Chapter Text
Shen Wei had given everything.
He’d given all of himself to free Dixing and Haixing alike from the Chieftain’s tyranny.
He hadn’t been able to save his beloved didi from his own madness.
He’d given up social interactions in favor of a fierce reputation to inspire others.
He’d worked himself into exhaustion and beyond to wrest control from the Regent and set up a proper governing council.
His time. His energy. His soul. All of it for Dixing.
And yet somehow, with the naivety of a child, he’d thought that this one thing would be his to decide. His and his alone. Had he not earned even this much?
“Great Heipaoshi!” the Alpha’s grating voice echoed through the Haixing Great Hall, “if you will accept me as your Mate, I will shower you in golds and silks all the days of your life! You see all the great wealth I brought for your dowry? This is only a pittance of the luxury you will live in! You need never concern yourself with mundane things again. And in return, surely the Great Heipaoshi will bear me many strong, and powerful sons to carry on my lineage.”
Shen Wei forced his lips to form a thin smile. It was all he could do to prevent himself from baring his teeth and rending them all limb from limb. Waves of murderous intent rolled off his spy master, Chu Shuzhi, as he stood guard over his left shoulder. His Commander, Wu Tian stood on his right, his usually calm countenance vibrating with fury. They were all close to the end of their tolerance. The incense that had been burning all day to suppress the Alpha’s scents to keep them from killing one another, had turned cloying and sweet. It added to the headache Shen Wei had been fighting for hours. They were thirteen prospective Mates and six hours into this farce. Shen Wei didn’t know how much more his temper could take.
“Silks.” Shen Wei commented softly, forcing all those in the room to lean over their banquet tables to hear him, “Gold. All that I should desire.”
The man, a Haixing Lord from somewhere Shen Wei hadn’t cared to remember, nodded like an overexcited dog, eager for its treat. “Yes! Yes! All you could ever want!”
“And should I desire to continue to serve my people away from the lap of…luxury?”
The Lord’s features softened. Not in the way one would regard a beloved spouse, but how a father might look upon his toddler; with patronizing indulgence.
“Of course Heipaoshi Daren will continue to be an inspiration to his people. But my dear, surely you can see that your days will be consumed with our offspring. Are not our children more important?”
If Shen Wei were not so worn through and accustomed to this type of degrading speech, he surely would have struck down this half-wit the moment he’d opened his big fat mouth. As it was, he allowed the smile to slip completely from his lips and indulged himself, allowing the scent of burning charcoal to creep into the air. He had restrained himself thus far. No one could blame him for his actions now.
From the corner of his eye, he saw the council members at their seats, look to one another in alarm.
The hall became silent.
The Lord’s eyes darted back and forth, taking in the victorious grins of his rivals. He grimaced, but tried his best to worm his way back into Heipaoshi’s good graces. A futile attempt, as he’d never been in them in the first place. He plastered a wavering smile on his face and continued, “My dear-”
“Who is your ‘dear’?” Chu Shuzhi snapped, his furious tone ringing throughout the hall, his patience frayed. “How dare you insult the Hero of Dixing thus? Who are you to act so familiar? What great feats did you accomplish on the field of battle to place yourself as his equal?”
The answer was none, and every single person, down to the lowest ranking servant, knew it. He had sent the bare minimum amount of soldiers to help in the war. As far as Shen Wei knew, he hadn’t spared a single grain of rice to feed even his own men, let alone the army, though his lands were more bountiful than most.
The Lord’s face turned scarlet as the quiet murmurs became loud and jeering. He shook a delicate finger at the Spy Master.
“You! How dare you!”
“No, my Lord,” Shen Wei’s voice deepened in his displeasure, a growl rumbling under each syllable. “How dare you? My cohort speaks truly.” he canted his head, “Who are you to chastise those above you?”
If it were possible for a human being to burst into flames from the inside out from sheer humiliated fury, the Lord would have been a pile of ash.
Shen Wei stared down at him, his dark eyes hidden in the shadows of his hood and mask, but his ire was felt nonetheless.
Nervous chuckles sounded from his left, just below the dais. The former Regent, now known as councilman Yu, rounded his table. His hands held in supplication, first to Shen Wei, then to the Haixingren Lord. He was not head of the Governing Council, but he often took the lead anyway. He still had support from other Council members, though mainly because the true Head of the Council carried too much self-doubt to allow his voice to carry. Shen Wei had thus far, allowed it. As a leader himself, he understood that eventually, An Bai’s confidence would grow naturally. There would come a moment in which Yu would step too far, and An Bai would finally come fully into his role. Only then, would the other Council members follow him. Until then, Yu was simply to be tolerated.
“Ah, my Lord Liu, our Heipaoshi is very passionate, yes? You must not take offence. You understand the untamed emotions of powerful Omegas, certainly.”
