Sworn Siblings

This takes place after HZGG 2.

Qian Qing Gong

Qian Long was working late that night. There were many reports from his officials that he had to read before morning court the next day. He yawned and stretched, as he took a short break. As he did, a figure in black appeared in front of his desk, carefully angling his position so that Qian Long's servants wouldn't be able to see him.

He immediately kneeled and greeted the emperor quietly, "Huang Shang Wan Sui Wan Sui Wan Wan Sui."

"Shao Zhong, I keep telling you not to sneak up on me!" Qian Long said whispered exasperatedly, as he gestured to the man to stand up.

Shao Zhong got up and shrugged his shoulders.

"If you came all the way here, I guess you have something to report?" Qian Long looked at him hopefully.

"I'm sorry, I chased all the leads but nothing. It is as if they vanished into thin air! Huang Shang, it has been over 20 years. I don't think he would blame us if we stop now." Shao Zhong looked apologetically at Qian Long.

Qian Long sighed in disappointment. All these years – how can there be no trace of them?

"I met someone recently." Qian Long finally said after a long silence. "Call it a hunch but maybe you could check on his background?"

Shao Zhong nodded, and received an envelope handed over to him, and took off.

Qian Long returned back to his work, shaking his head vigorously to keep awake.

A few months later

It was the dead of the night again and Qian Long was waiting expectantly for someone in his chambers. He had dismissed all his servants, including Xiao Lu Zi. Shao Zhong had sent a secret message a week ago to prepare Qian Long for his arrival again. For him to do this, Qian Long knew he must have found out something important.

Huang Shao Zhong was a childhood friend of Qian Long's. They went to class together, made mischief and practiced martial arts together, and became very close friends. His father was one of Yong Zheng's high court officials, and his mother came from a prestigious family lineage. However, he did not like court duties, much to the displeasure of his father. When Qian Long ascended to the throne, he became one of his personal advisors and his most loyal confident. However, realising that his friend was simply not cut out for court duty, Qian Long gave him an alternative option instead – in exchange for being released from official court duty, he was to serve as the Qing Empire's Head of Intelligence; to roam the empire and gather all sorts of information, be it through legal or illegal means. However, that meant that his work would never get recognition. His family would not get the honour they deserved. His parents would think him dead. Shao Zhong was fine with that – he wasn't close with his parents to begin with and never cared much for titles. In any case, if Qian Long announced his death, he could be bequeathed many post-humous titles that his parents so longed for. So Qian Long came up with a way to fake his death to set him free, giving him a new name. This was based on the full trust Qian Long had in him. And Shao Zhong never failed his Emperor. He took his role of Head of Intelligence like fish to water. Before long, he had establishments set up and people working for him, forming a network of intel gatherers, with no one knowing who the true head was. He too established a protocol of reporting to the Emperor without anyone else knowing. And truth be told, he loved his job. He only reported directly to the Emperor, and could do whatever he wanted in the meantime.

Qian Long drummed his fingers impatiently. Finally, he saw a silhouette slide in through the window.

"Chen kou jian Huang Shang, Huang Shang ji xiang." Shao Zhong kneeled and paid his respects.

"Dispense with formalities, please. So what have you found?" Qian Long asked eagerly.

"Your hunch was correct. I've found them." Shao En said, taking a thick envelope from his inner jacket, passing it to Qian Long.

Qian Long's eyes widened, feeling shock, happiness, relief, worry all at the same time.

"But you have been misunderstood. They don't know what really happened." Shao Zhong continued. "Apparently 2nd brother's case has caused him to be misunderstood too as well by many." He said wryly. "The cover up happened too fast and was too thorough. I was too far away to realise anything. By then, Deng Chao had set up everything in place, and even though Huang Shang found out the truth and had him executed, the story he perpetuated was never rectified."

Qian Long sighed and paced. This was going to be troublesome. "I guess I owe it to them to tell them the truth, huh?" He remarked, albeit wryly.

Shao Zhong lifted one eyebrow up at Qian Long.

"You should be around. It would be good for them to hear it from you and get to know it from you." Qian Long said.

"Your subject obeys." Shao Zhong replied.

Sometime Later

Yongqi, Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei, Erkang and Xiaojian found themselves in the main hall of Qian Qing Gong one evening. The Emperor had invited them over for a meeting. But curiously, the number of servants was drastically reduced.

"You must all be wondering why I gathered all of you here. So let me just get straight to the point." Qian Long finally said. "Xiaoyanzi, you are as dear to me as my very own daughter. I have found out who your parents are, and thus, invited Xiaojian along as it pertains to him as well. Ziwei, it might be somewhat of a shock so I trust you can take care of Xiaoyanzi, that's why you and Erkang are here, privy to what should be a top secret meeting."

