22. Arriving in Beirong
The following day the five friends, with Zihou, departed for Beirong. The journey was long and tiresome, especially for Rushuang and Su, who both were mostly confined to the carriage. They did on occasion switch and rode on horseback, but as this slowed the traveling down, they often sat together in the carriage, being jostled back and forth. After five days they once more reached the border town and when Fei Yuan called out to Su and Rushuang that they had reached the destination, they didn't respond. So Fei Yuan opened the curtain and saw that both ladies were fast asleep. Yan, who had come to help the ladies down, looked at Fei Yuan questioningly. "They are both asleep Young Master." Fei Yuan explained. Laughing a little bit Yan said: "What?" Fei Yuan held the curtain to the side and Yan saw Su, who was leaning against the corner and Rushuang who was leaning against Su. Su had her arm protectively around Rushuang's shoulder. "Fei Yuan, arrange the rooms. Xie and I will wake them. It has been a long journey today."
"Young Master, shall I ask the boss to deliver a meal to the rooms?" Fei Yuan asked, usually when they traveled together they would share a meal, but since both couples had married, occasionally they would opt to eat in their own rooms. "I don't know yet. We can wait a bit, but do please check if they can still provide a meal." Yan motioned for Xie to come. "What is the matter brother Pei?" Yan showed Xie the interior of the carriage. "Yeah, Rushuang falls asleep easily in the carriage. That's why she prefers to ride herself."
"Fei Yuan is arranging the rooms. Do you want to wake Rushuang?" Yan asked. Xie shook his head. "The last days have been hard, I'll carry Rushuang. If she wakes up, then she wakes up. If she doesn't I'll let her sleep." With that Xie climbed up. Yan got the steps and placed them next to the carriage. He saw Zihou, who had taken the horses to the stables, walking towards them. Just as Zihou came to stand next to Yan, Xie stepped out of the carriage, with a sleeping Rushuang in his arms. Yan held Xie's elbow as he stepped down the steps. "She's really tired, she woke up a little bit, but quickly fell back in sleep. It's already late, could you ask Fei Yuan if he could bring some food to our room? We'll see you tomorrow." Yan nodded: "Take care of her, we'll see you tomorrow."
"Where is Su?" Zihou asked, when he realized he hadn't seen her yet. His childhood friend looked at him, raising an eyebrow and then nodding up to the carriage. Then he stepped up and carefully piked Su up. She woke up: "Are we at the border?"
"Yes, you fell asleep, my dear." Yan whispered, then he kissed her forehead.
"Rushuang fell asleep, the carriage shook a bit too much, so I let her lean on me. I guess I fell asleep after that. Can I ride tomorrow? I'm getting stiff from sitting entire days."
"We'll see tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll meet the men of Prince Shuomo, we'll see what we can do. Can you walk?" before Su answered Yan could already guess her answer. Su snuggled closer in his arms, wrapping her arms tighter around him and placing a small peck in his neck. "Hmm, yes, I can walk." She whispered. Smiling and holding her closer Yan said: "Close your eyes and sleep. I'll carry you to bed." He could see how tired she was, even though she would never admit this. He could feel her relax in his arms, smiling he pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I love you Yian."
Outside Zihou held Yan's elbow as Yan had done for Xie earlier. "Follow me." Yan said to Zihou. They walked in to the inn where Fei Yuan was waiting. "I'll show you your room, Young Master." Inside the room Yan carefully laid Su down on the bed, pulling the duvet over her. Before he could get up Su grabbed his hand. "Thank you." She had opened her eyes, looking up into her husbands face. Yan kissed her hand and caressed her hair. "Rest, when you wake we'll eat something. Tomorrow will be a shorter journey." He watched as Su slowly fell asleep again. Slowly he rose and turned. Zihou was waiting at a short distance. Suddenly Yan realized this could be difficult for Zihou. The moment was awkward and for once Yan didn't know what to say. "It was a long journey today." Zihou said, Yan was grateful for him breaking the silence. "It was, tomorrow will be shorter. I think Rushuang and Su will appreciate a ride tomorrow, but I want to meet with the men of Prince Shuomo first. In his letter he said the country is at peace, but there were things happening that he doesn't like, which worries him. If the men say it's safe to ride, the ladies can ride at least part of the journey. Come let's eat something together and relax."
