chapter 22

"Did he trouble you a lot ?"

Xingchen passes Zhan to Yuzu. "He didn't. He was sleeping most of the time."

Yuzu smiles thinly "I am sorry. It's just that Meimei was like my own child too and I never thought she would leave me behind like that."

Xingchen nods "I wish , I could stop them."

"It's not on you. Meimei was a short tempered and spontaneous girl. And Yang Xi's influence..."

"They never got along with each other. They used to fight like kids." Xingchen whispers.

Yuzu chuckles "Meimei was a kid and if I'm honest Yang Xi wasn't mature either. Otherwise, who would leave his luxurious prince life to die here."

Xingchen's face becomes sour "He didn't leave his life to die. He loved the wrong person and left his life to be with that wrong person."

Yuzu looks at Xingchen"what happened between You and Zemin ? Zemin looked upset too ?"

"What could happen ? Nothing."

"Xingchen,the dark circles under your eyes are saying something happened. You aren't blaming Zemin for Yang Xi's death. Are you ?"

"I didn't. But isn't it the truth ? All of these happened because of him. Yang Xi, Zubina all of them died because he pretended to love them. His game of pretending ...."

"He never asked them to murder anyone."

"But his action caused it. How can you forgive him just like that ?" Xingchen asks back in disbelief.

"Because, if I don't forgive him , I shouldn't forgive Zixuan, neither should I forgive myself. Zixuan is the one who brought Afreen in the palace. I am the one who decided to keep Afreen in the prison , instead of sending her back to Amari kingdom and ...

You are the one who had animosity with Le gui. Maybe, Yang xi and Zubina got into the mess because of Zemin but Zemin can't control their way of thinking. I heard Zemin asked you all to wait ?"

Xingchen gives out a sigh. "How did he inform his highness ? I thought assassins were following you two everywhere !"

"They were following us but not Zhan. He visited Zhan and wrote everything on Zhan's inner robe."

"You trusted some random note ?"

"We asked Nanny why did she left Zhan alone, she said Zixuan took Zhan from her. We just knew Zemin was indeed alive."

Xingchen nods.

"But I don't think it's what in your mind. You forgave Zemin long ago. Maybe, you don't remember the time when Zemin almost died. I remember it clearly. You are thinking about Yaad or San Yi, right ?"

"What about him ?" Xingchen looks away.

"Zemin is a charmer. He charms people even more than Zixuan. San Yi likes Zemin." Yuzu reads Xingchen's expression.

"What does it have to do with me ?"

"You are insecure. San Yi is already Zemin's consort. He has a past tragedy just like Zemin. They both are in good terms with each other now and San Yi is a good person. You can't find anything bad to connect him with the Yaad in your heart but you want to find a flaw to hate him."

Xingchen closes his eyes . "I .. don't care ."

"You do, Xingchen. Accept it. The first step to solve a problem is accepting, there is a problem." Yuzu smiles "It's time, you accept what you want."

***

"You are an emperor too. You can write the letter too !" Zixuan looks at Zemin in disbelief.

"No you do it. I am not in the mood." Zemin scoffs.

Zixuan groans "seriously, just solve your fight with Xingchen. I am the emperor. Why am I doing your job ? And then I have to do Xingchen's job too ?"

"He is your almighty loyal minister. He wouldn't let you suffer. Don't worry !" Zemin mocks.

"Let me do it, your highness." Xingchen walks in the court.

Zixuan stands up hurriedly "here,you are."

Xingchen bows.

Zixuan passes the pen and paper to Xingchen. "We are writing to emperor Xi lan."

Xingchen nods and sits down to write the letter "what are we offering in exchange of Lusi ?"

Zixuan shrugs "As many maids as he wants. He is an arogant bastard. He wouldn't go for a simple exchange. Maybe, he will demand hundred maids in exchange of one."

Xingchen nods. He also thinks bringing Lusi back wouldn't be easy. But, that little girl deserves the freedom. He gives a subtle look at Zemin.

Zemin wasn't looking at him. He was looking outside at the guards with a bored expression.

