Chapter 20: Chapter 20

The Present Two days had passed in an instant, and Xinyue was finally released from her solitary confinement.

Upon entering her tent, she wasn’t surprised to see Haoran and Xiaobo waiting for her.

“General!” Xiaobo rose from where he had been sitting and saluted.

“General.” Haoran was leaning on one of the foundational pillars of the canvas tent. His face gave nothing away as he stared at his superior officer.

“General, why would you take the punishment for them?” Xiaobo’s hands were clenched together, and he bit his lower lip.

“And do what?” Xinyue raised an eyebrow. “Have our Kingdom of Wu at a disadvantage?”

“But no food! For two days.” Xiaobo’s shoulders slumped.

Haoran shook his head, a small smile on his lips. “I doubt she didn’t have food. Knowing His Highness’ temperament.”

Xinyue didn’t confirm or deny Haoran’s assessment. “If the princesses were put in solitary confinement, then what?” This was a learning opportunity for Xiaobo. Ever since Zixin had gone off on his own, they needed someone to step up and take his place while he was acting as Xinyue’s eyes throughout the kingdom. Xiaobo had to learn how to be that person.

“Then they wouldn’t have been able to represent the Kingdom of Wu.” The answer was said in almost a whisper. Xiaobo didn’t want to say the words, although he knew them to be true.

“At best, they would have lost merit during the hunt. At worst, the Kingdoms of Feng and Mu would have used this to their advantage to have the princesses disqualified from being candidates to the Crown Prince’s marriage.”

“But the Princess of Mu was beaten. She didn’t do anything wrong.” Xiaobo furrowed his eyebrows and glanced between the two other soldiers.

“Xiaobo, it doesn’t matter how nice and innocent someone may seem.” Xinyue shrugged. “The fact is, she would still have benefited from the confinement of the princesses.”

Xiaobo took a calming breath, his cheeks puffed out a bit. “General, if the princesses committed a far more serious offense, would you take the punishment for it?”

“To protect the Kingdom of Wu and the people there? No question.”

“Even if the Kingdom didn’t deserve it?” Xinyue let Xiaobo ask the question, but Haoran hissed in response. His eyes flitted over to Xinyue’s.

Xinyue nodded and thought of that day under the waterfall, when someone else asked her questions such as these. She tapped at the hilt of the knife on her hip.

“General, do you still think His Highness is planning to create an empire?” Haoran tried to change the subject from the possible treasonous direction it was going.

Xinyue thought of her last few interactions with the Crown Prince. “His Highness’ moods and thoughts are always changing like the tides. It is difficult for me to make a decision right now. But he did allow me to take the princesses’ punishment, demonstrating that he may not look unfavorably on the Kingdom of Wu.”

“Because he favors the princesses or diplomatic relations with our kingdom?” Xiaobo’s face scrunched up as he mentioned the princesses, and his tone dripped with displeasure. He couldn’t imagine who would look favorably on the Princesses of Wu, but he also wasn’t the Crown Prince of Long.

Haoran sighed. “Xiaobo, you shouldn’t be so obvious with your dislike of royalty.” With Haoran’s criticism, Xiaobo immediately dropped his face into a neutral expression.

“I didn’t say I dislike them…” Xiaobo dug his toe into the ground.

“Hm.” Xinyue felt a bubble of amusement from their banter. “To answer your question, I’m not certain. It doesn’t seem as if the Crown Prince favors anyone as of now.”

Haoran remained quiet, but the right side of his mouth was kicked up in a slight smirk.

“Haoran, what was the Crown Prince like when you met him three years ago?”

The smirk fell from Haoran’s face.

“If I remember correctly, Haoran didn’t like the Crown Prince much when he first met him.” Xinyue’s eyes were light with amusement. “He was far more vocal than you over his dislike of royalty during that time.”

“General, I request that you not discuss such mistakes with my direct subordinate. I have since learned from that time.” Haoran saluted Xinyue, his face guarded.

“Yes, you did like him toward the end.” Xinyue never really talked about that time, nor what happened.