Shen Wei curled his fingers over the arms of the chair he’d been placed in, above all others, to make his Selection. It did not feel like a place of honor, or power. More like a sacrifice on an alter to salivating wolves.
Councilman Yu turned to him. “I would infer from our Heipaoshi’s words and scent, that he does not take Lord Liu as a suitor?”
“...our Heipaoshi my ass…” Chu Shuzhi muttered. Shen Wei huffed, grateful for his friend’s presence. He may very well have razed this entire building to cinders by now if not for the comments that pulled him from the dark places insult after insult threatened to drag him into.
“He does not.” Shen Wei enunciated each word clearly. Attendants ushered the man back to his table, where he proceeded to sulk like a child and pretend that he hadn’t been humiliated by a ‘mere’ Omega. Shen Wei had not dismissed every Alpha right away. There needed to be a few to ultimately choose from, after all.
Shen Wei remained outwardly calm. He counted the remaining would-be suitors and sighed. Five. He had to endure this five more times. He remained emotionless, but on the inside, his heart was curled up in mortification. He had been privy to many crass conversations as his time as a soldier. Few things had ever been said to him directly, and lips were sealed once he’d come fully into his reputation, Omega or not. No one dared speak of such crude things anywhere near his presence. Some from fear, but most out of respect.
Yet these…men of the gentry…noble and refined…bandied and ruminated and spoke openly of his reproductive value as though they spoke of a prized animal. As though it were their right to do so. As though his feelings did not matter. If one more person remarked on his fertility, he would not hold himself responsible for the bloodbath that was to follow.
He was utterly, and thoroughly disgusted with the whole affair.
He narrowed his eyes at the former Regent. This whole tedious, humiliating affair were his machinations come to fruition. The conversation that had been the beginning of this fiasco had begun benignly enough.
“In order to secure a lasting peace, we must strengthen our bonds with Haixing.” C ouncilman Yu had said. Shen Wei had walked right into his sticky little web.
“What do you suggest? Are not the Treaty and trade agreements enough?”
“Oh, they’re fine! Fine! Good work!” his enthusiasm had slipped like oil over water from his face. He’d shaken his head. So sad. So unfortunate. “But words can be broken. Treaties torn apart within a generation. But blood ties...”
Blood ties.
Not by a Mating Bond forged in love.
But an arranged marriage. To set the war behind them permanently. To prevent more senseless deaths.
The Haixingren Alpha candidates had been carefully selected. They had to be powerful in their own right. Influential in Haixing. They needed to hold their own lands and titles, have earned merits in their own rights.
As such, Dixing could not offer up just any Omega. It had to be someone powerful and influential as well. A true prize, in every sense of the word.
How fortunate that Heipaoshi, whose name and deeds were known throughout both lands, just happened to be a powerful, influential, Omega.
And today was the Selection.
In the past, before the meteor strike, Selections were a joyous occasion, filled with games and festivities. Shen Wei and didi were only seven when one had been held in their town. It had been magical. The entire town was decorated in red streamers. Double luck signs hung from every window. A-Niang had bought red rope and taught them how to make love knots. They’d hung them on the doors of the Omega’s house. In turn, the Omega, a beautiful young woman, had given them spun sugar treats in the shape of leaping rabbits. Vendors threw candy to the children in the street. He and didi’s hands and mouths were sticky for days. Suitors turned out with their entire households, parading up the streets, to vie for the Omega’s favor. Shen Wei had never seen so many people in one place. Their little town had suddenly been filled with so much life. They brought performers who leapt and danced, musicians and drummers played and it was wonderful.
The Omega was carried on a red sedan by family and friends to the town meeting hall. Didi had sighed beside him and said, “I can’t wait to Select my Mate. You’ll carry me, won’t you ge?” the sharp piercing sorrow stung his eyes. How sad that now Shen Wei could only carry that little boy in his heart. How sad that the man he’d become, would laugh mockingly at this pitiful display.
Shen Wei had not been led to a room that he himself had appointed to his own tastes. He had been placed on high, at the end of the hall, like some display piece.
In the past, one by one, the Alpha suitors would be led into that room. There, the two would take tea and delicate sweets and get to know one another. It was not this rushed, one day travesty. On the eighth day, there would be a grand ceremony in which all the Alphas would kneel without the hall. The Omega would then step from the building. If they had chosen a Mate, they would be dressed in wedding robes, a red silk, tied about their wrist. They would approach their desired Mate and tie the other end of the silk to the Alpha’s wrist. After, they would go to the temple and there make their bows.
The Omega woman, had chosen an Alpha with kind eyes and a soft voice. Shen Wei, even as a child, had felt moved by the look of awe in the young Alpha’s, face that out of all vying for her hand, she had chosen him. He’d looked at his parents then. They had been gazing at one another, a look of love so profound, that Shen Wei had measured all others after by that look alone.
