Chapter 213 - War (2)

Hours before midnight. Before setting out to attack, they had to know their companions' powers first, like Ming introduced to them his Ruler's Influence. The Chiangdas working also had to group together that could match the speed of the enemies with Wag stones. But they believed they could outmatch the enemies with the combination of power stones they had this time. Xinyi's knowledge with the stones played an important role.

On their way out from Cuxin Estate, Xinyi saw Ming with his sword, the prime minister with his iron belt, and the others having their own weapons with them. Thinking about weapons, Xinyi checked the Hutyuns, but they were still in cold hibernation. She was slightly worried when these little beings would wake up, but shook her head. "Focus on the fight. The spirit guardians are with you." She pulled a bow and a set of arrows and followed behind Ming. 

Their plan was that most of the Chiangdas would bombard the prince's shield outside while the rock Chiangdas would dig in and make a tunnel, pass through the shield, the plant Chiangdas' vines would sneak through, capturing the prince's men undetected, pull them out, and imprison them somewhere where the prince couldn't find them. Xian Lang would use these men as his bargaining ch.i.p.s to the prince' retreat, not knowing more were coming. This, if the prince could never detect them underground. This was a trial and error in some ways. But they hoped and prayed that it would work.

Xian Lang, Xinyi, and Ming stood on the wall. The three wearing black outfit, camouflaged by the darkness. It was still early. It wasn't time to attack, yet the rock Chiangdas had begun their task, digging. The father looked at the two beside him. His vision had adjusted well in a lightless wall. It was part of their strategy.

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"Are you both happy in your marriage?" Xian Lang said, hands clasped at his back.

Bewildered, Xinyi turned to her father with brows up. "I thought you'd never ask. Ever since we came back, you didn't even try to greet or talk to me." Xinyi said with no intentions of hiding her disappointments. "None from the family even showed up at my wedding, and you'll ask if I'm happy or not. What answer do you wish to hear?"

Ming knew their deep misunderstandings and unsettled issues, deciding to leave them for a while. He landed a kiss on her lips and whispered, "I'll check on Zhai and Zang Wei, but I'll be back. Don't get work up, okay?" He also had his concerns with the prime minister, but Lifen had mentioned the part of his appointment by the King because of the monarch's trust in him. Hence, he wouldn't dig on this matter for now. Mostly, his father-in-law was still his superior.

Nodding, Xinyi understood why he left and sweetly smiled at him. "Please, check on Ma too. She's been silent lately." He nodded back and bowed at Xian Lang. "Prime minister, I'll see you later."

"You don't need to be polite, Ming. I'm also your father-in-law. Please stay. I have a lot of things to clear up between the two of you." Ming stopped walking and exhaled. He wished to explain why he would leave, but Xian Lang added, "I'm already in age and just a mere human with no powers like the two of you. I'm not sure if I'll survive this fight. That's why I want to speak to the two of you."

Unhappy with his depressing statement, she said curtly, "Do you intend to die?" 

"I still wish to hug my incoming grandchildren, if that's what you mean. Of course, but you won't know the ending of every battle. I survived wars before, but I can't tell the outcome while fighting with powerful humans."

With understanding, Ming went back to Xinyi's side. 

"Father, I already know your reasons. You don't need to tell me anymore," Xinyi said, calmly.

"What? About why I brought and left you to Forsaken Valley? About why I didn't come on your wedding day?"

"About the first topic, partly yes. But I'm more interested in the last topic. Why didn't you come on my wedding day?"

"And why there were no dowries sent, father-in-law?" Ming inserted.

"I… I'm sorry for not coming during the wedding. I'm ashamed of myself for what I've done. I hope you'll forgive me." He swallowed a good amount of saliva. "About the dowry, it was actually the Xian mansion here in Fengfu and everything in it, including the servants. I sent a letter to Ming before the wedding, but someone intercepted the mail and took it away."

He knew who took it — his youngest daughter — but he didn't say it because he would sound like someone who was making up an alibi. "I'm sorry for the delay. It was not intended. We're still looking for the culprit, but that won't matter now." He also didn't want Xinyi to think that her younger sister was an evil person. That daughter was only jealous, but he had scolded her.

Hearing the dowry was the Xian mansion, the couple's eyes went big. The house wasn't that enormous as Ming's but the land was bigger than Cuxin Estate and it even had its own hot springs and brook, connected to the one in the governor's land.

"That's quite generous of you, father. I don't need that much. Really." Xinyi said with sincerity. For her, material things were worthless. No one could blame her for having such an innocent mindset because she grew up learning the value of relationsh.i.p.s more.

"No, you deserve it. The flower garden at the back has been your late mother's grave. Also, none of your siblings are interested in living here. So, you're the most appropriate person to receive it." The father said, looking away, water building over his lower eyelashes.

"I hated you for years, but I was still young and didn't know your reasons behind your actions at that time. I've longed to hear them, but after learning the whole truth from my predecessor, and knowing my origin, it doesn't matter to me now. I actually owe you and Ai Ma a lot. I won't be what I am now without you. What I want now is to be reunited with you and to know my brothers and sister." Xinyi went to her father's side, rested her head on his shoulder while her hands wrapped around the old man's arm. "There's nothing like a family, father. Thank you for taking me in and looking after me like your own daughter. I can't wait to start all over again with all of you."

Tears fell on Xian Lang's eyes silently. Touched by her kind words which brought wings on his heavy heart, lifting the guilt for sending her to the Forsaken Valley and not being a good father, the shame of abandoning her for years, pain for not being there when she needed her, even on her wedding, and the uncertainties of their relationship as father and daughter. Everything dissolved with those compassionate words.

"Thank you," Xian Lang said, whisper-like, choking his sobs.

Ming looked at the two with contentment. He was glad and proud that Xinyi was his wife. So, whatever misgivings and annoyance he had for the prime minister and father-in-law of his had melted too. He was freed at last. Not only him. Most of all, the father and daughter.

After a while of silence, Xian Lang brought into light the actual reasons for Ming's appointment as Governor of Fengfu. It was the king who chose him, entrusting the secrets in Fengfu and explaining why he didn't tell the young Ming the reason right away. It was because he knew the young governor was still angry about being sent there. He thought it was better to let him see Fengfu first and feel the importance of the border city before telling him. 

He also mentioned the secret agreement between the former Youshi king and the late Grand General Lei Ming. That the Lei clan was part of the king's secret men. So, the king would prioritized this clan to be appointed in sensitive positions in the kingdom to ensure the secrets of the Chiangda royal family and the hidden Chiangda Valley. In other words, upon Xian Lang's death, Ming would take over Xian Lang's position, not as the prime minister, but the person who would lead the Chiangdas in the future. 

Ming clasped his chest tight. He never thought he held much importance in the royal family's heart. What he thought was a negative bias against him, turned out to be a positive one. And to be entrusted for such a tremendous responsibility was so overwhelming. It was his turn to be teary-eyed. 

"Thank you for telling me, Pa. I almost doubted myself."

"You're capable, son. Believe in yourself."

Ming grinned shyly. "Thanks, Pa. I will remember that."

That momentous time before the great war held extensive meaning to the three. 

Then something shone on Xian Lang's face. It was a signal. "Go to your stations now. It's time," he said.

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