Chapter 117: I’m Not Your Manager!
"Princess, may I take a few days of leave?" Fan Lanying asked with hesitation.
Ming Hui looked up. When he looked at the flustered young girl, his lips unknowingly formed a smile. "What is it?"
"My brother took leave for a week. I want to spend this time with him," Fan Lanying answered. Her brother rarely goes home and even if he did, it will only be for a short time. When they were still young, she loved to play with her brother. Because of that, she highly missed her brother. She didn't wish to miss this chance.
"Sure, give me a heads up when you're about to return," Ming Hui nodded.
"Thank you, Princess! I will return soon," Fan Lanying said excitedly. She didn't realize that the eyes of the 'princess' in front of her turned a bit dark. He's sad that she will leave, but he cannot confine her inside the palace and refrain her from meeting with her family. She won't be happy that way.
After talking for a bit, Fan Lanying returned back and Ming Hui drifted his attention towards the book in his hands. He soon put it down and called his fourth brother to come and play with him for a bit.
"Fifth brother?" Ming Xiao is the fourth prince of Ming Kingdom. Despite having reached the age of 18, his existence was always forgotten by the people and even his father didn't care about him. After seeing the court, he had finally chosen to follow after Yan which made him come to know that Ming Hui is a guy. That news nearly made him unable to sleep for the following days after that, especially when he remembered how Ming Hui usually acted.
"Play chess with me."
After letting him know the truth, Ming Hui's actions before him changed completely and it completely fitted his gender as man. It seems all of his previous actions were only an act. Besides, Ming Hui rarely appeared because of 'her weak constitution', so they rarely get to meet him. Though when they do meet, he truly portrayed the image of a cute 16 years old girl.
Looking at the board before him, Ming Xiao wanted to cry. "Fifth brother… your skills in chess far surpasses mine. How can I possibly beat you?"
"You don't have to beat me."
Ming Xiao wanted to cry even more. In the end he suffered defeat countless times after a few hours of playing with Ming Hui. He felt immense gratitude when the people announced the arrival of Soujin. He thought that Ming Hui's demeanor would change…
"Soujin, you're late. Do you have a hangover because of the party?" Ming Hui became even more rude. Usually, Soujin would come uninvited, but since today was a special day and he had become a prince, there was no harm in visiting his 'sister'.
"My alcohol tolerance is good. Why are you in such a bad mood?" Soujin asked, then turned towards the man. "And this Xiao is going to be in our plan?"
Ming Hui nodded. "Yes, he is. Don't worry, he will only carry out some side quests."
Somehow, Ming Xiao felt that his presence was a nuisance for both of them. But what Ming Hui said didn't really bother him since he knows that he doesn't really have much talent for anything, other than his slightly higher birth. He looked at Soujin in hopes of getting out from this place, only for the other party to ignore him.
"It's not really important. I want you to check on my wound."
"Do you think I'm your private doctor?" Ming Hui looked annoyed. "Give me your hand. I need to check your pulse."
Soujin put his hand forward. Ming Hui's brows creased. Then he glared at the other party.
"You have a lot of injuries. What kind of monster did you fight with during the battle?"
"A famous great general," Soujin retracted his hand. "Any medicine I need?"
"No, the one you had is enough. You also need enough rest and no overtraining for a couple of days. Actually, it would be better if you don't touch the sword for 1 month."
"That long?" Soujin face darkened.
"Who told you to have that many wounds in…?"
Ming Hui told Soujin a bunch of things that Ming Xiao could not follow. Soujin ignored the talking Ming Hui as his gaze shifted outside. Sure enough, the eunuch announced the arrival of Jun Min.
"Oh, you're also here, Soujin. And this is?" Jun Min had never met Ming Xiao before, so he did not know about him.
Ming Xiao also stared at Jun Min with a stunned face. He knows Jun Min's name, but the face of this person before him… are you sure that he's a general?
"Ming Xiao, my fourth brother. Don't mind him, he will help us do some menial jobs," Ming Hui changed his explanation again. From Ming Hui's attitude, Ming Xiao got the feeling that this group is really something. Two famous generals, one famous merchant, and one hidden doctor (or rather *cough* manager).
"Oh," Jun Min nodded. "I came to inform you that I will leave for a couple of days to the Jun family territory."
"Don't you have to manage your new residence?"
"I came to ask for help," Jun Min grinned. "I don't really know much about this kind of things so maybe you can lend me some hand."
Ming Hui got the feeling that he was the manager for the three of them after he needs to help them so much. He sighed in defeat and nodded towards Jun Min.
"Don't worry. I will help you manage it."
"Thank you."
"Can't you ask anyone to come in your stead? You seem to be in a hurry," Ming Hui asked.
"I'm the only one who knows that you're a man. Or do you want my follower to know?"
"… Just go then."
Jun Min nodded and left them again. The guard didn't even realize that Jun Min had left, only the eunuch who guarded the place to Ming Hui's chamber knew because Jun Min showed himself to him.
"He's really fast." Ming Xiao could not follow Jun Min's movement at all.
