1 The Emperor and The Thief

I.

The young emperor, Tian Zhelan, ruled over an empire of several million li¹ with several million subjects. He had hundreds of concubines, servants, and advisors, but as he stood in the imperial gardens beneath the pale moon, he felt quite lonely.

Three months prior to his ascension, his sister Yaling as well as his brother in law had died brutal deaths, leaving the care of his young nephew to Zhelan.

To the world, it was a tragedy. To Zhelan, it was devastating.

In the plain white robes that he had donned since his sister's death, he looked quite like a ghost as he stood in the cool breeze, watching the ripples of the pond before him as leaves drifted down from the surrounding foliage. Long hair spilled freely across his shoulders and back, and he was hardly recognizable as the proud and mighty emperor.

Whether that was fortunate or unfortunate for a certain thief who had just jumped down from the garden walls was yet to be determined.

With a huff, the young man stood, patting off the dirt and leaves from his clothes as he stood up, adjusting the bag slung over his shoulders. He'd managed to sneak past the servants and guards, and was about to jauntily strut his way home when he froze, seeing an unidentifiable figure standing at the edge of the pond.

He couldn't be a servant nor a guard, but whether he was an official or scholar or anyone of rank and consequence was undeterminable.

Zhelan simply stared at the man who was so obviously a thief, but he couldn't be bothered to call the guards and disturb the peace of the night.

"These are the imperial gardens, you have no right to be here." He said coolly and calmly.

The thief began to walk forward, walking along the shore of the pond to approach him. "I see neither an emperor nor empress here, and I doubt they'll mind if this lowly peasant trods on their royal dirt." He reached into his bag, taking out a jar of wine.

"It's a beautiful night, brother², let's enjoy a drink and forget about this in the morning."

The emperor scoffed. He had never seen such a shameless thief in his life, offering to share what he had most likely stolen from his very own stores.

"You do not know who I am." He said, half accusing and half amused.

"Then forgive me, gongzi³, and let me know who you are. This one's name is Dai Chen, courtesy name⁴ Shuren. And you must be...?"

Zhelan looked over at Dai Chen's limpid, guileless eyes, and found that not being recognized was actually quite refreshing.

"Tian Yu."

The thief took a seat at the bench just a few feet behind him. "So you're younger? I thought we must have been the same age. Come take a seat and I'll show you the best way to drink." He said, patting the space beside him as he dug through his bag and retrieved a cup, chuckling a bit.

"Hm this is embarrassing. I only have one cup so we'll have to share." The emperor took a seat, watching as Dai Chen poured the clear wine into the cup before offering it to him.

"Here, try it. I got this from that bastard minister Gengxin, I promise it tastes just as sweet as my revenge."

Zhelan was hesitant. For a moment he realized the ridiculousness of the situation. He, the emperor, was about to share a drink with a thief. For all he knew, the cup could have been poisoned.

Ultimately, he decided that this man was too stupid to be an assassin and took a sip. It was sweet and fragrant, and as he drank his cold body began to feel warm.

"...You certainly know how to drink." Dai Chen said in mild awe and Zhelan drank the entire cup in record time, accepting the empty cup and filling it before drinking himself. He seemed not to mind sharing the same cup, and while ordinarily Zhelan would never drink with a thief (let alone from the same cup) no one was here to see, and Dai Chen's company was at least better than those who were only around him for their own personal gains.

Sitting in silence, the two made it through half the jar as they watched the clouds drift by the moon overhead.

"What were you doing here, looking so sad? Couldn't sleep?" Dai Chen suddenly said, handing the porcelain cup to Zhelan and filling it with more of the clear, sweet wine.

The emperor sighed. It could have been the wine, or it could have been his aching loneliness, but he ended up confessing his sorrows to Dai Chen, who listened patiently. He described to him how close he and his sister had been, and how her death left him feeling so hollow it was near unbearable. Without her, it felt as if the palace walls had encroached upon him, and were now strangling him to death.

"...I'm sorry." Dai Chen said, offering his quiet but sincere condolences. He seemed pensive as he looked out onto the rippling surface of the pond. "So it seems even the wealthy have their woes."

Zhelan said nothing before asking a question of his own.

"And you? Why are you here? If you're caught, stealing is one matter, but intruding into the inner court is no minor offense."

"Ahh, that." Dai Chen drained the cup with a grin. "I went to take revenge on Minister Gengxin. That brute of a man was beating some poor servant boy, so I intervened. In thanks, he ordered the guards to arrest me for theft. I ran away but thought I might as well commit a crime to justify the punishment."

Reaching into his pocket, he took out a gaudy jade pendant that must have been worth quite a hefty sum.

