Chapter 82
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The next day morning after breakfast, Xing was waiting in her father's study for the person from the Imperial Palace to pick her up. She had the white tiger token with her just in case she has to return it to the Emperor. Shengli was beside her looking impatient and a bit angry about his brother's secrecy but Xing calmed him down.
"Will you be okay? You don't have to go if you are not feeling like it", AoTian who was tapping the table with his fingers asked.
"I'll be fine father. Besides, he won't do anything to me", Xing was clear about it. The bright aura he has is unparalleled. He won't resort to silly vengeance and end up against his brother and friend just because he was lied to.
"Exactly!", Rijun was sure of it and he was standing beside his father with his hands held behind his back. He was clearly stressed even though he had faith in his friendship with the Emperor.
"Don't let him say anything unnecessary to you and don't stay there for long. I'll wait for you at the gates", Shengli told her and she could see the frown lines between his brows.
"Okay", Xing said and rubbed his forehead to remove the frown lines only to be stopped by her father's fake coughing.
This Prince of hers always gets overly jealous when it is his brother for some reason! Xing thought.
Just then AoTian's page announced that Eunuch Xin is here to get Lord Táng. Xing saw even her father standing up to greet him and wondered why Eunuchs has to be respected. Aren't they just servants?
But the one who entered and spoke with his shrill voice made Xing frozen and her eyes became dark. She still remembered vividly the day she met Shengli.
Why is the one who tried to kill an unconscious Prince here as an Eunuch? He clearly has aged and fattened. So, What was his part in the attempted assassination on the third prince eleven years back? Why is he with the now Emperor who clearly loves his third brother? Does the Emperor not know what this person is like or is he part of it? Is this one of those games those royals play? Is the Emperor faking his affection towards his brother?
Xing looked at Shengli who was not bothered by the Eunuch as his eyes were fixed on her. So Shengli doesn't know him? Then again he was a Prince. How could he have known all the eunuchs who worked in the palace? He was too pompous and aloof back then to notice the servants!
AoTian was exchanging pleasantries with Eunuch Xin and Rijun was about to pour tea and Xing's humourless voice was heard.
"No time for tea and pleasantries. I cannot make the Emperor wait", Xing said and passed the Eunuch without even looking at him and Rijun noticed Eunuch Xin's face blackened with anger and shame. He was never treated like this previously.
Rijun looked at the retreating back view of his sister and placed his palm on his face. How can she treat this Eunuch Xin this way? With the Emperor angry at their family, they cannot treat his favourite eunuch this way. Rijun knew the Emperor punished him a few days back and was too angry and ordered him to never show his face to him but he changed his mind when this Eunuch Xin kneeled in front of his courtyard for a day. He cannot be taken lightly.
The Eunuch looked at AoTian who said, "Forgive me for not treating you well as you are in a hurry. I won't send you off then", AoTian gave a slight bow and the Eunuch bowed back and left with his sleeves fluttering his posture clearly angry.
Hurry! Your head! Who said I was in a hurry? These Huangs are really annoying! I will get back at you! Eunuch Xin muttered and got to the carriage and pushed off the curtain to see Xing sitting comfortably inside the carriage and looked at him like 'why are you trying to get in? '.
Eunuch Xin had no other way than to sit in the front with the driver as he didn't want to create a problem. He was the Head Eunuch in charge of the inner palace for this long and he was the only one the Emperor allowed to be close to him. If it was some time before, he'd have caused a ruckus for making him sit with the driver. But now the situation is not right as the Emperor had punished him and he hasn't been reinstated to his previous post. So for now, he has to endure the life of an ordinary Eunuch. But he cannot stay in this position for long either. He had done a lot over the years to get where he is now. His eyes had a dark glint.
Xing didn't bother with what that eunuch was thinking. No matter what she won't acknowledge a person who tried to kill her prince. But she cannot just end him either since things obviously work differently here and she didn't know what that eunuch is about. Until then, she should keep an eye on him.