He could scarce remember being so young, but that memory had always stood warm and precious in his mind.
An Bai had tried to recreate the tradition, but none of the Haixing lords were willing to travel to Dixing. Citing logistics for travel and other nonsense. And it was too much hassle to recreate such a festival in Haixing itself. That had told him then and there what he could expect from such men. From his future Mate. In a word; nothing.
There was none of the pageantry, the joy, the reverence in this Selection. Just arrogant Alphas showing off their wealth and competing against one another as though at the gambling hall.
He’d portaled here with the Council, Wu Tian, and Chu Shuzhi. There was no family to bear him on a sedan. He wore his robes of office. His only concession to his attire was to leave his leather armor behind. Gonggong was at his side, in it’s leather sheath. The Hall was not decorated in red streamers. There were no signs for luck or harmony.
This was a business transaction. Nothing more. The Haixing Alphas had gone out of their way to make sure he knew that. Honestly, he’s not sure what more he expected.
He sat in a hall in Haixing, the walls filled to the brim with crates and chests of gold and jewels, rolls of silks, and elaborate tapestries filled the space so fully, that there was barely any room left for the suitor’s retainers to be seated behind their masters.
He cast a jaundiced eye to the gaudy displays of wealth and sneered. The gold could be used to purchase desperately needed supplies for the people of Dixing. The fabrics were mostly impractical for everyday life. Meant to be worn by a pampered spouse, not people who labored for a living. He supposed the gold and silver threads could be extracted and sold, along with the silks themselves. Separately, they would fetch a higher price. That was, if Haixingren merchants would trade fairly.
With disgust, Shen Wei noted that none of the gifts provided and been with the true needs of the Dixingren people in mind. They hadn’t even been provided with him in mind. What need did he have for such frivolous things? He had no need for gold. His stipend as Justiciar was adequate for his needs. He had furnished rooms in the Palace. His meals and clothing were provided for.
Even if his people hadn’t needed more practical items, none of the gifts were anything he even liked. There were no books. No practical and sturdy calligraphy sets. All the guans and hairpins were dripping with pearls and golds and precious stones. What about his person, had ever even hinted at the idea that he would prefer those horrendous things over something simple?
And then there were the suitors themselves.
The council had vetted all with meticulous care. Not for Shen Wei’s happiness. But for the power and wealth that his union would bring. Shen Wei had not been privy to the list. His opinions, his wishes, left unasked. In all honesty, he hadn’t the stomach for it anyway.
There was only one name he’d ever been interested in.
Every seat in the hall was filled, eighteen Alphas in all. Yet, the face that haunted his dreams was not among them.
He wasn’t sure why it surprised him so. Why would such an Alpha be interested in him?
The warlord’s name and reputation, wealth, and influence were such that the council would not have struck him down as a candidate. In fact, his name should have been at the top of the list for his achievements alone. He had made a name for himself long before he’d traveled down from the north to join the Alliance forces. He’d earned merit after merit on the battlefield and off, not only for his skills, but his gallantry and mercy. He was a living legend on both sides. What’s more, he had been instrumental in ending the war. Though it had been Shen Wei who had ultimately slain the Chieftain, the Alliance would never have treated with him if not for the warlord’s insistence.
So logically, the Alpha had to have received an invitation to the Selection.
And logically, had rejected it.
To be bound for life with a Dixingren who was reputed to be cold and unfeeling. When the warlord himself was so ornery, so passionate, so alive, and vibrant, and everything, everything Shen Wei was not. Of course the warlord would not even consider it.
Something sharp and hot lodged itself in his heart at the thought. He blinked back the sting in his eyes. The other, despite the discipline it would take to achieve everything he had, was a free spirit.
Anyone who bound themselves to Heipaoshi was binding themselves to a lifetime of political machinations. Even if his eventual Mate demanded he remain home-bound, it was naive to think that his new family, as it were, would not be drawn into the politics of the two contentious countries. And no matter what these Alphas thought, Shen Wei was not about to lessen, nor give up his responsibilities as Justiciar of Dixing. He’d fought too hard, lost too much, and made promises to too many people, to walk away now and hope for the best.
The very thorough and humiliating examination declared him healthy enough to bear children, but until the time came, no one knew for certain how long it might take him to conceive and then second, carry to term a healthy child. To that end, though the marriage contract demanded a child from the union, in all reality, that was not a guarantee.
But what if he did have a child? He looked out at these prospective Mates, his lips bowed unhappily. He could not only judge these Alphas on their merits as aides to Dixing, but as prospective fuqins as well. Could he bear to see his flesh and blood raised as a pawn for their two countries? A bargaining piece anytime either government wasn’t getting it’s way? It was enough for him to be used so. But his child?
