28. The forbidden shrine
When the Liang party came for breakfast the next morning, they almost didn't recognize Yunchuan and Shuomo. Both were no longer dressed in their usual attire, they had changed into clothes usually worn by craftsmen. "We have to make sure Yunchuan and I aren't recognized where we are going. Your carriage has no marks on it, right?" Yan confirmed Shuomo's guess. "Then we'll take your carriage. The place we're visiting is remote and difficult to reach, we'll take the carriage for the ladies as far as we can, the last part they'll go on horseback."
"Shuomo, do we need to take soldiers?" Yan didn't like what Shuomo was telling them.
"I already asked brother Xie to instruct his soldiers to follow us. I can't take mine." Shuomo responded.
"Don't worry, I told them to follow us." Xie said, this reassured Yan enough. It didn't take the group long to get going. Su and Rushuang tried to get more information from Yunchuan, but she quickly told them she was not completely sure of where they were going. "I didn't recognize the mark, but it has caused my brother to worry a lot. It shocked him to see that mark. That is something that doesn't happen to my brother often." After a few hours they paused so the ladies could stretch their legs and they could have something to drink and eat. "How far is it still?" Su asked Shuomo.
"We have still a few hours to go." And so they quickly finished the meal and resumed the journey. Su noticed that the road was getting rougher, which was slowly turning into a problem as she was getting nauseous. Just as she was about to ask Fei Yuan to stop so she could get out, the carriage came to a stop. Quickly Su stepped out into the fresh air, taking a few deep breaths. "Here." Rushuang handed her a pill and water bottle. Gratefully Su took the medicine. Yan came to help Su down and guided her to a fallen tree where she could sit down. Yunchuan came to sit next to her and looked up at her brother: "Where are you taking us? That road is absolutely horrendous. I'm not pregnant and even I feel nauseous." Shuomo looked at his sister, Su and Rushuang. "I'm sorry, as I said, this place is remote. We'll take a break and after that we'll continue on horseback." Su leaned against Yan, her eyes closed, trying to calm herself, she was thankful to be out of the carriage. "The herbs take some time to be effective. Just sit here, sister Su." Rushuang said, also giving Yunchuan a pill. "Here, you're also pale. I'll have one myself too, that was not a fun carriage ride." It took some time, longer than Shuomo would have liked, before the three ladies declared that they were well enough to continue the journey. From then on Yan made sure to remain next to Su, he saw Xie do the same with Rushuang and to his surprise saw Zihou take the side of Yunchuan. Shuomo led the group. The remainder of the journey was not as long as Yan feared, but the path was difficult to navigate at times. Finally the dense forest opened to a large clearing. In the middle was a massive shrine, several steps leading up to the stone rectangular foundation on which stood a large stone dome. On the corners of the stone foundation where four large pillars, the pillars had each had the mysterious mark they'd found. There were no names anywhere except for the title 'Greatest warrior Empress'. In awe and amazement the group dismounted and walked up to the shrine. "What is this brother?" Yunchuan asked, unsure of what they were seeing. "I've never heard of this place."
"No you haven't. Father showed it to me only once. I've never been here again." Shuomo stared up at the great dome.
"Greatest warrior Empress? … Wait… do they mean Empress Xuan?" Yunchuan turned to her brother, shock clearly visible. Shuomo nodded. "Is this her tomb?"
"No, she is buried in the royal tomb, in the farthest corner."
"Then what is this? And why is it still here if you and father know of it's existence?" Yunchuan inquired, it was clear she was appalled.
"Who is empress Xuan?" Rushuang asked. Before Shuomo answered his sister inquiry he looked at her, then he made eye contact with Yan. As Shuomo and Yan both were Prince Qi, and as such the most likely to take over from the emperor should something happen, they were also most knowledgeable on the secrets of the empire, after the emperor of course. Yan understood from that glance of Shuomo that this was one of those secrets. With a quick nod Yan indicated he understood. "It's a long and sad story." Shuomo started: "A story my father and my family wish to tell as little as possible. Empress Xuan was my grandfathers mother. When her husband, the then emperor died, she managed to hold on to his power and named herself the empress. She was a fierce, forceful and brutal empress. She built the strongest and largest army we have ever known. Her army was feared, not respected, but feared. And yet every family wanted their son in the army, because it gave a sense of security. Empress Xuan extended the empire with a lot of land that her army won. But when a certain amount of land was taken, the clan to which it had belonged was exterminated."
