Kapitel 10: 1.9 Star Dancer
If one looked closely, they could see that Consort Dai's facial expression was contorting, it seemed like the extreme anger and pain has finally broke the last straw of sanity that she had. However, it disappeared as quickly as it came, now plastered on her face was the warmest smile she could muster, and anyone who didn't know her would probably mistaken her as a person with a warm and kind heart after seeing that smile.
1st Imperial Prince saw his Imperial mother's shaking back and the troops surrounding the residence, he couldn't help but sigh in helplessness, it looked like this time his imperial father was very furious, acting without even consulting with his imperial mother, catching her and probably Dai family off guard.
Even if he couldn't save his maternal family, he at least had to save their mother and son pair. However, he doubted that his imperial father would listen to anything he had to say now. After coming up with an answer in his mind, he sighed again.
It looked like he needed to see his younger imperial brother, only he would be able to convince their imperial father to lessen their punishment.
When he made his way towards his imperial mother to begin to convince her to stay low for a while, he saw her turn around and gently smile at him. He was taken aback and stood frozen in place, wasn't her body shaking from pain and loss of trust from his imperial father earlier? How could she still smile so gently like nothing has happened?
He had on a bewildered expression, was his imperial mother trying to hold it in and not let him see her pained expression?
Yes, that must be it. His imperial mother had always wanted to appear strong in front of him, ever since he was young, it was only when it came to his imperial father that she would be affected.
"Guo'er, it looks like your imperial father has decided that your imperial mother is no longer worthy of his trust. Although, your imperial mother is greatly saddened by that fact, I've realized that he is only doing this in according to the rules of the dynasty. As an Emperor, I couldn't expect less from him when his country is in danger." Consort Dai says sadly.
"Imperial mother." 1st Imperial Prince felt pained for his imperial mother's sad expression. He gently hugged her and patted her back, hoping to calm and soothe his imperial mother's feelings.
"Guo'er." Consort Dai hugged her son gently back, when her face buried itself into her son's chest, her sad and gentle expression suddenly morphed into one of fierce viciousness, Huang Wang Lei, since you have forced me into a corner, shredding my only happiness of seeing my son sit on the throne, then what does it matter if there's no one else qualified to sit on it!
After a moment, she returned to look at her son with a gentle but remorseful expression, "Guo'er, your imperial mother needs some time to think alone, but while your imperial mother does that, you have to promise me something." She stared into her son's eyes with a tearful expression, looking like if he didn't promise her, she would break out in tears.
"Imperial mother, there is no need to be polite between us, please say." Although he was skeptical about her request, he still didn't want to turn it away before he heard what it was.
Seeing her son not immediately promising her, she didn't even twitch an eyelid, but slowly pulled out a small smile, "Guo'er, although your imperial mother is worried about your Grandfather Dai, your imperial mother knows that now is not the time to contact him, your imperial father would only continue to misunderstand me. Your imperial mother only wants you to promise me to be safe, since your imperial father has already decided to give the throne to someone else, I could accept that and hope that you would be safe and unharmed once that person ascends the throne."
Consort Dai reaches out her right hand to touch her son's forehead, "Your imperial mother is afraid of the power struggle, so you have to promise imperial mother that you would leave the imperial capital immediately. Imperial mother doesn't want you to suffer from any stray flames. Can you promise this to your imperial mother?" Consort Dai looks at her son seriously, once her plan is implemented, she needed to make sure that her only son would be safe, then the throne will have no choice but to belong to him. Even if she had committed sins against the dynasty, no one would dare question her once her son is safely on the throne.
Although he understood her concerns about the throne's cruel power struggle, but he also knew that his younger imperial brother could easily win over the other imperial family members with the forces and powers he had accumulated. It looks like his Imperial mother is worried over nothing, but since its her simple request, he'll happily fulfill it.
Smiling warmly to his imperial mother, "Imperial mother, please put your worries to rest, your child will listen to your request and promises to leave the capital tomorrow morning." Jian Guo pats his imperial mother's hands gently.
Seeing him agree with her, she is finally assured. "Guo'er, since imperial mother won't be seeing you until the power struggle for the throne is completed, please remember to keep yourself safe and have enough men to protect you while you're away. Imperial mother couldn't stand if anything happened to you."
"Rest assured, Imperial mother, your child will be safe." After Consort Dai hears her son's speech, she knows that she can safely start her plans.
"Guo'er, imperial mother is tired, please hurry back to your residence and prepare to leave tomorrow, your imperial mother won't be able to accompany you tomorrow morning so make sure you double-check your belongings before you leave. Also, find a chance to talk to your imperial father, although he probably won't be too happy to see you right now, make sure you properly say your farewells." Her eyes stared affectionately at her son, once the Emperor finds out that Guo'er is leaving, he'll definitely put down his guard against her.