On the way Xing noticed everyone giving way to her carriage and while she was wondering, saw Seiren and asked the driver to stop the carriage. Seiren looked at the carriage and sighed, "It's a carriage meant for a price with the four clawed Dragon engraved. I cannot enter"
Xing rolled her eyes, " Since when am I a Prince? Now get in! ", she told him and Seiren just shrugged and ignored the eunuch's fiery glance to enter the carriage. Who would pass on a chance to ride in such an extravagant carriage?
"My father awarded twenty whiplash for my brother yesterday", Seiren told while rubbing the curtain silk checking the quality, "It's good", he nodded while eating the dried fruit in a silver bowl in the carriage.
"Lady Zhong didn't stop him?", Xing asked curious. She knew Lady Zhong was always partial towards Zhong Huojin.
"Mother?",he snickered, "She slapped my brother hard, his cheek got swollen, like this! ", he puffed up his cheeks and laughed.
"Why?", Xing's tone got lower, "Won't that make him hate me more?"
"Why are you sulking for? He deserves it. Also he was punished not only for calling you names but also for his stupidity and thoughtlessness. Mother was furious that she didn't raise his son to be this rash towards a girl. He needs to smarten up if he has to lead the Zhong family in the future. He cannot believe every word his woman says", Seiren drank a cup of wine that was in a jar there and wiped his mouth in his silk handkerchief, "Hmm!", he chewed some fruit, "My father also told my brother that he does not care even if you call him 'little girl' as long as you make him tea!", he chuckled, "Oh! I'll get down here", he said hurriedly as he reached the Imperial Road and as per Xing's order the carriage was stopped and Seiren nodded to her and left.
Xing sighed not knowing what to do. The Old man's worries are not unfounded. With him having less days to live, his sons have to be smarter to be able to lead his family that has survived for a millennium.
Xing was lead to the Imperial Study by Eunuch Xin and Xing noticed that he was treated respectfully by everyone and wondered what role does he play here.
Xing entered the Imperial Study to see the interiors vastly changed from the previous time she was there and it looked brighter now suiting the Emperor.
Xing saw the Emperor sitting and behind him was a big painting of the view of the kingdom as seen from the Peak Xing previously took the Emperor on and was surprised.
Xing cupped her hands and gave a proper bow, "Long live... "
"Forgo the formalities and sit", the Emperor's deep voice was heard with his usual imposing tone and Xing saw him pointing at a chair near his table.
Xing just shrugged and was about to go there when she noticed the Eunuch still there with his back hunched and paused her steps,
"Your Majesty! I thought we were going to talk alone", she said and she saw the surprise and anger in that Eunuch's face.
"Insolence!", he shouted, " You should address yourself as a servant in front of his majesty", he looked infuriated making Xing think, 'When was the last time I addressed myself as a servant to anyone?', she could not find the answer because... SHE NEVER DID!!! And she was not in the mood to learn new habits this day too.
The Emperor saw Xing staring without blinking at eunuch Xin. She was actually sporting a disdainful expression whenever she saw him and that made the Emperor surprised. She is not someone who hates without reason, right?
"And who gave you, a mere servant, the right to talk to zhen's guest this way?", the chilly voice of the Emperor was heard making the Eunuch kneel. Just why is his majesty this lenient towards a mere subject? I was even going to complain how I was made to sit beside the driver by this person, Eunuch Xin thought.
"Forgive this lowly servant, your Majesty", Eunuch Xin banged his head on the floor.
"Scram!!! " the Emperor shouted and Eunuch Xin stood up and retreated not before bowing to Xing too. He suddenly became docile!
Xing looked at the Emperor who was sincerely angry on her behalf and put aside the doubt that the Emperor might be behind the assassination attempt of Shengli back then. So what is that Eunuch planning by getting close to the Emperor? Does the Emperor completely trust him or is he keeping him near to find out about his intentions ? This Emperor is always good at judging people, right? Maybe I am mistaken? It's been really long and I was little when I saw him, my memory might have changed, right? Also he doesn't recognise me either, right? I should be remembering the wrong person! Xing doubted herself and decided to let it go.
"You know him?", the Emperor asked Xing who was still staring at the retreating figure of Eunuch Xin.
"Is he working here for long?", Xing asked back.
