Early morning sounds of the city woke Chinua. She sat up in bed, feeling pain in her right shoulder. Gently, she massaged it with her left hand, trying to find relief. Three soft knocks sounded on the door outside the bedroom.
"Please come in," she called, knowing it was Khunbish. She continued massaging her aching shoulder, moving it in a circular motion.
Khunbish entered, placed the basin on the table, and watched as Chinua worked on her shoulder from a few steps away. He grabbed a handkerchief from the basin, squeezed out the excess water, and walked over to her. He handed her the damp cloth and began massaging her right shoulder while she wiped her face.
"Are old wounds still bothering you?" Khunbish asked.
"It still happens from time to time," Chinua admitted.
"When we return to the capital, I'll ask the imperial doctor to take a look," Khunbish offered.
"No," Chinua said. "I've already talked to Doctor Heng. He said old injuries tend to relapse if they're not well cared for during healing. I remember leaving for Tanggolian before my injury healed." She pulled her arm away and stood up. "Don't worry. It's less painful now, and the relapses aren't as frequent as before."
"Minister Enkhjin came early this morning," Khunbish reported. "He received a message from the capital and wants to talk to you."
Chinua put the wet handkerchief into the basin. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" she asked.
"I was going to," Khunbish said, "but when Minister Enkhjin learned you were still sleeping, he said he'd come back later and left. That's why I didn't wake you."
"Chinua," Khenbish said, walking into the room. "Minister Enkhjin is here to see you."
"Bring him in," Chinua replied.
Khunbish picked up the basin from the table and placed it under the bed. As he turned, Khenbish entered with Enkhjin and An.
"Please sit down," Chinua invited.
Enkhjin bowed slightly. "Your Highness," he said, "I've received the letter from His Majesty." He took the letter from his sleeve and handed it to Chinua.
Chinua read the letter. When she finished, she gave it back to Enkhjin, sighing. "The royal father said most ministers in the court didn't agree to appoint Chief An as the new Mayor of Anpo City," she explained. "Even Minister Esen was opposed to the idea. Maybe he's afraid for the same reasons we are." She looked at Enkhjin and An. "The royal father also said he didn't want to force Chief An, so he'll leave the decision to him."
"I don't agree with the position either," An said. He looked at Chinua. "May Her Highness reconsider?"
"I've thought about it," Chinua replied. "And I know it's a little selfish for me to recommend you personally. But Chief An, I know you'll be a great mayor—not only for the people of Anpo City, but for the people of all twelve villages in the southwest region."
"I'm afraid people here won't accept it," An said. "Such a change will only bring more chaos instead of benefits. Not only that, rumors about Minister Esen's hunger for power will also surface."
"This is expected," Chinua replied. "Even Minister Esen foresaw it. But Chief An, over the years, I know you witnessed countless abuses between the Magoli of Magoli descendant and those of Tanggolian descent. When you saw those abuses with your own eyes, didn't you long to change things?"
"No matter how much I longed to change," An said sadly, "I couldn't do it. I was just a low-level chief villager."
"Now is your chance to do this," Chinua countered. "Moreover, another reason I want you as mayor is to cut off the support concubine Erhi and Prince Dzhambul have in the royal court."
An was surprised Chinua mentioned Erhi and Dzhambul. He was now convinced he was indeed a tool in the struggle for power at the royal court. The reason he'd never held a higher position than village chief was precisely this: he'd refused to be a tool for anyone trying to seize power in the court.
"Your Highness," he said humbly, "I know the struggle for power in the court has existed since ancient times. This is a big and important matter. This low-level official lacks the wisdom to help Your Highness."
Chinua understood An refused the mayoralty out of fear—fear of becoming a pawn in the royal court's power struggle. But she also knew An was the best person for the position, not just for the people, but because with him as mayor, Bastsaikhan's succession wouldn't waver. She sighed, her heart heavy.
"I know you don't want to participate in this palace struggle," she said. "But Chief An, you're family to Minister Esen and Princess Consort Yargui. If the Crown Prince loses support at court, Prince Dzhambul will ascend the throne. Governor Gerel will then have full control of the southwestern provinces. Not only will your family suffer, but all the people of the southwest."
