6 A New Mission

Few days passed with my usual work. Also i didnt forget to go to the palace every evening. I didnt meet my brother at all but i used to visit the empress and have a simple chat abot my past and i spent the evening most of the time with the crown prince practicing archery and telling stories.

I woke up a bit late than usual in the morning. So I skipped my morning meditation part and quickly stepped into my furnace room which was multi purpose.

Its where i burn my pottery and its the same place i make weapons like swords when i feel like. First days i earned a lot through these but now i have more ways of earning huge money so as a hobby now i make the pots and weapons and earn some little coins to do small things.

I grabbed the pots i finished few weeks ago and put them on huge box and tied it with cloth.

I then ran down behind my house to where a small stream started. I washed myself and changed into a light blue dress. Black Spirit tried to get attention by splashing some water since he always wanted to ride with me somewhere.

"Not now my friend! I ve got lots of work today and your not going to come with me." I patted him on his neck. Showing his disagreement he neighed and spalshed hard on the flowing stream making some water wet my clothes.

"Idiot!" Though I didnt want to be wet i was pleased by his company. He neighed again.

"Now please stay like a good friend." He neighed again and left behind my house.Then i ran to where i kept the heavy pot box. Putting it on my shoulders in a roped luggage i stepped slowly down the mountain enjoying the flowers and the greenary. Then at the bottom i plucked a fruit which i chose as my breakfast and started to take bites.

"I have done nothing wrong. Who are you?" A boy shouted. Dropping the fruit,I ran through the trees with the heavy box to the street as i heard Beyonsu's voice who is about 20 years old,well built but a bit stupid young man whom i told yesterday to come to my place in the morning to help me take my pots.

"Beyonsu! Whats wro..." i paused.

"Commander!! Take your sword away from him. He's my friend and he's here to help me."

He took his sword away and bowed. "Im sorry if i bothered you princess!"

Confused Beyonsu looked at me."Do you know him Jiejie(sister)?his uniform looks like one of the high ranked officers..... And why does he call you princess? "

I sighed. This Ming zeng is twisting my life.

"I'll tell you later about it. I do know him.Now can you trust me?"

"All right! I trust you." He looked a bit disapointed.

"Can you keep all of this as a secret?" He  nodded.

"Now Commander why are you here?"

he replied gazing at my huge luggage. All of his expressions showed how careful senseful smart intelligent skillful strong dutyful bigheaded he is.

"The empress asked princess to come to her palace now with me."  I gave him a stern look to check if i should come NOW. But he didnt even wink at it.Fine...

I turned back to Beyonsu.

"Beyonsu, please give these to the Choi's hotel. You shall collect the money from them and give them to me tommorrow morning as you come and these are for you." I helped him to put the box on his shoulders and left some coins on his palms.

"Thank you JieJie!"

"Thank you too. And if possible, check whether grandmother is alright and whether she's got enough medicine. Do not tell that i asked about it."

He nodded and walked fast turning to a shortcut to the hotel.

Then I turned back to the Commander with two horses by his side.

Commander:

The Princess then came to the horse I brought along with me for her and she carefully brushed its head up and down. She surely loves animals.

" I thought that the princess wouldn't like to go on a palanquin so i bought it. Ìf its unsuitable I ll bring it next time."

"Thats very wise of you commander!" She said sarcastically.

"I prefer riding on horse than on humans" she had some kind of dissapointment in her voice.(palanquins are carried by people.)

Then she patted the horse on its neck and climbed on top of it. I don't know why but she took a silk cloth from under her arm sleeve and tied it with its string behind her hair covering below her eyes. Keeping my curiosity for myself i climbed my horse too and we both went to the palace slowly because of the crowds gathered in the streets occupying the morning market.

The princess bowed to the empress who was sitting in the main chair of her table in her palace's chamber.

"Good morning your majesty!"she greeted removing her silk cloth which she hid her face.

"Good morning Princess Huwanuwei, my dear sister, now both of you please be seated."

We sat on the opposite sides a little away from the Empress.

"You may be wandering why I asked you to come here dear!"she said to the princess.

"I want to ask you a favour. True, this is neither your duty or responsibility. I have already discussed about this with Commander but we couldnt find further about the problems."

