Chapter 577

Chapter 577

Just when I thought I knew everything there was to know about face, the world throws me for a loop once again.

Given the Legates early departure, I figured the banquet was over and done with, but apparently not. Despite having no tables or chairs to sit at, the banquet guests make no move to disperse and head home for the night, but instead gather into small cliques to mingle and socialize as if a bunch of them didnt just try to murder one another. Seeing my questioning gaze, Luo-Luo smiles and strokes my cheek as a silent reminder of face, which tells me all I need to know. The Legate left in a huff, but in order to give face, were keeping the banquet going so everyone can pretend he left early for other reasons which are less embarrassing for everyone involved, including Nian Zu who almost straight up murdered Ishin Shigen for trying to attack Zian.

Crazy stuff. No idea why people enjoy these stupid banquets. Whatever, the Seneschal said to come at my earliest convenience, so I assume he knew Id be stuck here for a while.

Thankfully, Mom, Charok, and Grandpa Du had their hands full keeping the rest of the family safe, so they didnt take part in the brief seconds of near bloodshed, nor were they the subject of anyones attack. Lin-Lin and Taduk seem none the worse for wear, though my sweet wifey looks a little bored and sleepy, what with being boxed in by the veiled guards who came with to keep her safe. Im kinda surprised Guard Leader didnt insist on coming along, but I suppose she has better things to do than stand around all night. While Mom and Charok stand vigil with barely suppressed scowls, Tali and Tate are lively as ever, smiling as brightly as ever in Alsantsets embrace and peering about the hall with wide-eyed interest. Nestled in her shoulder bag, Princess peeks her weasel head out and bares her fangs in warning while Song wears an equally surly expression, no doubt over the lack of food. Wary as always, she keeps one hand on her sabre and the other holds Mila close, whos looking lovely as she stands there in her dazzling ruby tiara and slinky, high-necked dress. Beside them, Kyung mirrors Song except with Yan instead, while Grandpa Du idly chats with Marshal Yo Jeung-Hun, who brought over the entire Yo Family to exchange pleasantries in the wake of the Legates departure. Face being what it is, no one else dares approach my family while the Marshal is there, because manners are so important when looking to subtly insult someone in public.

Even though I can now see why they do certain things, I still dont really get the logic behind it. Half the people in this room would probably clap with joy if I died on the battlefield, but somehow they still feel the need to keep up the appearance of civility. Ridiculous.

On the other side of the banquet hall, Zian and BoShui are the stars of the show, swarmed by all manner of other guests looking to make the acquaintance of these most promising young men. Tam Taewoong also has his fair share of callers, but he was seated further back which means itll take some time for the bigwigs to make their way over to him. The three of them might well become the focus of tomorrows gossip, assuming their stories havent already made it out into the many taverns and brothels of Central. Young enough to possess boundless potential, yet old and skilled enough to make an impact on the war today, they are standing in the sweet spot between rising young dragon and stalwart, dependable hero, which means making a connection is an investment best made sooner rather than later.

Its a bittersweet sensation seeing my friends smile and nod at their adoring admirers, while I stand alone and unattended on stage. A part of me is relieved to be out of the public eye for once, but another part of me, the warrior part who so yearns to be a hero, is a little down in the dumps. I wanna be praised and admired too, even if most of it would probably be insincere. Ive worked my ass off, fought, bled, and suffered for the Empire, and what did I get? Embroiled in an Imperial plot with no good end in sight. Tonight went okay, but the Legate still wants to see me, which means there are still things to be done or discussed. What if its another test to see if Im really crippled? Id really rather not get stabbed again, its almost never fun. Also, what if hes done with me and intends to cut his losses here and now? He put the smackdown on Watanabe, but that doesnt mean the Legate still needs me around, as he was very careful to never personally address me or do anything which might be construed as support. Sure, he favoured some of my friends, but he also rewarded my enemies, and seeing how I had no impact on things tonight, his actions could be seen as grooming possible replacements to take up my mantle.

