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Chapter Text

Zhang Rishan stands by the porch, the winter wind merciless as it blows from the east. It brings a frigid sense of anxiousness through his bones. His shoulders are squared and tense as he watches the tree branches creak and curve at the weight of snow. Zhang Rishan hears the loud sound of footsteps, each one heavier than the next, it resounds against the thick wooden floorboards and pillars. The snow covered branches finally breaks, making a heavy sound as it fall.

“Your Highness!” One of them cries before kneeling before Zhang Rishan. 

The line of guards follow suit, bending in one knee and saluting to him. 

Zhang Rishan doesn’t dare ask for the reason for their haste. 

“Your Highness!” They cry in unison before the first one lowers his head. 

“It’s His Highness.”

Zhang Rishan slowly turns to them, his expression unreadable. “Has my brother returned?”

There is a deafening silence for a long time. After a second, the soldier murmurs. “I am afraid, His Highness cannot.”

Zhang Rishan’s eyes widen. His heart’s beating grows fast, without a second thought he begins to run towards the main hall. He ignores the call of his servants and the soldiers. With his sleeves billowing behind him he rushes. He doesn’t wait for anyone to announce his arrival nor open doors, he pushed them with ease, rushing from room to room, hallway to another until finally he arrives at the main hall.

Heaving he takes in the sight before him. A line of soldiers bows before the throne, their armors painted in blood, soot and cuts. The air is heavy and howl of the wind resounds with the faint sound of sobs. Zhang Rishan walks up to the throne, his legs feeling weak and he stumbles twice. He nearly crawls up to the raised platform. He reaches, tugging the Empress’s robes. He finally looks up, his eyes red and moist with tears, his rose colored lips trembling. Next to him the Emperor holds him, his eyes has never been as sorrowful as now.

The Empress reaches out to him, touching his cheek.

Zhang Rishan’s eyes shifts from his face to the bundle in his arms. Zhang Rishan’s breathe stutters. Shards of what once is a sword rest in that bundle. Black and gold shine under the pale glow of the indoor light, blood and soy clings to them stubbornly. And the hilt. Zhang Rishan reaches out to touch them, hoping once he does he would wake up from the dream.

Cold. Zhang Rishan jolts as he feels the metal against his skin. He looks back at his mother, eyes wide and unblinking. 

Zhang Qiling is dead.

.

.

.

.

***

5 years later

Wang Pangzi’s eyes were used to spot enemies and spies. That was his work. A young lad raised by soldiers and generals, he inevitably landed a job among the nobles, soon in the King's palace. He led a troop, and after an injury in a battle he settled as a spotter for spies until the inevitable arrival of the King’s only grandson.

Wang Pangzi jumps down from his horse and leisurely walks towards the bustling market and through the crowd. Without a hesitation he walks up to a stall and pulls the ear of the cowering customer wearing a poor disguise. 

“Aw! Aw! Pangzi!” Wu Xie cries as Wang Pangzi pulls him in a corner. 

Wang Pangzi let’s him go and slaps the young man’s arm. “Are you insane? Your grandfather is old, do you want to kill him, huh?” 

Wu Xie is the grandson of the King of Wushanju, Wu Laoguo. Wushanju has been led by the Wu family for seven generations. Wu Xie’s father is the First Prince of the Kingdom making him his heir. 

However, it is as if luck has frowned upon the Wu Laoguo. He has three sons, all of whom were uninterested in taking the throne. The eldest, Wu Xie's father, although handled some political affairs, it obviously clear by retreating in the countryside that he doesn’t feel particularly fond of taking after his father’s duties. The second eldest helped the most in ruling, but had more aspirations in trade than ruling. The youngest had a heart reserved only for adventure.

And Wu Xie. Wu Xie who had grown up in a countryside raised solely by his parents without any servants or royal tutors, know nothing of prince-ly conduct. In fact, he has made at least three tutors cry and tell the King it is truly hopeless to teach him to conduct himself like a prince.

One could say, outwardly Wushanju is thriving but internally there is a problem brewing.

“Shh!” Wu Xie hushes him. “Don’t speak that evil into the world! Grandfather is strong.”

“Well, not if you keep giving him a heart attack like this.” Wang Pangzi says, crossing his arms over his chest. “Shouldn’t you be visiting Duke Jiang with your uncle?”

Wu Xie chews on his lips. “Duke Jiang just wants to talk about war. It’s boring.”

Wang Pangzi looks around. “And walking around town is more entertaining.”

“Yes.”

Wang Pangzi looks at him unimpressed.

“What?” Wu Xie asks. “It’s really more entertaining and insightful.”

“Your uncle thought you were kidnapped.” 

Wu Xie finally looks actually guilty. Cheeks red in shame as he fiddles with the hem of his clothes. Seeing the genuine remorse, Wang Pangzi sighs. Even after twenty years, Wu Xie still hasn’t been able to fully embrace the idea of him possibly becoming the next in line for the throne. He loved his life as a free and young man. The world is vast and Wu Xie is willing to know more of it.

However, as he grows, expectations of his family’s subjects grow for him. 

“Come on,” Wang Pangzi says as he pulls Wu Xie with him, “You should at least explain to your uncle. I’ll help you write a letter, how about that?”

Hearing this, Wu Xie’s eyes brighten and he nods. 

Wang Pangzi is about to cross the street to where his obedient and loyal horse is standing and waiting for him when a loud call disperses the busy crowd. Wang Pangzi takes a step back as he hears the sound of carriages and horse hooves against the dirt. A traveling merchant with his goods and some of his men is passing by. During late spring to early autumn, these merchants are usual sights in Wushanju. 

“Give way! Passing through!” The carriage driver calls out. 

The carriage creaks with the weight of the sacks of produce in it. Following the carriage of sacks of produce is another carriage. Without having to look into details, Wang Pangzi can easily guess it is where the merchant is riding in. Following that carriage is are two men riding a horse, and a man in rags walking with them.

“Foreigners?” Wu Xie whispers to Wang Pangzi.

Wang Pangzi nods. 

Wu Xie purses his lips at the look of the slave walking with the group. His clothes are tattered and old, course and dirty. His feet are bare, his wrist bound with course ropes and his hair is matted, unkempt and untied. 

Finally, the caravan passes through and the streets resume their business as usual. 

“Come on,” Wang Pangzi calls. “If we’re quick you can stop by that tea house you’ve been raving about.”

Distracted, Wu Xie nods happily and lets Wang Pangzi whisk him away.

