23 Chapter 22

*Before Xiuying entered Ming and Xianyao's room*

"I can't believe you requested that to his Majesty! What you did is simply handing out my sister in front of wolves!" Qi Ming slammed his fist on the table.

Zhao Xianyao just came back from the palace and had a closed door discussion with his brother, the current emperor of Great Yan. Xianyao is the youngest blood related brother of Emperor Zhao Jin.

Though there was competition before his brother was crowned it wasn't dangerous as the former Emperor have announced that if one royal family member was killed due to the power struggle he will divide the country and give it to the kingdoms surrounding the Great Yan. Most high ranking officials before were concerned of the citizens thus they acted accordingly. However it was unknown when the changes began that even though the current emperor is competent and still in forties, his sons have started to compete dangerously harming the influential families supporting each prince.

Xianyao remembering what he discussed with his brother smiled.

"Yao'er have a sit no need to make salutation between us brothers."

"Thanks Your Majesty!" Xianyao cups his fists and bow gracefully before taking his seat.

"How was the negotiation with Xiangli?" the emperor looks at his brother's eyes. He noticed that even though Xianyao's face is still expressionless the glint of happiness in his eyes didn't go unnoticed.

"We've secured the route to Tajun and the trading will start as planned."

"Good, good! I know I can always count on you and Left Prime Minister Long." The emperor sighed in relief, securing the trading route to Tajun would help Great Yan to prosper more and with the marriage alliance with Xiangli kingdom secures a decade or two of peace for the citizens of both kingdoms.

"What reward do you want for accomplishing the task Yao'er...?"

"Ming you know as the only great granddaughter of Old General Xi who is loved by commoners, the princes will covet my Ying'er which isn't good for her and your family. That's why I asked my brother to make a secret edict that will be announced once she turned sixteen."

"You are really shameless! Using the worries of His Majesty on the power struggle that recently started you secure the position of being my sister's fiance. Does my father and great grandfather knows about this?!"

"Yes I discussed it with your father two months ago before we set off to Xiangli and the old man when we returned."

"And you just let me, your best friend know after you got the copy of the edict!"

"Because your overprotectiveness to her is a hundred miles compared to your father." Qi Ming pounced at Xianyao upon hearing it, the latter didn't fight back as he owes it to his friend but both were frozen when they saw Xiuying already entered the room whose face changed from being shocked then paled as if realizing something and reddens from anger directed to Xianyao.

*After Xiuying leaves the room*

"Hahahaha my sister is really one with strange imagination! You, Jun Wang will have difficult time finally!" Qi Ming started laughing at his friend's misery. They have seen through what's going on Xiuying's mind earlier.

"So you are willing to be known as cut sleeve just for my Ying'er to have a bad impression of me." Suddenly the room temperature drops to negative that Qi Ming stops laughing and lightly coughs.

"Xianyao..."

"One starts spreading news that the only son of Qi Chen is a cut sleeve."

"Hey that's unfair! You...!" Qi Ming exclaimed and started pointing at Xianyao.

"Make sure that tomorrow that every commoner in the streets know it." Xianyao added.

"Yes master!" One started walking out of the room.

"Fine I will help you!" Qi Ming hurriedly said and exhales in relief when he saw Xianyao signals One to stop.

"See it isn't hard to help your friend and future brother in law..." Xianyao faintly smiled and fill the two cups with tea that was brewed by Xiuying.

Qi Ming can only cry inwardly and curses Xianyao in his mind.