"Such an ugly thing, I should have stolen some gold instead." He said disinterestedly, stuffing it back into his pocket. "I have another question. I'm grateful, but why didn't you call the guards?"

Zhelan didn't exactly know how to answer that question. Dai Chen had practically dropped down from the sky and freed him from his whirlpool of thoughts. "It would have been inconvenient." He eventually said.

Dai Chen broke out into laughter beside him, pouring another cup and urging him to drink. "I'm glad not to have inconvenienced gongzi. Here, drink up."

The emperor and the thief drank through two jars of wine, talking as if they had known each other for years, sharing years worth of conversation. Now quite drink, Dai Chen was growing more and more expressive.

"You... we..." He knocked back the last of the wine before he continued. "...are now life long friends."

Zhelan scoffed, face having taken on a red flush from all the alcohol, leaning against the tree that stood at the very end of the bench. "Stop talking nonsense."

Dai Chen simply laughed, leaning over to rest his head on Zhelan's shoulder, using it as a pillow. "Drinking and talking... good enough to be friends. I've told gongzi more than I've told anyone. Isn't that friendship? Hm?"

The emperor was quite tired, eyelids drooping. "...If you forget I'll kill you." He mumbled, closing his eyes.

"I won't forget." Dai Chen said, comfortably resting against Zhelan. "But in the future... gongzi had better not deny it."

By then, Zhelan was already asleep. When morning came, he was along in the gardens. The only sign that Dai Chen had ever been there was the outer robe draped over his front like a blanket, and the jade pendent that had been placed in his hand.

II.

Dai Chen had disappeared quite literally as a thief in the night. He planned not to stick around so that he wouldn't trouble his new friend, travel throughout the empire, and then return in the future for a visit. Despite not having made any real gain, he was in such high spirits he felt that he could walk ten thousand li and not grow tired.

Unfortunately for him, that night he'd not only made a life long friend, but a life long enemy. While on his way to leave the capital, the minister's men had caught him and dragged him back to Gengxin's estate.

Hands tied and forced to kneel, he glared up at the middle aged man who was stroking his beard, clicking his tongue as he looked down at Dai Chen with malice and disdain.

"Escaping the law and then daring to steal from me? You have some nerve. I could kill you, and there would be no one to bury you; no one to mourn and no one who would shed a single tear. Fortunately, I am a benevolent man. If you admit that you are a lowly dog and grovel at my feet, I'll let you go with just ten lashes."

Dai Chen's response was to spit in his face.

Enraged, the minister had him lashed until he passed out, then thrown into a cell to "reflect on his wrongdoings".

"Anyone who brings him any food or medicine will be tossed into the cell to join him." The minister ordered. Unable to lift a single finger as he laid on the thin mat, he spent hours alone in the cell.

The minister's private prison was cold and inhospitable at best. Dai Chen fell ill that night, sweating profusely as a high fever ravaged his body. The minister was right; he was much like stray dog, wandering from place to place with nowhere to go, fighting for scraps in order to survive. However he was also wrong in that there would be someone who would mourn him if he died.

Staring up at the pale moon through the iron bars, he wondered how that gongzi was doing.

When midnight came, an old maid suddenly entered the cell bringing food and medicine. She was the mother of the boy that Dai Chen had saved, and had not forgotten him. Having bribed the guards to keep quiet, she tended to his wounds and fed him light congee⁵ with a bit of medicine mixed into it.

It was a miracle that Dai Chen hadn't died, but in a state of deliriousness he dreamed of Zhelan in his fluttering white robes, standing in the garden. He dreamed that his friend was waiting for him to return; that spring had come and the trees were heavy with flowers and fruit.

After three days, beneath the maid's secretive care, his fever finally left his weak body, but it took with it his memories of the days prior. The maid continued to tend to his wounds until at last he had healed enough to properly move around.

Two weeks later, on the night that the minister was away for business, Dai Chen escaped. He stole three bags of gold from the minister, but as he fled the capital, he couldn't help but feel that he'd lost something far more important.

III.

Three years later, Zhelan had firmly established his rule and was living contently in the palace. Having just concluded the morning court, he strode through the halls, suddenly hearing a commotion and going to see what was the matter.

"...think you can get away with this!" There came the sound of someone being kicked to the ground with a dull thud and a pained grunt.

"Bastard, what did I do! What proof do you have that I stole!" The man clutching his side as he sat up and glared at the guard was none other than Dai Chen.

The guard scoffed, sneering down at him. "I don't need proof. A thief is a thief, you were asking to be arrested by showing your face in the palace."

