FOREIGN BODIES

         The Courtiers gathered in the Grand Hall, Eunuch Deng standing in front of them beside the Emperor as he read out his Edict.

          "HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT CHANCELLOR QIAN XIANGZU IS HEREBY PROMOTED TO HEAD OF THE BUREAU OF MILITARY AFFAIRS AND WILL ASSUME THE OFFICE OF THE GRAND CHANCELLOR,  LI PI IS HEREBY ADVANCED TO THE POSITION OF LEFT CHANCELLOR, VICE MINISTER OF RITES SHI MIYUAN WILL TAKE CHARGE OF THE MINISTRY OF RITES AS THE HEAD OF ITS OFFICE, GRAND MARSHAL YANG CISHAN IS THUS ADVANCED TO THE POSITION OF JUNIOR GUARDIAN, ENFEOFFED AS THE HONOURABLE GRAND PRINCE OF WEI, PENG ZISHOU SHALL COMMAND THE OFFICE OF THE GRAND SECRETARY WHILE THE TRAITOR THAT CONSPIRED WITH HAN TOUZHOU SU SHIDAN UNDER BANISHMENT IN GUANGCHOU MUST BE EXECUTED ON COURT ORDER. HAN TOUZHOU'S SON HAN GONG IS BANISHED TO MEIZHOU ISLAND WHERE HE SHALL LIVE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE, THIS IS HIS MAJESTY'S WILL." He said folding it finally.

          "Thank you Your Majesty, Long Live Your Majesty." The Courtiers said in unison as they bowed their heads and Yang Cishan staring at Shi Miyuan, the latter nodded his head.

          "With Your Majesty's permission I wish to advance a proposal. " He said.

           "What is it? " Emperor Ningzong asked reluctantly.   

           "This concerns Her Grace Consort Cao and the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji." He responded.

        "Consort Cao attempted to take the life of the Crown Prince and ill rumours were circulating around the Imperial Palace questioning the Imperial Prince's legitimacy." The new Grand Chancellor Qian Xiangzu muttered.

        "Which was not proven." Yang Cishan pointed out.

        "The issue was already done with." The Left Chancellor Li Pi mentioned, "besides this is now a question of His Majesty's harem and the Inner Court so it is up to the Emperor and Empress to decide." He added.

         "That's enough." Emperor Ningzong mentioned, "I'll discuss this with the Empress and we shall see." He said.

          "Yes Your Majesty." They all replied in unison bowing their heads.

          Stepping outside the Grand Hall they walked in their cliques and Shi Miyuan and Yang Cishan together they halted at the bottom of the stairs and kowtowed to each other.

          "You head one of the Six Ministries, it isn't so bad for the Start." Yang Cishan pointed out.

          "Perhaps." Shi Miyuan remarked, "but with Qian Xiangzu's personality I don't think he can last long as the Grand Chancellor." He mentioned.

          "What makes you say that?" Yang Cishan inquired, "we have already gotten rid of our enemies so we can't possibly make enemies amongst ourselves." He cautioned.

          "I'll keep that in mind but it's better to be safe than sorry." Shi Miyuan remarked.

          "Then I shall see you off from here, I want to have a word with the Empress." Yang Cishan said as he went his way while Shi Miyuan turning he saw Qian Xiangzu staring intensely at him whom he kowtowed from a distance before he departed from the scene.

          The Emperor approaching the Central Palace he caught sight of the Empress who was standing on the bridge above the Imperial Lake.

          Slowly he approached her noticing that she was absent-minded.

          "My Empress?" He called that she instantly turned around and bowed her head to offer her respects.

          "Your Majesty." She responded.

          "What are you doing here?" He inquired.

          "I was just getting some air, it's been a while since I last walked through the gardens carefree, I was very occupied with the war and Your Majesty's sickness, I suppose that now I am trying to readjust to life in the Palace as the Empress again." She responded.

          "It isn't good to take a stroll on your own." The Emperor mentioned and looking at her eyes, he couldn't help but remember the Edict that he had read it was there that the Empress knew something was troubling him.

          "What's the problem Your Majesty?" She asked.

          "I have been thinking about something lately and this morning the Courtiers brought up the reinstatement of Consort Cao and the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji, however since you were the primary decision maker back then I felt that your opinion was necessary." He lied.

          "Oh." She muttered for a moment, "I had almost forgotten." She mentioned, "no wonder the Palace felt uneasily quiet." She said.

           "What do you think?" He inquired.

           "There is something that I never openly professed back then, concerning the crime that Consort Cao was alleged to have committed." She replied.

           "What is it?" The Emperor asked.

           "I found her pitiful but I had grown up with her and Your Majesty knew that I treated her like my sister, I didn't believe that she was capable of being that insidious so rather than killing her I gave them both a harsh punishment perhaps to divert political attention from them and convince the Courtiers, after what happened it's possible that Consort Han schemed to bring the Imperial Prince Zhao Shen closer to the Imperial Dragon throne." She responded.

           "I love this about you my Empress, you are really kind and diligent." He mentioned.

          "I didn't want to mar your reputation that is why I strived to be careful with my administration, I didn't wish to let you down." She professed.

          "You did well my Empress." Emperor Ningzong praised her.

          "But I can't much up to your capabilities." She muttered.

          "Then I shall leave this matter to you." The Emperor said.

          "Don't worry Your Majesty, I shall return everything to its rightful place." She said as she held his hand and comforted him while she smiled sincerely.

          The Empress returning to her Chambers she found her brother standing outside.

          "Your Highness." He greeted her while smiled at him and inviting him inside she poured him a cup of tea.

         "Congratulations brother, you have been enfeoffed as a Grand Prince." She said to him while he held up the cup.

