deserving enough adjective to. Call it fear of discovering the dreadful or ignorance; for the ordinary mind, once an extraordinary impression is introduced they will cease to go beyond that so as not to discover the unpleasant.”

“Hmmm…What do you feel?” Sir Weizhe questioned Sir Nianzu.

“Like missing home,” Sir Nianzu said in almost a whisper.

Hui Zhong looked up and turned his attention to their conversation.

“Home?” Sir Weizhe repeated.

“Like a bride missing her homeland,” Sir Nianzu nodded.

“So you think she sings of Qin?” Hui Zhong chimed in. Sir Nianzu and Sir Weizhe turned their heads to him.

“Yes,” Sir Nianzu confirmed.

“I don’t think it was meant to be anything personal,” Hui Zhong shrugged.

“Mmmm, perhaps,” Sir Nianzu nodded. He turned back to Sir Weizhe, “What did you feel?”

Sir Weizhe paused, “Compassion.”

“Compassion?” Sir Nianzu repeated.

“I don’t want to pity the singer of the song because they don’t deserve that. I just have the utmost desire for them to get whatever they want in the end.”

“And what do you think that is?” Sir Nianzu was curious.

Even though Sir Weizhe had a clue to what the song’s message was, he only smiled warmly as he poured himself a cup of wine, “Ah, who really knows. It’s open to interpretation.”

Xiu Juan drifted down from the stage while everyone cheered and praised her. She returned to her throne and anticipated a comment from Jinhai but he remained silent while staring unto the happily intoxicated crowd. A little moment later, Jinhai stood from his throne.

“Excuse me,” he lowered his head to Xiu Juan.

Xiu Juan immediately turned her head toward him but before she could say a word he already made his way down the dais toward Sir Weizhe and Sir Nianzu who were waving at him. Unable to bear the awkwardness sitting up in the dais alone, Xiu Juan left her post and slipped through the doors of the grand room and stared upon the lights lit throughout the city for the ceremony while she stood at the top of the stairway. She could hear the warm laughter coming from the villagers as she watched the tiny silhouettes from the distance; some dancing and some shyly holding hands.

“Empress Xiu Juan of Zhao,” a deep and unfamiliar voice intoned.

Xiu Juan spun around, her dark gown fanning out wildly while the decorative threads sparkled like embers against the flickering light from the lanterns. Behind her stood a man around Jiao Long’s age. How he was dressed depicted that he was probably of royalty. He was very masculine, had a sharp jawline, and high cheekbones. But the smile he radiated when he saw Xiu Juan’s painted porcelain-like face made him look like a boy, giving him his luring charm. His eyes gave out a friendly impression, easing Xiu Juan from her alarmed state.

“Who are you that calls upon my name?” Xiu Juan raised her head.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” the man apologized, “I just wanted to meet you.”

Xiu Juan raised her eyebrows. She fully turned around to face him, “For what reason do you want to meet me, sir?”

He came into the light, giving a clearer visual of his face. “I’m Crown Prince Enlai of Qi,” he bowed lowly. “It is in my greatest pleasure to finally stand in your presence.”

Xiu Juan bowed her head to him in acknowledgement. “Crown Prince Enlai of Qi, to what privilege is it of ours to have you as our guest?” Xiu Juan asked when she raised her head.

Prince Enlai kept his charming smile on his face as he looked up at the glittering sky and took in a deep breath. “Today is Zhao’s day of peace. Not one of their soldiers will fight in honor of it. For that sake, I come here for merrymaking.”

Xiu Juan waited for him to continue.

“Also because it might be the last time they will celebrate for their beloved state,” he sighed, his calm eyes lowering.

“Crown Prince Enlai of Qi,” Xiu Juan became cautious of him and slightly furrowed her brows, “do you come with intent to threat?”

Prince Enlai turned to Xiu Juan. The warm expression on his face remained as he spoke, “No, Empress Xiu Juan. Don’t be mistaken. I am not your enemy.” He turned to gaze at the glowing lanterns from the city. “That song,” he continued, “A rather heartrending one to sing at such an event, isn’t it?”

Xiu Juan stared at him and then turned her eyes upon the glowing lanterns as well. “Such songs please drunken listeners. I’m sorry if you found it distasteful.”

“Not at all,” he grinned. “I would expect such performance from you.”

Xiu Juan returned her eyes to him. “What do you mean?”

“When singing that song, what was it that your heart was reaching for?”

Xiu Juan remained silent.

“Do you sing for your home: Qin?”

Xiu Juan only kept her eyes lowered.

“Or do you sing for a loved one?”

This made Xiu Juan raise her eyes slightly.

Prince Enlai took in another deep breath of the night air and exhaled slowly. He smirked warmly as he opened his lips to speak, “The scent of your plum blossom perfume reminds me of man who resides in my kingdom. I’ll never forget the day we met. I’m not fazed by men in steel armor, but seeing a man with a stained armor and frayed silk intrigues me. You just know he is familiar with death and has survived its valley.”

Xiu Juan listened attentively as he told his story.

“Before he arrived at the threshold of the gates of my palace, my sister had been missing for seven days. In a world like this, you’d think she’d be dead already but she was found and returned unharmed by that man. I wanted to reward him but he refused all the offers I gave him. He only wanted one thing. But due to me and my father’s pride, I had to deny his request. Nonetheless, he insisted and we called upon a challenge: a one-on-one combat with each other.

I’ve never met a calmer man in my life that was standing before the points of my twin swords. It took about three stances for my swords to depart from the grip of my hands. The first stance, he was testing me. During the second stance, the presentation in his movements was warning me. On the third and final stance, I became desperate and darted toward him with all my strength but only clipped the seam of his white under garment. He suddenly became alarmed by this. He wouldn’t even let a piece of his clothing fall to the ground for he swept it up before it even touched the floor. It seemed as though that itself was enough for him to bring the fight to its end as he knocked my weapons from my hands and pressed his blade against my throat. I expected to die. I expected for him to strip away all the things I held dear. He had the chance. But he didn’t. Instead, he showed mercy. When on my feet, his words to me were, ‘See the world I am to bring.’ That has been etched into my mind since.”

Prince Enlai closed his eyes as he reminisced. “As days passed, I took him in as a brother. He’s moved the hearts of my people. My sister’s especially. He’s just moved my kingdom. It’s not even power that he desires and at the time I couldn’t pinpoint what made him so driven. I sat down with him one night like this and asked him of his purpose. He smiled and looked at the swaying branches of the tree we were sitting under.”

Xiu Juan waited for him to go on. After a little pause, she asked in a gentle voice, “What did the man say?”

“To be able to see plum blossoms bloom from all sides of the world.”

Xiu Juan turned away to hide her heart’s response. She knew who the man was.

“My father and I eventually reconsidered his request and would agree to it under one condition: He will have to become tied by blood.”

All of Xiu Juan’s breath seemed to have left her. She turned her head to the side, “You proposed a marriage?”

“To my sister,” he nodded.

“What did he say?” Xiu Juan nervously asked.

“He has not given me a reply. I will hear his answer when I return,” Prince Enlai replied.

“What if he declines your offer?”

“I don’t think he has anything holding him from accepting the offer. But…”

“But?” Xiu Juan urged for him to continue.

“Unfortunately, things are quite difficult now. As great of a man he seems to be, I am still wary of him.”

“Why is that, may I ask?” Xiu Juan was curious.

“I received an alarming warning.”

“A warning? About?”

“They warned me that the man I was sheltering was a threat,” Prince Enlai shared.

Xiu Juan grew nervous, “Was it a reliable source?”

“From the imperial court of the state he serves…or used to serve.”

This is not good, Xiu Juan tried hard to control her breathing. “If you do not mind me asking, was this shortly after the announcement of the possible engagement?”

Prince Enlai looked at Xiu Juan, “Yes. How did you know?”

She had a sense it had something to do with her brother and his court’s ploy. After a short pause, Xiu Juan asked, “What are you going to do to this man who is a supposed threat to the goodness of your kingdom?”

Prince Enlai looked at the lanterns from the village and sighed. “I cannot say yet.”

Xiu Juan pulled herself together quickly and poised herself. She lifted her chin up and turned around to face Prince Enlai.

“Crown Prince Enlai of Qi,” she said in a stable voice, “I took you as a wise man—taking an enemy in and then turning them into a brother in arm. You allowed your eyes to open and even lowered your pride for the sake of brotherhood. But wouldn’t you say it’s rather foolish for one to turn against a man who pardoned them from death’s cold, steel fingertips?”

Prince Enlai furrowed his brows slightly. “Empress Xiu Juan. I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

“Before you considered him a friend, he saw you as a brother. He spared you because he saw that you deserved to have a share of this better world of his. Still you pled a price from him for showing you and your family mercy and kindness. Now you plan to desert him because of some conspiracy that has not yet been proven to be true. Enlighten me of the sense in that!”

Prince Enlai was taken aback by Xiu Juan’s displeasure.

“The war is coming to an end. Empires are falling one by one into the hands of either Zhao or Qin. You are not strong enough to fight against us alone. For your protection, I advise you to accept your friend’s request.”

Prince Enlai lowered his head and thought hard, considering her words.

“I see,” Prince Enlai lifted his head, looked at Xiu Juan and exhaled. “I find it fascinating how you are asking me to join forces with this man and I haven’t even told you his name yet. Empress Xiu Juan, usually one wouldn’t do so. Like you said, empires are falling one by one. One such as yourself would take as many followers you could possibly find. Am I not worthy enough to be part of Zhao? Or does the Empress of Zhao have something she is hiding in her sleeve?”

Hearing Prince Enlai mention that caught Xiu Juan off guard. She glared at him. “Don’t speak out of line,” Xiu Juan warned in a low voice.

“You knew I was speaking of Him,” Prince Enlai was now facing her completely.

“There are hundreds of thousands of men in duty. You are making dangerous assumptions and you know this,” Xiu Juan stood her ground.

“You dare yourself to deny Unit Commander Ying-tai of Qin? Is that not also desertion?!” Prince Enlai couldn’t help but express.

Those words pierced through Xiu Juan’s heart. “Crown Prince Enlai of Qi!” Xiu Juan stopped him with lachrymose eyes. In a softer but wavering voice, she pled for his silence, “Enough.”

Prince Enlai’s eyes had remorse in them. In a compassionate tone, he asked, “Empress Xiu Juan, your affair with him places you in a dangerous position. Why do you insist on staying here?”

Xiu Juan held her head up, turned around and walked closer to the edge of the steps while the late summer wind swept under her gown and made the seams ripple. “I have my own duties I must abide to,” she replied while gazing off into the dark distance. “By staying here I can hold the reins of Zhao back.”

Prince Enlai looked at Xiu Juan’s back that faced him, “You do all of this to protect him?”

“So he could achieve what the world so needs,” Xiu Juan replied. “Even if it may cost my life.”

Prince Enlai was taken aback by her response. He smiled wistfully and nodded his head, “I understand.”

Xiu Juan turned her head to him. His face expressed immense guilt.

Prince Enlai smiled to her as he came to his final thoughts, “When I return to Qi, I owe a great man a great apology. And despite his answer to my offer I will still honor his request. Seeing the magnitude of honor you have toward him answers the doubts I once had.”

Xiu Juan smiled to him warmly in response. “You are a good man, Prince Enlai of Qi. I now see what he saw in you. I hope we meet again after your departure from Zhao.”

Flattered, he grinned like a little boy as he nodded. “Oh, I definitely do hope I will see you again, Empress Xiu Juan. Now that I’ve met you, I definitely see why you are hailed as Song of Qin.”

Xiu Juan was puzzled by what he meant.

Prince Enlai lifted his face towards the sky once more. “Since I’ve met him, he has not spoken your name once to me,” he mentioned.

Xiu Juan raised her brow, appalled by his statement.

Prince Enlai turned his eyes to her, “But one thing you have to know: When I fought him that day, it wasn’t his white undergarment I clipped,” he confessed. “What fell from his chest was a paper of pressed plum blossoms.”

Xiu Juan’s eyes grew bigger as she heard this.

“Hear when I say that he was covered in dirt and stained with blood when he entered my palace. His appearance really represented his dubbed name: Demon of War,” Prince Enlai described. “But this paper of blossoms he carried close to him was untainted. Not a single speck of dust ever touched it. Empress Xiu Juan, know that that speaks a lot for a man.”

Moved by this, Xiu Juan’s eyes became dewy. She fought back the pain in her throat that hurt more and more each time she swallowed. Xiu Juan clenched her jaw.

“You are his piece of humanity,” Prince Enlai approached Xiu Juan. “Be patient, your highness. He is coming and he will be as unyielding as rain,” Prince Enlai was now comforting her like an older brother. He paused and swallowed down the lump that began to grow in his throat, “As for your song,” he smiled warmly as he took her hand and patted it. “They say a song can quench a thousand years of thirst, but you have made my cheeks stained from shedding my heart dry with yours. And with that, I promise you your song will reach his address.”

Tears dripped from Xiu Juan’s eyes, touched that someone understood, “Thank you,” Xiu Juan smiled gratefully. “I can’t express enough of how much I appreciate that. And for taking him in and showing kindness toward him, I am eternally grateful!” She wiped away her tears before anyone from inside the palace saw and placed her hand over her aching heart, “Please look after him well, Prince Enlai. The silk on his back must never unravel and be frayed and he must never feel as though he’s alone.”

“As a leader of a state to another, I give you my word,” Prince Enlai nodded, patted her hands one last time, and then stepped back and bowed to her lowly. “I will depart from you now, your highness. Until we meet again, your radiant grace will be etched into my mind,” he smirked.

Xiu Juan smiled and then bowed her head to him, “Until we meet again.”

Then, like complete strangers would, Prince Enlai and Xiu Juan turned their backs to each other silently. Prince Enlai returned inside the palace where his guards were waiting for him and headed toward Jinhai who greeted him warmly, showing that they both had history.

When Xiu Juan returned to the vivacious grand room, Jinhai and Prince Enlai were no longer anywhere in sight. Nianzu, Hui Zhong, and Sir Weizhe seemed to have disappeared as well. As she strode through the room, she heard a whirlwind of whispers and noticed coy eyes.

“What do you think The Empress’s song was about?” She heard some men snickered.

“She’s just like every new bride still missing her homeland,” one man answered.

“She probably feels miserable here in Zhao. We should just send her back to Qin. She doesn’t belong here,” one of the dancers sneered from across the room.

“You’re right. I’ve heard the emperor doesn’t even pay any mind to her. It must be so lonely!” Another dancer waved her water sleeves.

“The poor woman just wants to go back home,” they laughed.

A few older noble women from across her throne giggled behind their handkerchiefs, “Do you think there is a man The Empress has in her heart that no one knows about?”

Xiu Juan stopped in her tracks.

“You dare say such thing? You are just too much!” Another older noble woman nudged her friend’s shoulder as she chuckled.

“My daughter would’ve made a better Empress,” a noble woman sighed as she patted her hair.

“To think all that money spent to raise our children right and help this nation flourish only to have our country bring in an outsider to be our queen.”

“It’s laughable when you think about it,” a younger lady spitted. “What are we paying our military for?”

Xiu Juan bit her lips and clenched her fists. Poor thing. Poor thing. Poor thing. The repetitive words echoed.

“Empress Xiu Juan!” Ngo Kwangs voice called from her right and interrupted the voices. She was waving at her.

Xiu Juan turned to Ngo Kwang and smiled. She walked toward her table and addressed her, “Ngo Kwang.” She sat where Ngo Kwang was patting her hand at.

“A drink?” Ngo Kwang offered.

Xiu Juan shook her head, “No, thank you. I mustn’t.”

“That was a rather impressive performance. So much so, it is causing quite a controversy around the empire,” she smirked as she tilted her head.

“My intentions were for the sake of art. We are in the presence of politicians. They adore conspiracies. I would not pay any mind to it,” Xiu Juan reasoned.

“Mmm,” she closed her eyes and sipped her wine. “If you say so, Empress.”

Soon, a couple of the concubines scurried from behind to Xiu Juan and Ngo Kwang.

“Ngo Kwang,” they giggled, “Prince Enlai accepted your cup of wine!”

“Oh he was so charming!” One of them placed the back of her hand to her forehead as though she was swooning.

Ngo Kwang smiled proudly, “Well it has been a while since he’s returned.”

“Prince Enlai of Qi? What is his relation with Zhao?” Xiu Juan questioned.

Ngo Kwang looked up at Xiu Juan like she was a clueless fool. “Well,” she began, “Jinhai’s father and Prince Enlai’s father were political partners. We did business with them such as trading goods. The Emperor of Qi would send Prince Enlai here for business purposes as he would never come himself. That’s how Jinhai and I have such good relations with Prince Enlai and his sister.”

“I see,” Xiu Juan intoned. She didn’t have the greatest opinion toward Prince Enlai’s sister.

“Speaking of which, I heard his sister is to marry one of your Qin generals,” Ngo Kwang mentioned.

Xiu Juan became quiet.

“Isn’t it funny how small the world is? Everyone is being connected in some way or the other,” Ngo Kwang chuckled as she poured more wine into her cup. “I can’t believe it,” she shook her head.

“He is not a general,” Xiu Juan corrected without thinking. “He is---“ She stopped herself short from saying family.

“Eh?” Ngo Kwang held her cup to her lips, her eyebrow raised at Xiu Juan.

Xiu Juan lifted her eyes to Ngo Kwang, “He is a Unit Commander.”

“Oh! So you know who I’m talking about?” Ngo Kwang questioned Xiu Juan.

“He’s rather renowned, so yes,” Xiu Juan quickly replied.

“Hmmm I suppose so,” Ngo Kwang nodded. “So she ended up marrying before me,” she huffed.

“How are you so sure it’s official?” Xiu Juan doubted.

“I heard they’re rather close,” one of the concubines informed.

“Also, Princess of Qi is said to be very beautiful,” another concubine chimed in.

“Beautiful you say?” Xiu Juan tilted her head to the concubine speaking.

“Ngo Kwang used to be so competitive with her,” the concubine pouring wine chuckled. She saw Ngo Kwang glaring at her and immediately lowered her head and silenced herself.

Ngo Kwang sighed, “Their meeting was like something from a romantic tale. I heard he saved her from a group of fearful bandits south of Chu. He carried her all the way back home, not allowing her to leave his side as he shielded her from all the dangers that pursued her. Chivalrous isn’t it?”

Xiu Juan did not reply.

“I would love to meet this Unit Commander Ying-tai,” Ngo Kwang dreamed.

Xiu Juan felt herself flinch from the sound of his name. She smirked, her eyes kindling with abhorrence, “He’s a rather quiet and complex man. Very hard to understand. In time it will get on your nerves. Fighting is all he knows how to do and for that he tends to forget about those that care for him. Not your ideal chivalrous knight. Also, marriage is a foreign concept to him.”

“I’d like to beg to differ,” a concubine opposed. “He and Princess of Qi were observed as inseparable. Qi’s possible engagement to Qin is all the talk right now.”

Xiu Juan stared at the concubine who spoke. Her eyes made the concubine’s spine stiffen up.

“Is that so?” Xiu Juan’s voice calmly intoned.

The concubine nodded, afraid to say anything else.

“This Ying-tai seems to interest you so,” Ngo Kwang mentioned, starting to become curious of Xiu Juan’s reactions.

Xiu Juan turned her eye away and scoffed bitterly, “No such thing.”

Ngo Kwang watched Xiu Juan without saying a word. After a quiet moment, Xiu Juan got up from her seat as Ngo Kwang picked up her wine cup.

“Leaving so soon?” Ngo Kwang called after her.

“I’m rather exhausted,” Xiu Juan said without turning to her and continued on. Sliding through the swarm of inebriated noble men and women, she recalled the moment Ying-tai rejected their engagement and frowned.

You rejected me. You can’t marry someone else! She cried inside while struggling through the silk on people’s back. Will that not be the ultimate betrayal against me? Breaking through the last wall of drunken people from the crowd, she stopped, turned her head back and took a good look at Zhao’s supremacy with eyes of deep despondency. Am I to spend the rest of my life waiting here, Ying-tai? She lowered her shoulders and sighed. A lump grew in her throat.

“Your highness?” A voice woke her from her trance. Xiu Juan turned her eyes from the crowd and saw a servant standing before her with a pitcher.

“Are you well?” He asked, concerned.

Xiu Juan stared vacantly at his pitcher. “Do you happen to carry something in there that can quench my thirst?” She asked in a gentle voice.

“Uh,” he looked at his pitcher. Nervous and not too sure of how to reply, he hesitated. “Depends, your majesty, on what it is you seek for: to be fulfilled or to forget?”

Xiu Juan smiled and extended her hand out, “Let’s see shall we?”

The servant took out a cup and poured the liquid from his pitcher. It was clear but its fragrance was tastefully overpowering.

“Phoenix Dew?” Xiu Juan recognized it.

“Yes. The strongest wine in the world,” the servant nodded proudly.

Xiu Juan drew the cup to her lips and took in the fragrance. She closed her eyes and took in the striking flavor. She furrowed her brow while the burning sensation flickered inside her chest and down to her belly.

“How pleasant,” Xiu Juan smiled softly. She extended her arm out for another serving. Then again for a third one.

“Your majesty, take caution! This is a very strong drink,” The servant timidly warned, but being too afraid to reject her wishes he continued to pour her another cup. “Empress, please don’t push yourself!” He pled.

“Another,” Xiu Juan demanded and hiccuped as she felt lighter and lighter. Am I airborne?

He reluctantly did so but before the rim of the porcelain cup could touch Xiu Juan’s lip, someone grabbed a hold of her arm and stopped her. Startled, she whipped the hand away and was about to strike the person touching her but stopped when she saw Jinhai standing before her.

“Your majesty!” The servant bowed lowly to Jinhai.

Jinhai kept his eyes on Xiu Juan who was still in her trance of surprise.

“I think that’s enough,” he said to Xiu Juan in a low voice.

Xiu Juan glared at Jinhai. He put his hand out and waited for Xiu Juan to hand him the cup of wine. She dared to gulp the last serving and shoved the cup into his hand to which he handed over to the servant. Jinhai didn’t say anything about Xiu Juan’s moment of impoliteness and only nodded for the servant to leave the two of them be.

“Phoenix Dew? I didn’t think of you to be a heavy drinker,” Jinhai commented.

“I was craving it,” Xiu Juan said with sultry eyes.

Jinhai furrowed his brows and sighed heavily at her. “You are the host here. You must never get more intoxicated than your guests.”

“Really?” Xiu Juan wobbled as she spun to Jinhai, “because I sure feel like the guest here!” Xiu Juan pounded her chest as she spoke.

“Xiu Juan of Qin, lower your voice,” Jinhai coaxed her.

“Why? Everyone here is loud and jolly!” Xiu Juan spun around with her arms fanning out. She turned to Jinhai and looked at him, “I deserve to be too, don’t I?” She then stepped toward him and poked his chest. “You should learn how to let loose too,” she tilted her head at him and grinned as she hiccuped.

“You had too much to drink,” he looked down at her. “Perhaps you should return to your room.”

Xiu Juan shook her head, “No.”

Jinhai raised his brow at her.

“There’s somewhere I want to go first,” Xiu Juan spoke to him with her head lowered.

“You can’t even walk.”

Xiu Juan lifted her head to him and grabbed his sleeve, surprising him. She smiled widely, showing the apples on her cheeks, “You can come with me!”

“What?” Jinhai pulled her fingers off of his sleeve.

“Come with me to the village!” Xiu Juan proposed. “I have friends there. I want to celebrate this day with them. I can’t do that here!”

“Did you forget what happened the last time you were out there?” Jinhai voiced his concern.

“If I was afraid of that to begin with, I would have never met my friends,” Xiu Juan stated strongly.

Jinhai paused. “You are a queen, Xiu Juan of Qin. What makes you think it’s okay to leave your guests here?”