Chinua sighed again. "I know the path paved by the Queen was full of thorns," she continued. "But I was still willing to take my first step. I know the path paved by the Crown Prince is full of knives—but I'm still willing to shed blood. I know the path paved by the King is full of gossiping and ill stares—but I'm willing to walk forward with my eyes half open and a deaf ear." She breathed out slowly. "If you ask me if I'm afraid, my answer is yes, I am afraid. But what scares me most isn't feet pierced by thorns, wounds on my body, or the gossip and ill stares of others." Her gaze settled on An. "What scares me most are the silent cries and pleas of ordinary Magoli."
"So, Chief An," she said directly, "knowing the path ahead won't be filled with welcoming hugs, kisses, or congratulations—are you willing to take the first step on this path so the cries and pleas of those people will be heard?"
An stood up and knelt before Chinua. "Your Highness is indeed truly sagacious and talented," he said. "I am willing to take my first step on this path, together with Your Highness and the Hmagol citizens."
Chinua quickly stood up and helped An to his feet. "On behalf of the citizens of Hmagol," she said, "I want to thank you for taking on this task."
Enkhjin also stood, looking at Chinua with a smile. "His Majesty is so lucky to have someone like you as his eyes and ears," he stated. "Your Highness is truly wise and always puts the kingdom's interests before personal needs. I have no doubt why His Majesty would publicly praise you in court, and why women of any status admire your bravery."
Chinua smiled back. "I gain knowledge and strength from the people around me," she said, "and from personal experiences. I can't take all the credit."
"In that case," Enkhjin said, "I'll write back to His Majesty about Chief An's decision."
"Chief An," Chinua began, "you should already know of the two lead officers here in Anpo City, right?"
"I've heard of them and seen them," An replied, "but I don't know them personally."
"They're in prison now," Chinua stated. "Since you've accepted this position, it's in your best interest to have them serve under you. You can go meet them with Minister Enkhjin." She turned to Enkhjin. "Minister Enkhjin, whoever decides to serve under Chief An will be released immediately. Whoever refuses will be released after your investigation, provided they had nothing to do with Orgil's embezzlement scheme."
"I understand," Enkhjin said. He looked at Chinua. "Your Highness, as for Orgil and his associates, the court ordered their public execution to set an example."
"And Orgil's family?" Chinua asked.
"All of Orgil's property was confiscated," Enkhjin replied. "Except for a house and a hundred silver coins given to his family."
"Minister Enkhjin," Chinua said, "I won't carry out the execution here. My work in Anpo City is completed. I must return to continue patrolling the eastern border. I will leave everything here to your care."
"Your Highness needn't worry about this matter," Enkhjin reassured her. "I will definitely handle the tasks entrusted by His Majesty before leaving the southwest region myself."
Chinua sighed. "Paving success on the lives and cries of innocent people never ends well," she said. "Sadly, we may never be able to get everyone involved."
On the far west coast, the sea breeze blew, carrying a slight salty smell. The sound of currents lapping at the shore echoed. Governor Gerel sat in a small pavilion, overlooking the West Sea, painting. A young man walked past his guards, approached his right side, and sat before him.
"What a strange painting," Lixin said in a sweet voice. "Governor Gerel, you're looking at the sea, yet you paint the mountain wilderness of Chono Gate."
Gerel stopped painting and put the brush aside. "Just because I sit by the sea doesn't mean I have to paint it," he said.
Lixin smiled. "Why did Governor Gerel suddenly want to see me?" he asked.
"Send a message to Prince Dzhambul," Gerel instructed. "The situation in the southwest has changed. Orgil will be executed in a few days. Although Orgil admitted everything and mentioned no one, we must still suspend our activities during this time so as not to arouse suspicion."
"Are you afraid?" Lixin asked.
"No," Gerel replied. "The people who should be afraid are from the East Palace." He looked at Lixin directly. "Enkhjin found your East Palace tally in Orgil's bedroom." He noted Lixin's face turning gloomy. Gerel smiled, picked up his brush, gently dipped it in paint, and began to paint again. "When there were only a few trees surrounding the golden tree in the forest, His Highness failed to chop them down. Now, this forest has grown from a few trees to a hundred thousand, spreading in all directions. Now, if His Highness wants to chop down the golden tree, he must chop down every tree before he can reach it." He raised his head, looking at Lixin with a smile. "Do you agree?"