Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Chen Dong’s suspicions had been correct. After leaving the prison, Xia Wan and I had repeatedly gone into the hills to gather herbs with anything but innocent intentions. Away from watching eyes, we planned how to help Helan Zhiyan and the others escape.

“Chen Dong favors persuading southerners to surrender, which is why he has kept them alive. Once Danchi arrives, Lord Helan and the others will certainly die. We must act first.”

“Come to the gelu’s tent in the hour before dawn tonight. We leave then.”

“The guards are everywhere. How can we possibly escape alone?”

A sentry approached. Xia Wan waved with a childish smile while rapidly whispering, “I have a plan. Whatever happens, Aunt Xihe, don’t let him inspect the camp tonight.”

I closed my eyes and let Chen Dong carry me to the bed.

His cloak fell aside. His fierce kisses left me dazed. Looking down at me, his expression remained stern, though his breathing had quickened. “If the southern kingdom had never been conquered, would a woman like you have followed me?”

What?

Before our fall, my brother had been choosing a husband for me from the finest young men beneath heaven – from noble heirs to newly honored scholars. He had even said that if I wished, I could summon several consorts to my household.

But never a man from Northern Qian.

“Then the general and I could never have met,” I said with an effort at a smile.

“No. I would have come south. The cleverest crafts, the finest goods, the most beautiful women – they were all there.” His stubble scraped painfully against me, but something almost tender entered his eyes. “Whatever guise brought me south, I would have taken you home.”

Pain tore through me.

Chen Dong lived by unyielding discipline. In all the time I had followed him, he had never once risen late, delayed his training, or missed an inspection. That night was the first time he failed to make his rounds.

I bit my lip and endured in silence. He held my face and kissed me, whispering in the midst of his frenzy, “You belong to me now, Xiaoxi.”

You belong to me.

For an instant, impossible warmth flooded through me. I almost raised my arms and held him tight.

Then the images came: the magnificent palace where I had grown up, my brother slumped on the dragon throne, the blood-drenched capital beneath a desolate sunset. The invisible crown that had never left me pressed down until my skull seemed ready to split.

I was Princess Xihe of Southern Xu.

I belonged to no one.

I rolled above him despite the pain. “Then you belong to me as well, General.”

At his surprise, I forced myself to seem experienced and tilted my head. “How many women have there been before me?”

His habitually severe face broke into a smile. “You mean southern women?”

“Yes.”

“You are the first.”

“And counting women from Northern Qian?”

His smile made him startlingly handsome. He pinched my cheek.

“Counting them too, you are the first.”

By the time he finally released me, I lacked the strength to lift a finger. Through my haze, I saw him turn away and dress.

“Where are you going, General?”

“To inspect the camp.”

“Didn’t the others already do that?”

“Something feels wrong. I need to see for myself.” He covered me with a hide. “Sleep.”

Cold air rushed in as he lifted the flap, clearing my head. He had missed his usual inspection, only to leave when the hour before dawn was nearly upon us. I did not know what that would mean. I dressed and stumbled outside in dread.

Night lay heavy over the camp. Even the soldiers looked weary. Their expressions turned knowing when they saw me.

“Miss Xi, it’s freezing. You shouldn’t go out.”

The tent walls muffled little. They had probably heard everything. My face burned. I lowered my head. “The general wore too little. I’m bringing him another robe.”

I stumbled toward the river. Anxiety banished both cold and exhaustion. A shadowy figure seemed to stand by the water. I had just started toward it when someone shouted behind me.

“Fire!”
Flames leaped skyward south of the camp. Fanned by the wind, they spread swiftly and swallowed several tents. Most of Northern Qian’s soldiers were still asleep, and anguished cries erupted everywhere. Others rushed about trying to fight the blaze. Chen Dong stood rigid in the center of the camp, staring at the inferno. Men shouted advice beside him. Abruptly, he turned toward the prison.

Before he reached it, a guard ran out screaming, “The prisoners escaped! Every one of them!”

At the same moment, on a dark river lit by fire, a boat crowded with figures sped away before the wind like a loosed arrow.

Chen Dong gritted his teeth and mounted. “Split into two groups. Cavalry, follow me. Everyone else stays to fight the fire!”

The army that had been so disciplined by daylight dissolved into chaos. Some carried wounded men from the flames, some threw water, and others seized the chance to desert. I ran to the gelu’s tent. Xia Wan waited at the entrance with a lamp and waved.

“Aunt Xihe, here.”

The gelu’s tent stood at the far edge of camp beside the hills. Because dying men were always sent there, no one but Old Ge and Xia Wan normally visited. Now Old Ge lay unconscious on his cot, evidently drugged. In the space usually reserved for corpses sat the escaped prisoners.

“But weren’t they on the boat?”

“A diversion.” Xia Wan watched through a gap in the flap. “The boat carries corpses. Chen Dong will discover that sooner or later. Before he returns, we leave over the hills. Someone will meet us below.”

I had no time to ask who. “What are we waiting for?”

“Smoke. Once it covers this side of the camp, we move. If Chen Dong hadn’t gone out to inspect the camp, this would have been simpler. I could have made the fire larger, and the remaining soldiers would have posed no threat. But now…”

Amid the soldiers’ screams, I stared at him as though I had never known him.

Smoke engulfed the nearby tents. Xia Wan signaled to leave. The prisoners supported one another and prepared to move. They could not have spent even an hour with Xia Wan in total, yet this six-year-old child had already become the center holding them together.

At that critical instant, a band of soldiers approached. They appeared only to be checking the fire nearby and had noticed nothing.

If we left now, they might see us. If we waited for the smoke to clear, escape would become impossible.

The confused footsteps drew closer. For the first time, Xia Wan bit his lip.

“I’ll lure them away. You go first,” I said.

“Aunt Xihe!” Xia Wan seized me. I did not look at him. Instead, I dropped to my knees before the prisoners.

“Princess…” They hurriedly knelt as well.

“You are Southern Xu’s loyal ministers and valiant generals. Xihe is useless and can only thank you here. You are the true, unbroken spine of Southern Xu.” I struck my forehead against the ground.

Then I looked at Helan Zhiyan, haggard and trembling on his knees.

“From this day forward, Southern Xu’s crown prince – Zhiqiu’s own child – depends upon you!” I kowtowed again.

“This subject will not fail the princess! While one breath remains in any of us, we will keep the crown prince safe!” He bowed until blood covered his brow.

“Aunt Xihe, don’t…” Xia Wan clung to my hand. I rose and tried to pry his fingers loose, but he would not let go. With my other hand, I slapped him sharply.

Tears filled my eyes. “Xia Wan, anyone who would accomplish great things must not be ruled by private affection. Go with your uncle. Live. And remember everything that happened on this land.”

I turned, lifted the flap, and cried, “My lords, save me!”

“Miss Xi?”

The soldiers escorted me to safety. I had time for only one frantic glance behind me. Smoke rolled everywhere, as unfathomable as fate.