Chapter 14 - Growing Trouble

At Nin jing Manor just like everyday Zhao Li Xin spend his time at his study room examine mountain paper and scroll, beside him Mong Ki help him to grind ink, the room is quiet as ever just the sound of grinding could be heard but Mong Ki eyes glue on the small flower on the pot next to window, His Lord is not someone who prefer delicate plant like that the only plant he kept in this room is only Bonsai even the garden there are only Bonsai tree, bamboo and small shrub with big Koi fish pond in the middle made the garden clean and neat is match with his rigid personality.

When he comes home with a small flower on his hand it's stunned everyone, his Lord even told the gardener to plant some of this flower in his garden, the blue flower gives contrast to this colorless garden. Suddenly someone knocks on the door 'Knock knock'

"Come in!" he said lazily

Mong Yi enters with his black uniform he kneels on the floor "Mi Lord, the third prince has arrived at Nanjing City"

Zhao Li Xin eyes still glue on the scroll on his hand "Is that so….." he said indifferently,but guessing his mood is something none of his subordinated dare to do "Third prince and his army already pass the gate, people already prepare parade to welcome his highness after this they would go straight to Imperial Palace"

"His triumph seems to gain the old emperor favor, I wonder how the Empress and noble Consort Ying face by now…." He's amused by the problem the two of them would face on. The Empress and Royal consort are always fighting since the moment they meet each other perhaps because they have the same desire, both of them desire the Emperor love, the imperial power at the end the Imperial throne itself. their ambition is limitless since nothing is too cruel or too vile for them to get what they wanted.

Zhao Yi Chen the third prince had lost his mother for a long time he might not have a maternal family to support him but he had great talent and a clear mind to overcome his limit, he left the Imperial palace and become a soldier at the age of thirteen. Smart move with that he managed to preserve his life after a few years he become talented General and manage to made deep connection with a lot of old General even the Emperor gradually fond with him and bestow him 'Tiger Plaque' meaning he would have the power to authorize 10.000 Imperial armies, Zhao Li Xin remember how paled Zhao Mu Fan and his fifth Brother Zhao Qin Feng at that time even the Empress almost fall from her chair and his 'Dearest' Mother look like she just swallow flies.

Zhao Li Xin never have close relationship with anyone in imperial palace his feeling with royalty divided only two things either he loathe them or he ignored them and his response to them remain the same through all these years, stay away from him then he would stay away from them and for a while the imperial people treated him like his not exist and that's great but with the grew power between prince's faction who knew when one of them would cross his boundaries especially his Mother that crazy woman always knows how to push his limits he won't surprise one day she would end up kill by his owned blade, it might sound cruel but this is the perks life as Royalty.

"Is third Prince already chose his Consort yet?" Zhao Li Xin put down the scroll on the table slowly.

"Not yet Mi Lord?" said Mong Yi

Choosing Consort is not easy for prince especially at this situation where every faction fights for the rights of the throne, whoever he chooses would involve a lot of people and change the course of politic in the country many people would be implicated maybe he would be one of them. With He Shen Sect power in his hand his not afraid to opposed the royalty family heck he doesn't care if he must to fight head to head with the whole Kingdom, he has more power to do that but the problem is he still reluctant to expose his identity as 'Long Ming' the lived as sixth Prince is not so bad he liked it when people ignored him and pretend he wasn't there, he like this quite and solitary life.

But talk about 'solitary' he remembered certain girl among the blue flower, he suddenly wondering what she's doing right now? He hopes she's not sick from overworked since she doesn't look like she rests well but of course, how could anyone rest in that kinda place, he knows how bad the maid living quarters in a noble house.

Zhao Li Xin tapped his finger on the table with monotone sounds, his subordinated thought their Master was contemplating how to handle third prince and the Royal family, who would have thought his mind already shifting to someone else. His eyes gaze at the small blue flower near his table, there's a sense of longing he never felt before or comprehend yet…..

"How many people we had at Lao Manor?" he asked abruptly

"Report to Mi Lord, we had five people including the housekeeper Mu Han" said Mong Yi

"The housekeeper….?" Zhao Li Xin forgot about him, a few years ago Mu Han sister become 'Tongfang' (Bed warmer) for Prime minister Lao not long after that the prime Minister grew fond with her and wanted to make her as Concubine, Yang Wei Lan becomes jealous and angry with that woman, Yang Wei Lan end up killed that woman and her unborn child even though Prime Minister Lao knew what Yang Wei Lan had done he not dare to reprimand his wife for mere servant, he cover yang Wei Lan crimes to save his reputation and compensated Mu Han and his family with a lot of money.

But Mu Han Mother was shaken after she lost her only Daughter, she becomes sick and died not long after. Mu Han feels useless he can't avenge his family someone like him against Prime Minister Lao is like ants fight with elephant, he also can't leave without making Prime Minister grew wary with him but serving the family who killed his owned family is so much to bear.

Mu Han is frustrated but then he met Hei Shen Sect people who offer him a job as spy inside Lao Manor, without thinking too much he agrees right away, fortunately Hei Shen Sect people is fair peoples, Hei Shen Sect protect his children and wife and treated them very well so he never needs to be worry with their safety.

Feel Gratitude with Hei Shen Sect he becomes one the best source information for them, with so many officials, goes in and out prime Minister residence he has gathered a lot of crucial info for Hei Shen Sect.

"Tell him to alleviate Luo Ri Yi workload, I want less labor job for her" Zhao Li Xin said with an annoyed face. Imagine that little girl lifting heavy stuff with her frail arms make his heart uncomfortable.

"Yes Mi Lord!"Mong Yi replied firmly but he questions himself 'Who the heck is Luo Ri Yi?' his Lord hated woman practically in general no matter how beautiful they are his Lord would squint his eyes as if he saw a rat.

"Make sure she stayed away from Lao family especially Lao Min Na and Lao Fei Yan" he reminded Mong Yi sternly "And put more surveillance to Lao Min Na!!"

"Yes Mi Lord!"

Zhao Li Xin waves his hand, he signs Mong Yi to leave the room, Zhao Li Xin leans on his chair "Is Lao Min Na still selling her second-grade pill?"

Mong Ki poured wine for Zhao Li Xin "Yes Mi Lord, she accumulated quite some of money, recently she had been purchased ingredients for spring jade pill"

"To accelerate her cultivation grow?" Zhao Li Xin sips his wine elegantly then he put down the cup on the table without sound "Cultivated using pill is bad for her body foundation, why she's so hurried?"

"Maybe she prepare for the martial competition next month?" said Mong Ki "If she wants to strengthen her foothold in Lao Manor she must winning the competition, she needs to prove she's capable...."

Zhao Li Xin sips his wine again before he takes a long deep breath "That woman...I have a bad feeling about her..."

"What makes you think so mi Lord?" Mong Yi confuse

"She changed too much....." he sighs