Nevermind.

Manga/Asian drama | Original Universe: The Long Ballad • sometimes tries to art | critical role | 96'

[shuuenka]

THE LONG BALLAD MASTERPOST

+ #shuu ocs tag for all art and doodles and yapping

+ #series: the long ballad

FREE Digital ARTBOOK can be found >>HERE<<

What’s in there?

PART ONE - THE INTRO

biographies of all my original characters (introduced so far) belonging to The Long Ballad universe,

introduction the world of The Long Ballad - short history of the Great Huang,

tidbits, charts, maps 

PART TWO - THE WRITING

all of the short stories, drabbles and one-shots published so far - newly edited and with exclusive sketches!

PART THREE - THE ARTBOOK SECTION

full-color artworks,

short comics and sketches,

Length: 130+ spreads; B6- formatting

-> THE TIMELINE

Some places where you can find me:

Twitter / used for yapping and art posting. I fairly often share doodles and wips, moreso than on tumblr: https://x.com/shuuenka_art

Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/shuuenka_art/

Ko-Fi / https://ko-fi.com/shuuenka_art (I take commissions!)

AO3 / https://archiveofourown.org/series/4557529

Writing masterpost (under cut)

Of first meetings / drabble collection

(tumblr links contain illustrations; A03 links contain some additional and edited parts)

ongoing: to be updated irregularly

Chapter 1 : Lian Bai Ai tumblr link with art AO3 LINK

Chapter 2: Zhou Tang Sui tumblr link with art AO3 link

Chapter 3: Fei Bai Bing tumblr link with art AO3 link

Chapter 4: Lian Bai Wei tumblr link AO3 link

Chapter 5: Chang Su tumblr link AO3 link

.of serial killers and long nights in dusty cellars

Summary: It was supposed to be easy and quick investigation into possible murder suspect that terrorized streets of Chang'An. Unfortunately, for Wu Chun Tian and Zhou Tang Sui nothing is ever easy. (one shot) AO3 LINK: https://archiveofourown.org/works/61774231 tumblr post

.memories of the fragrance of decaying leaves

Summary: It was eight month of the year; the sky was weeping and two girls dug a hole under a weeping willow. (one shot) AO3 LINK: https://archiveofourown.org/works/61876873 tumblr post

.floating lights, small and big talks

Summary: The problem with family celebrations and holidays like the New Years, was the fact that, well - his family was miles away and he was in The Great Huang capital city. (one shot) [Wu Chun Tian x Fei Bai Bing focused.] AO3 LINK: https://archiveofourown.org/works/63910963 tumblr post

.and everything turns to dust

Summary: Of lies, and trust, and all in between falling apart. Characters: Fei Bai Bing, Fei Jing Rui AO3 LINK: https://archiveofourown.org/works/78585816 tumblr post

[shuuenka]

.perfection

Summary: A quiet afternoon, filled with wandering thoughts. Lian Bai Wei after years of scheming and patiently waiting, finally puts his last scheme in motion. Before that, he remembers people from his childhood.

Lian Bai Wei centric.

AO3 LINK: https://archiveofourown.org/works/89293586

“Bai Wei, remember, there can be no mistakes.”

He didn’t know why he recalled his mother. It was many years since she died, many years since last he heard her calm, yet forceful voice. 

Late afternoon sun spilled the warm light across his courtyard, the smell of incense filled his nostrils. He dismissed his servants about sichen ago, but he could still see two silhouettes behind closed doors, standing straight like a frozen in time human figures, yet always ready for their master’s call if needed. 

No mistakes, Lian Bai Wei thought. 

He turned in his head the steps of a final plan he was preparing to commence, as he idly checked on the bookshelf in his office. Beautiful antiques without speck of dust, scrolls of the old masters, small chests filled with elegant treasures fitting the Prince Mansion.

With a pang of deep seated irritation that was overtaking him for many years for now, he thought how his ascension to the throne was supposed to be perfect, and yet it was anything but. He took a breath, letting the feeling wash away.

“When your Father checks your essays, you cannot let him find a fault,” Consort Gao spoke. Her gentle voice resounded right by his ear, the woman straightened his robes once again. He was only ten years old, but thanks to his mother’s teachings and imperial teacher’s efforts, his calligraphy was not lacking at all. 

His father, Crown Prince Lian Xu An was a busy man. He was often in and out of the mansion, leaving his mother, the other concubines and his children to their own devices. He did however have affection towards his mother, and in turn Lian Bai Wei could meet his Father more often than other children. Just like today, after serving the tea to the Crown Prince, and chatting with his mother, Lian Bai Wei was called to his side.

He presented his writing.

The Prince nodded his head as he went through the scrolling, satisfied expression on his face. His mother smiled sweetly from the side.

“Very good job,” the Prince complimented. “Your tutor says you’re his most diligent student.”

“I can only hope to learn the most from an enlightened master,” Lian Bai Wei nodded his head. “Thank you father and mother for arranging the lessons for me.”

Good choice of words, he thought seeing the Prince expression getting more satisfied. 

From a very young age Lian Bai Wei learned how to talk well, how to speak to elicit a satisfactory response. 

Consort Gao had a dream, he could tell. She wanted to see him sit at the dragon throne years down the line, and he never questioned this dream. It became his dream as well. Because between the Prince’s first son, sickly Frist who would probably not survive until the end of the winter, him and two other young princes, he could not imagine anyone else but him fitting the throne. How could he waste his mother’s precious efforts?

“Bai Wei, some of the calligraphy wasn’t the best, but the prince was kind and didn’t point it out. There cannot be more mistakes like this any further.” Consort Gao grabbed his shoulder when the Crown Prince left, “I asked His Highness to allow you to accompany him to the hunt. You can’t be passive, you understand?”

“Yes, mother,” he agreed readily. His bow skills with a small bow were very good - seven out of ten times, he was able to hit the target. 

A crease appeared on his mother's face and her sharp nails bit into his shoulder. Not enough to hurt, but he felt the pressure. An oppressive feeling spread through his body, as Consort Gao observed him. 

“I will arrange your uncle to train you more,” she said. Her hands once again gently straightened wrinkles across his robe. “You cannot fall short when representing this mansion. No mistakes.”

He could only repeat, “of course, mother.”

“Good boy.”

He could tell she was still worried, as she called her close maid to arrange for more studies for him. That’s okay, he thought. When he shows off his capabilities later, she will be proud and he will be perfect as he always is.

Few weeks later he was ready to follow the Crown Prince to the hunt. He would probably be the youngest among the noble sons, but as his mother said it will be a perfect opportunity to show that he is indeed of royal blood. He curtsied, to those above him, and took the bows of those below, diligently followed after his father where he could and stayed behind in the tents, where he couldn’t.

“The 4th Prince really has a good temperament,” he overheard, as he slowly sipped hot tea. 

The weather allowed some activities outside, but he still had to admit he was getting cold despite the fur cloak around his body. He overcame the urge to look back at the speakers. They were probably some lowly maids. It was disgusting to think that these people gossiped behind his back. His mother always thought that idle chatter like this was a sign of a low birth and lack of foresight - but it was exceptionally useful too. He agreed.

He interacted for a bit with the children of the nobles, but while he could memorize all their names and ranks, the individuals themselves were a bit of a blur in his eyes. Nothing in particular stood out from the bunch that clamored around and then whined to their caretakers about the cold.

Between the chatter and another tea, his attention was recalled back to the entrance to the woods. After quite some time the hunting party was coming back. At the very front he saw the Crown Prince and looking closer he saw other royal family members. He saw his uncle, Second Prince Lian Zhan animatedly gesturing from the top of his steed back to imperial family cousins - little Duke Su, Lian Hong Yan and his younger brother Lian Ming. And to the other side, he saw his nominal ‘mother’, Crown Princess Consort, Lady Jiang Ning Guang. 

If there was a person who seemed to spend even less time in the Prince Mansion than Prince himself, it would be his official wife. Much to Consort Gao’s both frustration and satisfaction, Crown Princess Consort was not bound inside the mansion. He heard it’s only thanks to Jiang family friendship with the Emperor, and her own cunning that she was able to fight her way out. As very few female warriors, she had her own army and could travel between her home town of Lushan and Chang’an, protecting the borders and training new soldiers. 

The column moved across the field, clearly in good spirits. Lian Bai Wei heard from the side that the Crown Prince caught an impressive amount of the game.

“Congratulations, Father,” he smiled to the Prince, once he was able to give his courtesy. 

The Prince smiled back.

“Were you bored?”

“Not at all, Father,” he stood straight, with his bright eyes gazing at the figure of his father. “I look forward to the day I can join you too.”

The prince smiled in satisfaction, “good boy. You need to grow a bit more, and I’ll sure take you to the hunt. I’ll see to your martial arts progress, don’t worry.” 

“Thank you, Father!” he bowed, showing enough excitement and restraint fitting such an offer. He chatted some more between his father and his uncle, nodding along to them. 

It was getting late in the day. The banquet was under preparation, while the nobles took a break to refresh themselves. He was walking back to his tent, following his nanny when he came across a figure of the Crown Princess Consort.

“Little Bai Wei, good afternoon,” she smiled. She was still wearing armor on her body, making her figure seem heroic and tall. Dark blue cloak underneath furred collar billowed on the wind.

He quickly gathered his wits and followed proper etiquette. Of course, this wasn't the first time he had met her, but between the Princess staying within her own courtyard and going to Lushan, he wasn’t most familiar with her. His mother wasn’t most fond of the Princess, as she was actually the first person who entered the Prince Mansion, Consort Jiang being married a few years later. He would occasionally see her and chat when he would greet the principal wife along with his mother.

Barren, that’s the word he overheard from the servants in the mansion. At first he didn’t understand this word, but seeing as she was the only woman in the Crown Prince mansion who didn’t have a child, he understood. His mother was extremely satisfied, hearing the rumors across the household. He even overheard that the Emperor, being extremely fond of the Princess, didn't humiliate her with divorce but instead allowed her go back and forth from Lushan, allowing some freedom to her. His young brain could understand it was important, but between his mother’s polarizing reactions being both happy and upset, he couldn’t truly decide whether it was a good or bad thing.

“Stand up, stand up,” she prompted, with a wave of her hand. She looked at him for a second, and then leaning in, she put a warm bundle in his hands. 

“Um?!” He was surprised, just as his nanny was beside him. 

Crouching, the Princess Consort smiled at him and held his hands for a moment.

“Good job sitting in the cold for so long,” she said gently. “Keep this hand warmer, and don’t catch a cold, hm?”

“I-, uh,” he was at a loss for words. She only smiled wider and patted his hands.

“Keep it,” she repeated, and before long she waved her hands and moved along to her own tents. 

He looked down at the warm bundle that was spreading the warmth through his hands. He took a peak at his nanny, she was bowing and thanking profusely the Princess Consort. 

He allowed himself to frown. He was sure he looked impeccable through sitting on the platform. When other children complained, he sat completely still, despite cold seeping into his bones. Did she see he was actually cold? Displeasure filled his body, as he moved quickly towards his tent. His mother always criticized the Crown Princess for being unbecoming and being impertinent, and he finally could see it! Just pushing things into other people’s hands. Good job for sitting in the cold, as if this was an achievement worth noting!

He sat in his tent, drinking herbal soup his nanny prepared, glaring at the hand warmer. Despite his hands not being as cold as they were, despite the temptation of a promised warmth, he averted his eyes from proof of his failure. 

Not but a week later, when they were all back in the manor he returned the hand warmer. The nanny had recounted the interaction to his mother, which resulted in Consort Gao’s mood worsening. 

