Author Angel Chua

Adapted from Princess Agents drama series and original novel by Xiao Xiang Dong'er – Chu Qiao Chuan Biography

One of the King's arm (08.12.2021)

In the stillness of the night, Yuan Song and Xia Chong together looking at each other told her: I had a wish a long time ago.

Xiao Chong asked: What is your wish, your Highness?

Yuan Song replied: That you and I will sit together in this cherry blossom secret garden under the moonlight and that wish came true tonight.

Xia Chong wanted to tell the truth to the prince but instead she warned Yuan Song: Your Highness, if there is one wish I would like to ask right now, it's the promise to free me in this shackles and put me back to my land and if you do not grant it, things will just get worst.

Yuan Song disturbed by that wish he asked.

"Why do you want to run away from me? This is your home now, you are the future Queen."

Xia Chong in her strong words said: "This is not my home and I don't want to rule as Queen. I only want a simple life among familiar people. I want to be free."

Yuan Song feeling every word Xia Chong said: "I heard this story before. You're former master Yuwen Yue who left this world died giving you this freedom. Is it worth it?"

Xia Chong not knowing the whole story but felt as if she was Chu Qiao where they both fights for freedom replied: "It is worth it, and I don't want you to end up like him."

As the night goes deep Yuan Song on his dark eyes, responded in a husky voice to Xia Chong: "The results are never going to be different, I will probably have the same fate if you ask for freedom, I think this is a priceless thing. Even a prince is not free to do all the things he wants to do, we are tied to our protocols and our rule to our Empire, what more if the common people asks for it?"

Tired in the arms of the 13th Prince, Xia Chong already drifted while the 13th prince is still talking to her, Yuan Song looked at Xia Chong and saw she is sleeping sweetly.

Both slept peacefully but in Xia Chong dream she woke up, a man dressed in purple robes but the face is covered with black mask violently took her from the man beside her.

Yuan Song leaped out of nowhere, and suddenly she heard the sounds of fighting swords. Yuan Song fighting using its Cheng Yin sword with the man dressed in purple robe finally took off its face mask and saw its face.

The 13th prince astonished said: "Yan Xun!"

When Xia Chong woke up, she was already inside the carriage of the 13th Prince of Wei.

Yuan Song waited for her to wake up, and then he beamed at her. Xia Chong not anymore tied of her hands and feet stepped out of the carriage and saw the pink cherry blossoms garden with fog clouds lying below the ground, a heaven on earth.

Yuan Song came down to the carriage and said: "This is my gift to you. From now on, I will no longer call this secret garden but freedom garden. In here, you are free to express your opinion without being judged, you are not a princess but a common woman, you are my wife, and I am your husband. I will build a freedom palace for you, in this place will be your own."

Xia Chong would like to leap for joy but then, she turned to a gloomy face she merely said: "Thank you, your Highness. I hope you do not change your heart towards a simple woman like me."

Yuan Song remembers Chu Qiao as one of the low slaves at the Green Hills courtyard and sees it with Xia Chong today.

The same principles lie where Xia Chong prefers people's freedom instead of power and riches, Yuan Song is inspired.

But how far would this go?

Is it a happy ending for both people seeking enlightenment from each other?

One looking for the happiness of his ghost love and the other one looking for a simple husband to live a common life of freedom.

Truth is, her husband right now is an Heir to Wei throne, Xia Chong staying longer in Wei without Prince Xiao Ce's bailout plan puts her into a dangerous position where she can no longer return to her land of freedom as promised to her.

She knows sooner or later Yuan Song will find that she is not Chu Qiao, what good awaits her future?

Only dreadful death and shame.

Xia Chong thinks it is time to escape while she still can, for she won't be able to do it if she falls deep into her fake husband.

A pair of calm eyes, look back from the path of its remote eastern tribes, suddenly flashed the events of the Qinghai crown prince tribal fights.

Yuwen Yue knows it's not an easy path but his travel turned out to be the most difficult yet fulfilling journey in his life.

Yuwen Yue can still smell the fresh blood of the fighting tribesmen of weapons he had never seen in his life, long spears, unique bow and sharp arrows, versatile archers, men full of no mercy eyes, men who were born to fight.

But nobody was able to make him bow or even fall by his Poe Yue Jian sword. Everyone nodded to surrender their arms and submit to the Qinghai, crown prince.