So thats why she was summoned. The empress thinks that she can help with the investigations. She knows more about her than me.

"Can you remember,the fake account sheets I told you yesterday."

"Yes your majesty"

"Thats not all about it. The company PHOENIX is the least affected by those fake accounts maybe because its the largest and the most powerful chain in the silk road. People had taken many loans trusting the account sheets and the licenses and has failed to pay also some have given loans and are unable to recover and this is affecting our economy dangerously. However the government treasury is also a victim of these account sheets and we are having problems on servicing our people and covering debts for japan. Before it gets worse we wanted to do something so the commander investigated and the highest achievement weve got was that most of these transactions were done through the company 'The red eagle nest sales'. We couldnt find any proof cause we also got to know even some of the ministers are also involved. So since your trustful and since I feel like you can help us I'm asking you to join the investigation with the Commander". The Empress ended her long description and waited for an answer.

Then the princess looked at me and back at the empress.

"I'll help you! But I will also do my own work too in the meantime"

"Thats fine. I know you will. Thank you for supporting sister!" Both smiled at each other.

So as we then came to my office chamber joint to the training area of the palace.

"Princess, please take a seat." I offered her a chair.

"Commander do you have some of such fake accounts youve collected during the investigations?"

"Yes princess!" I went to the shelf where all the records were kept and i pulled out the last records of the investigation.

"Here are some of the names, suppliers, account holders and the loses of the merchants."

"All are dated and we found out that this has beeing done in small terms for years without noticing, but now merchants who are already in debt because of these are getting more involved in the fake account matter and are getting into more trouble."

She studied them.

"Merchant Deokman!" She pointed in the records.

"The most of the accounts have gone through him. But you'll have stopped investigating on him few months before. Why is that?" She has good sense.

"We found his body in his house. He has commited suicide. The family agreed with it saying that may be because they are in too much of debt and he was highly stressed but..."

"But what Commander!"

"Some of his personal account records were missing and he hasnt left his last will as a father of two young men. That's not ordinary and the family didn't want to investigate further either." She listened carefully.

"These merchants Dankese, Thalthal and Bayân who have done buisnesses with him are well known and powerful. did you'll go through them." She pointed the names stated under Merchant Deokman's accounts.

"We questioned them but had no good information or a single clue. Its as if they have covered themselves very well."

She kept silent for few minutes.

"Commander, come to the house right infront of the 'hotel Seán'. But secretly not in uniforms but like an ordinary aristocrat. Plus make sure that you don't meet anyone who knows your identity on the way. Only Bojan may accompany us tonight. Be there as soon as the sun goes down. However  i'm supposed to go there tonight." She said.

"Hotel Seán was before owned by Merchant Deok and was sold out to Thalthal who is a relative of the Defence Minister Choi. Is it because of that we are visiting?"

"Your right. we might get some good information tonight." She nodded satisfied.

I'm looking forward for what she is going to do.

"So Princess. Ill be there on time with Bojan." Then she stood up and left leaving me to analyse the records gathered.

I came to the house more like a small room she said and stood at the door talking with Bojan holding my hat little low to have a look around covering my face.

"Bojan!Ming Zeng! Come in quick" a delicate female voice murmered from inside the house which wasnt at all heard by anyone else because of the laughter,noices and music inside the hotel infront of us.

So without anyone noticing we stepped into the house.

The candle in the middle lit the room revealing the princess beside it. She was dressed in a light pink dress with silver flower patterns. She was having a silk cloth covering below her eyes.

"Now both of you sit here. Do not utter a single word. No questioning just obey."

So we sat on the pillows she pointed at. Then she drew out a box from the dark a little different to the one she had when treating my wound. She then first turned to Bojan and kneeled right infront of him and dragged his face closer to the light closer to her making me dumb. Poor Bojan shocked a bit but didnt move.

"Dont worry Bojan!"she mocked. "I'm just going to put some makeup on you."

"What are you doing sister HuwanUwei?" Bojan questioned reddened.   sister!!!!!

She then took some brushes out of the box and some other glue like stuff. Then she started to paint him and finally adding a fake mustache she ended inventing a whole new person who looked much younger and more stupid.

