Chapter 6: A Far Journey Ahead

On March 29 of the thirty-third year of Hongwu, Princess Yi Ning of Korea set out from Korea in order to travel to the capital of the Great Ming Dynasty, the East Palace of the royal grandson, in accordance to the imperial decree.

The winter snow had melted, and there was a chill in the spring air. There were hints of green on the tips of the aspen tree’s twigs. There were many citizens out on the streets early in the morning — families who had brought their elderly and young with them. They swarmed to the gates of the Gyeongbok Palace like bees. The Gwanghwamun were thrown open, and colored flags were waved in the air. Rows of guards stood at order, their armor gleaming.

Scriptures, lacquerware, dukbokki, tribute rice… thirty large wagons were filled to the brim. There were also fifty Goryeo horses as tribute. The king had sent the administrative commander of the Security Council, Nan Huo, to bring the decree in accompaniment. Sergeant Zhao Ke held under his command, 165 soldiers as an escort. There was a chaotic mess of people, carriages, and horses. The expansive square in front of the Gyeongbok Palace appeared to be a bit crowded.

The king and the royal consort had brought all the civil and military officials for a send off outside the Gwanghwamun. Many offered joyous blessings, while some tendered tragic sympathies. Madame Cao’s eyes were reddened — she had been crying for more than a night. She pulled on Lotus’ hands, unable to speak. Zheng sanggung held onto Madame Cao, and murmured low words of comfort into her ears.

Lotus was dressed splendidly, in observance of the occasion. Her thick and beautiful hair was as plentiful as spring pines, while her courtly dress was as resplendent as the sunset falling on a palace pond — an unparalleled abode for immortals. Her hands clutched her mother’s, and didn’t want to let go, as if she was hanging onto seventeen years of support. Zheng sanggung reminded her in a low voice, “Princess! The time has arrived.” Lotus’ eyes were full of mist as she finally hardened her heart, and let go of her mother’s hands.

She walked gracefully to the king and royal consort, genuflecting in a grand, formal ceremony. The king and consort reached out their hands to help her up, yet Lotus refused to rise. She still kowtowed three times. All that could’ve been said had already been said thousands, hundreds of times. Everyone’s throats were frozen with a lack of words. Finally, the king cleared his throat and said loudly, “Go forth, my child! May your journey be smooth and peaceful, and cement forevermore the ties of friendship between our Korea and the Imperial Court! May you empathize with the sheepherders, and may your offspring flourish!”

The civil and martial officials, and the nearby citizens also called out loudly, “Cement the ties of friendship between Korea and the Imperial court!” “May your offspring flourish!” “Have a smooth and safe journey princess!” The calls rose one after another, reverberating in front of the Gyeongbok Palace. Tears swam in Lotus’ eyes as she bowed and paid her respects, again and again, turning to climb into the carriage. She swept her gaze in the direction of the hundred officials, but Lee Fangyuan hadn’t come. Her heart left with a feeling of emptiness, she quickly climbed into the carriage. Shan Xi was attending to her on the side, and Hai Shou followed quickly behind on a horse.

As she waved, the figures of the king, the royal consort, her mother, and the hundred officials, all became smaller and smaller. The calls of “Safe travels Princess!” also became smaller and smaller. Gyeongbok Palace finally disappeared after a bend in the road.

There were sometimes citizens out on the streets who’d come to wave and express their well wishes, as well as blessings of “Safe travels Princess!”. Lotus smiled and waved her hand back at them. After they exited the city gates and made it onto the official road, Lotus turned her head and looked at the city gates.

Farewell, Seoul!

Farewell, my home!

The carriage’s speed became noticeably faster after making it onto the official road. The trees on the side of the road flew by. Lotus sat up straight within the carriage, with her eyes closed, and didn’t say a word. Even the normally talkative Shan Xi was quiet today. It was quiet within the carriage, with only the sound of the axle turning audible. The groomsman would occasionally flick his long whip with a thwack!

After traveling roughly ten kilometers, they were about to leave the boundaries of Seoul. There was a vague commotion towards the front of the entourage, and the carriage immediately began to slow down and stop. Shan Xi asked repeatedly, “What’s going on? What’s happening? Go check it out!” Hai Shou had already dashed to the front without waiting for Lotus’ orders. Shan Xi disembarked from the carriage out of curiosity, and glanced to the front of the entourage.

After a short while, Hai Shou came speedily back and bowed next to the carriage, saying politely. “Princess, your presence is requested.” He hesitated. “It’s His Highness.”

Lotus was greatly startled, and slowly disembarked from the carriage without a change in expression, walking towards the front. She saw Lee Fangyuan astride a horse after she took a few steps, who was forming a barrier in the middle of the official rode. A white horse, splendid clothes, and a black cape formed a tall and dignified figure. Although it was only one man and one horse, they had the breathtaking aura of a thousand troops and tens of thousands of horses. Nan Huo and Zhao Ke were keeping a large distance with the soldiers and the groomsman, bowing from afar when they saw Lotus.

Lotus walked forward, tilted her head up, and called out, “Royal brother!” She then reached out her hand and stroked the white horse’s mane, saying intimately, “White Snow! How are you? I haven’t seen you in so long!” White Snow shook his head, snorting through his nose in a type of greeting.

Lee Fangyuan leapt off his horse and stood in front of Lotus. Their gazes met and Lotus blushed, moving her gaze away. She said softly, “Thank you, I’ve read it.”

Lee Fangyuan nodded, saying, “The royal grandson is a nice person, and there’s only one royal consort in the Eastern Palace. You shouldn’t be too bad off if you go. But don’t make careless moves with the Emperor, or the multiple nobles and officials.”

“Mm.”

“If anything happens when you reach the capital, go find my people.”

“Mm.” Lotus lowered her head, agreeing inaudibly.

Lee Fangyuan sighed lightly, and reached out a hand to tilt Lotus’ chin up. He looked into her eyes and said carefully, “I’ll ask you one final time: can you possibly not go?”

Lotus looked at him. His cheeks were damp, and frost had collected on his hair. His long lashes bore traces of water. It was obvious that he had set out early in the morning, and had waited until now. His each and every word was suffused with resignation and forbearance, and small flames danced in the bottom of his dark eyes.

Lotus was touched and she called sentimentally, “Brother Yuanyuan!” Lee Fangyuan trembled, gazing at Lotus, the flames within his eyes flickering. “You know I must go.” Lee Fangyuan’s hand was a bit stiff. “I will forever hold everything about here in my heart .” Lotus said as her eyes misted up, light reflecting off of the surface. Lee Fangyuan slowly released his hands, and his back was a bit bent.

The two were silent for a long time, before Lee Fangyuan turned his head and waved his hand in farewell. “Be on your way.” Lotus also didn’t dare look at him as she turned and stumbled to the carriage. Nan Huo and Zhao Ke reorganized the entourage when they received an indication from Lee Fangyuan, and once again set out on their path.

Lee Fangyuan leapt onto his horse, tugging on the reins, and turning it to the side of the road. Lotus’ carriage slowly travelled past, their gazes intersecting and conveying thousands — tens of thousands — of words. The wagons in the back followed up afterwards, obscuring their view bit by bit, until the two could no longer see each other.

The white horse suddenly reared up, stretched its neck out, and screamed shrilly. The scream cut through the clouds, echoing long into the air.

Would they ever be able to meet again after this farewell?

Yalu River, otherwise known as the Amnok River