Capítulo 65: The Game Board is Set

AoTian was sitting in the study trying to write an official document but he could not concentrate and the ink spread on the paper. He pushed the paper aside and rubbed his temples when his page poured him a cup of tea. He could not understand anything happening around him and the various powers that control the nation.

Till now he didn't even have a single idea that the Ran family was in contact with the Gu family of the Water kingdom. Then, is the Earth Kingdom has contact with this nation's nobles too? If so will there be war between these nations? If those two nations join hands with the tribes and start a war, this nation has no chance of survival. Also the Wind Emperor with no heir and not even a woman is a ginormous problem that had to be solved too.

AoTian's head throbbed thinking about Shihong. If Shihong is that vicious and cruel and could escape the law for this long, how can he be handled? With the Ran family supporting him and many other people working on his behalf, who in the Imperial Court can be trusted? How is Mingxia mixed up in all this? Now with him knowing Táng JiaXing, he will try to hurt her, won't he? She surely cannot be let to wander alone. Who knows what danger she may encounter?

AoTian sighed deeply thinking various things and then Xu mama entered with the bowl of porridge and explained how Shengli made it for Xing and she was happy eating it.

AoTian reluctantly tasted it but ended up surprised. It was exactly the same porridge his wife had made for him when he was sick before. So he learned cooking from her when he stayed with them? Then why is Mingxia who was raised by her for seventeen years knows nothing? I would like to eat my daughter's cooking!

His mood got better for a while but then the thought of Shengli came and he became sad in no time.

If Shengli had taken many identities just to keep Mingxia from Shihong, how will he openly marry her? Won't her life be in danger every second Shihong is alive? Is that why he is not so keen on asking for her hand?

But AoTian cannot deny the fact that Shengli is the one who had done a lot for her and understands her. She depends on him too.

Huh! What must I do?

Just as he was pondering, Lord Huang Zedong entered with a letter in his hand.

"Do you really think Shengli is Li ChengNuo?", he asked.

"Why do you need him anyway?", AoTian was irritated, "Why don't you ask him yourself? Bit his name is Lu Chenglie. That can't be a coincidence too, right? "

Zedong was patient and replied his brother "I tried to contact him for almost a year about a trade route but he refused to meet me. If I had that route I can easily transport my goods to both East, North and South without worrying for bandits. But a month back he sent missives that we can negotiate the terms when he comes to the capital. I never thought so, but I realised may be it is Shengli after thinking about what you said", Zedong spoke, but seeing AoTian in deep thoughts he knew he is worried for his daughter,

"I think he refused to take back his title back because of this other identity. He won't be bound by the rules of nobility and would still hold power as he is wealthy. Recently he had acquired large piece of land in the Western Province along the sea at the borders. The place with mountain, sea and forests. He had started construction of a Manor and the plans for it had created many rumours. It is said he's using the expensive and top quality wood and materials and also a lot of gold for some reason. So rumours are that he is going to construct a courtyard in gold. But nothing is confirmed. You think he is building it for your daughter?"

AoTian knew that must be the case. He dares to take my daughter far away from me? See if he gets my permission! Also he manipulated a little girl of that Ran family who thought she is in love to enter the Prime Minister's Manor in the middle of the night. How evil is that? But it can be forgiven since he had done it for the sake of his daughter.

AoTian sighed and realised his brother was still here, "So why are you here?" , he asked impatiently.

Zedong playfully waved the letter in his hand, "Uncle Yingjie asked me for dinner tomorrow night. He also asked to bring 'his brat' since he misses her tea"

"'His brat?", he clicked his tongue, "Also, she is not his tea maid", AoTian murmured. Zedong smiled seeing him not refusing his daughter to go, yet complaining. His brother always shows his love awkwardly and shows his temper only to those who are close to him.

"His words, not mine", Zedong snickered, "Also I know Xiao Táng plays the zither exceptionally well. I once sneaked to listen but was found by Jingfei and was driven out. Guess I'll have to ask her to play tomorrow. Uncle Yingjie will like it too. Tea and zither would be a perfect combination on a spring night ! "

"Again, she is Mingxia!", AoTian frowned.

