Poison

It was strange how he took a sense of comfort from her words. She was clearly a thoughtful sort, able to see things that he could not. It was a useful trait, he thought. “I had never quite considered that,” he admitted. “Though I suppose that is true, everyone on a battlefield knows they may be killed. It is a more honourable sort of killing, in a way. If there is such a thing.” In Jingyan’s opinion, there was, but he was the first to admit the likelihood of being wrong. “I can only hope that when our children look back at all that we have done, they will think the same of the paths we chose.” Had he made the right choice? Had coming here been more of a mistake than they realised? Time was only thing that would truly tell.

“i believe China is relatively protected by distance. To reach us, the Holy Roman Empire would have to cross through too much enemy territory.” Russia, Hindustan, The Ottoman Empire… all lay on the path to China, and it would not be easy for the Holy Roman Empire to march on them - if it was even feasible to make such a journey at all. “But we are exercising caution. I plan to meet with the generals of Russia and China to formulate a proper plan.” Whatever the Tsar wanted to do with Poland, Jignyan didn’t care. However, for men like him, there was only one option. “Annexation.” He shook his head a little, a half-smile forming on his lips. “In all honesty, I am not certain I want to get a hold of politics. I decided a long time ago that was not the type of man I wanted to be.” And yet here he was, playing games he had no business playing regardless. Thoughts one more turned to his brother, the fifth prince cocked his head in thought. “Does Yu realise what his mother is doing? Is he blind, or simply happy to allow her her way?”

Wars were honourable - dying in them even more so. There was no poisoning, no backstabbing, no razor sharp smiles hidden behind painted lips. Wars were honest in the most profound and basic of ways - one knew that the person in front of them could - and would - kill them; and they knew it was not personal, it was not murder. Two strangers, fighting for a singular goal, but on opposing sides - it was almost poetic. Humming lightly in agreement, the crown princess nodded at the general’s words. “If our children are raised properly, they might even learn from our paths - though, our paths are not for them to walk on; they will make their own choices and mistakes, and in the end, it will be what is right for them.”

Xuanji listened, softly nodding as the general spoke. “Yes, the distance does benefit us, at least in this matter.” It did not benefit them when it came to trade - the distance was a problem when it came to establishing new trade routes and connections, but she had been working hard to make the most of it. “That is smart. It is best to not reveal all of our cards immediately, and to strive to keep our own borders safe. If we wage war against Poland and move our armies to help Russia, we are allowing those Tumed dogs to sniff too close to our borders - I am not keen on being vulnerable to them.” She added with a soft sigh, but his following words made her chuckle quietly. “You might be the smartest of us all, general. Politics tend to overexert and, unfortunately, corrupt a person’s mind and ambition. But, sometimes, politics are necessary.” The question was expected, and Xuanji pursed her lips as she thought about her husband. “Both and neither. Yang is crafty. She keeps him blind to her faults and to all the important things and, whenever I tell him the truth and full extent of her deceit, she quickly turns it against me. He is blinded by his affections for her; he trust me, but he trusts her more. I would quite like to put an end to it.” Yu was not a fool, but he was so easily manipulated by his mother. It enraged her.

It surprised Jingyan how comfortable he was discussing such philosophical topics with her. He was firm in his beliefs, but it was rarely something he spoke of with others. It was private and personal, but he did not mind sharing it with Xuanji. “Somehow I wonder how my conscience can be so clear,” he confessed to her. “I have led men to battle. I have killed and asked others to kill. An yet I do not doubt that I did what was right for China. Funny, isn’t it?” He looked to her for a reaction, but said nothing else on the matter. He had been fighting since he was sixteen. He could not imagine life any other way. “Choice can be dangerous, but there is power in it. Liberation, too. We must trust that even the wrong choice will aid us on the path to enlightenment, and help us to grow and improve.” 