Yuwen Yue on his impressive victory won the many hearts of the far eastern tribes but also gave him scars to live by.

His cavalry of horses lost some Qinghai men as they fought for the freedom of the small tribes who were attacked by the larger tribes who want to plunder and rule them.

Yuwen Yue dressed in the different outfit wearing tribal suit thick lion's fur, at his back is single bow made of animal's tendon bone, wooden arrow tip made of sharp elephants ivory horn and his sword Poe Yue Jian hanging in his back slowly marching the steppes of the hills near Qinghai's Empire gates.

His eyes still calm like waters, his face like a spring breeze and are riding with its magnificent warhorse.

His palanquin is carrying full of different merchandises from the far east courtesy from the small tribes where they stayed for a month.

Zuo and Yue Qi looks different wearing thick lion's furs with pure white ivory necklaces a gift from the barbaric tribes of eastern China.

Another handsome and young man is riding beside Yuwen Yue, the son of the tribal leader Dongyi and some few of their tribe's men went to Yuwen Yue for his escort and to enter Qinghai to become the representative of his father.

Looking back, they learned the culture and blend into their traditions. On the other hand, another young man was riding on his horse with large chains and tied hands in front of Yue Qi.

Yuwen Yue captured the son of the rival tribal leader as a ransom and eventually present to his father, where the Qinghai king decides what execution he will receive for the punishment of his crimes and for bringing discord in their neighboring tribes.

Yuwen Yue cannot speak their language but thanks to the local tribesman who became their interpreter and everything turned to success, and Yuwen Yue can finally rest a bit for his next journey.

Yuwen Yue back to Qinghai, Ra Zheng went out to meet him first.

The two brother's look into their eyes and Yuwen Yue shifted it to the two young tribal warriors beside him, one looks haggard with large chains in his neck and the other one, on his bare upper chest dressed on his tribal suit bowed to the Ra Zheng Prince of Qinghai.

Ra Zheng can smell their fresh blood scent but his face calm as the waters nodded but did not talk as much.

Ra Zhun is looking far but can see what's happening as the Qinghai Crown prince envoy entering the Qinghai ground, he did not like Ra Yue's outfit, and all his royal guards matched his tribal suit made him puke.

Unable to last in this sight, he turned his face away from them and grumbles to the eunuch beside him: "Who are these animals he brought in this empire?"

"This is not the arrangement the Qinghai minister's agreed."

What is our gain here?"

By the time Yuwen Yue, Zuo Zong and Yue Qi, two of the tribal son warriors and the rest of the cavalry entering the Majestic Qinghai Throne.

A long aisle with furry red carpet is seen.

A gigantic fragrant incense burner in the middle forming the heaviness and solemness of the atmosphere then another five steps stairs towards Her Highness Queen seat and beside it is an absent King seat, greets their eyes.

While below the five steps where princes seats, Ra Zheng walked from the backcourt to take his position at the right side before the five steps while Ra Zhun was already seated at the left side of his chair, but the center was an empty seat for the Qinghai, crown prince.

Yuwen Yue walked tall and proud in front of the hundred Qinghai palace ministers scholars and nobles who are surrounding the throne talked on their backs and murmured when they heard every step Yuwen Yue takes.

The hearts of everyone and even the royals pounds to their chests as the bass drums started to play in honor for the crown prince presence they said.

"He smells blood, not stinky blood but fresh blood."

"Why is he dressed like the tribesmen?"

"The two guards on his side, are they brothers? They both look-alike."

"How did Ra Yue hire two men who look like each other? Are they twins?"

"I did not expect to see the Qinghai crown prince looks could be barbaric too but look at his brows, it did not hide the fact of his cold and godly face."

When the palace nobles talks as Ra Yue walks, his eyes looking far but straight and when he finally reached the Qinghai crown prince seat, Ra Yue did not take its place. T

he two guards Yue Qi and Zuo Zong stopped in front of Ra Yue seat as if they were guarding it when Ra Yue took the five steps and then kneel down in front of Queen as customary to honor Ra Yue, unsheaths his sword and lay it on the ground then bowed three times.

The Queen, on her massive head-dress and sleeves almost touching the ground did not move but look at Ra Yue with stern face enough to tell she acknowledges his presence and victory over the remote eastern tribes.

