It didn't take long for word to spread of An Hongyu's death. Day by day, things began to change. And it was not long for more news to come. It wasn't good.
"What?" The emperor's face was filled with the growing realization of what he heard.
"The province Tongshu…it's been destroyed by the An Clan."
Startled faces swept over the room. It had only been a few days since An Hongyu's death, and already, the An Clan was attacking them at full force. Around the room, Rin saw the change in the men's faces. Along with them, she was also quite disturbed by this news.
"Then it's time we attack first. We've settled back long enough." Bai Han said seriously.
"And how do you suggest we do that?" The emperor's eyebrow raised.
Rin joined. "We evacuate the unharmed provinces. Warn the governors and citizens and use their lands as a base for our troops."
A surging murmur of agreement came from the men in the room. The emperor rubbed his chin in thought.
"Very well. We will carry it out. Send word to the governors to evacuate. As for the soldiers…prepare them for battle."
By the end of the meeting, the men's eyes were bright and eager. As they went off to send messengers to the provinces before the An Clan's attacks, General Donghai, Bai Han, and Guo were helping prepare the soldiers for their upcoming battle.
After just two days, they received word that the majority of the citizens left without trouble. Although many were reluctant to leave their home, they still left, taking a few items with them. However, the province Shaoshu, refused to leave, including their own governor.
Reading the report, Rin tapped a finger against the table. With her chin propped on her palm, she shifted her eyes to the falcon beside her.
"It seems they have already started rebelling." She sighed and stroked the bird's head. "Fools. Fighting with just bravery and no skill will get them killed."
A steaming cup of tea appeared by her side. Lifting her head, Rin made no expression.
"Yellow tea. It's good for your health." Wei Jingyi said, a mild smile on his face.
Holding back a twitch in her face, Rin cradled the cup of tea between her hands. A gentle fruity, floral aroma warmed her cheeks.
"Thank you," She said before sipping it. It was surprisingly sweet.
Chuckling, Wei Jingyi took a cup for himself and sat in his seat. He took a few pieces of dried meat from his pocket and gave it to Ju. The falcon greedily ate his treats.
Wei Jingyi leaned forward in his chair. "So, what do you plan to do about the rebels?"
Sipping her tea, Rin stared at its contents in silence for a moment. "Naturally I don't want to lose any more people to the An Clan. So, I'll just need to give them some convincing."
"Oh?" Wei Jingyi raised an eyebrow. "In that case, I'm interested to see what you have planned." Each word came slowly as if it must be brought from a great depth. "However, princess…"
"Wei Jingyi," Rin's voice cut thinly.
He inclined his head. "My apologies…"
Saying nothing else, Rin sighed softly and leaned back in her seat to stare out the squared glass window. The first sign of night was already peeping through the dimming sun. In the sunset light, her back gleamed glossy-soft.
"Do you know how An Hongyu died?" She suddenly asked.
Pouring them both another cup of tea, he shook his head. "I wasn't able to receive a sufficient enough report."
"I see," Rin nodded, and her eyes dropped again. She could hear her slow breaths, the faint tremor in her chest.
Lifting the cup of tea to her lips, her eyes grew dull.
The tea…it was no longer sweet. Just bitter.
…
The dinner bell had rung, and the corridors were busy with soldiers filling the benches and tables. When Rin stepped into the hall, An Sun and the others were already there. Bai Han and General Guo were nowhere to be seen. Probably busy speaking with the emperor.
It was at times like this, Rin remembered that the two weren't just her family, but trained leaders in an army.
"Little strategist," Manchu acknowledged her arrival.
Rin inclined her head politely, one man to another. She looked up to meet An Sun's eyes; they were a gray so dark it was almost black and keen. She lowered her gaze and sat opposite of him, already reaching for the food across from her.
After that, no one spoke to her, largely absorbed in their own talk. It wasn't until she chewed and swallowed her third piece of meat that she looked up from her bowl.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to Shaoshu, to convince the governor and their people to leave."
An Sun's chews paused, and he raised his head to look up at her.
"What?" There was a goading edge to his voice, barely sheathed. The men around them stopped eating to watch.
