The Imperial Mandate

It took a few days, but Long Feng Meng and the bulk of her legion…ahem, I mean sect (been reading too many Horus Heresy novels recently, sorry) returned along with a lot of imperial guard. They held the mandate from the Emperor – having executed Cheng Kun immediately after they escorted him back in chains, the imperial guard and councilors were here to conduct an investigation.

The major sects present were expected to vacate the premises while the councilors interrogated, searched for evidence and investigated. That was only to be expected, though I wondered how they would keep the prisoners in line. It turned out that the imperial guard would be providing the security services. Apparently they didn't trust the other major sects enough…couldn't blame them, not after what Cheng Kun and the Azure Water Sect pulled.

What surprised me was the mandate the imperial guards handed to me.

"His majesty the Emperor wishes to see you," the official explained to me, reading out from a scroll bearing the Emperor's seal.

"Uh, okay?" I wanted to ask why, but one did not simply

"You are to go to the imperial capital at your earliest convenience."

That sounded polite, but in reality it actually meant, "Get your ass over here right now." Of course they weren't unreasonable enough to not gve me time to prepare and settle things back home, so I had at least a few days' grace.

"Understood. I will go as soon as possible, after I take care of matters back home."

"The message has been passed." The official nodded and cupped his hands. I returned the greeting respectfully, and then followed Lan Bei Er out of there.

We returned home, to Azure Cloud City first. I had to inform my parents-in-law about the situation. Father-in-law, in particular, was concerned.

"Why would his majesty the Emperor want to see you?"

"Apparently it has something to do with the Celestial Creatures Palace formation that I used during the intersect tournament. Huang Qian Jin informed his father his majesty about it, and now his majesty the Emperor wishes to ask me about that."

"Oh, right. Because only those of royal descent or with links to the royal family would be able to use the Celestial Creatures Palace formation." Father-in-law nodded. He frowned. "You're not from the royal family, are you?"

"No, I'm pretty sure I'm not. I learned it from my master…maybe he's from the royal family."

"That's the thing…you can't just learn the Celestial Ceatures Palace formation," mother-in-law explained. "You need to have some sort of connection with the royal family to be able to activate it in the first place."

I did not know that.

"Then this could only mean one thing," father-in-law said, rubbing his chin as he mused to himself. "His majesty the Emperor plans to marry one of his daughters – her highness the princess – to you."

"But I'm already married." I glanced at Lan Bei Er. "I don't intend to take another wife or concubine. I'm an advocate of monogamy."

"Yeah, well…I'm not sure how his majesty the Emperor will react to that. I'm sure there are politics and stuff involved, but this being the imperial mandate, you have no choice but to go. Unless you intend to…uh, rebel." Father-in-law sighed heavily. I mirrored his expression, exhaling wearily.

"So I have no choice but to go either way. If his majesty the Emperor really sends a marriage request to me, I will reject it."

"Is…that what you really want to do?" Lan Bei Er asked softly. I took her hand and nodded.

"Yeah, you're the only one for me. I don't want to get involved with royal family politics and whatever. And I said that I'm an advocate of monogamy, right?"

"I mean, if it's better for you to divorce me and marry her highness the princess instead…"

"NEVER!"

Lan Bei Er was taken aback by my vehement response. I held her hand tighter, as if refusing to let go.

"I'll repeat myself. You're the only one for me. I'll never marry anyone else. End of discussion."

"While I'm grateful you love my daughter so much, you should also consider your position." Father-in-law looked uncomfortable, but I shook my head.

"I have, and I will make the same decision no matter what. Bei Er is the only wife for me. I refuse to marry anyone else."

"Thank you for treasuring our daughter so much." Mother-in-law lowered her head. "Bei Er is really fortunate to have met you."

"Did the mandate say who you'll have to marry?" Father-in-law asked curiously. "From what I know, the unmarried princess closest to your age should be the seventh princess, Huang Wan Hai. Is that who the mandate identified as your potential marriage candidate?"

"Uh, I think so. I didn't really pay attention. I was more focused on thinking how to politely reject the Emperor's marriage request without getting myself executed."

"Oh, okay." Father-in-law raised an eyebrow, but at least he didn't question me. If I wasn't mistaken, he should have a few concubines himself, but obviously that wasn't a topic I wanted to ask him about. He also didn't mention it, and obviously I couldn't ask Lan Bei Er or mother-in-law about it. It would be insensitive.

Once the discussion was done, Lan Bei Er accompanied me back to our room where she began to help me pack. She hesitated for a moment and glanced at me.

"You know, you can stay here if you don't want to go." She raised her head and looked out of the windows. "You can rely on me. I'll be the future castellan of Azure Cloud City. I might not be able to guarantee you a life of extragavant wealth, but I can at least promise you a life of freedom."