***

It is nearly sunset when Wu Xie finishes his meal at the tea house. Wang Pangzi is by the counter speaking with the tea house staff to get some food for the road. Wu Xie sighs thinking of the scolding he’ll receive once he arrives back home. Truly, he feels guilty. He knows his uncles wanted him to learn but speaking with people who had opposing morals always made Wu Xie feel squeamish. It is like expecting a fish to understand the problems of a cow. 

The wars are important, he knows this. His mother came from a long line of strong female generals and his third uncle is a general as well. Wushanju’s freedom didn’t sprout from the ground with the help of the sun and rain, it was nourished with battle cries and blood. But it is a past Wu Xie would like to remain there. Now that peace has been achieved, what was the need to conquer more? To defend, he understands but to become an aggressor? How would they be any different from the men whom his ancestors had fought to gain freedom from?

Wu Xie would have to think of a way to speak with his uncle regarding the matter, perhaps if he explains it better he would agree. Wu Xie looks over the balcony from their seat. The colorful streets are slowly being painted with the warm glow of sunset and lantern. Wu Xie would never get tired of—

“Hey! Take that elsewhere!” 

The sound of something breaking makes Wu Xie shift his gaze. Squinting and leaning over to the balcony to see clearer, he sees where the sound has come from. In front of the tea house, by the steps there’s a figure crouched on the steps and another man standing in front of the first. 

“I almost tripped in your stupid bowl!” Wu Xie frowns as the man continues to make ruckus. Fights and misunderstandings are not a rare occurrence, especially in a bustling market and town. Wu Xie isn’t surprised but still somewhat worried for the meek man being scolded.

The man crouching on the ground doesn't seem to mind the scolding as he scrambles to get the bowl that is now tilted on the floor scattering whatever is in it. Displeased with being ignore the other yells a curse before finally kicking the bowl and shattering it on the ground. 

Wu Xie stands up in shock. He understands being angry but kicking someone’s belonging and destroying them is drawing the line. Unable to hold himself back, Wu Xie rushes down to the front door. He opens it and to his shock he sees the crouching man crawling on the dirt, gathering what’s left of the contents of the broken bowl in the palm of his hands and shoving them to his mouth.

“No!” Wu Xie cries as he holds the man’s hand, “Don’t eat it!”

“Ha! Serves him right!” The man cries before kicking some pieces of the broken bowl. “You should go elsewhere! You make me sick!”

Wu Xie looks up at the man, offended in behalf of the poor person eating from the ground. “He wasn’t doing anything! You’re the one who knocked out his food and you had the gal to speak like that? He should be asking for compensation!”

“Compensation?” The man spits on the ground next to the other’s hand. “I’m not paying for a rat!”

“You!” Wu Xie steps forward ready to give the man a piece of his mind when he feels a soft tug on his clothes. When he looks down the man shakes his head.

“Ha, well, at least the pest knows his place.”

Before Wu Xie could scold the man for his language, the man has already turned his back and is walking away. Tucking the anger in his heart, Wu Xie turns to the aggrieved man. He crouches down, gently peeling the hands off the hem of his clothes. The man jolts, bowing his head in apology for some reason. 

“Don’t eat those,” Wu Xie says. 

The man nods, head still hanging low. 

Wu Xie feels bad looking at the broken bowl. The contents could hardly be called food, he had seen street dogs and cats eat a better looking mixture. Without hesitation he runs back inside the tea house. 

Luckily, just as Wu Xie walks up to the counter the staff has just set a small box of mooncakes. Wang Pangzi hands the payment to the staff just as Wu Xie swoops in and takes the box for himself.

“Hey!” Wang Pangzi calls out.

“Can we just get another one, please! I’ll pay you later!”

Wu Xie could practically hear Wang Pangzi rolling his eyes but he pays it no mind. He rushes back out of the tea house and he finds the man there. Sitting with his knees pulled to his chest. As if sensing his arrival, the person lifts his head a bit.

“Sorry,” Wu Xie says as he crouch next to him. He opens the box and shows the four pieces of freshly made mooncakes. “Here, these are good! You can have all of them.”

The man doesn’t move, as if he doesn’t know what to do. So, Wu Xie helps him. He reached out, taking his hand and setting one mooncake in the palm of his hand. 

“Here, try it.” Wu Xie encourages.

The hands that hold the mooncake trembles but slowly it moves and Wu Xie could faintly see underneath the curtain of matted hair that the man is beginning to eat. Small bites grow big and then bigger. Soon there’s none. Wu Xie offers another one. And another one.

By the fourth, the hand pauses midway. And for the first time, the lowered head lifts up, meeting Wu Xie’s gaze. Despite the dirt and bruises covering his face, Wu Xie could see an outline of a handsome young man no older than himself. Wu Xie could only wonder what had happened for this person to be led in this kind of life.

“Yours.”

Wu Xie blinks as he hears a faint voice. It is said so softly that he barely even noticed the man spoke.

“Mine?” Wu Xie asks in confusion.

The man nods before lightly pushing Wu Xie’s extended hand to himself. “Yours. Eat.”

Wu Xie blinks as he slowly come to understand. Wu Xie couldn’t help but feel an ache in his heart. Despite being obviously famished, the man had the heart to think of sharing his food to someone else.

Wu Xie shakes his head. He carefully wraps the mooncake in its paper cover. Before putting it back on the man’s hands. “It’s yours. You can save it for later if you want.”

The man looks at him for a long time, as if trying to understand something complex, something new.

“Wu Xie!” Wang Pangzi calls out. “Wu Xie what have you been…”

Wu Xie stands up when he sees Wang Pangzi standing by the door looking at him and the stranger. Walking closer Wang Pangzi looks at the rest of the sight, broken bowls and food on the floor. 

“What happened?” Wang Pangzi asks.

“Someone bullied him.” Wu Xie says with a frown. “They kicked his food.”

Wang Pangzi makes a face of disdain. “Those assholes.” He says.

“I gave him the mooncakes.” Wu Xie says. “Don’t be mad, okay?”

Wang Pangzi lightly slaps his shoulder. “If you had said that earlier I would have given him more.”

Wu Xie chuckles lightly before turning to the man. “I’m sorry, but we have to go now.”

The man nods, clutching the mooncake to his chest like a treasured item. 

“Here,” Wang Pangzi says. “Give him my token, I'll just get another one.”

Wu Xie takes the wooden token before handing it to the man. “Here, take this. If you encounter any trouble you can find us with this. Show them this and they’ll know you’re with us.”

The man looks at it for a moment before quietly nodding.

