All court guards straightened up, preparing to salute the Grand Chancellor on his way to the Emperor's Assembly that morning. The Grand Chancellor entered the Imperial courtyard, as dutifully as ever. His violet robe still felt a bit foreign to him, but, as always, he didn't show anything else than a stoic, implacable face.
As he continued his way to the Palace, some movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention… And there she was. Her Imperial Majesty was walking briskly, her face impassible, as he had so well taught and trained her a long time ago. But after all this time, he could sense in her walk that something was troubling her. She was on a different walk path a few paces away from his, and seemed to not even notice him or his personal guards. She was walking away from the throne hall, leaving the courtyard. `Did something happen?` he wondered. Was His Imperial Majesty drinking again? It couldn't be, he hadn't drunk at all in a long time.
`Hmmm`, he mused. After becoming Grand Chancellor, with the Empress finally gaining the support she needed, the Empire was flourishing. Ta Hwan was wise enough to listen to their counsel combined… And Tal Tal and Empress Ki rarely had an issue where they did not see things the same way. Those few left at court who had been weary of her becoming the Empress had in time accepted her because it was so clear that she wholeheartedly worked for the good of the Empire. Of course, she never made a decision against the well-being of Goryeo, but it was not obvious, mostly because Tal Tal concentrated as well on internal affairs, to resolve the famine and all the pressing issues, rather than beginning quests of expansion and warfare. He sighed quietly. He was a feared and respected general, an excellent strategist, but his scholar side was more appealing to him. And he knew, without a doubt, that Ki was the Empress they all needed. He knew, as much now as back then, that choosing her over his uncle had been for the good of the dynasty. But it was still a painful memory to him…
His musing was interrupted by one of the ministers, who rushed out of the throne hall to him.
"Grand Chancellor! Come, quickly! His Imperial Majesty has lost his temper… We received disturbing news from Goryeo!"
Tal Tal raised his eyebrows. Other than that, no facial expression changed. The minister continued:
"Grand Chancellor, Wang Yu has rebelled once again! He stopped any tribute from being sent to His Imperial Majesty, arrested two of the ministers at his court who are our connection and plans to pause all trades between us. Please, hurry, Grand Chancellor!" the minister bowed pleadingly.
`There it is...` Tal Tal thought. `There's the reason behind her worried state.`
From the moment he and his uncle adopted her in their clan, rumours of something more between her and Wang Yu had passed by him. He could never be certain of what had really happened, but he felt something… He knew that they indeed had some sort of connection, taking into account their history, of her being into his service, saving each other's lives (even Tal Tal had helped in such a situation), having the same motherland, Wang Yu helping her with funds for Yuan people… He understood all that. He understood it well, but, somehow, it was also bothering him...deep down. And he had no time to dwell on why. He quickly shrugged it off and proceeded to his duty.
The Assembly was in uproar as he entered. The ministers were pleading to His Imperial Majesty, some for him to punish Wang Yu for his insubordination, some for him to reach a suitable peace treaty that was fair for both sides. Indeed, besides tribute women, who had stopped arriving since Empress Ki took a firm stance about it, the Yuan dynasty had continued to demand all the other tributes. The Grand Chancellor approached the throne, bowed deeply to Ta Hwan and took his position.
The pleas continued for a time. The Emperor was silent, his face resting in his palm, with his fingers rubbing his temple gently. Something must have happened earlier, Tal Tal was sure of it. He could guess that the Emperor had reacted strongly at the news, knowing his personal dislike of Wang Yu, and the Empress must have been there. So, she had reacted as well. Against His Imperial Majesty impulse to put Wang Yu in his place, no doubt. The court then had taken two sides, Ta Hwan had snapped at his Empress and she left the court. That must have been the mess in which Tal Tal had just entered.
Suddenly, Ta Hwan raised his hand, the last "Your Imperial Majesty, we beseech you!" was heard in the back of the hall and silence fell over his court.
"Grand Chancellor, now you are aware of the current crisis, I suspect. Wang Yu has decided, once again, to act against our incredible imperial generosity. It is like he never learns his lesson. Please, state your opinion on this."
Tal Tal had no time to react, because, suddenly, the doors opened, and the Empress entered.
She approached the throne, more determined than ever, and bowed to the Emperor. She rarely bowed to him, and when she did, it was more of a nod from her head. Now, she had bowed deeply, from her waist. All court mumbled discreetly. Ta Hwan looked taken aback that she had returned. Even Tal Tal hadn't expected this. The Empress straightened up, glanced at Tal Tal and then looked directly in His Imperial Majesty's eyes.
"Your Imperial Majesty! Please listen to me, it is the best way! I know I can solve this misunderstanding! Let me do this for you, for the good of our Empire!"
Ta Hwan nervously looked away, searching with his eyes for something in the hall, only he knew what. Empress Ki continued: "It is unheard of, indeed, as you have justly said, but I will not be an Empress like all others. I will actively fight for the best of Yuan dynasty!"
Ta Hwan smirked, his love and pride for her obviously showing once again, but still said nothing, and continued to stare at something only he knew on one of the walls of the hall.
"Your Imperial Majesty!" she pleaded. "I would strip all my ornaments and bow before you outside day and night, but we do not have the time! Let me go, please, and by the end of the next month everything will be back in order!"