"Soujin is even faster," Ming Hui snorted. "Since you're already here, play chess with me. This fourth brother of mine is truly poor."
Soujin lips curved. "Sure, if you don't mind losing a few rounds."
"You're the one who will lose!"
In the end, Ming Xiao was forced to watch the play where Ming Hui terribly lost all the rounds.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sorahana
Sorahana Edit (12/8/2019) Editor: Gigglypuff
Chapter 118: The Playful Princess
"You got a promotion? That's awesome!" Fan Lanying was truly happy for her brother who got promoted so quickly after joining Jun Min's army. Not only did he get promoted, he even got a few days off from the army because of his accomplishment.
Fan Ying nodded. Yabei, his superior, may be harsh and the training was arduous, but the rewards were plenty and Jun Min never put on any airs before them. Other than when he's giving orders during the war, Jun Min is truly an approachable young man.
"I feel lucky to get transferred out from that army," Fan Ying took a few more slices of meat to eat. He smiled towards his sister.
Fan Lanying nodded heavily. "When I get the chance, I want to become a general like Jun Min and Soujin. They're my idols."
"Sure, I support you," Fan Ying laughed. "What have you been doing during this time? I heard that you didn't continue on in the academy anymore?"
"Nope, I'm the guard for Princess Hui," Fan Lanying answered proudly.
"You need to be careful, there might be people wanting to hurt her," Fan Ying said.
"Yes."
The brother and sister were talking happily with each other. Their mother was listening from the side with relief. She's glad that things turned out good for her children.
…
Mountain Kingdom
Jun Qing was supposedly working to move the Jun family over to the Mountain Kingdom area. They also brought the soldier's family over to the land here. Aside from that, Jun Qing was building a wall to separate the Jun family territory from the Ming Kingdom.
"Are you done with your work?" Kuina asked from the side lazily. She would often sneak here to avoid the work as an empress because she could not use her cave anymore after General Hen knew about it. If she hides there, they will surely find her and drag her back.
Jun Qing stared at the princess with a helpless expression. He was partially forced to accept her hiding in this place. Although the princess was really smart and has countless brilliant ideas, she didn't want to be confined inside the palace. Thus, she became a naughty princess who would ditch her work to others and hide here.
"Today's part is almost finished. When will they hold your ceremony?" Jun Qing asked back.
"After I get married. Those annoying officials are always pestering me with countless papers or whatever you call those, and ask me to pick one to be my husband," Kuina was terribly annoyed and did not bother looking at them before throwing them all out.
Jun Qing can imagine it. This little princess was truly stubborn and was not one to obey other's words easily. Even when she's supposed to govern the court, she's here hiding and talking with him. The problem is, she is smart and knows how to evade things she doesn't want to do.
"Where do you want to go today?"
"The waterfall."
Jun Qing's face darkened slightly. That place was outside the capital and bringing this little princess around the capital has taken a lot of his energy. And now she wants to go outside? How does she think she can escape the guards?
Seeing Jun Qing's expression, Kuina laughed. "I know a secret passage."
With that, Jun Qing relented. Both of them sneaked outside during the afternoon and Kuina guided them through the secret passage towards the waterfall. It was located not far from the capital and Kuina could easily reach that place with Jun Qing following behind her.
"Look, it's there!" Kuina pointed happily.
Jun Qing was not really familiar with this place. He had heard the sound of the waterfall, but he would never think that this place would be really beautiful. The light from the sun created a rainbow on the waterfall, causing an extraordinary view.
"This place is good. You're really amazing," Jun Qing smiled.
"Thank you," Kuina stared at the waterfall. "I often come here with my father and brother when I was small. We would play around and chase each other here with my father watching us. But, for a few years, I only came here alone."
Jun Qing nodded. The two of them have died from the battle this kingdom had experienced and the innocent princess was dragged inside. It was such a shame that the princess had to be left alone, but in this era where war was common, there were many families like hers. She was considered lucky to be still alive and with people supporting her.
"You're not alone today."
"Yeah," Kuina nodded.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"It's dangerous to come here during this kind of times but with you protecting me, I should be alright," Kuina grinned.
Jun Qing did not want to listen to Kuina's answer anymore. In the princess's eyes, it seems like he is only a guard who is helping her. He didn't really mind though, interacting with this princess had been fun and he hoped to stay here longer.
He detected a presence behind them. "Princess, stay behind me."
Kuina moved behind Jun Qing as a few black-clothed people appeared. Jun Qing stared at them before attacking those people. In a matter of seconds, everything had ended.
"You should have closed your eyes," Jun Qing frowned upon seeing the princess still standing stiffly.
"I have seen a battle before," Kuina answered as she calmed herself down. She was not really used to seeing blood, but the scene from when she had followed after Jun Min still remained. "Thank you."
"Let's return. This place is getting darker as time goes by. There might be more people attacking you."
"Okay, I will lead the way."
"Be careful."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Sorahana
Sorahana
Edit (12/8/2019) Editor: Gigglypuff
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
7 Power
stone 
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