Into the Array C7
I felt bad for going on rambling for 6 chapters without Yao.
This is a long one. The next one will be even longer but there is some nudity. A little.
As usual, thank you all for reviews and please enjoy!
The morning court session was held in the huge space when he saw when he first went into the palace. And today, it was filled to the brim with people. Ivan stood beside Jin Xi at the top of a massive and wide stone staircase, behind their backs is a red painted building with its door closed and in between the stairs below them are long stone sculptures of dancing serpents and phoenix.
Ivan can't decide whether he should be fascinated by the amount of attendees, or the way they are all neatly organized into rectangular shape from the ground, or perhaps the fact that he never felt this much power experiencing so many people kneeling with their foreheads touching the ground in front of him. A man in maroon that stood not so far away from them is reading something from the scrolls towards those people.
Just when Ivan is still wondering if they could even hear him, Jin Xi suddenly said: 'Sir, please follow me.' Bowing and gesturing towards the door of the building.
Ivan follow suit, turning his head to find that the pillars supporting the buildings have more serpents and phoenix. Walking under the shades of the roof, he glance up to realise that its insides are all filled with beautifully coloured and golden rimmed ornaments. This building's architecture is an epitome of beauty, so glad to have make a trip here, he thought excitedly.
The door was opened for him, and inside was a long walkway that lead all the way to the golden throne on the end, and there seated on the golden throne is Emperor Wang himself. Wrapped in a golden, luxurious looking dress with simple golden headgear that extend to the front where rows of golden beads hang, covering the top part of his forehead. Long brown beard extending out from above his lips and chin all the way down his chest. Right beside him can only be the Empress, wearing an extravagant inner red dress with golden rims, it was paired by a elegant overall, intricate golden flowers can be seen decorating her elaborate hairdo.
At the side of the walkway are two rows of similarly luxuriously dressed men, women and kids sitting down with a serious expression. Standing at their back are a row of ladies and men in waiting, all with their heads down. The whole insides is illuminated by the sunlight coming through the rice paper blinds covering the windows across the hall. Ivan's best guess is that these people are the princes and princesses, but why are some of the seats empty?
Goodness, I feel underdressed, Ivan thought grimly, cringing at the thought of hanging out with these people.
'The guest, Ivan from Samara have arrived.'
Ivan immediately bowed towards the Emperor at the nudging of Jin Xi.
'You may rise.' Ivan heard the Emperor. 'Take a seat.'
Jin Xi quickly ushered Ivan into the room and settled him down at the end of the second row, beside an empty seat, and at the other side of the empty seat is a sweet looking girl dressed in light green. In front of him is a child dressed in silver, Ivan caught him closing his eyes for more than a few second, head drooping forward, seemingly fallen asleep.
Ivan smirked, seems like he was not the only one being forced to wake up this early, he thought.
'WHERE IS YAO AND CHENG CHANG?' Emperor Wang boomed across the hallway, sending a shockwave of fear right up to everyone's heart. Even Ivan can't help but get alarmed by his voice. Somehow this building is made to amplify the sounds. Ivan's head moved up from the table of fruits in front of him to notice that the boy in silver dress is similarly startled awake, and their eyes met.
'Please calm down, Your Majesty.' the other men in blues and maroons all chimed in eerie unison, including Jin Xi, who all went on their knees with their forehead touching the ground. One of the men in maroon speaks out 'Your Majesty, the letter to returned have been sent and Prince Yao and Prince Cheng Chang will be returning today.'
'The letter was sent 3 months before isn't it? We have a guest from Samara and even he have arrived! What took them so long to be back? ' the Emperor demanded.
Even from this distance, Ivan can see that man in maroon cower in fear from the demand. 'T-The.. I-I am not very sure regarding this.' he continued.
'ABSURD! Who do they think they are!'
Soft murmurs and mumbling can be heard between the princes and princesses, and Ivan turn back to the front to find that the silver prince just gave him a 'This is a normal thing' face, as though he is reassuring Ivan to not be scared. Ivan smiled back.
All of a sudden, galloping noises emitted from horseshoe and neighing sounds can be heard in a distance and before long the announcement is made.
'The 9th son, Prince Yao and the 11th son, Prince Cheng Chang have arrived.'
Loud metallic footsteps can be heard clinking against the marble floor as it gets closer and closer, and from his place, Ivan wait with bated breath. The infamous prince, he is here. And that means the previous speculation that one of the seated ones is him was wrong.
