LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS

Lord Zhong looked at her so affectionately and patted her head. Xing secretly looked at those idea stealing thieves and smirked knowing they"ll be punished by the "Fierce Grizzly".

Others knew this acting tactic of Xing very well and weren"t that surprised. But the Emperor saw her shamelessly trying to act pathetic and opened his mouth in amus.e.m.e.nt not knowing how to react as his heart started to beat fast in fear, forgetting temporarily he is the highest authority in the land and Lord Zhong is just his citizen.

Lord Zhong and Huang AoTian were in a meeting till now as there were a lot of things to be taken care of for the Coronation. Also today was the day they had gotten information that Mingxia is supposed to be announced as the Empress.

"Are you joking with me? Why should we cater to your every wish? Is this how to run a kingdom? ", was AoTian"s response and he smashed somethings in his office as he usually does... Throwing tantrums like a toddler!

He cannot be blamed, as after everything his daughter had put him through to accept Shengli as his son-in-law , why is she deciding like this?

"We respect you a lot and we wish for your support in this matter. This is what us three have decided after careful deliberation, to be the best solution for the sake of everyone involved and for the sake of the kingdom "

It was Shengli who said this bowing in front of them after letting AoTian ramble on for some time. He was sure of himself and Lord Zhong could see the clarity, his Imperial father never had in his eyes and AoTian had no way of refuting him too. Everyone knew she is not just a simple girl! She is not simply meant to marry and have children and run a household!

Lord Zhong himself had known for long that this one now trying to exploit him by victimising herself is actually the one the entire kingdom is depending on.

She sure is cute though!

"Hey brat", he grabbed her by the shoulders. He was really glad to see the lively atmosphere in there and decided to play along with these youngsters. It"s not like he has long to live anyway...

"Since when can you be bullied? Is it them bullying you or the reverse? ", he pursed his lips and focused his eyes on her.

Everyone started laughing at Xing and Xing who had expected the Oldman to lecture those three thieves, did not expect him to turn against her and stomped her feet in frustration.

See if I make you tea anymore... Ungrateful Oldman!

Just then, AoTian entered the room and Xing upped her game and there were now tears in her eyes, "Daddy... Daddy... Look... Those... Bullies...ruined my gift for you", she feigned sobbing and hugged her father resting her forehead on his shoulder as if she was in deep pain.

AoTian stiffened the moment his daughter called him "daddy" and after that he didn"t hear much as he was in his own universe.

AoTian came back only after a moment and he could see his daughter is enacting a drama for some reason.

Did she say about bullies?

"Who dared to bully my favourite daughter?", he roared petting her head. Even if she is acting, she will get what she wants...aww! She reeks of alcohol... How much did she drink again?

But still, She is my precious daughter! I will not let her lose!

"See... I"m his favourite!", Xing grinned ear to ear forgetting she was fake crying a moment ago.

"Daughter... He said favourite daughter", the Emperor corrected her.

"Of course you are... You are his only daughter!", Rijun laughed hard.

Like that matters!

Everyone in that room knew who AoTian"s favourite is. Even AoTian who is supposed to not have favourites knew who his favourite is. He also knew, he is obligated as a parent to not have a favourite. Even so, like every other parent in the world, he has a favourite but he cannot openly admit to it.

Luckily Xing didn"t press on that issue and picked up the art paper she and those three had written on and gave it to her father,

"Happy birthday, daddy! I love you the most", she presented that sheet to him with her best smile.

AoTian looked at the old paper and the first thing that caught his eye was that colourful blob in the middle and Xing"s writing saying she loves him. Is this supposed to be a bird..? There was his son"s handwriting below hers and also... The Emperor"s..? And whose handwriting is that in the last row again?.... Is this Ming Yushen"s?

AoTian could not control his emotions seeing all those kids trying to tell him that they loved him as a father and he felt ecstatic.

Best birthday ever! If every birthday is going to be like this, he had no qualms in celebrating birthdays!

Only after a while, AoTian noticed the beautiful art piece in the background and he was flabbergasted seeing Artist Xiang"s painting. He was searching this particular piece for long and lo and behold... It is in his hands... Did Shengli get it for me...? That should be the only explanation.