          "It's all thanks to Your Highness, had it not been for you, who would have thought that the Yang Clan would realize such merit one day?" He asked.

         "It's nothing though." Empress Yang mentioned, "you are growing old and I need you still so I was thinking that it is high time that Yang Shi and Yang Gu helped you." He suggested.

         "They are much better warriors than I was in my youthful days at least I heard." Yang Cishan remarked.

         "Surely." Empress Yang mentioned, "we need to empower ourselves now more than ever." She claimed.

          "Shi Miyuan suggested as you had proposed to the Emperor, Qian Xiangzu and Ye Shi spoke in protest at least as we had anticipated but the Emperor said he would discuss it with you." Yang Cishan reported.

          "I agreed, he seemed convinced that it was my good will." She confidently asserted.

          "But I still wonder why Your Highness would take such a big risk, Consort Cao's return to the Palace might engineer the emergence of an opposing faction at Court, why would you intentionally compromise your absolute power now that you have achieved it?" He asked.

         "There's nothing more dangerous than suspicion, much of what we have can be lost instantly and besides even amongst allies it is necessary for me to choose those who are more loyal than the others." She mentioned.

          "In other words, Your Highness wishes to use Consort Cao as bait?" He asked.

           "I can hardly sleep at night not trusting His Majesty's affections anymore, ever since the Grand Empress Dowager's death there's something about him that has changed and with Han Touzhou's assassination even if our trust is still unbroken I can not guarantee that it wasn't strained." She responded as Yang Cishan kept quiet while she looked at him.

           "I understand that you are worried about me and our Clan, truthfully speaking even I am worried about Consort Cao's presence along with our safety but don't worry, I'll make sure that she is better off quiet within these walls than indulging herself in affairs that could get her killed." She assured him.

           Qian Xiangzu seated with Ye Shi in his office the latter noticed the worry on his face.

          "Is this about Consort Cao's reinstatement into the harem?" Ye Shi asked.

          "What is Her Highness thinking?" He asked himself.

          "I thought this was purely Shi Miyuan's idea." Ye Shi pointed out.

          "He dances on the Empress' tunes he couldn't possibly make such a big move without the Empress' knowledge." Qian Xiangzu said.

          "I see." Ye Shi whispered.

          "But if it is indeed Her Highness' intuition then she must be up to something, however, the big question that we should all be asking ourselves is what could it possibly be?" Qian Xiangzu asked.

          "Wouldn't it be better to inquire from her directly?" Ye Shi asked.

          "You know the type of person the Empress is by nature, if she concealed it from us initially unless she feels it's necessary or the time is right, she'll reveal her intentions to us." Qian Xiangzu mentioned.

           "But you are thinking, what if she doesn't?" Ye Shi pointed out after studying his expression.

           "Yes." Qian Xiangzu agreed as Ye Shi immersed himself in thought as well.

           "Something isn't right." He said contentedly.

           Linxiang with the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji seated at a table were having a meal when they heard a knock on the door.

          "I shall see who it is." She said as she got up from where she was seated.

          Opening the door she saw a couple of Imperial guards gathered outside led by Bao Langya.

          "What are you doing here?" She asked.      

          "We are here on orders of Her Highness and His Majesty to escort the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji back to the Palace." He responded.

          "You are lost Sir, there's no Prince here, only a commoner and his nanny." She refused.    

         "Her Highness and His Majesty have granted a pardon to Consort Cao, Consort Han schemed and slandered an Imperial Consort, thanks to Her Highness' benevolence, the charges of attempting to take the life of the Crown Prince have been dropped and both Consort Cao and the deposed Prince Zhao Ji will be reinstated as members of the Imperial family." Bao Langya reported that all of a sudden a young boy around two years old appeared at the door drawn by the fierce argument.

          Seeing him, the Imperial guards all faced him and bowed their heads.

          "Greetings Your Highness." They said in unison and Linxiang hardly believing her eyes she immediately pulled the Imperial Prince close to her.

         "Alright then, we'll go with you." She said as she descended the stairs with the young boy and the guards paving way for them towards the palanquin that had been prepared.

          Consort Cao inside the dark room pieces of wood that had been nailed to block the entrance of light were slowly removed letting in a couple of brilliant beams that dispersed the darkness.

          Eventually, the doors being opened she saw a silhouette that darkened the doorway slowly approaching her.

          Opening her eyes wider and accommodating the image she recognized it as the Empress' Court Lady Xiaoyang.

         "What are you doing here?" She asked, "have you come to confirm if I am dead?" She mentioned.

         "Hear and receive Her Highness' Edict." She mentioned, "CONSORT  CAO IS HEREBY ABSOLVED OF HER CRIMES AND REINSTATED TO THE RANK OF CHEN FEI, SHE WILL RETURN TO THE RONGCHANG PALACE IMMEDIATELY ALONG WITH THE IMPERIAL PRINCE ZHAO JI." She said and Consort Cao unable to believe what she had heard got up and knelt in front of her.

          "Consort Cao thanks Her Highness for her boundless benevolence." She mentioned gently.

          "Prepare for your departure." Xiaoyang said and bowing her head she withdrew from the room at once.

          The ladies of the harem and the Inner Court gathered outside the Central Palace, the Empress seated on her throne seemed calm and composed as the gates were opened and Consort Cao walked in dressed in her ceremonial robes while holding her Jade tablet.

          A pair of Court Ladies accompanying her until she was in the Empress' presence, she appeared to have aged a little bit but she was still beautiful nonetheless.

           "Your Highness." She said while going onto her knees and kowtowing to the Empress who raised her right hand and signalled for her to stand up.

           She complied immediately and silence prevailing in the square momentarily, it was broken when the doors being opened again, Linxiang and the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji walked through.

           Everyone present bowed their heads to them as they halted right in front of the Empress and equally kowtowed to offer their respects.

