Shadow Princess

Bai Qiang"s facial featured was well-defined and distinct. He had a straight nose, a pair of sharp eyes with dark brown pupils, kissable red lips and flawless skin complexation. He was a relatively a lean man; had a well-built body. He certainly stood out among the group of soldiers with his aura and looks, like a crane in a flock of chicken.

Bai Qiang"s body was bathed in sunlight, but his body appeared to be shrouded in an ancient frost. Dressed in a red robe while tiding up his long brown hair into a ponytail, both of the hair and robe were fluttering with the wind on his every killer move of his sword. It was such a spectacular view.

However, it was not for the soldiers whose clothes were drenched in sweat...

"No skiving! The hardship of today will bring a large chance of survival on the battlegrounds."

"Ah Chen, hold your ground steady!"

"Hey you, don"t let me see you skiving again or I will add another two hours." Bai Qiang lectured coldly.

"Buddha. Have mercy on us. Please give us a break." The soldiers cursed silently.

They didn"t understand why the young general became so rowdy today. They have been practicing like a.s.s from yesterday evening without taking a single break, not even for nature"s calls. They skipped their meals, so obviously, they were very hungry and their stomach was growling loudly. They wondered when this general gonna stop.

They could not help but turn to look at Ah Chen, who was practicing and indulging most of his master"s torments nearby, for seeking some psychological comfort.

Even though Bai Qiang was diligently practicing martial arts, his mind was filled with Nuwa. He didn"t understand why he"s been feeling uneasy. Was he sick? Why"d his heart beat fast every time he thought about her!

That"s why he was trying his best to distract himself. He also felt remorseful. He then halted and looked at Ah Chen who was doing push-ups.

"Will she hate me?"

The misfortunate Ah Chen, who was suffering from his master"s wrath, looked at him dejectedly. He really had an urge to smash his master"s brain with tofu. His young master has been acting like a child, repeating the same question again and again.

Ah Chen really wanted to cry out loud but lacked tears. Huffing, he said,

"Yes master, she will. Just don"t approach her for now."

"Umm... What about the top grade medicine! Did you send her?"

Obviously, Bai Qiang noticed Nuwa"s leg injury. He was an expert martial artist after all. So, not a single thing goes unnoticed in his sharp eagle eyes.

"Yes, master. I just send the invoice."

"But don"t let her know that it"s from me." He said nervously.

As the practice continued, a servant boy came to him and kneeled in front of Bai Qiang.

"Young master, Prime Minister has summoned you. Please go to His residence, immediately."

Bai Qiang felt irritated but said nothing. He called his second-in-command over.

"Stay here to supervise. Use the rod on whoever slacks off."

He threw one last glare at the soldiers before walking over to Ah Chen.

The soldiers were overwhelmed. Second-in-command was nothing compared to this cold general. They looked at the servant boy practically as the G.o.d of bodhisattva that saved them from suffering. Thanks to the Prime Minister, the general was finally leaving them alone. Everyone had already forgotten how they cursed and promised to not to slack off before as they ran speedily with joy.

As soon as Bai Qiang stepped into his father"s residence, he heard his father"s shrill voice. c.l.i.tter-clatter sounds of plate and furniture breaking were coming from his pavilion.

"This old geezer is so noisy! What a lively day~!"

He sighed as if he was tired of a child"s unreasonable tantrums. Then he entered his father"s room.

Seeing his disobedient son"s nonchalant att.i.tude, Prime Minister angrily roared and threw a teacup to his direction. However, Bai Qiang was pretty fast so he dodged immediately and growled,

"Old man, why are you fussing so early in the morning?"

Prime minister Bai was angry to death. His best friend King Lin was aggravated on him for the first time, because of this moron"s actions. Even the Emperor was also upset and disappointed with him. He felt mortified when he happened to know his son, whom he always felt proud of, bullied and publicly humiliated the princess. And the worst of all, he hurt her to the point that she is bedridden now. When he learned from the furious Emperor, he really wanted to dig a hole to hide his face due to embarra.s.sment. He was grateful to both Emperor and King Lin because, instead of disclosing these matters to the court, they talked to him privately.

Ah, it was so shameful! Why did he give birth to such insolent brat!

