Chapter 10

The group of five stood outside of the Royal Library, Li Na turned around and put her attention onto Li Qiang. "Li Qiang," she said in a soft voice, "Show me the book that he left behind."

Li Qiang, feeling more important than the dog nodded, "Yes Princess."

Li Xiu Ying then turned her attention to Li Na and Li Jie, "You two please remain outside and make sure no one comes in."

Li Na and Li Jie simultaneously nodded and sat crossed legged on either side of the doors. Then Zheng Wei Jian opened the doors and entered followed by Li Xiu Ying and Li Qiang. Li Qian walked ahead to the third floor and pointed to the red dragon bookshelf, "Princess, it is on that shelf." He then walked over to it and picked up the leather bound book in the same style as the Chrysanthemum tribe's treasured books. "Here Princess," he said as he carefully handed the book to her.

"There is a table over here," Zheng Wei Jian said as he walked her to it.

Li Xiu Ying sat down and meticulously opened the book, "Zheng Wei Jian," she spoke in a soothing tone to get his attention, "May we go to Wang Li Jun's ol residence after shopping tomorrow? People from my tribe are best at hiding things."

Caught surprised by Li Xiu Ying's intimate way of calling his name, he goggled at her in disbelief. He fixed himself and finally spoke after a minute of silence, "Yes, we may." Once she got what she wanted she placed her attention back on the book. He sat opposite of her watching her interactions with the book and Li Qiang. Zheng Wei Jian felt something pierce his heart as he watched how close Li Qiang and Li Xiu Ying were. Trying to divert her attention from Li Qian, he tapped the table, "What have you found out so far?"

Li Xiu Ying glanced at Zhen Wei Jian, "What we do know is that your kingdom was built to fight my tribe. Your men that he sent to you to be trained are supposed to be as strong as our weakest. He wanted to start a war to rule my tribe." She then put her focus back on her book and pointed to a section that Zheng Wei Jian could not discern. "This is written in ancient Spiritual Language, My royal family was taught from young to read, write and speak this language."

"Then how does Wang Li Jun know this language," he asked with questioning eyes.

Li Xiu Ying went into thought for a quick second, Li Qiang spoke while she was silent, "He is a part of the Royal Family. His father is my Princess's grandfather, his mother on the other hand was a small concubine."

Zheng Wei Jian felt the situation get uncomfortable, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up troubling memories."

Li Qian looked at Li Xiu Ying and Zheng Wei Jian and stood up, "I shall take my leave Princess and look for more books." He then left the two in an uncomfortable situation.

"It is fine," she started, "I was trained from young for this upcoming war. If this war happens I do hope that you will be our ally."

He watched as she returned her focus to the book infront of her. "I will always be your ally," he blurted out. Zhen Wei Jian saw her raise her head quickly so he changed the sentence, "Since you are helping me find him."

"Now that I think about it," she paused, "Why do you want to find him so badly?"

Zheng Wei Jian silently clenched his hands, "He is the reason my father is dead."

Li Jie who was silently listening in before entering the third floor laughed, "What is with this man and killing fathers." Li Xiu Ying and Zheng Wei Jian looked towards the doorway and glared. "My apologies," he choked, "Princess, Emperor, there is a man and woman outside, yelling for you. Li Na is keeping them outside, that bird is stronger than she looks. They are demanding justice."

They stood up and looked outside the window that overlooks the walkway. "That family is getting on my last nerve," Zheng Wei Jian whispered to himself.

Li Xiu Ying, glanced at him then asked, "Is that the girl's father and mother?" He nodded in response. Li Xiu Ying grabbed his hand and placed it around her waist suprinsing all three men in the room, "Let us settle this then." He tightened his grip on her waist feeling her soft side and nodded in agreement. They walked down the stairs with Li Qiang holding the book and Li Jie following.

Zheng Wei Jian saw the old man that is Zhang Li Min's father holding a woman in his arms who was sobbing on his shoulder, "My baby, my baby, she needs justice." The old couple saw the emperor holding a young lady in his arms and the wife screamed, "You are the one that maid my baby into a concubine, my poor baby! She is supposed to be his fiance not you! She is laying in bed with marks across her back from being beaten because of you!" The family of two charged at Li Xiu Ying making Zheng Wei Jian, Li Na and Li Jie to stand in front of her to protect her.

"You dare to accuse my wife of harming your daughter causing her to be a lowly concubine like her mother," hollered Zheng Wei Jian at the couple trying to get past Li Na and Li Jie. Li Xiu Ying felt her heart flutter then she looked at Zheng Wei Jian who threw himself in harm's way to protect her. Zheng Wei Jian felt her staring at the side of his face and he looked down at her making eye contact and nodded.

Old Man Zhang tried to calm his wife after realising what they had done, "Your Majesty, that is not what she meant to say." His wife turned to look at him in disbelief and turned to look at the Emperor who was staring at the girl.

"That slut is the reason she is in pain," she yelled at her husband. Her husband raised his hand and slapped his wife's face and bowed.

Zheng Wei Jian felt anger after hearing her defame Li Xiu Ying, "Li Jie," he ordered "Cut her tongue out for slandering my future wife." Old Man Zhang's face was drained of color when he heard this order.

Li Jie, who was angrier than Zheng Wei Jian, smiled his devilish smile, "With pleasure." He whipped out his dagger and started to walk towards the old woman like an angel bringing death and looked back at Li Na, Li Qiang and Li Xiu Ying and nodded. They understood what he wanted, Li Qiang handed Li XIu Ying the book and walked with Li Na towards the old woman. The woman turned pale looking at them coming towards her like demons coming from the depths of hell.

Li Na grabbed Old Man Zhang and threw him to the side, Li Qiang kicked the woman's knees making her kneel and grabbed her arms and forced them behind her back. Li Jie smiled as he grabbed the woman's jaw and pried it open, "Say ahh," he said with an evil smile. He pulled her tongue out with the hand holding the blade and quickly grabbed hold of it with his other hand. With the blade he slowly dragged the blade against her tongue torturing her until he finally cut it out of her head.

Li Qiang, Li Na and Li Jie walked back over to Li Xiu Ying and Zheng Wei Jian who were unfazed and presented the tongue to them. "It is done Your Majesty," Li Jie said with a calmer smile. Old Man Zhang rushed to his wife to hold the fainted woman in his arms.

"You monsters, you dare to cut out my beautiful wife's tongue," he hollered at the two men and woman. They turned around giving him a threatening glare, shutting him up.

Zheng Wei Jian glanced at the couple feeling satisfied with the three Li's work. "Give it to one of my men, they will throw it to the dogs, she will not be needing it. Men throw these people out of the Palace, they can never return. Send word out that the Zhangs are no longer related to the crown." He then gently grabbed the book from within Li XIu Ying's arms, and walked back with Li XIu Ying to his Calla Lily Courtyard.