"As long as I remember. He never even visits his home", the Emperor answered and Xing confirmed her doubts. So he is the wrong person.
"Then it shouldn't be possible for me to have met him, right?", Xing answered as a question and her tone made the Emperor skeptical about her answer.
Still! It won't be bad to be alert about that Eunuch who previously angered me! The Emperor thought and He saw her halt her steps in front of a mesmerisingly beautiful painting near the window.
Xing saw the painting of a boy overlooking a garden in snow with rows and rows of plum blossoms and her feet naturally dragged her there for some reason. The painting was bright with beautiful colours as it expressed the happiness of the observer of the garden who must be the painter too. But somehow Xing felt a kind of sadness and loneliness conveyed in the painting too that was very subtle. She saw the signature part but there was only a small drawing of a flute with a plum blossom hanging from which the tassels of the flute were attached. Xing felt like she wanted to hug the one who drew the picture to say 'everything will be fine' and her hands were unconsciously caressing the small lonely boy whose hair matched the snow in the big garden of plum blossoms.
The Emperor sitting with his chin resting on his interlocked fingers smiled dryly as he saw her naturally attracted to the one painting he hung of his brother's.
The Emperor thought she'd be much more impressed by the big painting behind him that was actually hand painted by the Tianshi Emperor with his handwritten poem on it too. He hung that painting as it reminded of his first meeting with Lord Táng but for her it means Nothing! He saw her face all gentle and caressing the small painting,
So this is how she looks at my brother! Wow!
"My third brother painted it for my Imperial Father's birthday when he was ten", the Emperor's voice broke Xing's trance and she looked at the Emperor unbelieving, when he continued, "You can take it if you want", he pointed at the painting.
"No, Your Majesty! That's not the Lu Chenglie I know!", Xing answered politely. She really was surprised that her prince used to be all gentlemanly with flutes, plum blossoms and whatnots. The one she knows is a dark one with weapons and stench of blood and a lot of slyness.
What made you change this much, my Prince! Xing sighed and sat in the chair in front of the Emperor and that's when she took a closer look of the painting of the mountains with river flowing and she noticed the handwriting on the painting exactly same as of hers,
"This was painted by the Scarlet Tiger?", her eyes were wide with surprise and her mouth was open.
"Yes! Isn't this the same view you showed me?", the Emperor asked Xing whose expression is clearly admiration which was different from when she was looking at his brother's painting and Xing nodded.
So you really love only my brother from the bottom of your heart, don't you? No one has a chance with you! The Emperor thought .
"Wow! You must be lucky to have his painting with you!", Xing rambled on for sometime as usually as she talked about the Scarlet Tiger and the Emperor listened patiently admiring her various expressions.
Xing suddenly remembered Shengli advising her not to speak unnecessarily and asked the Emperor what he wanted to talk to her about.
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The next day morning after breakfast, Xing was waiting in her father's study for the person from the Imperial Palace to pick her up. She had the white tiger token with her just in case she has to return it to the Emperor. Shengli was beside her looking impatient and a bit angry about his brother's secrecy but Xing calmed him down.
"Will you be okay? You don't have to go if you are not feeling like it", AoTian who was tapping the table with his fingers asked.
"I'll be fine father. Besides, he won't do anything to me", Xing was clear about it. The bright aura he has is unparalleled. He won't resort to silly vengeance and end up against his brother and friend just because he was lied to.
"Exactly!", Rijun was sure of it and he was standing beside his father with his hands held behind his back. He was clearly stressed even though he had faith in his friendship with the Emperor.
"Don't let him say anything unnecessary to you and don't stay there for long. I'll wait for you at the gates", Shengli told her and she could see the frown lines between his brows.
"Okay", Xing said and rubbed his forehead to remove the frown lines only to be stopped by her father's fake coughing.
This Prince of hers always gets overly jealous when it is his brother for some reason! Xing thought.
Just then AoTian's page announced that Eunuch Xin is here to get Lord Táng. Xing saw even her father standing up to greet him and wondered why Eunuchs has to be respected. Aren't they just servants?