           "At ease." Empress Yang said, "Consort Han sinned and slandered an Imperial Consort and the Emperor's son, as the head of the harem and the Inner Court,, therefore I have absolved you of your crimes." She gracefully said.

           "Consort Cao and His Highness the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji thank you Your Highness." She spoke up while the Empress smiled at the two.

          The Emperor lost in his thoughts was recalling the words that had been written in the Imperial Edict of his Late Grandfather when Eunuch Deng walked in on him.

         "Your Majesty." He said bowing his head.

         "How was it?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

         "The ceremony welcoming Consort Cao and the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji back to the Palace was Grand and remarkable, Her Highness made sure that everything went smoothly." He responded.

         "That's good enough." The Emperor remarked but Eunuch Deng could tell from his expression that he still looked troubled.

         "You don't look well Your Majesty, maybe I should call the Imperial physician?" He asked.

         "I am alright." He responded and Eunuch Deng realizing that he wasn't soon to yield he instantly dropped the issue.

         The Empress seated in her Bed Chambers Manyin suddenly walked in.

         "Your Highness, Consort Cao is seeking an audience with you." She notified.

         "Let her in." Empress Yang ordered and Manyin getting out, the doors were opened and she gracefully sashayed in.

         "Your Highness?" Consort Cao muttered bowing her head to her.

         "Your Grace." The Empress replied and without invitation, Consort Cao took the seat right in front of her.

         "It has been a long time." She mentioned.

         "However is it that you survived the Cold Palace, I have been in the darkness before, seeing nothing, not even the brilliance of light, it preys on your mind, and before you realize it, you have already succumbed and lost yourself to it." Empress Yang said.

        "Painfully." Consort Cao mentioned.

         "I love this about you." The Empress said, "since we were young, growing up together always, no one ever acknowledged the fact that I was much better than them at everything like you." She uttered.

          "You are right Your Highness." Consort Cao agreed.

          "Then I suppose some time in the Cold Palace was worth it." She said. 

          "You bet it was." Consort Cao said, "until now I have realised that I can't beat you at your own game because instead of fighting with you Your Highness, I have always fought myself, confined to my own standard of thoughts that I never realised how much better you are." She professed.

          "Now that you know what are you going to do, seeing that I invited you back into the Palace surely you must be aware that I have remarkable plans for you." She whispered joyfully.

          "I'll fight as though my life depends on it." Consort Cao said, "I'll do whatever it takes to protect His Majesty from your evil charms." She confessed.

           "But apart from talking do you have what it takes?" Empress Yang asked.

            "I have hope Your Highness above all things, the only reason I can keep fighting is that I have hope because I am living every day." She responded as the Empress chuckled lightly at her.

           "Very well then." Empress Yang mentioned, "I'll make sure to shatter that hope slowly by slowly so that the pain sinks in deep." She assured her and Consort Cao standing up, she bowed her head to the Empress before she withdrew and walked out of the room.

         Shi Miyuan stealthily walking through the streets he made an entrance into Lanling Court, moving up to the second floor, he was ushered into a room where he found a strange man seated.

         "At last we meet again." He mentioned and the stranger raising his head he smiled.

         "It has been a very long time." The man agreed as Shi Miyuan moved closer and sat down in front of him.

         "Pula, is it?" He asked.

         "It's good to see that you still remember my name." He responded.

         "You are aware what terrible things could arise from your presence here in the Capital." Shi Miyuan seemed to remind him.

         "The Rebel Princess at last became the Empress of a rival Empire, she is praised so much and I heard the people here referring to her with many remarkable names, a demi-god, a warrior goddess, a secret healer." He said.

         "What do you want?" Shi Miyuan inquired.

         "Relax, I am not your enemy after all, I just thought that I could give you some good news." He responded.

         "Lately I have a hard time trusting people who either know too much or those that know enough to harm the people I love." Shi Miyuan remarked.

         "I bet with this information you would like to reconsider." Pula said.

         "I'll make my judgement after hearing." Shi Miyuan emphasized.

         "The Jurchen Government received warnings of further Mongol advancements Southward, what's worse is that the Emperor us ailing, after the fiascos of Teng and Guanghua the Jurchen Military unit was severely weakened and they aren't in the position to sustain a war against your Government but they don't want to show that they are desperate for a truce." Pula notified.

         "Why are you telling me this, how does it benefit you in particular?" Shi Miyuan asked.

        "I am a Jurchen merchant and with the Mongols at our neck I earn nothing it only means that the wealth my father and I made will go to waste, however, one thing is certain, you not only have the reserves but are also competent enough to help me survive, for that to happen peace must return to our borders." He responded.

         "I like the idea but I need a guarantee that your presence will not bring us more harm than good." Shi Miyuan mentioned.

          "The Empress calls all the shots in this Empire, it is her state after all, I want to tap those privileges and blessings to survive, why then should I tamper with destroying them?" Pula asked.

           "I'll see what I can do." Shi Miyuan mentioned.

           "I'll take that as a yes after all I know that you'll make the wise decision in the end." Pula said as he smiled at himself ghastly.

           Shi Miyuan exiting the building with Dong Hua closely following him from behind he halted in his footsteps.

          "What's the problem Your Excellency?" He inquired.

          "Post our best men to keep a close eye out for him, I need to be reported to in detail every move he makes, who he meets where and when." Shi Miyuan ordered.

          "Rest assured your Excellency." Dong Hua promised him before he continued his way.

         Consort Cao quietly seated in her Chambers was lost in her thoughts momentarily when Linxiang walking in with some tea, she placed it on the table in front of her and poured her some in her cup.

         "Have you heard any rumours going around the Palace?" Consort Cao suddenly asked as she stared at the tea in the cup.

