Chapter Text
Most people would think that going from a prince to a fisherman was a big step down. Xie Lian begged to differ. It was either this or giving up entirely. He was just glad that he found himself a second chance at a life he wanted.
The idea came to him eight years prior, when he awoke from a two-year-long fugue state in which he did nothing but lay on his bed roll while his loyal friend Feng Xin went out and made sure that neither of them starved. Xie Lian was grateful that Feng Xin never blamed him for those two years—after all, being banished does terrible things to people.
But that day, those many years ago, Xie Lian looked around at his surroundings and realized how bad things were. He knew that he couldn’t keep living like this. So, he got up, observed what other people in this tiny town did to earn a living, and decided to become a fisherman. He purchased a boat with the last of his money from the palace and told Feng Xin the plan.
At the time, Feng Xin was working for a rich family as a bodyguard. At first, he thought that Xie Lian was crazy, but he quit that lucrative job to join Xie Lian out on the water.
“We’re in this together,” he’d said. “Maybe you’re on to something.”
Judging by the expression on Feng Xin’s face now, as they both sat hunched over in their small sail boat (that also had a couple paddles for the days it wasn’t windy enough to go on its own), he was regretting leaving that job.
Summer was here, and the sun beat down. The heat was relentless, and the fish weren’t biting. Not like the fish ever bit. Everyone else seemed to have a fine time fishing, but when Xie Lian got out on the water, it was like all the fish made a point of avoiding him, his nets, and his rod. Since Feng Xin was so close by, the bad luck impacted his fishing too—but he was always the one to catch what little they did find.
The only sounds were that of Feng Xin’s annoyed huffing, and the small waves lapping up against the wooden body of the boat. Eventually, Feng Xin interrupted the quiet, “I don’t even see any damn fish.”
Xie Lian tried to lighten the mood with a soft chuckle, but Feng Xin glared harshly at him. Instead, the banished prince smiled and patted his friend’s shoulder. “Patience, Feng Xin. We’ll get something.”
“If you ask me, we should just give up,” Feng Xin grumbled. “We’ve been at this for years, and it’s a miracle we’re still getting by.”
Inside, part of Xie Lian knew that his friend was right. He took off his bamboo hat and fanned himself thoughtfully as he gazed out at the clear, calm water. While there were no fish, he could see a few sea birds trying their luck, diving into the slaty waves, only to reemerge empty taloned.
With a sigh, Xie Lian answered, “At least it gives us something to do during the day.”
Feng Xin pursed his lips and turned away. This wasn’t the first time he tried to convince Xie Lian to do something else. He would always go along with what Xie Lian said in the end, so usually the argument ended quickly. But Xie Lian worried that, one day, his friend would truly get tired of all this, and that he would finally leave him. Xie Lian had never really been alone, even though he felt so alone for those two years after his banishment. He couldn’t imagine being on his own now. Feng Xin helped him through it all.
As Xie Lian deliberated the issue, there came a strange splashing noise from the side of the boat. All day, the ocean had been quiet and flat. Xie Lian perked up at the sudden disturbance and turned to gaze toward the noise.
Feng Xin heard it too, and he turned to look at Xie Lian. “What was that?”
“I’m not sure.” Xie Lian stood from his seat and inched toward the edge. Whatever it was, it sounded big. As he peered into the water, a flurry of silvery fish suddenly darted out from nowhere. Where once there was no fish at all, there was now an entire school right under their noses.
“Where did this all come from?” Feng Xin scrambled to grab their net and untangle it. He was so surprised that his fingers shook a little and slowed down the process. “Come help me!”
But Xie Lian was still staring into the ocean. He thought he saw something. A flash of red amongst the silver. “Is there some sort of animal chasing them?” Or a trick of the light? The commotion from the fish was making it impossible to see.
“Who cares?” Feng Xin demanded. “If you wanna eat this week, you’ll help me with this stupid net!”
