AoTian was sitting in his study in his Manor sipping tea and he had some doc.u.ments he needed to take care of. That day was the Imperial Court Exams and there weren"t much work for him as the Civil Affairs Bureau was made responsible for the Exams and they had everything under their control. This year, even that Emperor who usually sleeps it off has declared that he will supervise the questions for the exams. So as everything is going on as it should and even his son had eagerly asked to bring back his daughter from the Zhong Manor after taking her out for a while and buy her a gift as her big brother. AoTian was happy his children were getting along well and enjoyed the aroma of the chrysanthemum tea.Just then, Huang Zedong entered suddenly followed by Shengli disturbing his peace. He furrowed his brows and freely showed his displeasure towards them but they didn"t seem to care as both sat in the chairs in front of him.
"Just now I received a letter from JingFei", Zedong paused and cleared his throat as he noticed both of them wondered who "JingFei" is, "That is.. From the Madame of Heavenly Flowers Palace. Apparently s.h.i.+hong was banned from the Heavenly Flowers Palace and his shares were taken back too. He cannot set foot inside there again for any reason ", Zedong"s calculative eyes were filled with amus.e.m.e.nt.
" Why? They can do that? ", AoTian was intrigued by the news too.
" They follow their own rules and once someone breaks it, no one can escape their retribution. That s.h.i.+hong tried to get a courtesan for his subordinate for a night and as she refused s.h.i.+hong had caused a commotion and proclaimed he"s to be obeyed. Foolish move if I"d say! The management of that place never let their women be treated badly and they treat their customers as customers who must follow their rules and not as their boss... that is the foundation of that place. And that commotion your daughter created days ago had made this miniscule incident that happens a lot into a much bigger issue as it involved s.h.i.+hong, causing displeasure among the employees and so the management had no way but to send s.h.i.+hong out", Zedong explained his brother who was not familiar with that place.
Shengli was tapping his knee in deep thoughts. So in a month that place which had been the biggest fortress had been shaked just because they included s.h.i.+hong. Not only there is a rift between the management and the workers they had also lost the business with Xing. Although their monetary loss won"t be that great as their original business has a ginormous turnover, their greatest loss would be them losing the inexplicable trust their employees had on them and their reputation as the most secure private place. So Xing"s plan did work and s.h.i.+hong is sent away. This is a good thing but...
"Isn"t that a good thing then? ", AoTian asked with his face beaming as he could not hide the pride he had for his amazing daughter.
"It is... but this is only a small win", Zedong rubbed his beard, "What do you say?", he asked Shengli who was silently tapping his knees.
" A snake always bites back", Shengli said glazing his nose with his finger and Zedong nodded in agreement. No matter what, s.h.i.+hong must not know Lord Táng is a woman, especially she is "his woman". Shengli very well had witnessed what he does to women. He had never thought about that seriously till now as he had always believed in Xing"s strength. But seeing her faint out of nowhere had made him realise she is as fragile as all women are and he is not willing to take any chances. Thinking about her limp figure in his arms gives him s.h.i.+vers even now.
"What do you suggest then?", Zedong asked Shengli as he looked like had reached a decision.
"What are you asking him? Isn"t she perfectly safe here?", AoTian sat in the edge of his chair. These people is saying weird things that he does not understand well and why are they acting this way when she clearly has the upper hand?
"Xiao Tian, he knows better than anyone about s.h.i.+hong and Xiao Táng. Let"s hear him", Zedong was curious as he had always wanted to know how the brain of the astute businessman who had reached upto his rank in this short time works.
"I"ll make the sharing agreement with the Huang family for the maps of the Great Green Jungle trade route. Consider this an early betrothal gift, I, Li ChengNuo give for the hand of your family"s first young miss, Huang Mingxia", he stood and gave a deep bow to Huang Zedong and AoTian.
Zedong stood and patted his shoulders and signalled him to sit and Shengli sat back.
"You are proposing marriage, now?", AoTian was confused. Seems like the way their brain works is different from his. So if they think she is in danger why is he proposing marriage now?