         "Yes Your Grace." Linxiang replied, "not many officials were happy with your return but most importantly, His Majesty has seemed doubtful of the Empress' influence the past couple of days much as she's acted more reserved lately." She reported.

          "We have been away from the Palace for so long which is why it is necessary therefore that we rebuild our power." She pointed out as she held the teacup and studying it, she took a sip before pulling it from her lips again

          "But where do we start Your Grace, ever since your banishment to the Cold Palace and the assassination of Han Touzhou the entire Imperial Court is dominated by the Empress' people." She claimed.

          "Then we'll have to win as many of them as we can to our side." Consort Cao proposed.

          "And how are you going to do that Your Grace, judging from the way things are looking it won't be easy." Linxiang remarked.

          "The Empress' people may speak in one voice but they exist along two parallels, the first are her kin and the second are merely her benefactors." She responded, "if we must get a hold of the Empress' power and weaken it, we must widen this rift and exploit it to our advantage." She professed.

          "What do you have in mind Your Grace?" Linxiang asked curiously as the latter smiling at herself ghastly she kept quiet.

         "What!" Empress Yang exclaimed.

         "We now have a chance to end the war for good, the Jurchen Government lacks not only the resources but they also can't devote their strength to reinforcing the Southern border because they are facing pressure from the Mongols in the North." Shi Miyuan reported.

         "Then we shall give them what they want." Empress Yang mentioned, "if it is a negotiation, a truce then we should deliver it to them." She insisted.

           "We don't have those many supporters of Han Touzhou anymore to hamper us and I am sure that the Court would also be willing to welcome it, all we have to do is push His Majesty to agree." The Empress remarked.

         "You can leave that to me Your Highness, I'll see to it that he agrees tomorrow during the Daily Assembly." Shi Miyuan assured her.

         Gathered in the Grand Hall with the Courtiers, Shi Miyuan moved forward.

          "Your Majesty." He said, "I have a proposal to advance." He mentioned.

          "Proceed." The Emperor Ningzong mentioned.

          "It has been a while, the intensity of war with the North has declined but its status is not definite, there is much speculation among the people of future conflict I therefore feel that it is necessary that we define our position as the Southern Song Dynasty's Government before the situation exacerbates." Shi Miyuan asserted.

          "So what do you suggest?" The Emperor inquired.

          "I am certain that amongst us very many people opt for peaceful negotiations between our two countries and I am also informed that the Jurchen Government is considering it as well, and their Emperor is opposed to the continued conflict given the heavy losses the Jurchens have incurred so far." Shi Miyuan replied.

         "It is reasonable." Emperor Ningzong mentioned, "after the conflict and the intense suffering our people have been through it rests with us now to relieve them of their troubles and return peace to our Glorious Heavenly Empire." He supplemented.

          "With Your Majesty's permission I propose that Wang Man of the Directorate of Education be sent as the Chief Emissary to Zhongdu to discuss the terms of our truce with the Jurchens." Shi Miyuan said.

          "Yes." Emperor Ningzong replied and the latter bowing his head he was contented.

          The Empress seated in her Chambers Manyin walked in.

          "His Majesty has agreed." She reported, "Wang Nan will be sent to Zhongdu tomorrow at daybreak." She asserted.

          "Very well then, send for him." Empress Yang ordered.

          "Yes Your Highness." Manyin replied as she withdrew from the room.

          "Really?" Consort Cao asked.

          "His Majesty approved Shi Miyuan's proposal to send Wang Nan as the Chief Emissary to Zhongdu to negotiate peace with the Jurchens." Linxiang reported.

          "I see." Consort Cao mentioned, "maybe this is just about the right time to strike." She said.

          "How Your Grace?" Linxiang inquired.

          "I need to have a word with the Grand Chancellor." Consort Cao responded.

          "Yes Your Grace." Linxiang responded hesitantly.

       The sun setting the Empress in her Chambers was seated at a table with Wang Nan, in front of her there was a small kettle which she gently fanned.

        "It is almost ready, we'll only have to wait a little bit more." She said as she looked him in the eye, "let's get to the point of your invitation here." She mentioned.

        "I am grateful that Your Highness thought about seeing me, I am much obliged to hear from you." Wang Nan praised.

        "But hearing from me isn't enough." Empress Yang professed, "your reaction is what matters." She asserted while the young man nodded his head in approval.

            "We can't delay it any longer, we must make the negotiation public because if the Jurchens change their mind then I fear that it shall be too late to turn the tide of disaster into our own favour." Empress Yang mentioned

          "That is why we should hurry." Wang Nan said.

          "I love your attitude, it's no wonder that the Minister of Rites put your name forward to His Majesty." Empress Yang remarked.

          "In order to take our strongest competitors from the picture and achieve what Han Touzhou and his administration failed to achieve." Wang Nan mentioned.

          "His Majesty might have agreed but the result always justifies his reaction." The Empress cautioned.

           "I have been reliably informed." Wang Nan responded and the Empress gently pouring him a cup of tea she pushed it closer to him.

           "The Jurchen Officials will exert more pressure on you to try and test our desperation, do not let them control you and ensure that you gain the upper hand." She whispered.

           "Yes, Your Highness." Wang Nan replied.

           "Very many people have been sacrificed to realise this hour of peace, your actions will not only reflect on you but also our Great Heavenly Empire, regardless of how tough the circumstances may be, you must stand your ground if you wish to achieve greater things." She seemed to caution him while he nodded his head in approval.

          Qian Xiangzu seated in his living room, the doors were slid open as his retainer walked in before him.

       "Your Excellency, someone is here to see you." He said.

       "Who could it be right now?" He asked.

       "She says she's from the Palace." He responded.

       "Then it must be someone from the Empress," he instantly concluded, "let her in." He ordered and the young man withdrawing a short while later the doors were opened and a woman who was veiled made her way in.