“Well, we’re running out of time. But if trouble finds you, just show any patrolling guards that and they’ll come help you find us.” Wang Pangzi says.

Wu Xie takes one last look at the man before letting Wang Pangzi whisk him away. He doesn’t know why, but he feels as if that wouldn’t be the last time they’ll see each other. 

***

“Come on,” The merchant says, kicking up the dirt from where A-Kun has finished stacking a couple of sacks of grains. 

A-Kun looks up at the merchant. He looks around making sure he isn’t being made fun of once more and as soon as he notices there’s truly nothing else to do he nods. It is a few hours past midnight. The town that was busy and bustling with life had settled. 

One of the merchant’s men walks up to him and hands him a roll of bamboo mat. 

A-Kun accepts it but looks back the man expectantly. Everyone already had their evening meal, even the horses. A-Kun, on the other hand, hasn’t. 

“Food?” He asks.

The man laughs, “Food? There’s none.”

A-Kun looks at his bamboo mat. They’ve been traveling for two weeks, and he could count in his hands the times he received anything to eat from them. 

“What? Do you have a complaint?” The man says, “Didn’t Master already gave you a bowl of congee? Aren’t you being greedy? Even the dogs don’t complain whether they have a bone or a scrap, and yet you do.”

A-Kun steps back. He doesn’t want trouble. He really doesn’t. 

“Go watch sleep! There should be some space in the stables.”

A-Kun nods. He immediately makes himself scarce, he walks in the stables where the merchant’s horses had been resting. The animals has settled in for the night, when A-Kun arrives they pay him no attention. He settles his bamboo mat in a corner and sits down. The stables has a roof, some walls and the hay is warm when piled up together.  

It is generally a better condition than sleeping in the wilderness or in the desert with no roof. Towns are still more comfortable than the outback. 

A-Kun’s musing is interrupted by a growl from the pits of his abdomen. It is so loud some goats that has been sharing the stables wake up. A-Kun grimaces. He has a few bites upon arriving at the town but after three days of just having some water and dried berries, it is just not as filling as he thought. Besides, his meal had been cut down to an even more meager portion after it was knocked over by the stranger in the streets. 

Speaking of, A-Kun couldn’t help but be reminded of the beautiful man who had come to his aide. He really couldn’t forget such a face. Soft supple and unblemished cheeks. That kind and warm smile not quite the blaze of the desert sun but more like a welcomed summer sun. 

When A-akin dugs into his rough robes he pulled out the carefully covered mooncake. His mouth waters and his stomach growls at the sight of food, but he swallows it down and clutches the mooncake delicately. 

He couldn’t. He shouldn’t. It might be the last thing he has to to recall that man. He’d keep until it has rotten. He’ll keep still even when you couldn’t even tell it is food. 

It has been the first kindness he has gotten since he can remember.

A-Kun flutters his eyes closed and he brings himself to sleep with the image of the beautiful man.

Chapter Text

Wu Xie sets his teacup down, smiling cordially at Marquis Su. Marquis Su isn’t known for his warmth, however, his ingenious ways and his ethics when running his business has made his name one that is familiar among the nobility. Marquis Su ventured into importation not long after Wushanju had relaxed some of its rules regarding foreign trade. His business had provided the capital a need for manpower, a welcome problem if the palace would say so themselves. 

Many young men who needed a job found it in Marquis Su’s growing business. Wu Xie’s uncle, Wu Sanxing, respected the man and there are very few he does.

“Your Father is adamant that you be involved in the affairs of the Palace.” Marquis Su says as he gives an assessing glance at Wu Xie. “I’m surprised you’re the one they sent to speak with me in their behalf.”

Wu Xie chuckles lightly, reminding himself of the teachings of his royal tutors. Be cordial and polite, be warm but not too warm. 

It is no surprise that the Marquis didn’t think the palace would use Wu Xie to represent them. When he arrived at the age of ten to live in the palace, his parents knelt and begged the King to think thoroughly before naming Wu Xie second in line to the throne. He is too young and too inexperienced, they argue, to be given such heavy responsibilities on his shoulders.

When Wu Xie came of age, his uncles were the one who protested. This time, they argue politics is a dirty business that hand as innocent as Wu Xie shouldn’t be handling. Well, that is true but now that Wu Xie is older. Old enough that most of his peers are already married with one child, they think it is inevitable now that he will be handling these things soon.

Wu Xie has been asked to accompany his elders when visiting noblemen and attending business in the palace. Wu Xie couldn’t say that they were all pleasant and that he did much during those times, but little steps. Little steps.

“I understand Marquis’ surprise,” he says. “But I hope he gives this one a chance.”

The Marquis’ eyebrows seem to be in a perpetual furrow, his eyes however seem unreadable. 

“Fine.” He says, not even bothering with politeness or pleasantries. “Tell me, Your Highness, why is the palace willing to subsidize my business and lend me capital just to expand it even more?”

Wu Xie understands the confusion and suspicion. The palace often steps away from involvement of private businesses even to noblemen and those of affluent status in the kingdom, his grandfather has fear it make cloud their ability to make unbiased decisions in the future. However, recently, there had been significant numbers of businessmen whose ethics are questionable at best that are taking advantage of the desperate and needy. The businessmen would use the loopholes in the laws to get away, and desperate would refuse to leave in fear of being unable to find another job and going homeless or starving.

Wu Erbai proposed a solution, if people had better opportunities they wouldn’t surely tolerate deplorable conditions. If only more business would follow Marquis Su’s example then there will be less suffering in the work force. With healthier and more productive workers, the economy will thrive.

“We would like you to provide more jobs for the people.”

“My business is not an overflowing ever giving river. I cannot just employ the entirety of the Kingdom.” Marquis Su says. “That would be unhealthy for my business if I am the lone employer. Competitors makes me profit. If I do not have competitors that is just being sadistic and waiting for the heavens to strike me.”

“We will not be forbidding any business to be like yours. We simply want them to emulate the way you run yours.” Wu Xie says. “If people could see how they should be treated at work, they will not tolerate inhumane conditions. And people will demand more from their employers, businessmen would be forced to study and adhere to your business model to attract employees.”

The Marquis looks at him before chuckling.

“I admire your optimism.” He says. “But life isn’t as easy as that. Some people will still be desperate and some businessmen would still remain shrewd. And those desperate will have no choice but to work for shrewd men to survive. Have you ever been starved before, Your Highness? I doubt. But those who had, those who are, they will look pass the dirt and the deceit just to silence the growl in their stomach. Even if they have to slave themselves.”