Dai Chen laughed derisively. "What astounding logic. You're truly incredible, sir. I always though a brain was necessary for survival, but you proved me wrong."

"You-!" The enraged guard moved to kick the thief again, but froze at the sound of a chilling voice.

"That's enough."

Quickly turning around, the guard bowed low, stuttering his greetings to the emperor. Zhelan ignored him, eyes studying Dai Chen, who stood and brushed himself off before bowing and greeting him as well.

The emperor's normally impassive face showed the slightest ghost of wonder and warmth in his eyes, looking at the man who'd stumbled across him in the gardens and then disappeared for three years. It seemed Dai Chen didn't yet recognize him, but that was alright. He'd never told him that he was the emperor, after all.

"You, get out of my sight." He said to the guard, who quickly apologized and ran off, face red as if he had been slapped.

"Thank you, your majesty." Dai Chen said gratefully, though he was confused as to why the emperor had helped him. He'd heard the emperor was cold and aloof, certainly not magnanimous enough to help a thief like himself.

"If you're thankful then come share a drink with me." Zhelan said, continuing to walk and leaving Dai Chen stunned. The thief hurried after him after realizing that the emperor had really just invited him for a drink, and he wasn't dreaming.

"May I ask the emperor... why?" He questioned as he kept up with the emperor, following him to a beautiful pavilion in the middle of a clear pond where several maids had already set out wine and light snacks for the emperor to enjoy.

"Wine doesn't taste as sweet when drinking alone." The emperor replied, leaving Dai Chen still quite confused.

Sitting at the table, the thief was quite tense as he drank with Zhelan, glancing here and there as if he expected a score of guards to jump out and seize him at any moment.

"You do not know who I am?" The emperor suddenly asked, looking up at Dai Chen with bright eyes. The thief gave a small smile.

"Of course I know. Your majesty is the noble emperor, favored by the heavens."

The emperor took another sip of his wine. "Wrong." He said, leaving Dai Chen confused.

'Is he the emperor or is he not?'

But judging by the way the servants and guards treated him as well as the dragon patterned robes that adorned him, who else could he be?

"Why did you come to the palace? To meet someone? An old friend, perhaps?"

Dai Chen laughed softly. "Your majesty, this one has no family nor friends to speak of. I simply heard that there would be a contest for swordsmen, and came to try my hand."

The emperor suddenly slammed his cup of wine down, startling the thief and the maid, who had just set down another plate of pastries.

"I see." The emperor said icily, standing up. "Then show this esteemed guest to his room. Swordsmanship contest, hm? I should hope that your skill with a blade is better than your memory."

Walking off, the emperor left a stunned Dai Chen to stare after him.

'The emperor is temperamental indeed.' He thought as two guards escorted him to his room, which thankfully was a guest lodging instead of a cell. Plopping down onto the bed, he looked up at the ceiling and wondered what in the world he'd said or done to offend the emperor. He was quite certain that they had never met before, and neither was he foolish enough to ever have stolen from him.

In any case, he'd achieved what he'd come for and received a small wooden tablet with a string to tie to his waist band, signifying that he was a contestant for the competition. The contest would begin tomorrow and would last for the entire day. The winner would receive both a title and a large sum of money, and while both were handsome rewards, Dai Chen cared most for the recognition of winning. He was quite sick of being looked down upon, and figured that being recognized by the emperor for his talent would be the highest level of validation he could ever receive in this life.

Dai Chen eventually left the room, glad that he wasn't being held captive, wandering around until he finally found a training ground. A few other contestants were there, training and showing off, but Dai Chen would rather go somewhere quieter.

Eventually he found his way to what seemed to be an abandoned court yard, taking out his sword and beginning to practice.

When the day of the contest came, over a hundred competitors stood as the official climbed up to the stage. Most were from wealthy, noble families who were seeking to gain more glory for their families, and the rest were peasants like Dai Chen, desperate to gain fame and fortune for themselves.

This was quite a prestigious event, with the emperor himself seated as a spectator. As the official rambled on, Dai Chen couldn't help but glance back at the emperor who was watching with an impassive expression, looking almost bored. He still couldn't take his mind off their strange encounter, and wondered what he'd meant.

He didn't have much time to think on it, however, as soon the contest began.

The competition was structured in a series of matches, with the last ten winners finishing with a battle royale until there was only one person left standing. To win, one simply had to disarm, subdue, or kick their opponent off the platform.

"Begin!"

Up on his raised seat, the emperor watched as they fought, tapping his index finger against the arm of his chair. He'd been in quite a poor mood, but still he couldn't keep his eyes off Dai Chen.