But to be honest, AoTian felt more happy about the scribbles on that decades old painting than the painting itself.

Paintings like these can be bought with money. But who else would be blessed with such adorable children!

" I Iove you all", he said holding that painting close to his heart.

Lord Zhong looked at Seiren accusingly. He has two sons too! When has any one of them done anything for him?

Seiren just shrugged, "This is why they say daughters are better", he gritted his teeth and spoke inside his mouth glaring at Xing and the other three who act like little girls. Seriously! Who"d write such cheesy letters to their fathers? Girls... That"s who...! Lame...!

But no one cared that he mocked everyone as girls and got on with their drinking.

Xing didnt forgo of her duties to tend to her father and at the same time was provoking her brothers who got drunk too. Shengli silently sat in his seat drinking tea and watched Xing who seemed to be like the one he always knew,not the one who was always in deep thoughts recently.

Good thing I brought her here with everyone! He was happy.

AoTian saw everyone in the room eating and happily chatting and he felt full... His heart felt warm and he felt content.

He was always used to the peace and silence of the home as he didn"t like commotion much since he sees it everyday in the court and his son was the quiet type too. But everything changed when she came... His daughter... The best gift his wife left for him... After her arrival, he"d been used to commotion in his home too as she always did something that made noise and his son had become more lively too. But after she left for the palace two months back, that unwelcomed silence crept back to his home. Back when she was home him and his son would get together for dinner just to spend some time together with her even though they had tons of work but these days they just don"t do that anymore as both are too busy. His son is too busy without her being there to help him too. It"s like She had took the liveliness with her when she left home.

But now, seeing them all together with all the noise, AoTian felt glad... She is always the one who brightens the room... A person who makes everyone happy. He could not help but wish to bring her back to his home soon but it seems like thats not going to happen anytime soon.

There should be a proper reason for even Shengli agreeing for her becoming the empress!

"Brat! Make me tea, please... ", Lord Zhong begged for the hundredth time and got ignored by Xing.

Only after he made those three, who were hammered to the extent of not even knowing what"s happening around them to stand up and lectured them for some time did Xing stood up to make tea for him.

Now, he knows!

Xing made tea as usual with Shengli helping her with the stove and that"s when that happened.

A spark from the stove that is suppose to go out, flew towards Xing and got bigger and stronger as it flew towards her. Shengli grabbed her by the waistband and pulled her towards him while Seiren put off the spark with his fan.

Xing who was slightly tipsy felt that scare as that had never happened before. She stood at a safe distance from the stove and there is no way that spark could possibly reach her. So did Bai Li tell the truth? Will there be more attacks by fire from now on?

Shengli saw her scared and held her close to himself and she ended up sleeping listening to his heartbeat as she was drunk.

Everyone left one by one and only Xing and Shengli were left. AoTian just patted her head before leaving, "I just wish you stay my daughter, by my side forever", he paused for a moment and looked deeply at her as she was sleeping in Shengli"s arms like she had found her place in this world. He could not help but feel that she is looking much more adorable with him.

"You know what? Scratch that... Be healthy and happy! That"s all this father wants", he rubbed her forehead with his thumb and left staggering supported by Rijun.

Shengli looked at Xing who was peacefully sleeping and put out the lantern beside them just in case. He saw her lips slightly curling up and she was in deep sleep that made him relaxed too and he ended up sleeping.

Just stay like this for a while!

Shengli nodded off for a while when he sensed something weird and he opened his eyes. He felt his arms went numb by how heavy Xing felt in his hands and he saw her creasing her eyebrows and in great pain and distress and she was soaked in sweat.

"Xing!"

He tried to call her name but she didn"t respond and that made Shengli panic and he kept on calling her name.

That"s when he saw a dark shadow like smoke trying to envelope her and he felt like someone was pulling her away from him. Her pet.i.te frame in his arms was trembling and he could feel her s.h.i.+vers pa.s.sing on to him.

"I"m not going back there,.. I don"t want to..."

She was mumbling while holding on to him and she was still in this half awake state and Shengli"s attempt to make her open her eyes were futile.

The smoke started to get thicker and Shengli could not hold on to her anymore as he felt like his arms were going to rip off if he kept on holding to her but he didnt let her go.

Just what is going on!