While the rest of the cavalry mimic Ra Yue including two if his guards and the two tribal son warriors.

The Eunuch came in front and passed a decree to imprison the crimes of the rival tribal son warrior while the other tribal son warrior of Dongyi were rewarded with 100 taels of gold according to what is customary from the Qinghai Ministry of treasures.

Every eye got excited when another legendary sword flashed in their sight, and the Eunuch with another servant in his side carrying a long tray is the shiny and shimmering tribal sword further read the decree: "From the seven thousand islands and seven thousand rising suns, called the Bat sword. It was forged in steel, and its grip handle forms the monster bat head that one palm of the hand or even fingers can spin from it, inspired from a legendary flair of fierce mountain tribes, a rare tribal sword known as "untamed or wild."

" The Qinghai King hand-picked it from its long lists of the collection of swords to award it to the brave and virtuous hero of the far eastern tribes."

"Do you accept?"

Ra Yue stood up and gave a hand signal to the tribal son warrior to come and said: "Please come and accept your reward."

The tribal interpreter came and whispered to the bowed head son of Dongyi, and he stood to walk, and Ra Yue handed him over the Bat sword and said.

"Your time has come."

Everyone behold their eyes as Ra Yue bestows the sword to the bowed head of tribal son warrior of Dongyi, Ra Yue on his cold eyes gave him a proud beam.

After the awarding moment, all Qinghai palace ministers and nobles attended the banquet for the victory celebration but somewhere around the corner, is a man on his neat men Tang suit, one of the King's arms observing Ra Yue and he said.

"Your time has come."

Ra Zhun on his lively fiery eyes stirred everyone's attention to give a toast for the victory and celebration of the Qinghai empire while Ra Yue on the other corner on his cold stare waiting for someone to catch his eyes, but none of it came.

It was already deep of the night by the time the Qinghai King turned back to his human body and no longer an entity of invisible of shame, he breathed and took his seat at his Hall. Suddenly the man in his neat Tang suit came, and his shadow is seen outside the windows of the King's hall.

The Qinghai King opened the window and then turned his back when suddenly the man in Tang suit came in and leaped towards him to attack him.

The Qinghai King without so much effort evaded his attack, on his cold eyes and unsheathed double-edged sword and the man in Tang suit felt satisfied stood straight bowed and clasp his hands in front and said: "Your Majesty, your son passed his first test of barbaric tribes. What is your next move?"

The Qinghai King walked his hands slowly on his back he said: "My son Ra Yue did not agree to take over the Qinghai Empire unless he proved himself first in the eyes of its Palace ministers, nobles and to whole people of Qinghai Empire.

In fact, I am impressed with his chivalry and courage to face an unknown and unchartered territory.

Thank you for your earnest assistance, Ra Yue started to defend the barbaric tribes, a long time pain in my rule and his next subject was to breach the Moon Kingdom."

"Your Majesty, I believe Ra Yue is not ready to take over the Moon Kingdom although I have seen his superb Gongfu and excellent swordplay skills, he was able to let those tribes bow to the Poe Yue Jian sword.

While he has the supernatural abilities and strong Chi flow in his body, he does not possess the heavenly abilities yet. To be honest, he is not ready for supernatural yet.

Although he is born to possess it, his body is not trained to accept the supernatural," said Qi Hui.

"Then what is your proposal?" Said the Qinghai King.

"Let's open his Highness Ra Yue to the five legendary worlds."

The Qinghai King turned to him and saw Qi Hui on his bowed head and clasps hands the King said: Hellfrost, Moon Kingdom, the Underworld's forgotten river, the Last Valley and the Paradise of Higanbana.

Then summon and arrange a meeting to call four of your brothers from the Eastern Realms.

Ra Yue needs to re-train and align his meridians to reach the supernatural abilities in addition to the mortal skills he obtained from the west.

"Consider it done Your Majesty," and suddenly Qi Hui leaped on the hall window and gone like the wind.

Yuwen Yue back to his royal chambers, after all the celebration, he is back to himself alone, he did not drink as much but thought of someone.

In his lonely abandoned heart thinks of Chu Qiao and his mother.

Yuwen Yue walked towards a room near outside from his chamber and went to a room full of incense and tea candles he took two incense red sticks and lightened it, then performed kowtow three times to honor his mother's bronze spirit tablet given by his Uncle Xie Tai Shan.