Logically speaking, it wasn't surprising that the man had forgotten all about him. They had both been drunk, and it was only a single encounter. It would have been a miracle if he'd remembered him after three days, let along three years.

Nonetheless, his brows were furrowed his expression displeased. Perhaps it was his pride that was so hurt. This peasant had the audacity to forget about him so easily while Zhelan had held onto his memory so dearly. Every so often he'd think about Dai Chen and wonder where he was, what he was doing, and how he fared, and yet...

'Such a talented conman he is.'

The emperor thought bitterly, making the servants around him shift nervously as he practically emitted waves of anger.

Eventually he calmed himself down, leaning his head against his fist as he watched Dai Chen's sword elegantly arch through the air, movements swift and nimble as he easily evaded his opponents attacks.

'I'll make him remember one way or another.'

Hours passed, and standing in front of the cheering crowds was a victorious Dai Chen. Breaths ragged, and feeling like he'd just sprinted across a mountain, he finally rested and basked in the glory of his accomplishment.

As the crowds dispersed and he walked off the platform, he bowed as he saw the emperor approaching him.

"Congratulations. So it seems you have some skill after all."

Though it was more an insult than praise, Dai Chen's good mood could not be dampened in the slightest. "Thank you, your majesty."

The emperor let out a non committal hum, waving him over to hand Dai Chen the certificate and his gold as promised. But just as the emperor turned to leave, Dai Chen called out to him.

"Your majesty, might I ask a question?"

The emperor turned back to look at him, waiting for the thief to continue.

"The emperor's words yesterday... what did your majesty mean?"

Zhelan's displeasure and irritation instantly returned, scoffing. "Still don't remember?" He reached into his robes, taking out a jade pendant and tossing it over to Dai Chen, who quickly caught it.

"Don't even think of leaving the palace until you've wracked that useless brain of yours." The emperor said, storming off with his aides following behind him.

Dai Chen was once more left speechless, watching as he left and wondering what in the world he had done. He then looked down at the pendant in his hand, turning it over with furrowed brows. It was a gaudy, ugly thing, but it also... seemed a bit familiar.

With no other hints and no one he could ask, he returned to his room to rest and mull over what the emperor had said.

IV.

When night came, Dai Chen found that he couldn't fall asleep. Tossing and turning, he stared at the jade pendant that rested on his night stand, wondering why the emperor had given it to him and what it represented.

Getting up with a sigh, he stuffed it into his pocket and decided to go for a night time stroll to clear his head. Wandering about, he eventually found himself in a beautiful, tranquil garden. Walking over to the bench, he took a seat and looked up at the dark sky full of clouds. He felt like there was an unbearable stuffiness in his chest, and he had no idea how to get rid of it.

"Once again I find you here."

Dai Chen was startled from his thoughts as he heard the sound of the emperor's voice, getting up and quickly bowing.

"Apologies your majesty, I'll be on my way." He said, beginning to leave when the emperor suddenly raised his hand for him to stop.

"No, you may remain. Sit with me for a while."

At the emperor's request, Dai Chen had no choice but to take a seat, once more confused by the emperor's words. 'Again'? Had they possibly met before?

"Why did you enter the contest?" Zhelan asked.

Dai Chen mulled over the question for a bit. There were a thousand reasons why but no proper way to say it.

"As your majesty knows, this one comes from a humble origin. With no family, fortune, or friends to speak of, I wanted..." He looked down at the motionless water of the pond. "...to be looked upon as a human being."

Scorn was all Dai Chen had ever known, and scorn was what he feared was the only thing he would ever know.

"And you're satisfied with just this?"

Dai Chen nodded. "I've earned the respect of those around me, and that is enough."

"How simple." The emperor's eyes were cold as he looked ahead. "If it were me, I wouldn't stop there. I would find those that looked down at me and make them grovel at my feet. I'd make it so no one could ever disdain or mistreat me ever again."

Dai Chen couldn't help but smile. "The emperor is truly formidable, but this lowly one has neither the strength nor the desire to do such a thing. In life, all I have ever desired is the respect of others, enough food for every meal, and just one person to call a friend. If I can have those things, then I can die happily."

The emperor was silent, though in the dim light of the moon that was only just peeking out behind the clouds, he looked almost sad.

"You truly are a fool." Getting up, Zhelan strode away and left Dai Chen to his thoughts.

"I suppose I am." The thief said with a wry chuckle. He sat at the bench for quite some time, and when he returned to his room, he felt that the stuffiness in his chest had eased just by a fraction.

V.

As the emperor had said, Dai Chen became something like an esteemed prisoner within the palace. He was free to do as he pleased, but the guards made sure to keep an eye on him so that he couldn't leave the palace.