Xie Lian shook himself out of his trance and turned to help his friend. It wasn’t long before they managed to get the net untangled and cast it into the water. As soon as it was under and collecting their unexpected bounty, there came another strange noise from behind.
When Xie Lian turned, he was surprised to see a boat approaching them. It was larger than their vessel, with impressive red sails. It looked imperial, and for a moment, Xie Lian felt anxiety rise in his throat.
Feng Xin started tugging in the net, and he cast a distasteful glare toward the ship. “Great,” he mumbled. “What the hell do they want?”
It was another few seconds before the boat sidled up beside them. Some sailors reached out to stop their movement and anchored their ships together with a plank. No one spoke until a man clad in military finest stepped out from a cabin on deck.
Xie Lian recognized him immediately, and a wave of surprise traveled down his spine.
Apparently, Feng Xin recognized him too, because he bared his teeth and gritted out a soft, “This bastard.”
“Xie Lian,” Mu Qing said as he stepped swiftly across the plank. “Feng Xin. It’s been a long time.”
He looked around at their dinky vessel before turning his eyes back toward his old friends. He clearly had questions about why and how they ended up out here, but he didn’t voice them. His hands were tucked behind his back, and a sword hung at his hip. Clearly, he’d been doing rather well for himself since the three of them separated all those years ago.
“Hello, Mu Qing.” Xie Lian offered him a bow. After all, he was clearly a highly ranked official. He deserved respect. “It’s good to see you.”
Feng Xin didn’t bow, but instead kneeled down by the net and started wrangling the fish free.
“It’s admiral now, actually,” Mu Qing said matter-of-factly.
Feng Xin scoffed. “Oh, well. Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence admiral.”
Leave it to Feng Xin to make a respectable title sound like an insult. Xie Lian felt a headache forming by his brow and he gently pressed the tips of his fingers to his temple to stop it. “What can we do for you, admiral? Are we in violation of any laws?”
“Not at all.” Mu Qing had just finished rolling his eyes at Feng Xin when he answered. For just that moment, he looked exactly like the old Mu Qing.
Xie Lian always regretted him leaving. He didn’t stick around through the two years of depression. The banished prince didn’t blame him at all, but it still stung. Now they were face-to-face again, and Mu Qing felt more distant than ever.
Mu Qing’s gaze swept out across the water. “I’ve been assigned to keep an eye on this part of the sea. We are warning all fishing vessels in the area to stay vigilant.”
Logically, Xie Lian knew that Mu Qing hadn’t sought him and Feng Xin out on purpose. Still, hearing him say that this visit was truly up to chance still hurt. This interaction was just part of his job. He wouldn’t be here having this conversation if he didn’t have to.
Now, Feng Xin was listening. He stopped tossing fish into one of their baskets and stood. He still had one unfortunate fish in his hand, and he brandished it at Mu Qing. The mouth flopped open as Feng Xin asked, “Why should we stay vigilant? What are you keeping an eye on?”
Mu Qing glared down at the fish, clearly unimpressed. Still, he answered, “There have been reports of a sea monster in the area. A merfolk, most likely. It’s been capsizing vessels.”
“Have there been attacks?” Xie Lian asked.
“Not just yet. But it’s only a matter of time.” Mu Qing’s expression was grim. “Everyone knows how ruthless those creatures are. Report any sightings immediately. The whole area is on high alert.”
“Thank you for telling us.” Xie Lian bowed again. “I wish you luck.”
Mu Qing’s eyebrow lifted, but he just nodded. “And I you.”
Then, he turned and walked briskly back onto his own boat. The sailors removed the plank, and the ship moved on to continue its patrol.
As soon as the vessel was out of ear shot, Feng Xin chucked a fish in its general direction and spat. “That asshole couldn’t even say hello? All these years, and that’s all he has to say?”
Xie Lian smiled softly and shook his head. He knew that there was no calming Feng Xin down from this. He had a right to be angry. So Xie Lian would just let it run its course. But as he squatted down to gather the rest of their fish, his eyes drifted to the water again.
A sea monster… He wondered if it was as big a deal as all of that.