Chang'an Imperial Estate - April 18th, 1940, Night
Song Zhongwei approached the residence of the two officers, his footsteps creating a distinct rhythm in the silence that had settled over the rural estate. The night air carried sounds with unusual clarity, every crunch of gravel, every rustle of fabric seemed amplified by the stillness. Before Song could even knock, the sliding door opened to reveal a confident Wolfgang, eager to begin their nocturnal investigation.
Song was pleasantly surprised to see the Hanseatic officer so ready. Wolfgang had always been impulsive, but his determination when he set his heart on something made him formidable. Blonde and green-eyed, he represented the newer Hanseatic bloodline of Ravara, nobles of the Duchy of Ostalia, and he was the heir no less. Like Kylian, he wore his hair in a mid-fade, though his was shorter and his more youthful demeanor made him endearing rather than imposing.
"You're here to collect us, Captain Song?" Wolfgang said, leaning casually against the doorframe after opening the sliding door.
"Yes, of course, Captain von Witzland. Come, let us go. Her Royal Highness is waiting," Song replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes—there was tension there, awareness of the risks they were taking.
Kylian soon joined them, pulling on his coat as he emerged from the room. The listening device was secure in his pocket, he was taking it back to Hansa for analysis. As the three descended the steps into the courtyard, moonlight casting their shadows long across the stones, Kylian voiced the question that had been troubling him.
"Her Royal Highness is truly comfortable with us two foreigners joining her private retreat?" His tone carried genuine curiosity mixed with concern.
"Yes, of course. I would not be here if she hadn't agreed," Song assured him.
"Huh? What excuse did you give her, Captain Song? I'm genuinely intrigued," Wolfgang said, smiling and glancing over at him as if to say spill it.
Song Zhongwei released a heavy sigh. "I did not give any excuse, Captain von Witzland. I simply asked if you two could accompany us, and she agreed without hesitation."
Silence fell over the three men for a moment. The rustling of tree leaves in the estate's gardens became suddenly noticeable in the quiet. Both Kylian and Wolfgang let out a simultaneous "Oh" of surprise.
It seemed the Princess had observed enough proper etiquette from them to grant this unusual permission. Kylian glanced down at his hand, and the burning sensation returned suddenly to the exact spot where their hands had touched during the tea ceremony. The memory was as vivid as if it had happened moments ago rather than hours.
As they followed Song deeper into the estate, they walked past many residences—some dark and silent, others showing faint lamplight through paper screens. Eventually they reached the edge of the residential area where Princess Changning waited for them.
She sat on a smooth rock at the stream's edge, her legs dipped into the water, her gaze lifted toward the stars scattered across the night sky. Princess Changning wore blue robes tonight, simpler than her usual formal attire, lacking the sophisticated patterns and elaborate embroidery that marked her other garments. Yet this simplicity somehow made her beauty shine even more brilliantly. Her hair, though not arranged in the complex styles she typically wore, was still tied in such a way that her grace and elegance remained undiminished.
Even from several meters away, he could see her profile clearly in the moonlight, the upward tilt of her chin, the stillness of her posture as she watched the stars. Something about her complete absorption in the moment made it difficult to look away. Perhaps he was captivated by the way she became so completely captivated by other things—the depth of her attention, the stillness of her contemplation. He didn't know. He didn't want to find out. He brushed the feelings aside as "nonsense" because none of it made rational sense to him.
As they drew closer to the Princess, she turned to see them approaching. The three men bowed in unison from the edge of the stream. The Princess appeared to be enjoying her solitary moment, and Kylian felt a pang of guilt at the intrusion. She scanned the three officers carefully, her dark eyes assessing whether everything was in proper order. Once satisfied, she rose gracefully from her seat.
"Let's go" she spoke in Chinese, her voice soft but clear.
"Yes, Your Highness" Song Zhongwei replied in Chinese, then turned to the two officers and nodded. Both understood the meaning without translation.
The Princess began walking, maintaining a distance of approximately thirty meters ahead of them as she crossed the stream and entered the forest path. Before following, the three officers scanned their surroundings. In the distance behind them, they could see guards posted at the estate's perimeter and the buildings themselves, some illuminated by electric lights, others completely dark. Confirming that all around them was clear and no one was observing their departure, they followed carefully. They needed to remain discreet while simultaneously keeping the Princess in sight at all times.
The forest, though not densely packed, possessed a scenic beauty that seemed almost magical in the moonlight. The sounds of crickets and night birds added to the allure and peacefulness, while water running down from the mountain created an enchanting accompaniment. Even at night, Kylian could discern various colorful birds roosting in the branches, their plumage catching occasional shafts of moonlight. He began to understand why this place served as the Princess's private retreat, and for a moment he felt acutely that he was intruding on someone's personal sanctuary.