Noticing that his target failed, he threw the teapot. He was fuming, his blood was boiling in pique. He really wanted to kill him. To make him madder, the teapot again didn"t reach his son"s direction. Bai Qiang was laughing and dodging as if it was a child"s play. Unlike his stoic son, Prime Minister was intelligent but lacked in fitness.

Ah, he was so frustrated. He could never win over this young lad"s energy. So he ran to Bai Qiang and tried to lash him with his hands and feet. However, his attempt was in vain against that stoic muscles. He winced in pain.

"Aigoo!"

"Hehe~"

Bai Qiang laughed loudly at his father"s comical expression as he went to scoop his body. However, his father was waiting for this opportunity as he yanked Bai Qiang"s ear.

"Ouch! Ouch! Sheesh~ Old geezer, stop acting like a spoilt child. I"m gonna throw you if you keep pulling my ear."

"You muscle head! What old geezer? Call me father. And how dare you act innocent after doing such an unforgivable sin!"

His father angrily shouted as he smacked Bai Qiang"s head.

The maid-servants and family members didn"t try to stop this father-son duo. Why? Because this was their everyday drama. Every day, Prime Minister would bicker and beat up his son like a sworn enemy when, actually, he was a doting father. So, bystanders would always watch the show with great interests and giggled.

Besides, it was their only source of entertainment in the Bai household. They also needed refreshments, okay!

Listening to the servants" giggles, Prime Minister"s second concubine Bai Suwa, glared at them to stop their brazen action. The servants stopped immediately as the hurridly left the site. Sensing that everyone finally left, she went to the official wife, Bai Qiang mothers side and nudge her slightly. Bai Suwa furrowed her brows and said,

"Sister. Can"t you stop them? Everyone is watching and making fun."

Mrs. Bai was comfortably sipping tea. Without a concerned look, she shrugged at the concubine. Actually, she didn"t care what those two idiots do because she knew it was a waste of time to interfere with them. However, she still listened to Bai Suwa and ordered,

"How can you make a fool of yourself under so many watchful eyes! People will gossip about this household. Go to the room to discuss like a cultured man."

The duo felt shameful. Soon they hurriedly left the place and entered into Bai family"s study room. After everything went back to normal, Prime Minister calmly scoffed,

"Did you forget your position as a general? How dare you mix with commoners and bully the princess whom you vowed to serve for the rest of your life? I don"t remember teaching you such disgraceful things-hurting innocent people without a reason. No matter what, royal should always protect his mater and his people and you are a general, so you have more responsibilities. How can you forget your morals! Do you know how much shame I felt when I was in front of Emperor and King? How dare you beat and unconscious your master? What if she didn"t wake up?"

Bai Qiang was kinda surprised that his father knew? But then he thought his father must have heard from people, he felt very shameful. His father has always been an upright man, he felt hurt with his actions. So he lowered his head and guiltily said,

"I"m sorry. I"ll go to her and ask for her forgiveness. W-wait... What Princess??? What are you talking about!!!"

Because he wasn"t concentrating as his brain was only filled with Nuwa, so he initially didn"t proceed half of his father"s sentence"s meaning.

"So you won"t acknowledge your misdoings, huh? " His father roared.

Now Bai Qiang was really confused. Where did the Princess come from! Forget about bullying! He didn"t even remember meeting any other person except Nuwa. His thin lips stretched into a straight line as he sternly said to his father.

"I never bullied the princess."

This time Prime Minister scrutinize his son"s expression thoughtfully, to see if it was real or fake even though he knew, his son never lied, atleast not to him. After seeing Bai Qiang"s serious expression, he stopped judging him further and was about to discuss everything but stopped when a palace eunuch declared.

"His Majesty send an imperial decree to General Bai Qiang."

Both of them were so shocked that they jumped from their seat hurriedly went outside. Bai Qiang kneeled down when he was receiving the decree since it was the rule. After everyone was left, he broke the seal to read the contents. However, his face turned pale. Disbelief and confusion were written all over his face. Observing his change of expression, his father asked,

"Son, what happened? What is in it?"

"I-I"ve been demoted." Bai Qiang stuttered.

[Note: Unedited chapter.]