Chapter 266 - 266 - Mates And Gifts

Xia gently tugged at his mother's arm. "He is smiling, mum. Darn that frog faced man, I just want to punch his face," he mumbled softly.

Yukiya chuckled slightly. "He does look like a frog... haha. Shhh kid, listen to the emperor." she pulled him over and handed the little red egg to him.

Xia happily kissed the egg and watched the processing.

The warriors one by one bowed to their emperor and the empresses and marched away, leaving only two captains standing up front.

"Kneel and take this blessing, my dear soldiers." the emperor walked down his throne with a golden sword in hand. He gently tapped their shoulders with it. "With the powers vested in me by the heavens, I now bless you with great fortune and luck. May you and battalion return successful,"

The captains rose to their feet with a proud look on their faces.

"We shall your majesty,"

"Wait, a bit. I have a few loving things for my two sons." His servant brought out the gifts Xia and Yukiya prepared for Long Ki and Long Aotian. "Please make sure to pass it to my sons."

"Wait, your highness we have thing to give to my Tian too," the girl he met near the lake ran to the emperor and handed a small pink tassel with gems and diamonds stitched on.

Xia frowned deeply. 'My Tian? Who is this girl claiming to be hers?'

As if sensing his sight, the girl glanced his way and popped out her tongue.

"That brat..." Xia pounced up, but Yukiya held him down to his chair.

"Calm down Xia, dogs can bark at the sky but it won't be able to stop the rain." She whispered with a wide smirk.

Xia chuckled. "Yeah, who can steal my Long from me?"

"Your majesty I would like to pass this on to Ki brother as well," the other charming young girl handed a small black kerchief.

This time it was Yukiya's turn to frown. She held back her anger and stayed as calm as she could.

"Long Jia, your brother Long Ki is already betrothed and to be married. You do know that war time gift shall only be a gift by a lover or a spouse. It's improper to give him such gifts," Yin Long interfered, giving an reassuring gaze at Yukiya.

"But the bride ran away. What right does she have to claim the crown prince as her fiancé? As far as I see, I see nothing but a wretched woman who rejected him coldly sitting in the position I deserve." the girl names Long Jia glanced calmly at Yukiya challengingly.

"You!" Yukiya shot up, but Xia held her down.

"My mother is more than worthy than anyone of you. I don't think you even deserve to utter even her name from your mouth,"

The girl growled loudly. The other twin girl also ran up front and joined her sister. "Hey! You don't get to bully my sister!!"

"You don't have the right to bully my mother!! Engaged or not she is Long Ki, the crown prince's mate. How insolent," Xia smirked at her. "And, Long Aotian is my mate. Save your loving gift for the fool who come in your life. As of now, Aotian will only receive my gifts."

The twin girls both glared their way.

"Enough, act more civil than both of you." the emperor glanced at the twins. "Long Mui, Long Jia both of my sons have a mate now. It really is improper to send him such a gift..."

Finally, the emperor took a look at Xia and Yukiya. "They are my future daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and they are our honourable guests. They are to be treated as princess and prince."

Xia smiled at him and gave him a thumb up. "Thank you, father-in-law I thought these twin lotuses would bull here us,"

"Brother, stop harassing my daughters." The elder who was watching this from the side shouted with a frown.

"I did not.. it's just..."

"My daughters were the ones to be betrothed to your sons. That was our promise. It was you who broke it. Don't condemn my daughters in court, it was rather a certain vixens fault," the old man pointedly gazed at Yin Long who smirked widely.

"LONG KIRU!!!" the emperor shouted in fury

Yin Long ran and held her husbands' hand lovingly. "Vixen? What a wonderful name you have given to the empress of the heaven's realm. If our subjects hear this, they might think I am bullied in my own court."

"You are nothing but a mortal who was grazed by the dragon's blessing. You have no right talking to me like this," Long Kiru suddenly shouted. "And, my dear brother, even if you don't respect me, you should have treated my daughters fairly. You will regret this." he walked away.

The twins also followed after him.

Watching this, Yukiya pulled Xia closer. "This is internal politics, my dear. Listen and learn from your mother in law. Watch how she dealt with the ones who were condemning her."

"hmm... mother-in-law is awesome," Xia whispered with an exited look.

He watched the emperor hold back the twin's gifts and only gave away their gifts to the captains to pass it on.

Soon the battalion marched to a farthest area where they ascended into the heaven's realm. The golden cave like structure glowed brightly as they walked closer.

"My brave soldiers fight and return victorious."

"yes!!!!" the soldiers shouted. In an orderly manner, they marched into the cave and disappeared.

A weird fear rooted inside Xia's heart, making his heart ache immensely.

"I hope everything goes well," Xia whispered as he hugged his mother close. "Long Aotian and brother ki better return safe or I will just uproot this heaven and earth," he mumbled.

Unknown to him, his eyes were glowing red slightly.

"They will be back safely, I promise," Yukiya hugged him and gently patted his stiff back.

Only then did the red glow in his eyes disappear.

"I hope so...."