“You are king of Zhao! What better than to celebrate this day with the people? They are the foundation of your kingdom,” Xiu Juan pointed out.

Jinhai thought for a moment and then exhaled heavily. “If that is what you truly want, then I’ll go with you. But only for a short moment. They will come looking for me when they notice that I’m gone.”

Whether it was the Phoenex Dew or Jinhai’s act of kindness toward her, Xiu Juan couldn’t help but be taken by with joy.

“Oh, thank you!” She cheered. “They’ll be so grateful!”

Jinhai watched her think real hard for a moment and then her eyes became brightened as she came up with an idea.

“I know a way to keep people from looking for you!”

“Huh?” Jinhai became concerned.

“Every emperor has their replica, right? So you must have one! We can tell him to just be you until we get back! Let’s go get him!”

“Xiu Juan of Qin, I don’t think that’s—“ Jinhai started.

“Come! Come!” Xiu Juan rushed ahead.

Jinhai chased after her then walked ahead to lead her to his replica. When they found him, Xiu Juan giggled at the sight of the man.

“What’s so funny?” Both of them asked in unison.

“You guys look nothing alike!”

The Jinhai replica looked at the real Jinhai. “I think we’re similar enough.”

“Yes, with the hair and jaw. But…” Xiu Juan tilted her head.

“But?” The Jinhai replica waited.

Xiu Juan didn’t finish and stepped behind the real Jinhai.

“We must make haste! The night does not wait for us!” She stumbled around him as she struggled to take off his heavy robe.

“Xiu Juan of Qin, what are you trying to do?”

“Giving your coat to him, duh! He has to be dressed how you were this evening!”

“I got it,” Jinhai nudged Xiu Juan to the side. He slipped the robe off and handed it to the replica to put on.

“Okay, great! Now let’s go!” Xiu Juan rushed toward the doorway.

“What if Unit Commander Hui Zhong and Sir Nianzu ask where you are?” The replica asked.

Jinhai turned to Xiu Juan who was waiting by the door eagerly holding two hooded cloaks—one for herself and one for Jinhai. “Don’t worry about it,” he said and left.

Sliding through the grand doors unnoticed, Xiu Juan darted toward the stables and grabbed Shan and mounted him.

“What are you doing?” Jinhai whispered loudly.

“Come on! It’ll be faster this way!”

“Well, let me go grab my horse---“ Jinhai started.

“No time!” Xiu Juan yanked him in mid stride, forcing him to mount onto Shan.

“You’re insane!” Jinhai scolded as he adjusted himself behind her.

“This is Shan, by the way. He’s been with me for a while,” Xiu Juan laughed as they glided down the mountain.

“Ah, ok. Nice to meet you, Shan,” Jinhai shyly introduced himself to Xiu Juan’s horse. Shan raised his head high to acknowledge him and neighed.

“Smart one, is he,” Jinhai grinned. “Ah, what was it that you didn’t want to say to my replica?”

“Huh?”

“You said he was missing something but you stopped short in your words,” Jinhai reminded. “I just thought that perhaps it would help a lot if you share your thoughts on what we could correct.”

“Oh, that!” Xiu Juan giggled. “That will be impossible!”

“Why’s that?”

“Because,” Xiu Juan smiled as she embraced the summer night breeze, “he doesn’t have your eyes.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I find the eyes to be a very important attribute in someone. There’s not many with eyes that give such an etching impression.”

“Oh? I see.” Jinhai thought, “Do you know anyone with such an impression?”

“Yes. Only three people in my whole life,” Xiu Juan smiled.

“Pray tell.”

“My father had the eyes of a lion. Everyone tells me I get it from him. Whenever he gave me his strict stare, the muscles in my legs would fail and I wouldn’t be able to move from my stance. But his ever so gentle-mannered eyes made me feel entirely safeguarded.”

Jinhai smiled warmly at Xiu Juan’s reminiscence of her father but his smile soon faded. He lowered his eyes and sighed lightly. “What of the second person?” He later asked.

Xiu Juan smiled, “You.”

Jinhai was taken aback by this. With his heart beating fast, he stared at her bright, merry face.

“When I first met you, no words had to be spoken to tell me that you hated me. You’re eyes illustrated it for me clear enough.”

“Ah,” Jinhai softly toned.

“But now I see something different.”

“Mmmm?”

“I can’t pinpoint what it is exactly but it’s enough to tell me that despite of anything that may happen from here on you will stand up for me.”

Jinhai’s eyes grew bigger. He smiled, “Is that so?”

“Mmmhmm,” Xiu Juan replied.

A cool gust of wind greeted them when they reached the bottom of the mountain and galloped through the grassland. Before nearing the brightly lit town, Xiu Juan and Jinhai dismounted Shan and tied him to a willow tree nearby. Jinhai followed Xiu Juan quietly as they slid through the blades of the tall grass, not wanting to cause great attention. When they entered the festive town through the paifang, Xiu Juan’s face glowed as brilliantly as the lanterns. Jinhai watched her face radiating with bliss and felt himself become warm inside.

“I’m having cravings for something greasy and something sweet,” Xiu Juan grinned and eagerly took a step forward.

“Xiu Juan of Qin, don’t be irresponsible. You must be careful,” Jinhai stopped Xiu Juan from running wild. “You are still intoxicated.”

Xiu Juan turned to him and smiled gaily, “With you here, I won’t have to worry. No one can get past you.”

Jinhai sighed and shook his head at Xiu Juan while scrambling after her through the loud crowd. With each food stand they passed by, Xiu Juan ordered a handful of snacks.

“Two grilled squid, please! And a couple of pork buns, skewered duck, and rice cakes!” Xiu Juan pleasantly requested.

“You’re going to eat all of that?” Jinhai asked, flabbergasted by her appetite.

The man smiled warmly to Xiu Juan and nodded. When he handed her the bag of her goodies, she scrambled for her money pouch. She froze and her eyes became wide.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she looked at him with sad eyes, “But I don’t seem to have my money pouch with me.”

Jinhai looked at the old man and caught his eye. The old man, recognizing the hooded Jinhai, was speechless by the presence of his king and quickly spoke to Xiu Juan.

“Oh! Don’t you worry about it! It’s on me today!” He beamed at Xiu Juan and winked at Jinhai.

Xiu Juan raised her eyebrow, “But…are you sure?”

The old man nodded and jollily waved to Xiu Juan as she reluctantly parted from his stand.

Jinhai smiled at the old man and placed a few gold coins down on his counter, “Thank you.”

The old man raised his hand to thank Jinhai, “You are too generous! Thank you! Thank you!” He bowed after Jinhai who continued to follow Xiu Juan closely.

“Kind man, isn’t he?” Xiu Juan smiled as she took a bite out of her pork bun.

Jinhai looked down at her and grinned, “Yes. Kind man he is.”

Coming to sober a little bit, Xiu Juan scurried around like a child while clutching onto her hood tightly. When they reached a game-play booth, Xiu Juan heard a few children call her name.

“Xiu Juan! Xiu Juan!” They shouted, their voices nearing her.

She spun to the tiny voices and before she could see their faces, they all wrapped their arms around her. They were the kids who she sang with in the village and made shaved ice for.

“Children!” Xiu Juan jumped.

“Why are you here?” They asked her. “Shouldn’t you be in the palace?”

“How’d you know it was me?” She knelt down and embraced them

“We recognize you anywhere!” A little girl with dimples named Xue giggled.

“Why do they call you by your name?” Jinhai questioned.

Xiu Juan shyly answered, “Oh, I told them my friends could call me by my name. These are the children I sing with when I visit the village.”

“Oh?” Jinhai smiled at the children.

“Ah! It’s the emperor?” The children realized and stepped back. They shyly bowed to Jinhai.

“So,” a boy named Fu grinned when he raised his head up, “what brings both of you here alone?”

“On a date?” Another boy named Gui teased.

“Ah…” Jinhai and Xiu Juan widened their eyes and looked at each other.

“Don’t make Miss Xiu Juan embarrassed!” An older girl named Zhu poked Gui.