It was a full moon night, and the moon shone with remarkable brightness, casting everything beneath it in an almost silver luminescence. Princess Changning walked ahead while the three officers followed at their prescribed distance, their boots making soft sounds on the forest path.
When they were sufficiently distant from the estate and deeper into the woods where the canopy provided additional concealment, Song began speaking in low tones.
"Now, as I was saying before, the Chief Consort rules this estate absolutely. Nothing happens here without her knowledge and approval. She is the queen of this domain."
"How does that work, Captain Song?" Kylian asked, carefully watching his footing on the uneven path while maintaining Song's pace. "There are imperial princesses here. Does the Emperor truly have no power in this place?"
"It is exactly as you suggest," Song confirmed, his voice taking on a more somber quality. "I hardly know where to begin explaining this situation, but I'll try. The Consort is extraordinarily powerful. She wasn't born to this position, her first husband was a general of considerable influence who died of pneumonia about 10 years ago. After the death of the Empress, the Emperor remarried her and she became a consort. But her late husband's influence never left her. She knows precisely how to wield it."
"Wait," Wolfgang interjected, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Does that mean she has children with the Emperor?"
"Yes, she does," Song replied. "But the child is still young, and there are complications from her previous marriage that make the succession... complex."
"Then she's not really a threat to the throne, is she?" Kylian asked, genuinely puzzled. "I'm quite confused as to how she maintains such power. Her deceased husband was a general, certainly, but how can his influence still rest in her hands after his death?"
"That is precisely the crux of the problem, Captain von Reichsgraf," Song explained, his expression grave even in the dim light. "She appears to pose no threat to the throne, but in reality she does. As you may know, our country is deeply fractured, warlords and regional strongmen control vast territories, and she is essentially one of them, though she maintains a veneer of loyalty."
He paused before continuing, "When her husband died, she used his considerable wealth to purchase the loyalty of his men. The position of provincial governor that he held passed to her control. Through her, these military forces remain intact and answer to her authority."
"Can't the Emperor simply change the governor's position?" Kylian asked, surprised that such an irregular situation would be tolerated.
"Technically, yes, he could try," Song admitted. "But as I've mentioned, our country is not in the strongest position. She holds supreme authority in this province, and given her late husband's extensive influence, you could say she commands a private army numbering in the millions. The situation is further complicated by the fact that there are numerous provinces where governors openly challenge imperial authority. If she were to join them in rebellion, it would be catastrophic for the dynasty. She could, if she wished, kidnap one of the princesses and hold her hostage, and the Emperor would be essentially powerless to respond without triggering a larger civil war."
Wolfgang's expression showed alarm. "Why would you say that, Captain Song? Isn't Eastern China firmly under the Emperor's direct control?"
"That is true to an extent, Captain von Witzland, but it's not just the Consort that concerns me," Song replied, his voice dropping even lower. "There is a fascist movement known as the Chinese Black Fascists. If the Consort and the Emperor were to have a serious falling out, I fear the fascists would seize that opportunity to launch a revolution. The Black Fascists are strong and have substantial followings in rural areas, especially in these regions. They're a bomb waiting to explode, and I firmly believe Japan is secretly backing them to destabilize our country from within."
Although Song was doing his best to explain calmly, Kylian could see visible strain on his face. Yet despite the troubling information, both officers came away convinced that Song was indeed an honorable man caught in an impossible situation.
"What about Consort Wu specifically?" Wolfgang pressed. "Do you think someone might be backing her as well? Foreign powers, perhaps?"
"No, I don't believe so," Song replied thoughtfully. "Consort Wu is terrifying and knows precisely how to wield power, but I don't think she would collaborate with outsiders. After all, she is a fierce traditionalist with deep roots in Chinese culture. But that listening device..." He paused, his voice reflecting genuine confusion. "I don't know what to make of that. Where would she obtain such advanced technology?"
Wolfgang seized on this point. "Now that you mention it, Captain Song, does the Consort harbor ambitions to rule all of China, or at least challenge the Emperor directly?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Song replied carefully. "I am fairly certain that even if the Consort had ruling ambitions, she would be content with controlling these regions, her own little kingdom, if you will. The fact that the Emperor cannot even compel her to visit Beijing should tell you everything about her power and independence."
"So we have two theories then, Captain Song," Kylian interjected, synthesizing what they'd learned. "Either the Consort is spying on us for reasons of her own, or this surveillance is the work of someone else entirely, someone we haven't even identified yet."
