Chapter 5

*back at the present time*

Fengsheng couldn't help but sigh recalling the past. Thinking of it brought pain to his heart once again.

"We were so close, and yet it was all too late.", Fengsheng ended his story while clenching his fists, sadness and regret evident in his eyes.

Xiao Bai got closer to his uncle and patted one of his shoulder to show his symphaty, "Uncle Zhao, even though I don't remember my mother anymore, I know that she is a great woman."

FengSheng smiled gently at his nephew and nodded at him.

He understood as to why Xiao Bai forgotten his past, it was because it caused the child too much trauma that it automatically chose to erase the painful memories and move on forwards.

Fengsheng noticed that it was already late so he let Xiao Bai go to rest for the day and that they would continue their conversation once they arrived at their destination.

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Morning arrived, little rays of sunlight penetrated through Xiao Bai's curtains. He sat up and dazedly look around.

'And-I'm still here.～(~￣▽￣)~～.'

He got up and took a short bath, got himself into a new set of clothes that his uncle provided him and tidied his hair into a ponytail. 

Looking satisfied at his self,he got out and greeted his uncle a good morning. Fengsheng greeted him back and told him to go check on his mom, Xiao Ling.

Xiao Bai trotted towards Xiao Ling's room and carefully opened the door.

Though to his surprise, Xiao Ling is already awake while sitting on the bed, her back resting on the headboard and looking through the open window so she didn't noticed Xiao Bai entering.

"Mom, you're awake.", Xiao Bai said softly and approached her bedside and sat down.

"Mn. I'm fine now, just a little dizzy."

"Then just rest for the day, I'll go out and get you some breakfast. Do you want anything specific?", Xiao Bai asked as he thought that Xiao Ling might haven't had a Breakfast yet.

"Anything is fine.", she answered.

"Okay, just wait a little.", Xiao Bai replied and stood up. After going out he bumped with his uncle Zhao coming out from the kitchen.

"Uncle, mom is awake already, though I think that she still needs to recuperate for today.", Xiao Bai informed him.

Fengsheng,"That's good to hear...Are you going to get some food for her?"

Xiao Bai, "Yeah, I'm going to prepare some breakfast for her."

Fengsheng nodded in acknowledgedment and told him to hurry and meet him in the terrace afterwards.

After finishing his work inside the kitchen, he headed back towards Xiao ling's room. He prepared a simple congee for her and readied the tonic that the physician gave.

"I'll feed you mom, just stay still.", Xiao Bai said to her while smiling.

Xiao Ling just nodded and let the young man spoil her for the day. And so the breakfast session finished harmoniously.

Xiao Bai, after finalizing that Xiao Ling already have everything that she needed and also drank her medicine, bidded her goodbye and went to his uncle.

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Xiao Bai politely called out, "uncle Zhao, I'm here."

Fengsheng gestured him to sit in front of him and poured him a cup of tea, "Xiao Bai, we need to set out tomorrow, is Xiao ling's condition fit for traveling?"

Xiao Bai sat down and took a sip from his tea, "mom is fine, she just needs to rest for today."

"That's good then.", fengsheng said in a low voice with a sigh of relief.

Xiao Bai naturally heard it but there are more important matters to look into so he dive right into business, " uncle Zhao, the emperor and mother empress are currently chasing us. What should we do for now?"

Fengsheng also joined him in discussing and said, " They won't make a move yet, they are not stupid. The attack last time must be to confirm the news about you and me.

The troops must have made it back already and reported so we don't have a choice but to prepare for any possible attacks."

Xiao bai, "How are you so sure that they won't attack for the time being?"

Fengsheng, "Last month ago, I caught a rat wandering around my base. Unexpectedly the filthy rat is also like a snake, we couldn't take hold of him so I assumed that he already tipped off the royal palace so I immediately set off and met with Xiao Ling to warn her and let you know about your real identity. And it turns out that I'm right and we got ambushed just a few days later."

Xiao Bai got confused and couldn't figure it out, "so-???"

Fengsheng chuckled at his reaction and explained, "Of course the spy that they sent to the base would inform them that we hold an army consist of a hundred thousand men.

I don't also want to boast but I'm a general that could make even a worthless man be invincible in a battle.

The mother empress knew it herself , and it's because she knew that she won't be daring enough to act rashly."

Xiao Bai finally found enlightenment and thought, 'you should have just told me directy (￣^￣)'

"So here's the catch.", fengsheng stared directly into the youth's eyes, as if searching for his resolve which Xiao Bai wholeheartedly showed.

And to be honest , the whole ordeal makes him a little- no, he was really excited. (#^.^#)

Fengsheng, " I have received a report that the Emperor Li is currently out of the country to pursue a beauty from a far nation , it was estimated that it might take a long time since the beauty is the beloved daughter of the King....

Well -that is the news that was circling around , but in fact Emperor Li is trying to get on the good side of Xin Country's reknowned crown prince, Xin XuWei."

Xiao Bai suddenly got more interested, questions like' why does the news different from what really is happening?' and 'who was Xin XuWei?', filled his mind.

"So what's with this Xin XuWei?", Xiao Bai asked.

Fengsheng, " Xin XuWei is deemed to be the next Dragon emperor. He became a scholar that could compete with the wisest man in their kingdom at such a young age of 10; turning 13 he was sent into the frontlines as an adviser but later became a general at the age of 15, winning all the battles that he led.

He got the brain and strength to become a great monarch, so Emperor Li is trying to make sure that he could get close to him."