Xingchen looks away and focuses on writing the letter. Why should he care for anything else !

***

Two week later

"Chief minister !! There is a messenger from Lan kingdom asking for you."

Xingchen was having his lunch when one of the guard walks in his bedchamber. "Lan kingdom ?"

"Yes ! He said it's urgent."

Xingchen nods while standing up "Ask him to wait. I will be there soon and inform emperor Zemin about this."

Xingchen washes his hand hurriedly. He almost thought that emperor Xi lan didn't like his proposal and wouldn't reply. San Yi also thought that. He is going crazy with every passing day.

Zemin is stressed and their situation got worse. Everytime he met Zemin in last seven days, they fought. At this point the whole palace's atmosphere depends on his and Zemin's fight.

It will better if Emperor Xi Lan return San Yi's sister. Zemin can lead a happy married life with San Yi and he can break their unfinished marriage in peace.

He has decided to resign from the chief minister position of Zi Kingdom. He can't stay in the palace and watch Zemin's happy married life. It's better if he walks away.

Once he thought consort Yuzu was a fool to be so in love with Emperor Zixuan. But now he understands the pain. Xingchen takes in a deep breath as he sees the messenger standing in at court gate.

"Hello, I am chief minister Lu Xingchen. You have message for me ?"

The messenger bows "I am from Lan kingdom. I am here to deliver the message of emperor Xi Lan.

Our highness, has recieved your letter and gone through the offers Zi kingdom provided. But our highness wants to discuss the transaction face to face. Our highness would like to pay a visit to Zi emperors for further discussion."

Zemin stands behind Xingchen with a serious face. He already heard the messenger. Now he knows why the reply is so late. "Has emperor Xi Lan entered Zi kingdom already ?"

The messenger bows to Zemin "He crossed the border yesterday. Zi's Defence minister aproved the Transit."

"Then we will be ready to welcome Lan emperor in our palace. Please send him our invitation."

"Noted !" The messenger leaves with the final now.

Zemin takes in a sharp breath and looks at Xingchen's worried face "what are you thinking?"

Xingchen blinks. "He is not satisfied with our offer."

Zemin also agrees. "I know. Face to face conversation means he is going to ask for something huge. Emperor Xi lan has a reputation after all."

"I don't think he is going to ask for land. Lan border and Zi border doesn't colide. To rule over the land of Zi, he needs to take down the Hung kingdom in between."

"Maybe troops ! Troops are better bargain than maids."

Xingchen stays silent. He doesn't think that Xi Lan would ask for troops. Lan soldiers are trained different. Each and every soldier of Lan Kingdom is way more powerful than Zi kingdom.

Zi kingdom focuses on strategy and weapons. But Lan kingdom focuses on physical strength. Their soldiers can fight a battle without any weapon and take down half of the enemies.

He is not liking emperor Xi Lan's visit. His sixth sense as a chief minister, telling him something is wrong.

Xingchen sighs again. He can't do anything right now. He needs to make preparation for the welcome. He was about to walk away when he feels a pull on his robe.

Xingchen stops "let go ! I need to prepare for the welcome. You go, inform San Yi about the good news !"

Zemin takes two steps back.

Xingchen who still feels the tug , turns around annoyed "let ....

Zemin raises his both arms in the air.

Xingchen looks at the tree branch stuck with his robe. He blinks embarrased.

Zemin's lips curve upwards. He watches as Xingchen awkwardly separates his robe from the branch.

Xingchen almost glared at the branch before turning around but his robe got stuck again.

Xingchen turns around to break the branch irritated but got pulled in a warm hug.

Zemin who pulled Xingchen's robe this time, grins. He must be insane to think jealous Xingchen is so cute.

Xingchen glares at Zemin with a red face "let go !"

"Don't be such a cute hypocrite." Zemin whispers.

Xingchen breaks the eye contact information embarassment. He glares at the branch again.

---

Outside the palace boundaries a tall man puts down his looking glass with an interesting look.

His companion looks at him with a frown. "What happened ?"

The man tilts his head "Someone just glared at me !"

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