Back at the palace, the news that the king had gone missing from the hunting party was carried back by a gossiping servant. Soon, rumours spread like wildfire and General Fu's efforts were for naught. He'd hoped to suppress the news at the location of the autumn hunt to prevent panic. Who would have thought that he'd not even got a shred of a clue before everyone suddenly knew. The palace was even several days away! Only heaven knew how word had reached them so quickly.
Meanwhile in the eldest prince's study...
"Your highness!" A maid servant burst through the doors abruptly. The brush in Jiang Baiyi's hand quavered, messing up a stroke.
"Who said you could barge into here!" He threw down the brush, his eyes flicking up momentarily. The maid immediately crashed to her knees, head bowed. Ink stained the white paper in irregular blots as the brush rolled.
"Nubi is wrong, nubi deserves punishment!" Although Jiang Baiyi was handsome in a dark masculine way, the servants around him knew, also, of his temperament. He was a cruel man.
Jiang Baiyi glanced down at her shriveled form in disgust. "What is it? Hurry up and spit it out." The maid didn't dare to raise her head, only raising her upper body a little.
"Nubi has heard a rumour recently. The king...the king is missing!"
Jaing Baiyi's eyes flashed. "Tell me what happened."
The maid raised her head in excitement, her eyes showing her happiness to have hit such a pot of gold. "Nubi is dumb and doesn't know much but apparently, on the first day of the hunt, the king went missing half-way through the afternoon. There were assassins involved and General Fu who was present at the hunt, even tried to suppress the news! How shameless!" she berated.
Jiang Baiyi didn't care for her outburst. A slow smile spread on his face and he let out an 'En.' Like an evil villain, he steepled his fingers in front of his mouth and leaned forward. "Is he dead?" The maid was a bit startled by the inauspicious words but the king wasn't her master anyways.
"Nubi...doesn't know." Jiang Baiyi hmphed and the maid lowered her head fretfully.
"Fine...whatever." Jiang Baiyi was in a good mood. Something had befallen his fortuneous brother, how could he not be happy? However, with that cursed phoenix mark, he wouldn't be surprised if he somehow came out unscathed. He must not squander this opportunity!
"Spread this around subtly. If you do well, you can collect bonus pay later." The maid's eyes lit up unscrupulously.
"Yes, your highness!" She kowtowed low. Jiang Baiyi dismissed her and she scrambled up, eager to start her work. Who cares if she slanders others when she can live a good life under the eldest prince? Maybe she'd even gain his favour...
"What about that guard?" Jiang Baiyi interrupted. He'd just remembered that bold-eyed new guard that'd even dare defy him. After his jiadi*Â perished, he could do whatever he wanted to that little shit. Having him beg for mercy wasn't enough; he'd crush his soul.
(*Jiadi - Younger brother (polite))
Jiang Baiyi was not a frivolous person. He momentarily dispelled these desires from his head. He wasn't such a fool. First he had to make sure the king really died. Only then could he take back what had originally been his and take possession of everything else that he wanted.
"Nubi...is not sure," the maid said a little uncertainly. "But I think he also disappeared." Jiang Baiyi's frown deepened. If that Liu person was assigned as his brother's bodyguard, he definitely wasn't simple. He sneered bitterly at the revelation that the king's chance of survival had risen. Then he suddenly smiled, remembering the soul tearing poison that he'd given to the assassin's. Maybe it all wasn't so bad.
The maid, in the face of her master's five-second-changing-moods, was terrified. She fled when she had the chance, lamenting that such a good-looking man had such an eccentric personality! But who was she to infer anything about her master...
Just a little while later, the entire palace was roaring. Servants neglected their jobs to huddle in corners and whisper among themselves. The lords and court ministers residing in the palace had gotten their fair share of news, but even the court ministers resting at home had gotten wind of the news. Inevitably, if it had reached them, it wouldn't be hard to spread it to the citizens around them. However, this might even incite mass panic and thus, even without the king present, the ministers called for a meeting.
Inside the throne room, the head eunuch stood on the landing, gazing anxiously out over the sea of arguing ministers. Without the presence of a high standing authority, the whole lot of them were brazen with their words.
"We must send more people to look for his majesty!"
"Are you stupid," another screamed back. "Do you want to leave the capital undefended?!"
"How dare you! He is the son of heaven!! His life is more important than yours!"
"You want to leave the citizens unguarded?!"
"Hmmp," he sneered, "I've heard that the citizens in your district pay heavy taxes."
"You-!"
"The bloodline can't end here!"
"You fool, are you trying to invite calamity?!"
"Pei*! They're just simple words."
(*Pei - Spitting sound)
And thus, the argument somehow turned to throwing insults. The aggrieved ministers finally had a chance to vent. While half the court were yapping with loose and immature tongues, a select few watched with disgusted eyes, cunning in their gaze.
Abruptly, the great doors smashed open, revealing an imposing figure dressed in blue. His military posture and crude-cut face made for an imposing aura.
"Calm down," A commanding voice rang out. The rowdy group of ministers turned their heads, kneeling to the ground and crying out a greeting.
"We pay our respects to the eldest prince." Jiang Baiyi strode up the middle aisle with confidence. He didn't sit on the dragon throne but stared at it for a moment, unknown emotions in his eyes. Jiang Baiyi turned abruptly, smiling falsely at the crowd before him.