“What does that filthy woman want with my son,” he heard her ridicule filled voice. He was escorted back to his studies, but he was sure his mother and her confidantes were discussing behind his back.

***

It seemed that Crown Princess Consort would always find a way to humiliate him, he thought. 

The next time he met with the official wife, beyond offering her the tea, was in the late winter afternoon. He was tired, as much as he hated to admit it. He was copying classics his teacher told him to and his hands were getting increasingly tired. 

His younger brother, Bai Ai stopped writing a long time ago and in a moment of possibility, he disappeared back to his mother’s courtyard. He looked at him with ridicule hidden in his gaze, as he continued the assignment. The main study in the mansion was quiet once again, as servants withdrew, knowing that he was working diligently. He was always perfectly capable of finishing the calligraphy, so the tiredness came as a surprise to him. He had a headache, and the lines of the text were getting blurry. 

Just for a moment, he thought, I will close my eyes. The servants were gone, he could close his eyes for a moment and nobody could tell he would be slacking. The moment was prolonged, as his head fell down, and his consciousness slowly faded.

“I am quite sure I saw these maps in the main study, do you remember, Ruyi?” the pleasant woman’s voice reached his ears. He could hear the shuffling of the feet across the wooden floor and the doors to the study opening, just as his head shot back up.

“Quite possible,” the servant responded, closing the doors. “Oh.”

He stood up at once seeing the Crown Princess Consort in the study. Seeing him there, the woman smiled and again called him Little Bai Wei, much to his displeasure. He tidied his appearance, trying his best to appear as if he never took a nap.

“Are you studying alone?” she asked, a small smile playing on her lips, as she clearly knew he was awakened from sleep.

“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded.

She walked to his side at the desk and gestured to him to sit down. He grinded his teeth, following her orders. She took his calligraphy and looked over the lines, not even mentioning the clear smudge on the paper where his hands failed to keep the brush from falling. The dark ink spot was making his eyes twitch, embarrassment filling his body.

“You have such neat handwriting, little Bai Wei,” she said. “Much better than mine, won’t you agree Ruyi?”

She showed the paper to her servant. Lian Bai Wei tried his hardest to keep his expression from twitching.

“Yes, Princess,” the servant called Ruyi nodded and smiled. “The 4th Prince is truly diligent.”

The woman nodded. She looked over other pages, light of the candles brightening her expression. She didn’t wear most ornate jewelry like Consort Gao, but carved jade accessories in her high bun. 

“Thank you,” he said, realizing he hadn't yet replied to the Princess' compliment. She looked at him over the papers with an amused smile on her lips. His hands turned into fists. She must’ve been making fun of him.

She leaned over the table and quietly spoke, “no need to be so rigid, you’ve worked hard. Only natural to have a little break.”

She pushed freshly brewed tea towards him, and nodded with encouragement. 

“Thank you very much,” he said stiffly. He was used to being watched. His etiquette was always impeccable before his mother and the teachers. Yet in front of this woman’s gaze it was as if all of his education was thrown out of the window. He was stiff and almost burned his tongue on the tea. 

Unfamiliar, that was the word he would use. He was unfamiliar with how to act in front of her. When he was following the script he was taught she found a way to turn it around on him.

“I am looking for one particular map of western regions, do you know where it is?” she asked, leaning on her hands.

“In the fourth shelf, by the door,” he automatically answered. He made sure to learn all about the books and items in the study, just in case his Father asks. He should know.

“Thank you!” She smiled once again, very brightly. Her servant took her time to search through the collection, while she continued to sip her tea. 

“Say, does the calligraphy teacher check your assignments?”

“Yes,” he said. “Mother also checks it.”

“I see, I see,” she nodded, as she was checking further pages of his writing. 

The time stretched as she asked him about his studies and teachers. He answered her questions one by one, slowly relaxing as they went along. The servant came back with the map, and the princess announced she should be off then.

Before she stood up, she looked through her robes and finally picked up a small pouch.

“Open your hand,” the Princess Consort said. He could only follow. 

 She presented him with a candy and clasped his hand.

“It’s not too sweet, so it should be nicely paired with the tea,” she said. “You will probably spend more time in the study, so when you’re tired again, take a break and eat a candy.”

“I cannot accept it, I-”

“Take it,” she smiled. On top of the desk she put the pouch.

“Ma’am,” he was flabbergasted. Who does something like this? “This is too much!”

“Hmm,” she hummed, tapping her chin. “Ah, right! I am technically the mistress of this palace, and this includes the study, so under my command, you’re obliged to keep it.”

He was yet again, at a loss for words.

She stood up, without giving him a chance to make any further rebuttal.

“And that page,” she flapped the page with a big ink splat in the middle, “I’ll keep it. Unfortunately you will need to copy it again.”

“Princess?” Ruyi asked quietly. 

“Let’s go!”

The doors closed and he quickly moved, wanting to catch the princess' words.

“...Gao is rigid and this boy works very hard,” he heard. “She would make a fuss over spilled ink. I don’t…”

He looked back at the pouch that he unconsciously picked up and held in his hands. It wasn't the most expensive material he could find, it wasn’t much embroidered either. Just a regular material pouch, filled with a couple of candies inside. 

***

His mother learned of the pouch, of course.

“Return it,” she said.

“No, mother,” he replied before he could think. 

Her sharp gaze turned to him.

“I am not sure why Princess Consort gave it to me,” he continued, calmly. “But it's a gesture of her goodwill, so it’s only proper I keep it and return with a different gift. We shouldn’t make enemies, Mother.”

Consort Gao tapped her finger on the chair. Her brews were creased.

“My Lady,” the servant by her side quipped. “With this we can gauge the Princess's intentions towards us. Her position in the household is shaky at best, but Lushan is still important - we can’t be friends, but we can’t be enemies. Our prince is right.”

His mother pondered and finally nodded.

“Bai Wei, you are getting smart,” she smiled, and straightened his collar. “Very well.”

***

Months were passing and he found himself meeting the Princess Consort time and time again. He could see, she was generally nice to all the children in the mansion, getting them little gifts and praising them. They cheered along, like a filthy low-borns they were. 

Once again he overheard the servants speaking ill of the woman, saying that she might choose one of the concubine children to raise as her own as she had no child of her own. He could hear ridicule in his mother’s voice, when she repeated the same. 

He kept wondering.

He wrote the word ‘kindness’ many times in his calligraphy studies. A cause coming from the heart. There was part of him that instinctively felt that if he was to describe the Princess Consort, he would use the word ‘kindness’. He wasn’t sure where it was coming from, this feeling buried deep inside his heart. 

Between his lessons and lectures, the words ‘good job, little Bai Wei’, coming from the Princess’ mouth was something he craved to hear. Like a moth to a flame, he looked towards the Princess. Buried inside his heart, was the desire to make the princess look at him and praise him and his efforts. He never felt this way towards his mother. Or maybe he did, once upon a time. The time when he still felt that his mother’s wishes were possible to fulfil. Nowadays he knew all his efforts were lacking, but somehow the kind word from the Princess Consort made it worthwhile.

He thought he could continue like this forever. Childish and stupid, and yet he thought maybe it was feasible.

He didn’t expect how quickly one year could go.

The rebellion of Duke Su, he heard. Rebellion against the Heavenly Mandate, they said. His father moved with his armies to quell the rebels and for many months they didn’t hear back. Maybe they did, but Lian Bai Wei couldn’t know. He kept to his studies.

The rebellion ended with Duke Su beheaded by Lian Hongyan, his own son. 

The chill in the palace was palpable. Lian Bai Wei kept to his studies. 

Not but a few months later his studies were interrupted yet again. He was standing under the eaves of the study, with Lian Bai Ai trudging along, like a lost puppy. He couldn't tell him off, even if he didn’t want to spend time with the boy. The eight year old was increasingly annoying.

The commotion arose from the main gatehouse.  

“Brother, do you know what is happening?” Bai Ai asked. 

“Not yet,” he replied, growing curious. 

He couldn’t resist the urge and went ahead with Lian Bai Ai. The two boys hid behind the wall, just as the eunuch from the palace strode inside the Prince Mansion. Along him a column of soldiers of the Imperial Guard. 

“An edict?” Lian Bai Wei whispered. “But Father is not home…”

“What are they doing?” Lian Bai Ai whispered, grabbing onto his robes. Lian Bai Wei could only shake his head. He instinctively knew it was not good news. The oppressive mood the troop carried spoke about anything but celebration. 

Before long the troops were leaving. To his utter astonishment, much as everyone else’s in the mansion who were peeking from nooks and crannies - the Crown Princess Consort, Jiang Ning Guang walked with them. That was not accurate, she was dragged with two soldiers holding onto her arms. Her expression, from what he could tell, was tense. 

Dragged in front of the gates of the Crown Prince mansion, she was thrown to the ground. The soldiers lined up, as the eunuch finally opened the scroll with the Imperial Edict. 

“Princess Consort Jiang Ning Guang,” the loud voice of the palace attendant carried across the street. A small crowd was gathering around, looking curiously towards the commotion outside. “for the crime of adultery, you are now stripped of all your ranks.”

The gasps were resounding across the street. Shouts were quieted by the soldiers, who kept the crowd at bay.

Lian Bai Wei watched with his eyes wide open, his heart nervously hammering in his ribcage. His mother appeared by his side, and held onto his shoulder as she always did. 

“Commoner Jiang Ning Guang,” the eunuch continued reading, his voice raising even higher. “For the crime of deceiving the Emperor is sentenced to death, on the morning of the fifth day.”

The eunuch let the crowd roar with the surprise. He calmly put the scroll back to its proper holding and leaned towards the princess on the ground. 

“This criminal’s hands are not worthy to touch His Majesty’s edict, so this attendant will keep it safe,” he said.

The soldiers moved quickly, Lian Bai Wei noted. They had menacles ready and the princess' hands and ankles were quickly put in irons. A wooden pole was erected right in front of the mansion doors, where the menacles were attached, leaving a wretched visage of the princess dressed in blue on the dirty ground. 

“Based on long lasting affection towards the Jiang Family, His Majesty won’t allow you to rot in a dirty prison. Since Princess Jiang always wished for freedom, may she observe the skies from here until her execution.”

With her gaze stuck on the ground, she sat there in front of the eunuch. Without gaining any response from the woman, the palace attendant scoffed and recalled his troops. They had to push through the crowd that was getting thicker.

Insults were hurled immediately - it was easy to get the crowd heated.

“C-close the gates!” Consort Gao uttered. 

Lian Bai Wei quickly followed after his mother, his head pounding from shock. The whole household was going through upheaval, with many servants peeking through the gates to check if this was true that their mistress was now proclaimed adulterer and a criminal. 

“I can’t believe… that kind of humiliation,” the nanny by his mother’s side uttered when the doors to the courtyard also closed. “In front of our mansion!”

In the eerie silence, his mother sat at her seat. Her expression was hardened, deeply pondering. 

“The Emperor is quick in action,” she finally said softly. His ears picked up on the tone of her voice. She reached out to Lian Bai Wei, gently stroking his shoulders, smile on her lips. “You see, my sweet son, that filthy woman sat for enough time at the Crown Princess seat. Our Gao family was humiliated for many years when the Emperor declared her to take this marriage instead of me. But see Bai Wei, I am a very patient person.”

She straightened wrinkles on his robes.

“And I never truly lose,” she said. “That’s why you also must be patient, okay? Your destiny is to be above every filthy speck of dust, because you are my son. I will not spare effort and use anything and anyone I can to make your path the smoothest. You are such a smart child, always diligent in your studies and you never disappoint me. Your father will take the throne in a couple of years, and after that it will be you. As it should be.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Good boy.”

