Until Forever

Part I - Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

 

As Bidam wrestled with a solution to his problem, the Tang envoys had apparently grown restless in their confinement as evidenced by the report Chief Al Cheon delivered to the Queen the very next day. The Queen, Yushin and Chun Chu looked on as he placed before them the few items that the Tang envoys had bribed Al Cheon’s men to secret out of the Palace.

            “Your Majesty, as you have expected, they bribed the men to deliver these items. Here is a letter that they wanted to be delivered to a merchant named Fudon,” Al Cheon said handing over a letter to the Queen. She took it and passed it on to Chun Chu who perused it immediately.

            “A man from the envoys’ entourage named Jiwen was asking for Hwang Yun” he said, handing over another envelope. Al Cheon then took an exquisite fan made of raven feathers and gave it to Her Majesty.

            “The chief envoy wanted to have this delivered to the Sangdaedung. He said that it’s a gift,” he said. The Queen took the fan and looked at it, puzzled.

            “It’s obviously a bribe, seeing as it looks quite luxurious,” said Yushin.

            “It’s not as expensive at it looks. It’s an Ouseun, a fan made of raven feathers, quite ordinary. The more costly ones are usually made of peacock or stork feathers,” said Chun Chu. He was casually looking at the fan when a sudden thought occurred to him.

            “May I take a look at it, Your Majesty,” he asked the Queen.

            The Queen handed the fan to him, curious of her nephew’s sudden interest. Chun Chu turned it over several times, then, convinced that he was right asked the Queen if he could try something to confirm his theory. The Queen agreed and instructed him to proceed as necessary. Chun Chu then called out to one of the palace maids and asked for a steaming bowl of hot water and a piece of clean, white cloth. After receiving what he had asked for, he proceeded with his experiment. He placed the fan over the steaming hot water, turning it over a few times. Afterwards, he pressed the feathers on the white cloth. A few seconds passed before the fan revealed its secret. The Queen, Al Cheon and Yushin were astonished when words started to form on the cloth. Yushin, unable to contain his curiosity grabbed the cloth and read the writing imprinted on it.

            “’The Tang envoys must announce the unfeasibility of a female ruler and will suggest the abdication of the Queen in front of the Silla court. In return, Silla will send thirty-thousand troops to Sui territory to support the Tang in their war-efforts against Goguryeo…’” Yushin hesitated after reading the next words and looked at the Queen. Chun Chu took the cloth from him and read the last remaining words.

            “’Tang emissary, Su Ji Yan, Silla Sangdaedung Bidam’,” Chun Chu read, stammering.

            The Queen felt her heart stop at the mention of Bidam’s name. Bidam? Why? She grabbed the cloth from Chun Chu and read the writing herself. Her hands shook as her mind reeled from the implication of the fan’s secret treaty. She couldn’t believe that Bidam would perpetrate such a cowardly act after she had just committed herself to marrying him.

            “Your Majesty, this is high treason!” Chun Chu cried furiously,”He is using the Tang emperor’s words to gain the throne!”

            “We must not jump to conclusions,” the Queen calmly said, trying to placate her agitated nephew.

            “Jump to conclusions? His name is clearly written on this agreement. Isn’t it clear that he has no intention of honouring his so-called covenant? He promises to relinquish his powers yet he’s plotting to harm you behind your back!” Chun Chu retorted, his face now red with anger.