        "Your Excellency." She said bowing her head.

        "How may I help you?" He asked when she removed the veil hanging over her face and turned out to be Consort Cao.

        "Your Grace!" He exclaimed startled.

        "Yes Your Excellency she replied calmly with a smile on her face before she invited herself to take a seat on the stool in front of him while he fell silent as he tried to process what was going on.

        "What are you doing here Your Grace?" Qian Xiangzu inquired.

        "I heard that His Majesty agreed to send an Emissary to Zhongdu to negotiate peace with the Jurchens." Consort Cao responded.

         "It shouldn't concern you." Qian Xiangzu responded.

         "Well for the sake of His Majesty and our Great Heavenly Empire I can't help but worry." She mentioned.

         "It's unnecessary." Qian Xiangzu muttered.

         "Perhaps it may seem so, but I am eager to understand what your opinion would be, you of all people know the attitude of the Empress, she won't succumb that easily." Consort Cao pointed out.

        "I am well aware." Qian Xiangzu replied, "it's what we all want." He claimed.

         "But what are the chances that your resilience will restore peace when we have all seen what the Jurchens can do, we all understand what's in their capabilities." She whispered.

          "What are you trying to say Your Grace?" Qian Xiangzu inquired.

          "Take a guess, the Jurchens are more desperate for survival than a negotiation, if we can give them something to guarantee their survival then they would honour their end of the deal without even the slightest hint of resistance." She responded, "we wouldn't want them to raid us and drag us into another war, would we?" She asked while the latter fell silent.

            Wang Nan arriving outside his residence he found someone standing right in front of his gates.

           "Who are you Sir?" He asked the stranger who hearing him at that moment he turned around to face him.

           "Your Excellency!":He exclaimed at the sight of the Grand Chancellor.

           "I hope you're not too busy to have a word with me." He said.

           "Is there something that you wish to discuss with me?" Wang Nan asked.

          "Seeing that I have come at such an ungodly hour then surely it is vital, to be more specific it concerns the welfare of our Great Heavenly Empire." Qian Xiangzu responded.

          Wang Nan reluctantly he ushered him into his house and inside his personal room they quietly exchanged a few gazes while the maidservant served them some tea and withdrew to grant them some privacy.

          "If this is about the Empress, I already spoke to her, you don't need to worry as I won't forget what she mentioned to me." He said.

          "This is much bigger than the Empress." Qian Xiangzu responded.

          "Then why discuss it with me?" Wang Nan asked.

          "Because the person going to represent our Court and our Great Heavenly Empire in Zhongdu is you." Qian Xiangzu responded, "I thought that before your trip there should be a couple of things we should discuss in person." He said.

          "I'm all ears." Wang Nan assured him.

          "What will you do?" Qian Xiangzu inquired.

          "I won't let the Jurchens intimidate me, I won't give them a chance, we must have the upper hand." He responded and Qian Xiangzu smiling at him he picked up one of the tea cups and inspected it before taking a sip and finally lowering it back onto the table.

         "It is very hard to reason with a mad bull." He remarked.

         "What do you mean?" Wang Nan asked.

         "The Jurchens are very desperate to survive and that means that they would do almost anything in the world to ensure that they gain sustainability even if it means preying off our borders, if the terms are harsh and they can not be deemed negotiable then all they'll have to do is to mobilise their own forces to make an immediate attack and who do you think will suffer?" He asked while Wang Nan remained quiet.

         "You don't want the Jurchens to fear us again." Wang Nan pointed out briefly.

         "You are a very wise young man indeed." Qian Xiangzu pointed out.

         "So you are suggesting that we pacify them?" Wang Nan asked.

         "Resistance doesn't solve much of everything at this time what the Jurchens need is a suitable friend, a compassionate ally, a state to offer them brotherly compassion and not a contender, a probable enemy." Qian Xiangzu asserted.

           "But Her Highness will be very furious if she finds out." Wang Nan said.

           "The wrath of the Empress can not compare to the tears and bloodshed of a million people of our Noble race, I am not asking you to submit under the will of the Jurchens I am only asking you to improve the already bitter relations between our two countries and I assure you that should anything go wrong, I am reliably here to protect you." Qian Xiangzu spoke convincingly as he touched the latter's right arm reassuringly with a smile on his face.

         At dawn, the officials gathered outside the Wang Manor, the latter moved out gracefully and offered his final greetings.

         "The Monarchy must shine." Shi Miyuan said to him while he nodded his head in approval as he moved up to the Grand Chancellor.

         "May peace between our two Empires ride with you upon your return." He mentioned to him as he nodded his head yet again before he climbed into the carriage which immediately set off with its entourage in a very Grand procession through the streets of Lin'an.

          "Finally, this bitter war will come to an end." Qian Xiangzu mentioned.

          "It's still too early to tell, I was reliably informed that the Jurchens being quite barbaric aren't fond of round table negotiations." Shi Miyuan said.

          "So what will you do if they don't agree to our terms?" Qian Xiangzu inquired.

         "I have faith in Wang Nan's talents that is why I am certain that they shall agree." Shi Miyuan confidently said.

          "I hope so too then." Qian Xiangzu said as he looked at the carriage slowly vanishing from sight.

          "The Emissary Wang Nan has just left the Capital on the diplomatic mission." Xiaoyang reported to the Empress.

          "Very well." She remarked and placing her hand on the table she started tapping it slowly while immersed in her thoughts.

         "Is anything bothering you Your Highness?" She inquired.

         "We can finally rest for a while when it comes to the Jurchens but I can never set my heart at ease again since Consort Cao is back within the Palace." Empress Yang responded.

         "She has been awfully quiet." Xiaoyang remarked.