But the one who entered and spoke with his shrill voice made Xing frozen and her eyes became dark. She still remembered vividly the day she met Shengli.
Why is the one who tried to kill an unconscious Prince here as an Eunuch? He clearly has aged and fattened. So, What was his part in the attempted assassination on the third prince eleven years back? Why is he with the now Emperor who clearly loves his third brother? Does the Emperor not know what this person is like or is he part of it? Is this one of those games those royals play? Is the Emperor faking his affection towards his brother?
Xing looked at Shengli who was not bothered by the Eunuch as his eyes were fixed on her. So Shengli doesn't know him? Then again he was a Prince. How could he have known all the eunuchs who worked in the palace? He was too pompous and aloof back then to notice the servants!
AoTian was exchanging pleasantries with Eunuch Xin and Rijun was about to pour tea and Xing's humourless voice was heard.
"No time for tea and pleasantries. I cannot make the Emperor wait", Xing said and passed the Eunuch without even looking at him and Rijun noticed Eunuch Xin's face blackened with anger and shame. He was never treated like this previously.
Rijun looked at the retreating back view of his sister and placed his palm on his face. How can she treat this Eunuch Xin this way? With the Emperor angry at their family, they cannot treat his favourite eunuch this way. Rijun knew the Emperor punished him a few days back and was too angry and ordered him to never show his face to him but he changed his mind when this Eunuch Xin kneeled in front of his courtyard for a day. He cannot be taken lightly.
The Eunuch looked at AoTian who said, "Forgive me for not treating you well as you are in a hurry. I won't send you off then", AoTian gave a slight bow and the Eunuch bowed back and left with his sleeves fluttering his posture clearly angry.
Hurry! Your head! Who said I was in a hurry? These Huangs are really annoying! I will get back at you! Eunuch Xin muttered and got to the carriage and pushed off the curtain to see Xing sitting comfortably inside the carriage and looked at him like 'why are you trying to get in? '.
Eunuch Xin had no other way than to sit in the front with the driver as he didn't want to create a problem. He was the Head Eunuch in charge of the inner palace for this long and he was the only one the Emperor allowed to be close to him. If it was some time before, he'd have caused a ruckus for making him sit with the driver. But now the situation is not right as the Emperor had punished him and he hasn't been reinstated to his previous post. So for now, he has to endure the life of an ordinary Eunuch. But he cannot stay in this position for long either. He had done a lot over the years to get where he is now. His eyes had a dark glint.
Xing didn't bother with what that eunuch was thinking. No matter what she won't acknowledge a person who tried to kill her prince. But she cannot just end him either since things obviously work differently here and she didn't know what that eunuch is about. Until then, she should keep an eye on him.
On the way Xing noticed everyone giving way to her carriage and while she was wondering, saw Seiren and asked the driver to stop the carriage. Seiren looked at the carriage and sighed, "It's a carriage meant for a price with the four clawed Dragon engraved. I cannot enter"
Xing rolled her eyes, " Since when am I a Prince? Now get in! ", she told him and Seiren just shrugged and ignored the eunuch's fiery glance to enter the carriage. Who would pass on a chance to ride in such an extravagant carriage?
"My father awarded twenty whiplash for my brother yesterday", Seiren told while rubbing the curtain silk checking the quality, "It's good", he nodded while eating the dried fruit in a silver bowl in the carriage.
"Lady Zhong didn't stop him?", Xing asked curious. She knew Lady Zhong was always partial towards Zhong Huojin.
"Mother?",he snickered, "She slapped my brother hard, his cheek got swollen, like this! ", he puffed up his cheeks and laughed.
"Why?", Xing's tone got lower, "Won't that make him hate me more?"
"Why are you sulking for? He deserves it. Also he was punished not only for calling you names but also for his stupidity and thoughtlessness. Mother was furious that she didn't raise his son to be this rash towards a girl. He needs to smarten up if he has to lead the Zhong family in the future. He cannot believe every word his woman says", Seiren drank a cup of wine that was in a jar there and wiped his mouth in his silk handkerchief, "Hmm!", he chewed some fruit, "My father also told my brother that he does not care even if you call him 'little girl' as long as you make him tea!", he chuckled, "Oh! I'll get down here", he said hurriedly as he reached the Imperial Road and as per Xing's order the carriage was stopped and Seiren nodded to her and left.
