40 Empress

"This servant greets XiaoJie." The two women immediately stood up when they saw XuanRong walking towards them.

When XuanRong saw the younger version of YuShen and YuShang curtsying in front of her, she could not help but be tearful. YuShen and YuShang were both beheaded together with the Chen family. One of the greatest regrets XuanRong had in her previous lifetime was sending both YuShen and YuShang away. When her maternal family was labeled as traitors, she offered both of them to comeback with her at the Prime Minister's residence. Unfortunately, both YuShang and YuShen declined, saying that they were both raised in Chen family and ChenFu[1] was their home. They were not ingrates who would bask in the glory of their master and then flee once disaster comes.

"Stand up. No need to curtsy. YuShang, YuShen, I am both glad that you came. Sending you away was the biggest mistake I made. I hope you will forgive me for my past decision."

Hearing XuanRong's remorse, the two maidservants' eyes went red. YuShen shook her head and said, "This servant understands XiaoJie. This servant was only glad that XioaJie decided to call us again and was allowed serve you."

XuanRong's expression turned gentle. She wanted to raise her hand and pat YuShen's head, but she hesitated. Finally, after wavering for a second, resolve was seen inside her eyes. If she could not control herself, how could she cure her illness? She would not get any results if she would only cower in the corner. XuanRong moved her hand, putting it above YuShen's head and patting it slowly. It took her a great effort to suppress the disgust and rejection inside her heart. Although, she wanted to immediately pull her hand away because she was feeling sick, she was happy that she was able to touch other people without puking.

YuShen was startled when she felt the hand on her head, patting it in a slow rhythm. She felt like XuanRong was treating her like a child. It was quite funny thinking that she was four years older than her XiaoJie.

XuanRong pulled her hand and sat on the opposite chair placed in front of the table. She inwardly exhaled, trying to calm herself. When they saw XuanRong sat on the chair, how could YuShen and YuShang return from sitting? Both of them remained standing beside XuanRong, not planning to once again sit on the chair.

XuanRong noticed their action. She wanted to speak and tell them that she wanted both of them to sit with her, but she could not open her mouth. The disgust she felt intensified and she knew, once she opens her mouth to speak, she would definitely puke in front of them.

Luckily, YuYing arrived, carrying another batch of refreshments. XuanRong immediately gulp down a large quantity of chrysanthemum tea, suppressing the urge to vomit.

After successfully calming herself, XuanRong enjoyed dinking the tea while watching YuYing interact with YuShen and YuShang.

"XiaoJie, I am glad that Shen-jiejie and Shang'er are back!" YuYing happily squealed in delight.

XuanRong nodded and smiled. She was also happy that they were now together. If YuLi did not betray her…. XuanRong shook her head. She should not think of the past and instead strive hard for the future. YuLi wasted the chance she gave to her. It was already too late since she had already been taken away by King Yama[2].

Taking a deep breath, XuanRong opened her mouth to ask YuShen.

"Did maternal grandfather send someone together with you? Where is that person?"

YuShen and YuShang stared at each other.

"Yes. This servant and YuShang traveled with someone. He is Old Master's trusted shadow guard and this servant's master[3]."

XuanRong was astonished when she heard YuShen's words. In her previous lifetime, YuShen and YuShang indeed learned qinggong[4] but she was not able to meet the master who trained them. She only knew him as her maternal grandfather's subordinate and his personal hidden guard.

When she asked her maternal grandfather to send someone to teach her qinggong, she did not expect that he would send the infamous hidden guard of his. XuanRong's interest piqued.

"Where is he? Why is he not here? Was he---"

Before XuanRong could even finish her sentence, a faint shadow suddenly blurred in front of her eyes. Few seconds later, someone was already kneeling beside YuShen.

"This servant greets Da XiaoJie. This servant is called An Wei."

The man was wearing a black veil, covering half of his face from nose to chin.

XuanRong was startled but she immediately regained her composure. She squinted her eyes and boldly scrutinized the man in front of her.

'Mmm… maternal grandfather did not betray my expectation. He indeed sent a capable one.'

"An Wei?"

A certain someone suddenly flashed inside her head.

'Impossible. That person died young. Unless….' Thinking that having a similar name to that person was only a coincidence, XuanRong threw her absurd thought at the back of her mind.

She should not think anything else but should focus on increasing her strength. Whether he was that person or not, it's none of her business. All she needed was to plan ahead of time and use the opportunity the heavens bestowed upon her.

'Xu Ji An ah… Wait for me to trample you to death.'

--------

[Qian Zou's Imperial Palace]

"Useless!! Zhen[5] told you to make sure he will die this time without exposing everything but what did you do? YOU FAILED!!! You not only wasted a bunch of good assassins, but you also thoughtlessly evoked a powerful organization, leading to the annihilation of a fraction under my rule. What's the use of sparing your life if you can't even follow my orders properly?!"

The man kowtowed repeatedly, asking mercy.

*baam!*

*baam!*

*baam!*

"This lowly one is asking forgiveness to the Emperor! This lowly one is asking forgiveness to the Emperor! This lowly one did not expect that on the night the assassins were planning to assassinate Qin Wangye, they would evoke the wrath of the organization from the Jianghu[6]."

The poor man was already dizzy from kowtowing and his forehead was also bleeding but he did not stop his movement, he continued his action, hoping to gain the sympathy of the Emperor and absolve himself from his mistake.

"This lowly one is asking for another chance! This lowly one promises that he will not fail this time! This lowly one begs His Majesty to give this lowly one another chance."

The man sitting on the Dragon Throne could only snort in anger. No matter what, this man kneeling in front of him was still the Left Minister of his country. If he would really punish him by exterminating his nine familial relations[7], he believed that XuanLi would definitely retaliate.

"Enough! It is already too late! Zhen has no choice but to postpone everything until that stupid brother of mine returns to the capital. Withdraw."

The man, XuanLi, bent his body and bowed his head before leaving the Imperial hall. He couldn't understand why the emperor still wanted to kill his younger brother even though that man was already beyond saving. He was not a threat to the throne, given the fact that he was unfit to sit on it since he was mentally disabled.

So, why was the Emperor acting like that? Even pushing everything towards him.

XuanLi shook his head. No matter how much displeasure he felt towards the Emperor, he had to be on the throne's side. Now that the Crown Prince is already twelve years old, he could now slowly plan for the future of his Xuan family. Being included in the royal family, bearing the title of the Future Empress' father was even higher than being the Left Prime Minister of the country.

Thinking of the good daughter who he raised based on the standard of the Imperial palace, XuanLi's face was brimming with pride.

'My dearest daughter, XuanFei, father will definitely make you the master of the Imperial harem.'

--------

[1]. Chen Family's residence

[2]. King of Hell

[3]. A teacher-student relationship and not a slave-master relationship.

[4]. Chinese martial arts

[5]. How Emperors address themselves

[6]. Martial Artist's world

[7]. Killing all the family members, including the servants and animals raised inside the residence.