"I don't see how she is more brutal than other emperors, my clan was also exterminated. And that wasn't because someone had taken our lands." Su commented. Taking her in, Shuomo responded: "Your clan was wrongfully suspected to have killed the emperor. Empress Xuan exterminated entire clans because she didn't want them to revolt or rebel or try to take the lands back. On her order so many people lost their life needlessly. She did not want any opposition. Critical court members were assassinated, anyone who would speak against her would be thrown in prison."
"But I heard that, because of her we have female guards and soldiers. Under her rule women were also allowed to become officials." Yunchuan protested. Shaking his head Shuomo elaborated: "Empress Xuan didn't trust the male guards who were supposed to protect her. She insisted on female guards."
"Yes, orphans were recruited, women without prospect." Yunchuan pressed.
"Women without families, who could demand the woman married. Orphans who would be loyal to those that were seemingly kind to them. The Empress was extremely critical of those who made up her royal guard."
"Not different from emperors now." Rushuang said.
"But emperors now don't order those not good enough to be killed." Shuomo responded. "There are certainly things that came from her reign that turned out to be good. As Yunchuan said: women were allowed to become officials at court. Something that they are still able to do. And under her rule education became better. But she was a brutal leader."
"Then why this?" Su asked, indicating the memorial shrine.
"Eventhough Empress Xuan was a brutal and ruthless leader, there were and still are people who revere her, who believe she did what was necessary. A few powerful and rich families built this shrine for her. To show their gratitude to what she has done. This was not built by the government and officially it doesn't exists." Shuomo explained, glancing up at the shrine. Yunchuan came to stand next to her brother, looking up: "Why has the government not taken it down?"
"It has been tried, but the workers were attacked some even lost their lives."
"And this was her mark?" Yan asked, looking at the large marks on the stone pillars. "A mark no one is allowed to carry anymore. Which makes the medallions you found something we have to be careful with. We can't let others know we found them. If those that carry her mark hold the same values, they will not hesitate to kill those opposing their cause." Shuomo solemnly said. Considering all they'd discovered and heard Yan turned to Shuomo: "Could her army be the army mentioned in the Ghost Army legend?"
"No, the legend was already known when she was the empress."
"But they might borrow the story to fit their needs and mask their misdeeds." Su commented, at which Shuomo nodded. Worried Su looked at Yan, who gave her a reassuring nod. Looking up at the sky Xie noted that they should return. "You're right brother Xie. Let's go back, any other questions I can answer in my mansion. I wanted you to see this , so you can better understand the story of Empress Xuan and what she meant and still means to some." The group rode back to the carriage, where they decided to take a short stroll through the forest, before they continued their journey. "I am glad we can stretch our legs a little before we have to get in the carriage again." Rushuang said as they walked through the trees. "I don't mind a carriage ride, but this is not the easiest road." Yunchuan commented, she and Rushuang walked together, behind them Su and Yan walked hand-in-hand. Having heard the comments from Rushuang and Yunchuan Yan looked at Su and pressed her hand. Su turned her head to him. "Are you going to be alright? Or should I ask Shuomo to find an inn. There is no hurry for us to return today."