Leading the way into the hall is a man dressed in bronze metal armour that covered his entire body with the exception of his joint. But Ivan finds himself sick in the stomach , almost to the point of puking the moment he cast his eyes on him. Covering his head and face is a helmet, one that was scarier than the ones he knew.
Made entirely out of bronze metal similar to his armour, a ferocious lizard like beast with scaly skin is situated on the top, seemingly alive and ready to eat any guts that flew from its master's broken enemies. The ridge on the brow bone where the protruding hollow holes are is covered with thick wrinkle after wrinkle, making the face even more grotesque. Feather looking mane extended out from the helmet's back, giving an exaggerated look to the overall helmet. In the middle is the nose, it is huge and hooked like a demon's one, wrinkles are also prominent where the nostril are, as though the face is snarling. But you can't see its mouth, for it is empty, showing only the user's skin, the only indication that it is not a true monster.
Ivan knitted his brow, he was scared out of his wits for that moment, and even though that mask was unpleasant, he can't help himself but to trail after this thing. For the haughty air of aura surrounding this creature is one of might and grace, something unworldly.
The thing is followed by another man, whom Ivan is definitely sure that he is the 11th Prince, he is dressed in a similar bronze metal armour. And both of them clink their way to the middle of the walkway.
Kneeling with one knee down, both of them put their a fist to another palm and bowed.
'Your son, Yao/Cheng Chang, pay his respect to Father.' they both said it at the same time.
'Yao, Cheng Chang. Have you two eaten the bear's heart or the leopard's gall bladder?*' their father asked.
'No Father.' they chimed in unison, with their heads still bowed. Ivan looked on in wonder, he is beginning to feel a little surprised, the Demon of Han, the God of War, in the end they all still bowed to the Emperor of Han, for despite their fearsome reputation, they all serve the Emperor.
'Then why are you all late?' he demanded. 'Don't give me the excuse that you did not have enough time. I have been graceful enough to send for you two's return three months earlier.'
'Father, please forgive us. Brother Yao have discovered that most of the Nomad tribes have allied themselves to the North. And he have send in people to break up their alliances in the meantime, allowing us some time to prepare for another campaign.' Cheng Chang looked up and explain in fluster.
'Shut up. I don't want to hear about anything about the military now. I will not hold you responsible, go back to your seat. I want to hear it from Yao.'
'Father, bu-' Cheng Chang continued, but was immediately cut off by a swift hold from Yao's arm.
'Cheng Chang.' Yao said, 'Go back to your seat.'
'Brother Yao.' Cheng Chang insisted with indignation.
'Go back.' Yao insist as well.
With a face that look like he have resigned to his fate, he bowed to his father once more and moved backwards to the seat beside Ivan, promptly sit down and stare at his lap. Loud breathing can be heard, as though he have ran here from somewhere far.
'Why are you late? If you're going to be late, why do you have to drag your brother along.' his father reprimanded, fiercer than when he was dealing with the 11th Prince. 'Do you know how important today is?'
'I apologise Father, my incompetency have failed you.'
'And your helmet! How many times have I told you not to bring your accursed monsters into my halls.'
'Some people just don't seem to respect your authority, Father.' somebody voiced out from the front. Ivan can't quite see who is it, but from the coquettish tone, Ivan would have guessed that it's the vampy princess.
'Emperor, please, we have disgraced ourselves in front of our guest.' the Empress who have been quiet all along finally said.
'My dear Empress, can't you see that this imprudent child do not listen? Wearing this kind of horrible mask in my hall, in my meeting, in front of my guest. Does he show me, his Father, his Emperor any shred of face? It is not the first time he have done so!'
'Yes, my dear. I understand' she addressed to his frustration gently. 'Men, bring in a change of mask for the 9th prince.'
The men in blues and maroon promptly brought in a half mask and long dividers drawn beautifully with Eastern arts out and they surround the 9th prince with it. A heavy 'thud' is heard, after a while, the dividers are taken away and Prince Yao's helmet was on the floor. Long silky and soot black hair flows down his back, reaching the floor.
'Get back to your seat.' the Emperor shouted.
'Yes Father.' Yao replied, standing and bowed his ways backwards to his seat. Ivan can see him, and he could feel his heart pumping for unknown reason. The white mask cover the top part of his face, but he could see his mouth. His pouty lips look soft, and no bit of grimace can be seen from his red and shining lips after being reprimanded by his Father.
Ivan managed to notice that the men in blues and maroons seem to have a little difficulties bringing the helmet out.