Xiao Bai then thought and asked, "This Xin XuWei is so great that I'm sure he would not form allegiance with such a useless ruler like Emperor Li."

Fengsheng just smirked and said, " That's why it'll take a long time before they might succeed and so we'll take this time to prepare for some countermeasures and plan out how to seize the throne.

As you know , this Xin XuWei , even though he appears to be an upright person, he is also a deep schemer. I'm sure he'll play with Emperor Li before tossing him aside."

Xiao Bai couldn't help his lips twitch at his uncle's words. It seems like this Xin XuWei is truly a shrewd person, someone who should be in the don't-provoke-list.

FengSheng continued talking then asked, "Xiao Bai have you heard about Yang Gui Private Academy?"

Xiao Bai, "no, why?"

Fengsheng, "You'll start studying in there.

Xiao Bai, "...on what purpose?"

Fengsheng, " Yang Gui Private Academy is an independent school, it means that it is not under any influence of anyone in power. The academy's rule is that everyone that enters the academy, from peasants to royalties shall be treated equally.

It means that only the best of best will rise and those who truly have talent shall be appreciated. Also, while countless talents are discovered, the emperors from different countries often visits Yang Gui to collect those outstanding youths to their own respective country.

You're job is to attract the attention of Xin Country, it's better if you could find the crown prince and get close to him. "

Xiao Bai, "I understand. But what do you mean by 'find the crown prince'?

Fengsheng, " Rumors are running around that the Crown Prince personally entered Yang Gui to associate with the students and bring them back to the kingdom.

In addition it was also said that the Emperor Xin wishes that his son could fine a suitable wife for him with the same aptitude as him.

The difficult thing was, no one has seen the crown prince's face.

The people who got contact with him said that Xin XuWei always wears a mask inside the palace and the soldiers who fought alongside with him are very loyal that they won't spill anything."

Xiao Bai, "Well that was a really tricky situation.（￣～￣;）"

Zhao fengsheng nodded in agreement. It really was a difficult situation, who knew that Xin emperor is such a cautious guy? Hiding his son's face that even assassins cannot point him out.

"Anyway, after arriving in the base, I'll personally train you with martial arts so you could protect yourself inside the academy, so you better prepare yourself. Do you have any questions or clarifications?", Fengsheng informed him.

"No.", Xiao Bai answered. Looking forward to going to school once again. But then he suddenly thought of the mysterious prince.

Such a sly fox is dangerous, he better behave inside the academy and don't run around, not when he is aware that there might be traps everywhere.

However upon entering Yang Gui, not at least 1 and half month have past. An annoying brat kept following him around ,making him lose temper in front of the crowd. Anyway, this is a topic in the future.

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"Let's set off.", Fengsheng reminded the xiao bai and xiao ling pair.

Xiao bai was currently assisting Xiao Ling on making her way outside, making them a little slower than usual. The wounds inflicted on Xiao Ling still hindered her from doing normal activities such as walking.

After getting settled inside, they started their journey. A journey towards Xiao bai's new story.

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Meanwhile at Xin Country's dragon palace.

"But father! Observing the students, that I can do. But why do I need to attend classes?", XuWei explained to his father full of disbelief.

For Xinwei his father's request ( or is it order) was a little bit unreasonable, for xinwei is already considered genius among geniuses. He was brainy when it comes to combat tactics and even more witty in political affairs.

His father the emperor just sighed," I know that you don't need to study anymore, but your mother wishes for you to experience youth, to experience having peers."

"So this is the real reason. You should have said so from the beginning.", XuWei rolled his eyes.

The Emperor laughed and mockingly hit son while saying, "You brat! You'll listen to your mother but not to me."

"Psh, says the one who also does the same.", XuWei laughed with him as well.

The people of Xin country might see their Emperor as a strong-willed man outside but when it comes to his empress, he becomes like a loyal follower, like a pet wagging his tail so his owner would notice him and be showered with her affection.

And XuWei is the same, he seems to be an aloof person but he was very clingy to his favorite person, his mother.

The door opened while they we're messing around, "What are you two doing?"

"Mother","Dear." , the father and son looked towards her and said at the same time.

The empress smiled. It was very gentle that you could feel a very loving air around her. She may be the empress, but she prefer to wear simple clothing with light make-up and a cute and simple crown but her demeanor was enough to show that she is an empress.

"Geez.. One is an Emperor, the other is a famous crown prince and genius general, where is that dignified image you have?", the empress said while her brows lift up and a mocking smile dancing in her small lips then giggled a little.

The empress finally sat down in front of a small table, her posture was very graceful, really fitting as an empress.

"Come and eat, I made some snacks for the two of you.", The empress invited them and the two obediently sat down. XuWei took a bun and tasted it.

He groaned in satisfaction, "Mother, the foods you make is always top notch."

"You don't need to flatter me. Just eat more, okay?", the empress smiled and wiped the sides of XuWei's mouth.

The emperor saw this and naturally felt it was unfair then pouted like a little child. XuWei noticed that his father became and glanced at him.

XuWei chocked on his food, "Father, why are you sulking.", he said in between his coughs. The emperor just looked at him with a straight face while XuWei hurriedly drink his tea, his mother patting his back.

The empress heaved a deep sigh and settled down in her sit once again. She took a piece of bun then faced her husband and fed the delicacy to him.

The emperor was naturally overjoyed and gave a boasting look to his son who was also staring at the scene.

The empress just helplessly shakes her head at her two silly men.

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The last two chapters are all flashback, so I decided to drop this chapter. We're back in the present and to our Xiao Bai. Yey! Anyway, please don't forget to leave a comment!