Longtime Companions Become Enemies

FOUR YEARS AGO.

The Emperor's Imperial City. 

~~~

Jian and Shufeng, familiar with every nook and cranny of the imperial grounds, discreetly slipped by any suspicious eyes and infiltrated the Hall of Supreme Harmony where Taizong's enthronement ceremony was being held.

It was in this same hall that Shufeng's father, Great Emperor Akishino, often held court. Starting at dawn, the Emperor would listen to memorandums presented to him by Ministers and officials from the Boards of Revenue, of Rites, of War and Civil Affairs—to list but a few. Unbeknownst to them, a young boy was spying with an inquisitive mind, and heaviness of heart, since it was the only way to see his father.

A forgotten tunnel from under the foundations of the Hall of Supreme Harmony led Shufeng and Jian behind a decorative wall richly painted with dragons and phoenix motifs. He was ten years old when he carved two peeping holes into the eyes of a dragon. Sixteen years later and nothing had changed. He was still hiding behind this wall like the fearful little boy he then was.

Crouching down, they quietly observed.

The guests–all turn their heads at the dazzling golden and red robed figure displaying an imposing presence. They all bowed their head before Taizong as his ambitious footsteps echoed into the hall. An aura of solemnity and pride permeated through the room as he steadily walked towards the Dragon Throne.

The throne sat on an octagonal dais, two meters above the floor, and was surrounded by eight gold-lacquered pillars carved with wyrms* and incrusted with pearls.

At each side of the steps leading to the throne stood one golden crane statue and one bronze tortoise-shaped incense burner—respectively symbolising everlasting rule and longevity.

In his splendid appearance Tanong sat on his late father's great throne. At his left, his mother, the Empress Dowager Yū Miko, arrogantly sat on the twin throne.

Shufeng tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, a sudden welling of rage in his chest. The rest of the crowd faded away, Shufeng could see nothing but the faces of the pair mother-son. Murderous fire spouted in his endlessly black eyes.

His heart was beating rapidly and he struggled to hold himself up. Leaning against the wall, he slid to his knees with a hand pressed against his chest while his other hand grasped helplessly at the floor.

"Your Highness," murmured Jian, "you are gravely wounded and not fully healed yet. It is a miracle that you are alive. I strongly disagreed to come here, this is madness." His gaze bore down upon the prince with evident anger at his friend's disobedience. 

Jian clung to his arm. "Please, we don't want you falling more sick. You must look after yourself if you want to fight back."

"Do not worry," said Shufeng with a smile intended to appease him. But next, his expression darkened and his eyes shot daggers, "Seeing that woman was a bit of a shock... but I am fine now." Jian pretended to believe his white lie and did not insist. He too was repressing similar emotions towards this vicious, cold blooded and cruel woman! And her son!

At the loud sound of the gong, every minister, Lord and court official kowtowed three times in unison:

"Long live His Majesty, Emperor Taizong! Long live His Majesty, Emperor Taizong! Long live His Majesty, Emperor Taizong!"

Mouths were agape while the Emperor unexpectedly read two Imperial edicts on the same day of his accession to the throne.

The first edict proclaimed a national mourning of seven days in remembrance of General Yun Hishoku and his family, who wrongfully died after being framed as traitors by Second Highness Shufeng.

Emika's father was one of the three generals protecting the Empire. General Yun Hishoku ruled over the biggest army, making him the most powerful man after Great Emperor Akishino. When the Empire was threatened by foreign invasions, it was General Yun Hishoku who not only saved the nation, but also extended the Empire and achieved in bringing peace and prosperity.

His victories of wars gained him deserving respect and power in court. The common people praised his exploits, and his soldiers followed fervently his brave leadership on the battlefield.

Even Emperor Akishino, never once threatened by the popularity of the General, trusted him as an advisor with matters of the state and the throne.

The second edict announced Emperor Taizong's union with the loyal and virtuous Emika Hishoku, daughter of General Yun Hishoku.

At the sound of the gong, one after another, the guests turned around, eyes lit up with amazement at the sight of Emika's ethereal appearance—tranquil like a soft breeze, each step was lighter than the petals of blossoms falling on the ground.

Slowly, Shufeng willed himself to raise his head and forced his eyes to meet with this uncomfortable spectacle. His Emika wore a pure blue robe with a long swallow-tail train hemmed with kingfisher feathers, and the borders of the collar and sleeves sewn with golden threads and pearls. The silk trailing behind her had a lustrous and wavy watery appearance.

Her black hair massed like clouds was jewelled with two hairpins which had five rows of pearls hanging down either side of her head and swaying with every step. The hairpins were decorated with the pattern of a phoenix bird with feathers of jadeite. And pinned behind the hair, twelve flowers hairpins made of turtle shell held tightly her locks.

His eyes fixed on Emika, Shufeng barely allowed his breath to be drawn. Jian clasped the prince's arm tightly. "Your Highness..." he whispered with great solicitude.

To think that just three weeks ago Emika was planning to flee with the Second Prince, but instead tried to kill him with the prince's own dagger. And now she was parading in the palace as the future empress. It infuriated Jian!

