Treason

"I think the king is wrong!" a voice came out of nowhere. Hung Dao and Thien Thanh turned their heads toward the direction of the voice. Ngu Lao slowly stepped out.

"Ngu Lao, how long have you been there?" Hung Dao was surprised and was a bit embarrassed.

Ngu Lao kneeled down with his head on the ground,

"Please forgive me, my prince. I am worried about where you have gone. I never intended to get involved with your personal life," Ngu Lao apologized sincerely.

"A secret will eventually be discovered. It is just a matter of time. Don't feel guilty Ngu Lao. You have done nothing wrong," Hung Dao said. His face then darkened, "But Ngu Lao, I can not forgive you for being disrespectful towards the king. You better explain yourself."

"My prince, I am by no means disrespecting the king. I am just trying to express my opinion," Ngu Lao explained.

"Continue," Hung Dao still angry. The authority in his voice was definitely from the royal blood.

"My Prince, the Yuan greediness can not be stopped entirely by just marrying off princess Thien Thanh. That will only temporarily pause the march of the Yuan army. I think the king's intention was good, but it is still lacking," Ngu Lao honestly said.

"Ngu Lao!" Hung Dao yelled. "I know that you are an honest and straightforward man, but what you just said is unacceptable. Even what you said is right, you and your family life could be in danger if someone hears that. What you said is treason!" Hung Dao yelled again.

"My prince! Do we still have time to pay attention to those things! Our country is on the line of being erased from history like many unnamed nations in the past. Didn't you say we need someone like me the most in times like this? If what I said is considered treason, then why did you even bring me here. I have sacrificed my precious time that I could spend with my mother to be here thinking I can serve my country. If you still think that I have committed treason, then my head is right here!" Ngu Lao expressed strongly. He knew that had risked his and his mother's lives on the line, but Ngu Lao strongly thought that his mother would not be disappointed at all.

"Hai… Ngu Lao, stand up. How long are you going to kneel like that," Hung Dao softened his voice.

"As long as you don't acknowledge my message, my prince, I am going to stay like this,"

"I understood everything, and I heard nothing," Hung Dao said.

Ngu Lao knew what Hung Dao meant. He gratefully stood up.

"What a play this is!"