“My Lady, we have guests in the front parlor that wishes to meet with you.”  The maid said as she kept her eyes down. “It is the Head Eunuch from the royal palace.”  

“I’ll quickly change and head over.”  Raine told her as she stepped behind the silk screen to change.  

By the time Linqin entered the front parlor, her mother and sister quickly went to her and the three of them knelt to listen to the Head Eunuch read the Emperor’s decree.  

“By command of the Emperor, on the eleventh day of the fifth year of our Emperor’s reign, the Li Clan is hereby found innocent of treason against the crown.  All crimes against the Li Clan have been falsely accused, trialed and executed. Upon this heinous action against the Li Clan, all 9 generation Li woman will be reinstated in their noble house, with 5 chests of gold, 20 silk rolls…”  

Raine zoned out from the list of treasures that the Emperor would give to the Li Clan women.  What was done, was done already, there was to taking back his mistake because all of the male Li Clan were dead.  Only now can the Emperor buy their forgiveness.

Raine went with the motions and accepted the decree.  Her mother and sister was happy with the good news that the Li Clan has been cleared of all crimes and declared innocent.  But Raine didn’t care for the Emperor’s grand gesture.

“Thank you Head Eunuch for delivering such great news.”  Yanyu said as she began to tear up. “Please stay and drink some tea with us.”  

“I must decline, for the Emperor needs me to be by his side as soon as possible.  However, may I ask for the Zither Master to walk me out? There are a few words I would like to speak with her.”  

Yanyu looked at Linqin with a confused look, but she still nodded her head yes.  

Linqin walked the Head Eunuch out and for a while they did not speak.  

“Is there anything you would like for this Eunuch to say to the Emperor.”  He finally asked as he broke their silence.

“Tell him, thank you, for correcting a wrong that was done to my family.  However, my last conversation to his Highness is what I truly meant.” Linqin told the Eunuch.  

“Is that all?”  

“That is all.”  Linqin told him.  

Linqin bowed to the Head Eunuch as he left in the grand carriage.  Her veil blew in the wind as if it was waving the eunuch goodbye.

When the Head Eunuch got back to the palace and relied the Zither Master’s words, Emperor Zhelan’s hands became a fist as he pounded the table in front of him.  

Their last conversation, she asked him to forget her for she would be marrying Minister Weisheng.  Emperor Zhelan sighed and relaxed his body as he closed his eyes. He would do as she asked, for he has already taken so much away from her, if he took more, she would hate him for the rest of his life.  And that was something he could not live with.

When news of the Empress’s death arrived to his study, he listened to the report of the Empress’s suicide and did not look into it.  Instead he immediately made moves to capture all of the Empress’s 9 generation family and detain them. This time, when he is going to cleanse a whole clan, he would ensure to do it correctly with the right evidence.  

The Shu Clan was detained, trialed, and found guilty of their crimes against the crown and country.  The men were killed and the women sold into slavery.

Linqin married Weisheng in a grand ceremony and became his first wife.  Who would have thought that Linqin’s title as the Zither Master would bring greater honor onto the Shen Clan, thus why she was accepted as Weisheng’s first and legal wife.  

By the time she entered Weisheng’s bedroom, Scam notified her of three side mission that she completed.  

[Congratulations!  You have successfully completed hidden side mission, ‘Li Na’s innocence.’   By clearing the Li Clan innocence with the Emperor. +5,000 Soul Force Points

Congratulations!  You have successfully complete hidden side mission, ‘Li Na’s marriage.’  By marrying her betrothed, Weisheng. +5,000 Soul Force Points.

Congratulations!  You have successfully completed hidden side mission, ‘Li Na’s revenge.’  For taking revenge on those who was behind her family’s demise. +5,000 Soul Force Points.

Enjoy your wedding night, Scam will be on vacation for a week.]  

Raine smiled at her silly Scam System and waited for Weisheng to lift her veil so they could drink the ceremonial wedding wine.  

Her wedding night was Weisheng lasted for two weeks, making Scam quickly exit her chambers once he came back after a week’s vacation.  

Linqin lived the rest of her life as Weisheng’s wife and helped Lin Liu find a good man to marry her.  Linqin’s savings made Lin Liu a rich woman and she never wanted for anything. As for Yanyu, she lived with Linqin in the Shen Estate until she died of old age.  

When Linqin died, she died holding Weisheng’s cold body as age caught up with him as well.  

The moment Raine opened her eyes in the system’s space, her system sat on her bed with a happy smile.  

[Welcome back, Host.]

TBC

*****A/N:  Thank you so much for your patience once again.  I had some family issues to take care of and could not write or post anything.  Now that everything is taken care of, I hope you guys enjoyed this story arc, it lets the readers see a more friendly interaction (depending on who you ask) between Raine and Scam, while developing both character's as well. 

Raine's changes are making her more unfeeling and robotic like, while Scam's changes is making him more human.  The mysteries surrounding Scam's missing memories along with who and what is Headquarters continues. 

Thank you for your love and support.  Please remember to like, share and comment.  xoxo -ptd