The girl from the Heartlands, Keung Ai, was left in the next village, in the end and the two Princes thought no more of her.
The First Army reached the borders of Kunlun, the first town within the Central Region and prepared to journey around it, to not disturb the lives of the citizens. However, the two Princes were extended invitations to Shu Jia, the House of a magistrate. Their estate was close to this town and though they were not one of the major families, it was unwise to offer disrespect. The two Princes and a small detachment, accepted Shu Jia's hospitality for the evening and rejoined the travelling army the following day.
This occurred several times, greatly slowing the army's march toward the capital, one major House detained them for several days, throwing a banquet in their honour. Most of these Houses had sons looking to take the exams and become officials in the government or daughters of marriageable age.
Next time, Yang, Yu Long sent his thoughts to the small system, have me reborn as someone not worthy in the eyes of these daughters and their mothers. He swore he heard the ring chuckle.
"How passes things in the West," Minister Wen enquired as he offered the two Princes a place to sit in his courtyard.
"Calm times have come in the West," Yu Long said, quietly. "But scars remain deep. It will be a great time when the counties can claim to be at truly peace."
"Ah so many worries from both West and South," Wen Biming, first son of Minister Wen lamented. The Minister indicated that his servant should pour the tea, a cup of which was offered first to Jie Long and second to Yu Long.
"Indeed," The Minister agreed. "There is much misfortune within Wáng Emperor's reign."
"Yes, Father has suffered much misfortune," Jie Long said, as he sipped the tea. It was a little weak. "Lands that chose not to stay fertile for him, enemies that cannot leave weaknesses alone for him, an Empress that could not revere him and commoners that cannot stay alive for him."
"It was once written," Yu Long mentioned, lightly, "that the Living God in the Heartlands promised the Empire blessings and prosperity, so that the Emperor would not seek to swallow their lands whole."
"That is true," Wen Biming smiled, recalling his teachings. "It is mentioned in the Book of History."
"The Imperial Peace Treaty still holds," the Minister said. "A great pity the prosperity spoken of has not."
"Perhaps the Living God's blessing have weakened," Jie Long shook his head, his eyes filled with sorrow.
The quick witted Biming refuted this; "Ah but it was said that the prosperity would continue so long as the Emperor served his people well!" He became silent the moment his words were spoken as if realising what had been said aloud. Fear shot through his features as it did through the Minister's eyes, though the older man retained his calm dignity. Neither Prince spoke a word, simply drank their tea.
*****
"Six weeks to leave, nearly three months to return," Jie Long lamented as the Capital finally came into sight.
"But not an uninteresting journey," Yu Long mentioned. The two Princes journeyed in a carriage with a large detachment, the majority of the army had been sent on towards the barracks located outside the City walls.
"Should we journey straight to the Imperial Palace or pause for a night in the city," Jie Long asked.
"I would prefer to wait and take stock," Yu Long replied. "But I fear the Emperor will not be pleased to wait." Jie Long looked over at his brother's slight grimace. The Emperor had thought it his idea that they join the army and that Yu Long couldn't bear to be separated from this brother who he had grown tall with. But in fact, it was Yu Long who encouraged Jie Long, for the former wanted to explore the Empire outside of the walls. Jie Long had thought this an excuse to in truth escape the Emperor's amorous glances. He shuddered in remembrance. Still Jie Long could not deny that a thirst had risen in his throat with the thought of being a true warrior, though this experience had tempered his nature and strengthened his current resolve.
As they passed a travelling merchant, who had been leaving the city, they heard mention of some rumours. The Emperor was thinking of taking a new Empress.
"That lechorous man," Jie Long muttered. "Does he not have enough wives already?"
"He might be seeking a woman of high birth to produce a new Crown Prince," Yu Long reasoned. "It is not as if Huang Lei He holds any worth now. And we and Fifth Prince are all low born."
"What of those other rumours we heard?" Jie Long mentioned. "At Zhao Jia."
"Of the Second Army being despatched?" Yu Long asked. "Who knows. Though there are still bandits on the mountain roads to be dealt with."
