Chapter Seventy Nine - Regrets

"Zhen.. I do not wish for you to leave brother," the young Emperor engulfed his brother in a bear hug. Second Prince was not small, for all his delicate features, but he lacked the breadth and large muscles of his older brother.

Wáng Yu Long was due to leave for the Heartlands with a detachment of guards and the Heartlanders guests. Many ignorant souls felt as if the Emperor was using Second Prince as a political hostage to not only uphold the peace treaty between the Empire and small, rich nation, but also to ensure he was no longer a threat to the throne. This cold action gave further proof to the ruthlessness of their new Emperor, who had many Ministers and officials running around as if injected with chicken blood. Had they seen the Emperor now, they might have questioned their views.

"Brother...!" Yu Long tapped his brother's arm when he was no longer able to breathe.

Jie Long loosened his grip slightly. "I always thought we would never part, that we would live together and die together. And when we resolved to run this Empire to ensure our safety in this life, we would then rule together."

"The wishes of children remain the wishes of children, brother," Yu Long returned, he was also sad to leave this person who he had remained beside for over eighteen years. "We now have to face this world as adults; I as the Guardian of the Living God of the Heartlands and you as the Emperor of this Empire."

"I would have given you the throne," Jie Long told him, earnestly.

"I know," Yu Long said, shaking his head. "But I would never have accepted it. I was always intending to seek that person."

"You mean Xiang Ah Liû?" Jie Long asked. Yu Long nodded, but did not elaborate. "He means that much to you?" Yu Long nodded once more. "I do not understand the way of the gods, but I understand you; you have made your choice and I cannot change it."

"Do not speak as if you are not as stubborn as I!" Yu Long exclaimed. Jie Long laughed loudly and released his brother, who bowed to his Emperor. "With me no longer here, chose your allies wisely and remember I will return when you need me to do so. I also wish an invite to your wedding and to be amongst the first to greet your sons and your daughters."

The Emperor scowled, but admitted he was considering an alliance with Minister Zhao, who had many lovely daughters of age.

"That is true," Yu Long replied, recalling the faces of a few of them. Admittedly, several were concubine born and would not be accepted as First Wife or Empress. "The Third Daughter, Zhao Xiu Ying is very beautiful, but too ambitious. I would seek the eldest daughter, Zhao Zhen Yi instead."

Jie Long tried to recall the face of the eldest girl, but simply recalled a tall girl of humble appearance outshone by her many sisters. "May I ask why?"

"Zhao Zhen Yi is not as fair of face, it is true," Yu Long said. "But her temperament is pure and her mind quick. She did not look down on her sisters with lesser status and she spoke eloquently. Minister Zhao's wife spoke frequently about Zhao Xiu Ying's beauty, while Minister Zhao's mother spoke of Zhao Zhen Yi's Guqin skills. Also, I heard her tell her older cousin Gu Zi Tu to cease acting like a harlot, for while a man would not be unhappy for a woman to offer favours, does not mean he will take her as wife."

At the cousin's name, the Emperor recalled an attractive woman with a full figure, but she had not respected his personal boundaries at all and when he had managed to remove himself from her forward touches, he had seen her attempt the same with his brother instead! He shuddered, but understood what his brother was saying. Zhao Zhen Yi would not be like Huang Lei He, controlling and jealous of the concubines, but she would not let herself be controlled by unruly women either. Should she be as the brothers perceived her to be, should would ensure harmony in the future inner palace.

Before Yu Long finally parted, they spoke of a few potential men, who might become loyal officials, such as Minister Wen's First Son, before the time came to bid their farewells. With the carriages carrying the Prince and the Heartlanders, including Keung Ai as it had not yet been confirmed whether she carried a child yet, being surrounded by the handful Temple Guards and a a detachment of Imperial soldiers under the lead of Wu Chang, they inadvertently created a procession which the people within the Capital were drawn to watch.

At first, these people, especially the girls, were distressed as their beloved Second Prince 'bravely' set forth into 'exile'. There were tears and distressed women falling to their knees until these same girls saw the youth sitting beside Second Prince. His calm aura and large eyes, his soft features and gentle smile, this was a man? His beauty could only be matched by the Prince and the two together provided the eyes with such a feast that these girls could only wonder why they had been crying. And then the Second Prince shared a meaningful look with the beauty, his cool demeanour softened and many felt their noses begin to itch. A whole generation of rotten women were born in the Capital that day.

*****

The Council declared the Living God's current incarnation, Xiang Ah Liû dead.