But, My daughter can play the zither? Why does this eldest brother of mine knows more about my daughter than me? Why didn't she say these things to me? She only said she has bounties on her head!

Zedong realised his brother has gotten jealous and decided not to tease him anymore. Only now did their relationship has become a little bit better. He didn't want to ruin it.

"Fine, fine! Mingxia it is!", he smiled, "My family will leave tomorrow and I'll stay in Feiye's Manor from tomorrow. I still have work to finish here", Zedong stood up, "Also you can come with us to the dinner tomorrow. I'll inform the Zhong Manor", he turned to leave.

"You can stay here!", AoTian said in a hurry making Zedong pause his steps, " We'll be leaving to Caijing this week. I'll need someone to guard my Manor ",AoTian added.

"To Heavenly Flowers Palace?", Zedong asked seeing his brother awkwardly asking him to stay in his Manor. This brother can never be open with his feelings!

"Yes, Mingxia wants to meet Chu Yixin there", AoTian replied.

"Hmm", Zedong paused and he looked like he was pondering about something. Before AoTian asked him about it, his expression became usual, " Fine then! I'll guard your Manor in your absence", Zedong said and left.

AoTian got on with his work when a servant informed him of the happenings in the horse stable. AoTian remembered what Lord Zedong said, so she can control animals!

That night everyone was asked to have dinner in the banquet Hall and surprisingly Lady Huang was very quiet. WanRou was absent because she was flogged and it won't be convenient for her to sit for a while and her mother who is a servant now won't be able to sit with them. Also apparently WanRou's stomach wasn't fine too.

Xing found it sketchy as she thought it seemed like something Shengli would do but she had already told him to not do anything.

That's when her uncle asked Rijun about his visit to WanRou. Rijun politely said

"It was proper to visit a sick guest in one's home"

"Heard you even brought a nourishing soup for her", Zedong probed.

Rijun smiled widely and Xing realised that her brother is the culprit, "Yes, First Uncle, but sadly the nourishing soup had interfered with the medicines she had previously causing her stomach problems. I should have consulted the physician first before giving that soup to cousin", his expression turned apologetic and pitiful but his satisfaction was visible in his eyes.

Xing opened her mouth wide with surprise! Turns out her brother is black-bellied! Who'd have guessed that this scholarly looking person would hold grudges for his sister and get back at that girl? Xing shook her head, guess I am surrounded by cunning foxes!

Rijun then looked at Xing, "Little sister! Stay here after dinner. We have some issues to solve in the documents. Even though it would be dangerous and not secure to read the secret documents here, we have no other way since we'll be blamed. Wish you were a man! Then we can work for our Kingdom more freely. I blame the Gods! ", he sighed and he looked hurt and disappointed like a kicked puppy.

Brother! Still continuing with your act? Really! You should be in a drama troupe,Xing bit her lips to hold her laughter to see everyone was moved by his act.

" Both of you use my study! It would be chilly here. I don't want my children to catch a cold and suffer for satisfying others", AoTian commanded and both Xing and Rijun unitedly said, " Yes, Father" loudly and continued to eat.

Zedong could not help but smile at his brother's family who are united and are good actors.

.....

And so AoTian's days of living as a neat freak ended. His study was always covered in documents and there were always his children there writing and sometimes gossiping... Also he had forgotten his peaceful days of getting to bed early and waking up early as his children got more alert like owls as the night get deeper...

But what to do..? When you beget dogs, you'll have to learn to bark like them, right? Or, is this proverb wrong..? Well... AoTian was too tired to think.

.....

The next day resumed as usual as Shengli trained with Xing and this time her first uncle was there to watch. He had an unreadable expression in his face but he didn't say anything.

That evening Xing, her father and Uncle were on a carriage to the Zhong Manor. Xing didn't understand why her father purposely sat in between her and her uncle but the atmosphere seemed tense. But it was because AoTian didn't want his daughter to be more closer to his brother than himself.

When they reached the dinner hall, there were only General Zhong and Lady Zhong and Lord Zhong. Seiren was nowhere to be found and Xing after the proper greetings went and sat beside Lady Zhong and those two started to happily chat away. Xing learned that Lady Zhong is more casual than she originally believed.

