First Scene

[Weicheng's POV]

I woke up early to go to General Niu, tonight he will be assigning us to different departments. As per the rules, it will be rotated so we can experience each other departments and gather the information that will help us consolidate our works. In the meantime, we have to go to the assigned to finish the following tasks that we will be getting.

Today is a gloomy day, I must say. I whimpered when a strong wind blew. The palace is still wet from the heavy rain last night. I still have to thank that we have roofs and think how to help those who don't. I made my way down the hall. According to General Niu's everyday routine, he might be practicing already in the palace ground. I hurriedly made my way as I saw the ground was almost dry. I looked at the sun slowly rising on the horizon.

"General" he turned his head towards me. He finished his sword practice with one swift move and put his sword back on the racks as he went to meet me.

"Dan Weicheng" he walks towards me as I fix my robe. He then motioned for us to sit at the nearest table, "Why are you up so early?"

"I have things to talk to you about, General"

"Hmm, " he just hums as if asking.

"Well, the situation of the Northern Kingdom and the slums of the Capital."

"Alright, " he said while waiting for my words.

"I saw the struggle of people with the food distribution outside the palace. Considering the drought is coming, I can hardly think what will happen to those that are starving today. They will all die of hunger. The food is not enough to sustain their living." I looked at the ground as I continued.

"I would like to ask. The major grievance is the imposition of taxes, right?" He nods to answer

"The tax is imposed even to the citizens who are considered peasants, those who cannot even pay for a single meal a day" before I could continue, he cut me off by asking.

"You would like to be assigned to the Department of Revenue?"

"No, " I answered quickly as he tried finishing my words.

"Then?"

"I would like to be assigned in the Department of Budget"

"Budget? But that's the smallest department, " he stood up as he walked back and forth, his hands are clasped behind his torso. "The budget cannot help those who struggle to pay their revenues. And the money were all submitted at the revenue."

I shook my head in disapproval.

"I don't think so. Department of Budget allocates the budget for farmers, merchants, and trading. They are the ones who communicate directly to the common people. I don't think they are worthless"

The Minister of Finance has two departments. The Revenue which the taxes are imposed, and the Budget where the budgets are allocated, for the maintenance of the kingdom. The two work well together but have opposing struggles.

"To know if the tax is well managed and well levied, then we have to know if the budget is well distributed," I said. "How can we impose taxes on the citizens if the kingdom cannot give them enough budget to start?"

General Niu nodded as he put his hand under his chin, thinking.

"Makes sense, but every department must have two students assigned." he blurted out as I smiled.

"I want to take on whoever in my group," I nodded as to compromise.

"But, this department was taken already, earlier."

"Earlier?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, a while ago, before you arrive" he sat down again as he drinks his cup of tea.

"by whom?"

"By Wang Tae Hua," He said. I frowned, realizing and puzzled by the reason he'll be taking the lowest part of the Finance.

"What? Why?"

"He said that he needs to start from the people to gather thoughts and concerns as to their economic struggle. And same as you, he thinks Budget is the first and major problem."

I thought of several things and I don't want to give up this department. I have been looking forward to this, to first gather the report that will help by doing an inductive reasoning process. This method starts with a body of observations and is synthesized to come up with a general principle as to how we can fix the internal conflict.

"I-I don't think we'll live in peace in one department," I said.

"Tae Hua is smart and responsible, he may be aloof to people and proud, but he cares for the common good and the welfare of his citizens."

I can't stand his presence, but I have to gather the data as to why the imposed taxes are high but the distribution is low.

I sigh. We can just go separate ways while working.

"Alright" as I agreed.

General Niu is about to leave today to send our names to the departments, the king and queen went out to attend an important delegation at the Empire. So the Palace is only filled with students and the attendants today.

I walk back as I plead my goodbye to General. As the sun rose. I am thinking as to how I can look up the process. I don't think the nobles are having problems with the distribution. I assume the benefits of the kingdom are freely given to them, especially to the distinguished families. I never knew that the conflict here is grievous. If I can talk to the rebel group and hear their side, that will lessen the crime rate. But, that would take some time to take action.

I have to take it one step at a time.

I have been out of my mind as I hurried my way back to prepare for the attendance this morning. We will gather first and we will be having our roll call of names as we eat breakfast.

I turn right as I stumbled upon a person as the food from a wooden container splattered all around the floor. The attendants immediately caught her arms before she could fall. I looked at her as I help the other attendants reach and clean the tiled floor with all the spoiled rice, soup, and extra desserts.

After we clear the mess her eyes narrowed as if trying to remember my face. I bowed my head and asked to leave. She looked at me as she tilted her head to look at me intently.

"Are you dumb, blind, or just plain stupid?"

"I apologize for my recklessness, I deserve to be punished," I said as she just fake laughed. She took the wooden food containers from her attendant and threw them all away. My eyes bore into her as she hysterically scattered all of the mess and all the food.

I once again remembered the children and adults begging for food outside.

"Do you know how many hours I've stayed to cook all of these and you just ruined it with your filthy hands?"

I have already said my apologies, this Princess could not contain her anger. "I can cook it again to compensate," I said not really wanting to make this a big issue.

"No! Hold him," she told all her attendants "I want you to be punished today"

I stood up properly to look at her straight in her raging eyes, because of our height difference I just properly stood up as our gaze reached. Her slender body screams gracefulness. She frowned and the attendants told me to lower my head, as she caught me stealing a glance at her. Princess Feng Chin Xiao's elegance never falters even if she says uninvited words.

I bow not wanting to create any more scenes, knowing that my classmates will soon go out of their rooms and people might see us. I asked myself to leave first as she closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She took my arm as she pushed me to the ground.