Haoran glanced at her in surprise. “Yes, my opinion was completely changed.”

“General Xinyue!” A loud voice called to the General outside the tent.

Xinyue exited with Haoran and Xiaobo, a servant of the Kingdom of Long had come.

“General.” The man saluted the General, deeply bowing down. “The Crown Prince of Long has requested your presence.”

“I see. I have just come from my time in solitary confinement. Do I have time to change and prepare to see His Highness?” Xinyue knew she looked less than presentable. She didn’t have time to change out of her clothing from two days ago, and her hair was disheveled, strands falling from the white ribbon.

The servant looked her up and down. “Yes, you should have some time, General.”

Xinyue went back into her tent, leaving Xiaobo and Haoran outside to prepare to see the Crown Prince. It didn’t take long for her to wash and look presentable. Xinyue was used to battlefield conditions, and the tents in this hunting party were far more luxurious than she was used to. All the amenities made getting ready for the day fairly easy and quick.

When Xinyue stepped outside the tent the second time, the servant saw a totally new person. With her polished black armor and hair tied with the singular white ribbon, Xinyue’s presence was awe-inspiring and terrifying. The only color on the General’s body came from the gold knife still at her hip.

“General, that is an interesting knife.” The servant glanced at the knife with a look of recognition. “I’ve worked in the palace for several years and swear I’ve seen that knife before.”

“Are you implying something?” Haoran stepped into the servant’s personal space. He towered over him, his lean frame intimidating, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“No, Sir, I mean, um.” The servant was at a loss for words, his bottom lip quivering. “I will lead you to His Highness.” He let the matter slide and turned swiftly, sweat rolled down his cheek even when the weather was fairly cool. Flustered, he weaved through the crowd of tents and attendants of the different royal families.

Xinyue glanced at the large tent of the Crown Prince that they passed by, surprised. She thought they would meet him in the tent again.

It wasn’t until they made it to the open field with targets on the far side of it that Xinyue understood what was happening. In front of them was a large platform with the members of various royal families on top of it, a large canopy blocking their fair skin from the sun. Attendants walked swiftly, carrying fruits and delicacies from person to person, making sure that everyone was comfortable where they were sitting. In the middle of the platform sat the Crown Prince of Long, his chair far larger than anyone else’s seat. To his right sat a woman, looking at her fair face and deeper blue eyes, Xinyue guessed she was the Crown Prince’s sister- Princess Meiling. To his left was Hongyi, his fan in one hand and an apple in the other. Further to his left sat the Princess of Mu, and beside her were the Princesses of Wu. Further to his right were the Princesses and Prince of Feng. Various members of the Long Court had joined the hunt, their seats scattered around the Royals.

“Your Highness, I have brought the General of Wu.” The servant announced her, bowing deeply to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince dismissed the servant with a wave. “Greetings to General Xinyue.” The Crown Prince looked her up and down, like he was examining her.

“Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince of Long.” Xinyue bowed.

“You have finally made it out of solitary confinement. I trust it was not too terrible?”

“It was thanks to His Highness’s grace that I was able to accept the punishment in the stead of the princesses. It wasn’t terrible, thank you for your inquiry, Your Highness.” Xinyue said the words that she knew had to be said. It was perfect court etiquette, and what was expected of her. She worked to make sure her hands didn’t clench and her shoulders didn’t tense, reminding herself not to show any emotion.

“Yes, because of my grace,” The Crown Prince looked at the Princesses of Wu out of the corner of his eye, “You accepted the punishment in place of the princesses.”

Xinyue nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince tilted his head to the side and looked around at the open field in front of them. “It is beautiful weather today, is it not, General?”

Xinyue paused. He was planning something, she was sure of it. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Would you be interested in a bit of light competition?”

“Your Highness?” Xinyue looked straight into the pale blue of the Crown Prince’s eyes as he raised an eyebrow at her.

“Archery. I remember you were quite good with a bow.”

Hongyi from beside the Crown Prince had stopped eating his apple and was staring up at the Crown Prince from where he sat next to him.

