Chapter Text
The barren landscape stretched as far as eyes could see.
Xiao Jingyan, Prince Jing of the Liang Empire, pulled his horse into a standstill and the soldiers behind him stopped moving in unison. The last time he rode out like this, he led twenty thousand men into a victory against thirty thousand. This time, he was visiting the capital of the Hua Kingdom to stay for an undetermined amount of time as a privileged guest of honor, an appellation prescribed by the newly established peace treaty between Hua and Liang.
Politicians had invented such a pretty way to say hostage.
"Thank you for your hard work," Jingyan told his men. All twenty of his men and their captain, Lie Zhanying, dismounted and knelt, each one offering a personal farewell. Most bid him a good stay and a few braver ones reminded him to be careful. Jingyan inclined his head once, then tugged his horse around. Zhanying followed closely behind.
They rode toward the gates of the city solemnly, the hooves of the two horses clattering against stone. Soldiers of the Hua Kingdom lined the side and held back civilians who wanted to catch a glimpse of the foreign prince. The excited chattering increased in volume as Jingyan rode through the two massive stone lions erected on either side of Hua’s Gate of Mercy.
The Gate of Mercy, a name bestowed by Imperial Lord Yu himself, was the only entrance to the City of Eternity and the imperial court within. Except for the lengthy mountain ranges that lined the western border of the city, the entire city was secured within stone walls that Jingyan now saw spanned the length of two horse bodies and rose to a height of about forty feet. Glancing up, Jingyan saw that there were four sets of iron portcullis held up by chains. The actual iron-plated wooden doors of the fort were two feet thick and mounted on wheels.
A woman standing next to a white mare waited for him in the center of the street that lead into the city. Even in the soft leather of her riding clothes, she could have competed with and defeated many of his Royal Father's concubines in a beauty contest. However, Jingyan was more aware of the ambition and shrewdness in her eyes.
She carried herself with the same articulation possessed by men who called themselves schemers and strategists.
"An honor to meet you, Prince Jing. My name is Qin Banruo, advisor to Imperial Lord Yu," said the woman, once he was close enough to hear. She curtsied, the stance an alternation to the one performed in Liang. It was steeper and sharper, performed with a careless edge. She glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, saying, "There is no need to dismount. I will take you to the palace."
Without another word, she gripped the saddle of her horse and mounted. Jingyan spurred his horse to her right, in line with hers. The soldiers gathered around them neatly and Jingyan urged his horse down the streets that soldiers cleared out. Once their horses began a steady pace, Jingyan said, “A pleasure to meet you. Thank you for coming all the way out to the city gates to welcome us on such a windy day.”
“It’s windy?” asked Banrou. Then her eyes fell on the banners and flags flailing in the breeze. Her smile reminded Jingyan of a dagger, “I have to tell you, and you might not believe it, but the wind blows so much harsher than this. Is Your Highness finding it difficult to adjust?”
“I've experienced worse,” said Jingyan.
Qin Banrou did not appear to think he was worthy of further conversation.
The City of Eternity was comparable to Jiangling City, with some remarkable differences. The clothing was similar, but Hua people had a preference for bright colors. Even the poorest peasants, who dressed in faded cotton tunics, had a strip of bright cloth tied to their hair, body or clothes.
Jingyan saw several types of vegetables and fruits he'd never seen before displayed on the streets and noticed that there was a heavy abundance of vegetation that grew well in wet regions. Many roofs were covered with a type of straw that repelled water – the region was one with a lot of snow and rain. Distantly, Jingyan remembered reading that the torrential rains in Hua were like an entire oceans pouring from the sky.
"A festival is being held in Hall of Summer to celebrate your arrival," Banrou told him as the front gates of the palace opened before them. The gates of the palace was less impressive than the fort around the city and it was guarded by a pair of dragon rather than lion. "All the best dancers are performing and the best wines will be served. His Imperial Highness wishes to extend to you the warmest welcomes after your long journey."
“I will be sure to thank His Grace,” said Jingyan.
Jingyan followed her through the gates and into a maze of ornamental columns, overhanging eaves, painted walls and inscribed doors. Each court, hall or residence had a unique name, but Jingyan did not know who lived in which court or what purpose most courts served. In the excursion from the gates to his own residence, Banrou led him past the entrances of the Court of High Justice, Hall of Winter, Garden of Eternal Spring, Temple of the Sky and eight other entrances.
Soldiers in iron armor, armed with a sword and a spear, stood guard in almost every entrance and corner. Every few minutes, Jingyan would see a small troop of patrolling soldiers lead by a captain. Jingyan noticed that the captain’s cape were all a pale green, but the symbol differed, likely representing different army factions. Jingyan only counted three distinctive symbols, but he knew there were five factions within the palace.
When they finally arrived at his private residence, Jingyan noticed that his court was called the Court of the Abandoned. Ten servants waited for him, five on either side of the front doors. His new household came with a relatively large courtyard with a small pond and twelve trees with white bark. Jingyan noticed five distinctive buildings inside his court and he assumed his personal residence was the one that faced the front doors.
A servant took his horse away to the nearest stable stationed near his court and Jingyan turned to look at Banrou, "What time does the festival you mention begin?"
"It began last night," said Banrou, as she turned her horse around to ride away.