Memories of Peony Palace

CHAPTER 13

The Fifth Prince of Jia Kingdom was born a safe birth and spoiled. The Emperor Jin Hu had made Jia Dynasty expand and continued his expeditions or sometimes simply commanded his army as he played with Kai Yin when he visited.

Kai Yin was charming child and played with the princes and princesses of different mothers without discrimination. As fifth in line for throne he was no threat, and the older princes and princesses all played with him. That is, other than the crown Prince.

Jin Long, his older brother, was a sickly boy. People said with sighs if only the two boys switched places. Once they hit twelve people were even more bold. Kai Yin was athletic, tall, and full of justice and good morals. He was kind to everyone and cared not for positions. Ever since then his brothers' attitudes changed when they matured.

Jin was whispered behind his back as the Sickly Prince. Not only was his sick with fevers but he had an awful temper and threw tantrums. In this manner they thought of him mentally sick. He hissed at advisors and tutors and played vicious pranks.

The second prince had no grasp on war and was burdened by his mother, the Empress, to do well and surpass Jin Long. Instead, he gave up and occasionally appeared but mainly had his fun.

Third Prince was not always a womanizer, but with his good looks at puberty he began always sleeping around, and maidservants avoided him or were be banished once the Third Prince slept with them.

Fourth Prince Yisha was born by a foreign mother who was a low ranked concubine to begin with. He faced bullying by his older brothers and prejudice by people in the palace and maintained a low profile.

Kai Yin, younger than them by five or more years, watched as his brothers transformed before his eyes. He had the tightest bond with Fourth Prince Yisha, and learned important things, such as never defying Jin Long and what to do.

"Never draw more attention to yourself then Jin Long. He will never fall, he will keep getting up for revenge," Yisha had said.

"But I want to help First brother when he is Emperor," Kai Yin said. The princes met daily to play go or take a walk, always with their guards, and that day the two sat in a pavilion with tea.

"I think First Prince hates you more than anymore," Yisha whispered, head down.

"What? Why?"

Kai Yin was fourteen or fifteen, and his brothers were adults and rarely dropped by. They were all married, including Yisha.

"Does Yisha-gege not like First brother?" Kai Yin asked.

"I do not care for Jin Long; he has told me to never call him brother, and I never will." Yisha looked at Kai Yin, his wide, foreign eyes conveying hidden fury.

"First brother can be rash, but I think Jia kingdom needs more than one person to carry the burden," Kai Yin declared. Yisha smiled.

"Then you can be that person. But know this—you're his greatest enemy."

***

The conquest ended. The tribe had submit to them a few days after Kai Yin realized what his brother was doing. In fact, Kai Yon got off his horse and with only Wei Jing by his side, spoke to the tribal elder.

The man understood only part of his language but hearing how they had all their food routes blocked and would suffer while they had their protection if they joined Jia Kingdom persuaded him.

The generals of Jia Kingdom cheered, and even some of the families in the tribe seemed to honor Prince Kai Yin and lined up to shake his hands and thank their elderly patriarch.