"No, AoTian. He is proposing to separate the ident.i.ties of him and her", Zedong answered to AoTian. "But how long will you continue this?", he asked Shengli.
"Until s.h.i.+hong dies", Shengli said with his eyes dark and his fists clenched. Both of them cannot be free until he dies.
AoTian still didn"t understand what they are talking about. Separating their ident.i.ties? What does that mean? Then he realised Shengli never called her as Mingxia and this is the first time he is introducing himself with his other ident.i.ty. So the Prime Minister"s daughter will be married off to the Mysterious rich businessman while Lord Táng and Huang Shengli remain as enemies to s.h.i.+hong? Is that what they mean? How will this turn out?
"So what are you proposing with the trade route? You are not helping me with my business, are you?", Zedong asked Shengli. He knew he is not giving it for him but for his niece. He had been eying that route for years even when the previous empress" family owned it but somehow it went to his hands and he had tried to open conversations with him but was refused blatantly. Only after he knew she was a Huang daughter did he accept to meet up.
The Great Green Jungle trade route can be considered the main junction that connects all the trade routes of the kingdom through the thick jungles and it is said a tribe who don"t mix with the outsiders live there and they are violent. Only those who have a certain token pa.s.s would be allowed by them to pa.s.s the jungle or else they"ll be eliminated. If NanCheng pa.s.s connects this kingdom with the other kingdoms, this trade route has its connection within the nation. In a way it can be called the heart of the nation. If one owns the route no one can guess where they"ll turn up after entering in the forest and it gives them absolute security.
Shengli looked at Zedong with his eyes sharp and determined, " Don"t you have to take Mingxia to give respect to your ancestors in your ancestral home? The same time, Lord Táng will be in the Eastern Province taking care of his business", he told his plan and Zedong could understand too. But he saw the sullen face of Shengli and wondered if he is just using this plan to postpone the meeting of s.h.i.+hong with his niece? Does he think their meeting is inevitable and trying to change fate?
AoTian who was ignored realised that Shengli is trying to lure s.h.i.+hong to the East while she is actually at the South and s.h.i.+hong"ll leave the capital city alone too in his wild goose chase for Lord Táng in the east. So he is trying to end s.h.i.+hong himself while she is safe at the South?
"Xing must not know about this letter", Shengli said standing up. If she knows, she"ll definitely find a way to meet s.h.i.+hong herself. Whatever her fate is supposed to be, he"ll try his best to protect his girl.
"Where is she?", Shengli asked AoTian who for the first time had agreed to work with him as he definitely cares for his daughter.
AoTian told him how Rijun took her out and Shengli clicked his tongue and looked disgruntled with his lips pursed to a straight line.
" Seiren"s Restaurant", he mumbled and turned to leave with his fists clenched. He got reports of having heavy security in his restaurant this morning and he didn"t mind as he had heard a businessman was staying in the city and thought it might be for him. But this brother of his thought he could abduct his woman right under his nose...! He gritted his teeth.
" What he cannot take his sister out?", AoTian got a bit scared at his dark expression.
"Since when did your son leave that Monarch"s side especially when today is the Court Exams?", Shengli spouted angrily and left the Manor and went straight to the restaurant.
Just as he left there was one of AoTian"s a.s.sistant informing him that the court exams has commenced and that the Emperor was sick and was unable to give audience to the examinees and only sent his question in written note to the civil affairs bureau.
Zedong chuckled looking at AoTian who hurriedly left the Manor cursing his son and a certain snotty brat who deserved to get punished.
...
Xing who was enraged by getting trapped in the room was about to pry open the door when the Emperor"s soft and mellow voice was heard, "Do you have to react this harshly towards me?", he sounded like a wounded puppy.
Harshly? I want to choke you to death and that is the most lenient thing I could think of for now! Xing cursed in her mind and Xing got more angry but too bad killing an Emperor would bring too much trouble. But Xing seriously contemplated if she should test her father"s words that he would save her even if she kills the Emperor.
