The order

[ Third Person ]

The sirens inside and outside the Northern Kingdom indicate that important people arrived at the Capital. All of the guards are alerted for safety measures. The King and Queen arrived at the city with the Imperial Princes and Master Dan to supervise the students for the following weeks.

The birds chirped as the last drop of morning dew fell. Students and people of the Kingdom are tasked to welcome the distinguished guests at the open court of the Hall.

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[ Ji Wok's POV ]

I hurried my roommates to the open court to welcome the Empress. It's hard to be the leader of this group. I saw Tae Hua side-glanced at me before he stood up and left us without a word. He's probably going to the empress to send his greetings. He went on and never looked back again.

I sighed and smiled.

Qui Run went to my side with a confused face as he asked what happened to our friend. I just shrugged at him and pushed him aside to walk ahead. If I answer all his questions now, we'll probably finish after dusk.

I remember how Tae Hua looked at Weicheng and I, with disbelief in his eyes. I talked to him about it and he just listened without telling me anything. He never even reacted or any hints of understanding what happened. I said I couldn't tell anything because it is Weicheng's story to tell. I guess he's just throwing tantrums for not being included with the secret.

"You two are acting strangely," Qui Run shouted, walking far behind me. I shook my head.

I noticed Laohu and Weicheng at the end of the hallway talking with the Imperial Physician, If I remember correctly, she's the sister of Laohu. The girl who hugged Weicheng at the Academy. She might be sent here to assist the Empress and Master Dan.

We turned right upon nearing the first hallway, my eyes still not leaving them.

I heard Qui Run asked, "Is she the other Dan?"

My eyes drifted as Weicheng's eyes met mine. I just continued walking and nodded to answer Qui Run.

"she looked different than Laohu and Weicheng who looks more foreign also they looked alike. I could possibly tell they are relative or some sort. That physician is far from their faces."

I turned around and hissed at his nosy talking. He held out his fan as I told him to "stop buzzing". I continued walking and put my arms at the back. He just pouted as if thinking further.

When we reached the open court, it is already filled with the officials lined up to their designated positions and ranks. Our classmates are far on the other side. I saw Master Pu at the center together with the Empress.

My eyes drifted to Tae Hua looking far away. Tae Hua's face could not be painted, maybe because he is beside the Princess.

Queen Ni Xua stood up beside her sister, the Empress. Their faces are so similar, that you could not tell them who is who, apart from their headdress and of course their huge dress. Those scary faces.

I heard Laohu, Weicheng, and the physician fill up the line at the back. They were ignored for their sudden intrude as the Empress started.

I just shook my head.

"The issue of the 2nd Princess came abruptly and reached the capital. The emperor decided to send me, and the 1st and 2nd Prince here to issue the Imperial Edict and to help the North-kingdom to handle this." The empress motioned Teacher Pu to stand and read the edict. "Since I am the Mother of this Empire, I have to care for my people and extend my hand here"

"Master Pu" she motioned with grace.

Master Pu took the scroll and opened it.

"Arghon Empire is just and fair. The sudden news shook the kingdom. The 2nd Princess as a royal Blood of the North has been away for the past 13 years without any traces left. Queen Yun Ni Xua requested further assistance regarding the issue. I sent my Empress and 2 other Princes to help gather information and to support the North Royal Family, since there's still an internal conflict, the students are still yet to continue their training. I ask Master Dan to delegate the Princess' issue with his 8 best students. They are off of their training and to join the search for the princess"

I could not help but frown hearing the edict.

"So, the empress and queen will join hands to finding the 2nd princess?" I looked at Qui run's sudden question and shook my head.

He could not just stop his mouth from talking anywhere.

I don't think the news is true, I want to believe it is true. But, knowing the queen will handle this, it will be safe for the princess to never reveal her identity in the meantime. My eyes drifted to Tae Hua. The sun reflected his face as his brows are starting to curl. He must be thinking deep now.

I need to ask Master Pu to assign me with the search. Whatever happens, I need to be part of the search.

"The Princess is probably on the run" I heard Laohu said as Weicheng nodded in agreement.

They probably did not know the issue regarding the 2nd Princess' disappearance. People only knew that she was ambushed on the way to the north border by some bandits.

"I hope she'll be found soon," Bai Ku Ji said to his group.

I just sighed as the event was concluded. The officials took their leave as they whispered from each other. Some of them are worried, some just quietly exit, but most of them do not care at all.

"13 years had passed, I don't think she'll even survive the assassination."

"I heard that she was ambushed on the way to the north border. But her body was never found."

"That's impossible"

The last official took his leave as my eyes darted to Dan Weicheng still not moving, her eyes are blankly staring at the people leaving the court. Listening and just taking the news.

"Cheng" she stammered as she looked at me

"Ji wok"

I lowered my head to meet her gaze "are you alright?"

She mumbled something and nodded, "Of course. By the way, I need to leave first. I need to catch up with Mu Lin" she then took her to leave. as I watched her slowly walking.

I initially tried to look for Tae Hua. Qui Run on the other hand left with the other as I saw Tae Hua secretly going inside the hall. I followed and saw him waiting outside the throne. All the attendants were asked to leave. The Queen and Empress are inside talking, I reached to his side and was dumbfounded to hear my aunts talking.

Tae Hua almost lost his balance as to what he heard.

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[Third Person ]

After the imperial edict, the Yun sisters went inside the Queen's throne room with Master Pu and general Niu, leaving everyone. Little did they know that the Third Prince has managed to escape the guards and the attendants leaving the hall.