"How do I look sir?" Bojan turned to me.

I couldn't stop myself from laughing. The princess's eyes twinkled as she looked at her work.

"You look more stupid! Exactly like a person who throws money for women." As i said so his hopes flooded.

"You look more trustful. You dont look at all like a spy."her words didnt seem to comfort him but her next words did.

"Now its your time Commander!" I m sure shes mocking at me under her covers just like an evil demon. Bojan's eyes lit delighted.

"But why should I?" I tried to ignore her glance.

"Even some ministers are here tonight and as the Commander of the Empire's military you are perfectly highlighted. And im going to introduce you both to some of them and please take the benefit and get them to talk something useful."

She then pulled my face closer towards her's only leaving space for the candle light. Her eyes dazzled beautifully in the faint candlelight. I closed my eyes just like in the day she treated me after the war. You are a dutyful commander!!!! I kept on thinking to myself.

Her fingers held to my jaw and she worked on with the brush. It finally stopped.

Bojan started to laugh.

"Sir you look like.....you look like youve got atleast 4 kids."

I ignored him but couldn't ignore back again the princess's innocent twinkling eyes.

I shook my head.

"Now lets move." I said and stood up.

So we entered the busy doors of the hotel.

"Sister HuwanUwei!is that you?" A young gentlemen shouted from a distance.

"Brother Chan!" She waved her hand.

"Hey everyone our sister has arrived!" He yelled at the group of men who are at the same age.

"Sister Huwanuwei after a long time!" All of them came running and shouting towards us. And not only that they jumped at her and hugged her. She seemed to be pleased. Hugging them back they started to laugh and giggle like huge friends.  Am I jealous? Forget about it!

Then a group of women hurried to us. " Good morning Huwanuwei! Its after along time."

"Uhmm" i cleared my throat. Everyone looked at me and the princess a bit annoyed.

"Im sorry! They are one of my good customers and are my cousins too."

"Greetings Uncle! And the friend behind" one of them said bowing.

What? Uncle? Do I look that old?

Bojan and the princess burst into laughter making me feel like killing myself.

"What are youll laughing at?"one of the men asked.

"Nothing. Youll go inside with my uncle... Shang and Bojan can have a talk with my sisters and brothers here!" The girls were pleased. Uncle??!!!!!!

"Remember he's my cousine. He's a good man and just treat him as a good friend." She warned the girls.

"Brother Chan please help my uncle to get on with the other senior customers while I get prepared for the performance."

What performance? My mind started to roll all over. Why doesnt she say anything.

As soon as she spoke The young man took me to the part like a restaurant where every one was laughing drinking and having fun....

"Father! This is one of my friend's uncle .please have a talk "the boy spoke to an old man whom i noticed as a senior officer at the government sales department. Im glad that he didnt recognize me.

"Greetings...." the old man started.

"You may call me Shan sir and im a simple merchant..."

"You dont look simple though sir. You look well experienced and looks too wealthy." The other man next to him laughed curiously saying so and Without any suspection his colleage like person got hold on me to a talk as Chan left us." Dont worry we wont assault you...I'm Bayan and this is my friend Dankese"

"Im sure as a merchant you know us!"of course I do.

"Then you must know sir Thalthal too cause.." as i said so Bayan changed the topic

"Of course he owns this place. He steps a little faster than us.." he clenched his fists hiding his anger in his voice.

"No business talks here my friends!" The Officer objected making me comfortable or i will have to make a whole new story. So they started to boast about themselves.

Then i started with my task step by step and noticed Bojan doing the same enjoying at the same time. As she said I ve got some new information but not that valued. However i couldnt see the princess anywhere.

Then someone came from the hall inside the hotel and gave an announcement.

"People who are here for the shadow drama may now approach. Arrive soon for there is a limited space."

"What drama?" I asked from the Officer.

"Dont care about it. Thats useless. That women earns a lot through this....poor thing..." Dankese looked so evil.

"Only once a month so we just let her!" Bayan added.

"Arent you here for that? A young lady named Huwanuwei is displaying a shadow drama and its done only once a month. And without any age margine we all come to watch it. You must too. Her music is also heavenly though the story goes for the young crowd." The Officr said ignoring the merchants.