"I'll be fine, my dear. I'll rest tomorrow, but I do have to agree with Rushuang: this is not the nicest carriage ride…" before she could say anything else Xie stopped and raised his hand. Immediately Yan's hand shot to the hilt of his sword, he saw Xie, Su, Shuomo, Fei Yuan and Rushuang do the same. "Someone is following us." Xie said, looking up and around. That's when Yan saw something dark flash by, he changed his stance to keep Su behind him. A short moment later a large group of warriors, dressed in black, came from the trees. They wasted no time and immediately started the attack. Yan saw the Feiyun warriors come from their hiding place, but even with them they were outnumbered. With a few swift swings of his sword he incapacitated two warriors, then turned to three other soldiers. Xie, Shuomo and Zihou were also fighting multiple soldiers and yet they were still outnumbered. Two of the Feiyun soldiers were taken down, just as Yan considered telling Su to flee Xie shouted: "Rushuang, brother Su, Yunchuan get out of here. We'll meet you at the carriage. You, you and you go with them, keep them safe." He pointed out three of his warriors.
"Xiao Su, go. Fei Yuan stay with Su, no matter what." Yan ordered. Zihou and Shuomo created an opening through which the three ladies and their guards could flee. From the corner of his eye Yan saw two soldiers follow the ladies, he also saw the three soldiers of Su's personal guard follow. They made sure no other soldiers could get them from behind. Yan was thankful he had ordered the personal guard to come as well. That was the last thought he had as he turned his attention back to the fight. It took them longer than Yan had thought to defeat the attacking troupe. Unfortunately almost all soldiers had perished. The soldiers had been very well trained, the last few, when they realized they were going to lose, fled. Zihou and Xie both had a soldier on his knees with their swords at the throat of the soldier. Yan looked at Shuomo indicating he should start with his questions, which Shuomo promptly did: "Why, did you attack us?"
"You're not followers of empress Xuan, you should not have visited this place. We're the ones protecting her legacy." One of the two soldiers said. Yan took in his surroundings, looking up at the trees, seeing if there were more hiding somewhere. "With how many are you?" Shuomo then asked.
"We are with many." The other soldier commented with a smirk. "You're ladies won't be able to outrun them." Anxious to get back to Su Yan exchanged a glance with Shuomo, who nodded. "Brother Xie, let's bind them and transport them. We'll interrogate them in the capital." He said. Several of the Feiyun warriors came forward and bound the two remaining soldiers. The Feiyun warriors then manhandled them to the carriage. Yan and Xie walked on ahead but when they reached the carriage, Rushuang, Su and Yunchuan weren't there. Yan could feel the anxiety in his heart increase, he glanced at Xie and saw the same emotion. Xie ordered his soldiers to put the prisoners in the carriage and keep watch. "The others: we've got to search these woods. You, you and you, go that way. We'll head back to the battle ground and follow where the ladies left us. When you find them get back to the carriage." The men hurried to do as ordered. Yan, Xie, Shuomo and Zihou hurried back to the place where they had fought, and then followed the direction the ladies and Fei Yuan had gone, calling out their names. As they walked on they would occasionally show each other signs that people had walked here, the check they were still heading in the same direction. As time got on the men started to get more anxious, calling out the names of the women, until they reached a place in the forest where there had been a struggle. They found one of the personal guards of Su, wounded, but still alive. A little further to the right was one of the attackers. Zihou went to check the warrior while Yan , Shuomo and Xie gathered around the wounded guard. A quick check showed the guard was badly wounded and would not survive, something the guard seemed aware of. Yan kneeled down next to the guard, who focused on his master. Anxiously Yan asked where Su and the others where. "Your Highness. I don't know. When we got here… we just… turned to get… get… get back to the carriage." He pointed to where Zihou had gone to check the warrior laying there. "But we heard… a girl… we heard a girl scream. The princess consort… she told mrs. Xie and the … and … the princess to go to the carriage." The guard had to stop and cough, his breathing becoming shallower and raspier, Yan recognizing the signs of imminent death forced himself to calm down, to push his anxiety for Su aside. He placed a hand on the shoulder of the guard. "Calm down. It's alright." This seemed to help enough, as the guard once more looked at Yan he calmed down to continue: "The princess consort, she went there…" The guard pointed into the opposite direction to where Rushuang and Yunchuan had gone. "… She… Fei Yuan came with her… there was… a warrior following… the others went after mrs. Xie and… and…"
"I understand. The other guards?"
