16 General's Crisis

Meanwhile, the General struggled with his concubine's tight grip on his neck. He broke loose of her iron claws and stumbled back, slumping to the ground. Concubine Mei stumbled down from the force, her head crashing brutally upon the stone floor. Blood gradually pooled out, coloring the floor. The General's guards ran orderly into the room lining up to the right and the left side of the General. A head guard swiftly came in front of the General. He knelt down, his hands forming a sign of respect.

"General!"

The General winched hearing his title, never had he felt so degraded in his life. A mere crazy wretch was nearly able to kill him, a great general. What would be left of his pride? On his neck were purplish bruises showing how serious she was on killing him. His own eyes were bloodshot, and his hair was disordered. He coughed in discomfort as he tried to steady himself in front of his own men.

He glared at fallen concubine.

"Take her away!" He hollered hoarsely.

"Yes, my lord!"

The head guard approached closer to the General.

"General, do you need us to.." He asked, indicating a beheading motion.

"General, do not overstep your boundaries!" A sharp voice called out.

"Shi Yi." The General weakly cried out.

"General, do not forget my master's agreement. You promised to cherish my family's lady or have you forgotten? Tell me, why is she covered in blood?" A figure quickly entered the room. He was the high-level shadow spy Mei's father, Minster Rui, had given to him. He eyed the General coldly.

"It was in my self-defense-"

Shi Yi snickered coldly.

"When my master heard the news from the Crown Prince, he couldn't believe his ears. It's a good thing he sent me over. Who knows, what this General with accidental deaths and spies in his manor would do, if I have gotten here any later?"

The General paled and stuttered, " C-c-crown Prince?"

"To be incompetent is one thing but to harm our lady is another. From this point on, Minster Rui's agreement with you will be dissolved." Shi Yi turned to leave, reaching for Concubine Mei.

The General swayed, his mind was in pieces.

"No, you can't do this to me! She went insane by herself. What was I supp-"

Shi Yi scowled.

"General Wei, I haven't even asked how she went insane in your manor yet you have the guts to argue with me! Who gave you the right to do so?! Don't tell me an honorable General can't win against a weak lady."

General Wei opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He sank to the floor. His eyes were becoming dull. Who was it? How did it turn out like this? Who was harming him? Clearly, the Concubine was fine before. After she went insane and grabbed him, he wasn't able to use any of his powers for some reason. He couldn't put the pieces together. His hand trembled in fear.

Shi Yi walked out carrying the unconscious Concubine Mei in his arms. He turned his head back once more and spat out his thoughts.

"Pathetic!"

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As soon as morning arrived, an edict came for the General. The General clenched his hands tightly but passively got on his knees and accepted the decree.

"I thank the Emperor for his grace. This lowly subject accepts this honor."

As the General arrived at the Palace, he could hear others already tearing down his name.

"Your Majesty, this lowly servant thinks General Wei should be stripped of his title." A minister stepped out before the Emperor and presented out his thoughts.

"I agree, how can we call someone who couldn't even maintain his household properly, a General, of our country."

Voices of agreement and discontentment rang out without stopping, echoing throughout the room. The Emperor sat high above on his throne listening with contentment. His eyes narrowed like a sly cat. His son, the Crown Prince, had disclosed yesterday's visit's details to him already. To be honest, he was wondering when to make the next move to weaken the General's power. This General's authority had been growing too rapidly, far too dangerously. The Emperor glanced over at Minster Rui. While the loss of a daughter was dishearting, it gave him a great stepping stone. Now he only needed to wait it out and watch the General voluntarily hand over his own army token.

"The General has arrived!"

The ministers of the palace court quickly quieted down. As the General walked in, eyes of contempt watched his every move.

He quickly got on his knees as he greeted the Emperor.

"This lowly subject greets the Emperor. May the Emperor live for a thousand years."

The Emperor waved his hand.

"You may rise."

"Many thanks, your Majesty."

"Do you know what you have done wrong this time?"

The General snapped his heads upwards. Too quick. Everything was spiraling out of reach, way too quickly. This hateful Minster Rui isn't holding back, stirring so much trouble in such a small amount of time. General Wei was afraid this Minster Rui had been plotting against him for a while. He gritted his teeth and played dumb.

"No."

Minster Rui was enraged. "How dare you say no!"