“Don’t be mistaken! We are just here for fun!” Xiu Juan quickly spoke. “He’s only here as a bodyguard.” Xiu Juan looked away from Jinhai, feeling a little uncomfortable.

“Ohhhhhhhhhh,” the boys chuckled. “The Great Emperor Jinhai! There is no greater company!”

“Since you are here for fun how about you help us get that gold fish!” A boy named Tao pointed at bowl with a butterfly tail goldfish. “None of us can throw a dart accurate enough at the bullseye.”

“Please? He’s just so beautiful!” Xue pled.

Xiu Juan smiled warmly down at them, “I’ll see what I can do.”

She approached the booth and a lady handed her five darts. Jinhai kept his eyes on her as she raised one dart and threw it. Missing the bullseye by a few centimeters, Xiu Juan threw it again, this time closer to the bullseye. Then on her third dart, she hit the target perfectly in the center.

“Yay!” The children cheered loudly and pointed at the butterfly tail goldfish they had their eyes on.

The young lady at the booth looked at Jinhai and smiled at him. She picked up five darts and twirled her hair, “Want to give it a try, handsome stranger?” She flirted with him, not recognizing him under his hood.

Xiu Juan and the children all looked at Jinhai.

“Ah, no thank you,” Jinhai smiled and waved his hand.

“Come on! Let’s see!” Tao jumped.

“Yeah!” The other children chimed in.

The young lady at the booth kept her eyes on Jinhai. “With each dart you make into the bullseye, I’ll give you a goldfish,” she offered.

The children’s eyes lit up by ten fold. “Oh, you should! That means one for each of us!” They looked up at Jinhai with big eyes.

“But with each miss, I’ll get a favor from you,” the lady bit her lower lip playfully.

“Hey! You just can’t say that to—“ Zhu started to defend Xiu Juan but Xiu Juan stopped her.

Jinhai looked down at the lady, raising his eyebrow. “I’m sorry but I don’t do these childish things.”

“Yes, let’s see what you got,” Xiu Juan smiled playfully at Jinhai. “This will be interesting.”

Jinhai turned his eyes to Xiu Juan.

“Or are you afraid you will lose face to me?” Xiu Juan chuckled behind the children.

Jinhai smirked at her then turned around to collect his five darts. “Never, Xiu Juan of Qin,” he commented.

“Wait,” the lady stopped Jinhai before he began. “Your target is that one,” she pointed to the target twenty-five to thirty feet from where they were standing. “Good luck,” she winked.

Calm, Jinhai raised all five of his darts and eyed the target. Then, with five effortless swipes in a single split second, he pierced each and every dart into the center of the target. The bystanders in line looked with opened mouths as they were in awe of what they just observed.

“Yay!” The children cheered and jumped around Jinhai while the lady kept her wide eyes on her target board, haven’t yet taken in what just happened.

Five goldfish! Five goldfish! Five goldfish!

To go home with me—a granted wish!

The children sang as they raised their arm up to collect their small fishbowl. When each one of them collected their fishbowl, there was one extra sitting on the counter of the booth waiting to be picked up.

“I guess this one’s yours,” Xiu Juan said to Jinhai and lowered her eyes to the butterfly tail goldfish.

The children kept their eyes on Xiu Juan and Jinhai while clutching onto their fishbowl.

Jinhai picked up the small bowl, took Xiu Juan’s hand and placed it in her palm, “I don’t have a place for it.”

Xiu Juan lifted her gaze upward to Jinhai’s. He had his eyes on the bowl with a tender expression on his face. He soon let go of her hand and turned around to the singing children.

“Let’s go to the lake!” They toned.

Xiu Juan turned her head to the children. “The lake? Why?”

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” They chimed, not replying to Xiu Juan’s question.

At the soft waving lakeshore, Xiu Juan and Jinhai followed the children closely and watched them run toward the shore.

“Hey! Be careful!” Xiu Juan called after them.

The children then lined up side by side and lifted their fishbowls up at once.

“To freedom you go!” They pronounced loudly to the night world.

Xiu Juan stopped in her steps and held her breath.

“You’re setting them free?” Xiu Juan exhaled.

They turned to her, “Yes! We think they’ll be happier in their home with their friends rather than being separated because they have to be! Just like how you taught us!”

“Yes!” Tao’s face was shining with pride in his deed as he looked up at his goldfish in his bowl, “To live respecting one another’s freedom. That’s the way to live!”

Touched, Xiu Juan smiled with dewed eyes. She recalled the day she, herself, freed a goldfish back to its respected place when she was still in her beloved home, Qin. She turned to Jinhai who had been reading her and he nodded at her, approving her wish. As she caringly held her fishbowl close to her chest, she swept through the sand toward the children and lifted her goldfish up. Then, altogether, they bent down, cupped their goldfishes in their hands out of their confining bowl, and gently placed them into the cold water of the lake and watched them flutter their transparent butterfly tails away.

“Home,” Xiu Juan whispered wistfully after the children turned around and ran back to the festival.

“That was noble,” Jinhai voiced.

Xiu Juan turned to him.

“I would have never expected that from children. Hearing something like that ring through my kingdom makes me…” Jinhai paused and turned his head to her.

Xiu Juan quickly turned her head away and gazed unto the whispering lake, “When I was still back in Qin, I caught a goldfish once. I was told it was good luck.” She took in a deep breath and sighed heavily, “But I let it go.”

Jinhai kept his eyes on her.

Chest heaving and eyes illustrating quiet despair, Xiu Juan dimly smiled and silently returned to the illuminating town while Jinhai studied her and trailed closely behind as he started to feel compassionate towards her.

Striding through the crowded streets, Jinhai was never too far from Xiu Juan’s side. Seeing her struggle through the mass, Jinhai placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Let me go first,” he suggested.

Xiu Juan paused for a moment then nodded, “Sure.”

“Hold on to my cloak so you won’t get separated,” he recommended in a low voice to her.

Xiu Juan hesitantly gripped Jinhai’s cloak and followed his tall figure through the swarming bodies. At her side view, a booth of sweets caught her attention and she stopped in her stride. Jinhai immediately halted with her.

“Tanghulu,” Xiu Juan’s eyes lit up at the skewered candied fruit.

Jinhai eyed the candy and then looked down at Xiu Juan who proceeded toward the booth.

“One Tanghulu, please!” She smiled brightly at the clerk.

The old man smiled at her and handed her the skewered candied fruit. When Jinhai approached the counter, the old man took one look at him and smiled brighter.

“Well what a day it is!” He chuckled. “I never thought I’d see you among these streets again!”

Jinhai smiled and nodded to him, “Nice to see you again mister. I trust all is well with you and the missus?”

“Yes. Not much has happened with the missus and me since you became Emperor and left the streets. You used to cause ruckus all the time and I always had to get you out of them!” The old man laughed as he reminisced of Jinhai’s adolescent days.

“I’ve had a lot in my hands lately,” Jinhai said in an apologetic manner, “I meant to come and visit again.”

“Ah, don’t fuss about it,” the old man waved his hand at Jinhai. He turned his eyes and looked at Xiu Juan closer. “And this must be…”

Xiu Juan, holding her Tanghulu, nodded her head to him and smiled benevolently.

“Oh my,” he exhaled. “Honey!” He called to his wife breathlessly, “Come see who has come to visit us!” He returned his attention to Jinhai and Xiu Juan and motioned them to come inside.

Inside their homely booth, an old lady walked out from behind a shelf while wiping her hands on a white cloth.

“Oh, why if it isn’t little Jinhai!” She grinned as she patted his shoulder. “Well, am I happy to see you again! No wonder the lanterns are glowing brighter tonight!”

“I’m glad to see you are well, Mrs Qiu,” Jinhai smiled warmly at her.

She looked past him and spotted Xiu Juan.

“Oh my,” her chest was rising. “Is this…”

“Yes. The Empress of Zhao,” Jinhai turned his head to the side toward Xiu Juan.

She walked to Xiu Juan with big eyes. “If I may take a good look at you, child,”

“Ah, dear!” Mr Qiu objected. “You don’t ask that from an Empress!”