Xing sighed not knowing what to do. The Old man's worries are not unfounded. With him having less days to live, his sons have to be smarter to be able to lead his family that has survived for a millennium.
Xing was lead to the Imperial Study by Eunuch Xin and Xing noticed that he was treated respectfully by everyone and wondered what role does he play here.
Xing entered the Imperial Study to see the interiors vastly changed from the previous time she was there and it looked brighter now suiting the Emperor.
Xing saw the Emperor sitting and behind him was a big painting of the view of the kingdom as seen from the Peak Xing previously took the Emperor on and was surprised.
Xing cupped her hands and gave a proper bow, "Long live... "
"Forgo the formalities and sit", the Emperor's deep voice was heard with his usual imposing tone and Xing saw him pointing at a chair near his table.
Xing just shrugged and was about to go there when she noticed the Eunuch still there with his back hunched and paused her steps,
"Your Majesty! I thought we were going to talk alone", she said and she saw the surprise and anger in that Eunuch's face.
"Insolence!", he shouted, " You should address yourself as a servant in front of his majesty", he looked infuriated making Xing think, 'When was the last time I addressed myself as a servant to anyone?', she could not find the answer because... SHE NEVER DID!!! And she was not in the mood to learn new habits this day too.
The Emperor saw Xing staring without blinking at eunuch Xin. She was actually sporting a disdainful expression whenever she saw him and that made the Emperor surprised. She is not someone who hates without reason, right?
"And who gave you, a mere servant, the right to talk to zhen's guest this way?", the chilly voice of the Emperor was heard making the Eunuch kneel. Just why is his majesty this lenient towards a mere subject? I was even going to complain how I was made to sit beside the driver by this person, Eunuch Xin thought.
"Forgive this lowly servant, your Majesty", Eunuch Xin banged his head on the floor.
"Scram!!! " the Emperor shouted and Eunuch Xin stood up and retreated not before bowing to Xing too. He suddenly became docile!
Xing looked at the Emperor who was sincerely angry on her behalf and put aside the doubt that the Emperor might be behind the assassination attempt of Shengli back then. So what is that Eunuch planning by getting close to the Emperor? Does the Emperor completely trust him or is he keeping him near to find out about his intentions ? This Emperor is always good at judging people, right? Maybe I am mistaken? It's been really long and I was little when I saw him, my memory might have changed, right? Also he doesn't recognise me either, right? I should be remembering the wrong person! Xing doubted herself and decided to let it go.
"You know him?", the Emperor asked Xing who was still staring at the retreating figure of Eunuch Xin.
"Is he working here for long?", Xing asked back.
"As long as I remember. He never even visits his home", the Emperor answered and Xing confirmed her doubts. So he is the wrong person.
"Then it shouldn't be possible for me to have met him, right?", Xing answered as a question and her tone made the Emperor skeptical about her answer.
Still! It won't be bad to be alert about that Eunuch who previously angered me! The Emperor thought and He saw her halt her steps in front of a mesmerisingly beautiful painting near the window.
Xing saw the painting of a boy overlooking a garden in snow with rows and rows of plum blossoms and her feet naturally dragged her there for some reason. The painting was bright with beautiful colours as it expressed the happiness of the observer of the garden who must be the painter too. But somehow Xing felt a kind of sadness and loneliness conveyed in the painting too that was very subtle. She saw the signature part but there was only a small drawing of a flute with a plum blossom hanging from which the tassels of the flute were attached. Xing felt like she wanted to hug the one who drew the picture to say 'everything will be fine' and her hands were unconsciously caressing the small lonely boy whose hair matched the snow in the big garden of plum blossoms.
The Emperor sitting with his chin resting on his interlocked fingers smiled dryly as he saw her naturally attracted to the one painting he hung of his brother's.
The Emperor thought she'd be much more impressed by the big painting behind him that was actually hand painted by the Tianshi Emperor with his handwritten poem on it too. He hung that painting as it reminded of his first meeting with Lord Táng but for her it means Nothing! He saw her face all gentle and caressing the small painting,
So this is how she looks at my brother! Wow!
