The Emperor is currently sitting on his throne. Often time, the emperor would be on his study checking documents about the empire, etc. Sometimes, he would be seen roaming around the palace especially to the garden where he will meditate to ease his stress. But most importantly, the emperor stays in the throne room whenever he has a decree to announce or he wanted to discuss some problems face to face with his subjects. This is like the in-door version of the daily morning court meetings.

Zhong Song and Lang Yuan with the little dragon quickly departed from the gazebo. They headed towards the throne room found on the middle most part of the whole palace. This is the point where all the direction meets. So while they are walking towards the throne room, a lot of servants are bowing and kowtowing to show their respect.

The officials who are also summoned to the throne room saw the Empress Candidate. One of them is Minister Lou, Lou MuLan's father. He and his subordinates cupped their hands with heads lowered to respect the figure. Minister Lou sneered inside cursing bad luck to the Empress Candidate, hoping that he will not win the final trial. He believed that it was only Lou MuLan who deserved the Empress position.

"Minister Lou? You are also summoned?" Zhong Song noticed that the Minister is also going towards the same direction. They are on the hundred stairs towards the throne hall.

As what he can recall, Minister Lou is never part of the army and only handles land reforms. This meeting for today is to deal with military and security problems not the landmasses. If there is anything else, the ministers who are responsible for the accounting and the business sect areas will not be called to attend. Only those personnel, like Zhong Song and General Gu are ordered to come.

"Great Scholar, I am not here for the meeting. Actually, I would like to request the emperor to let my daughter, Lan-er, to visit her mother at home. The lady received a few gifts from her cousin and would like to have her daughter to choose some, and of course, the mother misses her child."

Zhong Song only nodded understanding the explanation. After all, Minister Lou often requests the emperor to bring his child outside to meet its mother. The other concubines also do the same. They cannot take their daughters out from the palace without the emperor's permission so they have to request it personally.

Minister Lou keeps a worrisome look, and then shifted his eyes towards the only human on the realm. Lang Yuan noticed the old man's eyes, cupped his hands to greet the elder. JiDan tugged his sleeves after the short bow.

"Mother, you shouldn't bow before any man beside father. You have the higher position," JiDan bluntly said. Lang Yuan only heard this rule for the first time.

"Really?" But Lang Yuan does the same gestures to all the officials inside the court.

Aside from Zhong Song who forbids him from doing it, there's nothing wrong by just respecting the elders right? But what he didn't know why JiDan said those words is because he disliked this old man. A child's feeling towards another person is much more sensitive than the adults. He can sense bad things from this old man.

Minister Lou pretended to cough to cover his shame. "Great Scholar, we will head out first."

"It's okay, we are also coming," Zhong Song said. He first stepped up without waiting for the minister to reply. JiDan do not want to stay any longer so he dragged his mother up. 

The throne room still looks least crowded despite the number of people coming to the same place. Lang Yuan only attended the daily court meetings so he never knows what the throne room might look like. That is why he was excited to see what designs the inside room would look like. JiDan detected his mother's excitement so he swayed his hand holding Lang Yuan and skipped happily.

The people are welcomed by the majestic ambiance of the place. Ten pillars are aligned side by side of the red carpet, carved with the most intricate design, with large torches lighting the room bright. This moves the perspective towards the main line of focus to the center where an elevated platform carrying a chair painted with gold leaf can be found. Beside the main chair would be the other chair for the Empress and another for the crowned prince.

Yu XueQin is already sitting on his throne, speaking with a scholar while holding a scroll. Zhong Song arrived on the lower step, kneeled down to respect the emperor. Yu XueQin acknowledges the presence of the scholar and waved his hand to let the person stand. Lang Yuan, as usual, is needed to kneel down very low letting his clothes kiss the ground. He also needed to lower his head to show his position.

Though, JiDan kept his posture straight and stands up without fear.

"Reporting," Zhong Song said. "I brought the candidate."

Yu XueQin nodded. "Come here."

Lang Yuan wondered why he was summoned. When the emperor gestured for him to come, Lang Yuan bowed and walked towards the throne. Indeed, the emperor that he knows behind the scenes is a very different from when he was on court. It's also the same with Zhong Song. When dealing with important stuffs, they suddenly become serious and strict.

The youth did not know that he was stalling time and the emperor is impatient from his seat. When Lang Yuan is only a few steps close, Yu XueQin pulled him to his embrace. Lang Yuan lost his balance and fell towards the broad chest. The emperor leaned closer to his ears and nibbled his lobe secretly.

"What are you thinking?" Yu XueQin whispered.