I cannot, this one is my prince"s only brother!
Xing ignored the Emperor and her fiery look landed at her traitor brother,
"Didn"t know this kingdom"s gentlemen has no qualms in abducting women. Shame on you! ", she shouted the last sentence and kicked hard on the door making Rijun shudder and the Emperor stood from his seat too. But that door didn"t even budge as it was made with top quality redwood and there were two persons holding the door too.
"Don"t hurt yourself!", Rijun said in a pleading tone as he was really worried that his sister who had only recently recovered from illness will get hurt again. He tried to hold her arm but she pushed him away and lifted her leg to kick the door again even though she felt a shooting pain in her foot after the first kick. She was not going to let anyone make her do things forcefully. In fact Xing might have agreed to meet the Emperor if asked properly or even if her brother informed her at least before entering the restaurant. But what she hates the most are surprises... That too the ones that would force her to do something. Did they think if they brought her here and shut the door, she"ll happily chat away with the Emperor? And the fact that her brother betrayed her to bring her to meet the person she does not want to meet again made her more furious.
"Enough!", the Emperor roared. He walked near the door with his imposing aura that looked more predominant in his black robes and his dark hair as a starless and moonless night only his aura Xing felt was overwhelmingly bright like the sun. Xing turned her back to him making Rijun fl.u.s.tered. Rijun only told her later about the one another stupid rule of the palace that no one can show their back to the Emperor which Xing simply doesn"t care.
The Emperor didn"t mind her showing her back to him but commanded the guards at the door to unlock the door. Only when the door was unlocked Xing felt relieved and let out a deep breath and her anger was half reduced.
But she saw her brother and the Emperor wearing the same design of jade belt and her anger shoot up again. This brother of hers had betrayed her for his other brother? I thought I was his only sibling! Unacceptable! I should have let that fox feast on him that day if I"d have known he will be like this!
Xing stomped outside and saw General Zhong Huojin looking at her with disdainful eyes.
Well! Who cares what you think? Xing kept on walking and her amazing sense of direction didn"t help her and after walking for a few minutes she didn"t find any stairs but she ended up on the same hallway where Huojin was staring at her.
How shameful! Can"t a girl be left with her dignity?
"Send me back!", she shouted at her brother who was biting his lips hard not to laugh.
Just then, she heard a commotion from Nearby and she followed the sound to see..... Stairs!!!
She thanked all the G.o.ds in heaven and wanted to pa.s.s the commotion. It was made by a young lady and her maid. The girl looked perfect on Xing"s eyes with her small pouty lips and big bright eyes. But her entire demeanour emitted a dominant and proud aura making her a little less cute. The maid was shouting as she felt wronged by not allowing them inside the second floor.
The one trying to pacify the situation was none other than Seiren himself. But the maid didn"t care as the Young miss was unmoved too. But seeing Seiren cautious and the att.i.tude of the Young Miss, she must be someone of high status that even the Zhong family cannot offend. So she must be from the Ran family, Xing concluded.
Seiren with his smooth talking cannot pacify the Young miss. Xing had only seen such situations less often as no one fails to fall for that rich, gentle and attentive act of Seiren. This Young Miss is one tough nut to crack, Xing thought!
Xing wanted to leave but as the exit was blocked by the arrogant Young Miss and her maid, Xing was frustrated and cursed that Emperor who had unnecessarily came out here and made the Young Miss act like this.
But cursing that one will not clear the way. Xing sighed and looked around to see a freshly bloomed Camillia on a vase nearby and picked it up. She walked towards the Young Miss but was blocked by the maid. So she just stood three steps away from the young miss. That young miss looked at the frivolous looking young master with an oddly enticing hair, that was braided and coiled around his shoulders with a smile that would shake the heavens and eyes that make one"s heart flutter and her expression changed a bit gentler.
Xing spoke in a deep husky voice, "How brilliant! I asked this flower why he bloomed off season.. You know what he said..?", Xing raised her eyebrows and curved her lips to a gentle smile and took a step closer. The maid got alert and tried to stop her but the young miss used her eyes to signal her to stop.