"You don't want to eat with your wife?" Zihou wondered. Once more looking at his sleeping wife Yan said: "I think she'll sleep a while, after that I'll make sure she eats something, but right now we can eat with Fei Yuan." Together they left the room and went to find Fei Yuan. That evening Yan and Zihou revived their friendship and spoke of all the adventures they'd shared. Yan realized he hadn't been able to just relax with his childhood friend in the past year. Since the passing of his wife, though they hadn't shared the wedding ceremony, Zihou had changed. Yan wasn't sure if that change was for the good. Zihou had been zealous in his work, had rarely taken a brake and was very defensive whenever someone asked about his life. He was still devoted to his wife, which Yan could appreciate, but at the same time Zihou seemed to be struggling with something and Yan did not know what that was. It worried him. The evening passed quietly. When Yan returned to their room Su was still asleep. He quietly undressed and laid down beside her.
Prince Shuomo's men came to the inn early. After a quick conversation it was decided that Su and Rushuang, both rested, would ride a part of the way. Two short day trips were still needed to reach the capital of Beiron. Xie took care of some last things in the village and then they were ready to go.
The two days passed without any incident and at the end of the second day they entered the capital of Beirong. The men directed the group to the mansion of Prince Shuomo, the friends would stay there for the first two weeks, after which they would stay at the palace. Prince Shuomo and Princess Yunchuan stood at the entrance gate, waiting to greet their guests. Yan quickly dismounted and helped Su down from the carriage. Xie followed suit and quickly the six from Liang stood before the Prince and Princess. They bowed for each other and then Prince Shuomo welcomed them: "Welcome to Beirong, you are most welcome in my house."
"Thank you, Prince Shuomo." Yan replied after which Prince Shuomo invited them to follow him. He showed them the dining hall, the different gardens, pavilions and the rooms they would be staying in. Fei Yuan excused himself to help wit the luggage. Prince Shuomo, Yunchuan, Yan, Su, Xie, Rushuang and Zihou walked to a large pavilion, where a few maid served the tea. During the tour of the mansion Shuomo, Yan and Xie had talked and Yunchuan had chatted with Su and Rushuang. Zihou had brought up the rear. But now seated together the conversation quickly turned to the reason they were in Beirong. "Prince Shuomo, can you tell us about the murder of the trade minister?" Su asked, after everyone had finished their tea. "Of course. It happened four weeks ago. He and my father had a discussion in the morning, after that the minister apparently visited the market, to conduct business. There had been some disputes at the market so he spoke with the supervisor about it. Then he returned home and there he collapsed at dinner. A doctor was called, but during the evening he died."
"What makes you so worried about this case?" Yan asked. Prince Shuomo turned to a servant: "Bring the medal on my desk." The servant nodded and quickly left. "While he was at the market there was an altercation. The trade minister apparently mistook someone's identity. When his body was examined they found a medal in his clothes. A military medal." At that time the servant returned and handed the medal to Prince Shuomo, who passed it on to Yan. Together with Su he took in the medal. It was stamped with his mark. "This was found in his clothes?" Yan asked for verification. Prince Shuomo nodded. "There is no reason for the trade minister to have this." Yan turned the medal and saw the name, his brow rose in surprise and then said: "This person is dead."
"Are you sure?" Prince Shuomo asked.
"Yes, Jiang Xiwu died on the battle ground. His medal was returned to his wife." Rushuang looked up, rose and walked to Yan and took in the medal in Yan's hand. "Sister Song?" Yan solemnly nodded.
"We have to check if she still has her medal." Su said, she looked at Rushuang, knowing Rushuang had kept in contact with Song. Rushuang responded: "No need. She told me the medallion had been missing. When she went to put Xiwens medal with it, it was gone. She reported it to the guards, but it hasn't been found."
"Thank you, Rushuang. What was the cause of death?" Su turned back to Shuomo.
"The physician that was called said he was poisoned. The food that he took was tested, but no poison was found. He didn't eat anything at the market." He said.
"I suppose that the food he had with the Emperor was also tested?" Shuomo affirmed this. Su continued: "Can you arrange for Rushuang and me to view the body?
"I'll contact the county court and see if we can visit tomorrow."