Seriously Princess Huwanuwei?

"Has she being doing this for years?"

"Not exactly but since about 4 to 5 months."Dankese replied.

"Seniors at the front rows please!"the man announced.

"We shall leave." Bayan was commanding than Dankese and talked less. He looked intelligent and cunning. He stoodup and left. Dankese bowed at us and followed him.

So almost everyone left started to enter the hall. The amazing fact was that no aristocrat seemed to be worried about their status or anything they all entered only respecting the seniors.

"Please show your tokens" the man told me as i saw others having tokens.

"What tokens?" I asked the man.

"If you dont have.."

Then the young man BROTHER Chan ran to us.

"He is a cousin of Huwanuwei. He doesnt need." The man nodded and let me enter.

It was dark inside.

"The doors will be closed. The man announced and shut the doors behind us making the surrounding pitch black. We sat on the cushions laid infront of the stage. As a senior i was in the front with the Officer I was introduced to or brother chan's father. Everyone kept silent.

A candle lit at the far end of the stage infront of a pink curtain.

The princess was sitting there with her veil on and eyes glimmering. She kept her hands calm on the lute she was having on her lap. Then she started to pluck the strings enchanting the whole audience. Her touch was smooth and flowing. Then her voice started to wheel the story. The place where she was sitting went dark unabling us to see her anymore.

"So do everyone remember the story.

They cared for each other. They loved each other."

As the light appeared behind the pink curtain the story built. The couple danced under a tree calm and in peace. Her music painted their feelings happiness and love...for few minutes it was graceful...and brought such a pleasure as the delicate music showed the care to each other...

But suddenly the pink cloth dropped revealing a white. The dance grew slower,the music grew pain and despair.

"But things changed..."her voice made pain sink into the heart.

Then the shadows told the story.

She gave him her hairpin to keep by his side.The man had to leave the women who is now carrying a child inside her womb. They had to seperate because of...

The red curtains dropped. The music rose in fury.

Because of.....the war. 

Then men faught bravely, men shouting, soldiers crying in pain, but finally.... they won.

The lights turned yellow. They cheered......They celebrated happily. They drank and sang the songs of anscestors.....So they returned to their king. The lights went out back again. And the princess spoke in the dark.

"Of course its victory. But... she waited for him days,weeks and months and it was almost a year...."the lights were lit. The women was sitting under the tree waiting.....A man appears.

"But it was not her beloved but his old friend accompanied him to the war appeared ....hopes flickered in her mind joy spread for few seconds bit could not see her man following behind. She wanted to ask his whearabouts but the man interrupted giving her something" the man gave her the hairpin.

"It was her hairpin she gave to her beloved the day he left making her understand that....Her love shall never return..." The women fell into her knees with her hands covering her face. The other man left her alone.

Then ...a sound of a baby crying was heard.

"The infant's father shall never return....." her voice sank into my heart. The pain and guilt.....

The women hurried back to where the crying came from.

"No matter what she lost she had to raise her child. She worked all day and night."

A man who appeared as an aristocrat started to whip the women in the yellow screen shouting and throwing things at her .

" The wealthy had no mercy on this poor soul...." her music rolled in anger.

"Years passed, every week they went to the grave where nobody lies but the hairpin." A child and a women was kneeling infront of a grave.

"The child grew under her mothers warmth but....life was too harsh on her." The screen turned whiter..... the child was weeping holding his mother's hand who was lying on the ground.

"She leaves him alone in the world...." the light faded away. It was pitch black.

But the princess voice still started to cut deep inside.

"What will happen to the child. All alone in this world..... he might slave...some rarely succeses but most dont... if the child is a girl.... is this world atleast safe for her...????? Will those children survive?????" The tears stuck in my eyes.

"War may bring peace....victory and success.... but isnt lives are more important?????.... think...treat your surrounding carefully..... think about every soul... they must have gone through a lot.....we have already lost a lot so dont let them loose more..." she ended her words. After few moments for the audience to rest their hearts

All the lights lit inside the hall.