***

The next three days were filled with new waves of shock. Even if he didn’t want to know, the mansion buzzed with news. The other person who was given the Imperial Edict was Duke Su, Crown Prince’s cousin, Lian Hong Yan. For the same crimes, he was arrested and brought to the imperial prison. While the Princess was kept at the doorsteps of the mansion, the Duke, now stripped of all his ranks, would rot in prison for two or three days before being given a poison. For a famed general who overcame death in battles so many times, the poison instead of beheading felt humiliating on its own. The Emperor granted no mercy. 

Lian Bai Wei never felt such a wave of emotion before. 

Servants gossiped in every corner of the mansion.

’Filthy woman’

No, she was kind.

‘Whore, who doesn’t know her place.’

No, she was a noble woman.

‘Disgusting’

It’s his mother’s scheme.

‘Vile.’

Vile.

On the fourth day the Crown Prince came back with his younger brother in tow. He passed across the threshold of the mansion, only stopping to throw one object at the princess' feet. The servants said that only after that, the previously apathetic form of the woman crumbled with cries. 

And then, on the morn of the fifth day, the troops came back once again.

The princess, now commoner, was dragged inside the mansion once again. Back towards her own courtyard. She didn’t protest, or fight the soldiers.

After days of rain and wind, her body was trembling, barely able to stand. Wretched and dirty, with hair falling over her face.

Lian Bai Wei decided to see to the scheme until the end. He hid behind doors and passed by the servants, making sure nobody could see him. And when he finally reached the fragrant courtyard, the eunuch and the soldiers were already done.

Over the threshold to the main building of the Princess Consort palace, white long strip hung swayed by the wind, along with the body clad in blue.

Filthy, disgusting, ugly form. Crooked and imperfect.

***

Knocking on the door released him from the memories of the morning that happened more than thirty years ago. 

Lian Bai Wei took a sharp breath in and invited the servant inside. The man that worked for him for many years, and was his closest aide walked inside with a bundle of letters in his hands.

“Your Highness, news for Fuzhou arrived.”

“Oh?”

“Most of our agents were unable to move past borders or were caught in Fuzhou by the Marquis of An’yang, but one of them finally succeeded.”

Lian Bai Wei nodded and reached out his hands. For some time now he has tried to find leverage against the Marquis of An’yang. Much to his dismay, the man truly built an impregnable defense, always keeping hidden aces in his hands. Lian Bai Wei thought that many years ago when he met Wu Chun Tian for the first time in the Imperial College, he should’ve killed him when he had a chance. Allowing him to live, gain ranks again and again - from entering the officialdom, to saving the Emperor and ranking a count, to winning wars in on the seas and earning a marquisate -  allowing that was his biggest mistake, that caused his insides to churn with rage.

He had almost everything. The alliance with Western Sui was in his hands with the princess in his mansion as his wife. He brought in many agents and filled ranks of the western border army with his people and people from Western Sui, supported with the Chang Arm. All while An’yang was gearing up with the navy, Minli and the Beijun Army. The court was split and the Emperor could hardly make a wave, only holding onto his youngest son as a Crown Prince that was left with no real backing.

If Lian Bai Wei couldn’t obtain the throne in an easy and smooth path, he would do it the harder way. The Emperor didn’t need to live much longer. The poison was ready and the proof to push the blame onto this An’yang bastard was about to be planted. The armies were ready to stand up against the rebels that would kill the emperor and in a victorious battle, he - Lian Bai Wei would emerge victorious. As an eldest living son of the Lian dynasty, the right naturally belongs to him. The throne, after many years, will belong to him.

A small smile played on his lips, as he opened the letter from his agent. If he could throw another wretch into An’yang’s plans, he would be happy.

The content of the letter spoke about a small family in port Fuzhou. Commoners that had good relationships with neighbours. Husband, wife, two daughters and son that went overseas and never came back. Educated people with good salary, maintaining a humble life.

Nothing of importance, but he could still just order to kill them. 

“There’s a sketch as well,” his aide prompted. “The agent we sent was once a painter and he could trace the features exceptionally well.” Lian Bai Wei nodded, and spread the portraits on his table.

His hands, his entire form stilled.

His aide leaned in. 

The passage of time marked the faces of the people on the portrait. Wrinkles, here and there. Yet just as he was sure that the sun rises everyday with warmth, he was sure he knew two people in these portraits.

His aide was frowning. The man was even older than Bai Wei and was one of the people his mother handpicked to assist him, already educated on everything the young prince might need. He, too, was recognizing these people.

“Ru Peng,” Lian Bai Wei drawled, an eerie smile on his face. “Everyone so easily dismissed old general Yuwen’s crazy ravings when he was calling Marquis of An’yang with a dead man’s name. But the resemblance is uncanny.”

“Your Highness… How is that possible?”

“Does that matter?” Lian Bai Wai asked.

He felt a surge of new hatred towards a man he would easily call by now his nemesis. With everything clicking into place, a simple image of Lady Jiang Ning Guang treating her son with kindness and love, he only received a fraction of a fraction of, made his insides flip with ugly envy. With each thought his apathy was stirred and he slammed his hand over the desk, startling his aide.

“Make sure,” he commanded. “To say that the son of Jiang Ning Guang and Lian Hong Yan killed the Emperor in revenge and now wants the throne for himself.”

All the excuses he prepared for Wu Chun Tian’s fabricated claim paled in comparison to this. 

As his mother would say, anything and anyone can be used to smooth out his path.

________

notes:

I always wanted to write a bit something from Lian Bai Wei's point of view, but more importantly to answer the question 'why are you like this, dude?' so here it is. From the timeline standpoint, we're about heading into the finale portion; but there are some flashbacks to pre-The Long Ballad adventures. I hope you enjoyed!

*Lian Xu An principal/offical wife was Jiang Ning Guang. She married him once she turned 18. In his mansion however there were already Lian Bai Wei's mother - Consort Gao, from Gao family, and Lian Bai Ai's mother, and later some more concubines were married into the household. While Jiang Ning Guang doesn't have children, techincally all kids under the mansion fall under her as the mistress and nominal mother. Consort Gao and many people was also under impression that since Jiang Ning Guang didn't have children on her own and was not favored by the prince, she would try to fully 'adopt' one of the princes to raise them as her own, and then still become Empress and Empress Dowager when said prince ascends the throne.

*General Yuwen - very old general from the previous timeline. In current era of Emperor Wenzong, he has something we would name Alzheimer and he has hard time recalling current events. Since Wu Chun Tian is very similar to his father, Lian Hong Yan, General Yuwen sometimes when he was out in the banquets would call him by his father's name, much to everyone's chagrin. After the events that Bai Wei witnessed as a child Jiang Ning Guang & Lian Hong Yan had tarnished reputation, so it was uncomfortable when the General was mentioning Lian Hong Yan, but most people would not automatically connect Wu Chun Tian to the person who died.

[shuuenka]

.perfection

Summary: A quiet afternoon, filled with wandering thoughts. Lian Bai Wei after years of scheming and patiently waiting, finally puts his last scheme in motion. Before that, he remembers people from his childhood.

Lian Bai Wei centric.

AO3 LINK: https://archiveofourown.org/works/89293586

“Bai Wei, remember, there can be no mistakes.”

He didn’t know why he recalled his mother. It was many years since she died, many years since last he heard her calm, yet forceful voice. 

Late afternoon sun spilled the warm light across his courtyard, the smell of incense filled his nostrils. He dismissed his servants about sichen ago, but he could still see two silhouettes behind closed doors, standing straight like a frozen in time human figures, yet always ready for their master’s call if needed. 

No mistakes, Lian Bai Wei thought. 

He turned in his head the steps of a final plan he was preparing to commence, as he idly checked on the bookshelf in his office. Beautiful antiques without speck of dust, scrolls of the old masters, small chests filled with elegant treasures fitting the Prince Mansion.

With a pang of deep seated irritation that was overtaking him for many years for now, he thought how his ascension to the throne was supposed to be perfect, and yet it was anything but. He took a breath, letting the feeling wash away.

“When your Father checks your essays, you cannot let him find a fault,” Consort Gao spoke. Her gentle voice resounded right by his ear, the woman straightened his robes once again. He was only ten years old, but thanks to his mother’s teachings and imperial teacher’s efforts, his calligraphy was not lacking at all. 

His father, Crown Prince Lian Xu An was a busy man. He was often in and out of the mansion, leaving his mother, the other concubines and his children to their own devices. He did however have affection towards his mother, and in turn Lian Bai Wei could meet his Father more often than other children. Just like today, after serving the tea to the Crown Prince, and chatting with his mother, Lian Bai Wei was called to his side.

He presented his writing.

The Prince nodded his head as he went through the scrolling, satisfied expression on his face. His mother smiled sweetly from the side.

“Very good job,” the Prince complimented. “Your tutor says you’re his most diligent student.”

“I can only hope to learn the most from an enlightened master,” Lian Bai Wei nodded his head. “Thank you father and mother for arranging the lessons for me.”

Good choice of words, he thought seeing the Prince expression getting more satisfied. 

From a very young age Lian Bai Wei learned how to talk well, how to speak to elicit a satisfactory response. 

Consort Gao had a dream, he could tell. She wanted to see him sit at the dragon throne years down the line, and he never questioned this dream. It became his dream as well. Because between the Prince’s first son, sickly Frist who would probably not survive until the end of the winter, him and two other young princes, he could not imagine anyone else but him fitting the throne. How could he waste his mother’s precious efforts?

“Bai Wei, some of the calligraphy wasn’t the best, but the prince was kind and didn’t point it out. There cannot be more mistakes like this any further.” Consort Gao grabbed his shoulder when the Crown Prince left, “I asked His Highness to allow you to accompany him to the hunt. You can’t be passive, you understand?”

“Yes, mother,” he agreed readily. His bow skills with a small bow were very good - seven out of ten times, he was able to hit the target. 

A crease appeared on his mother's face and her sharp nails bit into his shoulder. Not enough to hurt, but he felt the pressure. An oppressive feeling spread through his body, as Consort Gao observed him. 

“I will arrange your uncle to train you more,” she said. Her hands once again gently straightened wrinkles across his robe. “You cannot fall short when representing this mansion. No mistakes.”

He could only repeat, “of course, mother.”

“Good boy.”

He could tell she was still worried, as she called her close maid to arrange for more studies for him. That’s okay, he thought. When he shows off his capabilities later, she will be proud and he will be perfect as he always is.

Few weeks later he was ready to follow the Crown Prince to the hunt. He would probably be the youngest among the noble sons, but as his mother said it will be a perfect opportunity to show that he is indeed of royal blood. He curtsied, to those above him, and took the bows of those below, diligently followed after his father where he could and stayed behind in the tents, where he couldn’t.

“The 4th Prince really has a good temperament,” he overheard, as he slowly sipped hot tea. 

The weather allowed some activities outside, but he still had to admit he was getting cold despite the fur cloak around his body. He overcame the urge to look back at the speakers. They were probably some lowly maids. It was disgusting to think that these people gossiped behind his back. His mother always thought that idle chatter like this was a sign of a low birth and lack of foresight - but it was exceptionally useful too. He agreed.

He interacted for a bit with the children of the nobles, but while he could memorize all their names and ranks, the individuals themselves were a bit of a blur in his eyes. Nothing in particular stood out from the bunch that clamored around and then whined to their caretakers about the cold.