Xiang Ah Liû had left for the Summer Temple exactly one month ago, but treacherous, villainous, Imperial scum had launched an invasion and killed everyone at the Temple.  The Empire had claimed that the army that performed this horrendous act had done this without permission of the Emperor, who, in remorse had stepped down and turned over government to his son Wáng Jie Long.  This young Emperor had immediately sent recompense in the way of many valuable artefacts, gold and silver and declared that the involved parties had been punished.  This, of course, did not make up for the loss of the Living God and innocent lives, so the current treaty had been considered null and void.  The borders would be reinforced and trade cut until the Empire provided good reason and good conditions for a new treaty.

This is what the Council decided to declare to the people.  They also turned to the Priests to ask them to locate the new incarnation of the Living God, preferably before this news was released, to ensure that there was less panic amongst the people. They needed to know the Living God was still amongst them.

Hu Zhen Kang waited in his study full of glee.  The priests were due to grace his door to test his son and he was sure that the boy would become the next God.  Of course, many donations had been made to the Priesthood in silver for extra assurance.

They did not make him wait long.  Hu Zhen Kang had his wife bring his son, Hu Jia Hao to him in order that they might greet his guests.  He was not expecting those who came.

Xiang Ah Liû, his twin priests and an detachment of Temple Guards appeared upon his doorstep.  There was also a tall, slender stranger who had a cold, distant look about him.  Unsuspecting of anything, his wife, Zou Cai bowed respectfully as did his young son.  He quickly followed suit as they entered.

"Greetings, Official Hu," he said, calmly.  "I believe it is the testing day for your young son."

"Your Holiness," Hu Zhen Kang managed to make his voice normal as if he hadn't been plotting just a few minutes ago.

"Ah, you must be Hu Jia Hao!" The Living God went to greet the small boy, who looked up at him in awe.  He wanted to retreat behind his mothers skirts, but he was three now and too grown up to hide behind a girl!

"Your Holiness," Hu Zhen Kang cautiously questioned.  "When did you return? I had not heard anything."

"Ah, was it not two days ago, Yu Long?" The youth turned to the tall, pale stranger for confirmation.

"Yes, Ah Liû," the cold voice held a hint of softness.  Hu Zhen Kang frowned.  Who was this young man who dared refer to the Living God by his given name?

"Oh, how forgetful of me," the Living God exclaimed.  "Yu Long, this man is Official Hu Zhen Kang. Official Hu, this is Wáng Yu Long, my Guardian." Hu Zhen Kang could not keep the startled look from appearing in his face. The Guardian was a man? Perhaps he could use this...

"Welcome to our home, Guardian," Zou Cai gently spoke, stroking her swollen stomach, a look of adoration in her eyes. There were two stunning men in her home and they stood together. How jealous would her sister be that she was unable to see this! "Forgive me for asking, Guardian, but the name Wáng, is that not the Imperial name of our neighbour, the Empire?"

"How astute of you to notice, Furen Hu," a cool, but gentle smile appeared on the Guardian's thin lips and Zou Cai instantly blushed. "My brother is the Imperial Emperor, Wáng Jie Long."

"The Emperor And Yu Long are quite close. In fact had the gods not had other plans, Yu Long might have become Emperor, as his brother wished it," the Living God looked with fondness at the man, who returned his warm gaze.

"I shall burn incense everyday in thanks that I may serve the God before me personally," the Prince said, causing Zou Cai and several maids who had been lingering discreetly in the background to sigh in unison. Hu Zhen Kang realised that this man could not be used. He was a stumbling block to his plans. No, it was worse, he was a wall!

The Official ground his teeth together, but respectfully lead them into his home so that his son could be tested. As he did, he heard a conversation occur between the two titled men. "Hu Jia have been in honourable service to the Holy Lands for generations, Yu Long. And there have been many gifted men and women as well."

"Oh?" The Guardian replied, though he seemed to lack interest.

"Yes, in fact Official Hu Gengxin, Hu Father, before he retired once told me that one of his sons, Hu Zhelan, was amongst those considered to shelter the Deity."

"Interesting," Yu Long offered, coldly. "Lian Guan Ting advised me that the God doesn't chose his form based on rank or wealth."

"That is correct, honoured Guardian," came the voice of the black priestess. "But the God is not interested in gold and silver, nor politics and power."

"It is a pity that there are those who can not understand this," her brother added, "and seek to rectify what cannot be rectified."

"I see," the Guardian replied. "Let us hope that they understand this soon."

Hu Zhen Kang said nothing, just quietly lamented within his heart.