73. Xunan's story

While Shuomo guided his mother to a seat, the others scattered to find suitable places to sit or stand. "Son, I'm only a little shaken from these revelations, but I'll manage. Go and help Xunan." Shuomo nodded and then quickly went to Xunan, whom was paler then he had ever seen her. When he placed his hand around her shoulder he could feel her tremble. Without hesitation he bend and picked her up. In four large steps he had reached his bed and gently placed her on it. Softly he brushed some dirt of her cheek. Without taking his eyes off her he asked one of his soldiers to find the medic. Yunchuan took a water basin and placed it next to the bed. "Here let me help you clean your face and hands, sister Xunan." Xunan nodded and tiredly leaned her head against the headboard behind her. Shuomo remained seated next to her and took the wet cloth from Yunchuan to clean Xunan himself.

The other kept a respectful distance. "We shall leave you. I'll return tomorrow and we'll discuss what needs to be done next." Yan said and after Shuomo's nod the ones from Liang left. Yunchuan stood in the opening of the tent where Fu Zihou also remained, her mother said: "If you want to go with them, then go. The elders of Fu Zihou and your father and I have already made the first contact. I dare say that a marriage between you two will be arranged swiftly." Elated Yunchuan ran to her mother to thank her. While she held the hands of her beloved daughter, the empress turned her attention to her eldest son: "And it is high time your marriage is arranged as well. All this secrecy will result in misunderstandings sooner or later. Take care of my daughter-in-law. I'll retreat to my own tent, which should be erected by now." And with a final call for a maid and guards to escort her, the empress of Beirong left her children to the partners they'd chosen.

Even though his attention had been on Xunan throughout Shuomo had heard everything his mother had said. He saw Xunan had also heard all though her eyes had been closed, her smile betrayed her. With a final gentle swipe over her cheek Shuomo declared her clean again. And a moment later the medic was announced. Reluctantly Shuomo rose from the bed to let the medic make a proper assessment of Xunan. To Shuomo this assessment took a long time and with every passing moment he grew more and more anxious. But finally the medic rose and declared that no great harms had been done and Xunan only needed good nourishment and a good rest. Orders were given for a light meal to be delivered and then the medic and remaining guards left the tent of their general and prince. Shuomo retook his seat on Xunan's side and took her hand in his. "Rest my darling. I'll wake you wen the meal is delivered." As it was now really late or rather very early, it took longer for a meal to be delivered, so Xunan did mange to get some good rest. Again Shuomo took it upon himself to care for Xunan and dismissed the maid that had carried the meal inside.

While he slowly fed Xunan Shuomo asked her: "Do you still stand with your answer to my question years ago, to share your life with me?" Xunan smiled reminiscing on that beautiful day years back, when Shuomo had taken her to that spot in the forest where he had built a house for her with a garden, her poison garden, and where he had told her he wished to share his life with her. Then she had said she wished to do the same. But she had had so many doubts: she wasn't of royal birth, her family wasn't wealthy and held no place in court, she had been prepared to have to give him up. But she still followed her heart and Shuomo had assured her that he would take care of all her doubts. Then came the wars and the suggestion of marriage to foreign princesses and princes to strengthen bonds between nations. And Xunan had waited everyday to hear that Prince Shuomo would be married to an unknown Princess. Even the knowledge that her father and Shuomo's parents looked at a marriage between them with a kind eye couldn't give Xunan the security she needed. And she bore these insecurities and her love for Shuomo in silence, never complaining. Her love for him never diminishing only growing. So now she said that she still wished to share her life with him. His smile was beautiful and full of love as he hurriedly placed the meal to the side to be able to hug the love of his life.

"Now tell me how it was you, who was captured by madam Luan instead of miss Tong?" Xunan first told the story of the abduction of Su, Yunchuan, Rushuang and herself an how they were rescued by Yan in the cave. How they had heard of the abduction of Xin and how they followed them in to the cave when they had found the secret tunnel. "Rushuang had given us sleeping powder to incapacitate the guards and when we came through the secret passage we put them to sleep. A little while later the others came through the opening of the cave, they'd also put some guards to sleep. We could have taken miss Tong, but Su and Luo Xing were worried this would pose a danger to Prince Qi's plans. The emperor of Liang was adamant we should take miss Tong, he was very anxious for her wellbeing. That's when I suggested I trade places with miss Tong. We are of the same height and with the same hair dress, clothing and some extra dirt on my face the guards would be fooled. Most don't know me anyway. It all went well, the guards were roused by another powder from Rushuang. They were all embarrassed at having fallen asleep and they hurried me along. Then at a clearing close to the encampment we were greeted by Luan Chen and that's when I feared I would be found out. I kept my face down, but he took a long time staring at me. Finally he placed a bag over me and said the guards had been careless, a prisoner should not be allowed to see where there being taken. So the last hours I was taken blind folded until someone shoved me in a cell and closed the door. My hands were still bound so I couldn't take the blindfold off. The first I heard after that were the Pei brothers."

"I should punish you for your recklessness. You need to keep yourself safe. I wouldn't know how to live without you. Think for me… But I'm also glad we've been able to trap madam Luan and hold her accountable with your help. You've been very courageous." Shuomo once more took her in his arms and mumbled in her hair: "I'll protect you for the rest of your life."

"I wasn't the only courageous lady. You've got interesting friends in Liang. I'm sure there is a fascinating story with the Princes Consort Qi. She hasn't told me, but she seems an interesting lady. Especially since I've met her before in Beirong."

"She posed as a man and was thrown in prison. She survived because she solved the mystery of Yunchuan's poisoning and almost murder. Prince Qi loves her dearly."

"I've seen it. But he also values and trusts her completely." Shuomo nodded and then said: "These are things that can wait for tomorrow. You need to rest now." Xunan pleaded for Shuomo to stay with her, he willingly ascended and laid down next to her, gathering her in his arms before the both fell asleep.