Chapter 279 - The General and The Lord II

Yuan Shao is twenty-five years old, her mother died few months after she birth his younger sister at that time he only thirteen years old, his father Yuan Fei is an upright person and also faithful husband but sadly the emperor fear Yuan Fei growing power so the emperor wants to make sure Yuan Fei unwavering loyalty to the royal family and so he forced him to marry his daughter who coincidently heads over heels with Yuan Fei, as the emperor subordinated he had no choice for his family safety he reluctantly accept the emperor engagement to marry his daughter Qian Qi Wei.

Ever since that the situation in General Yuan change drastically, Yuan Shao Mother Han Xue Shi knew his husband marry the Princess to save their life but as a woman, she still finds it hard to let her own husband sleep with another woman, slowly her health is declined everyday, Yuan Shao watched his mother wither little by little like a flower and after she got birth her sister her body can't take it anymore less than three months his mother passed away.

What make thing's worst, Yuan Fei is not there when his wife died, the Emperor ordered him to accompany him during hunting season together with Qian Qi Wei and so the general has no choice, he was still inside the jungle when he received the news about his wife death, The General runs home to find his beloved wife and what welcomed him is his lifeless wife and his Son carry his baby sister, the way his Son look at him is something the old general never forgot.

After that incident the relationship between the General and his son never recover, they're relationship always hot and cold never warmed. Year after year they're relationship become estranged in many occasion when a stranger asks him if he has parents he used to say no, in his manor other then his sister Yuan Xue An he never close with anyone, especially to his stepsister and other branch families.

Yuan Shao heard about Zhao Li Xin who almost killed all the women the emperor had given to him, Zhao Li Xin even bluntly threat the Emperor and everyone for trying to curry his favor with women, he has to hesitant to show everyone even when his fiancée dies he will never accept any women.

When Yuan Shao heard about this he can stop laughing, something surged within him he feels elated, sad, hurt and relief someone finally dare to confront the royal family if only his father refused the Emperor offer, perhaps if he resigns from his position and left the capital and become commoner perhaps his Mother won't die miserably and her sister will still have a mother and she would not involve the fight of power in their own family.

They will have simple and happly family, if only….

The sound of door opening awaked yuan Shao from his daydreaming, he raised from his seat to honor the host and so his subordinated straighten they're back when the host enter the room.

Yuan Shao is stunned when he see Zhao Li Xin 'heaven defying' appearance, he had heard the rumor but the word 'handsome' is not well describe his face, the man wearing black robes with black and gold flames embroidery on his his sleeve and collar, the beautiful man didn't tied his hair he let his dark ink hair fall freely behind his back, it shown his nature who hated to be bound by normal custom, he looks overbearing and surrounded by intimidating aura.

Yuan Shao surprised again when he hand in hand with a woman behind him, the woman didn't have mesmerizing beauty but she has beautiful doey eyes, her gazes is gentle and she has this soothing aura around her just like a wind breeze in the summer it calmed and relaxing, is weird how they contradict each other but fit to each other just like a different piece of jigsaw puzzle they complete one another.

"Lord Long Ming, my name is Yuan Shao" he cupped his fist.

Zhao Li Xin nods his head "This is my fiancée Luo Ri Yi" he introduces Lory while wrapped his hand around her shoulder.

Yuan Shao frown "You're fiancée? I'm sorry I thought you're fiancée is…." He didn't finish his sentence.

Lory smiles calmly "Well I'm not easy to kill General Yuan"

"Oh, that's good….I'm glad" he earnestly feel happy for them, what he didn't realize his honest behavior make Zhao Li Xin have a slightly better opinion to him, at least Zhao Li Xin would listen what Yuan Shao reason to come here.

Zhao Li Xin leads Lory to sit on the main chair with Lory sit next to her, It is not common because Lory is hot his wife yet but who dare to reprimand Zhao Li Xin it also shows Lory high position in Zhao Li Xin heart.

"Please take a seat" Zhao Li Xin invite him to sit, if only he knew how rare for Zhao Li Xin to treat guests like this.

Yuan Shao take a seat after he got permission then a few seconds later a male servant and maid enter the room they bring wine and pastry for the guest but not for Lory, she's not even gey her favorite tea but Pu-erh tea instead to help her digestion, Lory stare at Zhao Li Xin with pleading gaze but Zhao Li Xin gives her gentle but firm smile meaning he didn't give her a choice.

Lory pursed her lips than she takes the teacup, the dark color tea is threatening her than she closes her eyes and drink the tea, for a sweet tooth like her this tea is too bitter for her especially when the maid didn't add sugar on her tea, tears accumulated in the corner of her eyes, she put down the teacup and refused to take another sip.

Zhao Li Xin smiles faintly when he see her annoyed face, her behavior always amused him, he pretends he didn't notice behavior he afraid she would pleading vigorously using her big beautiful eyes when that happened Zhao Li Xin mostly lost from her.

"General Yuan, what are you're purposed to visit my Manor?" Zhao Li Xin asks with a low voice.

"I'm here to offer collaboration," said Yuan Shao.

"Oh…"Zhao Li Xin tilted his head slightly "Do you have something to offer?" he teased Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao knew Zhao Li Xin would asking this "I know Hei Shen is never lacked power or wealth but I know something you might get interested" he said confidently.

"Tell me…"Zhao Li Xin rests his chin on his fist.

"I tell you Lao Min Na real purposed to come to the Liu Yan Kingdom"