Chapter Text
The man who stands in front of Dan Heng at the alter once stood across the battlefield, separated by a deadly stretch of land soon to be drenched in red. Dan Heng has a smile on his face, one he’s practiced for a week so it won’t seem like a grimace, a glower, a glare. It is for peace, he’s told himself until the words echo every time he sees the face of the man now holding his hands.
It is for peace, it echoes again as the High Elder ties a red ribbon around their hands, callous on callous, disdain between their fingers.
General Ren does not smile. His expressionless gaze is cast on their joined hands instead as if it offends him. He does not lift his gaze until they rise from a deep bow, deeper than Dan Heng has ever had to in his life and it is for a man who has slain thousands of his people.
His smile slips for a heartbeat when their eyes meet, a clash of green and red so vivid the world comes to a standstill to this single point in time.
After six years on a battlefield, Dan Heng meets defeat in the face of his consort.
~
The marriage won’t unite East Xianzhou from the West. It is simply a measure to keep each other in check, disguised as a display of peace and it while it may fool the people, it fools no one in the ruling courts. The exchange of the East and the West’s generals to wed the respective heirs of the kingdoms is nothing but a ploy to knock out the miliary geniuses and ensure the lineage is compromised on both sides.
Dan Heng can’t say he saw this coming when they finally started to lay down their weapons after six years of border skirmishes that turned into full-scale war. No, the idea was proposed by the leaders of West Xianzhou after fighting had ceased and to everyone’s surprise, the Elders of the East had agreed.
So now Dan Heng stands staring at the chamber he was to share with General Ren for the rest of his life. It lacks not in luxury but in the warmth the of newlywed. The large bed lays empty, draped in a sheer pink canopy. The bookshelves are straight and neat. The chaise sits with perfectly fluffed pillows. The ornate desk is void but for a vase of roses.
He can put his foot down and say he’ll sleep in his own chambers where a stack of books awaits him on the bedside table and the windows open to the garden. Where an antechamber holds his small collection of weapons and antiques that are more for show than to be wielded. Where he knows what angle to turn the faucets to get the perfect temperature water. Where the bed is his own.
“You finally dropped the smile,” Ren says suddenly, the first words he’s spoken to Dan Heng out of his own volition all day. “Thank the gods.”
The general is still dressed in ceremonial red and gold garbs, as is Dan Heng, as he folds his arms across his chest. The reality of the situation hits him again. They’re married. He is married to an enemy general.
He… Has… A… Husband. And they want to kill each other.
What a great start to this marriage.
Dan Heng rolls his eyes. “One of us has to make the effort to appear peaceful.”
Ren raises an eyebrow. “Forgive me if I cannot find peace surrounded by everyone who wants me dead.”
“Jing Yuan isn’t here,” Dan Heng reminds him because he’s pretty sure Jing Yuan also wants to kill Ren. Only, General Jing Yuan is now in West Xianzhou married to its heir.
“My mistake. Almost everyone who wants me dead,” Ren corrects.
“Are you always this insufferable?”
Ren laughs but it’s cruel and twisted. “I haven’t even begun, sweetheart.”
Dan Heng turns to fully face him. “I don’t like this any more than you but this is the game we’re playing and these are the cards we’re dealt with. Seeing as this is our life now, perhaps we’d better lay down ground rules lest we accidentally kill each other.”
“Accidentally?”
“It won’t be an accident if you keep being snide.”
Ren takes a mocking bow. “Apologies, My Lord. Your word is law in this great nation.”
Dan Heng keeps staring. Ren rolls his eyes and waves his hand to say, Continue.
While Ren proved capable of behaving himself during the wedding ceremony in front of the entire city of Nangong, he and Dan Heng are yet to have a civil conversation alone.
“There is no need to force the appearance of a loving couple,” Dan Heng begins. “No one expects that of us. However, you and I will avoid disagreements in public for the sake of this arrangement. That means no snide remarks.”
“When it’s just us?”
Ren really intends to make this as difficult as possible, doesn’t he? “Go ahead but don’t expect me to hold my tongue either.”
“Fine. If that’s your first rule then mine is that we remain loyal to each other.”