After dinner, General Zhong excused himself to take care of something and Lord Zhong asked Xing to make tea as usual and she did. Xing had learned her tea making from her mother and she usually uses that to placate her mother. So her movements were all graceful and elegant as flowing water that would calm oneself and the onlookers. Xing didn't know those old people were actually a fan of such traditional tea making procedures.

After tea was served, her first uncle casually brought the topic of zither and everyone followed him and talked about it. Then he asked Xing to play a tune for them. Xing looked pleadingly at her father only to be looked by a pair of puppy eyes from him too. Xing had learned zither for fun and only Lady Shaoyao and Shengli had heard her play and she didn't want anyone to hear it either.

But those old people's expectant look made her waver. Xing won't usually waver unless there are some things involved, like women in tears, laughing children, animals and recently she discovered another - expectant old people. Their misty eyes are too hard to refuse.

Xing even threw the excuse of not having a top quality zither and Lady Zhong overthrew it by bringing a beautiful guqin. Xing thought about escaping when she saw Shengli sitting on a tree through the window. Even in the dark, she could clearly see him looking at her. So she calmed down and played them a war tune.

And so on a moonless night in the Zhong Manor filled with trained soldiers, a petite figure in her pale yellow dress shining like the sun brought them all to the Warfield with her skillful playing. It was a rather long piece that talked about war followed by the glorious victory. Lord Zhong reminisced about his days in the battle fields and Lady Zhong remembered the war that took the lives of her father and brothers which eventually led her to be married to Lord Zhong.

AoTian and Zedong were looking at that girl playing so perfectly and lost themselves. Shengli leaning on the tree, had his worries about the battles he has to face in the future and wondered if he would be victorious in the end. He has to succeed for her sake, for his own sake.

After playing, Xing was standing beside Lord Zhong topping his tea. Lord Zhong was wearing casual clothes that night with long loose sleeves. Xing had heard from Seiren that he is an avid collector of expensive wine and he always holds the key to the wine cellar on his person. Xing had decided to 'borrow' the key for a while from him to get to taste the best wine in his collection. After all, she had worked hard for it today, alright? She had made tea, played a song, so she deserves it right?

Xing used Lord Zhong's over zeal towards her tea as a distraction and found the key in his sleeve pocket and got it without him realising. But the real test is her finding the wine cellar. She cannot find her way out of that maze like Zhong Manor. Shengli won't let her steal and would bring her straight back and that damn Seiren is nowhere to be found too. At least he would know the taste of stolen goods. It's not like the old man would refuse to give her wine but what would Shengli know about stealing and eating? It would taste hundred times better.

As she was thinking hard and decided to just follow her instincts to find the wine cellar, General Zhong entered the hall wanting to inform Lord Zhong of something. Xing was fairly close to him and she smelled a familiar fragrance, she tried to remember and she got it.... The fragrance of Huang MingXue. So this means both of them are...

"General Zhong", Xing called him, "What's between you and cousin MingXue?", she asked bluntly. She had always had a sensitive nose and she remembered her fragrance and the reason she's blunt sometimes is because it brings out the truth easily.

"What..?", General Zhong staggered, "I just happened to meet her", he was blushing like a tomato. Somehow he looked at her coldly at the same time like he used to look at her when she is dressed as a man.

Could cousin have told the events at the banquet to him? Because he likes MingXue , he finds me as the bad guy? Xing wondered.

"Just?", she smiled sweetly, " Enough to have her fragrance linger on you, General Zhong"

With this everyone was shocked. General Zhong was embarrassed, "Looks like you and your cousin share the same qualities, Miss Mingxia. Speaking whatever comes to your mind without thinking of consequences! " , he said angrily and immediately strode away.

Lady Zhong held Lord Zhong who was about to erupt and Xing was staring at the retreating back of Huojin without knowing what to say. My cousin? He still haven't figured out?

AoTian could not help but wonder when those two started seeing each other and Zedong who didn't understand what he said asked Xing, "Mingxia, which cousin of yours is he mentioning?"

With his questioning Xing came to, "First Uncle, somehow General Zhong came to the conclusion that Táng JiaXing and Huang Mingxia are cousins". With this Zedong understood.

