Chapter 33

Bai Shen Hong
The Dragon Palace Study Room

"Forgive this servant for having less understanding, Your Majesty." Zhi Peng sat across the emperor behind the study table.

"What is it that you want to ask?"

Shen Hong folded the map that traced the land of Huticah. Lashes of ink scribbled the paper after a day of strategizing with his team. They were taking a great amount of time in preparing General Feng.

The generals, although disappointed  about the announcement that General Feng would carry out the assassination mission, still did their best to fairly participate in the tactical discussion. Everyone had hoped to be the chosen one.

"Your Majesty, you insist that General Feng must leave in a couple of days. Isn't it too rushed?"

Shen Hong grinned, his finger toiling around the candle near him. It flickered bright and strong, yet with one press of his fingers, the flames switched off into nothingness.

General Feng was like this candle among many other candles lighting this room. The same way one candle blown off did not result in the dimness of the room, the loss of one general would not take from Nevoria's glory,

"You are not expecting him to come back, are you... Your Majesty." Zhi Peng was smart to understand his master. "Because in this case, you are sending him off with a few military servicemen."

"They are the best servicemen," Shen Hong said. Playing dumb.

"Yes, Your Majesty, but why can't this servant shake off the feeling that this is all rushed?"

Because it was.

Zhi Peng went on. "It can't be... it can't be that you are using General Feng as the answer to your problems."

Why not? He owed no one.

"Very good. You understand my way of thinking. With General Feng, I can kill three birds with one stone. This will silence the scholars from taunting me as I will tell them that when General Feng comes back he will be their Grand General. The Wang clan will also relax. Imagine their happiness when they start to think they will have a son-in-law who will give them military power. Lastly, this will test the South clan's loyalty. I want to see how they will respond to all this."

Shen Hong pulled in and out his weighty jade ring on his thumb. "Actually, it's four birds. I get to also test Huticah's responsiveness to my attack. Even if Chang An fails, we get to find out where their king currently resides and terrorise their security system. Isn't that good?"

"Surely, His Majesty is wise. But... " Zhi Peng hesitated.

"Go on."

"This servant doesn't understand whether His Majesty wants General Feng to succeed or not. General Feng is not being given enough back up or time to prepare. Your Majesty doesn't want General to come back, it seems, as there is no willingness to give up the Grand General seat on your part. While on the other side, His Majesty does wish King Tobba to die." Zhi Peng shook his head. "This servant doesn't understand. Please teach him your thoughts."

The emperor smirked. "To die or not to die? Some things, shouldn't we let the heavens decide?" He chose not to reveal his true mindset on this issue.

That was Shen Hong. Who could truly know all of him. He revealed different facets of himself to not the same person. People would only understand him completely if they all came together and put the pieces of him that he gave them in conjunction, like a puzzle. Just maybe, that way they would understand a bit about him.

Trust no one. Don't give yourself completely to anyone. Only give enough to silence the person from questioning.

That way you don't get too attached and can't be betrayed. That way when the person dies or leaves you, you can still survive. You can leave on, you can still breathe.

That's why he and Li Lian worked. He knew the part of her she wanted him to know. She had too many secrets. This was the reason why she couldn't be self-entitled to expect too much from him like the other women.

Yes, he wanted all of her. He wanted to see through her as if staring through a glass. But the truth...

Could it be that he already knew it, yet his mind chose not to admit it? Was he prolonging to find out what he could easily uncover with eyes closed?

Love is such a funny thing.

"Zhi Peng," the emperor stood.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The hands of Shen Hong majestically entwined on his back. "I have an assignment for you."

"This servant is humbled to be instructed by the dragon."

"I want you to research on Furians: their ability to heal, recover without scars and how the back of a Furian  looks like without wings."

"Your Majesty... Has His Majesty found something?"

The question was ignored. "Remember to not tell me your findings until I ask you to."

"As His Majesty has requested."

Shen Hong stretched, buckling his back bones. He expect relief from stiffness but a wave of lightness had him sway, his head pounding in agreement.

This was because of too much work. He should learn to break when needed. Walking out, he nodded goodbye to Zhi Peng.

General Feng's fate was coming to an end. What a shame. But it was unavoidable. A man who could not choose sides forthrightly, was not his. Since General Feng had stayed on the fence for too long, he might as well be pushed over to be part of Huticah. A man cannot serve two masters.

The entourage waited by the exit of the study room.

"Your Majesty! Good Evening to His Majesty! Our dragon has worked tirelessly on this day."

He led the way toward his bedroom.

"Your Majesty, will you not first bathe on this night?" Eunuch Nam kowtowed behind him.