"Sorry," Lang Yuan apologized with no reason.

He pushed his away to extract his self from the hug. But the emperor did not let him go. Instead, one hand crept down to his hips and heaved him up. He was scared that he might fall so Lang Yuan quickly circled his arms around the emperor's neck for support. Yu XueQin chuckled silently as he placed the youth on his lap.

"Sit, and behave properly," Yu XueQin softly said.

Lang Yuan could have accepted the notion. But ah, isn't their position a bit ambiguous? Plus, Lang Yuan is actually sitting on the emperor lap while having a court meeting. A lot of officials are watching them, to which made Lang Yuan embarrassed. Afraid to see the reaction of the people, Lang Yuan decided to snuggle his face to the crook of the emperor's neck. Now, he looks like a little kid that fell asleep on its parent's arms. Yu XueQin was satisfied, and even caresses the hair of the youth.

Zhong Song cleared his throat. Isn't this PDA? How courageous ba! How dare you feed us with dog food! And please be reminded with the small creature whose face is very sour right now ah.

[PDA: Public Display of Affection.]

"Let's start," Yu XueQin commanded.

Zhong Song nodded. He turned around to face the officials and the crowd that gathered. He inhaled and exhaled before he exclaimed, "The Covenant Seal has been activated."

Sounds of surprise echoed through the hall. General Gu made a dark expression clenching his fist with rage. Other officers who are handling the weapons and such grumbled, searching around to know where the hell this news is from. Those who have the minor character in this session cannot help but to gasp.

General Gu bravely took a step forward, cupped his hands to show respect. Yu XueQin gave him the signal to talk.

"Imperial Scholar, whose godhead has been stolen?" He asked.

"General, it's not only one godhead," Zhong Song said dejectedly. "Sadly, the human realm received the third strike the other night."

That information triggered the fear inside the room. Lang Yuan peeked to the side to see the people with distorted faces. Some shook their heads, the other is almost crying. One minor minister almost fainted creating a ruckus to the corner. He was only listening and did know the cause of the hysteria.

"What is it?" Yu XueQin gently whispered.

"What happened? Why do they look so worried?" Lang Yuan asked.

"Because a god has been killed."

"A god can be killed?"

One person from the crowd voiced out the same opinion. Nobody can kill a god. Well, dying is possible but it needed some conditions to happen. To simply kill a god, and three gods at most...

"The murderer is carrying a golden ax. I would assume that it's the Weapon of Immortality," Zhong Song said.

Chaos resounded inside the hall. The Weapon of Immortality, it is one of those special weapons created since the creation of time where the gods first existed. Its main objective is to punish the gods who causes disorder. However, during the war times, it was used to steal the godheads to earn power. The holder of the weapon will receive twice the amount of power of the god being killed.

Nobody can run away from this weapon. Even the emperors are not excused. Though, it was said that the Weapon of Immortality was lost for a thousands of millennium years ago. Where it went or who kept it, nobody knows. Only a few records are left with this weapon and none of the realms knows how to destroy it.

Then suddenly it appeared right just this time.

"Still, we are looking for the person committing the murder. As of now, the emperors of nine realms are residing in our palace. It is our duty to protect them at all cost. People will be assigned to handle the case. I, the Imperial Scholar, will lead the investigating group. Everyone is required to participate."

If it were just a simple case, anyone would want to join. But they are talking about a god killer here. Even though they are just minor gods, they are still gods that are worshipped by the humans underground. If they are killed, despite the lower lifeform, could still give power to the killer. Lang Yuan tightened his gripped unto the emperor's clothes.

"Are you scared?" Yu XueQin asked.

Lang Yuan is a human; of course, he would be scared. If that person can kill a god, then how about a mere human? Maybe the killer only needed to flick his finger to end the whole humanity.

"I don't understand why there are people who kill gods," Lang Yuan said.

Yu XueQin noticed a strand of hair sticking out from Lang Yuan's forehead. He reached it out and gently tucked in on the youth's ears. His movements are calm and careful, brushing Lang Yuan's cheeks with a kind of affection. Lang Yuan is not really attentive but he never dared to break eye contact from the man.

"It was said long ago that a godhead can give a mortal immortality," the emperor narrated. "And a few more godheads can grant a wish to change the fate."

Lang Yuan pondered. "What would a god want to wish to change the fate?"

"What do you think that god killer wanted to change?" He added.

Yu XueQin placed a hand behind Lang Yuan's head and pulled him closer. He gave the youth a kiss on his head.

"You are thinking too much. Just let the dragons handle this one. Besides, don't you have a trial to win?" Yu XueQin smiled and kissed the youth's lips. Lang Yuan's face reddened as he looked away to avoid the embarrassment.