"Both scenarios are plausible, yes," Song agreed. "But we cannot jump to conclusions without more evidence."
"I would say it's fairly certain the Consort is behind this," Wolfgang stated with conviction. "The evidence points directly to her. Even Bai Lu, the estate custodian, was clearly in on the deception. She lied directly to us about that adjacent room being used for storage and pretended as if nothing was wrong."
"Yes, most likely because everything in the estate operates under her control," Kylian agreed with his friend. "But we should still keep our minds open to other possibilities until we have definitive proof."
"Captain Song!" Wolfgang's voice became firmer, though still maintaining an appropriate volume. His tone was assertive without being loud.
"Yes, Captain von Witzland?" Song asked, slightly taken aback by the sudden intensity.
"Can you get us access to that room adjacent to our quarters?" Wolfgang asked directly, without preamble.
Song Zhongwei sighed deeply and composed himself before responding. "I am not certain I can manage that, Captain von Witzland. The Consort's control over the estate is absolute. But I will do my best. I will aid you however I can."
"We need surveillance of our own, Captain Song," Kylian added. "If possible, could you station one of your trusted men to watch that building for any movement? The entire night if necessary. We need to know who comes and goes, and when."
"Noted," Song replied with a nod of understanding.
Wolfgang tilted his head, studying Song's face in the moonlight. "Why do you agree to help us so easily, Captain Song? This puts you at considerable risk. What's your motivation?"
Song's expression became intensely serious, his voice carrying absolute conviction. "It is because of my patron—Princess Changning. I have sworn an oath to protect the Third Princess, and it is my duty to keep her from all harm. I am doing this for her safety and wellbeing above all else."
"Noble," Kylian said simply, his single word carrying genuine respect. As he spoke, his gaze lifted to the woman walking with such grace under the moonlight ahead of them. Song glanced at Kylian, perhaps not entirely understanding what he truly meant by that simple acknowledgment.
Now that they had reached an understanding, the three men decided to end their discreet conversation and simply follow the Princess deeper into the forest.
By now they had been walking for some time and emerged into a clearing that took all their breath away. Moonlight poured into the open space like liquid silver, illuminating everything with crystalline clarity. A stream ran through the clearing, fed from the mountain above, creating a scene of almost supernatural beauty. Fish played in the water, their scales catching the moonlight as they darted between rocks. The cool night breeze elevated the atmosphere with a sense of peace and serenity that seemed to exist outside ordinary time.
Princess Changning appeared to be thoroughly enjoying her walk. She moved gracefully through the clearing, occasionally bending to pick a wildflower here and there, completely immersed in the natural world around her. Her movements seemed almost playful, childlike in their unselfconscious joy—bringing out an inner girlishness that court protocol usually concealed. Kylian found this endearing beyond measure, the way she discovered happiness and satisfaction in such simple pleasures. He watched as she walked slowly and gracefully through the moonlit space, and the sounds of birds singing in the forest seemed as though they were performing specifically for her.
The Princess said something in Chinese that the two Hanseatic officers didn't understand, but when Song Zhongwei bowed deeply in response, Kylian and Wolfgang immediately followed his lead. Was that a giggle from the Princess? Kylian couldn't be certain because the sound was so soft, barely audible above the stream's gentle burbling, but it seemed to him that Princess Changning had indeed giggled at something—perhaps their slightly delayed synchronized bowing.
They waited respectfully as the Princess settled herself on the grass near a bed of wildflowers beside the stream. Kylian observed her even this simple action, and it confirmed everything he had built up in his mind about her. Even the way she took a seat carried a grace and complexity that he couldn't quite decipher. To him, she was absolutely deserving of her royal status, not merely by birth but by the natural dignity she embodied in every gesture.
Song Zhongwei, after ensuring the Princess was comfortably situated, removed his boots and waded into the stream with a stick he'd picked up from the forest floor. "Captains, would you join me?" he called out in a low voice. "Fish caught at this hour are exceptionally sweet! Fresh and worth the effort!"
The Princess was watching the scene with obvious amusement, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Wolfgang needed no further encouragement. "Wait for me!" he exclaimed, quickly removing his own boots and breaking off a nearby tree branch before splashing into the water. The two men were soon engaged in animated conversation as they searched for fish in the clear stream water.
"The Princess told you to catch fish, didn't she?" Wolfgang whispered conspiratorially to Song, unable to keep the grin off his face.
Visible distress appeared on Song's features. "Yes, the fishes in this stream are a favourite of her Royal Highness."