         "After our little parley yesterday I couldn't help but feel more confident that she has learnt well being around me most of her life not to succumb that easily, besides I could feel the tamed rage within her breath, I saw it burn that her eyes for a moment looked like bottomless pits." The Empress asserted.

          "After what she has been through, she'll certainly be furious." Xiaoyang said.

          "And with the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji back in the Palace as well, as the Emperor's biological son Xun'er's position as the Crown Prince of our Great Heavenly Empire is being threatened, she won't end until she has supplanted him." Empress Yang strongly claimed.

          "Then why don't you get rid of the Imperial Prince now?" Xiaoyang asked.

          "We can't make such a hasty decision especially when His Majesty is still in doubt, it could raise many unnecessary rumours and besides, it isn't yet the right time as Consort Cao's hope is still too young." She responded.

          "But I fear Your Highness, if the situation isn't contained at an early stage I fear that an attempt in the future would be too late." Xiaoyang mentioned.

         "Unless I became the Imperial Prince's protectress." Empress Yang concluded an idea finally popping into her head.

         "The Imperial Prince's protectress?" Xiaoyang sought clarity.

         "Yes." The Empress replied as she smiled at herself ghastly

         Consort Han inside her Chambers doing some embroidery Linxiang walked in right in front of her.

         "Your Grace." She greeted.

         "Our emissaries must have left the Capital by now." She said.

         "Yes Your Grace." Linxiang responded while she rested the needle down for a moment and looked at her masterpiece.

        "A four-clawed Dragon, is it for the Crown Prince?" Linxiang inquired.

        "Thanks to Her Highness I am back in the harem, His Majesty knows that we are fond of each other like sisters, as the legal Mother of the Crown Prince I was hoping to give him a gift, and since he has just recovered from a tough storm what would be better than a prayer for longevity?" Consort Cao mentioned.

         "How thoughtful Your Grace!" Linxiang exclaimed.

         "I am sure that the Empress must be patiently waiting for good news within her Chambers after the diplomatic visit, only the Great God knows how hard it'll hit her when things take a drastic change and just like that, he efforts end up ruined." Consort Cao said as she smiled at herself.

          The Jurchen Imperial Court gathered in Zhongdu, the presence of the Southern Song Dynasty's Emissary was announced before the ailing Emperor who struggled to act strong.

         The two doors being opened, a total of fifteen emissaries dressed in official robes led by Wang Nan made their way through the lifeless room, their eyes glowing with brilliance cast away the darkness that had prevailed and halting in front of the Jurchen Emperor.

         "Greetings Your Majesty." Wang Nan and his team offered their salutations in Jurchen as the Emperor raised his hand for them to stand at ease.

         "We are pleased to receive you." He said.

         "We traverse this far on behalf of the Southern Song Government, our Great Sovereign Majesty greets you with humility and wishes that you are well." Wang Nan said.

         "It is an honour." Emperor Zhangzong spoke.

         "It's been a very long and disastrous battle, our Majesty's Government feels that we can bring an end to the strife and come into peaceful negotiations so that our two Empires might thrive again like in the olden time." Wang Nan said.

          "How considerate!" Emperor Zhangzong mentioned, "then I suppose that you are interested in a truce." He said.

          "We have gained nothing from conflict and both sides have considerably lost, if we could agree on some terms then perhaps we could move on as though nothing happened." Wang Nan said.

          "I have a hard time believing that a Han's words are reliable." Emperor Zhangzong said.

          "Then why don't we listen to the terms first?" Wang Nan mentioned as he bowed his head while the Emperor studied him entirely while Wanyan Guang noticed the intense stare between the two.

       The Song Emissaries Wang Nan and Xue I were led into a small room where a table had been set.

       "Do you think that the Jurchens will agree to a peaceful resolution?" Xue I asked.

        "I'll make sure they do." Wang Nan responded.

        "But their Emperor looked unyielding, I could tell from his intimidating gaze, he won't really offer the most condusive terms." Xue I pointed out.

        "But he can't also keep the war going either, that's one advantage we have but it isn't reliable enough for us to back them into corner and given the current state of affairs we need to be careful not to be too provocative." Wang Nan remarked when the doors of the room were slid open and Wanyan Guang walked in.

      The two of them stood up and bowed their heads to him while offering their respects as he did the same thing.

      "How may we be of help Sir?" Wang Nan inquired.

      "I am here on behalf of His Majesty, in privacy, let's listen to your terms." He responded and Wang Nan looking at Xue I he nodded his head which induced him to withdraw immediately.

      "Sure." Wang Nan said offering him a seat and Wanyan Guang sincerely took it up with a peacock fan in his hands.

       "I am here to listen to your negotiation," he pointed out, "what offers does the Great Southern Song Dynasty have in stock for us?" Wanyan Guang inquired.

        "The Jurchen economy has been severely damaged as it is by events prior to the war and the war itself, you do not have sufficient finances to meet the administration costs, trade has stagnated and what's worse is that you do not have the necessary resources to survive let alone the means to exploit the little you have left." Wang Nan mentioned, "we can discuss a war indemnity first, just name your price." He proposed.

         "Very well then." Wanyan Guang mentioned, "we can't survive on two hundred and fifty thousand silver ounces, we need more than that." He said.

         "Three hundred perhaps." Wang Nan spoke resolutely, "along with them three hundred bolts of silk." He muttered.

         "It's a very good offer." Wanyan Guang said.

         "The best that we have, in return for peace, we shall keep our diplomatic meetings and between our two states there must be equal status which means that both our Emperors command the same respect, we do not have to report our internal matters to you that means that you shall recognize our dual-suzerainty among all other nations." Wang Nan confidently asserted while Wanyan Guang seemed to be inwardly debating with himself and the latter only pushed immediately his opportunity to eclipse him

        "You do not have what it takes to bring war upon us but we have what it takes to withstand and perhaps from our Great Empress' example to inflict considerable damage, as it is however I am not here to present you a contender of your authority but you can think of our Government, our state as your nation's brother." He said.