I bet he already has people in place to take out everyone I hold dear, including Dad and Akanai back at the Citadel. I never should have told the Legate that the People would rebel, but in my defence, I didnt know he was there and thought the Seneschal was about to kill me. Well, its too late for regrets now, and theres no sense worrying about things I cant control. Even if the Legate wants me dead, I have no choice but to go see him alone and unguarded as instructed, because theres still a slim chance Ill make it through the night in one piece. Like Akanai once said, where there is life, there is hope, so all I can do is keep my head up and be happy for my friends.

Especially Zian. Taewoong getting a promotion is all kinds of great, but Zians situation has turned around on its head. This morning, he was the disgraced former Young Patriarch of the Situ Clan, but now he might well be the most eligible young bachelor in all the Empire. While I didnt think Ken-Shibu was much of a warrior, his reputation says otherwise, and technically, he should have won the match, or would win seven times out of ten. The closest match to Ryo Dain and a man so talented it was a matter of when he would become a Peak Expert, rather than if, but now, those accolades fall onto Zian.

Now that I think about it, Zian may be further along than I thought. Ken-Shibu is eight years older, and while the general public doesnt know much about the Milestones of the Martial Dao, I cant imagine the painted dancer doesnt already have a Domain. Although I didnt notice any overt uses of it, its unlikely Zian couldve defeated Ken-Shibu without a Domain of his own. Sure, Taewoong wouldve beaten the Domain-wielding BoShui without one, but he was behaving honourably and not using his Domain offensively, and I highly doubt Ken-Shibu wouldve done the same.

Which I suppose is why so many more people are crowding around Zian than BoShui and Taewoong, as well as why his uncle Yang is wearing such a giant, shit-eating grin.

Although most of the chatter is lost in the hubbub, I can make out a little of whats being said about Zian, mostly because there are so many people loudly bragging about how they knew he was someone to watch out for, on account of him being a well-known patron of the opera. Central puts a lot of stock on the arts, whether it be dance, music, poetry, calligraphy, or painting, and Ken-Shibu was the undisputed number one dancer in all the Empire. Apparently being a great dancer is supposed to translate into being a great Warrior, and I suppose Ken-Shibu was pretty damned strong, but Zian whooped his ass and now people are scrambling to ingratiate themselves to him. Some are crowding around in hopes of exchanging pleasantries, while others are loudly talking him up to no one in particular, while even more are doing their best to ignore the Situ Clan themselves. This morning, Zian was a bit player in tonights festivities, but somehow so many people know so much about him. Just being seen at multiple opera shows is noteworthy enough to get the rumour mills going, which sheds light on why Binesi protested so much whenever I wanted to go cuddle my floofs in the park. People are so bored, theyll talk about anything, including how many times a dude goes to see a show or how another dude talks to his pets.

Privacy is now a thing of the past. I dont think real privacy even exists anymore, at least not for people like me.

Lord Husband, Luo-Luo whispers, not quietly enough to seem conspiratorial, but more in an easy, intimate manner. Perhaps we should greet lord Brigadier Chen whilst hes still in one piece?Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

For a brief, sickening second, my stomach twists in fear at the thought of someone trying to kill Chen Hongji, but it turns out it was just a poor choice of metaphor. With Nian Zu off the stage and unable to break away from the crowd of would-be sycophants, theres no one keeping the wolves away from the good Brigadier. Looking exceedingly uncomfortable whilst stuck between the feuding Ryos and Mitsues, Hongji catches my eye and visibly brightens at the attention, and while he stops short of frantically waving me over, his pleading gaze is as clear a call for help as Ive ever seen. He cant afford to take sides with one or the other, because unlike the rest of us, hes actually subject to their commands, what with him being a soldier of Central and all. The safest bet would be to seek protection under Shuai Jiao, but the most austere of Colonel Generals left the stage to greet Monk Happy, who has been standing beside the stage with Ping Ping this entire time.