Nowadays, the emperor is becoming more intimate to him. Like how the emperor would always sleep on his chambers than to return to his room, or sometimes will accompany him to eat. Yu XueQin might be sarcastic and a bit ruthless sometime but when he was doing his job as a doting husband, nobody can defeat him. Lang Yuan still insisted that they are just acting even though his heart seems to throb whenever he sees the emperor coming.

Of course, the most affected person in this segment would be JiDan's jealousy. He did not like his father to become clingy with Lang Yuan so he tried his best to always insert in between. Well, Yu XueQin liked this little dragon too so he would tease him more, tossing him away from Lang Yuan. Ah, now anyone can see where JiDan took this trait of always clinging to their treasures.

"Another important thing," Zhong Song said. "The Final Trial will be held a few days from now. I hope everyone would be vigilant and watch your surroundings for danger. Once the trial is done, the ceremony for welcoming the Empress will immediately follow. Any disturbances will be accounted as crime and will be punished by the court."

That is to say, if anyone tries to sabotage the two remaining players of the game, then, the emperor will use any means to make that person to suffer. But by just seeing how the two figures could show their flirting in front of a serious discussion, there is no need for a trial to happen. But, a few persons inside the crowd still did not want Lang Yuan to be crowned.

The meeting will continue to discuss about the matters of the god killer. Yu XueQin thought that Lang Yuan would not want to hear about it so he ordered some maids to escort the Empress Candidate back to his room. JiDan quickly took Lang Yuan's hand and hugged his waist, sticking out a sour tongue to the emperor. Yu XueQin mocked the little boy as he dismissed them.

JiDan sounded out his complains the moment they walked out from the hall. They are climbing down the stairs with the maids and some eunuchs surrounding them. The servants are quite respectable towards Lang Yuan. Also, they like the kind character of the human that never shouted them once even though they sometimes make a mistake.

"Mother, I really hate that old man! He's always making excuses, touching you here and there. Isn't it me who is your number one baby?" JiDan complained.

Lang Yuan wondered if JiDan will also feel this jealous of he has siblings. The child once opened up that he wanted to become a big brother. If he becomes jealous because Yu XueQin always deliberately touches Lang Yuan, isn't it also applied on the smaller kids? Though, JiDan often says that he like his favorite uncle, Zhong Song, very much. Maybe it was just applicable to the emperor.

"You hate him? But he is your father. You don't want him to be with me?" Lang Yuan asked without thinking the message of those words contains.

"Well..." JiDan looks down, his cheeks puffed. "He always wanted to separate you from me... I think he hates me."

"Mmm? I don't think he hates you," Lang Yuan is sure about that.

From the start, whenever the emperor is holding JiDan, the older man would often have this gentle look from a father. Of course, the older man often teases the baby so maybe JiDan thought that it was his father's way of eliminating him. These bastards are dragons who do not have any moral knowledge about kinship.

"A parent will never hate his child... I will never hate you," Lang Yuan smiled at the child.

Those words made JiDan look up again to see his mother. That smiling face... it was the same face who greeted him the moment he opened his eyes in this world. He will do everything to protect that smile. Even if he have to exchange his life with it, he will not think twice and protect it. The bad mood he was feeling earlier turned to a loving bliss as he jumped towards Lang Yuan and hugged his waist. He snuggled telling the person that he loved him very much.

"Okay, okay, be careful or else we will fall down," Lang Yuan chuckled.

JiDan looks up with a wonderful shine from his eyes. "Mother will never hate me?"

"Why should I hate you?" Lang Yuan pinched the two chubby cheeks of the little dragon boy. "Look how cute my little darling is. Who would hate such cute thing?"

"Even JiDan grows up? Mother will still like me? Even JiDan makes mistakes, mother will always love me?"

"Yes, and yes. Until you grow old, mother will always love you. Even if the world will hate you, mother will always stay in your side. I love you," Lang Yuan reassured the small guy.

A huge grin painted the face of the dragon boy. His heart is always swelling from the love his mother always gives him. Anyone could get jealous by how Lang Yuan showers this little guy with pure love.

"Then I love mother very much too!" JiDan promised with all of his heart.

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The Author has something to say:

JiDan: I will marry my mother!

Yu XueQin: No! *grins* Because he is already married with... *pointed his self* ME!

JiDan: *curses at his father and how he hated this world while crying to his mother's arms*

Lang Yuan: Did you just...

Author: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ah ah ah ahah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ha

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Yay! An update! And I hope the stories that I'm reading will update too 😂😂😂