"What is your story going to be? We travelled as the Pei family, as per your request. But won't there be questions?" Yan asked, knowing that it wouldn't be readily accepted if people from another empire came to meddle in internal affairs. In the Liang empire the Emperor always asked him and Su to investigate cases he didn't trust, but in Beirong they had never before investigated a case. Yan wanted to make sure this interference, even though Beirong had asked them to come, wouldn't stir up trouble.
"You'll be friends of ours from out of town. In your own town you've handled difficult cases. We'll say you have an interest in this case. I already arranged some clothes for you and my maid will hep wit the har dressing" Yunchuang interrupted, Zihou smiled at her enthusiasm, remembering the times he'd had to chase her around the city. "Oh and if there is time I'll show you the market as well. It's so much fun, there are so many interesting people there. They tell the most amusing stories about their hometowns." She continued.
"Do they also have herb stalls? I would love to see if there are herbs or plants here that we don't have in Liang." Rushuang asked, getting excited herself. "Oh and maybe some cooking ingredients as well." Fei Yuan said. He and Rushuang had bonded over their love for plants, often they would go out, foraging together and they each had herb gardens. Rushuang at Feiyun Manor and Fei Yuan was the master of the herb garden at the mansion of Prince Qi. Their questions were promptly answered positively by Yunchuan, who continued to tell stories about the market and city. Yan who always loved seeing those closest to him enthusiastic about things they loved, smiled indulgingly. He saw that Prince Shuomo didn't seem worried. Shuomo saw Yan's gaze on him: "A while ago I decided not to worry about my sister visiting the city. My guards follow her when she leaves for the city, she doesn't know this. It 's easier to keep her safe when I know where she is, that way I can alert the guards." Yan laughed, he didn't have a sister in his care, his two sisters where already married, but he did understand. At any time of the day he could know where Su was and he knew there were always guards close by to keep watch over her. He glanced at Su, who was listening to the conversation between Yunchuan and Fei Yuan. He knew she didn't really care much about the wares at the market, generally she only went to the shops or markets when she really needed something. Suddenly he felt Su's hand in his, squeezing it slightly. He raised his eyebrow in question. "I would like to rest a bit before dinner. Can you ask Fei Yuan to get me when it's time for dinner?"
"I'll come with you." He rose and helped Su to stand. Then he excused themselves to the others and together they walked to their room. Once more he could feel Su's tiredness, because she needed a bit more support then usual. And she didn't protest when he gave that, still unasked for, support. In their room Su sat down on the bed and took of her shoes. Then she laid down, not bothering with the covers. Yan came to cover her and then sat down on the bed next to her. Carefully he stroked her cheek and pushed some errant strands behind her ear. "Xiao Su, dear…" Su didn't let him finish: "It's just the traveling. We've been traveling almost non-stop these last two weeks." Gently placing his hand on her mouth, Yan softly said: "I know dear. I've asked my brother to give us some weeks of quiet after we return. Not just for you, for me as well. I need some time to go over the Honggu records. I've written Luo Xin to give you some weeks off." Before Su could verbally protest as he could see she wanted to do, Yan quickly continued: "No, I've said, and you agreed to it, I've said I won't interfere in your job at the Mingjing Office, unless you ask me to or I have the feeling that I need to interfere for your wellbeing. You need to rest when we get back home. I need to know that you are really fine." It was clear to Su that Yan was really worried about her, and if she was honest to herself, she was also worried. She didn't know what was going on and if it really was the travelling that caused her to be so easily tired. Ant it scared her, but as she had done before she tried to disregard it, in the hopes it would soon pass. Yan could see that Su was also worried, but knowing her it wouldn't help to force her to admit this. Su needed to reach that point by herself, she needed to consider the options, the causes, the possible effects, to understand what could be the case. She needed to know a bit more. Not knowing was something that scared her, Yan had seen it before when she had been unsure about what his role had been in the massacre of her tribe. At that time he had seen the insecurity in her eyes, it had given him hope, hope that she could come back to him. Softly sighing and caressing her cheek Yan said: "Promise me that if it doesn't get better when we're home or if it gets worse, that you'll ask Rushuang to do a check on you." Su nodded and then said: "I promise." And that relieved Yan, because he knew Su would keep her word. "Good, now rest, I'll be here." He stayed by her side until he saw she was asleep. He gave her a kiss on her forehead. Then he took a book and sat down on one of the seats in the room and spend the next few hours reading and occasionally watching his sleeping wife.