I wonder if Kukku is here? I wanna know if he hid from the Legates Concealed Guards too, but it probably wouldnt change much even if he did. That cowardly chicken hides from everyone, myself included. Maybe I should get some pet chickens and play with them, so Kukku will know Im okay, but I dont really want to be friends with a normal-sized chicken. Theyre too delicious to love...

With Luo-Luo on my arm and Pong Pong on my shoulder, I casually stride over to join Hongji and catch the tail end of the Ryo and Mitsue family dispute. ...no one more deserving of rest, Ryo Dae Jung is saying, whose cordial smile does nothing to take away from his business-like body language, making it clear Hongji is a valued subordinate rather than a cherished friend, But I would sleep easier knowing Sinuji was back in your most competent of hands. Twice now it has stood against the largest Defiled incursions to date, and we have you to thank for both victories. Easy to see what might have happened without your forethought and preparation this second time around.

A none-too-subtle snub of Watanabe, who is off whispering with one of the Legates staff members about all the rewards hes supposed to hand out. Luckily, Hongji is a much better politician than I am and speaks up before Mitsue Juichi has a chance to retort. Respectfully Colonel General, that is not entirely true. Colonel Watanabe did an admirable job holding the line, though I fear not even Colonel General Nian Zu could have held Sinuji for long against a full one-million Defiled. Grinning in evident relief, Hongji motions me closer and says, Whats more, even though it was my hand upon the tiller, it was the Imperial Consort here who helped me navigate through those most dangerous of waters and map out our path to victory. Clapping me on the shoulder, he breaks custom by greeting me warmly in the midst of a conversation, but being the star of todays show, the Colonel Generals have no choice but to allow it. Well met, young friend, well met. Look at you, in such good health, as hale and hearty as can be. Those damned rumours of your infirmity had me twisting and turning at night, unable to sleep for guilt of having let you come to harm.

A statement which plants Hongji firmly on my side, one of many hes made tonight. Not exactly the smartest thing to do in this current political climate, but the good Brigadier is a loyal man, if nothing else. You flatter me, sir, but my injuries were no fault of yours, as this sort of thing tends to happen in war. Purposefully leaving out his rank, but not overstepping to call him by name, I accept Hongjis hearty shoulder pounding while making sure to tell everyone I have the Legate to thank for my good health, and also introducing Luo-Luo and making small talk. Beside us, the two Colonel Generals pretend to ignore us while also watching us closely, but none of us can keep this up for long, as eventually Ill need to greet them. For now though, Im content to catch up with my former commander and pretend like everything is still okay.

When I first met Hongji, I thought he was a well-connected Officer or brilliant strategist whod been tapped to hold a vital and prestigious position on the front lines, but I couldnt have been more wrong. Hes still an effective commander with a fine appreciation for devious tricks and a keen eye for tactical deployment, but his skills had nothing to do with why he was picked for command in Sinuji. Back then, everyone expected the Defiled to break through within a matter of months, so being commander meant shouldering a gruelling and thankless task which could only end in disgraceful failure. Hongji got the job because no one else wanted it, and being something of a pariah in the military on account of his common background and unwillingness to toady up to his superiors, he had no one to protect him. Now, the once friendless, and frankly unpromising Chen Hongji is the rising star of the Central Army, a gruff, no-nonsense soldier who puts service above all else.

In the other provinces, this would pretty much be par for the course, but to the glory-hungry ladder climbers of Central, this sort of mindset is almost unheard of. Everyone does what they can to make the connections required to score that next promotion, to the point where Centrals army is bloated with useless Field and General Officers. Hopefully Hongjis example inspires more soldiers to follow his example, but I doubt it.