Just then a noise was heard as if someone was hitting their head hard on the pillar,

"Don't commit suicide just because you lost a little gamble Seiren", Xing chuckled and Seiren made his entry.

"What bet?", she asked.

"You!", he pointed at Xing. "To make you lose your composure", he said and observed her.

That was the first time he saw her dressed as a girl. He froze for a second seeing her without her dark makeup and her golden hair. That pale yellow dress that had thick waistband had accentuated her figure and that little red jade hairpin gave a splash of colour.

"What are you staring at? ", Xing gave a sinister smile, " I know, the only bet you will win is when we cross dress right? I bet you'll look much better in this dress"

Zedong looked at them shocked and others who were used to the way she talked just carried on with their business. AoTian smirked, and here you thought of her like our mother right!

"What cross dress? Aren't you originally a woman? Idiot", Seiren sneered and Xing realised he was right.

Seiren greeted everyone and looked at Lord Huang, " What brought the Lord Fox of the Huang family here?"

Lord Zhong threw a peanut in his hand at Seiren, "Mind your words you imbecile", he chided.

Lord Huang didn't mind, "Aren't we a little fox pretending well to be a peacock ourselves? I am honoured to be called Lord fox by you", he said mockingly and Seiren shut his mouth.

Xing showed Seiren the key subtly, "Second young master Zhong, can you show this young miss around your Manor?"

Seiren face brightened seeing that key, "First Young Miss Huang, I will gladly escort you",he gave his best smile that would make any women swoon. As expected she didn't have to explain much - great minds think alike.

AoTian finding his daughter talking properly as unusual, recognised the key Lord Zhong used to guard more than his life. Did she steal it or did his uncle give it to her? Well either way it would be bothersome if she got drunk.

" Mingxia, Do Not Get Drunk", AoTian stressed every word. Xing stopped in her tracks and smiled, "Understood father", she said and walked towards the exit with Seiren on tow.

Lord Zhong who was alerted by these weirdness, searched for his key that was obviously missing. He shouted, "Hey brat! Give it back! Stop!"

Seeing her not even looking back he continued, "Why don't you buy your wine yourself? Why should you steal from me"

Xing shouted as she exited the hall, "Old man! It won't taste good if I buy it myself" and both Seiren and her ran away in the speed of sound with Shengli joining them.

AoTian and Zedong just gave a meaningful glare at Lord Zhong who was pitifully screaming how the father daughter pair steals everything from him. How the father breaks his priced teacups and daughter steals wine from him even though they are much richer than him.

Yeah right! The Great General! The Fierce Grizzly! Was cheated by a little girl in his own Manor with thousand soldiers under his command and he is incapable of doing anything. This is so believable! They laughed silently.

Seeing Lord Zhong angry, his page asked him if he should send someone to stop them from entering the cellar only to be met with his angry glare. Lady Zhong chuckled by his side and asked the page to stay quiet as Lord Zhong wants to share his wine with them and Lord Zhong became red with embarrassment as he was caught.

Meanwhile, the trio entered the Wine cellar stopped by none and sampled all the good wines. Only Shengli was standing behind sighing at those two eagerly gobbling wine like water. How great are those two human's alcohol tolerance?

After they left, Lord Zhong drank a lot of wine and became tipsy. He lamented how one of his son has no brains and another is a hedonist and with him having less days to live, he worried about the future of his Zhong clan.

"Uncle Zhong, you need not worry, your elder son can make people kneel with his sword and your youngest one can bring down people just by his tongue", Lord Huang spoke trying to console Lord Zhong.

"What do you mean about the second?", Lord Zhong asked surprised.

Lord Huang smirked, "Uncle Zhong, your son is much more smarter than he shows. Or else how come he had never brought trouble back home? True, he spends time with prostitutes. But it is a well kept secret that he doesn't sleep with them just like Lord Táng. Also when women talk, they never talk about themselves but about others, carelessly spilling secrets. Your son has access to informations that could bring families down just by pretending to be hedonistic"

Lord Zhong sank deep into his thoughts realising what Zedong told must be true. There were many children who brings trouble to their family but Seiren had never been in any trouble that needed his interference. Also that restaurant he runs in the capital, even though there is gambling involved, has good reputation. Especially in the capital with many enemies to the Zhongs, maintaining such reputation should not be that easy. Why haven't he realised this till now?