A shock look crossed the faces of Xiao Jian, Erkang and Ziwei, as fear began to creep up their spines.

"Huang Ah Ma! You found out who are my parents?" The delight in Xiaoyanzi was obvious. "Please tell me quickly! Who are they? Where are they? I'm dying of curiousity!"

Qian Long laughed. "Perhaps it is fate, or your parents looking out for you, but, your father is my sworn brother. His name was Fang Zhi Hang. We have another sworn brother," Huang Shao Zhong made his appearance, his face partially covered. "This is Zhang Rong, Minister of Special Defence. I was the Eldest brother, your father the 2nd brother, and Zhang Rong our youngest brother." Qian Long knew he must never reveal Huang Shao Zhong's true name.

"WHAT?" Everyone shouted in unison.

Xiaojian's mind was whirling. How could this even be?

Ziwei and Erkang exchanged worried glances.

Yongqi looked puzzled and Xiaoyanzi was extremely surprised. "What did you say?" she asked again, as if not quite sinking in.

Qian Long understood his children confusion and continued to explain. "When I was much younger, I loved travelling incognito. Zhang Rong was my book companion and we grew up together. Once, when we were in Hangzhou, we met your father on the streets during a skirmish and were impressed with his sense of righteousness and martial skills. Later on, we checked around and found out that he was very well known and liked in his region where he officiated. He was quite a high ranking official. He was greatly respected for his righteousness and integrity."

The five could hardly believe their ears.

"Zhang Rong and I invited him out for a meal, and we got on really well. We hung out a lot after that and he aided us with our work in Hang Zhou. Before long, he suggested that we become sworn brothers. At that time, he did not know or even imagine I was the Emperor. He believed that I was another official sent by the Emperor to check up on Hang Zhou." Qian Long chuckled. "I should have known your love for gaining sworn siblings had to come from him."

"Huang Ah Ma, you have a sworn sibling?" Yongqi exclaimed in disbelief. This was his high and mighty Emperor father! The thought of him doing a ceremony and becoming a sworn brother to someone was beyond him.

"I was young once, you know?" Qian Long said wryly, rather indignant. "How do you think I know all and understand the mischief you guys get up to?"

Yongqi had the grace to blush.

"Anyway, I eventually revealed my true identity to him, and to be fair, he was angry with me. And he had every right to be. I lied to him. But he soon got over it. He couldn't remain angry for long." Qian Long smiled, and looked faraway. "Zhang Rong here, is an unofficial official, heading a secret unofficial section of the Ministry of Defence. His job is to roam the country and gather intel, to be my eyes and ears in the kingdom, in other words. His position is held in the highest of secrecy – even his parents' don't know. We had to fake his death. It is only because he is essential to you, Zhi Hang's children, hence we risk revealing his and his work's existence to you lot. No one else besides me knows of him, and what he does. So I expect and trust you to keep this confidence."

The group nodded vehemently, eyes wide.

"We trusted Zhi Hang enough to tell him about Zhang Rong's work, and asked if he was interested to be part of the intelligence network. He was very interested and excited about such work, and agreed readily. Of course, his identity as an intel agent was kept secret as well, apart from his wife. He continued his day official job but was always available when Zhang Rong needed help. He had many connections so it was easy for him to gather intel on whatever Zhang Rong required. The last time I saw him was during my inspection trip to Jinan, where I met Yu He as well." Qian Long glanced briefly at Ziwei.

There was a long pause.

"It was not long after that when your parents' got assassinated." Qian Long finally said, looking sad.

"Assassinated?" Xiaojian almost shouted in confusion.

Qian Long nodded. "His identity as an intel agent had somehow been compromised. However, whoever assassinated him did a very good job at covering it up. When Zhang Rong was in Hang Zhou to find your father, he was hearing stories about Zhi Hang being a traitor because of a vaguely bordering on treasonous poem and had been killed for it."

"Did he write the poem?" Xiao Jian asked.

"Of course not!" Qian Long said indignantly. "Zhi Hang was a very rational man and had no ill intentions towards me nor the throne nor the Qing Dynasty. Besides, I know him to be a very loyal person. I was his sworn brother. He would never betray me like that."

Xiaojian was in shock. All he heard about was wrong?

"Zhang Rong also did not believe a word about what was said and went to dig further. That was how he found out that Zhi Hang and his wife were originally assassinated, and their entire clan killed. Except for their two children, whom I have spent the past 20 over years looking for."