Then, Juichi looks away and waves a hand in outright dismissal. This could be seen as him giving face, or it could be construed as uncertainty as to how far my patrons goodwill will stretch, but either way, it allows me to safely wander off to greet the Sword Kings wife, Jeong Hyo-Lynn, a lovely and intimidating woman who terrifies me to no end. Now, my actions have shown Im still willing to lean on my Imperial title, and its about damn time it was good for something, but it still takes a few minutes before Luo-Luo finally relaxes her death grip. Pong Pong, being the cautious coward he is, is tucked neatly inside my collar and behind my neck, no doubt intending to use me as a physical barrier between him and anyone who might threaten him. Honestly, I kinda wish we were having these conversations on the ground, because then Ping Ping would be happily hovering around.

Then again, I dont think Id ever recover if shes injured or killed while keeping me safe. Floofs are friends, not warriors, and were it not for me, Ping Ping and Pong Pong would be happily splish splashing away in their choice of pond.

After making my rounds through the guests of honour, I resist the urge to check in on Watanabe and see if Ive got a promotion coming, though I sincerely doubt it. At the very least, I would like to not be a soldier anymore and get Dastans death sentence lifted. He and his people all seemed resigned to their deaths, but thats no way to live a life, especially not in this world where depression comes bundled with malevolent and murderous ghosts. Ive yet to see Dastan smile since we returned from Sinuji, and for good reason too. Of the hundred warriors who pledged themselves to his service in Sanshu, there are now only a mere six survivors, with a good twenty-six of them lost just over two weeks prior in defence of Sinuji. Now here they are at a banquet meant to honour their efforts, to honour the sacrifice their comrades made, yet not a single stranger will ever appreciate what theyve done or suffered through, for no other reason besides the fact that theyre slaves. Instead of enjoying the food and festivities, Dastan, Sahb, Camsul, Saida, Balta, Rithy, and Khin have been standing at full attention and watching my back because I cant trust the Death Corps guards in the Legates presence.

Its a bum deal, and the worst part is, theres nothing I can do to help them besides dig myself out of the political snake pit I stumbled into exactly one year ago today.

To do this, I need the support of my allies, so I step down from the stage and begin the most exhausting portion of the night: the mingling. Marshal Yo is my first target of the night, as it would be insulting to approach anyone else first. That said, this shouldnt stop others from approaching me, so it comes as something of a surprise when I make it to the Marshals side unaccosted. Im not complaining, its just weird, because even if the other guests are giving face to the Marshal, there should be other, less friendly bystanders trying to pick a fight, especially considering how the first few rows had been packed with Mitsue family sympathizers.

And at the very least, Nian Zu shouldve smiled or something, or you know... not ignored me...

As the night wears on, I notice a growing trend of people outright ignoring me, which on the whole I do not mind at all, save for the few times it happened when I walked up to greet someone. Dienne at least flashes me an apologetic shrug before turning away, and Im not shameless enough to ask the back of his head for a favour. The other Southern delegates are even less cordial, carrying on their conversations as if Id never spoken up, while a few of Centrals people also do the same. Strange that everyone would pick the cold-shoulder as their weapon of choice in this diplomatic war of words, but it beats verbally fencing with people I barely know and have no reason to like. Luo-Luo doesnt see things the same way though, as she grows visibly more agitated with each snub we encounter, but I have no way to ask her without being looked down on by everyone in the freaking Empire.

Personally, I dont see the big deal. If they dont wanna chit-chat, then I wont force the issue, but theres undoubtedly something important about this response that Im not picking up on. It might have something to do with how I verbally eviscerated Ken-Shibu and Gulong and no one wants to risk it, but Im a little bummed out, because I came prepared to mock and insinuate, not win a popularity contest. I expected to be repeatedly challenged by some idiot or the other, but aside from Yari Tetsudos half-hearted attempt, the young idiots of the Empire have left me well enough alone. Oddly enough, a good number of those snubbing me are still trying to ingratiate themselves with my staunchest allies, not just Nian Zu, Yuzhen, and Marshal Yo, but with Zian, BoShui, Taewoong, and even Taduk of all people. Weird, but again, I neither mind nor understand what the big problem is, so I mentally shrug and soldier on.