“He claimed that strengthening our bonds was one of his goals,” he confirmed with a nod of his head. “Though I am not certain how true that is. I am not so well-versed in politics, now am I interested in being so.” He spoke the truth aloud, perhaps for the first time. “But I like to think I have good instincts about people. I do not think he would betray us if we were to help him, and so I made a promise. Poland for Mongolia. In the name of the Crown Prince and you.” He bowed his head in acknowledgement of her. He was glad that she did not strike his plan down, for it was the only one he had. “Either way, I have no interest in going against my brother, or the dowager empress. I need only an opportunity to prove that. I do not wish to drive a wedge between mother and son, but neither will I shy away from it if necessary.” He knew that he would not be content without his mother’s guidance in his life, but it was not the same thing. He had proven himself on his own merit, too. “I appreciate your support in that matter,” he was glad that she was somebody she could trust with this. She was his best chance of securing their freedom, but it was still a relief to know that he was not alone in his attempts. “They never should have been confined.” 

The princess pursed her lips in thought at the general’s words. It was a large misconception that only evil men and unscrupulous men felt no remorse, or had a clear conscience after returning from battle - she was not of such thought. “Battlefields have nothing to do with conscience, not really. In battle, one must kill and order to kill, because if they do not, then they will be the ones getting killed. It is all about preserving one’s life. Murder is another thing, entirely, as it is usually borne out of selfish reasons, and so it should weigh down a person’s conscience - wars are made for a, supposedly and with a right purpose for it, higher good, a general benefit.” She replied, but at the following words she nodded. “Of course. Even the wrong path can be right - for us, for that moment. Every choice, no matter how atrocious, or how good, or selfish, is right for us in the moment we make the decision.”

Xuanji listened as Jingyan explained the plan to her, lips pursed as she pondered the deal. Poland for Mongolia. It seemed reasonable enough. “Poland appears weak enough, but the Holy Roman empire is right behind them. We should tread carefully, or there might be an open war upon us, sooner than we are ready for.” She hummed as she spoke, eyes narrowing as the plans formed in her mind. “The situation with a newly discovered princess certainly bodes well with us. What does the Tzar plan? Have someone loyal to him in charge of Poland, or annexing it completely to the tzardom of Russia?” She questioned, dark gaze fixing upon the general. “I am sure you will get a hold of politics soon. It is a lot like the battlefield, but all the killing happens behind the curtains.” She added the latter with a chuckle. When it came to driving a wedge between a mother and a son, Xuanji had no problem in doing it - so long as the mother was the Empress Yang. Her husband could be so much more, if only that... power hungry hag did not have her claws deep into Yu’s flesh. “I am also not the one to cause a rift between mother and son, but the way she deliberately chokes his spirit makes me deeply resentful of her.” The princess found herself more honest than she had intended to be, but in that moment she did not find the will to care about it. “No, they should not. I am sure Yu would not oppose to have them liberated, but the empress keeps vetoing it, each new excuse more idiotic than the last.”

He understood well what she meant. He had been raised with the teachings of Buddhism and Taoism, and a part of his belief was the notion that nothing was fixed. People were mutable, and the path to enlightenment was only achieved through allowing your experiences to shape you, to change you and make you better. “I am glad that you are happy,” he spoke softly, genuinely. “As long as we are happy with who we are, and certain we are doing all we can to put good into the world, then that is how we know we have chosen the best path in life.” That was what the military life gave him - a contentment that he was doing all he could for China. Politics would not provide him with that sense of fulfilment, but for Xuanji, perhaps it was the opposite way around. It was because of people like her that he was free to do what it was he did best. “We are what we choose to be, regardless of where we find ourselves.” He was finding this talk particularly thought-provoking, but not in a bad way. It was certainly an interesting endeavour, getting to know her a little better.

