Page 14
His authoritative manner annoyed me. “If the immortal escort is late, they cannot fault me for not being where they expect.”
Turning back to the crowd, I greeted them warmly. “Thank you for your well wishes. My health is much improved.”
“We prayed every day for your recovery,” a woman told me, a sleeping baby slung against her back with a broad piece of cloth.
“And now we pray for Your Ladyship’s safe return from the skies,” a stout man dressed in the fine robes of a merchant chimed in.
“Don’t let the immortals keep you in the heavens,” an old man said with a grin, blackened gaps where his teeth should be.
“I’ll be too much trouble for them.” I returned his smile, but it faded as I took in his tattered clothes, the gauntness of his face. “Is everything well at home?”
The man’s body sagged as he bowed. “A poor harvest in our village. Our crops were devoured by a plague of locusts.” He added slowly, “I came to petition for aid, but was told Your Ladyship would be away and didn’t have the time to see me.”
A knot hardened within as I looked toward the ministers. “Who knew of this?”
Minister Guo’s scowl was swiftly smoothed away. “A small matter, Your Ladyship. We didn’t want to trouble you before your visit—”
“Starvation is never a small matter.” My voice tightened with repressed anger. “Minister Hu, open our reserves to send rice and other supplies.”
The old man clasped his hands and bowed again, blinking away the brightness in his eyes. His gratitude did not lessen the burden that fell over me, knowing they’d suffered. More than a fleeting whim of mercy, the well-being of my people was my responsibility. As I stared at the faces around me, my mind drifted back to my grandfather.
“What do you see?” he’d asked me once, holding up a silver tael as our carriage rumbled over the uneven path. He liked to visit the villages when he had time, and sometimes he’d bring me along.
“Silver,” I replied with little interest.
His smile hadn’t reached his eyes. “For those in need, this is food on the table, life-saving medicine, a roof over a child’s head. Those who have enough often forget those in need—not because they’re unkind—but because it makes them uneasy, evoking guilt that they have so much while others, nothing. Life is inherently unfair.” He had placed the tael into my hand, folding my fingers over it. “A piece of silver can change a person’s life, while it will do nothing sitting in a miser’s purse.”
Filled with remorse at my earlier callousness, I tried to give it back. “Don’t give it to me, Grandfather. Use it for something worthwhile.”
“Why don’t you?” he had admonished me gently. “It’s our burden and our blessing to be in a position to help.”
I’d been tempted to give the silver to the first beggar I saw on the street, a young man with a smooth stump where his right hand should be. But there were so many—their hungry, hopeful faces tearing at my conscience. Using the silver, I had bought bread and fruit that I handed to them, along with the leftover coins.
Even now I could recall the light in their eyes as I’d pressed the food into their hands, the tenderness that had kindled—alongside the guilt. How I’d wanted to help them all and yet there were so many . . . children, even. I’d emptied my purse that night and still it was far from enough.
A lesson I never forgot, one my grandfather had intended I learn that night—to walk among the suffering, to know their pain rather than sitting in the throne room surrounded by privilege, shrouded in ignorance. Life might be easier but far less meaningful.
I straightened, fighting back the prickling in my eyes, afraid the others would see. And I wondered too, if this might be part of the problem between the immortals and us. Not that they were inherently cruel or vicious, but that they didn’t understand our suffering because they so rarely walked among us or troubled themselves to learn more.
My heart was heavy as I bid farewell to the people, heading back to wait for the immortal escort. The wind stirred, teasing the hem of my robe. Silver phoenixes were embroidered on the white brocade, the sleeves encrusted with a border of seed pearls, my sash fringed with jade beads. I clasped my cold hands together, trying to warm them. I didn’t want to go to the Immortal Realm, I didn’t want to face the Queen of the Golden Desert, to swear my allegiance when all I wanted was for us to be free of them. But neither could I challenge her rashly, for fear of the misery she could inflict on us. I had to tread carefully, using my time in the skies to forge a path toward our freedom—impossible though it seemed.
On the horizon, a cloud appeared, its muted glow akin to a glittering breath. Finally, the escort had arrived. As the cloud swept closer, gasps rose from those watching its descent.
The God of War rode upon the cloud. He was not wearing his armor, but a gray robe embroidered with a pattern of pagodas and cypresses in gold thread. His great sword was strapped to his back—maybe he slept with it too. My insides tightened at the sight of him. I’d have preferred anyone else; the journey would be less nerve-wracking.
I bowed formally to greet him, resenting the deference he was due. “We are honored by your presence. However, doesn’t the God of War have more pressing matters to attend to than to serve as a mortal’s escort?” My smile concealed the sting in my words.
He stared back at me stonily. “I do my queen’s bidding. The Winged Devils have been trespassing more frequently of late.” His gaze fell upon the sword by my waist. “The Lady of Tianxia’s safety is of paramount importance.”
“Yet you are late,” I couldn’t help remarking.
His eyebrows arched. “Are you displeased?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” I replied smoothly. “Any mortal should be grateful for the honor of your company.”
“Such kind words.” His smile was cold, as though he could see through my facade. “The Lady of Tianxia’s grace is apparent to all.”
As I glared at him, Chengyin smothered a laugh. From the side, Aunt Shou’s eyes bored into me, a silent rebuke for my behavior. For some reckless reason, the God of War stoked my temper rather than my fear—but it would do no good to spar with him before the court.