And before I know it, the banquet is finally over and done with, leaving me free to go visit the Legate. Unlike entering, everyone is free to leave in whatever order they please, but I bring Mom and everyone else aside to let them know about my upcoming meeting. I had to commit a faux pas and put up a Sound Barrier to do it, but I dont think the big kahuna would take kindly to word of our meeting getting out, else he wouldnt have gone to so much trouble having his Seneschal tell me through Sending.

None too pleased by the news, Mom scrunches her nose in an adorably squirrelly manner, which sets me to hoping I one day get to meet a half-squirrel. I do not like this, she says, fixing my perfectly straight collar to settle her nerves. It would be all too easy to have you killed in a dark corner somewhere and lay the blame on some footpad or ruffian.

As if anyone would believe I was killed by a thief. Taking her hands to offer reassurance, I smile and explain, The instructions were to come alone, but that doesnt include the Death Corps, so Ill have them to keep me safe from footpads and ruffians lurking about in the heart of the Citadel.

A bold boy you are, mocking your mother like this. Flicking my hands aside so she can pinch my cheeks, Mom glares around at the other guests in obvious displeasure. I am understandably apprehensive after tonights reception, so I will thank you not to make light of this. This banquet was hardly worthy of a heros honour. You were a bystander at best, and inconsequential at worst, only saying a handful of words with no one mentioning any of your various contributions.

I thought things went fine. I mean, no one tried to outright murder me, and thats already better than most public events I attend.

Things are not so simple, Lord Husband. Coming to my rescue once more, Luo-Luo explains, By ignoring you all night, your opponents have shown they no longer intend to give you face, which bodes ill for our cause.

Right. No face for me. That would be... terrible? Because...?

Because face is bestowed not only to the individual, but to a community as a whole, Luo-Luo explains, repeating something Dad once told me. By outright ignoring you, they are not giving face to the Imperial Clan, which is almost unheard of. Their disdain is a carefully crafted message, one that says they do not recognize your Imperial Peerage, and thus do not see you as someone worth interacting with. This is not solely about you, but your title, and they are collectively working as a group to force your Patron to action. When Shen Zhen Wu hears of this, he must either treat their lack of face as a calculated insult to the Imperial Clan and publicly support you, or ignore it and tacitly admit your title is of no value.

Oh. Well... Fuck. Right, right, right, I forgot this whole banquet wasnt about me. I mean, its hard not to feel that way with my life on the line and everything, but there is more to this whole shindig than my continued existence. The gathered nobles and merchants want to know if Imperial Peerage is really worth it before they commit to a side, so theyre forcing the Legate to take a stance. Damn me if that isnt a ballsy move, but at least now theyll know if my title is worth anything. As an Imperial Consort, I am either an Imperial Scion afforded all the rights and respect as any other Imperial Scion, or Imperial Consort is an empty title and Im just Falling Rain. Personally, Im not entirely sure which outcome I would prefer. On the one hand, being an Imperial Scion has its perks, especially if I had the Legates backing to force the issue. On the other hand, I would like nothing more than to wash my hands of all this Imperial Clan nonsense and head back to the village to recuperate, or even just stay in the Northern Citadel without fear of being assassinated as a slap to someones face.

So I guess this is why the Legate wants to see me, because he expected this power move. I suppose its also why he cut out early, so he wouldnt have to make a decision on the fly and look weak. I hope he doesnt want a list of names or anything, because I totally didnt keep track. Luo-Luo knows, but the Seneschal was very clear about me coming alone. With nothing left for me to do, I pass Pong Pong over to Mom, say goodbye to Ping Ping and everyone once again, and head deeper into the building with the Death Corps in tow, all the while praying this isnt the last time I see my family.

And to think, right up until a few minutes ago, I thought the banquet had gone pretty well. Shows how much I know.

I just hope that lady luck smiles down on me from high above, because the Mother sure as shit hasnt been looking out for me.

...Sorry, just kidding, dont smite me please.

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