“It’s okay,” Xiu Juan smiled warmly. She slipped off her hood and fully revealed herself. Against the warm light, her dark hair glowed and her white skin looked to be as smooth as milk. But most of all, her eyes were glowing like a warm furnace.

“What grace,” Mrs Qiu exhaled. She cupped Xiu Juan’s chin and beamed, “You’ve got yourself a jewel, little Jinhai!”

Jinhai turned away to avoid any uneasy feelings.

“You know,” Mrs Qiu spoke to Xiu Juan, “back then, Jinhai was so naughty one wouldn’t think he’d ever settle. But the gods really bestowed their blessings unto him for giving him you.”

“Jinhai’s childhood revolved around you?” Xiu Juan was enlightened.

“Yes! We were his second parents! He was always sneaking out of the palace and always ended up here at the end of the day! He was a little rascal!” Mrs Qiu shared and Xiu Juan laughed at the discovery.

“I would have never thought,” Xiu Juan grinned at Jinhai, teasing him.

“Well, you two stay for a little bit,” Mr Qiu requested as he poured them both a cup of tea. “It’s not every day ordinary people like us two old geezers have an Emperor and Empress as their guests! You are in no hurry anywhere are you?”

Xiu Juan looked at Jinhai.

“We can wait for this crowd to subside,” Jinhai consented.

“Oh, wonderful. You should stay until they light up the fireworks. You get a great view from here.”

“Fireworks?” Xiu Juan repeated.

“Yes! We have the best firework show here in Zhao!” Mr Qiu proudly stated.

“I’d love to see it,” Xiu Juan excitedly voiced.

“And you shall!” Mrs Qiu smiled at her as she laid down a tray of their assorted sweets. “You both relax until it’s time for the lighting of the fireworks.”

“Thank you,” Xiu Juan grinned. She first took a bite of her tanghulu and her eyes became wide. She sighed and mumbled with a full mouth, “How nostalgic.”

Jinhai looked at her as he placed his tea cup down.

“My father used to buy these all the time when we were younger. For me, my brother, and…” Xiu Juan stopped mid sentence so as to not mention Ying-tai’s name. “It became a ritual. We would follow him to the village during the summer festival and receive one tanghulu each.”

Jinhai lowered his eyes and took in a deep breath.

“Those moments are now only distant memories,” Xiu Juan smiled wistfully and took another bite of the tanghulu.

“Xiu Juan of Qin,” Jinhai began to console her but a voice interrupted them.

“Xiu Juan! Is that you???” It was Mei’s voice.

Xiu Juan spun around and shot up from her seat when she saw Mei, her husband, and Ms Lin. Mei squealed and approached Xiu Juan and hugged her.

“Oh look at you! You look so lovely in my dress! Just like a goddess! Emperor Jinhai must be so protective of you!” She gawked, making Jinhai flush. “Why are you here? I mean, should you not be in the palace with your guests?” Mei asked.

“I came to see you guys,” Xiu Juan happily explained.

Mei jumped with thrill. “Oh, we’re so pleased to find you in my uncle and auntie’s shop!”

“You’re uncle and auntie?” Xiu Juan raised her brow.

“Yes!” Mei exclaimed.

“Small world, hmm?” Ms Lin smiled as she placed a jug down and bowed lowly to Jinhai. “Everyone knows each other here.”

Mei’s husband placed wine cups down for all of them and poured out a clear liquid from the jug.

“Phoenix Dew,” Mei’s husband explained as he distributed the drinks. “Ever had it?”

“Yes,” Xiu Juan stared at it, “for the first time just earlier.”

“She’s an amateur,” Jinhai commented, making Xiu Juan glare at him.

“It’s nice to see you among the streets again, Emperor Jinhai,” Mei’s husband handed him a cup of Phoenix Dew.

“It’s nice to be back, Jian” Jinhai replied, holding his cup up to him.

“You know each other too?” Xiu Juan asked with wide eyes.

“Yes! My husband is one of Emperor Jinhai’s generals and his best friend back in their adolescent days. Jian was a bad influence to the Emperor,” Mei laughed.

“Bad influence? Emperor Jinhai was the mastermind in everything we did!” Jian disagreed, chuckling. “Well, let us drink for this night that celebrates another blessing year for Zhao, for our loved ones,” Jian looked at Jinhai, “for old friends,” then he turned to Xiu Juan and smiled warmly, “and especially for new friends. We are entirely grateful.”

Xiu Juan smiled full heartedly as she raised her cup with Jinhai, Jian, and Ms Lin.

“For new friends,” Xiu Juan nodded with glimmering eyes and drank her wine with everyone around the table.

Sitting down after one gulp of the strong liquor, Xiu Juan turned to Mei and noticed she did not take a single sip of the Phoenix Dew.

“Mei, you didn’t touch your cup at all.”

Mei’s cheek turned red, “Well, there is something exciting I want to share with you.”

Xiu Juan got anxious, “What is it?”

Mei smiled shyly, “Well…you see…I’m…I’m.” She whispered to Xiu Juan’s ear, “I’m pregnant.”

Jinhai watched Xiu Juan’s face light up immensely and embrace Mei.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you!” Xiu Juan expressed as she wrapped her arms around Mei.

“What?” Jian was puzzled.

Mei looked up at her husband, “I have an announcement to make,” she smiled with red cheeks. When she shared the news, her husband picked her up and spun her around, kissing her. Xiu Juan watched fondly as Ms Lin caressed Mei’s head and congratulated her.

“Another drink for me becoming a father!” Jian proposed joyfully.

Jinhai smiled, nodded, and raised his cup, “Congratulations, my friend.”

Xiu Juan took another sip of Phoenix Dew with them and scrunched her face at the burning sensation in her belly.

“I wanted to ask,” Mei began while Xiu Juan tried to recover from the taste of the Phoenix Dew, “if you will accept being my child’s Godmother.”

Xiu Juan looked at her, her heart beating fast, “Oh, Mei, it would be my honor!”

Mei began to tear up, “Really?”

Xiu Juan nodded and held her hand while Mei cried. Ms Lin was grinning from ear to ear.

“I’m sorry,” Mei giggled, “I’m just acting up! I’m so happy to have met you and to have you as a part in our life!”

Jinhai warmly smiled at the comment. Jian stared at Jinhai, then glanced at Xiu Juan, then back at Jinhai again. Jian pulled a seat by him and sat down whilst watching the ladies at the table.

“Loveable, isn’t she?” Jian commented in a proud manner while pouring himself a cup of wine. “She’s really something else.”

“Feel what you may. She’s none but a descendant of Qin to me,” Jinhai replied as he lowered his gaze.

“I never said I was talking about the Empress,” Jian looked at Jinhai whose eyes shot up to him. Jian only smirked back at him. He took a gulp of wine and then exhaled deeply at the satisfying aftertaste. “Jinhai, as your long-time friend I suggest you to guard your heart. Otherwise, you will not be able to carry on with the plan.”

“You instigate a doubt against me?” Jinhai queried.

“I only voice my concerns for you,” Jian corrected him. “She’s not Zhao’s forever.”

Jinhai fixed his eyes upon Xiu Juan exchanging words with Mei and Ms Lin, “Then perhaps let us enjoy this moment of bliss as human beings should: together as if we are undivided.”

Jian didn’t say a word more and slowly looked away from his king who continued to watch over his queen.

At the table, Mei placed her hand on top of Xiu Juan, “You know I heard some rumor that is in rather good favor for your hometown: Qin.”

Xiu Juan raised her eyes, “Oh? Pray tell.”

“Word says that the Princess of Qi is betrothed to someone of importance in your country. I forgot who,” Mei thought hard. “But it is enough to unite the two states.”

Xiu Juan gulped.

“A general, I heard,” Ms Lin quietly chimed in.

“With this, Qin will conquer the majority of the country!” Mei exclaimed to Xiu Juan.

“You heard this from who?” Xiu Juan inquired.

“It’s all the talk across the kingdom since the Prince of Qi arrived,” Ms Lin shared.

“Also, my husband told me,” Mei admitted.

Xiu Juan glanced at Jian who was expressively talking to Jinhai who listened and nodded with each word.

