It takes days for the supplies to be collected from the imperial granary and public donations from nobles and commoners. The nobles are force to make a donations to help the nation's wealth flow in supporting the army. Everyday, she receive the reports in the list of items that is added. In the end, she estimated eight large wagons are to be escort to LuXin.
The eldest princess send out her message to her own private army through channels they agree on. Three hundred to stay within the capital. The rest will follow her to escort the supplies. The ones who are going will have to step down from their daily post. The ten men and women who are working outside the palace in her shops will remain where they are. The remaining will remain in the palace as invisible guards. They are to protect the emperor.
The imperial seamstress work day and night to alter her armour. She had not worn it since she is eleven thus they need to alter it accordingly. A new pair of boots are rush to make with the family name and the crest of the Xiao family. The boots hide another weapon in it. It have a sharp short knife if she activate it, the front will show the knife and she is able to kick and slip to do small damage. Her leather belt is thin and dye to red and easy to remove to use it as a whip. The quiver (Jian Fu 箭箙) which is made of leather is embroidered with a phoenix on it. Her arrows, the feathers are from vulture which are hard to find. Her bow (Gong 弓) is made from bamboo and birch with golden head of the phoenix as the launcher. While the string is made from precious silk mixed with horse hair. Her quiver too holds her Zi Wu (Deer horn knives) it is a pair of knives that are in a shape of a crescent moon shape which overlapping each pair. She can withdraw the knives anytime easily with the magnetic that is holding it. In addition, she have metal rings that she is wearing on her fingers that protect her as she use her bow and if she is force to use her hands for combat, she is able to do some damage on enemy.
The eldest princess stare at the sword that is given to her by her late father. It is not very long nor too heavy for her. It was just nice. The holder is tied with a cloth for good grip. Her late father had it commission from a group of foreigner who is good with metal smith work. It took three months as the late emperor wanted precious semi stones to be etch on the metal scabbard. She touch it and leave it on the display table. It is too precious to bring it out with her. It's her special weapon to be display in the palace.
On the tenth day, she step out of the palace with her armour that her late emperor had design for her. Dress in black and red with the word 'Xiao' on her chest. With her hair tie with a ponytail. a head band with red ruby is tied on her forehead. She wears a tag that have her family crest on one side and the other states her number 010. Mei Xue along with a few soldiers walking behind the eldest princess is wearing the same attired with their number tags. The rest of the soldiers waiting aline at the streets with the wagons. Each wagons are piled up high with supplies of rice, dry meat, medic and weapons. Extra horses are tied to other riders. Two physicians along with their servants had volunteer to follow them. Thus in total there are twelve wagons and two carriages.
She mount on her horse and look at her family who is standing at the imperial hall. She smile and wave. Her bother bow deeply. Her mother and grandmother cry. For awhile she looks like she is going to say something but she remain quiet. She turn her horse around and walk out.
Outside the citizens cheer for her. Asking to return safety. She see a few familiar faces. Those are her men that she is leaving behind. They each swear to protect this capital is watching the eldest princess riding out. The eldest princess also see Bai Yee, she brings along the two boys. One in her arm and the older boy stand alone watching. He bow as the eldest princess ride pass.
As the eldest princess and her men walk towards the city gate, she see the ministers are all standing and line up neatly. They bow as she approach. No words are needed. She walk pass them and head out. For the first time, in her twenties she step out the city. The outside world that she wanted to see is in front of her.
They walk half of the day and stop to rest. Horses are given the time to eat the grass. While the humans chew on their bread that they had bring. The eldest princess take time to look around. The mountains and lakes are beautiful and it heal her soul. She watch the clouds move across the blue sky. It is beautiful to be alive.
The troop continue their journey peacefully. She send out scouts to look around to ensure that they will not encounter any danger. Everything is in peace thus within twenty days, they reach LuXin without danger. Yi Shao is surprise to see her in person. He is delighted and angry at the same time. He yell at her.
"HOW ARE YOU! I am THE ELDEST PRINCESS!"
