75. The celebration feast

The feast was held in the border town, where the army of Prince Qi was still stationed, as well as the Beirongian army. On the flats outside the gates, many fires were built, a large dais and many tables and benches were placed. A day before the feast the roasting of animals started in preparation and fireworks were being prepared. The royal parties also arrived from the General's mansion and prepared for the feast. At the start of the feast the emperors spoke and gave their thanks to their respective warriors. The imperial families and close friends took their seats on the dais and with fireworks started a grand feast never before seen in this small unimportant border town. Dance and music commenced as everyone started to eat. After the dinner the feast continued and many became inebriated.

On the dais Shuomo introduced the Luan brothers to Yan and his friends. Luan Chen thanked Su profusely for the information on the Bai Liang brocade he had sent her. "Without that information we would have never been able to find the truth of our fathers murder and our mothers betrayal."

"At my request the Luan brothers become actively involved with the Ghost Army. Without their information we wouldn't have been able to defeat them in one swoop. They detailed the names of many soldiers and families." Shuomo explained and then he turned to Chen: "Tell me, do you know why your mother wanted to move now? We have many clues that the Ghost Army actually wasn't ready to move now." Chen nodded: "I asked her, because I also saw not all was complete and she told me the following: Princess Yunchuan is in communication with a Liang imperial officer. If she were to be able to marry the Liang filth the emperor and court wouldn't move against Liang. I saw her letters, I even had to encourage her so she wouldn't suspect me"

"So it was me writing Zihou that forced her hand?" Yunchuan asked, at which Chen nodded.

"Well that solves that mystery. And you thought nothing exciting ever happened to you." Zihou teased Yunchuan. After the laughter had died down, Xunan turned to Chen: "Did you recognise me, when the soldiers brought me and not Xin?"

"I did, you tried to hide, I was worried someone else would notice or that my mother would see you first. So I pulled a sack over your head. But I did wonder why you were there in the first place, because I had always thought Shuomo had an interest in you and here you were announced to me as the future empress of Liang. In fact my mother wouldn't have minded you being the empress of Liang. She once told my brother and me that you were unworthy of the empresses crown of Beirong. She tried to dissuade your parents from sanctioning the match. My mother is a very distant relative of the disgraced empress and was of the opinion that we, as her descendants, should retake the throne and retake the lands. But me and my brother only learned this after we became members of the Ghost Army. Before that she had never given any sign of her alignments. I'm sorry we couldn't warn you earlier, but she covered her track very well." Chen said as he had turned back to his childhood friend.

"You don't have to apologise. I'm grateful you remained loyal to Beirong and helped us unmask her." Shuomo replied and then inviting his old friends to drink with him.

Then a new dance was announced and everyone turned their attention to the stage as several maidens danced. Su noticed Yan's disinterest in it and whispered: "I see they can't capture your eye. Perhaps you'll be more interested if I give you a private dance."

"I would be captivated my dear. Shall you be wearing my favourite red and blue dancing dress."

"I might have asked Fei Yuan to pack it with the rest of the clothes that have been sent here. You'll have to wait until we've returned to the General's mansion."

"We'll leave early in the morning." Yan commented as he drew Su closer to his side and possessively laid his arm around her waist. Su marveled at Yan's reaction, even after she had given birth his interest in her hadn't lessened and he remained as devoted to her as ever.

True to his word Yan left early next day with Su. The other guests of the General had elected to stay behind for another day. The Beirongian family would leave for Beirong later in the day, Zihou would accompany them to arrange his marriage to Yunchuan. Luo Xin would leave for the magistrate court and then back to the capital. Bei Ximing and Rushuang stayed behind to settle some business of Feiyun manor and Xin and Yi would remain in town a few more days to arrange some matters with the mine. But Yi did ask his brother and Su to meet with him when he returned to the General's mansion.

And so Yan and Su were the only one returning to the mansion for now. When they arrived Yan arranged for the maids to care for Mei Ling, ordered Fei Yuan to prepare dinner and ordered everyone that he and Su should not be disturbed for any reason. Su took care of her apparel and with extra care arranged her hair with the pins and style she knew Yan loved the most. And so that night Yan and Su dined alone undisturbed and Su danced for her loved one as she had done before. At the end of which Yan twirled her into his arms and placed her on his lap to kiss her and then carry her to his bed in a private victory celebration for two.