“Your Highness, if I may, there are plenty of contestants from the various kingdoms here.” The Prince of Feng, Jianhong, interjected. “It would be most unfair for them if they were to compete with the God of War.” The nickname was said with a tone of distaste, as if Prince Jianhong thought that Xinyue didn’t deserve such a title.

“Meiling, what do you think? Do you not want to see General Xinyue’s skills?” The Crown Prince turned to the Princess of Long.

Princess Meiling pursed her lips in thought. “I agree, Your Highness, with the Prince of Feng. Although I do want to see the General’s skills, we cannot be so insensitive to the other contestants.”

“Yes, Your Highness. While I am pleased you want to give the Kingdom of Wu an advantage, we cannot ask that of the others or of yourself.” Princess Yuyan rushed to say her opinion. While she was pleased that Xinyue had taken the punishment for her and Lihua, she didn’t want to allow any more glory to go to the General.

“I concur, Your Highness. We cannot be unfair to the others. Already, we made a mistake that led the General to be punished, I do not want to make another.” Princess Lihua had a light flush on her cheeks as she mentioned what had happened days earlier.

“Ah, Lord Hongyi,” Hongyi choked on the bite of the apple he had just taken as the Crown Prince called to him in front of everyone, “What do you think?”

As everyone had been talking, not once had the Crown Prince revealed any of his emotions on his face. He kept a light and pleasant smile on his lips.

Hongyi cleared his throat and took a sip of water before he started speaking. “Your Highness, I think it is wise that the General of Wu does not participate with the other candidates who have signed up for the archery competition. Her skill would be too far from their own.” Hongyi smirked after he finished speaking and winked at Xinyue. She fought to keep her expression neutral. They had planned something, she knew it.

“You are all correct. We cannot possibly let the General of Wu compete with the others, we must find someone of her level.” The Crown Prince spoke, and Xinyue’s feeling of unease increased.

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“Yes, Your Highness is wise.” Princess Mengyao spoke up where she sat next to her brother with the rest of the Royals of Feng. Xinyue saw her elbow her sister in the side, her lips twisted up in a smirk.

“It would be so unfair, Your Highness, but where would we find someone of General Xinyue’s caliber?” Princess Jingshu understood immediately why Princess Mengyao had signaled her. “It is unfortunate, Your Highness, since you called her here. It was a brilliant idea, but what can we do?”

“It was brilliant, Your Highness.” Princess Lingyi of Mu echoed the Feng princess, leaning forward in her chair and trying to catch the Crown Prince’s attention. The other members of the Long Court who were invited to participate in the hunt murmured to themselves in agreement.

Allowing Xinyue to compete in the archery competition would be disadvantageous to all the parties involved. Already there had been rumors of Xinyue’s benevolence and loyalty as she took the punishment for the Wu Princesses. The servants of Long had been spreading the news like wildfire- how wonderful and upstanding General of Xinyue was. A myth and legend walking among mortals. It wouldn’t be good for her to excel further than she already had. Not to mention her long-standing acquaintance with the Crown Prince, a point that made numerous people sick with jealousy. None of the other royals wanted her to stand out more than she already did.

“Yes, who could match General Xinyue in terms of skill?” The Crown Prince looked down at Hongyi, and his Second-in-Command grinned, the canines of his teeth poking into his bottom lip.

“Well, I would say His Highness, our General of Long, would be someone who could match the General of Wu,” Hongyi answered naturally, offhandedly, like it had never occurred to him before until that very second that the Crown Prince and the General were equals. He waved the once bitten apple in his hand.

The platform went quiet.

“Yes, His Highness, the Crown Prince of Long is skilled at archery. He has never lost a competition.” Princess Meiling had a far-off look in her eyes, and her voice was soft. She glanced up at her older brother adoringly. It was known throughout the kingdoms that the siblings had a good relationship with each other, they grew especially close after their mother’s death.

The Crown Prince and Xinyue again gazed at each other, a look of knowledge and a secret familiarity.