Yuwen Yue closed his eyes and performed filial piety to his mother.

The sound of horse hooves heard from a distance, and the King of Yanbei is trailing towards Xuili mountain. Viper said to Chu Qiao: "Hurry, the King must not see you, or we can visit the Yan palace since the King is heading towards here. I will lure Xiao Yu's spies, I know all of their locations and where are their secret prisons."

Hiya!

Drive!

Another two horses set to journey to the Yan palace capital, Chu Qiao wearing his indigo scarf rode with her white horse and Viper on his red scarf rode with her black horse.

But before they run away from Xuili Mountain, Viper shot an arrow with a message to Ge Qi's quarters.

The two arrived at the Yan Palace while Yan Xun arrived at Xuili mountain with his cavalry of men.

Lieutenant Ge Qi went to meet the King of Yanbei while Chu Qiao and Viper walked on the marketplace and asked some Yan locals any news about the captured Black Prince of Bathuja family.

The local vendor said: He was tortured to the ground on his knees while being tied to a horse. Viper asked:" What do you think of it?"

The local vendor said: I think it is right and just, the Yan royal family suffered most in their hands, and the Yan citizens threw to chaos, murder, rape of our daughters and became slaves. Because of the Batuha family, they have put Yanbei into an unending fight against bloodbath and killing of the innocent.

Chu Qiao twitching her hands said: But this does not mean reciprocating the enemies act.

The local vendor smiled and said to Chu Qiao: "Miss, have you ever heard the saying, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

Chu Qiao strongly disagreed to the local vendor and said: "This is not a means to an end."

Back to Xuili Mountain, "Your Grace, what can we do to serve the King?" said Ge Qi on his curious face.

"Where is Viper?" asked Yan Xun

We do not know your Majesty, as you all know Viper is an independent body, she is not being controlled nor can be governed by Military rules.

Yan Xun on his cold stare acknowledge this truth, he said: Very well, tell He Xiao, to come down to Yan Palace I have an important thing to discuss.

Ge Qi nodded and bowed his head to Yan Xun. And Yan Xun turned his back and sound of horse hooves is trailing towards the Yan Palace.

Yan Xun came to Xuili Mountain and saw the condition of the Xuili army. He was a little bit surprised to see that without his provisions, the regiment was able to live, he told himself, Xuili army is good plunderers and looters.

Yan Xun wants to see Viper face to face from the last time they saw each other for an important task, but unfortunately, Viper's location is unknown.

Yan Xun gave Viper as much freedom she wants to roam around without Military jurisdiction to make up for the guilty conscience on the night they planned to rescue Chu Qiao but failed. After that incident, Viper started to act independently after she was put to a secret prison in Liang.

It was a high strength she put in to show just put her powers on hold and pretend she can withstand the blows on her mortal body she was able to endure 50 backslashes in her body while He Xiao, on the other hand, was tied on his hands and feet.

Upon Yan Xun's order, Xiao Yu released Viper and He Xiao on one condition, the wedding must commence on the day it was announced. Yan Xun was put back to sleep and suddenly woke up on his chambers with his servants undressing him to put on his wedding gown.

He did not recall what happened on the eve of his wedding day, a horrible night he was put into half sleep unable to perform his usual manly strength his muscles were somewhat paralyzed but relaxed.

While his Queen to be is at his side she said: "Even these things should be done to protect you from harm and total destruction. I cannot live long to see you destroyed just like what happened to Yuwen Yue."

Xiao Yu just like Xiao Ce, was keeping all close memory of Yuwen Yue, loved all of his close allies and even enemies. She also found out about Yue Qi, and she did not harm him while he was serving at Kong Sang mountain.

Instead, she hired Xiao Qi, the seventh sister of Chu Qiao to take care of him while he is recovering. Xiao Ce objected, but Xiao Qi insisted as she does not want to stay at his side even if his sister Xiao Ba followed him.

Xiao Ce granted Xiao Qi's hard-headed decision, he released Xiao Qi to become Xiao Yu's servant.

Author's note:

Source

Adding about Bat tribal sword facts, I borrowed the legendary Bikol Bat Head Sword from the far North Eastern steppes tribes of the Philippines to enhance the story of the awarded sword to one of the heroes tribal warrior son of Dongyi.

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