Imperial Palace

In the silence of the dark night, the front hall of Delan Palace was bustling with laughter and cheers of victory.

Around the round table sat three men chatting and drinking the wine.

“Youngest boy Chen from the Li family, this Prince marvels your courage and intelligence. The thing that Benwang was most worried about, you solved it in one night.”

It was the Crown Prince, Zhao Zhuang Chen, Empress Qin Wenya’s son who spoke these words.

Hearing his words, Li Chen laughed happily.  His face was bright red because of drinking wine. He took out the book stuffed in his robe and said

“Your Highness exaggerates. This one just happened to know this little secret of Second Uncle. If this one has not been there, then anyone else had done this job. Who can refuse Your Highness?”

His words were humble and filled with respect, but his face was full of satisfaction on hearing whatever the Crown Prince said about him.

In his heart, Li Chen sneered as he thought

‘He was so intelligent. Only Second Uncle can’t see it. That’s alright. Now I’ll show them how I can snatch everything that should be mine with my one-step.’

Unbeknownst to him, his resentment could be seen from his face. The Crown Prince who saw this smirked as he met the gaze of his ally General Yun.

General Yun glanced at the book in Li Chen’s hands and his hands under the table trembled with excitement he was feeling.

The book was something he could give his life for if it was needed. Only he knows how many schemes he had planned in the dark just to have one look at this book.

The book had all the military secrets, planning, traps, and whatnot that were solely invented by ancestors of the Li Clan in these past years.

The book didn’t have any sharpness but it was the most painful and powerful weapon because of which no other empire could not win in front of the Xin empire.

One who has it can never lose a war.

It was Xin Empire’s treasure.

But it was hidden in Li Manor.

He raised this issue in the Imperial Court. A book that much useful should not be under a mere General.  But the ancestors of Li Clan were bestowed the full rights of the books by Imperial ancestors.

Even the late Emperor gave all the military powers to General Li so no one could force him to take out the book unless he did it by his own will which could never happen in the first place.

General Yun found it intolerable.

Why does he not hold that much respect in the Imperial Court? His ancestors also sacrificed their lives on the battlefield for Xin. Then why should Li Clan and Yun Clan be treated differently in terms of everything?

Fortunately, he found the Crown Prince who wanted to destroy Li Clan. Other than Yun and Li Clan Xin doesn’t have any other clan whose ancestors had a military background.

Would it not be Yun Clan after Li Clan who would possess all the rights of this precious treasure?

His gaze became more hot and full of greed as he continuously looked at the book in the young boy’s hands.

“Young Master Li Chen, give the book in your hands to this General.  After all, it’s me who had to do all the work ahead.”

General Yun forwarded his hand and said to Li Chen calmly.

His greed was hidden in the furthermost corner of his heart as he showed him that he needed the book only to do his assigned job.

Li Chen also didn’t find anything wrong with his words and put the book in his hand.

“Do your job carefully and give it back to me after your work is done.”

General Yun felt anger at how he was instructing him despite their age difference. The boy looked down and doesn’t even know what he was doing.

He nodded at Li Chen’s words and hold the book from his hands. Almost instantly, General Yun’s hand tightened around it and he stuffed the book in his robe.

Looking at the foolish boy with a gentle smile he praised him again and again. Inwardly, he gloated at the misfortune of General Li.

‘Did General Li ever think that one day his own nephew would become the reason for the destruction of his clan?’

  Zhao Zhuang Chen saw all this silently with a sneer playing on his lips.

Both of them looked down on each other. They were thinking that they were playing each other, unknown to the fact that both of them were being played by him.

——————–

Xi Manor

“This servant will not go anywhere without Miss.”

Kneeling in front of Li Rui, Li Hua said firmly.

In the backyard of the Plum Courtyard, Li Rui was pruning the plants of the garden with her back facing Li Hua.

Xi Ying was looking at her hands with a frown. With every click of scissors in her hands, his heart lifted because of panic and worry, and then felt relief when she didn’t get any hurt.

‘Why does she need to do all this by herself? What if she hurt herself?’

Li Rui’s hands didn’t pause as she skillfully continued her work.

Li Hua’s refusal was within her expectation.

She stood up from the ground and sat in front of Li Hua whose gaze was lowered. Turning around, she sighed and said softly

“Do you think I can bear to send you away? You, Li Mei, and Li Zhan…”

She paused. A bit startled that the two names still will come into her mind unconsciously.  Swallowing her rising emotion she continued

“You are not my maid, Li Hua. You’re my friend, the only friend I am left with.”

Li Hua raised her head at her words. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. Her voice quivered as she asked

“Then why is Miss doing this against her own will?”

Li Rui knew that she had to deal with Li Hua with both, her mind and heart.

The changes in Li Hua were evidence of how she was trying to do everything that Li Mei would do if she was here. It was not only she who was affected by Li Mei’s death. Li Hua was equally grieving; after all, they had spent so many years together.

She hit Li Hua’s head gently as she said

“Silly girl, what are you crying for? I am not sending you away forever. It is just a matter of a few months. The new embroidery shops in Wuhan need a person who can handle it. Elder Brother said is facing a bit of difficulty in finding a person who can be fully trusted. You know that we can’t afford for someone else to know what we are doing. That’s why I gave your name. You just have to be there till Elder Brother finds someone. Then you will be here with me just like before.”

A few years ago, Li Rui and Yi Junjie started to buy a few shops in a few towns. This was something that Yi Junjie had suggested.

He had said that if one day, Li Clan and Yi Clan really lost their power then at the very least they will have something that can help both the clans.

Li Rui liked the idea. So she agreed but she asked Yi Junjie to hide their identity in whatever business they were doing.

Li Hua knew about this. Now her miss said everything, she really couldn’t find anything wrong. She raised her head hesitantly and asked

“Miss is not lying to me, right?”

Hearing her question, Li Rui stood up from the ground and picked up the scissor again. Pruning the plants she asked Li Hua without looking at her

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“No…” Li Hua mumbled as she couldn’t remember anything like this.

The backyard was silent for a few moments after that when Li Rui spoke

“Then I will tell Elder Brother to arrange everything for your departure.”

Li Hua didn’t say anything for some time. She looked at her Miss back silently. Then gathering all her courage she said

“Miss, if this servant found out that Miss lied to me then this servant will never talk to Miss again. “

Li Rui’s hands paused for a moment when she heard Li Hua. With her eyes on the plant, she said

“You’re just overthinking. Why would your Miss lie to you?”

Li Hua felt assured with her words.

“Miss, then when do I have to leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

“That early. Then, Miss, this servant will go and pack some necessary things to take there.”

Li Rui hummed still busy with her work. Li Hua rose to her feet and left to pack her things.

Li Rui turned her face to look at her back.

Li Hua’s words rang in her ears.

‘Miss, if this servant found out that Miss lied to me then this servant will never talk to Miss again.’

She lied. Indeed she would never hear Li Hua’s voice again.

But if a lie can protect the person she wants to protect then she is ready to be called a liar for her whole life.