"Your child obeys you, imperial mother. Please rest early. Your child shall take his leave now." Jian Guo smiles reassuringly at his imperial mother before walking out of the residence. He needs to quickly see his younger imperial brother before he leaves tomorrow, although the other imperial family members wouldn't dare to hurt his imperial mother, he couldn't be sure that they wouldn't do anything now that their family's power is going to be taken down.
Consort Dai returns her attention to the main hall after watching her son's figure disappear outside her residence. She dismisses all the servants in the hall and have them close the doors behind them.
"Lead Guard Ji." A masked man who has been hiding ever since the sounds of the troops was heard outside appeared from the shadows beside Consort Dai.
"Your Highness, what are your orders?" After hearing Consort Dai's firm tone, the masked man knew that she had something planned and it was his duty to help her fulfill it.
Looking down at her faithful guard that had followed her ever since she first entered the palace, she grew serious in her tone and began talking about her plans to get rid of all the members of the imperial family. Since she couldn't obtain the throne with her husband's approval, she'll make it that the people and court officials will have no choice but to acknowledge her son as the next Emperor. Once no one was left, her son would naturally be the only candidate for the throne. Even if she has to spend a lifetime condemned by the people, her son would still be the Emperor, no one could shake her position then.
Thinking about the future, she couldn't help but smile, but if compared to the earlier smile she displayed, this one could send chills into anyone that looked upon it. The smile portrayed a feeling that the person had given up on the world and had nothing that held them back, letting them easily do their deeds to obtain what they wanted, no matter the consequences.
…..
The night skies were filled with millions of stars, all trying to compete with the glow of the full moon. A slight chilly wind blew across the bustling streets of the capital. Since it was springtime, the capital's people only had to wear a few clothings to keep themselves warm.
The night life of the capital was always festive, especially when it was so close to the new student's competition held by the capital's most famous artist academy. Businesses took this chance to increase their prices of clothing, instruments, shoes, and assortments that students would need for the upcoming competition.
Near the center of the city, where many bright lanterns were hung, a five-storied building stood out from the rest of the stores surrounding it. Its roof was decorated with many lanterns, however; if one looked closely, they could see that all of them were inlaid with gems, showcasing the wealth held by the owner of this store. Many people were seen coming in and out of the building carrying bags full of artist's clothing and accessories. Some people even came out with brand-new flutes or qins. It looked like this store was especially made to cater to the needs of artists.
Many people crowded the first three floors, admiring outfits and items that only the rich could afford. While, the fourth floor held private rooms where VIP guests could order directly from the store's catalog. These people mostly included important court officials or wealthy business men. However, the fifth floor was just a huge room, it didn't allow any customers inside, apparently it was specially made for only the owner and his few friends to occupy.
A servant boy could be seen making his way up to that very fifth floor while holding a tray of desserts and snacks. When he knocked on the door to enter, the conversation inside the room paused.
A scholarly male's voice could be heard behind the door, "Enter." After the servant boy briefly glanced at the room, he could see that it only consisted of a small round table for dining at the center of the room, a long dark wooden table with neatly stacked documents on the right of it, and a nice jade flute that hung securely on the wall beside it. It looked like the owner of this richly ordained store was an artist that specialized in playing the flute.
After respectfully placing the tray of food down, the servant boy saluted quietly before leaving, it looked like the servants hired at this store were all very well trained in their mannerisms and knew that they weren't allowed to speak unless asked to.
The scholarly male that spoke before ignored the food placed on the table and looked at his friends sitting beside him. One of them was a robust young man who look liked he enjoyed fighting but still drank his cup of tea like a refined gentleman, the other one was lazily holding his chin with his hands while elegantly sipping his cup of wine. Surprisingly, after the food was placed down, none of them spoke but stared out into streets through the open window. It appeared that whoever took the initiative to start the conversation again, would have the answer to their earlier argument.
Eventually, the scholarly male made up his mind and began speaking, "Vice-general Yong and Merchant Xin, I wonder if you have considered my proposal?" Although they were friends, but when it came to official business, the scholarly male liked to address them with their titles, it was his own sense of humor that has long been his habit now.
Seeing that the scholarly male still continued with his annoying habit, Merchant Xin reluctantly played along, "I say, Official Li, don't you have a serious operation as Vice-Head to complete these days? How did you have the time to go hunting for talents for your artist company? You couldn't be slacking off on your court work, could you?" Merchant Xin teased his friend while smiling mischievously.
Before the scholarly male who was official Li could answer, Vice-General Yong spoke, but unlike his friends, he didn't have much of a sense of humor, "Xue Li, I agree with your earlier proposal, if you could place that mysterious person who saved the 2nd Imperial Prince from his fatal injury into your famous artist company ahead of time, we would be protecting and nurturing a future bright dancer and healer." Vice-General Yong spoke candidly.
Qin Xue Li smiles calmly at his friends before looking out the window, deep into his thoughts. His forces have already started to work on the strategy of the apprehension operation on the Dai family, its just that something caught his interest in the past month and he couldn't stop thinking about it. If his younger brother had never told him about his talented female classmate, he would have never known that the capital would have such an amazing dancer that could evoke such strong healing sacred powers.