“Are you saying no?”

“I am saying you think of this through.” He says. “If you think that this will immediately eliminate businesses that take advantage of the poor and illiterate, then you have a long way ahead.”

Wu Xie feels like he’s been slap. 

“You should leave.” Marquis Su says. “When you are sure of what you really want about this deal, then you can come back.”

Wu Xie could only look down at his teacup. He feels so inexperienced about the world. Although his parents allowed him to live as normal as possible, he still feels so sheltered given such a dilemma to think about. He hears the rustle of clothes as Marquis Su stands up and walks pass him.

“I haven’t talked to someone of you status in a while.” Wu Xie hears the Marquis say. His voice surprisingly gentler than the tone he used at the beginning of their conversation. “Although you’re young and has many things to see and learn about the world, your heart is in the right place. Do not lose that place and perhaps we’ll meet more often.”

Wu Xie nonetheless left the manor with no deal with the good Marquis. He sat in the carriage wondering how he would break the news to his uncles. Perhaps if he had brought Wang Pangzi with him he would have been a bigger help in convincing the Marquis. What would he say to them? That he didn’t get the approval because according to the Marquis he is still too young and inexperienced to understand the proposal he’s giving?

Wu Xie sighs. Well, he’ll just have to try harder. It seems that Marquis Su isn’t exactly refusing. He just want Wu Xie to understand what he’s dealing with. So he can come back surely.

Yes, sure—

Thud!  

Wu Xie is nearly thrown off his seat when the carriage abruptly stops. “Is everything alright?” Wu Xie asks the carriage driver in concern. One of the guards following the carriage opens the door of the carriage, and Wu Xie repeats the question to him.

“Yes.” The guard says as he help Wu Xie step out. “It’s just a small commotion.”

Wu Xie turns and he sees immediately the familiar uniform of the soldiers and guards. One of them seems to didn’t see the carriage coming as he is riding his horse across the street. Thankfully they stopped before crashing to each other. 

The soldier looks annoyed and he looks at Wu Xie’s party, almost about to scold them only for Wu Xie’s guard to flash their token. Immediately the soldier’s expression changes immediately looming very apologetic.

“You Highness!” He says as he bows his head. “This one deeply—“

“What’s happening? Why is everyone looking frantic?” Wu Xie interrupts him.

“Oh, we are searching for a fugitive.”

Wu Xie blinks. A fugitive? In broad daylight? What could have happened?

“This is dangerous, Your Highness.” Wu Xie’s guard says. “We should move.”

“There he is!” Someone cries across the wide of the street. 

Wu Xie tries to look but he could only see the flurry of the guards and soldiers. They formed what seems like a circle around someone. There are whispering and commotion. It is truly an anxious sight.

The commotion grows louder when a soldier seems to have been shoved away. Another soldier seems to yell something before diving into the chaos. Soon, the sight is simply unbearable to watch. 

Despite the warning and begging of his guard, Wu Xie rushed to the scene. The soldiers are using force and it is looking excessive. Some people are even cringing and flinching at the sound of punches and kicks. 

“Hold him down!” Someone cries.

“Damn it!”

“You—“

“Stop!” Wu Xie cries when he is finally merely a few feet away. 

The commotion comes to screeching halt, head turns towards Wu Xie and those who recognize him immediately freezes.

“What is this about?” Wu Xie asks. “Must you use this much force? You are scaring the public.”

“We are arresting a fugitive, Your Highness.” One of them says as he bows his head respectively at Wu Xie. “This is a dangerous place, this one hopes not to offend but I must advise His Highness to stay away.”

“Fugitive?” Wu Xie asks. “What fugitive?”

“A servant had injured their master today, the master had begged for us to bring him justice.” Just as the soldier says this he steps aside and Wu Xie’s eyes widen as they falls on a familiar looking young man. “The victim is in a local healer’s care after this scoundrel broke his arm.”

Wu Xie couldn’t believe it. It isn’t like the victim didn’t appear to be physically capable of such action but instead he looks like the victim instead of the perpetrator. He is beyond filthy. His hair is as matted as they have been when Wu Xie saw him sitting by the front door of the restaurant. His clothes looks even dirtier. There is barely any space that isn’t occupied by soot or mud. Nearly all of his exposed skin too is blackened, and those which doesn’t has red streaks on them, like dried blood.

“Where are you taking him?” Wu Xie asks.

“Back to his Master, Your Highness.”

At the mention of the plan, the young man flinches. He struggles in the hold of the soldiers who only respond by tightening their hold and roughly pushing him down. Wu Xie’s heart clenches at the sight, is this any way to treat someone? An offender or an innocent victim, is this treatment just?

“Back to his master?” Someone in the crowd jeers, “An animal who bites the hand that feeds him should be struck where he stands.”

“Yeah!” 

“Yes!”

Wu Xie looks around, how did it come to this? “That’s not fair.” Wu Xie cries back. “Everyone is entitled to a fair—“

Thwack! 

Wu Xie turns his eyes back to the young man, now bleeding from a stone that’s been thrown at him. 

“Stop!” Wu Xie cries before turning to his guard, “Tell them to stop.”

The guard looks at him hesitantly and then at the crowd. “We really should just go, Your Highness.”

Wu Xie’s eyes widen at the response. Go? Go and leave the scene be? Leave this mob to stone this young man to death? 

Vegetables, pebbles and rocks begins to descend down. Even the soldiers had to move away from the young man. Wu Xie watches with horror as the young man couldn’t help but curl down. A wounded arm raised over his head in an attempt to shield his head from the onslaught.

Wu Xie couldn’t watch anymore. He ignores the instant tug from his guard and he steps into the crowd braving the falling stones and pebbles. 

“Your Highness!” The guards and soldiers exclaims.

Wu Xie ignores them, with a flick of his sleeves he sends a rock back from where it came from. And he shouts, “Enough!”

Silence immediately falls in the crowd. By this time, the number of people has doubled. 

“Aren’t you sick to see yourselves like this? Judging the actions of another, hurting them as if you know fully what he’s done? Do you see yourself now higher than the Imperial Justice Court?” 

“Your Highness—“

“From today, I appoint this man as my attendant. And any slight to him, I will consider a slight to myself.”

There is a collective gasps. Wu Xie clenches his hands to a fist. 

“Let his former master file a complaint to the Justice Court. But until the verdict is served, he is innocent.”

“Is this possible?” Someone in the crowd asks a bit too loudly. “An noble blood allowing someone so…someone like that to serve them?”