        "Your terms are all very reasonable but behind me there are angry people that blame you for starting the war, I will agree with ease to all these terms on one condition." He resolved, "I heard that the war was particularly championed by Han Touzhou and Su Shidan out of all your officials, provide me with the heads of those instigators and I might easily convince our masses to league with me in seeking this peace that we desire." Wanyan Guang said.

         Wang Nan at that moment seemed to recall the words that Qian Xiangzu had said to him and Wanyan Guang noticing his sudden change of character leaned forward while still fanning himself.

        "I am not here to present you a contender of your authority as well but you can think of our Government, our state as your nation's brother if you grant us this one request alongside that." He whispered.

         "Consider it already done Your Excellency." Wang Nan said with a smile on his face and Wanyan Guang convinced he returned the most sincere smile that he could find.

       Wanyan Guang stepping outside the room Wang Nan still seated inside was left all alone couldn't help it but recall the words that the Grand Chancellor had mentioned to him before he took a deep sigh as his colleague Xue I walked in and sat down before him

         "What did the Jurchens offer?" He asked.

         "We'd offer them three hundred thousand bolts of silk and ounces of silver, our States would retain an equal diplomatic status, there wouldn't be any territorial demands at that, nor would they send over more soldiers into our territory." He responded.

          "And they agreed that easily?" Xue I inquired.

          "Of course, there is something else that I agreed to offer them." He responded.

          "And what is it?" Xue I asked.

          "The Heads of Han Touzhou and Su Shidan who initiated the conflict." He responded.

          "Are you out of your mind?" Xue I lashed out ferociously.

          "For the sake of peace we must offer this much." Wang Nan responded.

         "This much, it defies the sanctity of our resolve for equality as it is yet another way of undermining our Empire, you might give your consent to it but never will I." Xue I protested.

         "But that isn't up to you to decide." Wang Nan said, "I am the Chief Emissary of this visit and I already consented to it." He claimed.

         "It also requires the resolve of our Government, the permission of our Imperial Court, their discussion." Xue I muttered.

         "It is the Grand Chancellor's wish." Wang Nan said, "he can support us on this matter." He asserted.

         "No." Xue I said.

         "There's nothing more that you can do, it has already been decided by me and your protest and opinion is irrelevant as it so happens to be that you are a mere escort." Wang Nan said as he stood up and immediately departed from the room leaving Xue I infuriated that clenching his right fist he smacked the table and his hand bled instantly.

         The Grand Chancellor Qian Xiangzu in his study his eyes perused through the letter from Wang Nan.

         Wanyan Guang moving into another room, there the Emperor Zhangzong and a few more Jurchen officials were seated that he bowed his head as he took the vacant seat in front of them.

      "What did you see?" The Emperor inquired.

         "The Southern Song Dynasty's emissary seems more determined to pursue peace than war, considering how easily and submissive he acted, the Court of the South might be more desperate for a peace settlement than we are." He said.

         "We can't hastily buy that idea." Emperor Zhangzong suddenly said, "our losses were largely based on the fact that we thought they would cave in and surrender, we can not make the same mistake of trusting them easily again or underestimating them, for all I know this diplomatic mission could be a measure of our desperation as well." He pointed out.

         "Then what are we going to do Your Majesty?" Wanyan Guang asked.

         "As it is we can simply use this offer to maintain their intent as well, it is only right that we collect their offers personally as a way to study their reaction." He responded.

         "Yes Your Majesty." Everyone said in unison as they bowed their heads.

          By sundown in the Capital, Qian Xiangzu seated in his study with Ye Shi was perusing through a letter that had been delivered to him.

       Concluding it, he folded it gently and took a very deep breath.

          "What does it say?" Ye Shi inquired.

          "The Jurchens agree to his terms, which demand an increment in the annual tribute of silver ounces and bolts of silk of fifty thousand, our States retaining their equal diplomatic status, withdrawing their territorial demands in return of offering them the heads of Su Shidan and Han Touzhou who initiated the war." Qian Xiangzu said.

         "The Empress might have hated Han Touzhou more than anything else in the world but there's no way in a thousand years that she'd be willing to offer them his head and mutilated body along with that of Su Shidan, she'd outrightly oppose it." Ye Shi insisted.

         "I am aware but what we need here is peace and that is as immediate as possible, the Empress' personal feelings are irrelevant and equally are our thoughts concerning her reaction because I dread that her hardheaded nature might rob us of this one chance we have to reconcile order with progress between our two governments." Qian Xiangzu responded confidently as he folded the letter and placing it above the candle, he set it ablaze before he threw it on the ash tray.

           "All we have to do is to rally the support of the Imperial Court when our emissaries return and the Empress will not be powerful enough to stop us from achieving this wholesome peace." He spoke to Ye Shi convincingly.

          Empress Yang in her Chambers was seated desperately when Xiaoyang suddenly rushed in.

        "Your Highness." She said bowing her head.

        "What happened?" The Empress asked.

        "The mission was a success and the Emissaries will be returning to the capital tomorrow, I bet that they shall be bringing good news with them." She responded.

       "Is that so?" Empress Yang asked.

       "I am certain Your Highness, it hasn't even been a week since they left." Xiaoyang assured her.

        "Very well." Empress Yang replied, "what about Consort Cao, is there anything going on with her?" She inquired.

        "Her Grace is either taking care of the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji or rearing silkworms, I heard that she's been sewing clothes all this time for the two Princes." Xiaoyang reported.