If one examined his nice clean face and facial structure, they would be able to see the similarities between him and Qin Liu Wei, who was Tian He's friend and classmate from the academy.
Official Li turned towards his friends and announced, "Since we have all come to a decision, I'll be looking forward to your support on the day of the new student's competition. With the three of us working together, the other famous artist companies can dream of recruiting that person." After saying that, he naturally sipped his tea, while his friends nodded to him before jumping out through the back window, and disappearing over the rooftops into the night skies. By their speeds, one could tell that they were both experts on par with the 2nd Imperial Prince.
…..
1st Imperial Prince stood outside his younger imperial brother's residence, trying to gather his thoughts before confronting him with his request. After a moment, a eunuch came out to politely welcome him inside the mall hall.
After saluting politely to his younger imperial brother, he didn't beat around the bush and started stating his request. "Younger imperial brother, my imperial mother has decided to repent quietly in her residence and I made a promise to her that I'll leave the capital first thing in the morning tomorrow to avoid the fight for the throne. I know no amount of apology could let you forgive her deeds, but I'm hoping you would take into consideration that we are a family to let her peacefully live the rest of her days in the palace."
After taking a breath, he continued, "Although the court officials would be hard to convince that imperial mother had nothing to do with your assassination this time and the weapons smuggling event, but if you were to say a few words, no one would dare question it. So, please younger imperial brother, help me just this once." 1st imperial prince looked solemnly at his intelligent and strong younger imperial brother in front of him. To this day, he has never requested anything out of him and him doing it now was only because he was truly afraid that his imperial father might not let his imperial mother go.
After hearing his elder imperial brother's plea, 2nd imperial prince couldn't help but sink into his thoughts. Consort Dai is actually repenting and sending Jian Guo out of the capital? He might believe that Jian Guo is leaving the capital due to his mother's promise, but he would never believe that Consort Dai would give up so easily. He knows this vicious and power obsessed person very clearly, his enemy for these ten years would do anything possible to obtain her goals.
Looking at his elder imperial brother's desperate but noble facial expression, he couldn't bring himself to reject his request, after all, they still grew up together, and although they didn't get along at times, his elder imperial brother had never did anything hurtful against him.
However, he still wouldn't let down his vigilance against Consort Dai, instead he decided to increase it, when people are at the end of their ropes, they tend to be even more desperate in their actions.
He sent off his elder imperial brother after promising to be lenient with the punishment by only confining Consort Dai to her palace residence if she has truly repented. After he walked back into his residence and sat down in his study room, he thought about how the operation to take down Dai family had already begun and these next weeks would be where Dai family forces would be taken down, little by little. When the small fries are eradicated, the main fish will be captured on the day of the new student's competition, it was the perfect time since his 'imperial father' had ordered that all the important officials had to participate.
Withdrawing from these thoughts, he places his documents down on his study's table, and calmly walks towards the open window to his right. He looks up at the starry filled night skies and thinks about the upcoming competition, "I wonder how your performance is going to be, Tian He. I'm sure it's going to be beautiful, but it's such a pity that I'll have to miss it." When he thought of Tian He's beautiful dance and voice, he couldn't help but remember the scene when he first watched her perform in front of him.
His voice was deep with longing, "At least, I already saw you dance and sing personally for me." He gently smiles while his affectionate filled eyes stared up into the night skies, looking at the moon as it shined its rays down on the small lake of his garden.
…..
Tian He had retired early into one of Yu Yan's nice rooms and was getting ready for a good night's rest. She felt that their dancing and singing has gotten more synchronized, and although Yu Yan couldn't evoke her sacred powers with her singing yet, she felt that the song sounded much nicer with her vibrant voice included in it.
Since she wanted to win first place in the upcoming competition, she needed to perfect her voice and synchronize it with her dance moves but to her surprise, her voice easily assimilated with her dancing and made her evocation of sacred powers grow stronger than when she was just dancing.
She has heard rumors that the Emperor and the court officials will also be attending and since it was no secret that the 2nd Imperial Prince was saved by a person who could evoke strong healing sacred powers, it would be hard not to draw attention to herself once she starts performing.
"Fine, since I can't undo what I did, I'll just calmly face it." She knew that many famous artist companies will also be attending the competition and after seeing her great performance, she doubts that they wouldn't be excited to recruit her. Once she's under their protection and guide, she wouldn't have to be worried that anything will happen to her, and her goal of making the original owner famous will just be around the corner.
"Now all that's left is to dance with her mother, Chen Su Su." She doesn't really have any tender feelings for this person who abandoned the original owner, even if she had her reasons, because she eventually wasn't the real 'Li Tian He.'
After putting away her thoughts, she blew out the night candle and tucked herself snugly into the warm blankets. If Chen Su Su is also going to attend the competition, then it'll make it easier for her to request her to dance with her, and after seeing her amazing performance, she doubts she'll refuse, right?
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein