Chapter 41

Chapter 41

I turned. An old monk stood nearby holding the reins of a black horse.

This was a military camp. How had a stranger entered? The horse was peculiar as well: twice the height of an ordinary animal, with a broad back and long, slender legs like a deer’s.

As I grew wary, Little Persimmon bounded toward him in delight. He fondly stroked its head, then opened his palm to reveal glittering grains of salt. The little white deer licked them with wild happiness.

“Little Persimmon, did you miss me? What a fine young fellow!”

The monk looked familiar. Then I remembered who he was.

He Sulong, the foremost general of Southern Xu.

When I last saw him ten years ago, he had been stooped and gaunt. He still wore monastic robes and had a shaved head, but now his complexion glowed and his spirits soared. He looked many years younger.

He rubbed Little Persimmon’s head for a long time before looking up to ask me something. Then he froze.

He recognized me.

I had imagined many possible reactions. I did not expect his hearty laugh, like an elder greeting an ordinary daughter-in-law. “You must be Wan’er’s wife! It has been so many years. This humble monk was occupied with the war and missed your wedding. Do not hold it against me!”

He knew me, yet did not address me as Princess. The omission felt strange, though I could not say why. Lowering my eyes, I said bitterly, “I thought you would despise me too.”

Still stroking the deer, He Sulong said, “Since Wan’er was small, I taught him that when a man wants something, he must seize it. That is a man’s spirit. Yet he wanted nothing at all. He was more monk than any true monk – until the day he met you again. Then he told me he wanted the world.”

Before I could answer, Xia Wan approached with a group of people to receive him. He Sulong waved vigorously and continued, “I should thank you for making this child live like a human being instead of a bodhisattva.”

He walked to meet Xia Wan, who bowed correctly. “This disciple greets Master.”

He Sulong helped him up, looked him over, and laughed. “Marriage has made you steadier.”

Xia Wan smiled and took my hand. “This is my wife, Xihe. Master has presumably met her.”

Helan Zhiyan stood behind us with a cold expression. He Sulong, however, smiled naturally. “We were just speaking. With such a beauty, no wonder my boy rushed so desperately to arrange the wedding.”

I stared at Xia Wan in astonishment. He continued smiling, without the slightest discomfort.

He Sulong pulled him toward the horse he had ridden and said proudly, “Master brought you a wedding gift. Do you like it?”

It was a magnificent horse, finer even than those of the north.

The strength of a state depended upon its horses. Southern Xu horses could carry freight but were ill-suited to riding. The north possessed numerous superior breeds. Even after ten years ruling the Central Plains, Northern Qian had never neglected its grassland studs. When war came, its cavalry mounts granted an enormous advantage.

Xia Wan stroked the horse’s head and nodded. He Sulong laughed. “Southern Xu lost that war in large part because our horses were inferior. All these years, I sent men searching for fine stock that could breed in the south. This horse comes from the Western Regions, a cross between a Fangxing horse and a Luocheng horse. This single animal is worth a thousand pieces of gold!”

“Thank you, Master.”

“Now look!”

He Sulong grew even more excited. He seized Xia Wan and hurried toward higher ground, and the rest of us followed.

Xia Wan looked into the distance. Disbelief appeared on his usually imperturbable face.

I came beside him and saw what resembled waves rolling toward us.

No. Not waves.

A herd of horses. Countless fine animals surged forward under their drovers. No painter, however gifted, could have captured such grandeur.

“Once I found the right breed, I established studs. Now the herds are ready. The fiercest cavalry beneath heaven is yours! Hahahaha!”

“Master, your grace is immeasurable!”

Cavalry was Northern Qian’s greatest advantage. Now we possessed cavalry of our own. The balance of the war would surely turn.

The soldiers’ spirits soared. They shouted He Sulong’s name until the sound shook heaven and earth.

I could not help smiling too. Amid the celebration, only one person remained dark-faced.

Helan Zhiyan.

He stood frowning, as though about to speak, then hurried away.
I rose and followed him. Xia Wan did not notice.

It was the first time he had failed to notice me.

Excitement swept the entire army that day. Xia Wan and the others spent until late in the forward command tent discussing the new cavalry force.

I dozed and woke again before finally hearing him return, carrying the damp breath of night with him.

“Did I wake you?”

“I was not asleep.”

“Is there something you wish to tell me?”

I propped myself up and smiled gently. “I was afraid there might be something you wished to tell me.”

He sat beside the bed, his eyes bright with a rare young man’s excitement. “Xihe, this cavalry will link our forces with He Sulong’s army. Together, we can form an alliance and strike directly at the heart of Great Qin.”

I watched him with a smile while he continued. “…You should examine that horse closely. Its shoulders are so tall, and it runs as fast as the wind.”

“I cannot ride.”

“I will take you. I am an excellent rider!”

“You? Who taught you?”

“He Sulong.”

I smiled. Only then did he sense my mood. He quieted. “Xihe, has something troubled you today?”

Instead of answering, I asked, “Xia Wan, who is closer to you – your master or your aunt?”

He stared in surprise. “Why would you ask that?”

I tilted my head. In the dim lamplight, the last traces of boyhood had left his features. He looked increasingly like a handsome man and less than ever like the kittenish child I remembered.

“He thanked me today.” I made my voice careless. “I found his thanks unpleasant.”

Xia Wan looked amused. “Why?”

“If thanks are owed, I should thank him for caring for you all these years. Since when does an outsider have the right to thank me?” I said lightly, as though joking.

“Ten years ago, he surrendered to Northern Qian. His entire family was killed, and Southern Xu condemned him as a traitor for all history. He said he would have died long ago without me. After all these years calling him Master, perhaps he does think of me as his own son.”

“I do not care what he thinks. I am asking you.” Still smiling, I said, “Who matters more, your aunt or your master?”

We regarded each other across a bean-sized flame. My head remained tilted as if I might laugh at my own unreasonable demand at any moment. He watched me quietly, then smiled and sighed. “Heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, teacher – in that ordering, naturally a master stands closer than an aunt.”

I giggled. “Very well. I knew it…”

Setting aside his absurd desires, I had always believed we were the closest people in the world, our interests indivisible. I therefore had no need to maneuver against him or cultivate my own faction here. He would protect me and give me every good thing, just as I would for him.

He Sulong’s arrival showed me that Xia Wan was no longer the little prince beneath moonlight on water. He had many people closer to him. His political ideals might not be the same as mine. We had not argued because no conflict yet divided us. But if one day a profound disagreement arose, would he still stand at my side without hesitation?

Xia Wan saw my expression and laughed. “But you are my wife. Who beneath heaven could be closer than husband and wife?”

That was another wound he should not touch. I was about to flare when he gathered me into his arms as though I were a little girl.

“I know what you are thinking. I will always, always stand on Xihe’s side.”

Against his chest, the mad part of my heart screamed to ask, Even if I wanted He Sulong dead?

The thought was too vicious toward an old man. Instead, I asked, “Even if I refuse to become your wife for the rest of my life?”

He did not answer. His arms merely tightened. After a long silence, I heard him say, “Yes.”

Then he quickly added, “But you will become my wife.”

The sharp spines I had raised to protect myself slowly relaxed. I still said coldly, “The sooner you abandon that hope, the better. I will not. Not in this lifetime.”

He stroked my head and smiled. “You must be hungry. There are red-bean glutinous rice balls left. Shall I cook some for you?”