Wu Xie turns his head to where he heard the voice. He coukdht find who said it but it didn’t stop him from responding.

“If you could freely pass on judgment and punishment, then why can’t I freely choose who serves me and not?”

***

Wu Sanxing looks up to see a familiar face walking towards him. He stands up to bow but the man stops him.

“Please,” He says, “Our families do not need these formalities.”

Wu Sanxing smiles. There stands before him, Zhang Qishan. Wu Sanxing met him when he was only five years old, back then, the now King is but a wee Prince. Second in line to the throne from his brother. He was unmarried and the youngest ally of Wu Sanxing’s father.

When Zhang Qishan became a King, Wu Sanxing is old enough to witness the coronation himself. The first birthday of his eldest son, Wu Sanxing and his brothers were invited. They even were allowed to hold the young prince and play with him.

“How are you?” Zhang Qishan asks, his demeanor as impeccable 

“This one is doing good, Your Majesty.” Wu Sanxing says as Zhang Qishan takes a seat. Wu Sanxing follows shortly after. “Father sends his regards. Unfortunately, he cannot join us. He is still recuperating after he has fallen ill last week.”

“Yes. I’ve heard. I hope his recovery is doing good.”

“It is.”

An attendant politely serves them tea, with a bow of her head and graceful movements. The silence is short before Zhang Qishan breaks it.

“Unfortunately, the Queen Consort is in the Summer Palace and cannot join us.” Zhang Qishan says as he looks at the table. 

It is an unspoken truth that since the passing of the Queen’s youngest, the formerly social butterfly Er Yuehong had retreated in the confines of their palace. He would still host celebrations but the light in his eyes became dimmer since. 

“It’s alright, after all the topic…I understand if it is difficult to speak of.” Wu Sanxing says.

Zhang Qishan smiles ruefully, “We thank you for your understanding.” he says. “Had A-Ling been with us now, he would be married by this year.”

Wu Sanxing nods. “The loss of a child, it must be very difficult. Xiao Xie is my brother’s son yet I do not know what I would do if something were to happen to that boy. What more of the feelings of a parent?”

“This loss, it is also difficult for his siblings.” Zhang Qishan says. “Even after five years.”

Wu Sanxing has met a great deal of people, and spoken to as much as well. Being born from a noble bloodline, he has learned the art of speeches and conversation and did not need the King to elaborate on what he wished to convey. Wu Sanxing nods.

“We don’t have to decide now,” he says. “His Majesty need not to rush His Highness. Xiao Xie is young and we understand there is many things to consider.”

“Indeed.” Zhang Qishan says. “I’ve attempted to breach the topic but I was faced with resentment. A-Shan thinks it is a dishonor to the memory of his younger sibling that we offer the arranged marriage to him.”

“I see his point.” Wu Sanxing says.

“But please, do not think of this as our opposition. Wu Xie is a fine young man, it would be an honor for our family to be related to yours by this marriage.”

Wu Sanxing shakes his head, “Of course, Your Majesty. We also understand this is not a light decision to make.”

Zhang Qishan nods. He looks away, turning his gaze to a portrait on the side of the room of his family.

“A-Ling didn’t even get to meet His Highness.” 

Chapter Text

A-Kun wakes up to the sound of chickens crying. He sits up forgetting the item he slept with. The mooncake fell off his hands and he scrambled to pick it up and put it back inside his ragged cloth pouch. 

“It’s nearly dawn!” A loud familiar voice calls out. A-Kun sees his master walking inside with a deep frown. “The sacks and crate won’t be moving themselves, would they?!”

A-Kun stands up and rushes to get back to work. A carriage had arrived holding up mountains of wooden boxes and big sacks of produce. Without waiting for another order, he walks up to it to begin unloading the bags first.

“What took you so long, boy?” The driver of the carriage cried. “I need to be out of this town in two hours. I was told someone would be here when I arrived, I have been sitting here for nearly an hour!”

A-Kun tries to hasten his movements. He didn’t want to anger his master’s friends or he surely wouldn’t get any meals today. He’d already skipped a few, saved on the brink of starvation by some cold congee and watered-down rice. He couldn’t afford missing today’s. 

A-Kun sets the sacks as neatly as he can while also trying to be quick on his feet. It is hard with his stomach grumbling and lack of adequate rest, but he tries to ignore it, he will himself to take a few more steps and a weight on his back. However, after the sixth sack, A-Kun’s steps wobble and his body betrays him as it begins to tremble.

His state does not escape the carriage driver. At first, the carriage driver thought the worker is being deliberately lazy and slow but when he turned around he found him shaking like a leaf. It is early, and seeing his ragged clothes, the driver took pity. He doesn’t have food with him to share, his is only enough for until he arrives to the next town. So instead, he spares him some patience.

“Be careful,” he says loud but with concern. “Those crates are heavy. If you don’t take care they might fall on you and injure you!”

A-Kun could only nod his head in understanding, the concern however fly over his head. The combination of exhaustion and hunger is making him unable to focus on thinking, understanding and moving at the same time.

A-Kun moves with a bit more difficulty this time but the carriage driver no longer scolded him. He huffs as he carries the crate down. One, after the other. Then, the unthinkable happened. A-Kun feels his hold is wrong a second too late. The wooden box slipped on one side and fell with a loud crash. 

“Heavens!” The carriage driver cries as he jumps down from his carriage. A-Kun is fully prepared for the man to scold him and hit him but instead he rushes to A-Kun. “Hey! Are you alright?”

A-Kun looks at himself, unsure. His shoulders feel sore and he feels a little bit disoriented. When he came to it, he realized what happened and immediately fuss about the broken crate. No , he thinks to himself as he scrambles to put the crate up, I can’t mess up, I need to eat today .

The carriage driver rushes to pull him away, “You’ll get yourself injured, boy. Leave it to me.”

But A-Kun shakes his head vehemently, eager to fix things, to prevent his master from finding out his mistake. Had this job finish properly he’d have his first proper meal in a week. He was promised after all, he cannot afford to let this mistake go.

“Aiya, don’t you hear me? If anything happens to you I don’t have enough taels to send you to a healer!”

Between A-Kun’s frantic movements and the carriage driver’s panic, A-Kun’s master gets alerted by the commotion. He leaves the comfort of the inn to check on the situation only to be surprised by his produce on the dirty ground. He waited for two weeks for this delivery, he traveled far to reach this meeting point with his supplier only to find this sight. 

“What in the heavens?!” he cries as he steps out of the inn, one of his servants walking behind him.