"And you think the Emperor would despatch an army for these?" Jie Long laughed and shook his head. Yu Long gave him a withered look and said nothing. "And besides, I heard a farmer complain that that soldiers trampled his rice, walking in a straight line north. I had thought he was just seeking recompense by blaming us at that time."
"But north of the second barracks lies the border..." Yu Long was startled. War with the Heartlands? These lands were wealthy and rich, if fact held true. Though smaller than the Empire, it did not mean their armies were any weaker and they had the money for the best equipment, foodstuff and their borders were tall mountains. What did it matter that the Empire already surrounded them? Such actions were for fools!
"General Jun Qiu did always dislike being overshadowed," Jie Long mentioned. "Were he to feel that he has suffered as the glory of the first and second armies were not his, he would volunteer for such if the Emperor wished for this invasion."
"But why would the Emperor wish this?" Even the intelligent Yu Long was baffled.
The reason, as it turned out, was one that neither Prince could have guessed. Still sore about losing the one beauty he truly could not have, the Emperor had sought even more stunning boys for his harem, but still found them lacking. His ministers had also been pushing for him to take a new Empress and produce more sons, if he was unwilling to announce one of his sons as Crown Prince. The Ministers had heard only good things about the First and Second Prince, there was even a split forming as factions began to stand behind their own choice of heir.
But even though the Emperor did not particularly find the dragon throne comfortable, he was also unwilling to be pushed into a decision. He also turned down suggestions for potential brides for these sons. He especially hated any mention of engagements when it came to Yu Long. Feng Chun was secretly taking notes of gracious young girls and the benefits that they might bring to the two Princes as he was aware of the Emperor's unhealthy obsession and was seeking ways to counter it.
What he was not prepared for, was when the Emperor had declared that he had chosen his new Empress. The Ministers, at first, were delighted. Which beauty had the Emperor taken note of (and what could they themselves get out of this?). The Heartlands Living God, he had declared. Feng Chun and Ministers coughed up blood! What did their Emperor mean?
The Heartlands were considered heathens as they did not worship the seven gods, instead favouring one, the Living God. This deity was a nature god, who came into being without man's intelligence, but it was powerful and cruel as it did not understand the sufferings of man. So a Priest had offered his body to host the deity, allowing the god to gain intelligence and see the world through human eyes. The God then blessed his host with gifts and spread his blessings to the people through the Priest. Once the Priest died, a new host was chosen in the form of a child. The deity became known as the Living God.
Of course, to the Empire, these beliefs were considered childish nonsense and held no faith. But the Living God was to the Heartlands as the Emperor was to the Empire, they could not just take that person to be their Empress. What was more alarming was that the current incarnation of the God was a man!
The Emperor knew all of this, of course, but happened upon a conversation between a concubine and her new maid, about the outstanding beauty of the Living God. Both concubine and maid were from that region and apparently had seen him with their own eyes and were astounded that this young man could put the majority of court blossoms to shame. The serene air he projected, skin whiter than northern snow and large, pale eyes, his near feminine features and slight frame. He made women wish to mother him and men want to protect him. They sighed into their tea cups and the Emperor had become intrigued.
He knew such a man would never concede to be his concubine, but perhaps if his station was near his equal and with the promise of never ending protection for his people...
But the Emperor's gifts and proposal were rudely returned! The Emperor, a man who had never experience rejection, was incensed! In his anger, he suggested that he ought to wage war upon the Heartlands and claim the man to be his bride! Who knew that one General would overstep his bounds and attempt to follow through with the suggestion?
"Ah, let's not worry about those things now," the Emperor said, smiling happily over the return of his Yu Er... and Jie Long of course. "I have had General Tang send a messenger to stop the Second Army. Come, let your father greet you both."
Jie Long and Yu Long shared a concerned look. Many things were exchanged in that one look, not just the disgust that they felt for this man. General Tang was of the Fifth Army, which was pretty much an ornamental army, meant to protect the Capital and Emperor. As the Emperor already had his Palace Guards, this army was only as army in name. Could that man really get the job done? And even then, did the Emperor really want to stop General Jun at all?