Between the chatter and another tea, his attention was recalled back to the entrance to the woods. After quite some time the hunting party was coming back. At the very front he saw the Crown Prince and looking closer he saw other royal family members. He saw his uncle, Second Prince Lian Zhan animatedly gesturing from the top of his steed back to imperial family cousins - little Duke Su, Lian Hong Yan and his younger brother Lian Ming. And to the other side, he saw his nominal ‘mother’, Crown Princess Consort, Lady Jiang Ning Guang. 

If there was a person who seemed to spend even less time in the Prince Mansion than Prince himself, it would be his official wife. Much to Consort Gao’s both frustration and satisfaction, Crown Princess Consort was not bound inside the mansion. He heard it’s only thanks to Jiang family friendship with the Emperor, and her own cunning that she was able to fight her way out. As very few female warriors, she had her own army and could travel between her home town of Lushan and Chang’an, protecting the borders and training new soldiers. 

The column moved across the field, clearly in good spirits. Lian Bai Wei heard from the side that the Crown Prince caught an impressive amount of the game.

“Congratulations, Father,” he smiled to the Prince, once he was able to give his courtesy. 

The Prince smiled back.

“Were you bored?”

“Not at all, Father,” he stood straight, with his bright eyes gazing at the figure of his father. “I look forward to the day I can join you too.”

The prince smiled in satisfaction, “good boy. You need to grow a bit more, and I’ll sure take you to the hunt. I’ll see to your martial arts progress, don’t worry.” 

“Thank you, Father!” he bowed, showing enough excitement and restraint fitting such an offer. He chatted some more between his father and his uncle, nodding along to them. 

It was getting late in the day. The banquet was under preparation, while the nobles took a break to refresh themselves. He was walking back to his tent, following his nanny when he came across a figure of the Crown Princess Consort.

“Little Bai Wei, good afternoon,” she smiled. She was still wearing armor on her body, making her figure seem heroic and tall. Dark blue cloak underneath furred collar billowed on the wind.

He quickly gathered his wits and followed proper etiquette. Of course, this wasn't the first time he had met her, but between the Princess staying within her own courtyard and going to Lushan, he wasn’t most familiar with her. His mother wasn’t most fond of the Princess, as she was actually the first person who entered the Prince Mansion, Consort Jiang being married a few years later. He would occasionally see her and chat when he would greet the principal wife along with his mother.

Barren, that’s the word he overheard from the servants in the mansion. At first he didn’t understand this word, but seeing as she was the only woman in the Crown Prince mansion who didn’t have a child, he understood. His mother was extremely satisfied, hearing the rumors across the household. He even overheard that the Emperor, being extremely fond of the Princess, didn't humiliate her with divorce but instead allowed her go back and forth from Lushan, allowing some freedom to her. His young brain could understand it was important, but between his mother’s polarizing reactions being both happy and upset, he couldn’t truly decide whether it was a good or bad thing.

“Stand up, stand up,” she prompted, with a wave of her hand. She looked at him for a second, and then leaning in, she put a warm bundle in his hands. 

“Um?!” He was surprised, just as his nanny was beside him. 

Crouching, the Princess Consort smiled at him and held his hands for a moment.

“Good job sitting in the cold for so long,” she said gently. “Keep this hand warmer, and don’t catch a cold, hm?”

“I-, uh,” he was at a loss for words. She only smiled wider and patted his hands.

“Keep it,” she repeated, and before long she waved her hands and moved along to her own tents. 

He looked down at the warm bundle that was spreading the warmth through his hands. He took a peak at his nanny, she was bowing and thanking profusely the Princess Consort. 

He allowed himself to frown. He was sure he looked impeccable through sitting on the platform. When other children complained, he sat completely still, despite cold seeping into his bones. Did she see he was actually cold? Displeasure filled his body, as he moved quickly towards his tent. His mother always criticized the Crown Princess for being unbecoming and being impertinent, and he finally could see it! Just pushing things into other people’s hands. Good job for sitting in the cold, as if this was an achievement worth noting!

He sat in his tent, drinking herbal soup his nanny prepared, glaring at the hand warmer. Despite his hands not being as cold as they were, despite the temptation of a promised warmth, he averted his eyes from proof of his failure. 

Not but a week later, when they were all back in the manor he returned the hand warmer. The nanny had recounted the interaction to his mother, which resulted in Consort Gao’s mood worsening. 

“What does that filthy woman want with my son,” he heard her ridicule filled voice. He was escorted back to his studies, but he was sure his mother and her confidantes were discussing behind his back.

***

It seemed that Crown Princess Consort would always find a way to humiliate him, he thought. 

The next time he met with the official wife, beyond offering her the tea, was in the late winter afternoon. He was tired, as much as he hated to admit it. He was copying classics his teacher told him to and his hands were getting increasingly tired. 

His younger brother, Bai Ai stopped writing a long time ago and in a moment of possibility, he disappeared back to his mother’s courtyard. He looked at him with ridicule hidden in his gaze, as he continued the assignment. The main study in the mansion was quiet once again, as servants withdrew, knowing that he was working diligently. He was always perfectly capable of finishing the calligraphy, so the tiredness came as a surprise to him. He had a headache, and the lines of the text were getting blurry. 

Just for a moment, he thought, I will close my eyes. The servants were gone, he could close his eyes for a moment and nobody could tell he would be slacking. The moment was prolonged, as his head fell down, and his consciousness slowly faded.

“I am quite sure I saw these maps in the main study, do you remember, Ruyi?” the pleasant woman’s voice reached his ears. He could hear the shuffling of the feet across the wooden floor and the doors to the study opening, just as his head shot back up.

“Quite possible,” the servant responded, closing the doors. “Oh.”

He stood up at once seeing the Crown Princess Consort in the study. Seeing him there, the woman smiled and again called him Little Bai Wei, much to his displeasure. He tidied his appearance, trying his best to appear as if he never took a nap.

“Are you studying alone?” she asked, a small smile playing on her lips, as she clearly knew he was awakened from sleep.

“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded.

She walked to his side at the desk and gestured to him to sit down. He grinded his teeth, following her orders. She took his calligraphy and looked over the lines, not even mentioning the clear smudge on the paper where his hands failed to keep the brush from falling. The dark ink spot was making his eyes twitch, embarrassment filling his body.

“You have such neat handwriting, little Bai Wei,” she said. “Much better than mine, won’t you agree Ruyi?”

She showed the paper to her servant. Lian Bai Wei tried his hardest to keep his expression from twitching.

“Yes, Princess,” the servant called Ruyi nodded and smiled. “The 4th Prince is truly diligent.”

The woman nodded. She looked over other pages, light of the candles brightening her expression. She didn’t wear most ornate jewelry like Consort Gao, but carved jade accessories in her high bun. 

“Thank you,” he said, realizing he hadn't yet replied to the Princess' compliment. She looked at him over the papers with an amused smile on her lips. His hands turned into fists. She must’ve been making fun of him.

She leaned over the table and quietly spoke, “no need to be so rigid, you’ve worked hard. Only natural to have a little break.”

She pushed freshly brewed tea towards him, and nodded with encouragement. 

“Thank you very much,” he said stiffly. He was used to being watched. His etiquette was always impeccable before his mother and the teachers. Yet in front of this woman’s gaze it was as if all of his education was thrown out of the window. He was stiff and almost burned his tongue on the tea. 

Unfamiliar, that was the word he would use. He was unfamiliar with how to act in front of her. When he was following the script he was taught she found a way to turn it around on him.

“I am looking for one particular map of western regions, do you know where it is?” she asked, leaning on her hands.

“In the fourth shelf, by the door,” he automatically answered. He made sure to learn all about the books and items in the study, just in case his Father asks. He should know.

“Thank you!” She smiled once again, very brightly. Her servant took her time to search through the collection, while she continued to sip her tea. 

“Say, does the calligraphy teacher check your assignments?”

“Yes,” he said. “Mother also checks it.”

“I see, I see,” she nodded, as she was checking further pages of his writing. 

The time stretched as she asked him about his studies and teachers. He answered her questions one by one, slowly relaxing as they went along. The servant came back with the map, and the princess announced she should be off then.

Before she stood up, she looked through her robes and finally picked up a small pouch.

“Open your hand,” the Princess Consort said. He could only follow. 

 She presented him with a candy and clasped his hand.

“It’s not too sweet, so it should be nicely paired with the tea,” she said. “You will probably spend more time in the study, so when you’re tired again, take a break and eat a candy.”

“I cannot accept it, I-”

“Take it,” she smiled. On top of the desk she put the pouch.

“Ma’am,” he was flabbergasted. Who does something like this? “This is too much!”

“Hmm,” she hummed, tapping her chin. “Ah, right! I am technically the mistress of this palace, and this includes the study, so under my command, you’re obliged to keep it.”

He was yet again, at a loss for words.

She stood up, without giving him a chance to make any further rebuttal.

“And that page,” she flapped the page with a big ink splat in the middle, “I’ll keep it. Unfortunately you will need to copy it again.”

“Princess?” Ruyi asked quietly. 

“Let’s go!”

The doors closed and he quickly moved, wanting to catch the princess' words.

“...Gao is rigid and this boy works very hard,” he heard. “She would make a fuss over spilled ink. I don’t…”

He looked back at the pouch that he unconsciously picked up and held in his hands. It wasn't the most expensive material he could find, it wasn’t much embroidered either. Just a regular material pouch, filled with a couple of candies inside. 

***

His mother learned of the pouch, of course.

“Return it,” she said.

“No, mother,” he replied before he could think. 

Her sharp gaze turned to him.

“I am not sure why Princess Consort gave it to me,” he continued, calmly. “But it's a gesture of her goodwill, so it’s only proper I keep it and return with a different gift. We shouldn’t make enemies, Mother.”

Consort Gao tapped her finger on the chair. Her brews were creased.

“My Lady,” the servant by her side quipped. “With this we can gauge the Princess's intentions towards us. Her position in the household is shaky at best, but Lushan is still important - we can’t be friends, but we can’t be enemies. Our prince is right.”

His mother pondered and finally nodded.

“Bai Wei, you are getting smart,” she smiled, and straightened his collar. “Very well.”

***

Months were passing and he found himself meeting the Princess Consort time and time again. He could see, she was generally nice to all the children in the mansion, getting them little gifts and praising them. They cheered along, like a filthy low-borns they were. 

Once again he overheard the servants speaking ill of the woman, saying that she might choose one of the concubine children to raise as her own as she had no child of her own. He could hear ridicule in his mother’s voice, when she repeated the same. 

He kept wondering.

He wrote the word ‘kindness’ many times in his calligraphy studies. A cause coming from the heart. There was part of him that instinctively felt that if he was to describe the Princess Consort, he would use the word ‘kindness’. He wasn’t sure where it was coming from, this feeling buried deep inside his heart. 

Between his lessons and lectures, the words ‘good job, little Bai Wei’, coming from the Princess’ mouth was something he craved to hear. Like a moth to a flame, he looked towards the Princess. Buried inside his heart, was the desire to make the princess look at him and praise him and his efforts. He never felt this way towards his mother. Or maybe he did, once upon a time. The time when he still felt that his mother’s wishes were possible to fulfil. Nowadays he knew all his efforts were lacking, but somehow the kind word from the Princess Consort made it worthwhile.

He thought he could continue like this forever. Childish and stupid, and yet he thought maybe it was feasible.

He didn’t expect how quickly one year could go.

The rebellion of Duke Su, he heard. Rebellion against the Heavenly Mandate, they said. His father moved with his armies to quell the rebels and for many months they didn’t hear back. Maybe they did, but Lian Bai Wei couldn’t know. He kept to his studies.

The rebellion ended with Duke Su beheaded by Lian Hongyan, his own son. 

The chill in the palace was palpable. Lian Bai Wei kept to his studies. 

Not but a few months later his studies were interrupted yet again. He was standing under the eaves of the study, with Lian Bai Ai trudging along, like a lost puppy. He couldn't tell him off, even if he didn’t want to spend time with the boy. The eight year old was increasingly annoying.

The commotion arose from the main gatehouse.  

“Brother, do you know what is happening?” Bai Ai asked. 

“Not yet,” he replied, growing curious. 

He couldn’t resist the urge and went ahead with Lian Bai Ai. The two boys hid behind the wall, just as the eunuch from the palace strode inside the Prince Mansion. Along him a column of soldiers of the Imperial Guard. 

“An edict?” Lian Bai Wei whispered. “But Father is not home…”

“What are they doing?” Lian Bai Ai whispered, grabbing onto his robes. Lian Bai Wei could only shake his head. He instinctively knew it was not good news. The oppressive mood the troop carried spoke about anything but celebration. 

Before long the troops were leaving. To his utter astonishment, much as everyone else’s in the mansion who were peeking from nooks and crannies - the Crown Princess Consort, Jiang Ning Guang walked with them. That was not accurate, she was dragged with two soldiers holding onto her arms. Her expression, from what he could tell, was tense. 

Dragged in front of the gates of the Crown Prince mansion, she was thrown to the ground. The soldiers lined up, as the eunuch finally opened the scroll with the Imperial Edict. 

“Princess Consort Jiang Ning Guang,” the loud voice of the palace attendant carried across the street. A small crowd was gathering around, looking curiously towards the commotion outside. “for the crime of adultery, you are now stripped of all your ranks.”

The gasps were resounding across the street. Shouts were quieted by the soldiers, who kept the crowd at bay.

Lian Bai Wei watched with his eyes wide open, his heart nervously hammering in his ribcage. His mother appeared by his side, and held onto his shoulder as she always did. 

“Commoner Jiang Ning Guang,” the eunuch continued reading, his voice raising even higher. “For the crime of deceiving the Emperor is sentenced to death, on the morning of the fifth day.”

The eunuch let the crowd roar with the surprise. He calmly put the scroll back to its proper holding and leaned towards the princess on the ground. 

“This criminal’s hands are not worthy to touch His Majesty’s edict, so this attendant will keep it safe,” he said.

The soldiers moved quickly, Lian Bai Wei noted. They had menacles ready and the princess' hands and ankles were quickly put in irons. A wooden pole was erected right in front of the mansion doors, where the menacles were attached, leaving a wretched visage of the princess dressed in blue on the dirty ground. 

“Based on long lasting affection towards the Jiang Family, His Majesty won’t allow you to rot in a dirty prison. Since Princess Jiang always wished for freedom, may she observe the skies from here until her execution.”

With her gaze stuck on the ground, she sat there in front of the eunuch. Without gaining any response from the woman, the palace attendant scoffed and recalled his troops. They had to push through the crowd that was getting thicker.

Insults were hurled immediately - it was easy to get the crowd heated.

“C-close the gates!” Consort Gao uttered. 

Lian Bai Wei quickly followed after his mother, his head pounding from shock. The whole household was going through upheaval, with many servants peeking through the gates to check if this was true that their mistress was now proclaimed adulterer and a criminal. 

“I can’t believe… that kind of humiliation,” the nanny by his mother’s side uttered when the doors to the courtyard also closed. “In front of our mansion!”

In the eerie silence, his mother sat at her seat. Her expression was hardened, deeply pondering. 

“The Emperor is quick in action,” she finally said softly. His ears picked up on the tone of her voice. She reached out to Lian Bai Wei, gently stroking his shoulders, smile on her lips. “You see, my sweet son, that filthy woman sat for enough time at the Crown Princess seat. Our Gao family was humiliated for many years when the Emperor declared her to take this marriage instead of me. But see Bai Wei, I am a very patient person.”

She straightened wrinkles on his robes.

“And I never truly lose,” she said. “That’s why you also must be patient, okay? Your destiny is to be above every filthy speck of dust, because you are my son. I will not spare effort and use anything and anyone I can to make your path the smoothest. You are such a smart child, always diligent in your studies and you never disappoint me. Your father will take the throne in a couple of years, and after that it will be you. As it should be.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Good boy.”

***

The next three days were filled with new waves of shock. Even if he didn’t want to know, the mansion buzzed with news. The other person who was given the Imperial Edict was Duke Su, Crown Prince’s cousin, Lian Hong Yan. For the same crimes, he was arrested and brought to the imperial prison. While the Princess was kept at the doorsteps of the mansion, the Duke, now stripped of all his ranks, would rot in prison for two or three days before being given a poison. For a famed general who overcame death in battles so many times, the poison instead of beheading felt humiliating on its own. The Emperor granted no mercy. 

Lian Bai Wei never felt such a wave of emotion before. 

Servants gossiped in every corner of the mansion.

’Filthy woman’

No, she was kind.

‘Whore, who doesn’t know her place.’

No, she was a noble woman.

‘Disgusting’

It’s his mother’s scheme.

‘Vile.’

Vile.

On the fourth day the Crown Prince came back with his younger brother in tow. He passed across the threshold of the mansion, only stopping to throw one object at the princess' feet. The servants said that only after that, the previously apathetic form of the woman crumbled with cries. 

And then, on the morn of the fifth day, the troops came back once again.

The princess, now commoner, was dragged inside the mansion once again. Back towards her own courtyard. She didn’t protest, or fight the soldiers.

After days of rain and wind, her body was trembling, barely able to stand. Wretched and dirty, with hair falling over her face.

Lian Bai Wei decided to see to the scheme until the end. He hid behind doors and passed by the servants, making sure nobody could see him. And when he finally reached the fragrant courtyard, the eunuch and the soldiers were already done.

Over the threshold to the main building of the Princess Consort palace, white long strip hung swayed by the wind, along with the body clad in blue.

Filthy, disgusting, ugly form. Crooked and imperfect.

***

Knocking on the door released him from the memories of the morning that happened more than thirty years ago. 

Lian Bai Wei took a sharp breath in and invited the servant inside. The man that worked for him for many years, and was his closest aide walked inside with a bundle of letters in his hands.

“Your Highness, news for Fuzhou arrived.”

“Oh?”

“Most of our agents were unable to move past borders or were caught in Fuzhou by the Marquis of An’yang, but one of them finally succeeded.”

Lian Bai Wei nodded and reached out his hands. For some time now he has tried to find leverage against the Marquis of An’yang. Much to his dismay, the man truly built an impregnable defense, always keeping hidden aces in his hands. Lian Bai Wei thought that many years ago when he met Wu Chun Tian for the first time in the Imperial College, he should’ve killed him when he had a chance. Allowing him to live, gain ranks again and again - from entering the officialdom, to saving the Emperor and ranking a count, to winning wars in on the seas and earning a marquisate -  allowing that was his biggest mistake, that caused his insides to churn with rage.

He had almost everything. The alliance with Western Sui was in his hands with the princess in his mansion as his wife. He brought in many agents and filled ranks of the western border army with his people and people from Western Sui, supported with the Chang Arm. All while An’yang was gearing up with the navy, Minli and the Beijun Army. The court was split and the Emperor could hardly make a wave, only holding onto his youngest son as a Crown Prince that was left with no real backing.

If Lian Bai Wei couldn’t obtain the throne in an easy and smooth path, he would do it the harder way. The Emperor didn’t need to live much longer. The poison was ready and the proof to push the blame onto this An’yang bastard was about to be planted. The armies were ready to stand up against the rebels that would kill the emperor and in a victorious battle, he - Lian Bai Wei would emerge victorious. As an eldest living son of the Lian dynasty, the right naturally belongs to him. The throne, after many years, will belong to him.

A small smile played on his lips, as he opened the letter from his agent. If he could throw another wretch into An’yang’s plans, he would be happy.

The content of the letter spoke about a small family in port Fuzhou. Commoners that had good relationships with neighbours. Husband, wife, two daughters and son that went overseas and never came back. Educated people with good salary, maintaining a humble life.

Nothing of importance, but he could still just order to kill them. 

“There’s a sketch as well,” his aide prompted. “The agent we sent was once a painter and he could trace the features exceptionally well.” Lian Bai Wei nodded, and spread the portraits on his table.

His hands, his entire form stilled.

His aide leaned in. 

The passage of time marked the faces of the people on the portrait. Wrinkles, here and there. Yet just as he was sure that the sun rises everyday with warmth, he was sure he knew two people in these portraits.

His aide was frowning. The man was even older than Bai Wei and was one of the people his mother handpicked to assist him, already educated on everything the young prince might need. He, too, was recognizing these people.

“Ru Peng,” Lian Bai Wei drawled, an eerie smile on his face. “Everyone so easily dismissed old general Yuwen’s crazy ravings when he was calling Marquis of An’yang with a dead man’s name. But the resemblance is uncanny.”

“Your Highness… How is that possible?”

“Does that matter?” Lian Bai Wai asked.

He felt a surge of new hatred towards a man he would easily call by now his nemesis. With everything clicking into place, a simple image of Lady Jiang Ning Guang treating her son with kindness and love, he only received a fraction of a fraction of, made his insides flip with ugly envy. With each thought his apathy was stirred and he slammed his hand over the desk, startling his aide.

“Make sure,” he commanded. “To say that the son of Jiang Ning Guang and Lian Hong Yan killed the Emperor in revenge and now wants the throne for himself.”

All the excuses he prepared for Wu Chun Tian’s fabricated claim paled in comparison to this. 

As his mother would say, anything and anyone can be used to smooth out his path.

________

notes:

I always wanted to write a bit something from Lian Bai Wei's point of view, but more importantly to answer the question 'why are you like this, dude?' so here it is. From the timeline standpoint, we're about heading into the finale portion; but there are some flashbacks to pre-The Long Ballad adventures. I hope you enjoyed!

*Lian Xu An principal/offical wife was Jiang Ning Guang. She married him once she turned 18. In his mansion however there were already Lian Bai Wei's mother - Consort Gao, from Gao family, and Lian Bai Ai's mother, and later some more concubines were married into the household. While Jiang Ning Guang doesn't have children, techincally all kids under the mansion fall under her as the mistress and nominal mother. Consort Gao and many people was also under impression that since Jiang Ning Guang didn't have children on her own and was not favored by the prince, she would try to fully 'adopt' one of the princes to raise them as her own, and then still become Empress and Empress Dowager when said prince ascends the throne.

*General Yuwen - very old general from the previous timeline. In current era of Emperor Wenzong, he has something we would name Alzheimer and he has hard time recalling current events. Since Wu Chun Tian is very similar to his father, Lian Hong Yan, General Yuwen sometimes when he was out in the banquets would call him by his father's name, much to everyone's chagrin. After the events that Bai Wei witnessed as a child Jiang Ning Guang & Lian Hong Yan had tarnished reputation, so it was uncomfortable when the General was mentioning Lian Hong Yan, but most people would not automatically connect Wu Chun Tian to the person who died.

[shuuenka]

a friend in need.

Minli Sea Wars Arc/ The Long Ballad [OC]

grab my FREE 'The Long Ballad' artbook >>HERE<<

[shuuenka]

.perfection

Summary: A quiet afternoon, filled with wandering thoughts. Lian Bai Wei after years of scheming and patiently waiting, finally puts his last scheme in motion. Before that, he remembers people from his childhood.

Lian Bai Wei centric.

AO3 LINK: https://archiveofourown.org/works/89293586

“Bai Wei, remember, there can be no mistakes.”

He didn’t know why he recalled his mother. It was many years since she died, many years since last he heard her calm, yet forceful voice. 

Late afternoon sun spilled the warm light across his courtyard, the smell of incense filled his nostrils. He dismissed his servants about sichen ago, but he could still see two silhouettes behind closed doors, standing straight like a frozen in time human figures, yet always ready for their master’s call if needed. 

No mistakes, Lian Bai Wei thought. 

He turned in his head the steps of a final plan he was preparing to commence, as he idly checked on the bookshelf in his office. Beautiful antiques without speck of dust, scrolls of the old masters, small chests filled with elegant treasures fitting the Prince Mansion.

With a pang of deep seated irritation that was overtaking him for many years for now, he thought how his ascension to the throne was supposed to be perfect, and yet it was anything but. He took a breath, letting the feeling wash away.

“When your Father checks your essays, you cannot let him find a fault,” Consort Gao spoke. Her gentle voice resounded right by his ear, the woman straightened his robes once again. He was only ten years old, but thanks to his mother’s teachings and imperial teacher’s efforts, his calligraphy was not lacking at all. 

His father, Crown Prince Lian Xu An was a busy man. He was often in and out of the mansion, leaving his mother, the other concubines and his children to their own devices. He did however have affection towards his mother, and in turn Lian Bai Wei could meet his Father more often than other children. Just like today, after serving the tea to the Crown Prince, and chatting with his mother, Lian Bai Wei was called to his side.

He presented his writing.

The Prince nodded his head as he went through the scrolling, satisfied expression on his face. His mother smiled sweetly from the side.

“Very good job,” the Prince complimented. “Your tutor says you’re his most diligent student.”

“I can only hope to learn the most from an enlightened master,” Lian Bai Wei nodded his head. “Thank you father and mother for arranging the lessons for me.”

Good choice of words, he thought seeing the Prince expression getting more satisfied. 

From a very young age Lian Bai Wei learned how to talk well, how to speak to elicit a satisfactory response. 

Consort Gao had a dream, he could tell. She wanted to see him sit at the dragon throne years down the line, and he never questioned this dream. It became his dream as well. Because between the Prince’s first son, sickly Frist who would probably not survive until the end of the winter, him and two other young princes, he could not imagine anyone else but him fitting the throne. How could he waste his mother’s precious efforts?

“Bai Wei, some of the calligraphy wasn’t the best, but the prince was kind and didn’t point it out. There cannot be more mistakes like this any further.” Consort Gao grabbed his shoulder when the Crown Prince left, “I asked His Highness to allow you to accompany him to the hunt. You can’t be passive, you understand?”

“Yes, mother,” he agreed readily. His bow skills with a small bow were very good - seven out of ten times, he was able to hit the target. 

A crease appeared on his mother's face and her sharp nails bit into his shoulder. Not enough to hurt, but he felt the pressure. An oppressive feeling spread through his body, as Consort Gao observed him. 

“I will arrange your uncle to train you more,” she said. Her hands once again gently straightened wrinkles across his robe. “You cannot fall short when representing this mansion. No mistakes.”

He could only repeat, “of course, mother.”

“Good boy.”

He could tell she was still worried, as she called her close maid to arrange for more studies for him. That’s okay, he thought. When he shows off his capabilities later, she will be proud and he will be perfect as he always is.

Few weeks later he was ready to follow the Crown Prince to the hunt. He would probably be the youngest among the noble sons, but as his mother said it will be a perfect opportunity to show that he is indeed of royal blood. He curtsied, to those above him, and took the bows of those below, diligently followed after his father where he could and stayed behind in the tents, where he couldn’t.

“The 4th Prince really has a good temperament,” he overheard, as he slowly sipped hot tea. 

The weather allowed some activities outside, but he still had to admit he was getting cold despite the fur cloak around his body. He overcame the urge to look back at the speakers. They were probably some lowly maids. It was disgusting to think that these people gossiped behind his back. His mother always thought that idle chatter like this was a sign of a low birth and lack of foresight - but it was exceptionally useful too. He agreed.

He interacted for a bit with the children of the nobles, but while he could memorize all their names and ranks, the individuals themselves were a bit of a blur in his eyes. Nothing in particular stood out from the bunch that clamored around and then whined to their caretakers about the cold.

Between the chatter and another tea, his attention was recalled back to the entrance to the woods. After quite some time the hunting party was coming back. At the very front he saw the Crown Prince and looking closer he saw other royal family members. He saw his uncle, Second Prince Lian Zhan animatedly gesturing from the top of his steed back to imperial family cousins - little Duke Su, Lian Hong Yan and his younger brother Lian Ming. And to the other side, he saw his nominal ‘mother’, Crown Princess Consort, Lady Jiang Ning Guang. 

If there was a person who seemed to spend even less time in the Prince Mansion than Prince himself, it would be his official wife. Much to Consort Gao’s both frustration and satisfaction, Crown Princess Consort was not bound inside the mansion. He heard it’s only thanks to Jiang family friendship with the Emperor, and her own cunning that she was able to fight her way out. As very few female warriors, she had her own army and could travel between her home town of Lushan and Chang’an, protecting the borders and training new soldiers. 

The column moved across the field, clearly in good spirits. Lian Bai Wei heard from the side that the Crown Prince caught an impressive amount of the game.

“Congratulations, Father,” he smiled to the Prince, once he was able to give his courtesy. 

The Prince smiled back.

“Were you bored?”

“Not at all, Father,” he stood straight, with his bright eyes gazing at the figure of his father. “I look forward to the day I can join you too.”

The prince smiled in satisfaction, “good boy. You need to grow a bit more, and I’ll sure take you to the hunt. I’ll see to your martial arts progress, don’t worry.” 

“Thank you, Father!” he bowed, showing enough excitement and restraint fitting such an offer. He chatted some more between his father and his uncle, nodding along to them. 

It was getting late in the day. The banquet was under preparation, while the nobles took a break to refresh themselves. He was walking back to his tent, following his nanny when he came across a figure of the Crown Princess Consort.

“Little Bai Wei, good afternoon,” she smiled. She was still wearing armor on her body, making her figure seem heroic and tall. Dark blue cloak underneath furred collar billowed on the wind.

He quickly gathered his wits and followed proper etiquette. Of course, this wasn't the first time he had met her, but between the Princess staying within her own courtyard and going to Lushan, he wasn’t most familiar with her. His mother wasn’t most fond of the Princess, as she was actually the first person who entered the Prince Mansion, Consort Jiang being married a few years later. He would occasionally see her and chat when he would greet the principal wife along with his mother.

Barren, that’s the word he overheard from the servants in the mansion. At first he didn’t understand this word, but seeing as she was the only woman in the Crown Prince mansion who didn’t have a child, he understood. His mother was extremely satisfied, hearing the rumors across the household. He even overheard that the Emperor, being extremely fond of the Princess, didn't humiliate her with divorce but instead allowed her go back and forth from Lushan, allowing some freedom to her. His young brain could understand it was important, but between his mother’s polarizing reactions being both happy and upset, he couldn’t truly decide whether it was a good or bad thing.

“Stand up, stand up,” she prompted, with a wave of her hand. She looked at him for a second, and then leaning in, she put a warm bundle in his hands. 

“Um?!” He was surprised, just as his nanny was beside him. 

Crouching, the Princess Consort smiled at him and held his hands for a moment.

“Good job sitting in the cold for so long,” she said gently. “Keep this hand warmer, and don’t catch a cold, hm?”

“I-, uh,” he was at a loss for words. She only smiled wider and patted his hands.

“Keep it,” she repeated, and before long she waved her hands and moved along to her own tents. 

He looked down at the warm bundle that was spreading the warmth through his hands. He took a peak at his nanny, she was bowing and thanking profusely the Princess Consort. 

He allowed himself to frown. He was sure he looked impeccable through sitting on the platform. When other children complained, he sat completely still, despite cold seeping into his bones. Did she see he was actually cold? Displeasure filled his body, as he moved quickly towards his tent. His mother always criticized the Crown Princess for being unbecoming and being impertinent, and he finally could see it! Just pushing things into other people’s hands. Good job for sitting in the cold, as if this was an achievement worth noting!

He sat in his tent, drinking herbal soup his nanny prepared, glaring at the hand warmer. Despite his hands not being as cold as they were, despite the temptation of a promised warmth, he averted his eyes from proof of his failure. 

Not but a week later, when they were all back in the manor he returned the hand warmer. The nanny had recounted the interaction to his mother, which resulted in Consort Gao’s mood worsening. 

“What does that filthy woman want with my son,” he heard her ridicule filled voice. He was escorted back to his studies, but he was sure his mother and her confidantes were discussing behind his back.

***

It seemed that Crown Princess Consort would always find a way to humiliate him, he thought. 

The next time he met with the official wife, beyond offering her the tea, was in the late winter afternoon. He was tired, as much as he hated to admit it. He was copying classics his teacher told him to and his hands were getting increasingly tired. 

His younger brother, Bai Ai stopped writing a long time ago and in a moment of possibility, he disappeared back to his mother’s courtyard. He looked at him with ridicule hidden in his gaze, as he continued the assignment. The main study in the mansion was quiet once again, as servants withdrew, knowing that he was working diligently. He was always perfectly capable of finishing the calligraphy, so the tiredness came as a surprise to him. He had a headache, and the lines of the text were getting blurry. 

Just for a moment, he thought, I will close my eyes. The servants were gone, he could close his eyes for a moment and nobody could tell he would be slacking. The moment was prolonged, as his head fell down, and his consciousness slowly faded.

“I am quite sure I saw these maps in the main study, do you remember, Ruyi?” the pleasant woman’s voice reached his ears. He could hear the shuffling of the feet across the wooden floor and the doors to the study opening, just as his head shot back up.

“Quite possible,” the servant responded, closing the doors. “Oh.”

He stood up at once seeing the Crown Princess Consort in the study. Seeing him there, the woman smiled and again called him Little Bai Wei, much to his displeasure. He tidied his appearance, trying his best to appear as if he never took a nap.

“Are you studying alone?” she asked, a small smile playing on her lips, as she clearly knew he was awakened from sleep.

“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded.

She walked to his side at the desk and gestured to him to sit down. He grinded his teeth, following her orders. She took his calligraphy and looked over the lines, not even mentioning the clear smudge on the paper where his hands failed to keep the brush from falling. The dark ink spot was making his eyes twitch, embarrassment filling his body.

“You have such neat handwriting, little Bai Wei,” she said. “Much better than mine, won’t you agree Ruyi?”

She showed the paper to her servant. Lian Bai Wei tried his hardest to keep his expression from twitching.

“Yes, Princess,” the servant called Ruyi nodded and smiled. “The 4th Prince is truly diligent.”

The woman nodded. She looked over other pages, light of the candles brightening her expression. She didn’t wear most ornate jewelry like Consort Gao, but carved jade accessories in her high bun. 

“Thank you,” he said, realizing he hadn't yet replied to the Princess' compliment. She looked at him over the papers with an amused smile on her lips. His hands turned into fists. She must’ve been making fun of him.

She leaned over the table and quietly spoke, “no need to be so rigid, you’ve worked hard. Only natural to have a little break.”

She pushed freshly brewed tea towards him, and nodded with encouragement. 

“Thank you very much,” he said stiffly. He was used to being watched. His etiquette was always impeccable before his mother and the teachers. Yet in front of this woman’s gaze it was as if all of his education was thrown out of the window. He was stiff and almost burned his tongue on the tea. 

Unfamiliar, that was the word he would use. He was unfamiliar with how to act in front of her. When he was following the script he was taught she found a way to turn it around on him.