Dan Heng blinks, not expecting that. In fact, the only reason he would’ve cared if Ren chose to have an affair is that others would discover it and make more trouble for Dan Heng. He didn’t think it’d be Ren who makes this request. Dan Heng has long known that he would not likely marry for love and he’s accepted long ago. But for the general who’s not only been forced to leave his home but had his freedom to choose his partner stripped… Dan Heng would’ve considered turning a blind eye if Ren ever found someone he genuinely loved. When he takes a moment too long to reply, Ren frowns.
He drawls, “Our wedding night and you’re already planning to elope with someone else?”
“I’m not that sort of person,” Dan Heng snaps. “Your words caught me by surprise, is all.”
A scoff. “Did you think I am that sort of person? I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but I do not like to take my eyes off what’s mine.”
Dan Heng glares at the sheer audacity, at the implication that he belonged to Ren in any way shape or form. “My second rule, do not for a second believe that you own me. This arrangement does not give you permission to do with me as you please. In fact, do not touch me at all.”
“Sure. My second rule, do not involve me in your politics unless it is absolutely necessary. That includes balls and celebrations. The thought of being a trophy on display disgusts me.”
“Fine.” Ren wouldn’t be privy to attend council meetings anyway. He may be the prince’s consort now but until a few hours ago, he was still an enemy general. Some of the Elders (and Dan Heng) are already on high alert that this would be a disguised espionage mission from the West and they would never allow Ren to know the ins and outs of the kingdom.
“Anything else?” Ren asks.
Dan Heng almost tells him that’s all but pauses. “As you are aware, we are expected to travel to the border and aide in the efforts to rebuild homes there. That is a political play I cannot exempt you from. You may hate me but for the sake of my people, at least pretend you care about them.”
Ren’s face darkens. “You seem quite fond of making assumptions about me.”
Dan Heng raises an eyebrow. “You mean to tell me you had no desire to plough those villages to the ground and tear up homes and families?”
He knows it’s an unfair strike but the words come anyway. He’s seen firsthand starving orphans left after the West ravaged across the border during the war. He’s seen entire towns reduced to embers, innocent bodies piled high. Even before the war, the border was full on unrest, skirmishes breaking out on a weekly basis but with the onslaught of full-scale war, tens of thousands suffered on both sides. The East wasn’t innocent by any means either but they had at least tried to reduce casualties while various armed groups from the West that made up most of their firepower made no attempts.
“I take full responsibility for that destruction but don’t act so high and mighty, Your Highness. Your hands are also stained with the blood of my people.”
Dan Heng inhales deeply. “Apologies. I spoke rashly.”
Ren closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose as if he’s trying to calm himself down. He tugs the ruby pin out of his hair and drops it unceremoniously onto the chaise, letting his dark hair flow down. “We can’t seem to be able to hold a conversation without tearing at each other. Perhaps it’s best to limit our interactions.”
“Fine by me.”
With that, Dan Heng forces his feet away from the general and into the adjoined bathroom. No one is stupid enough to expect them to partake in typical wedding night activities, least of all them. The only reason Dan Heng refuses to return to his old chambers is because it would feel like admitting defeat. He never threw in the towel during the war and he’s not about to start now.
He lays on the edge of the bed that night and Ren never joins him, taking the chaise instead. Neither of them sleeps.
~
Dan Heng has met General Ren during the war but the word ‘met’ is a bit of stretch. It was mostly Jing Yuan who ever had any dealings with the enemy general and Dan Heng only ever saw flashes of the fearsome man known as ‘Blade’ amidst the chaos of battle when he joined the fray. The title seemed fitting from a distance. Dan Heng and Jing Yuan themselves were formidable warriors who had seen and trained their fair share of exceptional fighters but ‘Blade’ was so-called that because he became one with the equally-legendary weapon he wielded; a cracked longsword that caught the glint of moonlight and bloomed with the blood of a thousand souls.
It is that fearsome general who roams the pristine grounds of Nangong Palace and stands tall in front of the High Elder. It is clear from everything about him that he does not belong among the grandeur of marble and jade; the rod-straight back, the tension in his shoulders, the shift of his eyes as if searching for an ambush from the decorative flowerpots nearby. It would be funny if the High Elder didn’t look so worried about his bonsai.