A-Kun freezes as he hears his master's voice. He looks up and he recognizes the fury in his eyes.

“An accident,” the carriage driver said. “Are you feeding your servants properly?”

A-Kun’s master ignores the carriage driver, pushing him aside to walk up to A-Kun. Seeing him, A-Kun instinctively stands up and steps back. The man wastes no time to send a furious slap across A-Kun’s face. A-Kun staggers to his side but tries to stand up, if he falls he will be kicked and he knows this by experience.

“Useless!” The man yells. “Even if you work for two full moons, you won’t be able to pay me back!”

“Listen, you don’t have to take it on the boy, I will pay you back for it–”

A-Kun’s master turns to the carriage driver and glowers, “You stay out of this!”

Before the carriage driver could tall again, A-Kun’s master slaps him once more in the face. And another. And another.

“Stupid! Useless!” He yells at each slap. By the fifth slap, A-Kun despite himself loses balance and falls back. “I cannot believe I paid three silvers for you to be this useless! A monkey would have been smarter than you!”

A-Kun immediately raises his arms over his head as he sees his master raise his leg. And the kick comes. And another. And another.

“Hey! Stop that!” The carriage driver rushes to A-Kun’s master but his master’s other servant stops him. “It wasn’t the boy’s fault. Just leave it!”

The man’s plea fell deaf on A-Kun’s master’s ears. When a kick lands to A-Kun’s side he finds himself lying on his side and before he could put up an arm again to defend himself another kick lands on his back, then on his chest. And again. And again.

A-Kun lost count of the beating when it finally stops. He is lying on his side huffing and tasting blood in his mouth. His body aches even more than that morning. His face is lying on the ground, with dirt, sweat, and blood sticking to him.

“Useless piece of meat!” His owner says before spitting next to him. 

A-Kun closes his eyes and resigns to his third week of water and cold, hard leftover rice for a meal if he ever gets one for today. As his vision slowly regains focus he realizes something on the ground. The small cloth pouch had came loose from his waist and is right next to him. He tries to get up as fast as he but his body protested. Seeing his reaction, his master took notice of the pouch. 

Often the pouch is where he saw A-Kun put coins he’d stumble upon the ground, but it is never big enough for more than one piece of stale bread. But surprisingly, the pouch looks full and heavy and rounded unnaturally. A-Kun tries to get up again and reach for it but before he could, his master steps on his reaching hand making him hiss in pain. His master beats him up to it and takes the pouch, and opens it.

To his surprise, it’s a mooncake. Looking at it’s design and state it doesn’t look like it’s just a simple home-made one, it had a beautiful design, and he could even smell still the scent of the fillings. It’s an expensive pastry.

“Where did you steal this?” his master asks with vitriol. “Did you steal money from me to buy this?”

A-Kun shakes his head. No, that is his treasure! That is his! 

“You scum! I fed you and you steal from me?!”

A-Kun shakes his head. He pulls his hand out of under the foot of his master. The man stumbles and he immediately rushes to get his treasure from the man’s hand. However, before he could, his master’s other servant rushes to hold him back.

The man looks at A-Kun with a cruel smirk, “You want this back?”

A-Kun nods. That was a gift to him, it was that person’s gift to him. His treasure. He–

His owner drops it on the ground and steps on it.

A-Kun sees red.

***

“Any slight to him will be a slight to me!”

A-Kun looks at the young man in bewilderment. He has come for his aide twice now but for what? A-Kun doesn’t understand why this man is speaking in his defense. What merit is there to defend him, especially against so many people? 

People called him Highness, could it be he is of noble birth? A-Kun doesn’t know much about them but the other servant of his master said people of noble birth have lots of money, perhaps that is why people listened to him. He looks around, wondering what is happening. Is he being bought by this man, but his master isn’t here, so how?

“Come on,” A-Kun hears the young man say to him. “Can you stand?”

A-Kun nods. 

“Good.” he says with a sigh of relief. “We’ll get you patched up.”

A-Kun looks around, the angry people and the guards does not dare walk towards them. It seems really as if he’s getting a new master. His master will be coming to bring him to his new workplace. It must be it.

A-Kun offers his wrists to his new master waiting for the ropes to be tied around them so he can be brought away. However, to his surprise, his master only looks at them.

“Are you hurt in your forearms and wrists too?” The young man asks. “I’m not a healer so, unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until we get to the palace.”

Oh, it must be his master’s first time having a slave. A-Kun looks around and finds a long strip of cloth on the ground. He walks back to his new master with it before presenting his wrists again.

There’s a recognition in the young man’s eyes but instead of tying the cloth around his wrists, his new master throws it away confusing A-Kun. Isn’t he being bought? 

“You don’t have to be tied like that.” The young man says. 

To A-Kun’s surprise, the man reaches out and holds him by the wrist. His hand is soft, clean and fair in comparison to A-Kun’s rough and dirt-covered skin. He doesn’t drag A-Kun but instead waited patiently as he leads him to a carriage. 

“I’m sure he can ride a horse, Your Highness.” a guard says.

The young man looks at the guard and waves a hand of dismissal. “He’s injured, you surely don’t expect him to ride a horse?”

“I-I can see that, Your Highness but he’s still…”

“Didn’t I say, he’s my attendant now? So he should ride with me.”

A-Kun does not understand what is an attendant but all he knows is that he has never rode a carriage before. He walked. He always walked. So, he was puzzled when his master steps inside the carriage and expected him to follow.

“He’s injured, please help him up.” The young man calls out. 

A-Kun flinches when a guard holds him by the elbow, however, his racing heart is willed to assurance when he sees his new master with an outstretched hand to him. His new master has never hurt him before, he gave him food and defended him. He wouldn’t have allowed these guards to touch him if they didn’t meant well, surely? A-Kun follows the guards instruction and finally he is sat on a wooden carriage with his new master. 

“If anything happens just shout, Your Highness. We will be right with you.” The guard says.

His new master chuckles, “Please stop worrying.”

The door closes and his master finally turns to look at A-Kun again. His eyes are like the color of walnut wood, warm like sun. A-Kun already found him exceedingly handsome when he first saw him, back then he wore clothes like the common people but today he wears something extraordinarily elegant. His hair is put up with a silver crown and blue and purple stones that glimmer in the light. His pale green robes are topped by flowing sheer white outer robes with silver embroideries of clouds and birds. He looks like deity that had descended.

“I’m sorry for what happened,” his new master speaks up as the carriage begins to move. “I will make sure you get treated.”

Ah, his master will pay for a healer? His new master really does sound very rich.