Xing realised she had fell for her words and casually took a step forward and placed the flower on the Young Miss" hair while letting her sleeves slightly grazing her cheeks purposely and her lips curved upwards seeing the Young miss" cheeks turning red, " For this.. He said.. To end up in your hair", Xing spoke near her ear making it red and gently touched her hair while taking a step back. "Hmm!", Xing nodded her head in satisfaction, " Now you"ve made the flower look pretty", Xing bit her lips and her eyes darted at the Young Miss" face and ended up at her lips that made the Young Miss go all red and she gave an elegant curtsy and left in big paces almost stumbling as if her legs were weak.
" Third Young Miss! That is the one they call Lord Táng..... ! How frivolous....! Your father will kill you if he knows of this", the maid was speaking loudly down the stairs but the young miss just shushed her and they ran down the stairs and left the restaurant.
Xing"s smile immediately disappeared as soon as the Young miss turned to leave. As they say "Engage people with what they expect to get what you want", she wanted a way so she gave what that young miss wanted and got what she wanted in return.
Xing saw Seiren rolling his eyes, " Are you going to owe a debt of love with the Ran Family"s third Young Miss? It"s amazing you could break the impenetrable defences of that young miss just with a stolen flower. It is said that no one had succeeded in stealing her heart on the sixteen tears of her life! ", Seiren told her shaking his head. He didn"t know if he should be grateful, she is not a man or worry for her, breaking the hearts of women.
"Who is stealing her heart? I just wanted a way to get out", Xing started to walk down the stairs.
"I"ll toast you to the best wine in this place for helping me out now!", Seiren"s generous proposal made Xing halt her steps. Xing was not given wine in all the days at the Zhong Manor and she remembered the wine in this restaurant was good. Her mind wanted to leave but her legs weren"t listening to her mind and was following behind Seiren. Silly legs!
Well! I do deserve it! Xing convinced herself and tried to get in another private room but was stopped by her brother who was pleading her to join them in their room.
Xing suddenly remembered the book she hid in her sleeves. It was a book which was written in the Water Kingdom"s language and was translated by Xing to their language and this book became really famous in the Heavenly Flowers Palace and she knew many n.o.ble ladies had secretly bought this book. After copying, her handwritten book was returned to her by Lady Shaoyao.
It was an amazing book with a good plot that follows a Prince and his cousin. The Prince and his cousin were close from childhood but the prince"s uncle was killed and the cousin accused the Emperor making both estranged and after that the cousin kills the Emperor for revenge and the Prince without knowing how to punish his cousin made the cousin serve him as his lover after he becomes the Emperor and gradually falls for the cousin. This is a good book filled with emotions but it was not for everyone as the cousin was a male too. Yep! It was a book with detailed description of lewd acts in other words an erotica book with two men as leads.
Xing gave an evil smirk and gave that book to Rijun. "You and your "friend" there read this book aloud for me to hear", she said and Rijun immediately agreed. Seiren who already had an idea about the book gaped in surprise but he wanted to know their reaction too. It"s not like everyday you get to see the Emperor and his close aide reading this kind of books aloud.
So in the luxurious room filled with the smell of flowers and tea, Seiren and Xing sat beside each other sipping wine while the other two sat closer to have a good look at the book and started reading the book.
Seiren and Xing were sipping the wine and waiting for the Emperor and Rijun to get embarra.s.sed reading the book but was disappointed to see them actually not getting fl.u.s.tered and interestingly reading it as a poem book.
What in the...! Xing was greatly disappointed by their reaction.
"They haven"t even realised what kind of book they are reading right?", Seiren asked Xing and she nodded pitifully.
Xing placed her palm on her face and wondered what kind of "pure" men are they to not even realise they are reading a lewd book aloud? In the end it was Xing"s loss as the plan she made to make them embarra.s.sed had failed because of their extreme innocence and Xing was disheartened deeply.