The court mumbled again, Ta Hwan looked at her, and Tal Tal suddenly realized what was happening. His face expressed nothing, but inside, she had managed to startle him. `Is she… is she really saying what I think she is saying?` he asked himself in disbelief. `How could an Empress of the Yuan dynasty...`
"Empress Ki," the Emperor began menacingly. "You are to remain here as dutiful as you should be."
"Your Imperial Majesty, you know, and all here know where I am from." she stated simply, almost peacefully now. "Know my long and hard journey to becoming the Empress. Know my skill with the bow, my excellent fighting technique. I am no simple Empress. I can rule both from the throne and from the battlefield. I also can, more than anyone else, reason with Goryeo people. No lives have to be lost, no war needs to begin. I will bring Your Imperial Majesty a better treaty for us than the last one. I can do this!"
The Emperor looked almost convinced, as all the court was, as Tal Tal was.
Tal Tal was mesmerized by her incredible resilience, by the fact that, although what she was proposing was a first ever in history, she was right. Her particular background made her the perfect negotiator.
"Grand Chancellor, I need your opinion on this." the Emperor stated.
Tal Tal thought for a second. Going to Goryeo had some sort of precedent, the former prince Maha once making such a trip. The Grand Chancellor's practicalness led him to agree with her, although those who valued rules and manners at court would be outraged. But, as a tactician, he recognized indeed a good move. This would probably save everyone and peace was what he was after as well. Also, he knew that the Emperor valued peace, despite his acting all tough.
He raised his eyes and looked at the Empress. He blinked, surprised. She was watching him, her expression a lively plea. Her eyes were so intense… He turned to the Emperor.
"Your Imperial Majesty, for the good of the Empire I think that Her Imperial Majesty should go. Indeed, Her Imperial Majesty could solve the crisis much more swiftly than an army could. Our troops are not yet ready for a war, we have still some rebuilding to do internally."
From the corner of his eye, he could see Empress Ki relaxing in her pose. He felt some tension in the air dispersing. Ta Hwan pondered, quietly, then said: "All right, then. Let my Empress bring me victory and peace." He looked at her, as he always looked at her, full of love, and continued: "You shall have soldiers with you, it is not debatable. You shall be escorted by a regiment, and never be alone. Your safety is more important to me than anything else."
She bowed again, deeply. "Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty."
"Good," he said. "Now go prepare for your journey. And never forget," he pointed a finger at her, "that you are my Empress. Everything you do is for my benefit."
She smiled. "Of course, Your Imperial Majesty".
He smiled. "Now, you are all dismissed."
She took her leave. All the court followed her, the ministers looking pleased and some of them actually proud. Only a couple were nodding their heads in denial. Tal Tal noted all the reactions, maybe they would prove helpful in the future. After them, he slowly approached the hall doors. He was the last to leave, so he bowed his head to the Emperor who was still on his throne, and turned to leave.
But before he exited, Ta Hwan called him. "Grand Chancellor, a word, if you please."
The guards at the doors bowed, exited and closed the doors behind them. He and the Emperor were the only ones left in the throne hall. The Emperor continued: "Tal Tal, I want you to escort my Empress."
Tal Tal was surprised, he thought he would have to stay and help the Emperor rule. Empress Ki would have soldiers, and she was almost as skilled as he was when it came to fighting. Also, they knew that she was in no physical danger in Goryeo. He turned around once again, with a slight surprise on his face. Ta Hwan had raised from his throne.
"Your Imperial Majesty?" he respectfully asked.
Ta Hwan explained. "She was adopted in your clan; you were, and sometimes still are, her teacher. Without you she wouldn't have managed to pass all the trials. I know you to be the most honourable man here, and I trust you completely with her safety. You would never let harm come to her…. So, one more thing. I ask you to not let Wang Yu get close to her. He is a bad influence on her."
The Grand Chancellor listened without saying a word. He looked at his Emperor. Ta Hwan's eyes expressed such sadness that Tal Tal felt that the rumours he had heard might have had an ounce of truth.
He bowed his head. "Of course, Your Imperial Majesty. Your word is my command."
"Thank you, Grand Chancellor. You may go." the Emperor dismissed him, then proceeded to read some parchments on his table.
Tal Tal left the throne hall. That morning he wouldn't have guessed, by far, what the day's Assembly would bring. He had to make some hasty preparations, some issues needed to be sorted out before his departure. He was prepared to head to his office, when, out of nowhere, the Empress appeared from behind a court wall, alongside with all her suit.
He came to a stop and couldn't take his eyes off her as she was approaching him from the other side of the courtyard. He always tried and usually succeeded in not concentrating on his emotions. But now, somehow, he was caught off guard, with all that had happened.
He looked at her and remembered how it felt to see her dancing while preparing for the concubine exam. How intelligent she had proven to be.
He looked away, allowing himself one rare, bitter smirk. Of course he was no fool; he could notice his feelings. He had had many girls, from courtesans to elite family members, but none had intrigued him so… None made his heart skip a beat. He quickly composed himself, he had to stay on his path. He, as always, couldn't allow himself to think anymore on this subject. Plus, what he had heard, that Wang Yu and the Empress were once close… Although he did not know exactly how close, his instinct was never wrong. If there was, or had been, perhaps, a love triangle between Ki, Ta Hwan and Wang Yu, there was absolutely no need to make it a love square. What a silly thing that would be! It wasn't proper, it wasn't dignified.
So he once again assured himself that all he had done for Her Imperial Majesty was actually out of duty and for the best of the Empire, as he had repeatedly told her as well, and proceeded to meet her in the courtyard.