“Betrothed you say? Is this official?” Xiu Juan questioned further.

“I would believe so,” Mei opined.

“But I thought he has not given his answer yet,” Xiu Juan voiced.

Ms Lin and Mei looked at her, “How do you know?”

Xiu Juan paused, realizing what she just blurted. “Well…ummm,” Xiu Juan stuttered, “I had a conversation with the Prince of Qi.”

“Really?” Ms Lin and Mei jumped from their seats.

“Is he charming as they say?” Mei grabbed Xiu Juan’s arm.

Xiu Juan thought for a moment.

“That’s not the concern, Mei,” Ms Lin sighed at her. She turned to Xiu Juan, “Why were you speaking to the Prince of Qi?”

“To answer your question, Mei, he does carry quite a charm,” Xiu Juan nodded. “And our talk wasn’t of any importance. He was just sharing some good news of my empire.”

“Ohhh,” Both Mei and Ms Lin nodded.

“Is she…” Xiu Juan started, “Is she very beautiful?”

Mei pondered while Ms Lin answered ahead, “I’ve seen her once. She is rather attractive.”

“Mmm, yes. Very pretty indeed. You would be proud to have her part of your family, Xiu Juan,” Mei nodded.

Xiu Juan’s eyes grew cold as she curled her left hand into a fist. She lifted her right hand to pour herself a cup of Phoenix Dew and gulped it down. She welcomed the burning pain from the liquor that trickled down her chest and to her belly. She poured another cup and nearly slammed the cup down.

“Xiu Juan,” Mei whispered, worried of what overcame her. “Take it easy. This drink is very hard-wearing.”

Xiu Juan did not respond.

“Xiu Juan,” Ms Lin spoke to her softly, “Do you know who it is that will be betrothed to the Princess of Qi?”

Xiu Juan opened her lips but couldn’t say a word. She looked at Mei and Ms Lin who were staring at her. She gathered all the strength she had to swallow the lump in her throat and forced herself to be as poised as she could be and revealed just loud enough for the two of them to hear, “His name is Ying-tai. Our Unit Commander. He is a faithful man of Qin.”

Ms Lin and Mei placed their fingers over their mouths, trying to hide their gasps from the men.

“You mean THE Ying-tai of Qin?” Mei squealed under her breath.

Xiu Juan nodded.

“Well that’s big news isn’t it? For such a famous man to finally wed! Wasn’t he very close to your family? You must be so happy for him, hmm?” Ms Lin smiled, unaware of Xiu Juan being ripped apart.

Xiu Juan forced a smile and nodded, “Yes. I suppose I am.”

“Princess of Qi must be some phenomenal woman to be able to tie a man like that down,” Mei giggled as she popped a sweet cake in her mouth. “He’s feared by even our Zhao men! But now that we are no longer enemies, I think I’d love to meet him,” she sighed as she fantasized.

“Hey,” Jian called to Mei. “We’re going to head out first for some business. We’ll see you ladies down by the harbor when the fireworks start, okay?”

Mei smiled lovingly at her husband and nodded, “Mmm!”

After Jian left with Jinhai, Xiu Juan, Mei, and Ms Lin nibbled on the snacks before them. While Mei was talking to Ms Lin, Ms Lin had her eyes on Xiu Juan and noticed the darkness in them as she was lost in her thoughts. She watched her swallow hard and her chest heave. Growing curious, Ms Lin was about to privately ask Xiu Juan a question but was interrupted by the crack of the first firework that jerked Xiu Juan from her spell. Xiu Juan looked at the sky and saw the last flickering gold embers that trickled down from the blackness of the sky.

“The fireworks are beginning!” Mr and Mrs Qiu announced.

“Yes! Let’s go! Let’s go!” Mei got up and pulled Xiu Juan who stumbled onto her feet.

“Careful, Mei. The alcohol is in her system,” Ms Lin cautioned.

“I’m fine,” Xiu Juan struggled to hold herself up as she started to feel the alcohol kick in.

“Are you sure?” Mei asked, concerned.

“Yes. Yes. You all go ahead and I will follow,” Xiu Juan nodded and smiled to assure them.

“Xiu Juan?” Ms Lin held her arm.

“You too,” Xiu Juan ordered, her head now lowered. “Go. I’ll be there shortly,” she balanced herself by holding onto a chair.

“Okay. Please, be careful!” Mei called as she left with Ms Lin trailing behind.

Xiu Juan placed her hood over her head and proceeded toward the exit and saw a blur of people walk past her. She clutched onto her hood and walked steadily, trying not to bump into anyone. Taking ten more steps, a large man faltered her balance and knocked her down onto the dirt. No one seemed to bother to pick her up while she knelt there with her hands and knees. She attempted to get back up but was knocked down again by the mass heading their way to the fireworks.

She pushed herself up one more time but was once again pushed to the dirt. Kneeling there alone and draped with intoxication, she clawed her hands into the dirt and was overcome with loneliness. She was far away from her beloved home and didn’t know if there will be a day she would ever return. Her brother, her only family member, threw her away. But most of all, she felt Ying-tai had officially abandoned her.

“You weren’t supposed to give up on me yet,” her soft voice cracked. She squeezed her eyes shut as her lips began to quiver, “I was still fighting to come back.” She yearned to be with someone close. “Luli. Bo. Someone,” she softly called as people strolled on by her. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a lending hand before her. She took a hold of the hand and when she got on her feet she brushed the dirt off her cloak. She didn’t even realize her hood had slipped off of her head, revealing who she was to everyone.

“Thank you, kind sir—“ Xiu Juan started but cut her sentence short when she saw who it was standing before her.

“Once again, you proved my conscience right,” Jinhai said in a stern voice. “Why are you not with Ms Lin and Mei? Till when will you understand that you cannot be out here alone?”

“Emperor Jinhai,” Xiu Juan’s lips breathed out. She lowered her head, “I thought I would be able to hold myself together. I’m sorry.”

“You knew your state of attentiveness. Why would you place yourself in vulnerability?”

People began to turn their heads to Xiu Juan, finally recognizing who she was. Everyone slowed their pace and stole glances at her while waves of whispers arose.

Xiu Juan raised her head up and smiled at Jinhai, “I understand, your highness. Forgive me for my carelessness.”

Jinhai was flustered at her will to still smile. “How do you keep smiling?”

“I can’t help but be grateful,” Xiu Juan said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She continued to smile as she placed her hand over her chest, “You standing there when I needed a helping hand…I can’t be happier.” She sighed, “And to think: of all people, hmmm?”

Jinhai’s expression immediately softened. He looked at her heartrendingly and lowered his shoulders. The whispers of the people around them didn’t even disturb him anymore as he ceased to even care about what they thought. As Xiu Juan’s smile began to faint and her eyes remained drained, she lifted her hood up but Jinhai stopped her. Surprised at this, she looked up at him. He began to slip off his hood.

“You mustn’t!” Xiu Juan interjected, raising her hand upward.

When Jinhai fully slipped the hood off of his head, gasps gusted through the crowd when they saw that their king was standing before them and quickly bowed to him.

“You’re not ashamed to be seen with me, a descendant of Qin?” Xiu Juan asked him.

“What shame is there in being seen with a friend?” Jinhai grinned.

Xiu Juan’s eyes became themselves again: lively and flaming with spirit. Jinhai extended his arm out before him and Xiu Juan placed her palm on top of his forearm and walked with him toward the harbor.

“It’s Emperor Jinhai!” People squealed.

“Oh, how beautiful he is!” Young women gaped at the sight of him. “The words about his splendor are true!”

“I’ve never seen him this close before!”

“Is that the Empress?” Others murmured.

“The Qin descent?” Various gasped.

“Her grace,” they sighed when they caught a clear view of her dolled face and glossy, dark hair that waved behind her like rippling waves of a river against the moonlight.

“She has the perfect face for a painting,” artists marveled at her long slender face. One of them studied her eyes, “But those eyes of hers will be hard to replicate.”

“Empress Xiu Juan! Only such elegance of thee is worthy enough for our king!” A sounding praise emerged from the crowd.