He raised one shoulder in a half-a-shrug. “I hear rumours she poisoned my father.” It was the first time he had spoken the words aloud. The emperor’s death had left him grief-stricken, and it was rare he felt the inclination to speak of him, nor the circumstances around his passing.. “I do not think that is so, however, but neither do I think her dedication to China is entirely altruistic. If it were, the people would not be so discontented.” They would not be turning to Jingyan for an alternative. “Ah,” he lifted a hand to scratch his throat, regarding her with discerning eyes. “I believe I will be able to make trusting me a necessity, rather than a choice.” HE paused for a moment, following her lead to ensure that there were no eavesdroppers lurking in the corridor. “I have spoken to the Russia tsar, and he is keen to work with China to strengthen our bond. He has asked for help expanding territories in Europe, and in return he will help us annexe Mongolia.” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall. It was harder to continue this conversation whilst they walked. “Though perhaps you are right. If I claim Mongolia in your husband’s name, and deliver it to him, rather than his mother, maybe we will have more luck in separating the two. The only thing I want is the safety and freedoms of my own mother, and my sister too.”

She hummed in reply, softly nodding at the general’s words. It was comforting to learn that their minds worked in a similar way - to find that sort of connection with someone, perhaps even a friendship in future, was a very comforting thought indeed. “To have a clear conscience is the most powerful thing in the world and it is... unfortunate how many people fail to live by their own rules, their own souls and purpose they have chosen for themselves. If more us had such a conscience, then perhaps the world itself would have been a much better place to live in. I cannot speak for the Europeans; they battle among themselves in the name of one religion conquering another, but if our people abide by their own rules then perhaps we would not be facing such trying times.” She replied, lips pursed in thought as she pondered the latter. “Indeed. Yet, the choice itself can be a dangerous thing sometimes. How do we choose what is best for us, what goes in accordance to our true selves and our souls?” It was more of a thought, rather than an actual question directed to the general.

The princess had heard the rumours about it herself, but she did not know for certainty if they were true. Honestly speaking, she would not be surprised to learn that the empress poisoned her husband in order to seize power for herself ( the greed and lust for power that others felt had long ceased to surprise her ). Humming in agreement, Xuanji nodded once more. Indeed, if she were that altruistic and working for the general betterment of China, rather than herself, the people would have been much more amicable and content with her rule. The general kept speaking and the crown princess could really imagine how he could achieve that. The Empress was... paranoid, in a way all monarchs clinging to power were, and perhaps his feat to make her trust him would be achieved much easier than she had originally thought. His following words, however, piqued her interest again, and her eyebrow rose in question. “Oh? The tsar strikes me as a wise political. Perhaps it would benefit us to strengthen our bonds with Russia.” Xuanji approved with another nod, and then her lips curved in a smile. “Now that is most wise of you. If you, as both his brother and his trusted general delivered Mongolia to him, the Empress would certainly lose her footing with him, and it might... sober him up, make him lose his trust in her and shift it to us, instead.” Indeed, that was the most alluring idea so far - and quite achievable, if they play their hands right. She heard the quiet request in his voice, and nodded again. “It has long been my intention to grant them both freedom. I admit I feel rather protective of your little sister and the Empress’ treatment of both of them deeply annoys me.”

“It does not surprise me,” he spoke honestly. It was not the place for a woman, so he could understand why those dreams had never come to pass, but he could not fault her for having them, and neither did they shock him. If there was ever a woman who could get on in the Chinese army, it would be Xuanji. He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. “Do you think you would prefer that life to the one you have now?” he asked, gently, curiously. She was under no obligation to answer him. In fact, he did not expect her to. Perhaps she would think he overstepped the line between them, even if that had not been his intentions. “I suppose the next Empress is far preferable of a life for a daughter than one on the battlefield. It is not an easy road,” he reasoned, trying to see things from her father’s standpoint. He wondered, should he have daughters of his own, if he would allow them to follow in his footsteps, or if he would demand a safer path. Somehow, he thought it was the latter. “I think that makes it more important for those with honour to ensure we do not fall to greed. I will not allow myself to be eclipsed.” There was no desire for power in Jingyan’s heart, only an earnest love of China. He would not see greed take him over.

