Chapter 1 A War is coming
"In our Great Kingdom of Jin, a spectacle had many at a chokehold at the beginning of the year. Everyone who witnessed the great Spring festival celebration believed that the new year would bring bountiful blessings of luck and wealth.
Every Spring festival was the same in the Imperial Capital; auspicious red in all corners of the city, busy streets filled with people from all over the kingdom, couples celebrating another year of love and togetherness by burning incense at the great Temple of Goddess Ansha, noble families would arrange an erratic display of generosity and nobility by giving to the poor, and the Imperial Family would pompous banquets filled with aromatic foods and expensive wine and lead the city in celebration by unleashing the most colorful fireworks all over Wuling.
However, the 28th year of Anning, the reign of Emperor Feng Ru An, things were slightly different. The Second Prince Feng Wang was to hold his wedding to District Princess Yongxin, Pang Wuxian, daughter of former Chancellery of the Left Pang under the blessing of His Majesty…"
"Cut all that bullshit and reach the good part!" A man dressed in shabby but decent clothing remarked crudely from the back of the audience that filled the restaurant.
In the streets of Suzhou lied the Mo Su Restaurant renowned for its amazing pastries and entertaining stories that were not just stories, but more of exaggerated happenings of the Imperial Capital. What people couldn't witness, they sought to hear the most making storytelling a fruitful business.
It was also a means of information collection used by members of Tianji Pavilion, however none of this was known to the common people.
Amongst the audience were low nobles, common people, and a few outstanding individuals.
"That's right, we know of all this. Just tell us of the wedding and the events after!" Another who sat front of the first man and was dressed in finer silks shouted.
Mumbles of annoyance soon turn to noise in support of the two men arose from the crowd leaving the old storyteller a bit anxious.
"Alright, alright. But I warn you, the story gets more and more interesting so don't leave your seats just yet." The members of the crowd beamed widely and brightly at the storyteller's words, all except a cold man who seemed withdrawn and more kept to himself with his half face silver mask and his dark cloak making him stand out as the mysterious figure.
"On the 14th day of the first month, the castle bells rung to announce the occasion. The well-crafted carriage entered the palace with an entourage fit for a queen. The Second Prince waited for her dressed elegantly in a wedding gown decorated in jewels from Liang and silk from Xihua (Eastern Hua). It was a great celebration indeed. All until the time of the wedding reception banquet. It was witnessed that the Second Prince held his wife in such a high regard that he had her not drink any wine so she wouldn't be too flustered, who would have thought that the Second Prince had only his wine poisoned!"
The crowd gasped in shock and their interest peeked greatly. "Why did he do that?" One of the listeners queried.
"I know, it's because he wanted to seem innocent of guilt should anyone point out that he killed the Emperor." Another answered with zeal, happy to have figured it out.
"Correct, but also incorrect." The crowd of listeners frowned in confusion. "Why do you say so, Old Man?"
"Correct in the sense that he wanted to free himself from guilt, but incorrect in terms of who he wanted to kill."
Everyone remained silent as they did not understand what he meant. The storyteller continued, "Should the Second Prince kill the Emperor, then even if he's freed from sin, he won't get the throne as it naturally goes to the Crown Prince."
"So, what you're trying to say is that Second Prince tried to kill the Crown Prince instead?"
The storyteller nodded with a smile, "That's right. The Second Prince's intentions was killing the Crown Prince and himself and while he survives, the Crown Prince dies and he remains the only surviving son of our Emperor."
Everyone aah-ed in approval, finally understanding the diabolical mind of the now deceased Second Prince.
"Wow, he was such an evil man."
"He truly deserved what got to him."
"May his soul never find peace."
Several comments arose and the crowd nodded and muttered in agreement. "Then what happened? Is it true that the Pang family were traitors?"
The crowd fell into silence as Old Man resumed his story telling, "The Pang family were among the new generation of scholar ministers in the Imperial Court, and while they seemed loyal and honest, in fact they were scheming and deceitful. They indeed aided Second Prince with the promise that their daughter would be Empress and they would be named Grand Prince."
"It's actually Grand Duke." The mysterious man whispered under his breath as he took another sip of his tea.
Many had heard him and turned their heads to look at the mysterious man, others with scorn, curiosity, annoyance and mostly displeasure.
"Hey you, were you there? Why are you ruining the story for the rest of us?"
"Exactly."
"Truly, such a showoff!" and many more crude comments followed the young master's outburst.
He was sat at one of the open booths on the upper floor, his fan hitting the table with a thud to show his displeasure. It was evident he was from a rich and affluential family. Before the mysterious man could respond another man anxiously ran to his side and bowed his head. "Apologies to everyone, this young master is new yet he angered everyone. Please, everyone, ease your anger with more of our pastries and another story for free."
The mysterious man sighed and resumed to his tea while the crowd celebrated with cheers and laughter, but the young man adamantly pointed out, "Manager Sun, you are usually a very proud man, but today you bow your head to us for his sake. Do you know him?"