"Four warriors here…the others fought… four…"
"You followed the princess consort?"
"Yes. I wounded the warrior…before…before…" Piecing together the most likely scenario Yan nodded and said: "I understand. You did well, rest now." With a last effort the guard placed his hand on Yan's forearm and gasping said: "Your Highness… please… please… bring me home."
"I will, don't worry. Rest now." Yan promised, seeing the last of the strength of his guard leave the body, until the guard was still. Yan bowed his head, closed hie eyes for a moment. Then he closed the guards eyes, taking a moment out of respect for this man's life. Then he rose and turned to Shuomo and Xie. "Let's go." He said, already taken a few steps to follow the direction Su had taken. "Brother Pei, wait." Xie called, annoyed Yan turned around. A rather sharp reply Yan could swallow in time when he saw the same anxiety he felt in Xie's eyes. Behind Xie Zihou joined the group: "The warrior is dead, what about the guard?" he asked.
"Also dead, but he told us the group got separated. Rushuang, Princess Yunchuan and several soldiers and guards went that way. Su, Fei Yuan and the guard who just died went this way. They heard a girls scream." Yan quickly brought Zihou up to speed. Xie spoke next: "Let's split up. I'll go after Rushuang and Yunchuan. You go and find brother Su."
"I'll join you." Zihou said stepping to Xie, who nodded. Shuomo seemed to hesitate for a moment, taking in Xie and Zihou, then he said: "I'll join brother Pei."
"When we find the girls meet up at the carriage." Xie said, looking up at the sky, noting the sun was already setting. He didn't have to comment on it as Yan hurriedly said: "Alright, let's go." He and Shuomo set off in the direction Su and Fei Yuan had taken. Likewise Xie and Zihou hurried to follow Rushuang and Yunchuan. They followed the route the girls had taken and found the bodies of the three remaining attackers. "That would mean they've been able to stay alive, or we would have seen their bodies." Zihou commented when they closed the eyes of the fourth attacker that had been after Rushuang and Yunchuan. "We're near the carriage, let's hope they are there waiting for us." They walked on a short distance, when one of the Feiyun soldiers dropped down in front of them. With a finger on his lips he signaled the two men to keep quiet and motioned for them to follow him. He guided them to a part of the forest, near the path they had ridden, which was quite dense. Behind a large bush and tree they found Rushuang and Yunchuan, unharmed, with the remaining guards and Feiyun warriors.
"Rushuang." Xie whispered, taking her in his arms, hugging her close. "My dear, I've been so worried." Rushuang whispered, getting as close as she could to Xie.
"Yunchuan, are you alright?" Zihou came to sit across from Yunchuan, taking in her face, quickly scanning for wounds.
"I'm alright. The soldiers have done a very good job of keeping us sage. But we go separated from Sister Su and Fei Yuan." Zihou could see the worry in Yunchuan's eyes. He nodded and said: "We know. Pei and your brother are trying to find them." Zihou turned to the soldier who had brought them to this place: "Why are you here, why the need for silence?"
"We found mrs. Xie and the princess in the same place where I came upon you and mr. Xie. We turned to got o the carriage as ordered. However we heard the horses make quite some noise. So two of us went to check what was going on. They said more soldiers had come and fought the last soldiers, who have died. After that fight they enemy took the carriage and horses. So we decided to stay here in hiding for now, until one of you came to meet us." The soldier explained. Xie who had also listened said: "Are those warriors still out there?"
"We've been watching the area, they appear not to have returned yet." Zihou shook his head: "We've got to move. The group that attacked us are all dead, except for those two that had been captured by us." The soldier interrupted him: "Our men who stood guard at the carriage killed them before they could be rescued." Zihou inclined his head: "That is good, that should buy us some time, but it is clear that a much larger group is guarding this area. They will come and try to find us." Xie nodded and added: "We've got to stay together now. Tow take up the rear and give a warning signal when someone's following us. We're going to follow brother Pei and Shuomo. We're not far from where we separated, they won't have much of a head start."