"I am not in a good mood, how dare you test me? Would you like me to request your sudden failure of this course and to send you away and never to return to Arghon?" she hissed, her attendants caught my arms as looked at her in a blank face.

She told me to stand up as I saw her small flicker smile, that smile that meant to say something is not favorable for her. Her flowery dress and long hair flew as the wind started to sweep again, her headdress started clinking as she tried to sound arrogant as she introduced herself.

"I am the North Arghon Princess, The only Feng Princess and Yun Clans heiress. How dare you get in my way. Hold him"

People, students, and attendants are gathered around us as they try to get in to stop Her Highness. I saw Laohu and my friends snatched their way when the Princess ordered to keep all the people away from the scene.

"Weicheng" I heard Chou and Pei hang shouted, as I merely side eye them. My arms are captured by these two attendants which I just sighed. I looked at her straight in the eyes as her teeth gritted in anger, she was about to slap me when a hand pushed it away.

"Stop it!" I saw Ji Wok caught her hand inches away from my face.

[ Third Person ]

The Shun Palace was overturned when several attendants, eunuchs, and the guards started swarming at the eastern hallway. Students, including those who were in their rooms, started fixing their robes as they follow where the commotion is.

"Princess Xiao is in a heated argument in the hallway" Eun Jo knows the patience of the Highness.

Eun Jo also grew up with the three Yuns so aside from the two cousins, he clearly knew the patience and the limitations of the Young Princess. She was well mannered, often describe as elegantly composed. Her words are coherently capable and fixed solely by following the royal court rules. In short, the Princess never loses control in front of everyone.

"Whoever was it, he/she will never get away with the Princess' web. They can either stop breathing or bargain their soul to hell" Chou Xi said as they walked fast following the buzzing and noise.

"That person is one of a kind to tear off the focal mask of the Elegant and Composed Princess," Eun Jo said as if clapping his hands already.

They followed the crowd, as they cannot get in the view, the hallway was closed by the Princess' attendants. Laohu looked at the scene as he narrowed his eyes.

"Where is Weicheng?" Pei Hang asked them as they all side glanced to find their friend.

Laohu already started getting into the crowd. Eun Jo noticed and followed Laohu as he immediately took Laohu's arm to stop him. His eyes darted to where his friend's eyes are on. His eyes grew big as he shook his head in shock.

"Why is Weicheng there?" some of their classmates asked as they started talking and exchanging glances.

The four friends of Weicheng started getting into the crowd when a few of the Palace guards stopped them. They were about to use force when the swords were taken out and pointed at their necks. They saw how Weicheng was suddenly caught by her two arms.

Laohu shouted to his cousin, he saw the face of her disapproval to take part in the situation. He was about to get in again when he saw the eyes of Cheng not wanting his involvement.

"We have to follow him," Eun Jo said as if knowing what Weicheng wants them to do.

The fuss was messy, as Qui Run, Ji Wok, and Tae Hua reached the scene. They were shocked to see the commotion be this huge. The King and Queen went out to visit the Empire because of business matters, so the Kingdom is unsupervised today.

"I can't believe that this will result in chaos" Qui Run said to his two best friends which he gained a silent response.

"Princess Xiao actually took the step of getting her name involved in such a scene. But, the more endearing is that Weicheng is actually the aggrieved party here." Qui Run drop his fan as he watched with enthusiasm.

"Tae Hua" Ji Wok looked at his cousin's serious face. Tae Hua is about to leave when they heard Laohu shouted Weicheng's name and his eyes drift to Weicheng.

"Why can't you just use your force to get away?" he whispered under his breath when Ji Wok beside him run off to the guards and jump his way to pass through them.

Tae Hua's eyes are still fixed on Weicheng as his forehead creases to the scene, he was about to go there when he was stunned to see Ji Wok is holding Xiao's hand mid-air. Princess Xiao's attempt at slapping Weicheng was interrupted by Ji Wok's sudden interference.

"Stop it," Ji Wok said as the Princess tried to take off her hands him. "People are watching you" She had to breathe in before she could finally let go from the hand of her cousin. In complete annoyance, she ordered to let Weicheng go.

The Princess let go unsatisfied.

She smiled as she passed by Weicheng "Count yourself lucky, today. The moment I learn anything from you, I will dig your own dirt and bury you alive. Be ready."

"Don't mind her" He said to Weicheng as he saw how her eyes turned cold.

Ji Wok caught the arms of Weicheng as Laohu took it and drag her away from him and away from the scene, people are slowly dispersing, still talking about the incident.

Ji Wok and Qui Run returned to their room. Ji Wok saw Weicheng and her roommates entered their room, his eyes fixed on him for a moment when he was disturbed and bombarded by questions.

"What was that?" Ji Wok annoyingly looked at Qui Run's eyes the moment they entered their room.

"What do you mean?" Ji Wok asked still idling.

"Why do you always involve yourself with that troublemaker?" Qui Run is busy looking at his fan. As if it is the most interesting thing on the planet.

"I don't," he said as he stretched and arch his back, sitting comfortably.

"Hmm?" Qui Run's eyes cheekily looked at his best friend "I have to warn you"

Ji Wok's forehead creased as to what Qui Run's saying. "Warn about what?" he hissed as he grimaced. "You know nothing about things," he said in Qui Run as he closes his fan and seriously look at him.

"I know a few." Ji wok's eyes shoot up to Qui Run who is now serious, they gazed at each other as if waiting, until Qui Run laughed "that those kinds of people keep a lot of secrets, so I am warning you."

He sighed in relief as he narrowed his eyes. He thinks for a while and shook his head. Ji Wok suddenly closed his eyes as he put his head on the table. "Wake me up later"