"My third brother painted it for my Imperial Father's birthday when he was ten", the Emperor's voice broke Xing's trance and she looked at the Emperor unbelieving, when he continued, "You can take it if you want", he pointed at the painting.
"No, Your Majesty! That's not the Lu Chenglie I know!", Xing answered politely. She really was surprised that her prince used to be all gentlemanly with flutes, plum blossoms and whatnots. The one she knows is a dark one with weapons and stench of blood and a lot of slyness.
What made you change this much, my Prince! Xing sighed and sat in the chair in front of the Emperor and that's when she took a closer look of the painting of the mountains with river flowing and she noticed the handwriting on the painting exactly same as of hers,
"This was painted by the Scarlet Tiger?", her eyes were wide with surprise and her mouth was open.
"Yes! Isn't this the same view you showed me?", the Emperor asked Xing whose expression is clearly admiration which was different from when she was looking at his brother's painting and Xing nodded.
So you really love only my brother from the bottom of your heart, don't you? No one has a chance with you! The Emperor thought .
"Wow! You must be lucky to have his painting with you!", Xing rambled on for sometime as usually as she talked about the Scarlet Tiger and the Emperor listened patiently admiring her various expressions.
Xing suddenly remembered Shengli advising her not to speak unnecessarily and asked the Emperor what he wanted to talk to her about.
The next day morning after breakfast, Xing was waiting in her father's study for the person from the Imperial Palace to pick her up. She had the white tiger token with her just in case she has to return it to the Emperor. Shengli was beside her looking impatient and a bit angry about his brother's secrecy but Xing calmed him down. "Will you be okay? You don't have to go if you are not feeling like it", AoTian who was tapping the table with his fingers asked. "I'll be fine father. Besides, he won't do anything to me", Xing was clear about it. The bright aura he has is unparalleled. He won't resort to silly vengeance and end up against his brother and friend just because he was lied to. "Exactly!", Rijun was sure of it and he was standing beside his father with his hands held behind his back. He was clearly stressed even though he had faith in his friendship with the Emperor. "Don't let him say anything unnecessary to you and don't stay there for long. I'll wait for you at the gates", Shengli told her and she could see the frown lines between his brows. "Okay", Xing said and rubbed his forehead to remove the frown lines only to be stopped by her father's fake coughing. This Prince of hers always gets overly jealous when it is his brother for some reason! Xing thought. Just then AoTian's page announced that Eunuch Xin is here to get Lord Tng. Xing saw even her father standing up to greet him and wondered why Eunuchs has to be respected. Aren't they just servants? But the one who entered and spoke with his shrill voice made Xing frozen and her eyes became dark. She still remembered vividly the day she met Shengli. Why is the one who tried to kill an unconscious Prince here as an Eunuch? He clearly has aged and fattened. So, What was his part in the attempted assassination on the third prince eleven years back? Why is he with the now Emperor who clearly loves his third brother? Does the Emperor not know what this person is like or is he part of it? Is this one of those games those royals play? Is the Emperor faking his affection towards his brother? Xing looked at Shengli who was not bothered by the Eunuch as his eyes were fixed on her. So Shengli doesn't know him? Then again he was a Prince. How could he have known all the eunuchs who worked in the palace? He was too pompous and aloof back then to notice the servants! AoTian was exchanging pleasantries with Eunuch Xin and Rijun was about to pour tea and Xing's humourless voice was heard. "No time for tea and pleasantries. I cannot make the Emperor wait", Xing said and passed the Eunuch without even looking at him and Rijun noticed Eunuch Xin's face blackened with anger and shame. He was never treated like this previously. Rijun looked at the retreating back view of his sister and placed his palm on his face. How can she treat this Eunuch Xin this way? With the Emperor angry at their family, they cannot treat his favourite eunuch this way. Rijun knew the Emperor punished him a few days back and was too angry and ordered him to never show his face to him but he changed his mind when this Eunuch Xin kneeled in front of his courtyard for a day. He cannot be taken lightly. The Eunuch looked at AoTian who said, "Forgive me for