He found a secret door where he can hear them inside talking. He clearly knew that there's something he needed to know.

The vast throne room is made with gold and blue ornaments all over it, surrounding the powerful seat. Queen Yun and Empress Yun stood still as they commanded the two Teachers.

"We have to have the advantage of talking to the red assassins to help us look for the 2nd Princess" The Queen stated.

"If the Princess is still alive, she probably is living here inside the Arghon." The Empress concluded.

"General, I have to ask you to talk to all kingdoms regarding this matter and relay my message" The Empress walked back and forth holding her beads as if silently praying.

"All 18-year-old girls and is born in the year 807 should be held for questioning" the Queen said

"We can't do that" Dan Pu Chi surprisingly vent out. He cleared his throat to regain his composure before he continued. "This is an urgent matter, and The Princess might be hurt in the process of doing that. We can't afford to do that."

The Queen looked at Master Dan

"he's right" he stood up and stopped the Empress from pacing. "We should be careful about this matter. Or else we'll be held liable" The Empress said. Still

"What's your proposition then?"

"Remember the red assassins?" Pu started "We could use them on our leverage"

"Since they probably have the idea about this, we can talk to them to help us find the princess in exchange of their condition"

"Absurd!" The Queen shouted "They are rebels of our kingdom, we cannot rely our burdens to them"

The Empress just stayed calm and looked at The Teacher "Elaborate your view"

The Queen scoffed "This is an important matter, Red Assassins are rebels"

"Let's listen first"

"The issue of Red Assassins is the tax imposition set by the Revenue and accepted by the Kingdom. To gain their trust we have to hear their sentiments and give them the condition of lowering the taxes based on their income."

Queen Yun hissed in disapproval "This Second Princess problem is getting out of the hand"

Master Dan did not flinch and continued "By removing the corrupt officials, the Red Assassins will definitely lower their guard and we can ask them to support our cause."

"I won't tolerate traitors, including them." The Queen said with a stern and proud voice, not lowering her guard.

"I think Master Dan has a point. Their reason for this internal conflict is mainly because of the tax imposition. We should try to convince them that we are allies. By then we can use them for our gain. We cannot afford any more conflicts inside."

The Queen silenced as she thought of the possibilities. Still not willing she should have something up on her sleeves.

By now, she just needed to step forward.

She nodded as she agreed. "Alright, General Niu and Master Dan, we should start off by talking to the department heads about this. We just need to support the cause for the meantime until we gain the trust of the Red Assassins."

After the meeting, the two Masters of Academy took off as the Yun sisters tried to gather their thoughts.

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[ Tae Hua's POV ]

I can't believe I am hearing this. I said just enough for my ears to hear. I looked at Ji Wok as he moved back and we walked silently. Every step of us seems like we're walking on a piece of thin ice.

While walking the empty hall, my mind is still wandering around. He nudged me with a puzzled look. "What are you thinking?"

I turned to the back part of the inner court as Ji wok just shrugged and followed me. He depleted when he realized we were going far behind the court. This place is already gated and has been hidden from everyone.

This old hall of the North Kingdom is an abandoned hall. Wisteria Hall had been closed to everyone. As I entered its vicinity, pots and falling leaves are scattered. The Wisteria Hall's railings and roofs are dusty. I don't think a single person was even allowed to reach this point.

"This- This is the Second Princess' chambers" I heard Ji wok's utterances as he followed me upon opening the rustic door. "Why don't we go to her tomb?"

"We cannot do that. The Empress and the Queen will surely watch for our next moves."

I heaved a sigh as I scratch my forehead. It has been 13 years since we last saw Princess Xie'en. This hall was once a happy place, full of love and joy.

Ji wok suddenly silenced as he saw the huge portrait of a 5-year-old Princess, hanged in the east part of her room. The painting is covered with clear glass. I walked down to look at the portrait.

"She probably changed a lot, she probably never even remembered our names. For those 13 years, we have managed to live by remembering her eyes and smiles" Ji Wok stated

I looked at him with sadness in his eyes.

I left the portrait as I went to her favorite spot in the room. She has this secret passage that the three of us only knew. It was hidden behind her large oak wood shelf. Where the books are properly arranged by year and are carefully fixed.

I remember her traits of arranging the books as of Dan Weicheng. I thought it was some kind of a perfectionist, but remembering it was a common trait. Maybe it was just being an overt act. I cleared my throat and gathered my voice.

"We have to have the upper hand here." I started, Ji wok's eyes went from the portrait to mine. "The Princess could be in danger if she is really alive." my eyes looked back to the bookshelf where the hidden passage is located.

"Before that, we have to talk to the Red assassins before they take their action" The Queen and the Empress will surely do their best to get rid of her before she could go back again.

My voice is mere whispers. In case someone is around.

"The North Kingdom especially The Yuns will probably kill her before she is identified." I agreed to Ji Wok's sentiments. "I can't believe Master Dan and General Niu is part of this plan"

"Starting today, we cannot trust anyone here, especially the Dans" I said which Ji wok just narrowed his eyes.

"Don't tell me you're really trusting that Weicheng?"

He just walks back to sit in a dusty chair "Wei cheng is out of this"

I shook my head as I followed him to the table I also sat down "Remember, he's also under the Empress' orders"

His eyes suddenly narrowed upon looking at a dusty tea set "are you listening?" I asked him

"Yes" his eyes went to the other side, but his forehead is still creased.

"As for Qui Run, I have to test the water first. We could not risk this." I said before we decided to leave the Wisteria Hall.

I never thought that this school year will be full of issues.