It wasn't such a bad thing, however. He ended up meeting with the emperor many more times. Some times they would share a meal, other times they would spar, and on rarer occasions, they would drink.

"Your ma-"

"Don't call me that. My name is Zhelan, use it."

The emperor must have been drunk, and Dai Chen must have been as well, because he nodded and smiled. "Zhelan."

He'd wanted to ask why the emperor would spend so much time with him with no clear reason in sight, but in the end he decided that good things shouldn't be questioned too much.

In this way, several peaceful months passed.

However life in the palace was not all so pleasant. The emperor was feared and respected, but fear was a double edged sword. There were some greedy and ambitious individuals who were plotting to overthrow Zhelan.

It was one day, while Zhelan and Dai Chen were drinking in the emperor's room when a group of rebels suddenly stormed in.

The guards outside the door had already been slaughtered, and the two had to bitterly fight their way out.

It was not an easy battle, and though they were skilled, they were not invincible. They managed to escape to the courtyard, but that had been anticipated, and secret archers had been waiting.

Fortunately, Dai Chen was a thief, and he saw everything. Throwing himself in front of the emperor, he took three arrows to the chest, just in time for the imperial guards to arrive.

The pain was immense, and he had lost so much blood he was rapidly losing consciousness. Still, he saw Zhelan's face hovering above him, and though his expression was wrought with fear, Dai Chen thought that this was a death he could gladly accept.

VI.

Dai Chen had a very long dream. In his dream, he was several years younger. Skillfully dodging and running away from the guards, he climbed up a tall wall and jumped down, landing quietly in a large, secluded garden. When he looked up, he froze, seeing a tall and handsome man in pure white robes.

He and that man drank from the same cup, sharing several jars of wine and drinking for many hours until the man in white fell asleep.

Though it was just a dream, Dai Chen could taste the lingering sweetness of the wine on his tongue and feel warmth of the man's body as he rested against him for just one more second.

He dreamed that he took off his outer robe and draped it over that man, leaving him with a jade pendant as a token of gratitude, as that was the only moment in his life when he truly felt human.

Leaving the garden, Dai Chen's dream ended, and slowly he began to wake. He felt that he was on a soft bed, and slowly opening his eyes, he saw the same handsome face from his dream looking down at him in concern.

"Gongzi..." He said softly, voice slightly raspy. "I've made you wait so long... sorry."

Whatever Zhelan said after that, he couldn't hear, as he quickly drifted back to sleep.

Zhelan shouted for the physician to come and quickly take a look. The emperor himself looked pallid. Between dealing with the rebels and worrying if Dai Chen would live, he'd been unable to eat or rest properly for the past three days.

Being called 'gongzi' once was so bittersweet, and if this was what it had taken for Dai Chen to remember, he would have rathered he had completely forgotten.

"If he dies, so will you." He snapped to the physician, though his hopes climbed as he saw that Dai Chen's fever had broken and that he had awoken, even if it was just for a moment.

At last when Dai Chen had recovered enough, he and Zhelan found themselves sitting on the same bench, drinking wine.

"Yu-er⁶, you have such a roundabout way of making people remember things." Dai Chen said teasingly, causing Zhelan to scoff.

"It's your fault for forgetting."

Dai Chen laughed. "You're right, it's my fault." He said, before the two drank in comfortable silence for a short while.

"If you're sorry for forgetting, then pay for your mistakes." The emperor suddenly said.

"And how will I do that?"

Zhelan leaned over, turning Dai Chen's head and pressing their lips together. It was only a peck, light as a butterfly, but a brilliant red blossomed over Dai Chen's face.

"As life long friend, it's only fitting that you stay by my side for the rest of our lives."

For once, Dai Chen was at a complete loss for words, silent as he stared, mouth agape.

"Well?" The emperor asked irritably, though he looked a bit nervous.

The thief finally began to laugh, leaning in for a much more passionate kiss. His eyes were bright and his face still slightly flushed when he pulled away.

"Alright then, I accept my punishment." He rested their foreheads together, eyes closed. "And this time I won't forget."

The emperor smiled. "Good."

As promised, the life long friends remained together til the end of their long, fruitful lives.

_____________

¹ The ancient chinese mile, equivalent to about half a kilometer.

² A friendly form of address for people around the same age, having nothing to do with actual relations.

³ The son of a noble or official.

⁴ A sort of "second name" bestowed upon reaching adulthood. It's considered impolite for strangers to use ones birth name instead of their courtesy name.

⁵ Rice porridge.

⁶ -er is a suffix used as a term of endearment, typically used by an adult to a child.