“I am looking for one particular map of western regions, do you know where it is?” she asked, leaning on her hands.

“In the fourth shelf, by the door,” he automatically answered. He made sure to learn all about the books and items in the study, just in case his Father asks. He should know.

“Thank you!” She smiled once again, very brightly. Her servant took her time to search through the collection, while she continued to sip her tea. 

“Say, does the calligraphy teacher check your assignments?”

“Yes,” he said. “Mother also checks it.”

“I see, I see,” she nodded, as she was checking further pages of his writing. 

The time stretched as she asked him about his studies and teachers. He answered her questions one by one, slowly relaxing as they went along. The servant came back with the map, and the princess announced she should be off then.

Before she stood up, she looked through her robes and finally picked up a small pouch.

“Open your hand,” the Princess Consort said. He could only follow. 

 She presented him with a candy and clasped his hand.

“It’s not too sweet, so it should be nicely paired with the tea,” she said. “You will probably spend more time in the study, so when you’re tired again, take a break and eat a candy.”

“I cannot accept it, I-”

“Take it,” she smiled. On top of the desk she put the pouch.

“Ma’am,” he was flabbergasted. Who does something like this? “This is too much!”

“Hmm,” she hummed, tapping her chin. “Ah, right! I am technically the mistress of this palace, and this includes the study, so under my command, you’re obliged to keep it.”

He was yet again, at a loss for words.

She stood up, without giving him a chance to make any further rebuttal.

“And that page,” she flapped the page with a big ink splat in the middle, “I’ll keep it. Unfortunately you will need to copy it again.”

“Princess?” Ruyi asked quietly. 

“Let’s go!”

The doors closed and he quickly moved, wanting to catch the princess' words.

“...Gao is rigid and this boy works very hard,” he heard. “She would make a fuss over spilled ink. I don’t…”

He looked back at the pouch that he unconsciously picked up and held in his hands. It wasn't the most expensive material he could find, it wasn’t much embroidered either. Just a regular material pouch, filled with a couple of candies inside. 

***

His mother learned of the pouch, of course.

“Return it,” she said.

“No, mother,” he replied before he could think. 

Her sharp gaze turned to him.

“I am not sure why Princess Consort gave it to me,” he continued, calmly. “But it's a gesture of her goodwill, so it’s only proper I keep it and return with a different gift. We shouldn’t make enemies, Mother.”

Consort Gao tapped her finger on the chair. Her brews were creased.

“My Lady,” the servant by her side quipped. “With this we can gauge the Princess's intentions towards us. Her position in the household is shaky at best, but Lushan is still important - we can’t be friends, but we can’t be enemies. Our prince is right.”

His mother pondered and finally nodded.

“Bai Wei, you are getting smart,” she smiled, and straightened his collar. “Very well.”

***

Months were passing and he found himself meeting the Princess Consort time and time again. He could see, she was generally nice to all the children in the mansion, getting them little gifts and praising them. They cheered along, like a filthy low-borns they were. 

Once again he overheard the servants speaking ill of the woman, saying that she might choose one of the concubine children to raise as her own as she had no child of her own. He could hear ridicule in his mother’s voice, when she repeated the same. 

He kept wondering.

He wrote the word ‘kindness’ many times in his calligraphy studies. A cause coming from the heart. There was part of him that instinctively felt that if he was to describe the Princess Consort, he would use the word ‘kindness’. He wasn’t sure where it was coming from, this feeling buried deep inside his heart. 

Between his lessons and lectures, the words ‘good job, little Bai Wei’, coming from the Princess’ mouth was something he craved to hear. Like a moth to a flame, he looked towards the Princess. Buried inside his heart, was the desire to make the princess look at him and praise him and his efforts. He never felt this way towards his mother. Or maybe he did, once upon a time. The time when he still felt that his mother’s wishes were possible to fulfil. Nowadays he knew all his efforts were lacking, but somehow the kind word from the Princess Consort made it worthwhile.

He thought he could continue like this forever. Childish and stupid, and yet he thought maybe it was feasible.

He didn’t expect how quickly one year could go.

The rebellion of Duke Su, he heard. Rebellion against the Heavenly Mandate, they said. His father moved with his armies to quell the rebels and for many months they didn’t hear back. Maybe they did, but Lian Bai Wei couldn’t know. He kept to his studies.

The rebellion ended with Duke Su beheaded by Lian Hongyan, his own son. 

The chill in the palace was palpable. Lian Bai Wei kept to his studies. 

Not but a few months later his studies were interrupted yet again. He was standing under the eaves of the study, with Lian Bai Ai trudging along, like a lost puppy. He couldn't tell him off, even if he didn’t want to spend time with the boy. The eight year old was increasingly annoying.

The commotion arose from the main gatehouse.  

“Brother, do you know what is happening?” Bai Ai asked. 

“Not yet,” he replied, growing curious. 

He couldn’t resist the urge and went ahead with Lian Bai Ai. The two boys hid behind the wall, just as the eunuch from the palace strode inside the Prince Mansion. Along him a column of soldiers of the Imperial Guard. 

“An edict?” Lian Bai Wei whispered. “But Father is not home…”

“What are they doing?” Lian Bai Ai whispered, grabbing onto his robes. Lian Bai Wei could only shake his head. He instinctively knew it was not good news. The oppressive mood the troop carried spoke about anything but celebration. 

Before long the troops were leaving. To his utter astonishment, much as everyone else’s in the mansion who were peeking from nooks and crannies - the Crown Princess Consort, Jiang Ning Guang walked with them. That was not accurate, she was dragged with two soldiers holding onto her arms. Her expression, from what he could tell, was tense. 

Dragged in front of the gates of the Crown Prince mansion, she was thrown to the ground. The soldiers lined up, as the eunuch finally opened the scroll with the Imperial Edict. 

“Princess Consort Jiang Ning Guang,” the loud voice of the palace attendant carried across the street. A small crowd was gathering around, looking curiously towards the commotion outside. “for the crime of adultery, you are now stripped of all your ranks.”

The gasps were resounding across the street. Shouts were quieted by the soldiers, who kept the crowd at bay.

Lian Bai Wei watched with his eyes wide open, his heart nervously hammering in his ribcage. His mother appeared by his side, and held onto his shoulder as she always did. 

“Commoner Jiang Ning Guang,” the eunuch continued reading, his voice raising even higher. “For the crime of deceiving the Emperor is sentenced to death, on the morning of the fifth day.”

The eunuch let the crowd roar with the surprise. He calmly put the scroll back to its proper holding and leaned towards the princess on the ground. 

“This criminal’s hands are not worthy to touch His Majesty’s edict, so this attendant will keep it safe,” he said.

The soldiers moved quickly, Lian Bai Wei noted. They had menacles ready and the princess' hands and ankles were quickly put in irons. A wooden pole was erected right in front of the mansion doors, where the menacles were attached, leaving a wretched visage of the princess dressed in blue on the dirty ground. 

“Based on long lasting affection towards the Jiang Family, His Majesty won’t allow you to rot in a dirty prison. Since Princess Jiang always wished for freedom, may she observe the skies from here until her execution.”

With her gaze stuck on the ground, she sat there in front of the eunuch. Without gaining any response from the woman, the palace attendant scoffed and recalled his troops. They had to push through the crowd that was getting thicker.

Insults were hurled immediately - it was easy to get the crowd heated.

“C-close the gates!” Consort Gao uttered. 

Lian Bai Wei quickly followed after his mother, his head pounding from shock. The whole household was going through upheaval, with many servants peeking through the gates to check if this was true that their mistress was now proclaimed adulterer and a criminal. 

“I can’t believe… that kind of humiliation,” the nanny by his mother’s side uttered when the doors to the courtyard also closed. “In front of our mansion!”

In the eerie silence, his mother sat at her seat. Her expression was hardened, deeply pondering. 

“The Emperor is quick in action,” she finally said softly. His ears picked up on the tone of her voice. She reached out to Lian Bai Wei, gently stroking his shoulders, smile on her lips. “You see, my sweet son, that filthy woman sat for enough time at the Crown Princess seat. Our Gao family was humiliated for many years when the Emperor declared her to take this marriage instead of me. But see Bai Wei, I am a very patient person.”

She straightened wrinkles on his robes.

“And I never truly lose,” she said. “That’s why you also must be patient, okay? Your destiny is to be above every filthy speck of dust, because you are my son. I will not spare effort and use anything and anyone I can to make your path the smoothest. You are such a smart child, always diligent in your studies and you never disappoint me. Your father will take the throne in a couple of years, and after that it will be you. As it should be.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Good boy.”

***

The next three days were filled with new waves of shock. Even if he didn’t want to know, the mansion buzzed with news. The other person who was given the Imperial Edict was Duke Su, Crown Prince’s cousin, Lian Hong Yan. For the same crimes, he was arrested and brought to the imperial prison. While the Princess was kept at the doorsteps of the mansion, the Duke, now stripped of all his ranks, would rot in prison for two or three days before being given a poison. For a famed general who overcame death in battles so many times, the poison instead of beheading felt humiliating on its own. The Emperor granted no mercy. 

Lian Bai Wei never felt such a wave of emotion before. 

Servants gossiped in every corner of the mansion.

’Filthy woman’

No, she was kind.

‘Whore, who doesn’t know her place.’

No, she was a noble woman.

‘Disgusting’

It’s his mother’s scheme.

‘Vile.’

Vile.

On the fourth day the Crown Prince came back with his younger brother in tow. He passed across the threshold of the mansion, only stopping to throw one object at the princess' feet. The servants said that only after that, the previously apathetic form of the woman crumbled with cries. 

And then, on the morn of the fifth day, the troops came back once again.

The princess, now commoner, was dragged inside the mansion once again. Back towards her own courtyard. She didn’t protest, or fight the soldiers.

After days of rain and wind, her body was trembling, barely able to stand. Wretched and dirty, with hair falling over her face.

Lian Bai Wei decided to see to the scheme until the end. He hid behind doors and passed by the servants, making sure nobody could see him. And when he finally reached the fragrant courtyard, the eunuch and the soldiers were already done.

Over the threshold to the main building of the Princess Consort palace, white long strip hung swayed by the wind, along with the body clad in blue.

Filthy, disgusting, ugly form. Crooked and imperfect.

***

Knocking on the door released him from the memories of the morning that happened more than thirty years ago. 

Lian Bai Wei took a sharp breath in and invited the servant inside. The man that worked for him for many years, and was his closest aide walked inside with a bundle of letters in his hands.

“Your Highness, news for Fuzhou arrived.”

“Oh?”

“Most of our agents were unable to move past borders or were caught in Fuzhou by the Marquis of An’yang, but one of them finally succeeded.”

Lian Bai Wei nodded and reached out his hands. For some time now he has tried to find leverage against the Marquis of An’yang. Much to his dismay, the man truly built an impregnable defense, always keeping hidden aces in his hands. Lian Bai Wei thought that many years ago when he met Wu Chun Tian for the first time in the Imperial College, he should’ve killed him when he had a chance. Allowing him to live, gain ranks again and again - from entering the officialdom, to saving the Emperor and ranking a count, to winning wars in on the seas and earning a marquisate -  allowing that was his biggest mistake, that caused his insides to churn with rage.

He had almost everything. The alliance with Western Sui was in his hands with the princess in his mansion as his wife. He brought in many agents and filled ranks of the western border army with his people and people from Western Sui, supported with the Chang Arm. All while An’yang was gearing up with the navy, Minli and the Beijun Army. The court was split and the Emperor could hardly make a wave, only holding onto his youngest son as a Crown Prince that was left with no real backing.