"But we'll be going against the will of the Emperor of the Huang Kingdom," I pointed out heavily. "Wouldn't you want to avoid a life of constantly being on the run? Not only do we have to flee the Emperor's forces, we'll also have to contend with my enemies…"

Lan Bei Er leaned against my shoulder, clutching my arm. She smiled confidently. "You'll surely protect me."

"I mean, yeah, I will, but…"

"That's why I'm not afraid." She rested her head against my chest and closed her eyes. "But knowing you, you will answer the imperial mandate."

"…yeah, I probably will. I don't want to put Huang Qian Jin in a difficult position, after all. After everything he did for me, declaring me as his sworn brother, I can't just leave him in the lurch."

"Will you really reject the Emperor's request for an engagement?"

"Yeah. Like I said, you're the only one for me."

"All right." Lan Bei Er fell silent, leaning against my chest and appearing to listen to the beat of my heart. "I believe you. I will be waiting for you at home…waiting for you to return to me. I will always wait for you, no matter what happens."

At that, I smiled wryly and shook my head. "Bei Er, you'll be following me. So pack your things as well."

"Huh? But…"

"I intend to introduce you to his majesty the Emperor and show him physical evidence that I'm already married. If I do that, then he might be less likely to force me into a marriage. Also, he might not be convinced that I'm really married unless I show him that I really do have a wife."

"I'm not sure about this…do you really think that will work?" Lan Bei Er sounded uncertain. I nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, I'm sure! Trust in me! We can do this!"

"O…okay. If you say so."

And so the both of us ended up getting ready to set off for the imperial capital. Father-in-law and mother-in-law stood outside the gates to send us off, looking concerned. I bowed my head and bade them farewell.

"I won't stop you from making your own decisions. You're a man." Father-in-law nodded. "For someone like you, this little city shouldn't restrict you. You should be allowed to spread your wings and explore the world. The capital is one of those places you should see at least once in your life."

"Yes, father-in-law.

"Even so, here's an advice. When you are in the capital, watch out for the state preceptor, the leader of the Inspired Mind Sect."

Of course. I was a member of the Heaven and Earth Sect, so the Inspired Mind Sect – especially the leader – would try to utterly destroy me if he ever learned about my background. I had best keep my distance from him.

"I understand."

Father-in-law placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Take care of Bei Er. And you can always return home if you find the capital disagreeable. No matter what happens, I, Lan Tian Kong, am always here for you!"

"That's right," mother-in-law added. "The most important thing is your health and safety. Don't do anything reckless. If there are any problems, come back right away! We might not be able to do much, but we can at least provide some shelter for you."

"Thank you very much, father-in-law, mother-in-law." I cupped my hands and lowered my head respectfully. Then I turned around and climbed into the carriage along with Lan Bei Er. The two Kirin growled before they took off, lifting us into the air and soaring across the heavens.

Our destination…the imperial capital.

Inwardly, I couldn't help but wonder what the fuck was going on. Why was this plotline so similar to Super Son-in-law in Another World? Fuck that. I was determined not to follow in Qin Shi's footsteps. There was no way I was going to allow harem to happen. I didn't want to bother with all the romantic drama and love triangles or rubbish harem nonsense. I was going to nip it in the bud right from the beginning.

FUCK HAREM.

*

"Your highness, be careful."

"Hmm?" Huang Wan Hai looked up when her maidservant hurried after her. She held a spear in one hand, its blade dripping with blood. The maidservant paused, looking slightly horrified at the gruesome scene before her. The seventh princess had driven her spear into the neck of the tiger and slain it instantly.

It wasn't just any tiger. It was a striped tiger, a ferocious spirit beast that was near the first level of the Innate Realm. Even though Huang Wan Hai was a princess, she had no intention of neglecting her training and cultivation.

"Ah…I thought you should leave the fighting to the royal guards."

"I'm not like my other brothers and sisters," Huang Wan Hai replied with a sneer. "They can cower behind their bodyguards all they want, but I will never shirk from fighting."

"Understood, your highness. Forgive this maidservant for saying something unnecessary."

"Not at all, Yong Lian." Huang Wan Hai shook her head. "Your honesty is refreshing. Come, let us return to our horses."

They were about to proceed toward the hunting convoy when an official on horseback galloped toward them. The official pulled his horse to a stop before dropping down and cupping his hands in front of the seventh princess.

"Your highness, I have news from Azure Cloud City."

"Oh? What kind of news?"

"Hei Ye, the man you're supposed to marry according to the imperial mandate, is on his way to the capital now."

"I see." Huang Wan Hai adjusted the stance on her spear before jumping onto her horse. A smile crossed onto her face as she pulled on its reins. "But there is no chance he will make it to the imperial capital."

"Your highness?" The official sounded confused. He raised his head to look at the seventh princess, only to see Huang Wan Hai's grin grow wider.

"A dead man will not be able to marry me, after all."

Kicking her heels against the sides of her horse, she sent it into a wild gallop as she charged off into the wilderness.