"A child!" Han Bing thought to himself as his emotions has washed over him. He was supposed to be looking at the reports since the capital had gotten quiet but he couldn"t let go of that thought. "I"m I really worth it to her? That she wants to publicly be mine?" Han Bing kept questioning the situation that he found himself in."But how? How could she possibly feel this way? She deserves someone that isn"t as fragmented as I am. Someone that can protect her not bring her closer to danger" Han Bing continued to think about all the reasons that he wasn"t good enough to stay with Mai "and yet she still stays happily"
Han Bing leaned back and let out the sigh he was holding in. This new development would change things, change everything. He couldn"t keep his body from shaking either from excitement or fear.
"We need to leave this place" Han Bing thought to himself "Mai was right it is to close to that maniac, I would much prefer my chances in another kingdom."
A plan started to form in Han Bings mind that would hopefully keep them safe. He could only hope that there was a day where he would have the opportunity to hold his own child to his chest. Teach them how to do all the things that he had to learn by himself as a child. To keep them all safe from the injustices in the world. Han Bing had enough of politics he had decided that night that if he had to pick between a kingdom that he could rule or Mai, he would always pick Mai.
Han Bing burned with a desire to leave this moment. But he knew that if they went about this unplanned that it would only lead to a terrible ending.
"Han Bing!" Zheng Li almost screamed as he entered the room. His face covered in terror as he quickly rushed to collect items.
"What"s wrong?" Han Bing asked in concern, he had never seen Zheng Li in such complete panic before.
"A man was here, I couldn"t see his details but he definitely saw me. We need to leave now!" Zheng Li urged as he grabbed more items and shoved them into bags.
"Dammit" Han Bing thought to himself.
"Who"s child are you actually?" Han Bing asked quietly his mind working a mile a minute. The Emperor had never once used violence against Zheng Li and now Han Bing understand it was because he was actually important in the scheme of things.
"Feng Xie" Zheng Li said just as quietly almost shamed that it was his answer.
Han bing froze on the spot and stared at Zheng Li. That was the man who silently fed the Emperors madness. The one who let him get away with anything and the man who was almost always present in someway when Han Bing was at the palace.
"Seriously?" Han Bing asked he couldn"t keep the speculation out of his voice "do you think that the Emperor wouldn"t touch you?"
"I think that this might have been a gigantic scheme from my father. He wants to be the shadow ruler of the kingdom" Zheng Li said downcast he could no longer meet Han bings gaze that screamed betrayal. "I really have no part of it though, I really did think it was best for us to leave the manor things were getting to complicated with Mai."
"Don"t say her name" Han Bing growled in rage. His whole world was once again crushed why did Zheng Li do so little if he had so much power behind him and why was the power determined to make him suffer.
"Han Bing" Zheng Li called out in shock "I really am your friend, let me prove it. Take Mai and escape just the two of you. She knows so many things that she could probably keep the two of you alive long enough for you to reach somewhere else. The rest of us will remain here and get the Emperor to focus on us to give you time. As you said my father has the Emperors ear and he probably wont hurt me or the servants." Zheng Li"s eyes were pleading that Han Bing take him up on this offer.
"Don"t tell anyone where you are going, try to be as sneaky as possible. I hope later in life that I will see you again … brother" Zheng Li said with determination in his eyes.
Han Bing understood the sacrifice that Zheng Li was making. Just because his father had the Emperor in the grasp of his palm did not protect Zheng Li for the madness that had just taken over. Han Bing very much doubted that the Emperor was listening to anyone at the moment. All of those smart enough would either hid behind closed doors until the situation blew over or attempt to kill him. There was no reasoning with madness.
"Th.. thank you" Han Bing finally said realizing that Zheng Li really had meant the best even if he was mad at him it was no reason to not be grateful in there last moments together.
Zheng Li nodded before telling Han Bing "go, grab Mai."
Han Bing left the room rushing towards Mai"s. He was now grateful that she had insisted on making those bags that were filled with everything that they may need to survive if they were fleeing. He was about to reach her room when old wrinkled hand reached out to stop him for a moment.
"Han Bing, this will probably be the last time I see you. I know that my old body wont be able to keep up with the demand that this journey will have" Zhi Rou said dejectedly. "But I demand that you spend a couple of seconds saying goodbye to me. You were the son I never had and the only son that I needed" Zhi Rou said while wrapping Han Bing into a hug. "I had a dream, you were with Mai in the future. Your children had children and you were all together celebrating a event. One of the children was extremely excited about something. However, the only thing I could focus on was how happy that you looked. Live that life Han Bing" Zhe Rou said with tears in her eyes.