Embarrassed, Xiu Juan’s hand slid back away from Jinhai’s arm but he swiftly grasped her hand tightly before her fingertips got a chance to slip away. Startling Xiu Juan, her muscles tensed.

“This is making the people happy. We should keep it that way,” Jinhai advised Xiu Juan soothingly while his eyes faced forward.

Xiu Juan, still surprised by the grasp of his hand, nodded and obliged quietly.

“A couple made by the heavens!” The Zhao people proudly stated, admiring their Emperor and Empress as they coasted through the street of the night city lit with dazzling lanterns.

While walking close to Jinhai, Xiu Juan looked up at him, boggled at the reality of where she was standing. She never imagined she would be placed in such a pivotal position. She especially never imagined the Emperor of Zhao would be holding her hand and walking with her in front of his people.

When they neared the harbor, anyone who saw Jinhai and Xiu Juan moved aside for them to pass through. As royalty approached, eyes did not cease to lie off of them and gasps of awe refused to diminish. Mei and Ms Lin held their breaths as they placed their fingers over their lips from the exhilarating sight.

“Look at them,” Mei exhaled, her eyes gleaming.

“I’ve so wanted to see this day. To see our king walk alongside our queen amongst peasants like me,” Ms Lin began to tear up.

“It wouldn’t have been like this if it weren’t for our Xiu Juan. Thank her humbleness,” Mei sniffled.

“Yes. Our Xiu Juan,” Ms Lin smiled brightly at her empress.

Jian looked up from his wife and Ms Lin and only stared blankly at Xiu Juan who drew closer to them.

“Xiu Juan! Xiu Juan! Xiu Juan!” Voices from the harbor rose. They were friends she had made after her arrival from Zhao: fishermen, farmers, and vendors from the small stores of the market. They were standing by Mei and Ms Lin and waving frantically at her, excited to have her presence. Warm at heart by their welcome, Xiu Juan smiled and waved back at them. She eagerly walked faster toward her friends while her hand slipped from Jinhai who gradually let it go.

“We saved you a spot!” Mei beamed, handing her a couple of sticks. “They’re sparklers. For you and his highness,” she smiled.

“I love these things,” Xiu Juan grinned from ear to ear as she handed Jinhai his sparkler.

“These are not like every other sparklers out there, though,” Mei forewarned.

“Oh?” Xiu Juan raised it up and examined it.

Mei jumped like a child showing her friend a new finding, “Oh wait till you see it when we light it up!”

“Your highness,” Jian lit a matchstick and turned to Xiu Juan to light her sparkler first. “Please make sure to not hold it too close.”

The brighter it became, the brighter Xiu Juan’s expression grew. Then all of a sudden, a popping noise sounded, making her shoulders jump. A bolting light leaped from the sparkler in her hand and swirled into the air above her. Raising her head upward so her eyes could follow the sparkly glowing orb, Xiu Juan turned breathless from the thrilling experience.

“What did you think?” Mei asked wide-eyed. All of her friends stared at her too, waiting for her response.

“Exuberant!” Xiu Juan laughed.

The people of Zhao shouted cheerfully at her answer and began lighting theirs as well. Xiu Juan watched quietly and spiritedly as each little sparkling orb shot up in the air one by one while they chanted heartily, “Long live Zhao! Long live the Emperor and the Empress! Long live Zhao! Long live the Emperor and the Empress! Long live Zhao! Long live the Emperor and the Empress!”

Following their celebratory cry, fireworks exploded above them and a rain of colors poured down onto the still surface of the lake. Xiu Juan parted from Jinhai and stood with the men, women, and children she grew familiar with.

“Do they have fireworks in Qin?” The small child sitting on her lap asked.

“Beautiful fireworks?” Other people chimed in.

“Like ones in Zhao?”

Xiu Juan smiled warmly at them and held the child closer, her cheeks pressing against her small head of hair. She stared off into the distant where no ember of color from the fireworks touched while she dreamed of Qin.

“Yes. And they are just as beautiful. The only difference between the two is that they’re under different parts of the sky.” Xiu Juan returned her gaze back to the fireworks, “Seeing it here is like seeing it back at my home.”

“Perhaps someday you could show us how the fireworks glow under the sky of your home?” The children asked her with bright eyes.

Touched by such request, Xiu Juan nodded and answered with a quivering smile, “Of course. When the day comes, I will take you to my homeland and we could all watch the fireworks together.”

Jinhai kept watch of Xiu Juan from afar while he spoke with the people that greeted him and with the humble that longed to carry a small conversation with him. Jian ambled from the rocks and positioned himself by Jinhai’s side and looked at his wife who stood close to Xiu Juan.

“The people of Zhao are very taken by her,” Jian commented. “She’s gotten my wife too. Xiu Juan of Qin seems to have made things more difficult, hmmm?”

“Jian,” Jinhai turned his head to him.

“When we were kids, you’d say to me that to reach your heart one must touch the hearts of your people,” Jian recalled. “And to think: of all people, this descendant of Qin was the one who desperately wanted to reach out to them.”

Jinhai did not respond.

“Do you think she has something devious up her sleeve she is planning with her brother? Does she intend to turn against us using the naïve minds of our people?”

“Jian,” Jinhai stopped him. “Do you remember when Lady Ngo Kwang's men came to harass your wife and disrespected your image among many others?”

“Well, of course,” Jian replied bitterly.

“Do you know who came to me to seek punishment for those exact men?” Jinhai stared into Jian’s widened eyes, “None of our Zhao men, Zhao nobilities, or Zhao witnesses came forward. But this Qin descent you see before you did.”

Jian slowly turned his eyes to Xiu Juan who Mei asked to be the godmother of their child.

“Do not speak ill of a person who defends your name when you’re not in presence,” Jinhai guided.

Considering his words, Jian lowered his head in honor and in shame.

Daylight was beginning to show its hue when it was time to return to the palace. Xiu Juan moped her way to Shan while fixing her hood over her head. She climbed onto him while Jinhai untied the reins and when he turned around he found Xiu Juan had already laid her head down on top of Shan’s mane. Without disturbing her state, he led on by foot holding Shan’s reins while Xiu Juan slept. Climbing up the mountain, Xiu Juan slightly opened her eyes and saw Jinhai walking before her.

“Awake?” Jinhai sensed the change of her consciousness.

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to have you walk,” Xiu Juan attempted to lift her head but collapsed onto Shan’s mane again. Her head felt too heavy.

“Don’t fight it,” Jinhai told her, still facing forward. “The Phoenix Dew will be in your system for a while. It’s best for you to just sleep it off. After you wake, it will be as though nothing had ever happened.”

“How long have I been out?”

“We are halfway up to the palace,” Jinhai updated.

“Oh,” Xiu Juan groaned softly. “Thank you,” she spoke after a moment of silence. “Thank you for all you did tonight. I must’ve been troublesome to you.”

Jinhai turned his head to the side toward her. “In all honesty, I rather enjoyed being your company, Xiu Juan of Qin,” he grinned.

Xiu Juan’s eyes grew big and she smiled warmly, cuddling up against Shan.

“You never told me the third person,” Jinhai began in a low voice.

“Third person?” Xiu Juan repeated sleepily with her eyes closed.

“The third person in your life with indelible eyes,” Jinhai reminded.

Xiu Juan opened her eyes. Her lips remained sealed.

Jinhai smiled benevolently, “It’s okay if you don’t want to say.”

“When the time comes,” Xiu Juan spoke in almost a whisper as her eyes became too heavy for her to hold up, “trust me when I say you will know it when you see them.”

Eyes widened, Jinhai held his breath and turned his side toward Xiu Juan. He stopped halfway, not daring to fully face her.

When they neared the gates of the Zhao palace, Hui Zhong, Sir Nianzu, and Luli were already there waiting for them. Jinhai slowly turned to Xiu Juan and asked in a low voice, “Xiu Juan of Qin, your song…” he paused. He gripped the reins harder, “Is there someone who resides in your heart—” He stopped the rest of his words from being spoken when his eyes met Xiu Juan’s slumbering face. He sealed his lips shut and only smiled at her with gentleness before turning his attention away.