Lady Zhong always had a doubt, even though Xing dresses as a boy, she have always seen her acting like a girl. So how come no one ever doubted her, especially someone smart like Zedong?

"Zedong, how come no one doubted Lord Táng as a man?"

Zedong laughed, "I wonder that too. Even I had no doubt about her gender. Maybe because of all the gambles ", he took a sip of wine, "I remember one gamble in Heavenly Flowers Palace that involved your son too. It went along who kisses a hundred women in a day or something similar. In the end Lord Táng won because Seiren didn't get hundred women before her. Women just lined up for Lord Táng "

"What?", Lady Zhong was surprised and even though she wanted to know why, she held back fearing the answer she may get that might give her nightmares.

Everyone was shocked by that gamble . AoTian felt a strong headache as he thought about how she could kiss so nonchalantly that too with women when she claims she is in love with Shengli. For some reason he started to think she won't be able to get married this lifetime if not for Shengli. Whatever! He cannot let them talk about his daughter anymore.

"Hey, brother! Did you steal from Seiren or something? Why did he talk to you like that", AoTian asked.

"That", he cleared his throat, "He knew Li Cheng Nuo as he is a partner in his bank. But he refused me when I asked his help to meet that guy. Some words were exchanged"

"So you ended up on a row with a little boy?", AoTian mocked him.

" How much did you pay for the dress she wore for the banquet?", Zedong asked. By now he was slightly tipsy but that didn't stop him from drinking more.

"Nothing, he didn't accept my money", AoTian answered truthfully even though he was surprised why he was brought up suddenly.

Zedong chuckled, "That boy! Just nineteen and already brought down his own family! Do you know how much he is worth? None of the silk in our kingdom has not crossed the borders without passing his hands first. Li ChengNuo gave many of his secret routes to him and your daughter gave free pass through the NanCheng pass to him. You know, because of his blue eye there are even rumours that his maternal grandmother was one of the princesses of the Water Kingdom? That could be very well true too",he spoke slightly slurring.

"Who is Li ChengNuo?", Lord Zhong asked and AoTian told him what his brother had said. Everyone was contemplating seriously, when Zedong continued,

" Lord Ming - A rich merchant, Shengli - a clever assassin, Li ChengNuo - a businessman with access to all trade routes, Seiren - someone with all the secrets and informations also the Heavenly Flowers Palace that has more power than the imperial Court all are close to one Lord Táng with impeccable sword skills and that Lord Táng became the daughter of the Huang family and she is close to the Emperor for him to give the Lu surname? It is like all the pieces of the chess game are carefully placed on the board and on the other side there is Shihong and we don't even know which pawns he holds. All that's left is the game to begin", he slurred.

"But", he pointed his finger at the contemplating Lord Zhong, "Don't think you can use my little niece for your stupid nation. I love her, she is my mother. I won't let anyone hurt her, even you... stupid Uncle Zhong, who think the Emperor is everything and everyone needs to sacrifice everything for the sake of their nation", I will not let the fate of those impressive people who always had pathetic endings befall on my niece.

AoTian looked at his drunk brother with surprise. As usual, he will never understand what he thinks entirely and it seems he is right but this is the first time he had seen him rambling drunk.

"Why would I want to use her? I love her too. She just gave me some medicine that even the previous Emperor had hard time finding as if it was nothing. I'm not heartless or someone without gratitude", Lord Zhong answered slightly slurring. Lady Zhong pulled the wine jar from his hands and he just gave a beaten expression while Lady Zhong just walked away with the wine.

"No more drinking", she said firmly and Lord Zhong pouted.

Just then Shengli brought back Xing and the drunk Seiren. It looked like Seiren had lost another bet with her. Shengli left after he safely got Xing in the carriage. AoTian noticed, whenever she is involved, he would be there with no hesitation and would be even willing to be an uninvited guest. But what his brother rambled made his heart wrench and he wondered what the future might hold.