The thoughts of the Tumeds brought an anger out in Jingyan that was rarely seen by his family. He had learned to compartmentalise Jingyan the general, for if he allowed that part of him to rear its head, he was unsure how his loved ones would take it. He would never speak with them of the horrors he had seen and been through on the fields of battle, nor the acts he had committed in the name of China. When he closed his eyes, it rained blood, but that was his burden alone to bear. Instead, he latched on to talk of the empress, letting out a throaty, if exasperated, chuckle. “I do have an idea on how to deal with the empress, though I am uncertain if it is a good one.” He glanced down the corridor ensuring nobody was around, before dropping his voice low enough so that even if somebody did stumble across them, only she would hear. “I do not think one could deny her dedication to China - but she remains dedicated to herself first and foremost. I intend to have her think I am loyal to her. I need her to trust me, and once I have her ear, I would not mind proposing your thoughts to her as my own.” It was all too sneaky for him. It was simply not in his nature. But when dealing with the white viper, one must play her games in order to succeed. “It may be more prudent to bypass my brother entirely if our every word will be discarded out of spite.”

The general’s question left her silent for a moment, with a thoughtful purse of her lips and an equally thoughtful frown. After she had abandoned such dreams, she had never stopped to think if she would have been happier as a soldier, or a general. She was affectionate with her husband, perhaps she even loved him, if she would find the courage to delve deeper in her own feelings. “Once I stopped harbouring the dreams of it, I never stopped to think of it, especially not after I married the prince. If I was in the army, perhaps I would have been happier - but, I would have also been much different from who I am right now; I would have been another person. In the current situation I am happy.” She responded after a while, briefly struggling with conveying the message, the general idea; if she had been made a general or a soldier, that Xuanji would have been a lot different from this Xuanji, who had dealt with politics, a husband, an entire court and who practiced medicine. She listened to him continuing to speak of the lives of empresses and generals, and she had found herself slowly nodding in both agreement and understanding. She did not doubt that a soldier’s life was difficult. At the latter, she turned to cast a soft glance in the general’s direction; pleased to hear that greed was not high on his list of priorities. “You are master of your own heart, general. You are the only one who has any sway on it, and on your own character.”

Xuanji’s eyebrow arched in light surprise as Jingyan spoke of the empress Yang, her own dark gaze suddenly sparking up with interest. Well, she did not expect this; perhaps he could truly become an ally to her. Interesting. His idea, nay, his plot was interesting. Dark gaze glided over the corridor, and finding nothing amiss, the crown princess agreed. “Hm, she is dedicated to China so long as the interests of China align with her own interests.” She said in a quiet tone, only half an octave higher from a whisper. Xuanji pursed her lips in thought, eyes briefly narrowing at the concentration. “That is a good idea, though I believe it will require much work. The empress does not trust many people and something tells me she will not be too eager to put her trust in a prince whom others want to rule instead of her son. I believe she might attempt to undermine you even more.” Her suspicions were carefully voiced, but if Jingyan was true to his words and had no eye on the throne, then she would be sure to keep the general protected, if she could. “It may be more prudent to bypass him with ideas and going straight to the empress, but... I think if you make an effort to truly connect with him, it would prove to the empress that you mean no harm and that she can trust you. It also may help to manipulate her into trusting you much sooner. And, I do not doubt Yu would appreciate bonding more with you.”

Her confirmation that they did indeed share a common goal brought a smile to his lips. This, more than anything else, proved that there was hope, that there was potential to build trust between them. He needed that, for it was the surest way to protect his family from the machinations of those who feared him and his mother. He had long since given up hope of showing his trustworthiness to the empress, but Xuanji would be empress one day. It was she who would guide the future, for he harboured no illusions that the Crown Prince would think for himself. Perhaps, for China, they could come to an agreement between the two, and she could help him free his family from captivity. “It is a shame that you cannot join us. I think you would make rather a good soldier,” he said, the corner of his mouth quirking upwards. “Perhaps if you knew what it was to be amongst us, you would more readily believe in honour.” There was no room for suspicion when they needed to act as one, and not trusting your brothers-in-arms could be the difference between life and death.

