Inside King Lin's large courtyard, the chief imperial physician was diligently treating Bai Qiang's bloody shoulder with a sharp sewing needle that was filled with a thread. Bai Qiang felt scorching pain whenever the thread was roughly pulled because the action was deliberate, so he tightly clenched his teeth to stop growling. Besides, sitting across him was the King Yama a.k.a King Lin, who was murderously glaring at him.
Bai Qiang was so terrified that he even forget to breathe. He was insanely embarrassed on his misdoings. His gaze was only focused on the floor, had no courage to make a sound. He thanked Buddha, for making him an extremely fortunate person since he didn't lose his arm. King Lin leniently spread his life. Although the wound was too deep, almost cut to his bone, but it was fine as long as he was alive.
"Didn't We forbid you for being gentle? Why are you acting so delicate! Use more force on his wounds. He needs to remember every bit of it." King Lin loudly commanded.
The imperial physician jolted in fright on King Lin's sudden outburst. He cried inwardly for King Lin's ruthless behavior. He was just a professional physician, so it was unethical to treat a patient badly. On top of that, the patient's background was His Highness' friend's son.
'Uhuhuhu... I don't want to part in their cat and mouse play.'
However, he didn't dare to defy His Majesty's order. He glimpsed at his patient for a moment to give him an awkward 'apology in advance or it's not my fault' smile. Bai Qiang furrowed in displeasure when glaring at him with warning eyes.
'Ah! Forget it.' Bracing himself a bit, the physician forcefully tugged the thread. Too bad, it was not an 'iota' pain for Bai Qiang. He almost yelped out but halfway forcefully bit his lower lip to halt since His Highness was present. His pride would hurt him forever if he showed his more disrespectful states to so many people.
Prime Minister Bai was sitting in a couch silently. He felt bad to see his son's miserable state but didn't try to stop the torture. He was a mere prime minister, how could he show authority in front of the King? Even so, as a father, he completed his responsibilities. After all, it was he who stopped King Lin at the last moment by shamelessly bringing the reference of their lifelong friendship.
Recalling the scene of how furious King Lin was that almost executed Bai Qiang, Prime Minister Bai shivered in horror. If he didn't stop on time, his son would be dead by then.
If he didn't spot how outrageously Bai Qiang touched Princess Liena in front of so many people, he would never believe any accusation like his son touch Her Highness and his unethical behavior.
How dare this brat left him alone the hallway to bully her again!
After the physician was done, King Lin gestured all the servants immediately leave the room so the guest could privately talk. Bai Qiang then kneed in front of him. He was nervous, didn't know what to do so he only stared on the floor.
"So this is your so-called GENIUS son whom you always bragged about?" King Lin scrawled. For the sake of friendship he stopped or else he would kill that b*stard that touched his daughter with his stinky hands.
"What shall this King do with your son? HE TOUCHED THE PRINCESS!!! Haven't you teach him Confucius rules? Doesn't he know that man and women should not touch unless they are married?" King Lin bellowed.
'Argh! So embarrassing!' Prime Minister Bai's face flashed red like the bottom of monkey. He had a great urge to dig a hole to hide his face.
He always boasted to his friend how outstandingly 'blah blah blah' his son was and what his achievements were, and now his years-long built 'good images' were shattered. Prime Minister Bai promised King Lin that one day he'll introduce his son. But never in his dreams, he thought that the planned first meeting turned out to be his son's 'almost doomed' meeting. All of his pride was demolished.
King Jingze was also present in the room. He was actually enjoying the show. How could he miss such an opportunity to harass the prideful Prime Minister? His lips broke into a teasing smile as he suggested,
"Tsk tsk~ Cutting arms or execution is so boring~"
"Ummm... how about turning him into a eunuch? My palace needs some~"
Prime Minister Bai almost puked blood. This guy! How old was he! He was still mischevious. Can't he stop making things hard for him by suggesting such dangerous proposals? Turning into a eunuch? It's him who was the eunuch here...
"Do you have to be so petty, Your Highness? Did you forget we are also childhood friends?"
"Hehehe~ Yeah yeah, I didn't hear your son calling me LUSTROUS!" King Jingze scoffed.
Prime Minister Bai became restless until it turned into anger. Just how many people did this idiot offended today? Wasn't it enough to touch and bully Princess? Why did he add more oil into the fire by provoking King Jingze?
Now he didn't what to say anymore except praying to Buddha. 'Son, you are double doomed.'
King Lin coldly stared at his friend's face. He started to think of how should he punish Bai Qiang. That kid was a huge disappointment. He shouldn't have let him sit on general's position, it was too soon for him. Otherwise, with the hasty brain of his, he'd surely bring shame for the nation and threat for his child by trusting the enemies.
He shouldn't doubt his daughter in the first place. Maybe, this son of banana bullied Liena. Thinking about this, his blood boiled with rage. He again wanted to kill this brat. However, to his surprise, Princess Liena walked in front of him and kneeled.
"This Princess was the one who initiated the misunderstanding. Father, it's not General Bai Qiang's fault in the first place. He just got confused. It was this Princess who bullied the general by wrongly accusing him."
Then she looked at Bai Qiang and bowed again.
"This Princess wronged the General. She asks for his forgiveness."