'Today is such a rare day for everyone in the family to be gathered here. That is of course, because I have an important announcement to make. Your Father, I, will be holding a crown prince coronation in a year and a half's time. And I have, under Lord Wei's recommendation, invited Ivan, our guest to paint a portraits for every single one of you. So all of you must stay in the palace long enough for him to paint your portrait. And that's warning is especially for Yao, Cheng Chang and Hsiao Zheng! If you three dare to leave without the portrait complete, I will make sure to hunt you down to the end of the world and drag you back. Am I heard clear enough?'
'Yes Father.' everyone chimed.
Ivan smiled awkwardly. It felt weird to be the only outsider in the middle of a family meeting, seeing children getting scolded and father asserting authority. He caught Yao from the corner of his eyes wanting to voice out something, but instead he was cut off by a princess.
'Father, father. Can Ivan paint my portrait first? I have thought about the poses for so long, and I don't want it to go to waste if I have forgotten them.' that voice begged.
'Father, I hope you can allow Cheng Chang and I to be painted first. We need to get back to the campsite as soon as we can.' Yao ignored the princess's request and voice out.
'Yes Father. This is our only request.' Cheng Chang shouted over. Ivan looked at him, he is a refined looking man with slightly bigger eyes than most of the Eastern people, his prominent feature is his Adam's apple that bobbed up and down at his throat. He have similar long black hair but it was tied up neatly into a bun at the top of his head.
'But Father, I have sacrificed so much. I even let Jin Xi, my most trusted servant to personally attend to Ivan. It have been such a great torture without someone who knows me to attend to me, can't you see that Jin Xi have properly taken care of our guest. Even if it's not a meritorious deed, I have suffered much.' the voice cried, evoking a sense of pity.
'Wow, one day without Jin Xi and she have already went through Hell and high waters. How sad, our palace have such a lack of servant that my poor Sister Mu have to gave up one of her own. I really pity you so much Sister Mu. Whatever happen to Lord Wei's arrangement, I wonder.' Another female responded sarcastically.
'Father!' Look at that Sister Xiu Qing! Disrespecting me like that!' Mu cried indignantly.
'Okay okay, stop it both of you.' Emperor Wang soothed.
'Father, W-.' Yao said.
'I said QUIET! Which part of it do you not understand, Yao.'
At this moment, Mu started crying. Loud, sharp sobs can be resonating throughout the halls, making one feel uncomfortably distressed with the sounds coming from her.
'Ohhh, Why are you crying now Mu?' Emperor Wang hushed, leaning downwards in concern to his beloved daughter.
'Father, all I ever asked for is to be painted first. I understand that it is not the rules, but it is my only wish.' she said it gently in between her sobs.
'Okay okay, your Father shall grant you your wish. Ivan shall paint for you first okay?' Emperor Wang said. 'Don't cry anymore. Good girl.'
'Thank you Father.'
Ivan cringe at this incredulous exchange. He finally realise the power of the infamous Princess, and my was he glad to advise Viktor to never marry a vixen like her. She might bring in connections to the Kingdom of Han, but the way she manipulate men will definitely bring in the downfall of Samara.
He looked back to the front to find his eyes met with the Silver Prince again. He must be the 13th Prince, Bao. Ivan mouthed a 'Hi' to him and Bao pointed in the general direction of Mu, gestured a noose over his head, rolled his eyes backwards and stick out his tongue. The back of his head was immediately hit lightly by a fan from his side, a man dressed in black. He must be the 12th Prince, Hsiao Zheng. He gave an apologetic smile to Ivan.
'Father, I-.' Yao started, but was immediately cut off by the Emperor.
'Yao, Cheng Chang, you two are rarely home. Use this chance to stay longer. Ivan will paint for you two after he is done with Mu. That's decided!'
'Yes, Father.' Yao replied, he look towards Ivan and caught him looking at himself. But he broke away, in exchange for the fruits on his table. A silent plan is forming inside his heart, he have to get things done as soon as possible, the campsite can't wait. After all, luck favours the prepared.
'That will be all. Dismiss children, all of you.'
* - To eat the bear's heart and leopard's gall bladder is a Chinese idiom, it is an idiom often used on people who did something they shouldn't be doing or normally wouldn't dare to do. So to eat a bear's heart and leopard's gall bladder is said to say to be their source of courage to do things one normally don't.
Hence, the Emperor is actually asking if they eating those organs allow them to find the kind of nerve to actually disobey his orders.