Princess and the crew came to the middle and bowed. Her eyes were filled with despair and pain. Everyone clapped hard.....They left the hall letting everyone wipe their tears away. The women were crying with their eyes reddened. The  men's eyes glittered with tears....

So thats why she said that she dont want to contribute to the war the day we first met.

Then I started to run towards her after greeting the Senior Officer. I saw that Bojan followed me.

I saw her at the entrance with BROTHER CHAN. Seeing us she bowed to him and left the entrance. I ran to her.

"Princess! Where are you leaving?" I asked as she went near a carriage which her horse was tied to.

"So did you two get information?"

"Yes but not that much!"

"So lets get to your office and discuss"

"But its already midnight and the princess maytake a rest."

"We started this and will do as much as possible. First lets exchange the information."she got to the carriage and we strolled towards the palace. On the way we removed our makeup.

"Uncle Shang! Were the elders great!" She giggled.

"Of course sister! He was enjoying the talk!" Bojan blorted."while this handsome man had a great time too."

"Thats it! we are here." I blocked their jokes on me.

Recognizing me the guards let us in the security Office.

"Leave the chest in the carriage as it is " the princess commanded. As we went into the Office Bojan asked"But whats in it? Princess"

"Silver! I earned a lot today!" She said happily.

"You have lots of riches and why do you need more?" Now that was my question but i let Bojan split it out.

"Thats more than enough for my personal things but ivegot more things to do and i dont want to depend so long on our people's money. They pay their taxes for us the so called royals and the empty headed ministers and thats a bit unfair."

What she is saying is true. But thats how it is.... the rulers will be raised by the followers...the citizens....

"The story was great!"Bojan said but instead of being happy her face clouded. She ignored it back again and sat on the chair i offered her in my office.

We spoke a lot on the new information compairing with the records taken before and discussed about our next steps for hours.

"It seems like Bayan and Dankese are not in good terms with Thalthal." Bojan agreed with me.

"They say that those three have being good friends few months before Merchant Deokman's death. But after his sudden wiered death...."

"Did they say the deathwas weared?" The princess asked Bojan.

"Hm. They say though he was in debt the money he got after selling the hotel was enough to pay off."

"Thats true. I found out too that it was taken at an impossibly high price. But why? is the matter. The place doesnt value much. And they told me to find another place for my performances cause they are going to close the place in few weeks."

"May be because .....Bayan mentioned something like that place is easy to work  cause its near to the capitol but also at the far end but Dankese changed the topic. Something so important he wanted to hide"i told the princess what i suspect.

"Commander didnt you say something about Bayan moving to the village Sheng tommorrow?" Did he mention for what?"

"He said that they are going to have some good money tommorrow when talking about something else but didnt mention more than that."

"What did the Senior Officer say?"

"Did you know that he is Chans father?"

"I know. He is a kind man but Chan says he is weak infront of power! He says that sometimes he goes somewhere without telling others where he left. But also he is a good father! He is kind of like the lonely person after his wife's death."

"He is not a good worker at the sales department too. I mean though he is aged he hasnt being promoted. Every government transactions goes through him and many had been capable of fooling him and getting some advantage. Still with his experiences he was neither punished or promoted."i added. Then the princes schanged the topic.

"Bojan, your wife must be waiting for you. You may leave. Or else she might find out where you have been."as the princess said sarcastically He smiled at the thought and taking my permission he left.

"Commander shall i ask you a favour?"the princess asked.

Now whats this time?

"We shall reach the village you mentioned in the evening but as the night falls im going to visit my mother's grave and can you join me?cause..."

"I will of course princess!" Im glad that she asked.

"And in the morning ive got some work at a village near the capitol. So im taking friends along with me even Bojan. Can you permit him to come with me."

"Fine. But one of his holidays will be cut off."

"He said that he is fine with it"

"Then I ll join too, so we three can discuss more on the case."

"You may come but i dont think we'll have time for discussions." She smiled like a child.

"Now Good night sir. Please dont even think of coming with me cause General is not here today."

Without letting me speak a single word she ran out of the office.

But i couldnt stop myself. She was travelling with a chest filled with silver and she is not at all secured. So i secretly followed her up to her cottage and as she went in i hurried back for a rest.