Chapter 64: Emperor Zhong

The new rebellion threatens the state of Jin Chun, it was becoming quite common for Emperor Zhong to get involved with the spy network, that day their enemies, however, were ready. Emperor Zhong and General Yang had to retreat back to the palace, Emperor Zhong slammed his fist on his study table frustrated.

"How they find out about us?" His thin lips get thinner as General Yang became wary at his presence.

Emperor Zhong Xian Zhen is a man in his prime thirties, is considered cold and calculative king, crowned in a very young age he had proved himself worthy of is the title, he unlike his predecessor choose to live in harmony and peace, focusing on the development of his country rather than mindless battels. But his cold and calculating ways scared people equally to his sword in three-generation of Zhong Dynasty there was no king like him.

His a cold expression and his icy tone keep everybody inline but lives mostly reserve life and seems like most of the time he had no worldly attachment maybe beside his son the Crown Prince Shuren. But this recent rebellion that is being shown behind his back made him frown a little because the suspect was his own younger brother.

"We have yet to investigate, Your majesty but rest assured our best spies are on it,"

Today went total waste, next time he would get the evidence. His little brother needs a lesson but he is most curious about what he is planning to do after two failed assassination attempt, is that all he has?

When he went to sleep that night he didn't felt the stung of the failure but closing his eyes, he hears that fierce voice of the young woman in the market and those bells, she was beautiful, wasn't she? Something in him whispered.

One month passed, that day in the evening only Hong Liu and one server were, it was getting darker because Shi Shi was not feeling well, Hong Liu took her palace today and only last two tables were filled with tenants. She prepared the order but server disappear, she sighs tired out of her bones. Now she has to serve as well. She groaned internally. But she sat up all the dishes on a bigger tray, she served the four-man first on the right corner, then to the ones who were sitting on left third. She kneeled down to set their food by, without looking at the men's face. She was so...tired she just wanted to go and sleep her heart out. Its been a hard-working week, her hair was tied into a bun but now at the end of the day, few hairs fall down to her face. She serves the man that was in light grey robes, sniffling yawn.

Black cold stone eyes stop on the tired face of the young woman as she walked on the down to serve them, her bells chimed and his head shot up at the familiarity of it, This chime had haunted his dream for the past month. Xian Zhen for a second found himself unable to breathe as he took the appearance of the woman who was now serving them, She leaned closer to serve him, his attention was completely on the dishes she was serving.

She was the same one in the market last month, he can't help but smile a little remembering her fierce performance. She didn't look up at him but he stares at her without a blink, he breathes in and that odd familiar scent of peach blossom-filled his senses. She was fierce last time and right now.....Xian Zhen frown, she didn't even look up at him. His two long lean strong fingers slide the soup bowl a little forcefully making the soup spill on the table. Hong Liu internally groan at it and took out the cloth that she stuck on the ties of her bells to clean the table.

She silently cleans the table.

Can't she look up for a second? He thought.

"My apologies," He murmured, it might be the first time his life he had to apologise for anything but it was solely to make her lookup.

The familiar throaty cool but rich voice travelled down to Hong Liu and her breath froze in mid-air, she clutches the cloth in her hand and swallowed but she can't help she lean away suppressing a shiver, this couldn't be? How can he....? She raised her eyes to him slowly.

The cold stone black eyes met the dark warm ones and Hong Liu almost slipped on her knees looking at the man in front of her.

'First Lord' She thought. In mortal incarnation.