        "Not quite the character I am used to." Empress Yang remarked, "just see to it that you don't let your guard down but rather, you keep a very close eye on her." She ordered.

          "Yes Your Highness." Xiaoyang responded.

          "There's no telling when that crafty snake will finally bite." Empress Yang remarked.

          Consort Cao at the Silk parlour was feeding the silkworms some mulberry leaves when Linxiang hurriedly made her way towards her.

      "Your Grace?" She said breathing heavily as she halted right beside her gaining her attention immediately.

      "You seem excited." Consort Cao remarked.

      "This is about the Emissaries that were sent to the Zhongdu." Linxiang responded and the Empress hardly seeming bothered she continued to feed the silkworms.

      "What about them?" She inquired.

      "The diplomatic visit was a success and they shall be arriving in the capital tomorrow in time for the the Daily Assembly." Linxiang responded as Consort Cao hearing this she smiled while letting go of the last mulberry leaf and standing upright to watch the silkworms devour it.

        "Everything seems to be progressing at a much faster pace than expected." She said.

        "What do you think will happen Your Grace?" Linxiang asked.

        "Patience my dear, if the Grand Chancellor had a word with Wang Nan, I am certain that he did something remarkable for us, besides on usual diplomatic visits our Emissaries take much longer but seeing that they are back much sooner than we expected then I bet there is something exciting that is bound to happen within the Imperial Court." Consort Cao responded as she smiled at herself ghastly.

       Xue I quietly seated in his room he couldn't help but feel infuriated with the words that Wang Nan had said to him.

       "I can't do this." He said to himself.

       "Anyone?" He called and the doors being slid open one of their servants walked in.

       "Milord." He said.

       "Prepare me my horse." He ordered.

       "It's still a couple of hours before you set out Milord." The young man said.

       "I don't care, this is very important, the rest will come after me, I need to leave immediately." He insisted.

      "Yes Sir. " The young man replied as he immediately withdrew from the room.

      The Emperor Ningzong reading through the memorial that had been submitted to him, Eunuch Deng stood by his side as he folded it gently.

       "Are you alright Your Majesty?" He asked.

       "The Jurchens have agreed upon peaceful negotiations, it's the terms we do not know yet that keep bothering me." Emperor Ningzong responded.

        "They shall be here in the capital tomorrow, surely to Your Majesty and the entire Imperial Court shall hear them out during the Daily Assembly." Eunuch Deng mentioned.

         "Perhaps." Emperor Ningzong responded, "it has barely been a week since they departed, to have reached a resolution so soon with the Jurchen Government is very surprising, let alone unexpected." The Emperor mentioned while Eunuch Deng looked at him noticing the worry all over his face.

         The Grand Chancellor Qian Xiangzu seated in his room was equally unsettled as he seemed lost in his thoughts.

        "What am I going to do with you Han Touzhou?" He asked himself

        By daybreak, Xue I on his stead he had already arrived outside the Palace when he was halted by the Imperial Guard Commander Xia Chen.

       Getting off his horse he rushed towards him.

       "What are you doing here?" He inquired.

       "Please help me, there is something urgent that I need to discuss with Her Highness." He responded as the latter recognized his attire.

        "Aren't you supposed to be one of the emissaries?" Xia Chen inquired.

         "Please, I don't have time Milord." Xue I desperately pleaded and the latter looking at him keenly finally yielded to the young man's demand.

         "Alright then." He responded and stealthily, Xue I was led through the gates of the Palace while at a distance, Lan He saw everything.

        "Who is that man?" He asked himself inwardly and about to follow him, he was intercepted by Beiyuan.

        "Your Excellency." He said, "it is almost time for the Daily Assembly." He notified him.

        "Is that so?" Lan He asked.

        "Shouldn't you be close to His Majesty?" Beiyuan muttered and Lan He for a moment hesitant looking back where Xia Chen had been the strange man had vanished.

         "Yes." He responded as he moved into the direction of the Grand Palace. 

           Manyin strolling hand in hand with the Crown Prince towards the Central Palace she found Xue I standing outside the tall crimson gates which compelled her to halt in her footsteps while the latter noticing them he bowed his head.

         "What are you doing here?" She asked, "aren't you supposed to be heading towards the Grand Hall?" She mentioned.

        "There's an urgent message that I wish to deliver to Her Highness in person immediately." Xue I responded and Manyin reluctant she turned to the young Prince and his Court Lady.

         "Take His Highness to play." She said and the latter complying led the young boy's retinue away while Manyin brought the young man through.

          They mounted the stairs that led to the Central Palace and Manyin announcing her presence outside the Empress consented to their entry.

          Moving forward they stood before her.

          "Your Highness." They said in unison while bowing their heads as the Empress was scribbling something down on a piece of paper.

         "You are supposed to be reporting to the Grand Hall as one of our emissaries that returned to Zhongdu, the Daily Assembly will commence soon I can't help but wonder what brings you here." She mentioned as she looked at the youthful man.

          "I felt that it is urgent to inform Your Highness beforehand, the news that will emerge from the Grand Hall might not be that pleasant to hear." Xue I responded as the Empress halted and placing the brush down she gave him her full attention.

          "I thought the diplomatic visit was a success." She pointed out.

          "Wang Nan might be my senior, even much older than I am, but even when a politician commits a crime especially if it is against the state they must be censured." Xue I responded.

          "What did he do?" The Empress curiously asked.

         "The Jurchens did agree to terms which should be reasonable that is an increment in the annual tribute of silver ounces and bolts of silk of fifty thousand, our States retaining their equal diplomatic status, withdrawing their territorial demands......" He hesitated.

          "But?" Empress Yang asked.

          "In return we must offer them the heads of Han Touzhou and Su Shidan for initiating the war." He mentioned as she suddenly froze where she was seated unable to believe the words that the young man had said.