"YOU ARE STILL MY WIFE! THIS IS NOT A GAME FOR …"
His men pull him aside and try to cool him down. While Mei Xue is giving tea to the eldest princess to cool down. That night, it remain quiet for the two sleep at separate tent. The next morning, she inspect the number of people injured. Five physicians include the two who have just arrived work to heal the soldiers. She stroll into the commanding tent. The men stand still as she walk in. Yi Shao is still hot head stare at his wife. She look around and look at what they are doing.
"Your.. your highness."
"Go on, do your work … don't mind me."
Everyone is looking at Yi Siao who is breathing in fire. The heat in the tent is buying up slowly. The eldest princess sit on the chair that Yi Siao does his paper work. The men slowly starts to talk. Yi Siao direct them what is needed to be done. After they left the tent. Yo Siao turn his attention to the eldest princess.
"When are you leaving?"
"No yet … dinner is not ready."
"I am not talking about you staying, I am asking when are you leaving and returning to the capital."
"No yet."
"When?"
"… not sure."
"I will arrange to escort you back home…"
"No…"
"What are you planning?"
"How about a good fight?"
She smile as she lean back.
"Oh but not a good fight with you."
She quickly explain with a laugh. He walk around the table and stand by her side suddenly he sits down.
"This seat is not that big enough for two persons."
"It will be if you sit on my lap…"
The eldest princess lean back as his face is too near to her. She look away and suddenly she feel his huge hands on her tights. She look at his sharply and knit her eyebrows.
"Since you come her willingly… i am also … wiling to do what you want…"
"Great general, i am sorry but you are not the type of dish that i like to … eat."
"Hmpf but that night, you ate it very well…"
He whisper and smirk at the same time. Her small eyes open wide.
"Have you forgotten? Should i help you to recall?"
"No thank you."
Before she is able to stand up, he push her down. He kiss her with passion and his hand reach to touch her private part. He start to rub her through her pants.
"Stop i am … eldest …"
He shut her up with non stop kissing. After awhile someone step into the tent. They stop. The eldest princess stand up to see Han Ping standing with a tray of food for Yi Shao. She stand there as if she is frozen. Yi Shao feel annoyed while the eldest princess takes it as a chance to walk without a fuss. Han Ping bow to the eldest princess as she walk pass her. Han Ping walk to the table and put the tray down. She look at Yi Siho and ask quiet if he needed sex. He simply look at her. She walk over and undone her pants, pull it down slowly. She lean on the table with her butt high. He stare at her private part with her legs part. He sigh and ask her to move in front of him. She did what he ask and he finger and part the thick lips that holds her secret cave. He play by rubbing the clit and water starts to leak out her secret cave. He starts to lick and suck her for awhile. Han Ping undo her top and rub her own breast and moan quietly. Once she is ready, he remove his pants and hump her hard from behind. Outside the tent, his guard can hear their general is having sex again with Han Ping. They know not to allow anyone near the tent. It's their usual practise. Once to twice they peek inside to watch them humping everywhere in the tent. They wish they have the time to hump someone hard. The moaning and slapping of skins can be heard soon. Yi Siao remove her pants completely and raise one of her legs and pump her. He watch her grope her big breast that is still milking. He watch her lick her own nipples that he wish it is the eldest princess who is acting like a whore in front of him. As he imagine, he comes faster and harder. Yi Shao did not want to stop but because of his imagination, he comes faster than before. Buried deep inside her, he release a few times to feel the satisfy He look at the woman that he is holding on. They never kiss much doing sex but he never mean to her. He remove himself and look at the cave that is still open. However nothing is coming out. He put his finger in it and try to dig out any of his essences. Han Ping moans as he finger in and out. He squeeze her breast harder and milk squirt out. Yi Shao seeing this got harder, he had no choice he wants to do it again. This time he enter and lean down to suck the milk that is squirting out. Outside the tent his men peep and sigh.
"So big …"
"yes … how did she hide it in that uniform?"
That night, the eldest princess is doing a light reading before she sleeps. Yi Shao walk in in his sleep wear. She look up to see her husband stroll in.