not treating you well as you are in a hurry. I won't send you off then", AoTian gave a slight bow and the Eunuch bowed back and left with his sleeves fluttering his posture clearly angry. Hurry! Your head! Who said I was in a hurry? These Huangs are really annoying! I will get back at you! Eunuch Xin muttered and got to the carriage and pushed off the curtain to see Xing sitting comfortably inside the carriage and looked at him like 'why are you trying to get in? '. Eunuch Xin had no other way than to sit in the front with the driver as he didn't want to create a problem. He was the Head Eunuch in charge of the inner palace for this long and he was the only one the Emperor allowed to be close to him. If it was some time before, he'd have caused a ruckus for making him sit with the driver. But now the situation is not right as the Emperor had punished him and he hasn't been reinstated to his previous post. So for now, he has to endure the life of an ordinary Eunuch. But he cannot stay in this position for long either. He had done a lot over the years to get where he is now. His eyes had a dark glint. Xing didn't bother with what that eunuch was thinking. No matter what she won't acknowledge a person who tried to kill her prince. But she cannot just end him either since things obviously work differently here and she didn't know what that eunuch is about. Until then, she should keep an eye on him. On the way Xing noticed everyone giving way to her carriage and while she was wondering, saw Seiren and asked the driver to stop the carriage. Seiren looked at the carriage and sighed, "It's a carriage meant for a price with the four clawed Dragon engraved. I cannot enter" Xing rolled her eyes, " Since when am I a Prince? Now get in! ", she told him and Seiren just shrugged and ignored the eunuch's fiery glance to enter the carriage. Who would pass on a chance to ride in such an extravagant carriage? "My father awarded twenty whiplash for my brother yesterday", Seiren told while rubbing the curtain silk checking the quality, "It's good", he nodded while eating the dried fruit in a silver bowl in the carriage. "Lady Zhong didn't stop him?", Xing asked curious. She knew Lady Zhong was always partial towards Zhong Huojin. "Mother?",he snickered, "She slapped my brother hard, his cheek got swollen, like this! ", he puffed up his cheeks and laughed. "Why?", Xing's tone got lower, "Won't that make him hate me more?" "Why are you sulking for? He deserves it. Also he was punished not only for calling you names but also for his stupidity and thoughtlessness. Mother was furious that she didn't raise his son to be this rash towards a girl. He needs to smarten up if he has to lead the Zhong family in the future. He cannot believe every word his woman says", Seiren drank a cup of wine that was in a jar there and wiped his mouth in his silk handkerchief, "Hmm!", he chewed some fruit, "My father also told my brother that he does not care even if you call him 'little girl' as long as you make him tea!", he chuckled, "Oh! I'll get down here", he said hurriedly as he reached the Imperial Road and as per Xing's order the carriage was stopped and Seiren nodded to her and left. Xing sighed not knowing what to do. The Old man's worries are not unfounded. With him having less days to live, his sons have to be smarter to be able to lead his family that has survived for a millennium. Xing was lead to the Imperial Study by Eunuch Xin and Xing noticed that he was treated respectfully by everyone and wondered what role does he play here. Xing entered the Imperial Study to see the interiors vastly changed from the previous time she was there and it looked brighter now suiting the Emperor. Xing saw the Emperor sitting and behind him was a big painting of the view of the kingdom as seen from the Peak Xing previously took the Emperor on and was surprised. Xing cupped her hands and gave a proper bow, "Long live... " "Forgo the formalities and sit", the Emperor's deep voice was heard with his usual imposing tone and Xing saw him pointing at a chair near his table. Xing just shrugged and was about to go there when she noticed the Eunuch still there with his back hunched and paused her steps, "Your Majesty! I thought we were going to talk alone", she said and she saw the surprise and anger in that Eunuch's face. "Insolence!", he shouted, " You should address yourself as a servant in front of his majesty", he looked infuriated making Xing think, 'When was the last time I addressed myself as a servant to anyone?', she could not find the answer because... SHE NEVER DID!!! And she was not in the mood to learn new habits this day too. The Emperor saw Xing staring without blinking at eunuch Xin. She was actually sporting a disdainful