Chapter Eleven (1)

The court was silent, so silent that a pin needle could make a noise the minute it dropped! Hearing the emperor's words they couldn't wrap their heads around this scene. Consort Wang Chushan… is dead?

Emperor Qin left the court hall and all eyes turned to Crown Prince Wu Yong and his consorts. They all knew what had happened. How she was mistreated because she wasn't liked. How hard she tried to gain the Crown Prince's affection but it was all for nothing. And to suddenly meet of her demise – why? And a terrible one at that.

Jung Hwan who stood not too far from Wu Yong looked at his best friend who had an unreadable expression on his face. Coughing from the side, Jung Hwan, "Minister of Defence."

They didn't know who it came from but the minute he was called everyone's attention returned to reality. The minister of defence left the court to gather a few soldiers and head out to the general's home.

~~

Crown Prince Wu Yong was confused. They never planned her death, he was still supposed to meet her tonight at the home he bought for her – what was the meaning of this? Walking back to his palace with Jung Hwan and the dumbfounded consorts behind him, he returned to his office, closing the door behind him not letting anyone in.

Sitting behind his desk he had his face in his palms thinking nothing… Jung Hwan came in about thirty minutes later. "Wu Yong, how are you feeling?"

Catching a fright at the sudden sound he looked up with tears in his eyes as he hummed, "Mn." Sitting down opposite him he said, "This is an unexpected turn of events."

Jung Hwan looked at him stunned. He didn't know that even Wu Yong could cry. 

Not knowing what to say, Wuji just looked at him... he wasn't sure if he could tell his best friends about what really went on and he couldn't just act because then it would bring up suspicions.

Wu Yong, he felt helpless. Was the mother of his child really dead? She said that he should leave everything to her, was this part of her plans? 

~~

Crown Prince Wu Yong, Jung Hwan and the royal family all went with the emperor to give their condolences to the Wang family. Upon arrival, they bumped into the royal guards of the Zhang Xie Kingdom.

The two kingdoms weren't on bad terms but weren't on friendly terms either. The alliance that bound the two together was established over one hundred and fifty years ago so that there wouldn't be conflicts and both kingdoms could benefit.

Emperor Qin and Emperor Kim could be said to be friends but their sons, the crown princes couldn't stand each other or well, the ones who knew the inside story knew that it was the Crown Prince of Zhang Xie that hated the Crown Prince of Jilei. No one knows why the crown prince of Zhang Xie hated Qin Wu Yong besides a hand full of people but if you backtrack it to a certain someone, then everything makes sense.

After a brief inspection, the royal family was let through and entered the land General Wang owned. There was no prior message that informed them that the royal family was on their way so there was no welcome party.

Arriving in front of the residence, they all could feel the tense emotions in the air and the gloomy clouds above the area made the setting of this scene slightly frightening. Climbing out of their carriages the hairs on the back of their necks stood up as they heard Consort Wang's cry from inside the residence. One of the servants of the Wang residence saw them and quickly went inside to let the Wang's know that they had company and it was the royal family!

Hwa Gok came out of the house with a messy bun, dressed in commoner's clothes looking like someone who hadn't slept for quite a few days. Steps behind him were his wife Sentae who was dressed appropriate but she too looked like she was having a hard time.

Standing side by side they bowed. Hwa Gok, "Your Majesties, his Highness, welcome."

Emperor Qin, "No, no, Chushan is still part of our family and she is still my daughter-in-law, how can we not come over and support you."

Hwa Gok looked at Emperor Qin wanting to reply but was afraid to say something inappropriate that could end up in a disaster. Although he tried to not show his displeasure it still showed making things awkward.

His mouth twitched as he forced a smile and said, "Your majesty, you are welcome anytime at our home." His wife led the royals to the guest house to drop off their things while Hwa Gok led the emperor and the crown prince to the back where his father sat.

General Wang sat on a bench out back while he patted a robe that hung across his legs. He heard rustling behind him; startled he rubbed his eyes and coughed. Standing up he turned around and was surprised to see who it was. Before he stepped out to greet the emperor, emperor Qin caught his arms saying, "Please don't." Understanding, General Wang forced a smile while looking at the emperor. "My lord, you came."

"You and I are brothers, of cause I would and Chushan is my daughter too." Hearing this Hwa Gok squeezed his hands into fists at his sides. Feeling suffocated by this shit he turned his back and walked a few steps, "Brother Hwa Gok wait!" Called Wu Yong behind him.

Turning slowly he was met with Wu Yong's face. "Yes, your highness?"

"How goes the investigation?" he asked.

