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1
The Court has been pushing, and finally the Emperor promises to appoint Crown Prince before the Midautumn Festival. But the heart disease has it’s say by the end of the summer - and blood floods the streets of Jingling, while Inner Palace holds its collective breath, hoping, dreading and mourning.
The Empress Dowager grieves for her only child, but she can’t forgive him. The lack of clear succession is his fault, and it’s his fault her grandchildren are now slaying each other. There is nothing she can do to stop the older ones, but the youngest three, she can and will protect. Thank Heavens, Jinyang has lived in her palace since her mother’s death (no way Empress Dowager would have allowed her first granddaughter to become a stone in power games of the consorts), and as for the other two…
“Send Ninth Prince and Second Princess to my palace. I wish for them to start their vigil there.”
Both Zilong and Liyang’s mothers are smart enough to obey without questions.
The vigil won’t formally start until the future is decided, and the children don’t even know yet they have lost their father. Empress Dowager watches xiao-Liyang being stubborn and forcing Zilong and Jinyang to abandon their weici game to play with her, smiles and resolutely doesn’t think who she will have lost by tomorrow.
2
“I hear that you spend time with xiao-Liyang now, my child. You are kind and noble girl, and it gladdens my heart.”
“This silly girl is not worthy of Grandmother’s praise,” Jinyang answers and for once she is not just being polite. She indeed has been befriending her little sister, but it is not a kind gesture, it is a political move. The Inner Palace is at war, and Liyang can become a vital ally in the enemy camp. One of the enemy camps.
Grandmother wishes to stay out of palace intrigues this generation, so Jinyang doesn’t discuss them with her. Of course, if they ever are desperate enough, she will have to ask Grand Empress for help, but so far there is no need. Brother Zilong, though, is another matter: first, he still knows Jinyang too well, even after leaving the Inner Palace, and second, she trusts him enough not to hide her plans from him. This time, he laughs out loud.
“Sister Jinyang really believes that xiao-Liyang will make a good spy?”
“Well, if not, than at least our friendship will vex Dowager Empress Bai extremely, don’t you think?”
“First sister has a point!”
“Well, will my Ninth brother Prince Ji find those notes for me, as a present for our Second sister?”
In the end, Liyang doesn’t become much help in the intrigues against her mother Dowager Empress, but the two Grand Princesses do become friends. As a side effect, Jinyang finally learns to properly appreciate music.
3
Liyang knows she is the youngest child of her father the Emperor. At six, she is smart and filial and can recite the names, titles and ages of all her siblings. Voices and faces are another matter; the only one she is sure about is her Third brother, Xiao Xuan, because he, too, is filial and visits their mother often. The rest of them, Liyang only glimpses from afar at family gatherings. First sister and Ninth brother are closest to her in age, but still they are six years older, and there are no visits save for the protocol ones. First time Liyang really meets them is during these strange days before the Emperor's funeral, the days the three of them spend in Grandmother’s palace.
It will be years before Liyang fully understands what was going beyond Palace’s walls and why in the aftermath she suddenly had much fewer names and birthdays to remember. But still, this time remains one of her most fond childhood memories.
Liyang is nine when sister Jinyang really starts spending time with her. Mother doesn’t approve, but Grandmother does, and that’s enough for Liyang to not feel guilty for enjoying the attention.
Liyang admires her elder sister and wants to be like her. Jinyang always gets what she wants, and it’s fascinating. Of course, she is Grandmother’s favorite, but she doesn’t use this favor all that often. By herself, she persuades their brother the Emperor to promise her a betrothal with Lin Xie, his most trusted general (Empress Dowager is furious). Jinyang gets lessons with Imperial Tutor Yan, spends time in the Imperial Library and even attends Court session once (as a birthday present from the Emperor). Liyang watches her and talks with her and learns from her - and becomes strong enough to reach for her own dreams.
O course, Liyang is not interested in Court politics or ancient essays on state matters. Of her own passions, music is an appropriate one for a princess, but riding… Riding is not. Unlike most girls from noble families, both Jinyang and Liyang did have some basic lessons - it’s a tradition established by their grandfather. He had to flee the rebels in his youth and lost his mother and sister because the carriage was too slow - and wanted to make sure this fate won’t befall his daughters and granddaughters. And Liyang wants more than just a month of obligatory lessons, despite her mother's objections - and, following her sister example, she finally gets her way. Decent training and her own beautiful mare - and next Spring Hunt she will outride her brothers!
4
“This lowly physician deserves a thousand deaths, but there is nothing that could be done. Her highness Grand Princess won’t survive another pregnancy.”
Him alone, Jinyang wouldn’t believe, she doesn’t hold much trust in Imperial physicians, but sister Concubine Jing agrees. And the jianghu healer her husband has invited (no one other than the Master of Langya Hall himself) also confirms.
“The Lin family already has an heir.” Lin Xie says afterwards. “I ask my lady wife to give me a promise that she will be careful.”
The Marshall is serious, and refuses to share a bed with her until she promises. So Jinyang makes that oath, and dutifully drinks the herbs sister Jing sends and hides her tears.
Years pass, and sometimes Jinyang catches herself thinking that Heaven’s cruelty was a blessing in disguise. Xiao-Shu, as if knowing he will remain an only child of his parents, has inherited all the talents of both the Lin family and the Imperial family. At five, he already shines as the Sun and everyone agrees: he is destined for a brilliant future. Martial arts and military tactics, he will learn from warriors of Chiyan Army and his father, but Jinyan doesn’t want him to neglect the rest. And finding mentors for him, mentors who will be able to keep up with both his talents and his temper, is already a challenge. Jinyang doesn’t have time for regrets. She doesn’t even have time for being properly involved in the Court politics, but… Well, the Emperor’s trust in the Lin family is unshakeable, and Marquis Yan, despite being a brother of the Empress, is their ally first and foremost. Jinyan has nothing to worry about.