"But for crimes such as treason, wouldn't Huang Shang first know about it before they get executed?" Xiaojian asked again, suspiciously.

Qian Long sighed frustratedly. "It wasn't true. There was no such poem. Zhang Rong, tell them."

"At that time, Zhi Hang was working on a case for me, and gathering intelligence on corruption going on in the Zhejiang Province." Zhang Rong took over. "There was a huge flood and we both knew the Emperor had dispensed food and funding to the area affected in Zhejiang. But for some reason, they didn't get it. We knew something fishy was going on. What we didn't expect was that as Zhi Hang dug further, he discovered a child trafficking ring going on. We suspected they were linked, but unsure how. So Zhi Hang's assignment was to look into it further, and report to me once he found something concrete. Unfortunately, he passed on before he could give me more news. I am very sorry, Xiaojian and Xiaoyanzi."

Though they couldn't see his face clearly, they could detect sorrow in the tone of his voice.

"When he didn't report back to me for some time, I returned to Hang Zhou to check and that's when I found that he and his family were all dead. I asked around and people were saying stories that his entire family was all killed because of a poem he wrote. Apparently someone very loyal to the throne got wind of it and decided to play vigilante and kill his entire clan, as per the law, but not through the law." Zhang Rong explained.

"I found it really suspicious, because I knew your father had many enemies, especially with him being so against corruption and well-liked by the people. So I tracked down every servant, one by one. Most were paid off to keep silent. I finally found one who was willing to talk, and swore Zhi Hang's fealty to the Emperor, and what the local gossip said wasn't true at all. He wasn't sure how it began though. He remembered being awakened one morning with the cry of Fang Fu Ren's personal maid, who found them both dead in their rooms. Then the city found out all his relatives were killed as well. I asked about his two children, but he didn't know. They seemed to have disappeared into thin air."

"Who killed them?" Xiaoyanzi's eyes were filled with tears! Her family was assassinated?

"That took a lot more time, as then I no longer knew who to trust except myself. But eventually I found the person – he was indeed the head of both the child trafficking ring and the corruption of officials. He was not an official, but what one would call a 'fixer', a broker of sorts. He would be the middle man in many dealings so that the officials' records would look clean, and he tidied up all messes. He somehow found out about Zhi Hang's investigations. But because of the nature of the case, he also had to cast doubt on Zhi Hang, and in so, discredit him and his findings to any official or even the Emperor if found out. Hence, he spread the rumour that Zhi Hang was harbouring treasonous thoughts, written them in a poem that landed in the hands of a Qing loyalist, who killed him. He never imagined that Zhi Hang was sworn brothers with the Emperor."

"How could he!" Xiaoyanzi was furious, though tears were streaming down her eyes.

"How is this possible? How is your version of the story so different from the one my godfather told me?" Xiaojian said at the same time, who was very confused.

Xiaoyanzi whipped around. "You knew who was our enemy all along and didn't tell me?" she shouted.

Xiaojian look conflicted. "It's complicated."

"Xiaojian, I would like to hear your version of the story." Qian Long finally said, looking at Xiaojian expectantly.

Xiaojian took a deep breathe, and looked uncertainly at Xiaoyanzi who was glaring daggers at him.

"Huang Shang, I assure you, before this day, Xiaoyanzi had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding our parents' death." Xiaojian began. "It is simply really, though it greatly differs from the story I just heard. What I knew from my godfather is that my father was charged for treason due to a vaguely treasonous poem he wrote, and was executed for it, along with his entire extended family. My mom killed herself for love, but before that ensured that we were safe. I was sent south to my godfather, while Xiaoyanzi was sent north, to ensure that we would not be found. So yes, I was very angry and struggled with thoughts of revenge – until Erkang opened my eyes to see how happy Xiaoyanzi was and knowing her past would destroy that. I saw the love she had for you and Yongqi too. So I decided to lay aside my revenge and try forgiveness instead."

Qian Long sighed deeply and looked thoughtful.

"Xiaojian, I assure you that is absolutely not what had happened. Your father was far from treasonous. He died a hero, and for the Qing Empire. What he found out saved the lives of many innocent young children and put away many corrupt officials. We owe him a huge debt." Zhang Rong said earnestly.

Erkang, while understanding it is not really his business, decided to take a bold risk and asked a question. "Huang Ah Ma, why did it take so long for you to find Fang Da Ren's children? And why now?"

Qian Long raised his eyebrows at Erkang.