"The culprits haven't been found yet but we have a few leads." He answered while frowning, he didn't want to talk about this and wanted to rest instead – hosting others who left a foul taste in his mouth was …

Time past slowly and Hwa Gok finally managed to dodge the crown prince but as he was just about to close his eyes and cuddle up to his wife his eyes shot open.

"YOUR HIGHNESS, YOUR HIGHNESS, PLEASE CALM DOWN!"

"SHUT UP!"

"QIN WU YONG YOU MOTHERFUCKER, IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU!!!"

Getting up, he ran outside to see Wu Yong on the ground wiping his mouth with his hair a mess and consorts beside him trying to help him up. The one who yelled and cussed at Wu Yong, Crown Prince Kim Wuji was being pulled away by Dong Woo and the crown prince's guard, Jia Cheng.

Hwa Gok went to help the crown prince up and after making sure that he was okay he went to Kim Wuji's side relieving Dong Woo. Standing before Wuji he asked, "How could you hit him?"

Glaring at Hwa Gok he refused to answer. Feeling frustrated he told Jia Cheng to escort his highness out for a while to calm down while he sorted things out. Returning to Wu Yong's side he frowned seeing that the emperor was already beside him with a furious look on his face.

Seeing Hwa Gok the emperor asked, "Where is that ill-mannered child?" Bowing he answered, "Your majesty, Jia Cheng took him out to cool off, they shall return awhile later." Flicking his sleeve in anger the emperor asked, "Why is he here?"

Hwa Gok looked at the emperor with a frustrated gaze unable to explain it to him. "Your majesty, it's best you hear from Wuji himself the answer to that question." Squinting his eyes, displeased by Hwa Gok's answer, he turned and left.

Three hours later, crown prince, Wuji returned. He was greeted by the servants first who informed the household that he had returned. The moment news of his return reached the emperor's ears he was the first to reach him.

When he came to the villa Wujiwas assigned to, he barged in just to find Wuji lazing on a futon in the living area. Standing beside him glaring he berated, "CROWN PRINCE KIM! YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD EXPLANATION FOR RAISING YOUR HAND AGAINST THIS KINGDOMS CROWN PRINCE."

Wuji lazily turned his person and got up, looking listless he walked away. The emperor was dumbfounded, he was never disrespected like this before. Blood rushed to his head as he followed Wuji who disappeared through the side door. When he walked through it they were outside and Wuji was just about to attack Wu Yong again the minute he saw him outside his villa but was stopped by Hwa Gok and Jia Cheng.

"LET ME GO! LET ME GO!" he yelled trying to get past them. Wu Yong came over to ask him what his problem is and didn't expect the minute Wuji saw him he wanted to attack yet again. Feeling at a loss he stepped back along with his frightened consorts behind him.

They dragged him off to the side seeing that he was deadly furious with blood rushing to his face. "Wuji please clam down, this isn't the time and place to be angry!" Hwa Gok tried to coax him.

Grabbing Hwa Gok's collar he yelled, "HOW CAN YOU BE CALM WHEN YOU KNOW AS WELL AS ME THAT IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS BASTARD THEN NOTHING WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO SHAN! SHAN'S NO LONGER WITH US WHILE HE IS STILL ALIVE! IF NO ONE IS WILLING TO KILL HIM THEN I WILL!"

Losing his patience General Wang yelled from behind them all, "KILLING THE CROWN PRINCE WON'T BRING CHUSHAN BACK!"

They all were shocked not knowing when General Wang had arrived. His words were directed at Wuji. Not hearing a word from him they turned to look at him and were astounded; he had his head against Hwa Gok's chest, clenching as he twisted and turned, pulling at the collar.

If you listened closely you could hear him mumble and sniff, with the jerking of his shoulders… it was easy to figure out that he was crying. "Wuji, calm down and rest, you need to be clear-headed. You haven't rested since you arrived." Patting his back Hwa Gok said.

"Your majesty please, this way… Your highness and consorts please." General Wang showed them out.

Serving tea to the guests that sat in the garden of the household and General Wang said, "Pray his majesty and the crown prince forgives Wuji's behaviour. Wuji rushed over after hearing about Chushan's passing."

Swallowing his anger, emperor Qin asked, "Why would he be here and who told him?"

Looking at Wu Yong he said with a pained smile, "Crown Prince Kim, Wuji never used to hate you when you both were younger but because of age, the two of you drifted apart and a wall erect between the two of you, do you know the reason why?"

Wu Yong, "No, when I asked him why he'd said it was none of my business."

Nodding his head General Wang continued, "As you should know, my wife is from the kingdom of Zhang Xie. My wife and Empress Kim are best friends. Often when my wife visited the empress she took Chushan with her. Crown Prince Kim and Chushan became acquainted and not long after their visits to Zhang Xie the Crown Prince started visiting us too."