“What do you think, General Xinyue? They were all members of my court.” The Crown Prince smiled at Xinyue. “The ones I bested.”

“I’m sure they tried their best, Your Highness.” Xinyue bit her tongue; the sense of deja vu fluttered like butterflies in her stomach.

“Really? I thought you would have said they let me win. Since they were members of my court.” He was smiling, teasing her.

“I would never do such a thing.” Xinyue bowed her head. “Your Highness.” The title felt awkward, cumbersome.

“Then, you would not let me win? You will try to win?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Xinyue bowed in consent.

“Then you all heard the General! We will compete.” The Crown Prince clapped his hands together.

Princess Mengyao gripped the armrests of the chair she sat on, her nails digging into the wood. “Your Highness, do you think it wise?”

“Why would it not be wise, Princess Mengyao?” The Crown Prince turned to the Feng Kingdom’s representatives, and Princess Mengyao shrank back as she met those unsettling eyes.

“What my sister means, Your Highness, is that we fear for the General of Wu’s reputation.” Prince Jianhong interjected; his voice high as he tried to distract from his sister’s less than diplomatic question. “After all, she was just in solitary confinement. Would her reputation not be further damaged by this competition?”

“Only if she were to lose. Are you implying that there is no chance for the General of Wu to win?” Hongyi sat forward in his chair, one knee crossed over the other, a fan waving in his hand.

“Well, His Highness is the God of Death. I am sure that my sister only meant to save the General’s esteemed reputation.” Prince Jianhong placed one hand over his chest as he spoke, while the other hand waved to his sister. The flattery was thick, drenching his words with sticky insincerity.

“I will take that bet,” Hongyi said and cocked his head to the side. “Anyone else?”

It took Prince Jianhong a moment to process what had just happened. “You would bet against, His Highness? You would gamble in front of the Crown Prince?”

“I did not mean to offend the Crown Prince.” Hongyi looked up at the man in question, his eyes wide. “Your Highness, do you mind greatly?”

“Not at all, Lord Hongyi.” The Crown Prince smiled. “It would make the Hunt that much more interesting.”

Hongyi turned back to the Prince of Feng, “I will bet 200 gold ingots on the General of Wu.”

The servants rustled and moved from foot to foot. That would feed their families for a year.

Prince Jianhong looked at all the people around him; the members of the different royal families and all of their servants were watching him. “I accept the bet.” His voice was slightly higher than it was before, and he took a large breath. What was the possibility of the General of Long losing at archery?

“Very well,” High Highness got up from his seat and walked off the platform over to Xinyue, “We should get started.”

“I did not bring my bow, Your Highness.”

“Ah, no matter, General Xinyue. We can ask a servant to go fetch one from your tent.” The Crown Prince answered with a smile. Everyone else probably thought that he looked kind and caring, but Xinyue knew better.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Xinyue could feel the muscle in her cheek twitch, and worked to relax her face.

As the servant ran to the General’s tent, the Crown Prince called for his own bow to be brought. Xinyue hid her surprise as the servant brought the bow she had given him as a gift. The tigers gleamed as they chased each other, engraved in the wood of the bow.

“Your Highness.” A servant bowed as he approached. “The targets are ready.”

Another servant, the one who ran to the General’s tent before, came forward with General Xinyue’s beloved, well-worn bow in his hands.

Xinyue took it from him and immediately ran her thumb over the wood.

“General, you do not have a thumb ring?” The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow at the servant, silently admonishing him for forgetting.

“I will be fine, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern.”

The Crown Prince reached into the belt of his robes and took out a clear jade thumb ring, and gave it to Xinyue. She took the gift with two hands, bowing lowly.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” She couldn’t refuse such a gift, not in front of everyone.

“Of course, General. I would not want anyone to say that is the reason why I won.”

The two walked over to stand across from where the targets were set and both strung their bows with the expertise of those who had done so in the impatience of war. Xinyue hadn’t wanted to perform in front of the royals, but it looked as if she no longer had a choice in the matter.