“I haven’t heard you speak. What’s your name?”

His name? Well, his previous master called him A-Kun but in reality, he really doesn’t have a name. The farthest he can recall, he remembers waking up in a strange place, surrounded by strange people. His hands were bound and he had then a wound on his head, his legs were aching and some woman in told him he had injured them both. He doesn’t know where he and those people traveled, but they walked far and a lot. Some of those who were with him were sold off along the way. When he was sold off, his master called him A-Kun as it was easy to say. 

“You can’t talk?”

A-Kun nods.

“Oh.”

“Then, I guess you’re XiaoGe for now.”

XiaoGe. What an odd name but surprisingly dignant name for a slave.

“My name is Wu Xie.”

Wu Xie. No evil. Such a fitting name.

Chapter Text

“What happened?”

Wu Xie looks up to find his best friend walking up to him with a concerned expression. He meets him half way through the room, making sure to calm him down. As expected, Wang Pangzi immediately shifts his attention to Wu Xie, even spinning him around and patting him to make sure he’s free from injuries.

“I was gone for four hours. What in the world did you get yourself into?” Wang Pangzi says, lightly scolding the other. 

Wu Xie knows Wang Pangzi already heard most of the news, urging him to lower his voice he leads him further into the room. He opens the door to a partition and there Wang Pangzi sees a young man sitting on a bed. He is frozen at the sight, though half of his body is already wrapped in clean bandages, the skin still visible blooms in an array of colors of bruises and cuts. 

The imperial physician looks up at Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi before standing up. Wu Xie stops him, “Please,” he says, “Imperial Physician Ning has more important matters.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” he says before going back and inspecting Xiaoge’s wounds.

“Those look terrible.” Wang Pangzi says, gesturing at young man’s injuries.

“They are of varying degrees and ages,” Physician Ning confirms, “It’s very likely this injuries did not happen overnight but for a long period of time.”

Wang Pangzi’s face contorts with disgust, “He’s being abused.”

“It is most likely, yes.” The Physician replies. “His Highness is correct in his assumption, it is most likely this young man had acted upon self-preservation when he had hurt his…his employer.”

“I don’t think it is fair to call that man anything but an abuser.” Wang Pangzi says.

“Ah, Pangzi, what about the thing I asked of you?” Wu Xie asks.

After arriving at the palace, Wu Xie immediately sent someone to ask Wang Pangzi to find information about Xiaoge’s family. Using a rough description of him and the trade route Xiaoge’s former master used, he asked if they could find anything about him.

“Sadly, no.” Wang Pangzi says with a sigh. “No one seems to know him, the people who saw them and his master said all they know is that his master got him a few years back from some slave traders outside the city gates.”

“That’s a pretty big search area.” Wu Xie says.

“Exactly, but I’ve sent some men to get to it.” Wang Pangzi says. “Are you really going to make him work here? You know you don’t have to—“

“I can’t go back on my word,” Wu Xie insists. “Plus, I’m afraid people will bully him if I just let him go anywhere.”

Wang Pangzi hums, the palace is big and there’s many people working in it. Unfortunately, they don’t always see all of them and who knows really what happens when the nobles are not looking. Someone who has young man’s background would be the easiest to pick on among maids, guards and attendants who came from at least a known background. 

“What’s his name?” Wang Pangzi asks, “Surely, you’ve asked him?”

“I did but he didn’t answer. I thought we’d call him Xiaoge for now until we find more about him.”

Wang Pangzi nods before looking back at the physician, “How’s he Physician Ning?”

Physician Ning looks at the bandages before looking back at Wang Pangzi and Wu Xie. “We’ve done all we could do, we’ve applied medication to all the cuts to prevent infection. However, he looks emaciated so we’re prescribing him some supplements. His hair is also quite long and could get in the way of his recovery if it remains dirty and like this.”

Wang Pangzi sighs, this young man’s hair is already short than what is common. Possibly to also further degrade his status he was made to keep such hair. “Would that be okay?” Wang Pangzi asks Wu Xie, “I think he should still get a say.”

Wu Xie nods. He walks up to Xiaoge, “Xiaoge?”

Xiaoge looks up at Wu Xie confused but at ease.

“The physician said we have to cut your hair a bit, is that okay?”

Xiaoge nods.

“You need to keep your wounds clean, by default that means keeping your body clean and your matted hair might not make that easy.” The Physician politely explains to Xiaoge. “Don’t worry, we’ll get some help from someone who knows how to do such job.”

Xiaoge nods again.

It came to Wu Xie realization that Xiaoge would agree to anything he says and feels a little bad for him. 

“Xiaoge, ah, remember if you’re not comfortable about anything you can say no, okay?”

Xiaoge nods once more.

Surrendering to the fates, Wu Xie let’s Physician Ning do his job. He tells Xiaoge he will be just outside the room to reassure him. Xiaoge gives him a small nod before following Physician Ming’s orders. 

Wu Xie leads Wang Pangzi back out of the room knowing full well his friend has more to discuss with him.

“We took custody of his master.” Wang Pangzi says as soon as they were out of the room. “It will be tricky to do a trial on this man since he’s not from here.”

“I’ve thought of that too when we were heading here.” Wu Xie says. He looks at Wang Pangzi apologetically, “I know you told me not to get in trouble, I didn’t mean it this time I just couldn’t stand what I was looking at.”

Wang Pangzi hums, “Well, that sounds about you.”

“I know you’re suspicious of him too, but his injuries looks too genuine and long to be something that’s been faked just to get an inside man.”

“Oh? You’ve thought that far already?” Wang Pangzi scoff, “I was thinking of that until I saw him. Some of those injuries looks terrible and his emaciated condition don’t just happen overnight. I doubt anyone sane would put their spy under such deplorable condition just to gain sympathy from you.”

Wu Xie sighs, “I cannot believe someone could do this to another.”

Wang Pangzi pats Wu Xie’s back, “People are strange and complex creatures, capable of both of saintly good and unimaginable evil.” 

Wu Xie couldn’t find a word to say to that statement. He could only look across the inner courtyard, the vast purposely designed landscape. When he was young, he didn’t understand many things and so he was confused why his parents chose to live far away from the palace and raise him as a normal child. It isn’t as if he resented them for keeping him away from a lavish life of the palace, in fact, it is the opposite. When Wu Xie had become more aware of the world, he realized his name was a wish of his grandfather that his parents simply tried to fulfill—that he may be free of knowing the evils of the human heart and greed, that may he laugh carefree without fear.