"I'm too tired to bathe twice. Didn't I do it in the morning?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Nam did not force it. He silently followed.

When Shen Hong took a turn in the passageway, his legs became jelly and breath was knocked out of his lungs. For a moment, he couldn't breathe. Chills creeped up and down his body, devouring him bit by bit. He lost balance, swayed to and fro, and almost fell.

"Your Majesty!" Eunuch Nam caught him. "Your Majesty, are you well?"

Shen Hong held his temple and shook off the dizziness. "I am alright. It has been a long day, I must retire."

"Your Majesty..." The eunuch assessed his master with worry. He looked back at the rest of the entourage, not quite sure whether he should send one of them to summon the Grand Royal Physician or not.

"Don't worry. All is well." Shen Hong straightened and led the way toward his bedchamber. There was discomfort in his chest area, he felt stifled. Nothing rest couldn't fix.

Another group of his servants waited for him by his bed chamber door.

"Your Majesty." Court Lady Nam bowed as he approached them. She seemed displeased and worried at the same time.

"Li Lian is giving you trouble again?"

"This servant is not worthy. Forgive this servant."

Li Lian was giving his court lady problems. He bet Court Lady Nam dreaded the days Li Lian was on duty.

"I will speak to her. I'm retiring for the night, anyway."

Going on their knees, they all chanted in response. "A pleasant rest to His Majesty. Thousands and thousands of years to our dragon!" Court Lady Nam and Eunuch Nam opened and closed the door behind him.

"His Majesty almost fell." He heard Eunuch Nam whisper to Court Lady Nam from behind closed doors.

"Is it because winter is approaching?" she asked.

He would chastise them about speaking so carelessly if not for the distraction before his eyes. On his bed was a sprawled Li Lian, asleep as if she was back in her own bed.

Very daring. Because he allowed her to sleep over for one night, she wanted to make this a habit.

This time she brought along nightwear. It was his first to see her in pink. It reminded him of the Furian woman painting he got gifted by a visiting king, stored away in his treasure room. The king said he was inspired to paint it after seeing Queen Elora.

From rumors, Queen Elora had heart stopping beauty. She was many men's dream woman. Though, Shen Hong  was still to meet her, he believed no one could surpass the looks of Li Lian. Hers was beauty that could bewitch anyone who wasn't careful.

In closer inspection, he noticed she was indeed asleep and not faking it. She was not scared of him, after all?

Shen Hong smiled. When there is fear, pure love cannot exist. He wanted her to be comfortable with him and to be herself, no matter how intimidating he appeared to be.

He moved the hair falling on her face to the side. Hers was quite soft and silky than any he had touched before.

"You are too impetuous." He caressed her cheek. "Why won't you go back to Hougong?"

Li Lian sighed in her sleep and snuggled into a ball to warm herself. "Must spend time bonding. Must spend time to bond. Must spend time..." she muttered.

Shen Hong chuckled. "What are you even saying?"

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked around. They were her normal spectacular amber orbs, passionate and wild. It took a while for her to register him.

"You are finally here." She smiled in content as if his presence gave her a sense of peace and rest. Surprisingly, she closed her eyes to the abandonment of sleep, right after.

His eyes crinkled as he grinned. "You like to sleep here... but do you know you sleep like a frog?"

Occasionally, she woke him the other night. Her feet were on his neck. The other time she kicked him then thereafter, he almost got punched. It was bizarre to share a bed with her.

They said she used to sleep with his mother. How come his mother tolerated her? Sharing the bed with her was a nightmare.

Unless... Was she feigning to be a bad sleeper and purposefully trying to kick him to score things?

Li Lian was petty that way. Any small thing you did against her, she would hold a grudge until she avenged herself.

No, he had done nothing deserving of revenge from her.

Nevertheless, he kissed her forehead and rested his against hers. This way they breathed in each other's air.

His. Li Lian was his. And no way was he letting her go away from him again. He just found her, and this time he would hold on tight and keep her. Even though she had thorns, he would rather die bleeding.

"My woman, my noble lady." He marveled at the surprise she would have when they announced his decree tomorrow.

She was now 5th rank, Noble Lady Wei.

When nausea rose from his chest, he decided it was wise he didn't spend the night at the dragon palace. Good for her. The bed was hers for the night.

Prevention was better than cure. He had no intention to be hibernating because of sickness at a critical time like this.

On this night, he would sleep in the steaming chambers to alleviate his body from coldness and settle the anxious rhythm of his heart. Though he wouldn't exchange having Li Lian in his arms for anything else, there was no other way but to sleep separately. 

They say, "Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." However, the same couldn't be said for him. In winter, there was a demon he always fought. And in this winter he was determined to fight and win.

S.V