"Wrong tent."
He did not say anything but sit beside her.
"My bed will collapse with additional weight."
He still did not say anything he look at her.
"I need … i want to have sex with you."
"Didn't Han Ping satisfy you?"
"She is she but you are you."
"What do you mean. She and i are both woman. Do you mean we are …"
"She is just Han Ping. You are …"
"Hmm a princess? So what princess feels different to sleep with?"
"No i mean … you are MY WIFE. My… wife…"
They remain quiet and look at each other.
"She is just a woman who is wiling to spread her legs for me. That is all…"
"That is sad … she will be disappoint to hear that coming out from your MOUTH! She have given you two sons. She did not ask for more. You cannot label her in that way!"
"What can i say? The sons we have cannot be legitimated. They will be label as bastard for life unless … they are born form you. "
The eldest princess stare at her husband.
"Go take Han Ping as your second wife or concubine … be fair to her."
"Be fair to me too. Sleep with me and bare my children."
The eldest princess did not want to answer him. She close her book. before she gets off the bed, she finds herself strap on the bed with her arms hold back above her head. They look at each other without a word. He lean down to kiss her gently on the lips.
"I know that you have a lot of men in your harem, as long as you don't fall in love with anyone, I think i can accept that … I am not a traditional man … i understand we are all flesh and blood. We all have needs and wants. Whatever this nation needs, i will fight and win it for us. Thus whatever my body needs, i will have to satisfy it. So i believe that every person in this world have their needs and wants. I won't stop you from … having pleasure…. but i don't want to catch you sleeping with so many men at the same time."
She look at him and wonder who is this man speaking so strangely. Only men in brothel are not possessive with those thoughts. Who is he trying to prove to her.
"I told you before … i am not planing to have children. My children will only threaten my brother who is still sitting on the dragon throne!"
"I wouldn't allow that to happen. The title of Marquis will pass down and the rest will be given nobility titles that they will carry it themselves. Teach them well and they will not think of taking over the royal family."
"It's easy to say than done. Yi Siao … how many half royals have you seen not trying to take the dragon throne. How many die while trying?"
"That's why we need to guide them well enough to understand that."
"I am not taking that risk! My brother is going to sit well and pass it to a capable son of his!"
"What if he doesn't have a son …"
"What?!"
"The late emperor have five daughters. The last child is lucky to born as now the emperor."
"It is destiny."
"Yes destiny … and blessings. If the dowager at that time did not get pregnant. Who will be sitting on the dragon throne. It cannot be you, isn't it? That boy will be chosen from those half royal. If that ever happens … i rather that child comes from you. That son have to be our son."
"That is blasphemy! Get off!"
She try to push him but she decided to get off. He struggle to pull her back. At the same time, outside a solider arrives and yell that the other generals are seeking for his present in the commanding tent. Yi Siao have no choice, he gets up and look at his wife.
"We will talk later…"
She close her eyes in anger and count to ten. What he said is true … if that ever happens, it is better that her child to take over the ruling instead of the other princess's sons. The other princess are born from concubines. Those are the people who covent for more power in court. While only she and her brother are the full legitimate children of the royal family.
After awhile she step out of her tent and stretch herself. She spot Han Ping in a distance. They bow t each other. The eldest princess walk up to her with her hands behind her back.
"Greeting your highness."
"Hmm … aren't you in bed … not … tired?"
"I just have some thing in my mind thus i cannot sleep well…"
"Your children?"
"Yes i miss them…"
"I saw them the other day when i was leaving the capital. Bai Yee was with them. She carry the little one and the older son is standing alone. Your eldest look at me and bow."
"He remember his manners. To bow at someone who is older than him."
"You teach him well."
Han Ping smile. They keep quiet for a short while.
"Why don't you ask to enter the Bai mansion officially as a wife. You have the rights to do so."
"I … am not qualify. I can only be his mistress. Everyone here knows that … "
"You should ask for more. I can fight for your rights."
"Please don't. He will be displease and i might not able to see my sons…"
"What do you want from him? Why are you just sleeping with him?"