But, alas, it was only a wishful thinking. As even the tall thick walls of his provincial home or the strong pillars and high rooves of the palace cannot stop the world for letting itself be known.

“Your Highness?” Wu Xie turns around to see one of Physician Ning’s assistant waiting for him and Wang Pangzi. “We are done, would you like to speak to Attendant Xiaoge?”

Wu Xie feels his cheeks warm at the mention of Xiaoge’s new job. He has to remind himself to get him a token.

“Ah, yes. That would be great.”

She nods and moves to give Wu Xie some room. Wu Xie heads up to the room with Wang Pangzi in tow. As soon as the physician’s assistant opens the door Wu Xie could already see the scattered hair on the floor. There’s another servant in the room, an elderly with a pair of scissors in his hands. As soon as the man sees Wu Xie he sets the scissors down and cups his hands in greeting.

“Ah, Lao Wen.” Wu Xie says cheerfully. Lao Wen, or Attendant Wen spent most of his life working with the Wu family, Wu Xie’s father is particularly fond of him as he had been one the people who helped him court Wu Xie’s mother by giving him practical advice. 

“Your Highness.” The man replies, “Your Attendant is ready.”

Lao Wen steps aside and Wu Xie feels all the air in his lungs are punched out of him. Sitting there is a very handsome young man. Without the hair out of the way, Wu Xie could see now an unobstructed view of his features, he had a strong jaw and stern but beautiful eyes. Even with bruising on his lips and small cuts on his sculpted face his handsomeness cannot be concealed. 

“We’ve cleaned him up as much as we can,” Lao Wen says. “He cannot take a full bath for now because of his injuries but he can have some warm wet towel to clean up.”

“Oh, uhm thank you.” Wu Xie says.

“He looks…different.” Wang Pangzi notes.

Lao Wen nods, “He does. But it will be a long way for him to heal.”

Wang Pangzi nods, “We’ll take care of him.”

Lao Wen smiles, “This servant knows.”

Wu Xie couldn’t help but watch Xiaoge was the young man curious reaches up to feel his nape and his short hair. Wu Xie doesn’t know, but somehow he feels like Xiaoge looks like someone familiar. 

***

“General, the town is now clear of enemy soldiers.”

The young General nods as he scans the town. He will need to report the extent of the damages of the town. It is truly unfortunate that it took him half a month to take the town out of the control of the bandits and rebels that took over it. He had been working in the borders when he received an edict from the Emperor that he will be changing designation and instead going to handle a much urgent situation—the town Miling. 

Miling is a small but prosperous town of merchants and scholars situated close to the gates of facing the long humid dessert. It is popular for resting place of merchants heading out to the dessert and the grasslands, as well as those coming in to the capital. So, when it was invaded by bandits and rebels, the Emperor was understandably worried.

General Wa Muyang of course wasted no time to answer the edict. However, upon arrival he found himself unable to simply march in. The bandits and rebels had blended into the town of Miling and even used the civilians as hostage. After a week of planning and careful preparation, Wa Muyang finally found a way to save the town of Miling.

Wa Muyang follows one of his men as he shows him the town, ensuring everyone is accounted for.

“How many of our men are injured?” He asks.

“Fourteen, General.”

“I see.” He says, “Are our supplies enough to treat them?”

“Yes, General.”

“And deaths?”

The soldier pauses, his eyes bright with pride. “None on our side, General.”

Wa Muyang let out a sigh of relief. He only brought twenty six men, he had no choice but to bring only a limited number of men as he cannot leave the borders without guards. He would lie if he says he is fully confident he would have zero casualties in his side, but he truly hoped that by careful planning he would avoid having to bury one of his men. Thankfully, it is the case.

“The bodies of the rebels are going to be taken for examination and identification,” Wa Muyang hears the young soldier says as he gestures to a wagon where bodies of rebels are being put into. Each body were covered with cloth to preserve the dignity of the dead. “As per our protocol, once identify, we will bury them according to their belief and culture within reasons.” 

Wa Muyang approached the wagon. Many of them are adults but Wa Muyang clearly recall at least two young adults among them when he was fighting. “And the others? Those who surrendered?” He asks.

“They are also being taken away and their identities are being recorded.”

Wa Muyang nods. “Ensure they have food and water.”

“Yes, General.”

Just as Wa Muyang is about to walk towards the makeshift camp the villains made, he finds two soldiers carrying a body towards the wagon. The body had a big wound on his middle and an arrow through his shoulder. 

“Be careful,” he says to the soldier.

They nod politely. 

As they carry the body and haul him into the wagon, something catches Wa Muyang’s eyes. He turns to the two soldiers and the body, and just as he suspects, there’s something hanging on the man’s belt along with old beads. It looks odd among the man’s belongings.

The soldiers give way as Wa Muyang inspects the man’s belt. Among the trinkets hanging by his waist, was a cord. It looks as if parts of it were burnt, but it’s material appears durable enough to have kept most of its shape. On the ends of the cord is something rectangular and heavy. It’s covered in grime, dirt, and mud. 

“Can I borrow any of yours clean cloth?” Wa Muyang asks.

“Ah, y-yes.” One of the soldiers who carried the body says. He hands Wa Muyng a piece of white cloth.

Wa Muyang then pours some water from his flask on the cloth before using it to wipe the object. The grime and dirt are thick and it takes several swipe from him before the material beneath begins to show its true color.

“It’s jade.” He says.

“How could a bandit have something so expensive in their person?” One soldier asks.

“Can’t they? They’re bandits surely they get something valuable in their raids.” Says another.

“But won’t that make them target by other bandits?” Says the first one.

Wa Muyang focuses on wiping the grime. This jade item could hold very useful information about this bandits and rebels plan or identify after all. After the third pour of water and countless wiping, Wa Muyang can now see a good half of the jade.

“It’s a token.” He says out loud.

“Indeed.” 

Wa Muyang removes it from the belt of the deceased man and inspects it. He runs his thumb through the groves of the engraved symbol.

“It looks familiar.” He murmurs. The engraved symbol looks like an animal of some sort and it’s holding into something.

“That’s… thats the royal family’s insignia!” One of the soldiers says with a gasp. “General, it’s the royal family’s insignia!”

Wa Muyang looks carefully, and realizes, the soldier meant the thing that the animal-like creature is holding. The remaining dirt makes it hard for him to discern it but it does look quite like the royal family’s insignia. But, he has never seen a token like this before.

The jade feels genuine but he has never seen this design before.

Turning the token around, he finds himself looking at an engraved name.

“Zhang…Qi…Ling?”