"Let me answer." Zhang Rong said. "When I found out the both of you were missing, it became Huang Shang's and my life mission to find you both. It was what we owed Zhi Hang at the very least, and we were very sure he wanted us to protect and look after you. However, despite my best efforts, I couldn't trace your whereabouts at all. No one knew, or would say. But Huang Shang never gave up – we never gave up. Zhi Hang was too important a friend to us, and the safety of his children was our first priority. However, it has been over 20 years. Leads grew colder each year. I finally advised Huang Shang to let it go, when he gave me your file and asked me to look into your background." He said to Xiaojian.

"Me?" Xiaojian asked, bewildered.

Qian Long nodded. "Yes, when I first met you, you felt familiar. Your face, the way you carried yourself, your flute and sword. But your eyes were so hostile. But recent events regarding Ye He made me more aware of people in the past, and I just wanted to check. You see, you look very much like your father, Zhi Hang. Turns out my hunch was right."

"What happened to the person who killed and framed my family?" Xiaoyanzi demanded.

"Zhang Rong managed to catch him and he was executed 15 years ago, with his entire family and network. Here are the records if you are interested to read." Qian Long indicated the scrolls that were laid out on the table. "But nothing is mentioned about Zhi Hang. While his service to the Empire was great, he was an intelligence agent, and his name will never be known. I am sorry."

"Why did my godfather tell me such a different account then? Making me so angry and full of vengeful thoughts?"

Qian Long and Shao En exchanged a meaningful look.

Zhang Rong shrugged. "My guess is that much of what your godfather was deduction on his own part, based on the rumours going around, and the love he witnessed between your parents. Zhi Hang could not tell a single person of what he was actually doing. No one knew except the 3 of us and his wife. Xiaoyanzi, Xiaojian, your father knew fully of the dangers he was entering when he accepted this post. He had left letters to both of you, for me to pass them to you in the event of his passing." Zhang Rong passed Xiaojian a sealed envelope. He opened it and discovered 2 letters inside – one addressed to him, and another to Xiaoyanzi.

"Xiaoyanzi, Xiaojian, isn't the heavens merciful?" Ziwei suddenly said. "Huang Ah Ma was looking for both of you, and you were under his nose all along! I believe your parents' must be watching out for you!" she exclaimed excitedly. "Isn't it wonderful? We are sworn siblings, and our fathers are sworn siblings! It must be fate!"

XIaoyanzi felt very conflicted. Her emotions were in turmoil. She was horrified to hear that her parents' were assassinated, but also relieved that she wasn't abandoned by them. Also, she was glad that the Emperor knew her father and they were such good friends.

"Huang Ah Ma, Zhang Da Ren, you said you knew my father. Could you tell me more about him?" Xiaoyanzi asked, uncharacteristically subdued.

"Yes, most definitely." Qian Long nodded, pleased. "Xiaojian, as I said before, these are my children. Given your relationship to them, to Xiaoyanzi, and now even more so to Zhi Hang, you are even more my child. I admire your talents, but also understand that similar to your father, you do not wish to be part of court politics. Nonetheless, this will always be home for you and you will always be under my protection."

Xiaoyanzi suddenly moved towards and hugged Qian Long while kneeling. "Huang Ah Ma, thank you. Thank you for helping me find my parents and welding justice. My father is a hero, who was righteous and did so much good. I'm so glad he is someone I can be proud of. He didn't die in vain. He died saving so many people. That is a great honour, isn't it?"

Qian Long blinked back tears. "Yes indeed, my dear Xiaoyanzi. I admire your father greatly and consider him one of my greatest friends. I will take great joy in telling you all about him."

"Xiao Jian thanks Huang Shang for his grace towards my father, and not giving up efforts to find us. It is a great relief to know the truth." Xiaojian said formally. He was still guarded though, and determined to read the records provided to validate this story. It was the total anthesis of what he grew up knowing and believing in. To change his emotions that built over the years in such a short span of time was not possible.

Afterward

Xiaojian spent much of the later days and weeks with Zhang Rong (who they all called Rong Shu Shu/Uncle Rong), learning more about his father and what he did. In turn, through Xiaoyanzi's roots from Bai Yun Si, Zhang Rong managed to track down the maid who brought Xiaoyanzi to Beijing and found out that Fang Zhi Hang had made preparations for his children if things went south. Just 2 days before the assassination, he knew he couldn't delay and hence told his wife to send his children secretly, one to his friend Li Ji Min in Beijing, the other to Xiao Yao in Yunnan. However, Xiaoyanzi's maid couldn't find Li Ji Min, and in exhaustion, took refuge in Bai Yun Si. Realising there was no other better place for Xiaoyanzi to be, she decided to leave Xiaoyanzi there and return to Hang Zhou, and started a life of her own under an alias.