"Just want my children to be safe. A safe home to be in. A place where they have a chance to study and grow up to be a useful person."
"So you just want to continue to let him use your body…"
"Hmm… if he needs it and want it. I will be the whore he needs."
"What if you get pregnant again…"
"I will give birth to that child and leave it to the Bai mansion."
"Han Ping …. you are not a tool. You can go find another good man and get married if you don't want to be a mistress …."
"I am older by five years. I don't think any man wants a woman who given birth to many times. Besides that, i am a solider … i live and die for my country. Right now i am satisfy that … my children are in a safe place. He also treats them well enough."
"So you don't resent me for marrying …"
"No. I have no rights. I only hope that you will treat my sons well. I will continue to work as a solider and let him use my body when he needs it. I know that it is important for him to have a child with you soon. I will not stop him. Please eldest princess, let him do what a man needs to do. We are woman who is born to deliver other lives."
"I disagree. If you are happy the way things are done now, i have nothing to say so good night."
Han Ping watch the eldest princess walk into her tent. She look up the dark sky and sigh.
Two days later, a fight erupted. Scouts from the other nation is found in the dense forest. Their soldiers begin to hunt them when they encounter a small group of soldiers climbing up the hill. They fight and kill any of the enemy at sight. The eldest princess sits outside the commanding tent to hear what they are talking about.
"Your highness… we are not leaving?"
"No who say we are just to deliver and return. It's my chance to see the world before i return to my cage."
"But …"
"No buts … "
They watch the generals coming out the tent and yelling for their own soldiers to fall in.
"Looks like, we have going to join a fight."
"Your highness!"
"We are joining but we attack from the back to kidnap the leading commander of the other nation. It will be fun… do you remember what i told you the other night before we leave with the escort… i have to revenge for my royal father… that stab was fatal. The king of Liang have to pay for it someday and that day is approaching. Kidnapping the commander might not work yet it might, if that person is important."
She watch them all dress up and forming a line with weapons in their hands. The eldest princess continue to sit where she is and watch the men gather and later march out. The great general look at his wife before he depart. He ask the guards who are watching the camp to keep an eye on her.
"Don't allow her and her men to move out of camp without my permission."
He instructed while keeping his eye on his wife. She looks like she can't be brother to move form her chair and watching in a lazy attitude. He soon ride off with his guards. She watch the sight of her husband disappear in far. She stand up and kick the stone on the ground. She look at the guards.
"Two hours time, we will move out from the dense forest. After that we follow the path down to the opposite side."
Yes your highness."
"So gather about hundred men and travel in small groups of five."
"Understand your highness."
'The desk forest is easy for them to move out slowly in small groups. The eldest princess along with Mei Xue and her three men are last to move out. The guards in camp notice and try to stop them. So the eldest princess using her title to ask them if they are wiling to go against the Royal family. The guards back away and no choice but to watch them descend into the dense forest.
The eldest princess and her men follow the path and walk quietly. They hear screams and shout. They watch in groups, squatting behind bushes. The eldest princess look for the leading commander. It takes awhile for her to notice who is her target. She silently point to the direction. Her men notice and take note. She make a circle sign. Most of her men make a nod on their head. Quietly everyone make their moves. They watch the fights and will kidnap the enemy solider when they are near the dense forest. In there, they silence the neck and leave the body behind. They operate in silence and fast. The eldest princess and her men move near to the target. She use her bow and arrow to aim and shot at her target. Without missing, she shot down a few men in high ranking uniform. She plan not to waste the expensive arrows that are build especially for her.
The commander from Northern Wei is on his horse with some men behind him. He is directing the fight and watching what the other generals will do.
"Sound the archers to launch an attack at the left cliff."
His man ride off and he stare ahead. He mumble under his breath 'another easy boring fight.'He look around and see something moving in the forest. Just right then, an arrow comes flying towards him. He doge it in time but his horse got scared. He is fling off the horse and he roll on the ground. He look up to see a group of men rushing out from the bushes.