“Your Highness.” Xinyue bowed her head and waited for the Crown Prince to begin.

With a smirk, he drew the arrow from the quiver before releasing it.

It hit the target perfectly.

“Your Highness is truly excellent!” Princess Jingshu exclaimed and clapped her hands. The other princesses were not to be outdone, and they shouted out their praises and flattery to the Crown Prince.

Xinyue notched the arrow, felt the kiss of the feathers, and released it.

Thud. A perfect hit.

Unlike when His Highness hit the target, the Royals were silent. The only person on the platform to voice his delight was Hongyi, who let out a loud and exaggerated gasp.

“Quite excellent! I would never have thought the General of Wu would be as wonderful as this at archery!” Hongyi took another bite of his apples and chewed them slowly, his smile still plastered on his face. He made sure his eyes were wide in surprise and shock over what he was seeing.

The second arrow of the Crown Prince met the first.

“His Highness is a superior shot. I understand most of the rumors are about his spear work, but he has practiced extensively at archery as well.” Princess Meiling bragged as she puffed her chest and sat on the edge of her seat. She was proud of her brother and all of his accomplished feats.

Xinyue drew and shot. Another perfect bullseye.

Silence. One second, two seconds.

“Why don’t we make things even more interesting?” Hongyi asked, a sly smile on his face as he leaned forward in his chair. He snapped his fan closed with a whip of his wrist.

“How so, Lord Hongyi?” Prince Jianhong fell right into the trap, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Lord Hongyi waved to servants nearby, and they brought strips of blue cloth over to the two archers. No one seemed to have any questions about why Hongyi would be so prepared with blindfolds for a sudden, unplanned competition.

Xinyue turned and raised an eyebrow at the Crown Prince. He smirked, the dimple appeared, and shrugged one shoulder.

“I agree with Lord Hongyi.” The Crown Prince handed his bow to the servant and grabbed the blindfold. The Crown Prince looked to Xinyue and raised an eyebrow before tying it over his eyes.

“His Highness is truly spectacular.” Princess Mengyao said. “He rises to any challenge.”

“As expected of the Crown Prince of the Long Kingdom.” Princess Lihua joined in, not to be outdone by her half-sister.

Like in the past, the Crown Prince shot perfectly with his blind fold on, but this time he hit the target in the middle.

“Excellent shot, Your Highness!” All of the people on the platform clapped their hands and cheered for the Crown Prince. Their exclamations ranged from simple compliments to exaggerated adulation.

The Crown Prince pulled the blind fold down to hang around his neck like a necklace, and waited.

Xinyue sighed. The servant reached for her bow, but Xinyue instead put it down on the ground and leaned it against her knees. She put the blue blindfold over her eyes and tied it tightly.

She picked up the bow and took one arrow from the quiver.

“Remember, General Xinyue, you are to do your best.” The Crown Prince’s voice was soft as he said the reminder quietly, so only she could hear. “Give me something to strive for, a competitor, an equal. Make me burn with rage and inferiority.”

Xinyue chuckled at his words. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

She shot the arrow, and heard it thud into the soft target.

She then drew two more and turned the bow sideways; she heard the wood of the arrows splinter and the gasps of the crowd, before she turned to the platform. Taking another arrow out of the quiver, she listened to the gasps and searched for the wave of a fan.

The crunch of an apple, the sound of chewing, and the exaggerated exclamation of a male voice.

With a hidden smile under her mask, she released the arrow and removed her blindfold.

Hongyi gave out a yelp and dropped his apple to the ground, which fell and rolled on the platform’s floor.

Through the fruit was the arrow.

Hongyi looked from the apple that he dropped to Xinyue, his mouth open like a fish. With an almost audible snap, he shut it, jumped up from his seat, and spun on his heel to face the Feng delegation.

“Prince Jianhong, I believe you owe me 200 gold ignots,” Hongyi exclaimed, his face bright with victory and the wolfish smile back with a vengeance.

Prince Jianhong had turned a ghastly shade of white and stared at the apple on the ground with shock.