Chapter 6; Qintong...

They had just arrived in qintong. Hao mei thought East Qing was the most beautiful place in the world but ,upon seeing qintong she knew she was wrong. Although it was late at night, the city was bright with red and yellow coloured lanterns on every street giving it a very bright hue. Even though they were traveling on schedule long tian xi refused to stop for a rest after they arrived in Qintong.

The next morning the Officials and governors had gathered at the palace to discuss the next step to take after the emperors death. "As you all know ,The emperor passed on last night, it's a grave event but the nation cannot be without a ruler and the crown prince is absent from duty, the younger prince tian mo is too young to take control so I nominate myself as an acting regent till the condition of the nation is stable" . Tang Rhong Guang said with a wry smile on his face. After the death of the first Empress Tang Rhong Guang had married of his daughter to the emperor even though she was two decades younger than the emperor, to fuel his ambition. So the second Empress was the mother of the second prince.

"So we will make an unanimous

vote " the officials were distraught all the governors were on the side of the prime minister he already had majority votes if they were to go against him they would surely suffer a terrible loss,as the voting was about to begin a palace guard ran into the hall to convey the news.

"my lord the crown prince is back and he has brought a lot of slaves with him"

This could only mean one thing the prince had defeated East Qing but was that even possible. The room was thrown into utter chaos with everyone murmuring about the situation when the eunuch announced the princes arrival. "your highness I'm glad you came back saf ...."Tang Rhong Guang was cut short by longtian xi

"what is this "he thundered "my father hasn't even been dead for more than a day and your already up to your scheming "

"forgive me your highness but I only did what I thought was best for the nation "

"we will mourn my father's death for the appropriate time after which this meeting will be held. That's what's best for the nation"

"yes your highness ".

Tang Rhong Guang was very angry but there was nothing he could do. He had served three Emperors and this little boy treated him like this .He would show him that he was no push over.

The people that were brought back from East Qing were detained in cells underneath the palace. Hao mei had been reunited with her father, all the people were weary and travel worn but they were happy at least they were alive. Majority of the people were women and children the only men were members of the royal family,and the old and sickly men. Night had fallen upon them as they all wondered what was their fate the scariest thing was not knowing what would happen next ,everyone was lost in thought when the guards brought in dinner .they opened the cells to serve the food when they were done they pulled out hao mei and dragged her away she was much too tired to struggle she screamed instead but to no avail it almost seemed like the palace was empty. She was dragged into an empty room and the door was locked behind her .So this is the end ,she thought ,she wouldn't see her dad again or her aunt. They would probably be executed and join her mother in the afterlife. She couldn't help but shed hot tears at the thought of this.

Long tian xi walked into the room unoticed by the girl inside. She was lying on the floor curled up into a ball.The moonlight lot up her figure. He could see her porcelain like face it was ghastly pale probably from fatigue, her light sobs joined with the other sounds of the night was pleasant to his Ears in a perverse way. He walked towards her and picked her up from the way she reacted it was quite obvious that she was shocked .

"Let go of me "she said standing on her own and wiping her face furiously "what do you want from me, haven't you done enough already why wont you leave me alone " she said furiously.

" I have a proposition for you " he said maintaining a calm demeanor .

"I'm not interested in anything you have to offer so please leave me alone " .

"you'll be interested because this concerns the future of your people " upon hearing that the look in hao mei eyes changed she was annoyed by his calmness especially when it was something that concerned the lives of so many people.

"Your answer will determine if your people live or die. So think carefully before you answer. "

"what is it you want " she asked hao mei was willing to do anything so far it guaranteed the survival and safety of her people. " I want you and it doesn't matter if you don't like me because I'll have you either way but remember if you refuse me I can't guarantee what will happen to your people " he said with a cold look. Hao mei was speechless what was this guy saying he must be crazy.

" I hate you, you're so evil "she said whilst shedding tears.

"it doesn't matter if you hate me, I still want you and I always get what I want. The guards will take you back to your cell. Think carefully because it's the only way to save your people . I'll see you tomorrow. " long tian xi said walking out of the room.

When the guards brought hao mei back to the prison cell everyone was already asleep except her father who was anxious about her whereabouts.

"mei mei what happened, where did they take you, are you OK, did they hurt you,"he asked question after question

" I'm okay. I spoke to the Prince "

"what does he want " he asked getting even more agitated

" He offered to protect our people but.... " before she could conclude he interrupted her

" Don't worry we'll figure it out but I can't give you to that man go to bed its already late" he said turning to face the wall. Tomorrow was another day hopefully it would be better