“A single true friend wishing you well is worth a thousand gifts from pretenders who merely call themselves your friends while you were in power.” - Old Al-Shan saying.

“Congratulations are in order, A-Xiao! Drinks are on me tonight!” said Rafiqa as she toasted Ying Xiao’s cup with her own. Many of the other customers in the tavern also raised their cups in a loud cheer as a show of support. “A toast to her glorious future, everyone!”

Rafiqa had invited Ying Xiao out to drink that night since they had a day off the next day, and brought her to a tavern. The tavern was one started by a retired veteran of the civil war, and most of its customers were other veterans, who eventually brought their kids or disciples over as well.

Her fathers had brought her there to celebrate a couple years ago, shortly after the tournament and after her entry into the military was ascertained, where they linked up with old friends who were also still active members of the military and asked them to help look after her.

She had been a frequent visitor since, though this was the first time she invited Ying Xiao to come along with her. The other customers recognized her by sight though, as few would not have heard of her by now, given not only her exploits in battle, but also the latest official announcement that proclaimed her engagement.

To the Emperor himself.

That announcement caught most everyone off guard, other than the Emperor and Empress. Many of the ministers had indeed urged the Emperor to take a concubine to further secure his line, which he had resisted for so long.

Supposedly the Emperor had one day acquiesced to the request while in a court session, but had said that they would only know who he had chosen by the new year. When the announcement came, it caught all the ministers who had pressed the issue - perhaps in the hopes that their own offspring would be chosen as concubines - with their pants down.

Rafiqa herself had to admit it was a bold move to make. Other than the flaw of her background, Ying Xiao’s achievements in the short years she had served in the military definitely qualified her as one of the most prominent young women in the Empire at the moment.

That she was discovered to be a direct disciple of the Blood Demon herself had just made her perceived value soar in the eyes of many. Some old generals had even tried to matchmake her with their descendants regardless of her past and background, though she had politely turned them all down.

“If you don’t mind me asking… was what you did at the party last year also part of the plan?” asked Rafiqa after they quickly polished off the liquor in their cups. The trigger for the traditionalists’ failed secession and uprising the year before was the incident partly caused by Ying Xiao at a celebration held by one of the then High Magistrate’s descendants.

From her fathers, as well as from Ying Xiao herself, Rafiqa had learned that the short conflict with the traditionalist faction was something they and the Emperor had planned for, and that Ying Xiao’s entry to the military was part of that plan as well.

“No, that was honestly an accident that blew up,” replied Ying Xiao as she filled her cup with more of the clear, strong liquor served in a small bottle. “His Majesty had never expected it would blow up to such an extent. In many ways it sped up many of what we planned to do. Fortunately we already prepared for it, though.”

“I noticed,” said Rafiqa in return as she drained her own cup, the strong liquor burning its way down her throat. The vast majority of the traditionalist faction had risen up in revolt only to be summarily arrested before they could leave their abodes back then, as agents of her father Mustafa had long kept them under surveillance. A good quarter of the ministers at court never showed their faces again after that day. Many still languished in the dungeons of the capital city. “They were narrow-minded fools who never considered just how much the Emperor considered them like a thorn in his side.”

“That arrogance and lack of wariness is part of why we managed to solve the whole mess relatively bloodlessly, I guess,” replied Ying Xiao from across the table. “If they had managed to get a proper revolt going that could have meant another civil war, and His Majesty does not want that.”

“Sometimes I still find it hard to believe that we conquered the unconquerable Tian-Mao Island in so short a time,” admitted Rafiqa. “Though to be honest, that was mostly to your credit. We would not have had such a smooth offensive without you present.”

“You also played your part well,” said Ying Xiao with a nod. In her short years in the military, other than the veteran soldiers of the civil war who gave her the respect of a warrior to another, Rafiqa was her only true friend, as many others, especially those of noble backgrounds, were either repulsed by her past or considered her an upstart peasant. “Couldn’t have done it all on my own, you know.”

“You still did the heavy lifting for us. I still remembered the faces of those ministers when you showed up at court all scarred up back then,” said Rafiqa with a chuckle. “Do you know what’s the latest gossip about in their circles now?”

“What? That the whore’s child seduced the Emperor with her ‘feminine wiles’? I’ve heard of it, yeah,” replied Ying Xiao with a melancholic smile on her face. “What do you yourself think about it… my friend?”

“That even if it’s true, good for you! Who else can boast of having seduced the Emperor himself?” replied Rafiqa with a laugh. Some of the other patrons echoed her laugh in agreement and raised their cups for another toast as well. She then looked at Ying Xiao in the eyes, her face slightly reddened as the alcohol began to take hold. “Who cares what those stuck-up assholes said. You’re you, and besides soon you’d get to lord it over them if they even dared spread such rumors anyway. Just don’t forget us down below when you’re seated up high next to the Emperor, will you?”

“I won’t, my friend,” replied Ying Xiao sincerely. While the Emperor and Empress were her benefactors, and Cal was her master, Rafiqa was the first true friend she made. “I will never forget about you all. You have my word on that.”