Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty, Chapter 39: Windy
After the night and snowstorm passed, the sky turned translucent.
Heavy footsteps approached, waking the sleeping children. They quickly withdrew their hands, not opening their eyes, and hastily replaced a piece of tile to close the open hole. Black cashmere cotton boots echoed crisply in the dusty prison, accompanied by the persistent jingle of keys.
The sound of keys turning came from the direction of the cell. A man in light blue armor, draped in a yellow cloak, entered, flanked by soldiers. His party numbered at least fifty, with guards stationed internally and externally, the air filled with the clang of gongs. The warden and jailer followed closely behind, nodding with deference. Chu Qiao sat in a corner, her cold gaze fixed on the large company of guards. Her heart sank.
Yan Xun, sitting on the ground, had his back turned to the door, eyes closed, exuding a calm that belied the intimidation surrounding him. His posture resembled that of a meditative monk, making the newcomers almost overlook his presence.
The head guard glanced at the Yan North descendants, royalty by blood, yet regarded them with no respect. With a cold expression, he pulled out the imperial edict and read aloud: "By the order of Sheng Jin Gong, Yan Xun, descendant of Yan North, is summoned to attend the Jiuhe gathering."
The guards waited in silence.
Another guard stepped forward, sneering with disdain. "Yan Shizi, please."
Yan Xun slowly opened his eyes, their intensity causing the guards to feel a sudden chill. His gaze held a deep arrogance, and without a word, he stood, moving toward the door. A large group of guards prepared a yoke for him but hesitated, eventually opting to carry it without using it on him.
Dust swept across the prison, swirling in the air like it hadn't been cleaned in years. The filth settled on Yan Xun's white deerskin boots, intricately embroidered with royal symbols. Even in such a dull environment, the boots gleamed, a reminder of his royal lineage, both as a prince of Yan North and a member of the Great Summer royal family.
A cold wind blew through the long, dark corridor, bringing fresh air from outside but cutting like a blade.
Suddenly, a pale, fragile hand stretched out from the cell's bars, as delicate as porcelain. It grabbed Yan Xun's leg, gripping his trousers stubbornly.
"Where are you going? Have you lost your mind?" a child's voice demanded.
Yan Xun raised an eyebrow and shot a cold look at the guard who tried to intervene. His eyes were icy, silencing any protest. The soldiers following behind him stopped as Yan Xun knelt down, gently prying the child's fingers from his trousers. He spoke softly, "A'Chu, don't do anything reckless."
"I can't trust you!" the child, Chu Qiao, responded stubbornly. "You promised you wouldn't leave me."
Yan Xun frowned. His mind was racing, aware of the many uncertainties surrounding the situation. He couldn't risk her safety. He whispered firmly, "I won't leave you. Wait here for me."
"I'm not sure I believe you," she retorted, still clutching his trousers. "Take me with you."
The guards grew agitated, one shouting, "Bold slave!"
"Is the servant addressing you?" Yan Xun snapped, his cold gaze cutting into the soldier. "Since when does the empire allow you to speak to me like this?"
The guard's face reddened in embarrassment, and his fellow guards quickly pulled him back, afraid of further angering the prince. But Yan Xun paid them no mind, focusing on the child in front of him. He frowned, "A'Chu, stay here. I'm doing this for you."
"Take me with you," Chu Qiao repeated stubbornly, her grip unrelenting.
Time seemed to freeze as a sharp wind blew between the two children. Yan Xun, his eyes flickering with a mix of sharpness and resolve, realized that she understood the danger ahead. He sighed, glancing at her defiant gaze. Moments later, he stood and ordered coldly, "Open the door."
"Yan Shizi, the summons is for you alone," one guard began, but Yan Xun interrupted, striding toward the door.
"Then carry my body to Sheng Jin Gong," he said coldly.
"Yan Shizi!" the soldiers muttered amongst themselves, but they relented, opening the door of Chu Qiao's cell.
After all, she was just a child.
The sun had already risen as Yan Xun strode out, holding Chu Qiao's hand. He gave strict orders that no ropes were to be placed on her. His eyes were sharp and commanding as he looked down at her and asked, "Are you scared?"
Chu Qiao smiled brightly, showing her teeth. "How do you spell 'scared'?"
Yan Xun laughed, took her hand, and led her outside.
At the door, the soldiers stood in formation, their armor shining in the light, their swords gleaming coldly. The onlookers watched from afar, filled with curiosity and fear. Whispers spread through the crowd.
"Who is this that even Sheng Jin Gong's personal guards are called to escort?"
When the two children, one tall and one small, emerged from the shadows of the corridor, the crowd fell into stunned silence. The north wind howled, shaking loose snow from the eaves.
This morning would be forever remembered in Wei City. Later, when historians opened the dusty volumes of the past, they would pause in awe at the story they found. No one knew that these two seemingly innocent children, forced to face such a perilous situation, would one day rise like ferocious tigers, striking at the heart of the empire. From this moment, the course of history shifted. The grand canvas of destiny began to unfurl, and these two children, hand in hand, would march into the fire together, bound by blood and resolve.
The wind stirred once more as an eagle soared across the cloudy sky, letting out a piercing cry. In that instant, it seemed that all who witnessed the scene heard the distant sound of an empire crumbling.
Afterthoughts
In this chapter, the atmosphere is heavy with tension and cold detachment, giving the reader a strong sense of the characters' internal and external struggles. Yan Xun and Chu Qiao are at a pivotal moment, surrounded by the oppressive environment of the prison, and the weight of their situation is palpable. The interaction between these two characters is particularly striking: despite their youth, they display a maturity and determination that sets the tone for their future actions.
Yan Xun's silent but powerful defiance stands out, as he faces his captors with cold, almost aloof confidence. His refusal to submit to their authority reflects a deep-seated resolve, hinting at his inner strength and potential for leadership. His protectiveness toward Chu Qiao adds a layer of complexity to his character, revealing a tender side beneath his hardened exterior. The bond between Yan Xun and Chu Qiao, despite the dire circumstances, is filled with mutual trust and loyalty, though not without its tensions. Chu Qiao's insistence on staying by Yan Xun's side, even in the face of danger, highlights her courage and stubbornness. She refuses to be left behind or treated as a helpless child, showing a sense of agency that contrasts sharply with her fragile appearance.
The larger themes of power, vulnerability, and fate begin to emerge here. Yan Xun and Chu Qiao are both in a position of weakness, prisoners at the mercy of a brutal regime, yet there are clear hints that their future will be one of rebellion and transformation. The imagery of the empire crumbling, symbolized by the wind and the eagle's cry, foreshadows a great upheaval, with these two children at its center.
This chapter also serves as a reminder of how power is perceived and exercised. The guards, soldiers, and officials demonstrate their authority through intimidation and cruelty, but Yan Xun's quiet defiance shows that true power comes from within. His royal blood is almost irrelevant compared to the strength of his will. In contrast, the vulnerability of Chu Qiao is symbolized by her thin, porcelain-like hand, yet she, too, exhibits a fierce inner strength.
The setting itself reinforces the bleakness and isolation of their situation. The dusty prison, the cold wind, and the dark corridor all evoke a sense of desolation and impending doom. Yet, amid this darkness, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of these two characters, who refuse to succumb to their fate.
As readers, we are left with a sense of anticipation. We know that this moment is just the beginning, that Yan Xun and Chu Qiao's journey is far from over. The chapter closes with an image of them walking out into a hostile world, hand in hand, ready to face whatever comes next. This moment symbolizes the start of their shared destiny, one that will undoubtedly be filled with hardship, but also with the promise of rebellion and eventual triumph.