Absolutely not.
So far, there was not one among this throng of pretentious men that even came close to meeting his criteria for a sire. Too arrogant. Too rude. Too obtuse. Too unfeeling.
He admitted, only to himself, that he was perhaps being a bit unfair. But then, who among these ridiculous beings could ever compare to Kunlun?
Who among these people could ever fill his heart the way the northern warlord did?
“Grand Heipaoshi!” A high pitched, nasally voice snapped him from his ruminations. An elderly man, with the assistance of two attendants, toddled to stand before him. He could actually feel Chu Shizhi and Wu Tian share a horrified look over his head. He swallowed hard. He wished he could as well. Surely not. Surely the council would not attempt to bind him to a man old enough to be his great-grandfather? He looked at councilman Yu, who was not fast enough to hide his smug smirk behind his cup. Shen Wei knew revenge when he saw it.
The Elder’s long, silver white beard swayed back and forth, the ends gently dusting his knees. The wrinkles in his paper thin face were so deep that his eyes were sucked far into the folds. Only two small dark orbs could be seen. When he brought his hands around to salute, the action severely overbalanced him. His attendants, apparently used to such things, merely reigned him back, even while the rest of the room had reached impotently forward as though to catch him. Shen Wei had a sudden terrifying vision of his future, carrying the man everywhere on his back to prevent falls as he tended to him like a nursemaid. He did not allow his mind to drift to the other duty this alliance would require of him. How would that even work?
“I am the honorable Duke Yihan, of the Great Plain in the Western Valley. I realize that I am a bit older than the other noble suitors gathered here.” he either ignored, or more likely, could not hear the scoffs that rose up around the room. “I hope that what I lack in youth, Heipaoshi will find value in my knowledge and experience. My home is peaceful. Filled with private gardens and fruit trees. There are few people there. All those I have loved are long gone. It would warm my heart to have it filled with Heipaoshi's thoughts and company.”
Well, that was not…awful. Shen Wei even found this Duke sweetly charming. Perhaps there was the possibility of looking upon one another with simple companionship. Surely, once this wise elder had passed, Shen Wei would be released from his obligation to marry for political reasons. Perhaps they might appoint an heir instead. It might be…nice, to have an elder figure to look up to who did not see him as a-
“And though I am older, if Heipaoshi will indulge me. My coffers are not the only thing about my person that is well-endowed.” and then he cackled, high and loud at his own joke.
Shen Wei didn’t know if he made the choking sound or his men.
“And hopefully Grand Heipaoshi is as fertile as the lands I would invite him to live on.” the Duke added happily.
If not for the mask and shadow of his hood, all would see his wide eyes and burning cheeks. Perhaps he had died on the battlefield and this was hell. Surely, no mortal could endure such torment.
He cleared his throat. And again. Faintly, he replied, “The Duke of the Western Valley is most…kind.”
He would consider this suite the same way he considered loading his boots full of scorpions.
The Duke saluted in his unbalanced way again, and with a merry wave, was escorted back to his seat.
“We should have discussed an escape plan.” Chu Shuzhi said, horrified fascination lacing his tone. Shen Wei could only nod faintly.
They absolutely should have.
The next two were a repeat of the first several suitors in their rhetoric. Shen Wei’s patience was nearly depleted. He dismissed them before they’d barely begun the list of gifts they had brought.
Shen Wei craned his neck once again, scanning the hall as discreetly as he could. Nobles, Council members, servants, and guards. None of their lips held an irreverent grin. None slouched boneless against the wall or table as though they hadn’t a care in all the world. He looked down. Foolish. Why was he so foolish?
He and Kunlun had nothing off the battlefield. They hadn’t even been in the same country during the Treaty negotiations.
The only thing they’d ever had between them had been crossed blades and sharp words. And yet. And yet, the words they exchanged had been playful, full of life and challenge and why had no one been able to challenge him the way Kunlun had? Why had no one been able to captivate him so? To make his heart race and his soul sing when he unerringly spotted him across the field. When that boyish grin was directed at him and him alone? Why had no one been able to make him burn the way Kunlun had?
Why had he thought that Kunlun would chase him now? The war was over. Only this one thing remained to ensure peace for generations to come. Kunlun’s part was done. His army had already marched back to the north. Back to his home. Heipaoshi would only make appearances now in the stories the brash general told over a bottle of wine.
Heipaoshi- Shen Wei- would remain. He would not speak of Kunlun over wine. He would not speak his name to his cohort. Instead, he would keep him gently tucked away, his name sheltered and alive in each sorrowful heartbeat.
The council could force him to marry.
They could demand he lay with someone he did not love and produce a child to bridge the peace of their two lands.
But his love for Kunlun was his alone.
In this one thing, he would remain selfish.