That night, the study was steeped in the quiet scent of sandalwood incense.
Candlelight flickered across the walls, casting long shadows that shifted with the draft from the door. The evening air pressed against the windows making the room cool and still, carrying the faint rustle of dried leaves from the garden not far away.
Emperor Wei sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping a slow, rhythmic pattern against his armrest—a quiet, unconscious tell, to those who knew him. His face was composed, his gaze steady. But his mind was turning.
Finally, one of the envoys had arrived.
A reply to the help they had asked for especially with the continuous unrest at the border happening every day.
Standing to his left, the Crown Prince's faction stood huddled together. Crown Prince Zuo's expression was calm, but his eyes were fixed firmly on the door. His hands were clasped behind his back, his posture straight, and his breathing even. He was waiting patiently. And beside him, Prince Zen leaned slightly closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Brother"
"Yes " Crown Prince Zuo replied
"Are you alright?" Prince Zen asked his brother feeling the tension rise from him.
"Yes, I'm alright. It's nothing serious" Crown Prince Zuo smiled looking at his brother
"You were saying?"
Prince Zen sighed
"Alright if you say so"
"Our sources told us he came from Dalishu." he murmured. "The first envoy, he arrived this morning."
Crown Prince Zuo glanced forward deep in thought.
"Dalishu," he repeated, the name carrying weight.
He had heard the stories. Read about their history. Dalishu, the strongest nation stationed in the north. Unlike most royal families, the emperors of dalishu didn't have to deal with struggles for the throne as the only heir born of the empress could inherit the throne and in recent years with its advanced weapons, its armies disciplined, its emperor young and undefeated since he had taken over the throne.
Cooperation could be valuable. But also, dangerous.
He turned to his father.
Working with them was treason, he thought. If I moved too openly, I would lose everything. His mother would be in danger.
His fingers clenched under his sleeves.
Was it really worth it?
---
On the other side not too far from where the crown prince stood, the Sixth Prince's faction stood.
Prince Xie leaned against a pillar, his eyes half-closed, his posture lazy. He seemed uninterested in the proceedings in front of him. Bored even. But his fingers, resting under his sleeve, moved in a slow, idle way. Being the only signs showing that he wasn't as bored as he showed.
Prince Ren stood beside him, his voice low.
"Brother, do you know why we've been summoned?"
Prince Xie opened one eye. "Hm."
"That's not an answer."
Prince Xie shrugged. "How I'm I supposed to know? I don't care. They'll tell us when they want us to know."
He closed his eyes again.
Prince Ren sighed. He glanced at the Crown Prince's faction—organized, watchful and patient
So typical.
He glanced at his other brother Prince Yu who seemed to have been spacing out.
"Any problem"
"No"
Prince Ren silently glanced at this brother of his who hardly ever spoke more than necessary.
"It's really nothing"
"Alright then do you know why we are here?"
"From what I know it's about the first foreign envoy who arrived this morning. That's all I know."
Prince Xie yawned lazily turning to glance out the window as his brother Prince Ren frowned and turned to glance at their father.
A faint breeze drifted through the window, carrying the scent of night-blooming jasmine. The candle flames swayed, then steadied. The study remained silent.
---
Before long footsteps were heard.
They were calm and unhurried as if the one walking was taking a stroll down a garden.
Then the door was pushed open.
Eunuch Tan stepped aside, his voice carrying through the quiet room.
"Your Majesty, I present the Envoy sent by Dalishu, Minister Guo Yun."
A young man stepped inside.
He wore pure white robes, the fabric catching the candlelight like silk stretching over moonlight. A black face mask covered the upper bridge of his nose, leaving only his pale blue eyes visible, striking against the dark. In his hand, he carried an open white fan covering the lower side of his face, its surface with what looked like a simple phoenix pattern at the base.
He paused not too far away from where the emperor sat.
The room stilled. Even the candle flames seemed to flutter.
Then he snapped the fan shut.
Like a whip, the sound cut through the silence pulling every gaze toward him.
Then slowly he removed the black mask and bowed respectful. His movements fluid like he had done this a thousand times.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice calm and clear.
"I bring greetings from my emperor, Qui Qian of Dalishu."
The emperor rose—not bowing exactly but to acknowledge the young man in front of him knowing his identity as a prince and cousin of the emperor.
"Minister Guo Yun. We graciously welcome you to Ming Kingdom and hope you'll find your stay here comfortable."
Guo Yun straightened. His pale blue eyes swept the room without any sign of lingering. He moved with a relaxed confidence; his fan tucked into his sleeve as he approached the emperor's desk. The scent of sandalwood drifted to his senses, mingling with the incense already in the room as he sat down.
The emperor then gestured to his sons, introducing them one by one:
Crown Prince Zuo. Prince Zen. Prince Shenji. Prince Ren. Prince Xie. Prince Yu with the other princes currently with their mothers or too young to be brought out immediately.
Guo Yun greeted each with the same courtesy.
Though when he reached Prince Xie, their eyes met for a moment. Xie raised an eyebrow. Guo Yun smiled slightly and moved on. It was short and barely noticeable.
On the side, seeing this the emperor was satisfied. As long as none of his sons caught the attention of anyone from Dalishu, he felt more relaxed now.
---
Two cups of tea were served, the porcelain warm and fragrant. Guo Yun accepted his cup with a slight nod, his fingers brushing the rim lightly before he raised it to his lips. He took a slow sip, then set it down.
The room remained quiet. The princes had been sent away with only the two seated in the study.
They spoke of the Xeng threat at the border.
Guo Yun nodded calmly. As he listened to the emperor describe the situation in the north, the garrisons, the movements of the barbarian forces.
He sipped his tea asking a few detailed questions to properly understand the situation.
The emperor handed him a letter, his fingers going back to rest on the armrest.
After that they spoke of trade—the movement of goods between their two kingdoms, the stability of the routes, possible trades opportunities.
Guo Yun leaned forward slightly as he spoke, his hands resting loosely on his knees throughout the whole conversation like a seasoned veteran.
The emperor, after a long pause, offered his condolences.
"I heard of Emperor Qian's brother," he said carefully. "Sayings of his disappearance. As a father I may not fully understand but I hope he returns safely."
"Take this as condolences from the royal family of Ming"
Guo Yun's expression did not change much though the smile on his face shrank a bit.
His fingers, resting on his sleeve, stilling—just for a moment.
The candlelight flickered.
He smiled again, gently this time a wider one.
"Then I thank you on behalf of my emperor and the rest of the royal family of dalishu," he said
"We all believe he'll return home soon."
The words hung in the air like smoke.
After a long silence, the emperor nodded.
---
After a long conversation, Guo Yun rose slowly and bowed to the emperor respectfully.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. I look forward to a fruitful alliance between our kingdoms."
The emperor inclined his head.
The room fell back into silence as Guo Yun turned toward the door.
Standing outside, he paused.
His fan was open now, its white surface catching the moonlight. His pale blue eyes looking up towards the starry sky.
The first step was done.
Now it's time to bring you back home
Second Brother
The candle flames flickered. The smell of sandalwood drifting away into the cold night air.