“I think we must prepare for that possibility. If they do not eject the Tumeds from their lands, we must assume they are the enemy,” it disheartened him to say so, and this was part of the reason he despised politics so. It was far easier when the enemy was your enemy, and it was plain to see, easy to cut them down. In situations like this, it was murkier. Hindustan and China were allies, had stood beside each other, but now they provided hospitality to China’s greatest threat (outside of the troubles of the Li dynasty, at least), and that was not a slight Jingyan thought could be easily forgiven. “I suppose that the empress has put a stop to your attempts, no?” he spoke gently, though his frustration was evident. “I cannot help but think if my brother and I could speak to each other, man-to-man, with no interference, we would resolve this whole ugly matter far quicker. Do you not agree?” This was, perhaps, another common goal, though not one so easily discussed in such a public setting. “I am, of course, at your service. It will be a good opportunity to get to know each other a little, would it not?”

Her own mouth quirked upwards at the general’s words, a soft snort escaping through her nose. To be quite frank, she had thought about it once, very long ago - it was the time when she had spitefully picked up a sword, and found herself liking the weight of it in her hands. She had found the art of battle to be most captivating and intriguing, but there was no place for a woman on the battlefield ( thought, she had contemplated it as well. wondered about what it would have been like if she could have joined the army, if she could have been a martial artist and a battle strategist - but, those dreams were not fit for a woman to have, so she had given them up ). “This might surprise you, but I had once thought about it - the possibility of joining an army. Though, my father had had a fit when I told him that - nearly choked on his dinner.” She offered with a petite chuckle. “I am quite adept with a sword, if I do say so myself.” But, when he mentioned honour, she shook her head. “No, no. It is not that I do not believe in honour, far from it. There are still honourable people - but, they are often eclipsed by the greedy ones.”

The Tumeds were thorns in their side - poisonous thorns; and Hindustan providing them with shelter and a diplomatic immunity meant that they might soon turn against China. It was a dreadful thing to think about, but it was necessary to entertain all possibilities. There was kindness and there was stupidity and veiled threats - she would not be surprised to learn that Hindustan fell into the latter category. “Yes, you suppose well.” The princess retorted with a heavy sigh, but at his words she lightly chuckled. “Oh, he is always reasonable when he is in one on one interactions. But, it is difficult to keep him away from his mother. I do not doubt that after your conversation he would run to her for an advice or opinion.” Xuanji spoke, and there was a hint of bitterness in her voice. “But, if you wish to speak to him, please, do not be discouraged by my words. Perhaps he is different when speaking with his blood family rather than with his wife.” At the opportunity to get to know the general, the princess offered him a soft nod. It would certainly be smart to keep him close - to see if the opposition started with him, though today’s interaction made her doubt it. If she could learn to trust him, that would certainly be a great benefit. “Indeed. I would rather like to know you a bit better.”

if there was something that piqued louis interest rather easily, then it was certainly the prospect of being able to put faces to the names of the highborn people who had willingly allied with france against the holy roman empire. not too long ago, the french court had been honored with a collection of chinese poems and books by the crown princess in an effort to strengthen ties to their french allies; likewise, louis’ brother insisted on returning the gesture in kind and sent a collection of french plays and compositions.

where louis himself had seen the gesture as redundant — france and china were allies to begin with so there was no particular need to gain their favour — king francis ii had insisted on making a statement that would embolden their other allies and further provoke the pope.

regardless of what the youngest of the three valois brothers thought, he had been pleased to find his brother, the king, willing to pass him a few books of the collection for his personal library. and with that newly attained knowledge came the vague interest in the person who had selected these works to be sent to another country in the first place.

“your royal highness.” the stiffness of his words was accompanied by a polite nod of his head, following the western etiquette of addressing one of blue blood.

the man fleetingly couldn’t help but wonder whether or not the chinese court followed similar traditions or if they had an entirely different system set in place but chose to conceal his thoughts with a tilt of his head. “i apologize for my unexpected visit, but i wanted to personally thank you for the books and poems you so kindly gifted us on behalf of king francis ii. he sends his warmest regards and hopes our gifts were of equal value to you.”

it was certainly a clever way to spread their beliefs, he thought.