“I have passed all the relevant documents to Tingyun,” Dan Heng says to train attention back to the matter at hand. “Should you need anything, she will be the first to ask.”
“You worry too much,” Elder Feiyu says with a wave of his hands, attention finally shifting from the bonsai. “Focus on a safe and successful trip. May the Aeons bless you both.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Ren echoes.
The day of departure for the border has arrived. Behind them is a company of a hundred soldiers headed by Yanqing, all prepared to depart; horses lined up in formation with the supply carriages bring up the rear.
Dan Heng had already been personally aiding there for months but now, this ordeal is more than just the future High Elder looking out for his people. It is now entirely a political play in which Ren, The General of the West, will help to rebuild the East with his own hands. It is meant to be a symbolic gesture but uneasiness still stirs within Dan Heng.
Feiyu says, “General, would you mind leaving us for a moment?”
Ren bows with more respect than Dan Heng would ever expect of him before he as good as marches towards his black mare, the legendary sword strapped to the saddle.
The Elder sighs. “Sometimes I think this might have been a mistake.” Then he chuckles. “You’ve probably always thought it to be a mistake.”
Dan Heng humours him. “I can’t say that I haven’t thought of accidentally nudging him off a balcony.”
A grimace. “That terrible?”
“No, I’m joking, Father.” He’s not. The thought crossed his mind in every four out of five exchanges he had with Ren in the past week. Still, Dan Heng reassures, “We both know what this agreement means for our countries.”
The High Elder smiles wanly and pats Dan Heng’s shoulder. Dan Heng has grown up as a ward of the High Council, destined from a young age to be next High Elder but High Elder Feiyu has always been the one most like a father figure to him, to the point where Feiyu has simply allowed him to call him ‘father’ after too many times of accidentally saying so. Dan Heng knows it is unconventional and the other Elders have objections but Feiyu cares little for the criticism.
He’s always held Dan Heng at a higher regard than simply a prince and more of a son. He’s repeatedly made sure Dan Heng agreed to this ordeal before accepting the proposal. Feiyu would not suggest giving away his life if he didn’t believe it would benefit the country. As such, it is Dan Heng’s duty to uphold his responsibilities.
Feiyu says, “I know you two get on like oil and water but I must ask for an unreasonable request once more. Work with him well. I suspect it is in your generation that we will reunite the East and the West.”
Work with him well. Dan Heng still sees the savage brutality of the war whenever he sees Ren but those are memories he will not forget any time soon. Besides, Ren was right. Dan Heng did his own fair share of killing. The war is over. He has to put the battlefield behind him.
Briefly, he wonders if Jing Yuan is able to. Or does he also retch at the realisation that he is wedded to someone who ordered his friends’ deaths?
Dan Heng nods at Feiyu. Even if this whole deal is a twisted play of power and politics, he can’t deny that there is a real chance at peace now. They all have to work for it.
With a last bow to the High Elder, Dan Heng makes his way to the front of the procession towards his own horse, a caramel-coloured stallion, that awaits besides Ren’s horse. There is also Yanqing who’s securing a satchel onto the saddle.
The boy smiles and salutes when Dan Heng approaches, form prim and proper. Though young, Yanqing has been well-trained since a young age by none other than Jing Yuan himself. The discipline shines through in everything he does, including organising this company of men, ready to depart since dawn.
“My Lord!” he greet. “I packed an extra flask of water for you. The midday sun will probably be brutal today.”
Dan Heng pats him on the head. “Thank you. Let’s head off once we’re ready.”
“Shall I lead?”
“Be my guest.”
~
The procession marches through the countryside for four days westward along the Yulong River, setting up small camps at night for sleep. Yanqing offers setting up separate tents for Dan Heng and Ren but ultimately Dan Heng declines for it would be a waste of time and energy. He can tolerate close proximity as long as they sleep on different mats. Besides, Ren hardly says a word to anyone and simply does what needs to be done in helping around the camp.
