In an instant, Wanyan Xu"s heart leapt to his throat; not even caring to blink, his eyes were fixed upon Su Yi, carefully taking note of his every movement. He saw that Su Yi had lifted his head in amazement; after looking carefully at his visitor, strong emotions, which had been wholly absent for the past few days, showed on his face. Almost as if he did not dare to believe that this was happening, his voice trembled as he said: “Jin… Jin Hua…” Leaving his speech unfinished, he struggled to climb out of the bed and Zi Nong rushed over to a.s.sist him.
Wanyan Xu could finally feel relieved and gave a soft sigh, having seen for himself that Su Yi had not become totally dispa.s.sionate to everyone and everything. A hint of a smile hung around the corners of his lips and he turned to leave. Zi Nan also made an inconspicuous retreat, following behind Wanyan Xu, she said: “Master, you’re not going to stay and hear what they have to say?”
Wanyan Xu said cheerfully: “That won’t be necessary; I just needed to know that his heart is still alive.” Having said that, he smiled tenderly and speaking softly, as if talking to himself, he said: “Su Su, oh, Su Su, I should have known that a man such as you would not let yourself become a walking corpse just because you have suffered a reversal, but I could not help but to worry.” Addressing Zi Nan again, he said: “Let that Xu Jinhua spend a night in the palace, as a pair of old friends that have just been reunited, they probably have a lot to talk about." After remaining silent for a good while, he said: “Aii, Su Su he... he should have someone he can speak his mind to.”
Zi Nan could see that a glimmer of desolation had coloured his expression and rushed to change the subject, saying: “Master, your humble servant did not know before that Young Master"s courtesy name [2] is Ruo Zhi, ha ha, your humble servant feels that this name is extremely pleasant to the ear, what does Your Majesty think?”
Wanyan Xu nodded his head in agreement and smilingly said: “But I still prefer to call him Su Su. Every time I call him that, I will feel as though he is something precious that I have cradled right in the palm of my hand, I... like this type of feeling.”
The two of them continued chatting as they walked, when suddenly a delicate and pretty figure appeared in front. Zi Nan was the first to call out: “Zi Yan.” Having said that, she turned in surprise to Wanyan Xu and said: “Isn"t she supposed to be at the Yu Residence helping General Yu Cang to take care of some matters that relate to the end of the war? What is she doing here?”
Wanyan Xu was equally surprised. They watched as Zi Yan approached, her exceptionally beautiful visage wore a disconsolate expression. Upon reaching them, she knelt down straightaway, not paying formal homage to Wanyan Xu, she only said: “Zi Yan earnestly requests that Master rescinds his order.” Wanyan Xu’s surprise only increased, and he quickly said: “Rise, take your time and speak clearly. Upon arrival you immediately requested that I rescind my order, but it is not clear to me exactly which order has earned your strenuous objection?”
Zi Yan continued kneeling, after giving a kowtow, she raised her head to reveal her solemn mien and said: “It is the matter of raising Su Yi to Empress, Zi Yan beseeches Master to rescind this order."
Wanyan Xu was shocked and made no immediate reply. He stared at Zi Yan for a long time before suddenly speaking in a grim tone: “That will not be possible, you need not speak further on the matter. My decision is final but on the day of the ceremony, you can come and a.s.sist with attending to the various guests and dignitaries if you please, but if you do not wish to attend, you are free to keep to your own residence for the day.” So saying, he turned and left.
Zi Yan did not pursue the matter further, the four women had served Wanyan Xu for many years and she understood his temperament well. Whenever he would say such things with finality and without asking further questions, she would understand that on that particular issue, there was no room for negotiation or change whatsoever. Even if the entire court of officials from both the civil and military branches were to object, it would be of no use, needless to say, a humble servant like herself had no chance of making any impression. She continued kneeling, although Wanyan Xu had already walked past and thus her back was now to him. She muttered: “Ah, Your Majesty, you are already remiss for being willing to brave the criticism of the entire world and openly set up a male Empress, but in addition, this man you have chosen is an unyielding prisoner of war who is still steadfastly loyal to his destroyed country. Zi Yan never expected that you would become besotted with Su Yi to this extent. In the future when the both of you begin sharing a bed, wouldn"t he gain even more influence on you? The lands that we have won through arduous fighting, I"m afraid that within a blink of an eye, Su Yi will be able to wrest them back without needing an army or even expending a single soldier.”
Speaking of Su Yi, upon meeting his old friend, it was impossible for him not to feel a mixture of grief and delight. This Xu Jinhua and he were both appointed as court ministers at the same session of court, and the two of them had a congenial relationship. However, Xu Jinhua was a civil minister; therefore after Su Yi was a.s.signed to defend the border, the two of them had no more opportunities to meet. Now that they have finally met up again, they were naturally excited and happy. However, to meet under these circ.u.mstances was also a cause for lament and they sighed with regret.
Su Yi dithered for a while, but he finally asked: “How have you been after the destruction of our country? Were you also held in prison? I have been worried about you, your natural disposition is honest and upstanding and you would refuse to submit. I was afraid that after Yu Cang captured Dou Yan, you would cause him embarra.s.sment in public and bring upon yourself a fatal calamity. But I did not dare to make enquiries about your fate; that Wanyan Xu specialized in using the lives of my captured soldiers as a bargaining chip to make me comply with his wishes, if he knew of your existence, he would certainly use you as a p.a.w.n as well. Aii!” Having said that, he sighed long and loud.
Xu Jinhua smiled bitterly and said: “You really understand me well, but unfortunately, even before the destruction of our country, I had already been condemned to death and was languishing in prison. I did not have the opportunity to protest Yu Cang’s actions.”
Su Yi was stupefied and said: “Before the destruction of our country... that means it was the Emperor [3], why did he do that, and how did you offend him?”
Xu Jinhua sighed and said: “Can you really not guess the reason? His Majesty wantonly conscripted labourers and consumed many resources to construct the Garden of Merriment, things got so bad that the common people had no way to make a living. Aggravating the problem, he even diverted critical funds meant for the military with not even a single consideration for the consequences of this action. I could bear it no longer, and remonstrated with him. I only managed to say ‘the lands of the border are bitterly cold, if the soldiers are not provided with rations and supplies, General Su cannot be expected to defend against the ferocious attacks of Jin Liao successfully. Your Majesty enjoys the immediate pleasures of the Garden of Merriment, but in building it, the seed of our country"s destruction has been sown.’ The sycophantic villains in court immediately seized upon this opportunity to denounce me, saying that I have slandered the Emperor and cursed the Great Qi to meet her doom. The Emperor also did not like what I have said, and so he charged me with those crimes and sentenced me to death. His original plan was to execute me on the day that construction would be complete on the Garden of Merriment but who could have guessed that that day coincided with Yu Cang"s attack on Dou Yan. His Majesty had more important matters on his mind than my execution, and thus, I escaped with my life.” At the conclusion of his speech, Xu Jinhua could not help but to sigh incessantly. Su Yi kept on staring at him; he was so surprised by Xu Jinhua"s narrative that he was totally stumped.