5
Sister Jinyang sees all the Da Liang neighbours as barbarians and holds all the barbarians in contempt.
“None of their kingdoms is our equal,'' she says. “And if any of them want to seek an alliance, we do have enough of distant cousins. Besides, the Empress Dowager will want to keep you close. You have nothing to fear.”
It’s not the first time Liyang doesn’t agree with her beloved sister, but it’s probably the first time she doesn’t dare to voice her opinion. It’s a good thing Jinyang is nowadays busy with her own household and family and doesn’t notice anything.
Yuwen Lin, a prince from Southern Chu, a hostage, who everyone pretends is an honoured guest. At first, it’s just curiosity - are the barbarians really that awful as both Mother and First sister (the rarest occurrence of them being in agreement!) insist they are? Then, when it turns out at least Yuwen Lin is not, the curiosity becomes interest. Then interest becomes something more, something new, fascinating and frightening… It might be love, though Liyang doesn’t call it such.
Yuwen Lin rides with her on Imperial hunts - unlike Jingling’s nobility, he is not intimidated by her riding skills and doesn’t find her passion inappropriate. He says that in the South all maidens ride and know how to handle swords, but none of them is as beautiful or as talented as Liyang is. He says he loves her, he says he will ask for her hand in marriage, he says he will take her back with him to Southern Chu… Liyang listens and wants to believe, but she knows: her brother the Emperor and her Mother Empress Dowager will never grant this marriage. Slowly, all her feelings drown in fear. She only hopes that, by the time they are discovered (and they will be discovered) Yuwen Lin will be back in the Southern Chu and safe from the swords of the Imperial guard. Liyang deliberately doesn’t think about the possible consequences for herself.
6
“Second sister, I apologize in advance,” Jinyang says, watching xiao-Shu leading away a flock of his younger cousins.
“No need,” Liyang answers. “I doubt even xiao-Shu can find danger in Grandmother’s garden. Besides, Xiao Jingyan is with them.”
Jinyang, on the contrary, doesn’t have any doubts about her son’s ability to find danger, but Jingyan’s presence is indeed a comfort. He is not often able to stop xiao-Shu and his crazy ideas, but at least he’ll make sure the children won’t be hurt.
“I don’t mean possible bruises, Second sister. But Xiao Jingrui is a filial and sweet boy, and I’m afraid he will learn nothing good from my unworthy son. ”
Liyang laughs. “Elder sister is too strict. Xiao Jingrui has nothing to fear from his favorite cousin.”
Jingrui does indeed follow xiao-Shu whenever he can, though xiao-Shu himself doesn’t much like to spend time with the young ones, unlike Xiao Jingyu. But Jinyang is glad: the children have helped her and Liyang get close again. Marriage and motherhood had changed her little sister, and she is no longer that wild girl from their youth, but she is still someone Jinyang wants to call a friend, not just a sibling.
7
“Your highness,” the Imperial physician says, looking at the ground. “Everything that is possible has been done. In body, her highness the Grand Empress will recover fully in a few days. But her mind...” He continues and says that Grandmother doesn't remember events and news that caused her stroke, in fact she doesn't remember a few of the latest years, and that will hardly change.
"Such illness is known to happen with women in such advanced years as Grand Empress. I don't advise to tell her highness anything upsetting. Her health might worsen, and it will be for nothing, because she will forget anyway. Please forgive this unworthy healer."
Liyang nods. Of course, he doesn't dare to say it outright, but she knows what he means by "upsetting", and she is relieved, even if this relief is mixed with shame. This way, Grandmother will be able to be happy in her remaining time, and Liyang… Liyang won't have to tell her that horrific truth. Won't have to remind that xiao-Shu is labeled a traitor and fell at Meiling. That Jingyu drank a cup of poison in a prison cell, after his own father ordered him to. That Consort Chen asked for a white silk scarf and took her own life. That sister Jinyang, fearless, strong Jinyang took one of the Lin swords, and now the steps of the Palace are forever stained with her blood.
Liyang has not been there yet and she is sure the servants were diligent, but some things can't be just washed away. They say, the Emperor was furious, he wanted to show mercy… Jinyang would never have accepted it.
Liyang dismisses the physician and goes back inside, trying to block uninvited memories. Memories of playing in these gardens as a child with her sister, more recent memories of watching their children play together… She gasps, suddenly realizing that silence won't be enough. For how many years Grandmother has left, Liyang will have to lie. Lie, that Consort Chen is just not feeling well again, that Jingyu is busy with Court affairs, that Jinyang is checking on things in the Lin's western estate, that xiao-Shu trains with the Chiyan army...
“My lady”, one of the maidens greets Liyang at the door, with an envelope in her hands. “A message from the Xie manor.”
Liyang can’t quite suppress a flinch, but she takes the message. She can guess what is inside: Grandmother is getting better, so it’s time for her and the children to come home, to their husband and father. The hero who managed to defeat both the rebellious Chiyan army and the invading hordes of Da Yu. Liyang doesn’t want to leave Grandmother, doesn't want to come back, but it’s not something she can fight. The Chiyan case is over, but that doesn’t mean Jingrui and younger ones are safe. She might have forgotten how to be strong, but she will protect her children. No matter the cost.
...Liyang is not good with swords, but many years ago, well before she met Yuwen Lin or Xie Yu, elder sister Jinyang gave her a dagger. More as a joke than a serious gift; but from now on Liyang will keep it sharp and on hand.