On the morning of the fifth day, they arrive at the first area of reconstruction. A few temporary shelters have been built for people who have already returned while the ravaged village undergoes an overhaul. Materials are being salvaged and separated into piles to be reused later while some buildings are completely torn down.
Dan Heng and Ren meet with the designated leaders of the village, calling upon the expertise of engineers he’s brought among his men. Much of the afternoon is spent in discussion.
In the evening, Dan Heng goes around to greet the locals who welcome him with much fanfare and clamour. To his surprise, Ren has silently tagged along.
The general hasn’t said much all day aside from making suggestions here and there. He’s simply stuck to Dan Heng’s back and followed instructions. Even now as he talks to the locals, Ren is behind him while the people around them nervously glance at him once in a while.
“This is Ren,” Dan Heng introduces, choosing his words carefully. “He will be helping us with the reconstruction from now on. If there is anything you need, you may also talk to him and we will do what we can to help.”
The tension doesn’t ease, of course not. One of the local families invite Dan Heng for dinner but from the glances exchanged among them, Ren is not welcome and they don’t know how to tell their prince about that. Dan Heng takes the initiative to send him back to the camp first.
When Dan Heng is finally able to leave the small ring of locals’ shelters, his arms are full of fruits and sweets. Ren raises an eyebrow when Dan Heng returns to their tent and carefully lays the pile on his bed.
“They really respect you, don’t they?” Ren observes. “Aren’t they short on food themselves?”
Dan Heng sighs. “It makes them happy when I accept. Take something. I’ll give the rest to Yanqing to share around.”
“I don’t think they’d appreciate their gifts going to me.”
He doesn’t argue.
Work truly begins the next day. With the addition of a hundred extra manpower, the clean-up speeds up tenfold. A third focus on tearing down homes no longer safe to live in, a third focus on mending moderate and minor damages and a third on restoring necessary facilities like clinics, wells and masonries.
Dan Heng is no expert in restoration so he aids in salvage efforts. It appears Ren has also allotted himself to the role. His sleeves are rolled up and hair pulled into a ponytail, much like Dan Heng. Without a word, he tests the strength of salvaged roof tiles and piles the good ones onto carts the way other soldiers are doing. Dan Heng has a feeling no one has actually given him a task and no one really knows how to talk to him either.
That strength really shouldn’t be wasted sorting through tiles.
Dan Heng leaves his planks and goes to Ren. “You should help Yanqing’s group with the well. They’ll need help digging.”
Wordlessly, Ren makes to leave.
“You’re allowed to talk, you know,” Dan Heng reminds him. “They won’t start trouble just because you talk to them.”
“Sure, sure.”
Then he goes. Dan Heng thinks, What an awkward brute of man.
This goes for the next few weeks as they move from place to place. It’s a similar experience everywhere and some villages are more destroyed than others but the people who once lived here ultimately want to return. It was their home and the people of East Xianzhou are tenacious in that they will do what they can to recover it. Not to mention these towns and villages made up a decent part of the trade routes before the days of war. As such, restoring these areas would also help the nation. They’re not going for architectural brilliance, of course, but enough that a decent population could make a return and they can continue on the efforts later down the track.
By the time the third village is nearly restored enough for people to start returning, Ren has seamlessly integrated to be a part of the efforts. Rather than sticking to Dan Heng, he mingles with the soldiers and waits for orders to be given or finds a job to do. He rarely ever talks to the soldiers and the soldiers don’t talk to him unless they want him to do something. At night when the soldiers socialise around the camp, Ren retreats back to the tent. Nonetheless, it no longer feels like Dan Heng is babysitting.
Subsequently, he and Dan Heng hardly see each other except at night and even then, they simply sleep in their own beds, backs turned to the other. No interaction necessary.
If they can keep this up for the rest of their lives, this might not be so bad, Dan Heng thinks as he hefts the pile of logs onto his shoulder. He’s currently in the surrounding patch of trees, axing thicker branches that could be whittled into beams.
Mind occupied on other matters, he doesn’t think much of it when he hears someone nearby and assumes it’s one of the villagers. He snaps out of his thoughts just in time to dodge the cracked longsword which has embedded on the tree trunk beside his head.