Chapter 2 – Awakening in TaiKuan
Fai Jin, the Crown Prince of the Jin Empire, awoke with a throbbing headache. His mind was hazy, recalling only that his father, Emperor Taijin, had brought him water and broth before he fell asleep again. Rising abruptly, he called out to everyone, but no one answered.
He stepped out of the cave into the forest, following a small stream where he washed himself. His clothes had changed—he was now dressed in the attire of Lu'an, the garments he had long worn. He noticed a bag he carried, reaching inside to find the imperial seal and a blood-written note from the emperor himself. The message entrusted him with the empire while hoping he might live an ordinary life and enjoy it. The emperor spoke of the seven years they had spent together and the perilous hours of their escape, revealing how little he had truly known his son. He expressed a fervent wish to reunite with his beloved before her heart could be captured by another in the wider world.
Tears welled in Fai's eyes—he had scarcely known his parents. He followed the stream for two days, sustaining himself on water, until he spotted soldiers across the bank. He signaled them, and they noticed him—but before he could react, he lost consciousness.
The commanding officer ordered the boy brought over. Some soldiers crossed the shallow part of the river on horseback, carrying him with them. He was placed on the ground, and the soldiers bowed in a formal military salute.
A rider on horseback, a man in his fifties, approached, surprised to see a boy. Upon inspecting him, the soldiers reported he carried nothing. One soldier suggested killing him, suspecting he might be a servant or a spy for the rebels who had struck the capital. Before a decision was made, a young prince stepped down from the carriage, revealing his royal attire beneath. The rider approached him, commanding the soldiers to take Fai into the prince's carriage, which they did, hesitant but obedient. The royal procession, still in mourning attire, departed, signaling they were returning from war.
Fai awoke in a beautiful chamber, realizing the soldiers he had encountered were not a patrol but part of a royal retinue. Because they were in mourning, he did not notice any flags indicating the provinces of TaiKuan. Hearing a voice outside, he feigned sleep. The young prince entered with his entourage and a physician, requesting Fai be examined. The doctor checked his pulse, examined his eyes, and confirmed he was merely malnourished and fatigued. The prince dismissed his attendants and remained alone for a while before leaving.
Fai returned to bed, aware he was under close supervision. After over an hour, a eunuch dressed differently than the others arrived, requesting Fai accompany him. He led him down an outer corridor to a hall that resembled a court. In the center, a man sat on the throne, dressed as a duke in white mourning robes. The young prince stood nearby, also in royal attire with white cloths draped around him. Behind the seated man, an elderly eunuch whispered into his ear, and a man in armor stood—this was the same soldier Fai had seen before losing consciousness.
The soldier bowed: "Your Majesty, upon returning from the Jin capital, we found this boy near Your Majesty's hunting grounds by the Xing River. We brought him here."
The king studied him carefully: "It seems you are not from here. Had you been, you would have bowed from fear upon arrival." (He chuckled.)
Fai observed the hall, noting the royal seal, and thought: "Then I am indeed in TaiKuan."
The king continued: "Why are you silent? Are you deaf?"
Fai bowed deeply: "I dare not lie, Your Majesty. I do not remember much of what happened before reaching the river, but I remember one thing."
"What is that?"
"My name is Fai, and I was a servant."
"Fai? That name does not exist in my kingdom. You say you are a servant, so you are a runaway."
The soldier interjected: "Your Majesty, since he is a runaway servant, he should be punished."
The king turned to the eunuch Kian: "What do you suggest?"
Kian smiled faintly: "Your Majesty, it is no shame for a child servant to seek freedom. And from his appearance, he was hardly a bad servant."
"Then what do you propose?" the king asked.
"I dare not propose anything in your presence," Kian replied with a chuckle.
The soldier insisted: "Let me take him, sire. I will train him to become a soldier at least."
"A soldier?" The king looked to the Crown Prince, who appeared to oppose the suggestion.
The prince rose and stepped forward, the soldier bowing behind him awaiting the king's approval. The prince said, "Father, I request him for myself."
The king laughed: "If you want a servant, I can bring many. There is no need to bow."
"I do not want servants. I want him only as a gift for my upcoming birthday," the Crown Prince insisted.
The king recalled: "Ah, you will turn nine next month. Very well, consider him a gift for you."
The prince, accompanied by six attendants, two maidservants, two eunuchs, and his new servant Fai, proceeded toward the Crown Prince's palace. Fai followed hesitantly, observing soldiers in mourning attire scattered throughout the palace.
The Crown Prince spoke calmly: "It seems the palace has confined you."
Fai bowed halfway: "My apologies, Your Highness."
"Did your former master not demand bows from you? You delayed my procession. I will forgive you this time," said the Crown Prince.
They moved through the palace silently, Fai trailing closely. Upon entering the prince's quarters, all attendants took their places, and two maidservants stood at the gate. The prince's lady-in-waiting excused herself after he told her he wanted nothing further.
Three days later, new clothes were brought for Fai. He accompanied the Crown Prince daily, serving meals, assisting with bathing, and attending study sessions. Fai slept in the kitchen servants' quarters, unable to rest due to thoughts of his father.
On the fourth day, while the Crown Prince ate, Fai served him and poured tea. When the prince finished and wished to study, Fai carried his books, only to lose consciousness once more. Awakening, he found himself in the prince's bedchamber, the Crown Prince reading calmly nearby.
"Apologies, Your Highness," Fai said, bowing.
"Return to bed. You must rest," the Crown Prince replied.
Over the following days, Fai continued to serve him, despite exhaustion and sleepless nights. He assisted in changing clothes, reading stories, and attending to the prince, slowly settling into his new role as the Crown Prince's personal attendant.