"You may rise." The group of old men rose simultaneously, their silence a huge contrast from the verbal storm they'd flung at each other just moments before. "The hunting party is currently using all means to search for the king."
"Your highness..." One minister said tentatively. "But if the news has reached us here, doesn't it mean that the king has been missing for some days?" The group grew rowdy, whispering amongst each other. The minister bowed. "This servant inquires about the means employed and if we need to do anything."
Jiang Baiyi glanced at him indifferently. He'd only just opened his mouth to retort coldly when his subordinate burst into the throne room, a panicked look in his eyes. He rushed up the middle aisle, as if not seeing the row of ministers to either side of him. "Your highness! Bad news! The hunt-"
"Li An!" Li An looked around as if surprised, but the ministers had already heard his words. Head down, he rushed up to the dais where Jiang Baiyi was standing. He leaned over, whispering in the eldest prince's ear. The crowd of anxious ministers saw the minute change of the eldest prince's expression. Numerous thoughts flew throughout their heads, concocting the most bizarre situations. From what the servant had blurted out just now, it must be news about the king!
Abruptly, Bai yi turned around, dragging Li An into the back room with him. The moment the pair disappeared, the entire court erupted. Speculations flew from mouths and words traded blows. Half the court was screaming out in despair, already anticipating the worst. The others watched them make a fool out of themselves, some quiet, some disgusted and some calculative. Silence fell like the executioner's blade when the eldest prince returned. The look on his face was grim.
"Court is adjoined for today."
"Your highness, about the news..." Jiang Baiyi's gaze turned darker.
"It's private matters."
"Ah..." The ministers exchanged glances all around, reluctantly filing out of the room. Outside, they all drifted off in groups, murmuring among themselves.
"Say, do you think the king..."
One snorted, "Shall we go for a celebratory drink?"
"Tch, shameless. It was never confirmed."
"It's just a drink."
"Drinking during the day is bad for your health, although at your age..."
"YOu-!"
"Alright, alright. Don't take action just yet, but prepare yourselves. Keep an eye on the situation."
Jiang Baiyi remained in the throne room, his pursed lips falling into a smirk. "Well done, Li An."
"Thank you, your highness." Jiang Baiyi turned his back to the door, facing the dragon throne. He gazed upon the towering seat with desire.
"How's the preparations going?"
"The men have already set out in the proper attire. They should get the job done." The eldest prince of Qiangda gave him a long glance before sweeping out of the room.
"You better pray they do."
Li An bowed. "Yes, your highness."
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The noble consort Yan Li, and her youngest sister*, Hai Rong were seated in a pavilion. Snacks were laid out among the embroidered silk tablecloth but Yan Li sat without moving, gazing serenely out at the lake. Hai Rong, in contrast, was stuffing her face with snacks, enjoying the sun despite her maid's disapproving and concerned gaze. After all, the fairer a lady's skin, the nobler she was thought to be.
(*Not blood sister)
Yan Li glanced over at the carefree Hai Rong. A lady as such was rare. She didn't actively try to garner favour with the king, nor was she depressed that he barely paid them any attention. She was still a child after all. Yan Li looked away expressionlessly. Alas, such a naïve little girl would crumble sooner or later.
Yan Li's maid rushed up to her, leaning over to whisper in her ear. Hai Rong looked over at that moment, catching the small change in Yan Li's face. "Yan jiejie, what happened?" Yan Li was silent for a moment, contemplating the pros and cons of revealing the news. She set down her tea cup.
"The king has gone missing during the hunt." Hai Rong was shocked.
"What? I thought he had guards!" Yan Li's lips thinned.
"His personal guard disappeared with him."
"Liu Qingyuan gong zi?!" Yan Li paused, narrowing her eyes, but her thoughts were inconceivable. "I hope he's okay..." Hai Rong looked down in thought, remembering the time she'd help Liu Qingyuan bandage that nasty cut on his collarbone. She quickly shook away such thoughts.
"Aiya, who do we have here?" A voice that was normally noble held an air of arrogance. Yan Li and Hai Rong both turned their heads, getting up as their 'older sister' Xiu Ying, approached. Her bearing was regal, fit to be a queen, but Hai Rong always thought that her smugness and arrogance made her unsuitable. Yan Li rose, performing a perfect bow. Hai Rong's was sloppier and XIu YIng sneered down her nose. "What were you talking about just now, I'm interested."
"Um," Hai Rong glanced at Yan Li, but she was indifferent. Yan Li didn't sit, even as Xiu Ying invited herself to the table, glancing in disgust at Hai Rong's messy spot.
"The king has gone missing. He's not known to be dead or alive."
"What?!" Xiu Ying screeched, her previous arrogance gone. She turned to her maid. "How is it that you didn't find this news?!" The maid fell to her knees.
"Your highness, please calm down. Nubi has done wrong, please forgive me. It's just that...I really didn't know."
"You-" Xiu Ying made a violent gesture, her beautiful face twisted like a demon's.
"Xiu jiejie," Yan Li interrupted, her voice rising. She curtsied regally. "The punishment of servants should be done in private, so I'll leave first." Her tone was flat but the content of her voice held ridicule. Yan Li left without another word, Hai Rong hastily left with her. Xiu Rong was left stomping her feet in anger and throwing a tantrum like the little spoiled lady that she was.
A/NÂ School started again I want to cry. Anyways hope you enjoy and come back for more ;)