Wolfgang couldn't control his laughter, which he tried unsuccessfully to muffle. They had been talking so discreetly all evening, maintaining constant vigilance, but here in this peaceful clearing it seemed they could finally relax somewhat.
Kylian was watching the scene unfold with amusement, about to lean against a nearby tree for a better vantage point, when he suddenly realized the Princess was standing directly in front of him.
"Captain, why aren't you joining them?" Princess Changning asked in nearly perfect English, her head tilting slightly as she glanced toward the stream where Wolfgang and Song were having their fish-hunting difficulties.
Though her accent was present, adding a musical quality to her words, this was the first time she had spoken directly to him. The sound of her voice addressing him specifically made his heart race. It didn't help that the Princess was speaking so casually, and that she stood before him in such close proximity, close enough that he could detect her scent.
The scent of jasmine and citrus reached him first—her perfume, somehow still present despite the forest air. This close, he could see individual details he'd never noticed: the small mole near her temple, the way her eyelashes cast shadows on her cheeks in the moonlight, the faint sheen of moisture on her lips from the cool night air. Moonlight shadowed the hollows of her throat and temples, emphasizing the elegant architecture of her face, the sharp jawline, the pronounced cheekbones, the way her dark eyes caught and held the light.
"No, Your Highness," Kylian managed to reply, his voice steadier than he felt. "I do not want to intrude on the fun they are having."
What he was not admitting, what he could barely admit to himself, was that the Princess's proximity was making his heart beat so rapidly he feared she might hear it.
"Why do you say that, Captain?" Princess Changning asked, and her face carried features that were indescribable in their perfection. Her eyes seemed to speak an entire language of their own, conveying depths of thought and feeling that words could not capture.
"Your Highness, it's just that..." Kylian paused, choosing his words carefully. "When you observe people being genuinely themselves, fully absorbed in a moment of simple joy, it makes you want to watch them from a respectful distance rather than interfere in their happiness. Some moments are meant to be witnessed, not joined."
The Princess's expression shifted to something resembling a pout, though not because she disagreed with his sentiment, but rather because she felt something profound in his answer. She turned her head toward where Wolfgang and Song were completely absorbed in their futile fish-catching attempts, then turned back toward Kylian.
Then, without warning or preamble, she stepped closer. Kylian's breathing became heavy, at least his own breathing, he couldn't speak for hers. The proximity was overwhelming, intoxicating, dangerous.
The Princess's hand reached up toward his shoulder, and for a heart-stopping moment Kylian couldn't comprehend what was happening. Her fingers delicately brushed and scraped away a leaf that had fallen onto his left shoulder from the tree he'd been standing beneath. He had completely failed to notice its presence, too absorbed in watching her to pay attention to his own appearance.
What happened left him unable to respond. His prepared diplomatic phrases evaporated. He watched her take a step back, acutely aware of the exact spot on his shoulder where her fingers had been, as if the fabric still held the warmth of her touch. When he finally moved, his movements felt mechanical, disconnected.
"Sorry, there was a leaf on your shoulder. I didn't mean to be inappropriate," the Princess said so casually, even offering an apology for what she clearly considered a minor breach of protocol.
What Changning didn't, couldn't, know was that Kylian felt as though he was about to explode internally. Every nerve ending seemed alive, hyperaware. The brief touch, even through his uniform, had sent electricity racing through his entire body.
Kylian stood there rooted to the spot, completely unable to move or speak, watching helplessly as the Princess turned gracefully and walked back to her seating area near the flowers. She settled herself once more, appearing completely composed, as though nothing significant had transpired.
Meanwhile, Kylian remained frozen against the tree, his heart hammering in his chest, his mind reeling from what had just occurred. She had touched him. Spoken to him. Stood close enough that he could smell her perfume, see the individual features of her face in perfect clarity. And she had done it all with such casual grace, such apparent unconcern, that he couldn't tell if she had felt even a fraction of what he was experiencing.
In the stream, Wolfgang and Song continued their comical attempts at fish-catching, completely oblivious to what had just transpired between their companion and the Princess. The moon continued its arc across the sky, the water continued its gentle song, and the night birds continued their chorus.
But for Kylian, everything had changed in those few moments. Standing there in the moonlit clearing, still feeling the ghost of her touch on his shoulder, he knew with absolute certainty that he was in trouble far deeper than any surveillance mystery or diplomatic complication. This was something else entirely, something that could not be reasoned away or dismissed as mere attraction.
This was dangerous territory, forbidden ground, and yet he found himself utterly unable, and increasingly unwilling, to turn back.