If Rin felt the tension, she did not show it. "Right now, we're running out of time. We can't afford to lose any more people to the An Clan. If I go there, I can convince the citizens of Shaoshu to leave."
"Right now, we still need your help. Do you think an army can run without a strategist?" An Sun emphasized sternly. "Who will take your place?"
"I considered asking Fan Mingli." Rin calmly sipped her water.
"What---cough!" The very man who had been mentioned, choked on his rice.
Beside him, Yin Changpu harshly patted his back. "Get a grip man."
Fan Mingli chugged a cup of water and shot the man a glare before turning to Rin.
"Um, Advisor Lan, I don't think that's a good idea. To have me replace you…I'm not—"
Rin interrupted. "Was it not you who saved Sir Manchu when he was captured?"
Fan Mingli choked on his words. He hadn't expected her to know that.
He swallowed. "Y-Yes, but that was mainly because of everyone else's strength."
"So? You provided the plan, did you not?" Rin's voice was mild. "It's not a strategist's job to offer physical assistance. Just like a physician, their goal is not to fight the soldier's battles but to heal them when in need. Our goal is to provide a plan. A plan that can offer those who fight for our victory."
Fan Mingli was quiet a moment. Rin returned to An Sun.
"See? It's settled." She revealed a faint smile.
"You…" An Sun's eyes narrowed.
"Why don't you go with him, Sun?" Manchu commented.
"What?" Both Rin and An Sun looked at him, shocked.
Manchu looked between the two, then ventured, "If you're so concerned for the little strategist's safety, why don't you go with him to Shaoshu?" He offered the two a genial smile.
Rin's face twitched. She opened her mouth to speak. But An Sun was faster.
"All right."
Her eyes swept to him. "You can't…"
"Why not? Now that your grandfather and uncle are here, there's no need for me to help out with the troops. Like you said, as a strategist, it's your job to plan and mine as a soldier to protect. So let me protect you on your travels." An Sun said. His voice was remarkably calm. It irritated her.
He used her own words against her. She could say nothing else.
For a moment, Rin did not move. Then slowly, she looked back to An Sun. He was holding his cup of wine to his lips now, turning the cup this way and that, pursing his lips. It amused him, and the corner of his mouth curved up. His eyes flicked across the table, stopping for a moment on her face. She could not help herself. Her lips twitched to hide back her frown.
Rin cleared her throat, decided. "Very well. But I'll have to inform the emperor and my grandfather before we leave."
An Sun nodded his head and continued to his meal. The night ended with no further discussion on the matter. Everyone returned to their rooms...except for two figures.
"Rin!" An Sun called out to her. He caught up to her, seized her arm.
"Let go," Rin said, her eyes glancing around them. "Someone might see."
Despite her words, he didn't let go. Instead, his grip grew tighter.
��What was that earlier?" He asked thinly.
"What?" Rin frowned.
"Earlier…Why didn't you want me to go with you to Shaoshu?"
The question surprised her. Rin's lips pursed tightly, her eyes looking away. His observations weren't wrong, but she didn't know what to say.
Just then, she opened her mouth to say something, but An Sun had already grabbed hold of her cheeks, pulling her face toward him.
"Did I do something wrong?" He murmured, his handsome brows furrowed. He was frowning.
She could smell him. The wine he drank that night, the salt clean sweat from early morning training. The scent crushed against her breath. Sometimes after he stood close or touched her hand, a part of her skin would smell like him. It was a dizzying scent.
His eyes were deep gray on hers.
"I…" She began, speaking as gently as possible. "I wanted to let you grieve. You just lost your father, so I…I didn't want you to rush into anything too quickly."
An Sun's eyes were wide with surprise. He stared at her for a moment longer before releasing her face, his warmth leaving her side with a breeze.
"So that's why…" His breath blew out, not quite a sigh. "While it is true my father's death did surprise me, there's no need for you to distance yourself from me. The time for grieving…I've already let go of it."
A small smile fell on his lips as he looked at her. "And even if I were to grieve, I wouldn't want to be alone."
"Oh…" Rin's voice caught in her throat. "I didn't mean to—"
"It's all right. You had good intentions. I'm not mad." An Sun said.
Nodding her head, she smiled.
"Well then, goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
An Sun's lips curved. "Goodnight."