expression whenever she saw him and that made the Emperor surprised. She is not someone who hates without reason, right? "And who gave you, a mere servant, the right to talk to zhen's guest this way?", the chilly voice of the Emperor was heard making the Eunuch kneel. Just why is his majesty this lenient towards a mere subject? I was even going to complain how I was made to sit beside the driver by this person, Eunuch Xin thought. "Forgive this lowly servant, your Majesty", Eunuch Xin banged his head on the floor. "Scram!!! " the Emperor shouted and Eunuch Xin stood up and retreated not before bowing to Xing too. He suddenly became docile! Xing looked at the Emperor who was sincerely angry on her behalf and put aside the doubt that the Emperor might be behind the assassination attempt of Shengli back then. So what is that Eunuch planning by getting close to the Emperor? Does the Emperor completely trust him or is he keeping him near to find out about his intentions ? This Emperor is always good at judging people, right? Maybe I am mistaken? It's been really long and I was little when I saw him, my memory might have changed, right? Also he doesn't recognise me either, right? I should be remembering the wrong person! Xing doubted herself and decided to let it go. "You know him?", the Emperor asked Xing who was still staring at the retreating figure of Eunuch Xin. "Is he working here for long?", Xing asked back. "As long as I remember. He never even visits his home", the Emperor answered and Xing confirmed her doubts. So he is the wrong person. "Then it shouldn't be possible for me to have met him, right?", Xing answered as a question and her tone made the Emperor skeptical about her answer. Still! It won't be bad to be alert about that Eunuch who previously angered me! The Emperor thought and He saw her halt her steps in front of a mesmerisingly beautiful painting near the window. Xing saw the painting of a boy overlooking a garden in snow with rows and rows of plum blossoms and her feet naturally dragged her there for some reason. The painting was bright with beautiful colours as it expressed the happiness of the observer of the garden who must be the painter too. But somehow Xing felt a kind of sadness and loneliness conveyed in the painting too that was very subtle. She saw the signature part but there was only a small drawing of a flute with a plum blossom hanging from which the tassels of the flute were attached. Xing felt like she wanted to hug the one who drew the picture to say 'everything will be fine' and her hands were unconsciously caressing the small lonely boy whose hair matched the snow in the big garden of plum blossoms. The Emperor sitting with his chin resting on his interlocked fingers smiled dryly as he saw her naturally attracted to the one painting he hung of his brother's. The Emperor thought she'd be much more impressed by the big painting behind him that was actually hand painted by the Tianshi Emperor with his handwritten poem on it too. He hung that painting as it reminded of his first meeting with Lord Tng but for her it means Nothing! He saw her face all gentle and caressing the small painting, So this is how she looks at my brother! Wow! "My third brother painted it for my Imperial Father's birthday when he was ten", the Emperor's voice broke Xing's trance and she looked at the Emperor unbelieving, when he continued, "You can take it if you want", he pointed at the painting. "No, Your Majesty! That's not the Lu Chenglie I know!", Xing answered politely. She really was surprised that her prince used to be all gentlemanly with flutes, plum blossoms and whatnots. The one she knows is a dark one with weapons and stench of blood and a lot of slyness. What made you change this much, my Prince! Xing sighed and sat in the chair in front of the Emperor and that's when she took a closer look of the painting of the mountains with river flowing and she noticed the handwriting on the painting exactly same as of hers, "This was painted by the Scarlet Tiger?", her eyes were wide with surprise and her mouth was open. "Yes! Isn't this the same view you showed me?", the Emperor asked Xing whose expression is clearly admiration which was different from when she was looking at his brother's painting and Xing nodded. So you really love only my brother from the bottom of your heart, don't you? No one has a chance with you! The Emperor thought . "Wow! You must be lucky to have his painting with you!", Xing rambled on for sometime as usually as she talked about the Scarlet Tiger and the Emperor listened patiently admiring her various expressions. Xing suddenly remembered Shengli advising her not to speak unnecessarily and asked the Emperor what he wanted to talk to her about.
