Jade Fire Gold(108)
Reports are coming in that the desert is slowly retreating to its original confines, that spring buds are appearing in forests despite the season. Captain Yan sent word of a massive storm that swirled near the Dragon’s Triangle, causing green smoke to rise from its waters. All the spirits—those lost souls my great-grandfather tethered to the sword—finally set free.
I have avenged the deaths of my family and regained my birthright. I have wanted all of this for more than half my life. But I’m not sure if it is peace I have found.
I brush the snow dust from my shoulders before leaping down from the roof, unintentionally scaring an attendant out of her wits. It must be strange to see one’s soon-to-be emperor scaling down buildings. Everyone knows what I did that day on the northern wall; it is futile to pretend to be someone I am not. More important, I don’t want the Tiensai to live in the shadows anymore.
The attendant is stunned that I know her name and that I’m retrieving her basket of fruits with my own two hands. She scuttles off after a series of bows and frightened apologies. A warm silvery puff of air blows from my lips. All this formality takes getting used to.
I search for Tai Shun in the Imperial medicinal hall. He has been studying with the royal physicians lately, using his natural inclination for herblore and healing for good. Part of me believes he is trying to atone for what his mother did in the past. I wish Shīfù were still here, he would have loved to nurture Tai Shun’s talent.
“Your Majesty,” stammers one of the physicians when he notices me lurking by the entrance.
Everyone starts to greet me with bows and murmurs. Even Tai Shun. At least no one is prostrating. I jerk my head toward the courtyard. Tai Shun sets his jar down and follows me out.
“You wish to speak with me, Your Majesty?”
“I told you,” I say, exasperated. “There’s no need to speak to me that way and, by gods, stop walking behind me. How are we supposed to have a proper conversation like that?”
He laughs and steps up. “Since we’re dropping all formalities, what do you want, Jin? Make it quick, I’ve better things to do than to amble with you in the blasted cold, it’s bad for my old injury.”
“I didn’t give you permission to be rude,” I retort. I notice his slight limp, and the faded memory of his fall from the roof drives a pang through my chest. “I’m sorry, I’ll be quick, and we can go back into warmth. I didn’t want to talk to you inside with all the guards and attendants.”
Tai Shun laughs amiably. He seems happier now, a burden lifted off his shoulders. Some of that weight has landed on mine. It wasn’t easy, but I found it in myself to forgive him. I wish I could say the same about his mother. I pardoned Zhenxi for her role in the murder of my father, but she will be imprisoned in the dungeons for the rest of her life.
“How are your studies? What strange balm or concoction are you creating in your lab?” I ask, realizing it has been a while since I have spoken to him one-on-one.
“I’ve been studying some texts I found in the library—in the forbidden section you gave me access to,” Tai Shun says. In my attempt to discover the true history of the Tiensai and our people, I have allowed the ancient texts to be examined by scholars. “Did you know that music can have healing powers?”
“I’m not surprised.”
“Yes, but what I’m investigating is whether I can use the principles of Tiensai magic and meld it with the healing aspect of music,” he says excitedly. “My flute, for example. I’m using it to compose new melodies based on—”
“You can tell me more another time,” I cut in before he gets carried away. “There’s something more pressing I want to discuss with you. I was thinking, maybe you shouldn’t abdicate.”
He recoils visibly. “Jin—”
“Forget I asked.”
“Cold feet?”
I shrug.
“I believe in you.” He stops walking, expression downcast. “I have taken much from you; I will not take anymore. Besides, I’m not of royal blood.”
“Nonsense.” I clap him on the back. “You’re my family.”
“And you are my emperor.”
His eyes crinkle, and the smile returns to his face, earnest and sincere. I see the boy who once followed me everywhere when we were children, who looked up to me, who thought the best of me.
I force my shoulders straight. I can’t let him down.
“There you are!” shouts a familiar voice.
“Oh, not now,” I sigh, fingers pressing the bridge of my nose.
Tang Wei waves at us from a distance. The Lotus Sect suffered losses and I owe them a debt. Which in Tang Wei’s mind somehow translates to her having access to a set of rooms in the palace. I wonder how long she intends to stay.
She saunters over, arm tightly linked with Linxi’s. Leiye trails behind them, smirking. He must have told them where to find me.
I eye the three of them sourly. “What do you want?”
“You seem to be in a foul mood on this lovely morning, Your Majesty,” Linxi says. I’m relieved to see that the bruises on her face have faded, and she has no problems walking by herself now. The effects of the torture she went through will not be permanent.
“I was in a perfectly fine mood until someone interrupted my stroll,” I say.