Veritable good news came to me when I was visited by Wang Jing. He wanted to invite all his children with him on a trip up to the North. While he had nothing to do with it, there was an Imperial Park dedicated to the defeat of the Lady of the North. I sighed and was going to refuse them going. There was still a sting in my heart for what happened to them. I was stopped when the boys all looked at me pleadingly. "Yawen, it has historical significance for the empire." he said to me. He looked more than a bit confused. I just rolled my eyes. "I don't know what could possibly be in a park garden that could be so important." I retorted. Analim and I never forgot or forgave what had happened. "I've hear that there are sculptures and writings there that were taken from her and her supporters. I've heard it said that they might even rival those of the lovely Wen. It will be my first time seeing it as well." he said with a conspiratorial grin. Analim perked up and came closer. Wang Jing smirked and said "Wen, you'll be coming with Empress Dowager Wang Wuying Crown Princess Yi as her tutor, correct?"
It was clear that I was not in the majority. That was not going to stop me from being petty. "Fine. If you all want to go, I won't stop you. I don't have to see that nonsense. I bet it is filled with silly lies and half-truths." I said with my arms crossed. Wang Jing touched my arm. "If it makes a difference, I want you there. Please come. As the mother of the children." he said softly. I hissed as I felt forced. That was a reasonable request. "If you say it like that, I can't say no, can I?" I said glaring at him. He just shrugged and said "I have no idea why you are so against it, but I'm glad you will be coming along." The preparations were made and we all had our things packed and ready for transport. We each personal carriages for each concubine to take their child. The instructors shared one together. The milk siblings were also coming along in a carriage. I was grumpy and held my fan tightly as I looked out the window. Wang Jing rode with his wife, Prince Ruogang and Princess Zan. That meant that I could not bother him by complaining. I just had to keep it to myself. The least fun course of action.
When we got there, a tour guide was give to us and we followed him. Just as I suspected, the trashy propaganda against the Lady of the North was over the top and very slanderous. She was accused of everything from foul witchcraft to the most heinous acts of bestiality imaginable.If she were still alive, she might have cracked a small chuckle before killing everyone in the area. Analim was also getting frustrated with the tour. Everyone that saw it took that into consideration. I was taken by moods and could be brutal or cruel depending on the situation. Analim was different. He was a literal angle. To see him upset was rare and to see the displeasure on his face made all of them stop and attend to him. "Is something the matter, Teacher Wen? You don't look like yourself." Shuren asked. Analim tried to smile, but failed. "I'm sorry. I just do not think this is an accurate description of those events." he said. The guide fumed and said "I assure you that this is very accurate. These stories have been passed down for generation and we have written records of these things." Analim looked alarmed.
You could tell that Analim had no way to get out of this situation. I just shook my head and approached him. "I am sorry for the commotion, milord and ladies. Both Wen and I come from the Northwestern provinces. We have a very different view on the Lady of the North." The guide huffed and said "Yes. I've hear that they still lionize such a brutish and evil woman and her followers." "That is not the case! Many of her followers were very good people that cared for the peasants and did what they needed to enrich their lives." Analim said passionately. The guide just sneered at her. "Some may think that, but that is simply not the case. We have the records to guide us. You only have speculation and hearsay." he said. "This is why I did not want to go. My children should not have to hear this filth." I said looking at Wang Jing. "My lord, surely you understand the righteousness of routing out the evils of this bandit queen." the guide said, looking at him. Wang Jing was put on the spot. It was something he did not like. He knew our identities, but him and his mom were the only ones. He was stuck.
Zipping his head from one person to the other, he did not see a face willing to step in. Chuan Min, Lai Chang and Cui Yahui were together gossipping behind the fans covering their faces. Wang Wuying and Bao were utterly confused about wat was going on. Analim and I were indignant and upset. The instructors were wise enough to back off. The children were either not paying any attention and were soon likely to wander off, or very interested and looking back and forth to see who would win the argument. Eventually, he punted it to his mother. "Our Holy Mother, Empress Dowager Wang Wuying will decide!" he snapped. She raised an eyebrow as everyone looked to her. "I don't see what is causing the fuss. Let's continue the tour." she said carefully. She then looked to the guide. "Maybe with some moderation on how you address the Lady of the North." she added pointedly. He nodded and the tour went onwards. We came to the inner garden and saw that many of the statues and other works of art that had been made were here. Analim went to see them. I did as well.
I was taken aback how the things that were made only about a month ago could look so old and withered. There was also a lectern by the pagoda where several books I saw decorated by professional hands were kept. It was a collection of poetry. "Her followers were artful though cruel. Some of their writings that survived are preserved here for the pleasure of those that come here." the guide said. I flipped through and found a series of poetry made by the triplets and other members of the street gang. A good dozen were from Bo, Analim's lover. I called him over and he began to read them out loud. They were all love poems and they were dedicated to Analim using his true name. Some described his true form while others were about his human form. There were others that talked about shared memories. They were rough as Bo was not the most learned man, even with our help. I could still feel all the love he had for Analim. Analim began sobbing. I rubbed his back and looked at the sky. At least something was left behind. No one understood what was happening. They did not need to.
