Chapter 204 - Audience

"What is it?"

"I feel someone is looking intensely," Wei Liuying replied.

Yang Xian laughed. "There will be no lack of beautiful women staring at us with all of their loves."

Wei Liuying: "…"

If she was a man, she would be happy with what Yang Xian said. However, she felt that it was inappropriate for her since she's a woman… a girl. It was already weird enough for her to receive that kind of stare from people and if she had to add the girls staring at her like hungry wolves…

She would rather hide.

Yang Xian laughed at Wei Liuying's change of expression. "We're going to enter the palace soon. Have you memorized the etiquette needed?"

"I'll leave all the talking to you unless my name is called," Wei Liuying replied. "I don't like the palace at all."

"I know."

"You have good memory."

"It's necessary."

Wei Liuying had once mentioned it to Yang Xian about her dislike to the palace and all. She never wanted to have any connection whatsoever to the royalties and the likes, but her ability was what attracted them to us. If only she didn't have this kind of ability, she doubted that they would ever attracted to her.

But she didn't regret having so many abilities.

After all, it was thanks to these that she was able to survive for so many years despite being mistreated back then in Wei Family Residence. Now that she had entered the men's world, she would need to be extra careful because of her secrets and all.

"We've arrived."

"We'll need to walk from now," Yang Xian said without much emotion. He looked at Wei Liuying. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Wei Liuying replied. She could feel her disgust at the thought of stepping to this place. Many people thought of the gold decorated the palace as the most heavenly place in the entire earth. But she could only think of the dirty things that occurred here.

Schemes.

Poisons.

Masks.

And deaths.

They were all the things that was very common in the palace. How many concubines of the Emperor died each year was not made known. However, Wei Liuying knew that more than half have already in their grave because they lost the battle of power to get the Emperor's affection.

The thought itself was sickening for Wei Liuying. Though, she knew that many of them yearned for power and the grandiose of the palace. They would do anything to become the most powerful woman in the world.

"Let's talk about something else," Wei Liuying said.

"As you wish. What would you like to talk about?"

"Do you know the situation below the mountain of the temple after the attack? I wanted to know the condition of the soldiers located in that are as I believed that they shouldn't have left the place unguarded."

Yang Xian nodded. "You're correct. I'm sure you already know that the third tribe attacked them to prevent them from giving reinforcement to the temple. However, it's inevitable that many have already gotten their punishment."

Wei Liuying was silent for a moment. She had heard that the commanders were punished heavily because they couldn't guard the place properly. Even though she didn't know the exact detail, she knew that it was not a good thing. It was then the face of a young man appeared in her mind.

"Have you heard anything regarding Xie Jing?"

"Xie Jing? The second son of Prime Minister Xie?" Yang Xian asked.

Wei Liuying nodded. "I saw him among the soldiers near the foot of the temple. However, I don't know what had happened to him because I have been too focused on recovering."

"He was sent to the north," Yang Xian replied. "He didn't do anything wrong and with his lower position, he did well in trying to defend the place. But it was inevitable that the people in that area will be replaced, so he was sent away to the north to gain real battle experience."

"And his father allowed it?"

"He can't go against imperial edict. Besides, I'm sure that he's more than happy to send his 'useless' son away."

Useless.

When Wei Liuying heard that word, she couldn't help but think about herself back then. She was also categorized as a useless young lady because of her inability to do what young noble ladies were supposed to do. Women only have to learn how to satisfy their husband and learned arts to entertain them. But Wei Liuying was unable to do that because her mother didn't want her to excel in them.

Even though the circumstances were different, she felt like she understood why he was called useless by Yang Xian. After all, Xie Jing was always compared to his perfect brother who could do everything by himself. It was to the point that many people had already assumed that he would become the next prime minister if he continued going this way.

As for Xie Jing… many had already forgotten about him.

"Xie Family's first son, Xie Han," Wei Liuying muttered. "Would we see him in the palace later?"

"It's very likely," Yang Xian replied. "Xie Han is already an adult and his father had arranged for him to participate in the meetings. Even though he only had the lowest official position until the next examination where he would be reevaluated, he had been trying to give accurate analysis in private to his father."

"Your information guild is quite scary."

"It's nothing much. Besides, I'm sure you know who delivered the messages to me."

Wei Liuying smiled but didn't answer.

The two of them continued walking. The large palace's road looked like it would last forever before they could finally reach the hall. There were already a lot of people there wearing the usual dark red that was slightly purple official robe plus some additional things that represented their ranking. Wei Liuying was not too clear on them, but she had heard a bit from her father.

All the officials have their hair tied into a bun and tied up. They also wore a hat that covered their bun. This time, both Yang Xian and Wei Liuying also tied their hair to form a bun but without any proper hat like those officials. After all, they were not formally palace officials like them.

"Strategist Yang and Strategist Liu have arrived."

"Bring them in."

The cold voice sent chills on Wei Liuying's back. She knew that this would be her first time meeting the most powerful person in the entire Han Shi Kingdom. With just a word, he could easily seal one's fate.

Wei Liuying kept her face firm as she walked to the hall with Yang Xian. The officials were sitting in their positions as they sneaked a glance to the two youngsters who came in. The two of them didn't even reach the age of adult, yet their name had already resounded so loudly.

Just one incident was enough to make people know the name of "Liu Ying" while Yang Xian had long been famous at the north. Even though some officials in the capital city would not know much about him, asking some questions to the people at the north would be more than enough for him to know Yang Xian's great endeavor.

"Yang Xian (Liu Ying) greets His Majesty. Long Live Your Majesty."

The two of them kowtowed according to the formality. Even though they were still quite a distance away, they were not allowed to get close because they were not considered as nobility. Yang Xian might have been bestowed title by Prince Ji Sheng, but he preferred to think of himself as a commoner rather than a high ranking nobility.

"You may rise."

The two of them stood up. It was then Wei Liuying could see the Emperor's face more clearly. Even though there were still a distance away between her and the emperor, she could see that he had defined facial face that didn't seem to wither with age. He might be in his forties, but he still looked very energetic. It didn't seem like he would wither soon, yet his sons had already started to scheme.

Emperor Xuan…

Wei Liuying had heard his name a lot, including his ruthlessness. He had several siblings and most of them had died in his hand. Even though there was no one who said for certain, it was hard to believe that it had nothing to do with him because of how he claimed power so quickly.

Twenty years ago, it was complete bloodshed in the capital city. Wei Liuying had heard many things. By now, the Emperor had already lowered his hand, but it was sure that he would never forgive his sons who were aiming to take his life.

After all, talking about deaths were taboo here.

No one wanted to be cursed to die, especially by their own children. The Emperor was certainly not an exception. 

Emperor Xuan tapped the armrest. "I have heard a lot about you, Yang Xian."