The Emperor's Concubine

24: Identity

Li Hua's P.O.V

Li Hua follows Alya's lead towards a large circle of people gathered around a wispy camp fire. The heat crackles softly as the people softly murmur between them. Across from her, Li Hua recognises the old bearded man that Alya had mentioned. Beside him is a young boy not much older than her youngest sister. The boy is scrawny and awkwardly lanky, but nothing about his posture suggests such about his attitude. He sits steadfastly beside the old man with an air of importance.

Li Hua's presence cuts their conversation short and the group of people quickly quieten. The old man stands up as Alya clears her throat.

"Is this the new successor?" she asks, gesturing towards Li Hua. The crackling of the fire suddenly sounds much louder than before and Li Hua suddenly feels much smaller than she is. Meeting the Emperor didn't even feel this nerve-wracking. The young boy stands -

"I don't know" he replies. "I never saw the successor, I was merely told of their existence through The Palace Spy - only she knows of the successor's identity."

Li Hua's jaw drops.

"Oh please," Alya counters, "don't tell me you dont have any of your people lurking around in our country sending back information to your Emperor."

"I-"

"It's simple politics." Alya turns back to the boy, "Where is the spy?'" she enquires.

...

Jal says casually pointing to the map draped over the wooden crates. "This village is renowned for the upbringing and training of slaves for the upper class." Li Hua gives him a disgusted look.

He raises his hands in defence, "Hey, hey, I don't get to choose my country's customs. Plus, it is a good thing! They feed you very well." Li Hua rolls her eyes.

Alya interjects, "Word has already spread amongst other rebels that The Empress has secured a successor to the throne and in Tūdì Huāngmò (Land of Desert) law, that means that successor has a bigger right to the throne than any other blood related relative to the Royal Family."

"That is an odd rule..." Li Hua mutters to herself.

"Maybe to you," Jal retorts. "There's a saying in our country that 'those chosen from the heart are more trustworthy than those merely created in a bloodline'. You Northerners leave your throne to any old person that falls from the womb of your predecessor without considering whether they are truly fit to rule."

"...that's true." She sighs.

"Which means," Alya says, raising her voice in frustration. "That if we can find the Spy, she can verify Li Hua's identity."

"But the Spy is a prisoner," Jal says plainly, he taps the map again. "Being held in here." He's pointing to the slave village.

Alya suddenly grins mischievously. "I have an idea." She turns her gaze towards Li Hua.

"Um."

...

The trio crouch behind a giant hill of sand, faces covered with scarves to prevent further inhalation of the desert into their lungs.

"You know, they will be crowning that bastard tomorrow right?" Jal says, chomping on some sort of dry biscuit.

Alya tsks, slapping the biscuit out of his hands and into the sand. Jal gives her an annoyed look. Both of them turn back to Li Hua. She's dressed in rags and covered head to toe with dirt. The siblings chuckle quietly.

In the distance, the slave village can be seen. The village is relatively small with buildings ranging from small huts to larger stone homes. Around the village, is a large stone wall constantly patrolled by guards and at the front of the village is an entrance guarded by two men wielding swords.