The eldest princess smirk as the enemy roll on the ground. She signal the rest of the men to join in the fight. They know her style is not to rush but find and watch the right time to charge in. She swing her bow back and withdraw her knives as quietly as she can. She watch her men attack the group that is still on horses. While the one on the ground stands up. With his back facing the eldest princess. She comes out of the bush and rush to him. Swing her Zi Wu but it miss him. He roll on the ground and grab a sword. He doge another attack and look at the eldest princess.
"And who are you?"
"None of your business!"
He look at her uniform. He saw the Chinese word.
"From the royal family?"
She swing her twin knives again. He move far back and take a look. Fully at her. He had most of the information of all the Royal family members of various enemies states. However he don't recall there is anyone who have her own army. He look at her with interest.
"You are pretty! How about return with me to Liang and be my concubine!"
She roll her eyes and raise her twin knives near her shoulder. He laugh.
"I don't think you can win me. I am after all the best swordsman in Liang."
Without a word she attack and he try to doge her. He continued to watch her and doge her attacks. Till she deliver a swing kick with her boots. A wound cut across his tights. He wince in pain but he is still able to stand and bare the pain. He is getting annoyed thus he pick up his sword and give her the fight that she wants.
The great general is swinging his spear. He watch carefully how many men are on the field. The stench of fresh blood fills his nose. It is hard to breath and making his head dizzy. Keeping himself sane, he pour water over his face. After that he continue to swing till there is no more foot soldiers within his range. He swing back his spear and ride towards the larger launcher. He needs to destroy it as it is firing large stones at a great distance to their area of defences.
Meanwhile, the eldest princess is like a dancer, swinging with turns and making cuts on the Northern Wei commander. She managed to avoid his attacks with her soft and bendable body. He soon have a chance to kick her hard on her knees. One of her twin knife flys off. She watch it fly off and quickly use her hands to do a wheel tumble on the ground. She move fast but he is faster. He catch one of her leg. He smirk as he watch her trying to kick him off. The eldest princess hurry to swing her legs to his direction. He quickly let her go and doge. She hurry to land properly on her heel. She press her heel and the small blades disappear and she hurry to run off. He laugh and mumble. 'Fun, this is fun.'
"My beauty! I am coming!"
He laugh and begin to chase her. The eldest princess keep running as fast as she can. She turn around to see that mad man still chasing her. She feels at that time she had miscalculated what she can do. Now she have to try to kill this madman instead of kidnapping him. She turn around as she retrieve her bow and arrow from her back. She pull hard and aim at him. It successfully hit him but at the same time, she did not see that at her back, there are the enemy soldiers. She is hit by one of them. The blade cut down her back. The sharp pain numb her and she falls down.. Her eye sight is fuzzy and she only see the ground. She hurry to wait draw her belt, she swing as anyone approach her. She whip it as she slowly stands up. The pain at her back is unbearable but she is not to go down without a fight. She whip as they try to attack. The sound of her whip slashing in the air sounds terrifying. As she hits, the men wince in pain and collapse. The commander watch with pain on his chest. He hurry to pick up a spear and sweep the ground to hit her leg. At that moment, the eldest princess feel the pain and scream. She drop her whip and keel down to hold her ankle. Someone pick her up by her waist. The pain is unbearable. She want to scream but she only can wimple like a wounded animal. She watch her weapons thrown down on the ground.
The madman watch his guards put her on his horse. Holding his shoulder, he bend the arrow and break it. He quickly get on the horse and ride away. HIs personal guards soon follow him behind.
The great general swing his spear till he doesn't have any more strength. He take deep breaths. The sun is setting. Darkness is descended upon the lands. He look around he is surrounded by bodies. He yell like a wolf hounding to the moon. Lowering his sword, he feel that tiredness is slipping in. A person suddenly hold him up by his waist. He look to see Han Ping. She is supporting his tired body. He smile gently.
"General Bai, the enemy have back off. We can go back to camp and rest."
He continue to look at her. She is always by his side even tough she is just a foot solider.
His personal guards appear and take over to help support their master. Together they walk out the mass of bodies in the battle field.