Once Qian Long found out about the romance between Xiaojian and Qing'er, he was absolutely delighted. Lao Fuo Ye and Qing'er had to be let in on the secret, but it appeased Lao Fuo Ye greatly. She was no longer suspicious of Xiaoyanzi and Xiaojian's background, and while she still thought he wasn't the best match for Qing'er, she grudgingly approved of their marriage.

Happiest of all was Xiaoyanzi, who basked in secret admiration of her biological father, who was a superhero who died for justice, and was even more bursting with love for her adopted father, Qian Long. Xiaojian began his own enquiries about how his version of his parents' demise came about, and slowly suspected his godfather, while warm nice and jolly, had very strong personally political opinions which he did not make known.

Qian Long and Shao Zhong were finally at peace, finding their beloved sworn brother's two precious children and were now doing so well. It thrilled Qian Long to no end that somehow by fate, he and Zhi Hang's children were married to each other. Thus, his favour for Yongqi increased, and people soon realised that in order to get into Qian Long's good books, they needed the curry favour with Xiaoyanzi, whom they all secretly despised. But as down to earth as Xiaoyanzi was, she couldn't be bothered with these things and remained as forthright and straight talking as usual. Her unusual position made officials afraid to marry their daughters to Yongqi, which was a bonus that Yongqi was extremely glad for.

One day, after Qing'er and Xiaojian had married for a period of time, Xiaojian suddenly told her he had to make a quick trip down to Yunnan. The look on his face made her heart grew cold and she didn't protest. She nodded understandingly . "Stay safe and return to me, my love." She whispered, as he departed from their residence.

Appendix

Letters from Fang Zhi Hang to Xiao Jian and Xiaoyanzi

Dear Yan-er

I have no idea under what circumstances would you read this letter. However, I must pen this down so that you know the truth. To put in bluntly, I was a spy working for Qian Long, the current Emperor. We got to know each other when he was travelling incognito in Hang Zhou, and I knew him as Ah Li. I enjoyed his and Zhang Rong's company greatly as they were conducting business here in Hang Zhou, and suggested we become sworn brothers. I could see the love and care they had for the people and hatred for corruption. That's why I did not hesitate to become part of their spy network, even though it increased the dangers our family was already facing. People need protection, and often times the protectors don't do their job and oppress instead. I digress, but Yan-er, I want you to understand that this is a calling beyond myself but a duty to my countrymen. I am dreadfully sorry you have to read this letter. Please understand that I love you and your sister greatly. Please take care of her and your mother, and now you are the man of the house. Ai Li is as good as one can have in a brother, as well as Zhang Rong. The number of times Zhang Rong has saved my life would make this letter far too long. There is so much more I wish I could say to you but I shall end this here. Always know that I will always be proud of you, no matter what, because you are my son, Fang Yan. Remember, never ever look at things at the surface level.

Your loving father,
Fang Zhi Hang

Dearest Xiao Ci

It pains me to write this letter to you, because it means I can no longer see the smile on your face. I have no idea when will you read this, and how much I would have seen you grow up. Nonetheless, I just want to know that whatever you choose to do in life, I will always be proud of you. I have told Yan-er my true identity so you can ask him. Here, I want to ask your forgiveness for not being able to be there for you anymore. Be strong, be very very strong, Xiao Ci. I know you have it in you. There are many bad people in the world, but they shouldn't mar our perception that there are also very good ones. My greatest hope for you is that you will always be happy and joyful. I love you, my sweet precious daughter. Let nothing convince you otherwise.

Love,
Fang Zhi Hang.

END

A/N: I got this concept from a Chinese HZGG fanfiction actually. It was just a very minor plot device that Qianlong and Fang Zhi Hang were friends, and Qian Long was searching for ZhiHang's children. That author never finished the story nor further elaborated on this, so I took the liberty to expound of this idea of: what if Xiaojian got it all wrong and the truth was that Qian Long was sworn siblings with Fang Zhi Hang, and the whole treason thing was a smear campaign.

Yes, the ending is deliberately left open ended. But honestly, I have no idea where it will go. This is still a one-shot story, but maybe if inspiration strikes again, I will write a follow up.

I guess I have interspersed modern day terms such as "spy, intelligence, intel agents etc" in this ancient Chinese backdrop, but I have no idea what were these spies called in ancient times, let alone the translation. So please just bear with me. But I am very sure there is always espionage going on, whatever the era. The Emperors rely heavily on intelligence. So…welcome to my version of it. Hah.