Manager Sun laughed nervously, "Young Master Liu, I'm just trying to take care of business. Please do not pursue this matter farther."
Aha, so this was Liu Cheng Feng, son of Provincial Governor Liu of Suzhou. He was known for his awful behavior and shamelessness as he bore no sense of responsibility as his father had six sons. The mysterious man kept note of this matter for a secret reason and resumed to listen to the story.
"Now that the stench has wafted away," The joke garnered some hearty laughs, "The story continues. The Pang family are blood relatives of the Zhi Pang family of Great Kingdom of Duan. For those who don't know, the Zhi Pang family are a high noble family of Duan, known for producing ministers for generations. They are the equivalent to the Jiang family of our Great Jin and the Gaoshang family of Great Liang."
"So that's how it is. Doesn't that mean that their execution has too many people involved." A young girl, seeming 15 or 16 years old, in one of the private booths asked, piquing the interest of the mysterious man. She was dressed beautifully, and those on her table seemed noble and elegant.
Sternly yet gently, a young man in her booth chided her, "Little Seven, you're too young to know these matters of politics. Don't be so curious."
The young lady sighed, "Yes, Fourth Brother."
Another young girl seemingly of the same age and unrelated, comforted her friend with a warm smile.
The old storyteller continued despite the little chatter, "Indeed, it is a complex issue. But our Emperor is wise. He spared a few and is willing to grant them safe passage to Duan in exchange for peace."
The mysterious man scoffed, so loud even the storyteller paused his story.Young Master Liu had had enough and angrily stood up, "What is with you, huh? Do you see yourself greater than everyone here? Leave if you don't like the story or I'll break your legs and leave you in the streets to bleed to death, you little…"
"Young Master, please don't be angry," Manager Sun came rushing once again. Knowing both men's temperaments, too proud to stand down, they would surely fight to death and a corpse in the restaurant was bad for business. Mostly Young Master Liu's corpse, and a blood feud with Provincial Governor was even worse for his life much less his little business.
"You are our prized customer hence we don't take your displeasure casually. Hence, I will personally escort this young man to the back and ensure he is dealt with."
Turning to the young man, "Sir, please exit." Manager Sun was a mess as anxiety and fear had him sweating despite the cool air in the restaurant. His knees buckled slightly and his nerves were a wreck. He may have lied to Young Master Liu but if the mysterious man didn't cooperate, he was truly done for.
"That's more like it." Liu Cheng Feng uttered with smug, content with the result. Unlike the rumors regarding his carelessness Liu Cheng Feng always wanted to be the hero and this scenario was his favorable one. One without physical interaction so people wouldn't find out he is lacking in martial arts.
The mysterious man finally raised his eyes for the first time and looked at Young Master Liu with a cold glare that had Liu Cheng Feng feel fear like nothing before. His body's natural reaction was to take a step back and even he was surprised when he didn't.
Finally, Manager Sun whispered, "Great hero, I know who you are. Please for my sake as I have offered you a place in my restaurant do not create a scene. I am willing to offer you a private booth for half the price where you can continue with your business. Please accept this offer."
The mysterious man shifted his cold gaze to Manager Sun and it lingered long enough that Manager Sun swore his life flashed before his eyes. However, a second passed and the mysterious man seemingly gave in and stood. Manager Sun didn't dare breathe a sigh of relief and Liu Cheng Feng didn't dare object despite hearing everything that Manager Sun had said to the man.
The people in the restaurant watched the interaction with extreme interest, some even willing to pay to see more as the murderous aura of the mysterious man was so palpable even a blind man could feel it.
As he walked away, he suddenly stopped and looked up to the table with the young girl only to hold her gaze.The young girl was taken aback, somewhat frightened with this interaction. Her eyes said it all. Yet she didn't look away and instead met his gaze with her own.
Content with this show of courage by the girl, he walked away taking the back route to the upper floor.
The young girl's companion in the table, a girl slightly older chided, "How scandalous, holding the gaze with a brute like that in public. Wait till First Madam finds out of how you shame yourself!"
"Sixth Sister, don't say it like that." The young master said, though he did agree with his sister's words. A noble young girl's reputation was everything, and to hold a stranger's gaze like his Seventh Sister, whom he called Little Seven, had done was inviting nasty rumors. And that never sat well with their parents, especially their father, Provincial Commandant of Bing, Ling Guzhou.
"You misunderstood Sixth Sister. Fourth Brother, I didn't mean it on purpose. I don't know him nor do I hold such interest in knowing him. Please help me clear my name."
Fourth Young Master Ling sighed, knowing to well his sister's worries. He reassured her, "Don't worry, your Da-ge is here. I will make it clear to Mother before he hears it from those with ill intent."
Naturally he meant their Sixth Sister, and even she understood his words making her humph as she took a swig of her tea. Young Lady Sang Zhi, daughter of Provincial Military Commandant Sang Xiao Yi of Suzhou, secret smiled at his words she poured tea for everyone in silence.