After waking up from his stupor, Shufeng couldn't help but notice how hauntingly beautiful she was and could not help but looking at her dotingly.

This beautiful scene was reminiscent of their first meeting at the Chunyan River. Then, this eighteen years old boy was enraptured by the charms of the young adolescent…

… A gust of warm breeze had stirred all the cherry tree blossoms along Chunyan River and had scattered white petals in the air like little snowflakes dancing around Emika. Swaying her hips with happiness, she was twirling and laughing, being truly delicious. She had an impulsive spirit and was wild like a dandelion, but also graceful and elegant like a rose. This fifteen years old girl was an expert on pulling his heartstrings, and kept his heart longing for her unrelentingly for the past eight years.

Roses have thorns.

How cold-hearted was she to torment him and make him wonder: Over the years, could it be that my own desires deceived me into misreading her feelings? Was it only my one-sided affection? Has she ever given me half the love I felt for her?

Chunyan River—a cruel irony! Their meeting place where he loved her was where she had stabbed him. For a moment, his angered blood pounded loudly in his ears. Why was he still feeling tenderness for her? He looked at Emika with resentful eyes.

Taizong had now seized her delicate porcelain hand and kissed it. Then she received two of her royal regalia—the dragon green jade waist-pendant and the white jade ring decorated with a wyrm. He would bestow upon her the crown and the imperial seal on their wedding day.

A court official wrapped both of them with the ceremonial gold-feather cloack. Cloacked in the splendour of the sun, they regaled the guests with the news of their engagement, and the hall resonated with celebratory voices and applause.

Taizong said in his gentlest voice, "Dearest, once we are married, you will be the Empress sitting by my side." Then Emika followed his eyes indicating the twin throne occupied by his mother.

With effortless grace Emika kowtowed three times and pledged allegiance to the new emperor. Her heart was overbrimming with tears of gratitude, tears of relief and tears of grief.

Today, the name of her beloved family had finally been vindicated. Nevertheless, it was a bittersweet victory. Being the only one left alive was as though a knife had gutted her heart and scraped the leftovers off her ribcage.

Resting her delicate hand inside Taizong's warm hand, Emika bestowed a loving smile upon him. But it was the smiling of her eyes that shone with the most sincere emotion.

Watching the two of them, Shufeng swallowed a lump in his throat. Tears stung his eyes. He was aching. The kind of hurt that chew your heart to a pulp and crush your bones to fine dust.

Jian turned his head towards him with a gentle but firm look.

"Your Highness, have all your doubts been dissipated?"

Shufeng's shook his head, mumbling to himself. "Nothing makes sense..."

"Nothing makes sense?" Jian repeated coldly, anger filling his eyes. "Isn't it obvious she has betrayed you and traded her soul for personal gain. Please, Your Highness, you've seen it with your own eyes, so what more proofs do you need? Emika has deceived all of us."

"I never want to hear that name again!" Hissed Shufeng with a desolate finality—like someone admitting to having a terminal disease after months of denial.

Taizong—the winner had been decided.

His brother's every movement, gaze, smile, and word infuriated Shufeng. He was debating whether or not to kill him. And the intent showed in his eyes.

"Have you lost your senses? You won't be able to do one step into that hall before getting slaughtered, " forbade Jian, "I won't let you run foolishly to your death."

He noticed Shufeng leaning against the wall for support, his breathing getting shallower and more ragged.

"Please Your Highness, your body has not yet recovered. Coming here was folly!"

Searing pain radiated through his chest. His body had barely any strength since it had only been a few days since Emika had stabbed him so ferociously. Her cruel words still resonated in his ears: 'I have always loved your brother.'

Jian caught a glimpse of a lonely tear rolling down the prince's cheek. The fact that he was still hesitant to uproot her from his heart caused Jian great distress. He started to show hints of impatience.

"Are you a fool?"

Shufeng looked at him with widened eyes.

Jian knew that his master was the kind of person who tended to react with his heart first and his brain second. Thus, it was dangerous to stay here any longer. Without further discussion Jian grabbed the prince by the arm and dragged him back through the underground passageway. They left the inner palace grounds, then made their way to the northwest corner tower.

At the foot of the watchtower, a raised voice interrupted them. The next moment moved very quickly with Jian springing forward, his blade slicing the guard's throat with precision.

An eunuch passing by was filled with terror at the sight of blood spurting out. He didn't expect that the prince would be so bold as to dare to attempt the assassination of the Emperor on this auspicious day!

He turned heel and fled, all the while his piercing screams shrilled through the air. The imperial guards immediately heard his screams and ran over, closing in on Jian and Shufeng.

"Capture the assassin! The Second Prince has come to assassinate the Emperor!"

~~~

* wyrm (pronounced vurm) : is a type of dragon who has no legs or arms and only the long scaled body of a serpent. A symbol of power with control over storms and flood, symbol of strength, wisdom and good luck.