If Lian Bai Wei couldn’t obtain the throne in an easy and smooth path, he would do it the harder way. The Emperor didn’t need to live much longer. The poison was ready and the proof to push the blame onto this An’yang bastard was about to be planted. The armies were ready to stand up against the rebels that would kill the emperor and in a victorious battle, he - Lian Bai Wei would emerge victorious. As an eldest living son of the Lian dynasty, the right naturally belongs to him. The throne, after many years, will belong to him.

A small smile played on his lips, as he opened the letter from his agent. If he could throw another wretch into An’yang’s plans, he would be happy.

The content of the letter spoke about a small family in port Fuzhou. Commoners that had good relationships with neighbours. Husband, wife, two daughters and son that went overseas and never came back. Educated people with good salary, maintaining a humble life.

Nothing of importance, but he could still just order to kill them. 

“There’s a sketch as well,” his aide prompted. “The agent we sent was once a painter and he could trace the features exceptionally well.” Lian Bai Wei nodded, and spread the portraits on his table.

His hands, his entire form stilled.

His aide leaned in. 

The passage of time marked the faces of the people on the portrait. Wrinkles, here and there. Yet just as he was sure that the sun rises everyday with warmth, he was sure he knew two people in these portraits.

His aide was frowning. The man was even older than Bai Wei and was one of the people his mother handpicked to assist him, already educated on everything the young prince might need. He, too, was recognizing these people.

“Ru Peng,” Lian Bai Wei drawled, an eerie smile on his face. “Everyone so easily dismissed old general Yuwen’s crazy ravings when he was calling Marquis of An’yang with a dead man’s name. But the resemblance is uncanny.”

“Your Highness… How is that possible?”

“Does that matter?” Lian Bai Wai asked.

He felt a surge of new hatred towards a man he would easily call by now his nemesis. With everything clicking into place, a simple image of Lady Jiang Ning Guang treating her son with kindness and love, he only received a fraction of a fraction of, made his insides flip with ugly envy. With each thought his apathy was stirred and he slammed his hand over the desk, startling his aide.

“Make sure,” he commanded. “To say that the son of Jiang Ning Guang and Lian Hong Yan killed the Emperor in revenge and now wants the throne for himself.”

All the excuses he prepared for Wu Chun Tian’s fabricated claim paled in comparison to this. 

As his mother would say, anything and anyone can be used to smooth out his path.

________

notes:

I always wanted to write a bit something from Lian Bai Wei's point of view, but more importantly to answer the question 'why are you like this, dude?' so here it is. From the timeline standpoint, we're about heading into the finale portion; but there are some flashbacks to pre-The Long Ballad adventures. I hope you enjoyed!

*Lian Xu An principal/offical wife was Jiang Ning Guang. She married him once she turned 18. In his mansion however there were already Lian Bai Wei's mother - Consort Gao, from Gao family, and Lian Bai Ai's mother, and later some more concubines were married into the household. While Jiang Ning Guang doesn't have children, techincally all kids under the mansion fall under her as the mistress and nominal mother. Consort Gao and many people was also under impression that since Jiang Ning Guang didn't have children on her own and was not favored by the prince, she would try to fully 'adopt' one of the princes to raise them as her own, and then still become Empress and Empress Dowager when said prince ascends the throne.

*General Yuwen - very old general from the previous timeline. In current era of Emperor Wenzong, he has something we would name Alzheimer and he has hard time recalling current events. Since Wu Chun Tian is very similar to his father, Lian Hong Yan, General Yuwen sometimes when he was out in the banquets would call him by his father's name, much to everyone's chagrin. After the events that Bai Wei witnessed as a child Jiang Ning Guang & Lian Hong Yan had tarnished reputation, so it was uncomfortable when the General was mentioning Lian Hong Yan, but most people would not automatically connect Wu Chun Tian to the person who died.

[shuuenka]

a friend in need.

Minli Sea Wars Arc/ The Long Ballad [OC]

grab my FREE 'The Long Ballad' artbook >>HERE<<

[shuuenka]

a friend in need.

Minli Sea Wars Arc/ The Long Ballad [OC]

grab my FREE 'The Long Ballad' artbook >>HERE<<

[shuuenka]

12. Are there any tropes you used to dislike but have grown on you?

42. Have you ever received a comment that particularly stood out to you for whatever reason?

46. Do you prefer writing on your phone or on a computer (or something else)? Do you think where you write affects the way you write?

Helloooo <3

12. Are there any tropes you used to dislike but have grown on you?

I'd say childhood friends to lovers maybe? I didn't really like it for a long time, because it tended to be somewhat boring, and I usually prefer going into stories when characters form bonds from 0, than A and B are already for ages childhood friends. But! It can also be done in interesting way. So some cases won me over.

42. Have you ever received a comment that particularly stood out to you for whatever reason?

I always like it when people comment in general! The longer comment, focusing on some sentences and such is always delight, so I tend to remember these more.

46. Do you prefer writing on your phone or on a computer (or something else)? Do you think where you write affects the way you write?

Definitely on my laptop at home. It's quicker and more efficient. If I write on phone, its usually some short notes, or like a quick dialogue I thought about and want to write down quickly, so I don't forget. My phone writing is filled with typos, so it would always need hard editing XD

[shuuenka]

7, 8 and 49 for the fic asks please!

Hi Erii <3 Lovely to hear from you again!

7. Any worldbuilding you’re particularly proud of?

-> I'm definitely proud of my own universe I'm constantly working on. I think from small idea it really grew into this massive thing, that I'm still filling the gaps.

-> long time ago I wrote a Hakuoki (otome game) reader insert fanfic, with Okita as main character. I never finished it, but the AU I was creating was both time travel for the samurai to the modern era, and this was mixed with japanese folklore, in which my MC was an omyoji and a miko at a temple. I really liked that fic.

8. What song would make a great fic (to either write or read)?

-> I did have idea for a haino fic, that I never wrote, but it was based on Florence and The Machine - Which Witch song.

49. What are you currently working on? Share a few lines if you’re up for it!

-> unfortunately nothing is written yet, but I have some ideas for my original fiction running around my head

[shuuenka]

a friend in need.

Minli Sea Wars Arc/ The Long Ballad [OC]

grab my FREE 'The Long Ballad' artbook >>HERE<<

[unhappy-sometimes]

mhm.

(clean version under the cut)

while ur here u should check out the song i found by amber run. it’s pretty good, the first half anyway.

[clumsyclifford]

questions for fic writers

a collection of questions i, as a writer, would love to be asked !!!

1. What fic of yours would you recommend to someone who had never read any of your work? (In other words, what do you think is the best introduction to your fics?)

2. Go to your AO3 “Works” page, to the sidebar with all the filters, and click the drop-down arrow for “Additional Tags.” What are your top 3-5 most used tags? Do you think they accurately represent your writing habits?

3. What are some tropes or details that you think are very characteristic of your fics?

4. What detail in [insert fic] are you really proud of?

5. What do you wish someone would ask you about [insert fic]? Answer it now!

6. What’s one fact about the universe of [insert fic] that you didn’t get a chance to mention in the fic itself?

7. Any worldbuilding you’re particularly proud of?

8. What song would make a great fic (to either write or read)?

9. How do you find new fic to read?

10. How do you decide what to write?

11. Are you partial to a certain character/pairing or are you more equal-opportunity? If you are partial to any character/pairing, why do you think that is?

12. Are there any tropes you used to dislike but have grown on you?

13. Are there any tropes you used to like but don’t anymore?

14. Are there any tropes you would only read if written by a trusted friend or writer?

15. What’s your favorite AU that you’ve written?

16. What’s an AU you would love to read (or have read and loved)?

17. What highly specific AU do you want to read or write even though you might be the only person to appreciate it?

18. If you wrote a sequel to [insert fic], what would it involve?

19. If you wrote a spin-off of [insert fic], what would it involve?

20. If you wrote a prequel to [insert fic], what would it involve?

21. If you wrote a “missing scene” in [insert fic], what would it be?

22. Who is your favorite character in [insert fic] and why?

23. What’s a trope, AU, or concept you’ve never written, but would like to?

24. Are there any easter eggs in [insert fic], and if so, what are they?

25. What other websites or resources do you use most often when you write?

26. Would you rather write a fic that had no dialogue or one that was only dialogue?

27. How long did it take to write [insert fic]? Describe the process.

28. Does anyone read your fics before you post them? If so, who?

29. What songs would be (or are) on a playlist for [insert fic]? Explain your choices if you want!

30. Have you ever written something that was out of your comfort zone? If so, what was it, and how did it affect your approach to writing fic thereafter?

31. What’s your ideal fic length to write?

32. What’s your ideal fic length to read?

33. If you write chaptered fics, what’s your ideal chapter length to write? Is it different from your ideal chapter length to read?

34. What aspects of your writing are inspired by/taken from your real life?

35. What aspects of your writing are completely unlike your real life?

36. Do you visualize what you read/write?

37. Promote one of your own “deep cut” fics (an underrated one, or one that never got as much traction as you think it deserves!). What do you like about it?

38. Did any of your fics get surprisingly popular (whatever that means to you)? Which ones? Why do you think they were so successful?

39. Is any aspect of your writing process inspired by other writers or people? If so, who?

40. Do you tend to reread fics or are you a one-and-done kind of person?

41. Link a fic that made you think, “Wow, I want to write like that.”

42. Have you ever received a comment that particularly stood out to you for whatever reason?

43. If you take/write prompts: what’s your favorite prompt fic that you’ve written?

44. If you take/write prompts: do you prefer dialogue or scenario/narrative prompts?

45. What’s something you’ve improved on since you started writing fic?

46. Do you prefer writing on your phone or on a computer (or something else)? Do you think where you write affects the way you write?

47. If [insert fic] was a pair of shoes, what kind would it be? Describe the shoes.

48. What’s the last fic you read? Do you recommend it?

49. What are you currently working on? Share a few lines if you’re up for it!

50. Answer any question of your choice, or talk about anything you want to talk about!

[feathers-little-nest]

Tag game time!

Thanks for the tag @syni!

Currently reading: The Dragon by Tai Yang Jun

Last series: Ready, set, love it's amazing, everyone needs to see that thing

Last movie: Backrooms idk if it's a hot take or not, but it was whatever

Last song: Giga - CH4NGE feat. KAFU

Sweet or salty: rn I'm craving something sweet, so sweet it is

Coffee or tea: tea, my tummy doesn't like coffee :<

Working on: getting my shit together

no pressure tagsv: @kamileonik @shuuenka @herbata-z-sokiem-malinowym @lukewarmguayoyo and open tag

[shuuenka]

The Long Ballad // all chibis so far! [OC]

[redstonedust]

i understand (on paper) why companies are anti-piracy but its funny when random individuals are also strongly anti-piracy. like how does it negatively affect your life if someone you know downloads a cracked torrent of sims 4. you dont work for EA. EA isnt gonna pay you for this. you lose nothing. its fine. chill out.

[shuuenka]

armors / Wu Chun Tian & Lian Bai Wei (The Long Ballad)

(as would mickey mouse say, this is a surprise tool which will help us (me) later)

[shuuenka]

introducing most important member of wu household, Bao-Bao.

BAOBAO'S FAV HUMAN NO 1 !! / FBB

-> gives best head scratches -> doesn't let baobao into the sparkly treasure room -> never kicked baobao off the bed! -> lots of ribbons for baobao to play with -> gives lots of tasty treats

BAOBAO'S FAV HUMAN NO. 2! / WCT

->does not want to wake up before dawn!! ->kicked baobao off the bed ->best climbing pole -> saved baobao from freezing to death so is ok, i guess -> has des full of things to push off