"Let us stop these things and continue with our outing. It's been a while since you went out Sixth Sister, take most advantage of it." Ling Wei Xin, Second Young Lady and Sixth Sister of both scowled at the reminder of her previous predicament. She had been grounded and thus forbidden from going out. It was only until two days ago when they began their travel to Suzhou that she was allowed to go out again.
"I know it all too well, Fourth Brother." She said, spite evident in her tone.
Before the siblings could banter any more the storyteller was about to finish his story when a man burst through the door shouting, "Bad news. Bad news. War is coming. Duan is coming. We are done for!" in a repetitive chant all-round the restaurant.
One man stopped him, "What do you mean? What has happened?"
"Was I not clear? Duan is waging war with us and this time is to the death!"
Panic arose among the audience as fear veiled their faces. The people in the booth looked at each other, and while they feared what it meant they didn't truly grasp the gravity of the situation as they were only children, the oldest among them, Ding Wei, being fifteen years old.
Their male servant and chaperone came forward, "Young Masters, it would be best to return to Provincial Commandant Sang's residence ahead of time."
Ling Ding Wei nodded, "Alright. Butler Chuan, make all the arrangements to have the gifts we've bought today go before us to the residence. We'll leave after settling the bill."
"Yes, Young Master."
In another booth the mysterious man kept a watchful eye of Liu Cheng Feng, waiting patiently for his target to show. This wasn't urgent business but he didn't mind it, slowly sipping his tea as he took sneaky glances at the young girl's booth.
At his point of view, she was to his front left, and she more and more took his interests. Very few women, let alone girls, carried perspective towards the world's politics. Yet even in a small restaurant storytelling stall she could have an opinion, and a correct one even.
Who was she?
Whose daughter was she?
He felt the need to investigate.
Suddenly the man shouting came in and chaos erupted and the mysterious man lost sight of the young girl. However, all was not lost as the one he was waiting for had arrived and just as he thought he was indeed acquainted to Liu Cheng Feng as his servant. The two talked for a while, visibly in loss of a solution, and the mysterious man sat patiently as he watched them.
Then some movements and words from the booth adjacent to his stole his attention.
"My lord, we just received word that indeed Duan has waged war. His Majesty's gift of peace was actually the Pang family's severed heads, indeed as you predicted. Grand General Zhi Pang and his Bei Li Army have already acquired three cities from us. Ji, Muliang and An have been defeated."
"His Majesty has never been a kind man; I had my doubts. What about Lord of Ji?" The man asked calmly.
"He had been captured, but before Duan had used him as leverage Vermillion Bird General personally set out and saved him while delaying the Duan army's expedition. He's now safely being hosted by Vermillion Bird General's brother, Provincial Commandant of Bing, Ling Gu Zhou in Bingzhou."
The response to such news was anything but what the mysterious man was expecting.
"Mmh, Duan's response to the execution of Pang Wen Jin, or should I say Zhi Pang Cheng Ming, is so fast. Zhi Pang Chen Xing sure works fast to avenge his twin brother."
Another voice, this time female but stern, queried anxiously, 'But my lord, aren't you a bit worried? Should they reach Bingzhou it won't be easy to fight them?"
"A'Yan, do you not trust your lord anymore?" The Lord asked teasingly, however the A'Yan in question seemed to take it as an accusation.
The mysterious man could hear her knee meet the floor in salute as she pleaded, "A'Yan has made a mistake. I shouldn't question my lord. Please, my lord, punish me as you see fit."
The mysterious man's target and Liu Cheng Feng were getting ready to leave, and while the adjacent booth had piqued his interest he couldn't let his target escape again.
In the carriage back home, Ling Wei Qian couldn't help but feel anxious about the news she had heard. If Duan was truly breaking the peace treaty fortified just three years ago during the World Alliance Banquet, what did it say about its attitude towards the war.
What had happened that made them this angry?
Didn't the fault lie with them for supporting the Second Prince's rebellion?
Was it because of former Chancellor Pang and his family's execution?
"What has got you all worried? Are you thinking of how First Madam will punish you for your public flirting with that brute?" Wei Xin asked, a cruel smile curling her lips.
"It wasn't flirting, and no I'm not thinking of him. Please, Sixth Sister, do not speak that way lest people misunderstand."
Wei Xin scoffed, "Misunderstand? People won't misunderstand unless you give them reason to, Seventh Sister, so next time be careful when you are out lest you make people understand things they shouldn't."
Wei Qian sighed, not pressing into the matter.When they were younger, they were very close, truly like sisters, however after Wei Qian began excelling in the Four Arts and winning everyone's approval and affection, the sisterly love they shared turned to dust under Wei Xin's envy and jealousy.
Now she viewed Wei Qian as her enemy and no matter what Wei Qian did to revert it, all was in vain. She had been forced to give up her futile attempts to rekindle their sisterhood and chose to tolerate in silence.
Especially now that a war was coming, their family was bound to face some impactful changes. And as a girl, that was never a good thing.
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ARTEMIS_ZEUS
ARTEMIS_ZEUS Hello readers, this is my first novel. Ancient Chinese inspired, political novel with wonderful world building and a lot of smart characters. Follow for more.
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