Bai Qiang was flabbergasted on her polite behavior. He couldn't believe that she'd apologize to him. Actually, he could already assume why she accused him. She must have seen him bullying Nuwa in the capital. Because he knew the royal siblings were identical twins. And with Nuwa and Princess Liena's almost identical face, that he was even mistaken, Princess must felt empathy towards Nuwa. That's why Princess must take revenge on her behalf, to give justice. He felt a tinge of proud that he didn't serve the wrong master. Princess was JUST.
Soon the sense of shame and guilt filled his heart. She was a Princess, yet she apologized and defend Nuwa when he bullied normal people just because he came from the Bai family and ascended a general's position. What a shameless person he was!
"It's okay, Your Highness, this general... *cough* servant understands... This servant was the wrong one. So this servant asks for forgiveness." He said when bowing.
The room suddenly turned into pin-drop silence. Both Prime Minister and King Jingze were shocked when King Lin felt distasteful. His heart was filled with jealousy that his daughter bowed to that b*stard and defended him. And the worst of all that idiot was peeping and giving his daughter weird looks. Was he interested? No way... How outrageous of him! He will teach this pervert a good lesson.
How could the foxy elder Bai miss such an opportunity to save his child and change the topic? He looked at his good friend and noticed his chilly stares...
'Ehhh! Was that jealousy! Hehehe~ What a daughter-con!'
'I'd strike when the iron is too hot.'
"Hail to the Princess. This lowly servant thanking the Princes for showing kindness." He started to use flowery words to impress her, though his main target was, of course, his daughter-con friend who loved hearing praises. So after he observed his friend's ice-cold gaze softened a bit, he started to query with a soft voice.
"So Princess, can this old uncle ask why you blamed my son? Don't worry, this uncle isn't blaming you or anything since I am already aware of his misdoings."
Both King Lin and Jingze were curious as well so without interrupting the conversation, they looked at her expectedly.
Princess Liena became nervous. So with watery eyes, she told them Nuwa's existence and how she looked like her dead brother.
"T-This is unbelievable..." All of them stuttered in unison. They never expected that the reason was this. How can this even possible!
"Are you serious??? You must have seen it wrongly???" King Jingze asked disbelievingly.
"Yes!!!" Both Liena and Bai Qiang agreed in unison. Bai Qiang's eyes flashed with a tinge of surprise. So for a second so he took a peek at Liena's face but King Lin noticed it so he howled,
"Don't look at her."
Bai Qiang quickly looked at the ground again. He wasn't interested in Princess, okay! He was just looking at her doubtfully, thinking why she looked like Nuwa. To him, Nuwa was the most beautiful and interesting girl. He was never into a flower vase.
"T-This...is...impossible...." King Lin muttered. Looking like his son, how could it be! He couldn't come up with logic anymore.
Pondering for a moment, King Jingze looked at his brother thoughtfully. With a smug smile, he asked,
"Brother. Perhaps you slept with someone outside the palace and impregnate her without your knowledge? Hai! I didn't expect you turned out to be a snake! Forgetting your vows to never touch other women besides your Queen... Fufufu~ What a scandal!"
"Hehehe~ It must be the reason."
Prime Minister forgot his previous grudges as he agreed with King Jingze. Both of them looked at each other and nodded in understanding. It was normal for men to lose control especially for someone who was committed to only one woman.
"Lin'er, don't lie to us. We are friends right. And Princess already discovered the truth."
"SHUT UP!!! I never touched any other women. Stop babbling nonsense in front of my child."
This shameless duo was getting on King Lin's nerves. Spouting whatever in-front of his daughter and demolish his perfect fatherly image!!!
"Are you sure about your claim? Don't lie to me again." King Lin asked the kneeling children for another confirmation. He was actually also threatening his daughter.
"Yes." Liena and Bai Qiang shook their head vigorously.
King Lin was taken back. Listening to their voice, a surge of indescribable feelings rushed in his heart.
"Unbelievable... This must be a miracle!" King Jingze excitedly shouted.
"Search for her immediately."
Ordered King Lin suddenly. His eyes glimmered with unknown emotions.
#####
At night, King Lin delightedly rushed towards Queen Lin's bedchamber to share the shocking news. His heart was filled with joy and hopes with no bounds. He needed to tell her everything.
However, to his disappointment, after speaking, the first question came out from Queen Lin's mouth was,
"Did you cheat on my back?" She asked with a red face.
King Lin's smug smile turned stiff. He furiously replied,
"NOOO!!! Why would I! Are you also doubting me?"
Queen Lin was dubiously examining his expression. But finding nothing strange, she hurriedly replied,
"Sigh~ No, your highness, I am not. Guess, this Queen is also surprised. How can something miraculous like this even happen? Haha~ Maybe Buddha has finally listened to our prayers. This Queen feels ecstatic." Queen Lin started to cry in joy.
"Agree. It's a miracle!"
King Lin's icy expression broke when he saw her sobbing. He dotingly patted her back. He also did not believe at first when he learned Nuwa's existence, so of course, others should also feel the same.
"Stop crying like a child."
Queen Lin finally stopped her happy crying. After a while, her mind was filled with exuberant. She wanted to meet Nuwa, like immediately.
"Nuwa right? What a beautiful name." She gleefully murmured. Without her knowledge, she was already starting to accept Nuwa as her child, as Bengt's replacement. So, with glistering eyes, she asked,
"Dear, what is your plan after finding her?"
King Lin became silent on this question. He didn't want to reply immediately since he was also uncertain about the future. Queen Lin noticed his complicated expression so she didn't insist him for an answer and went to sleep. She knew, sooner or later, he'll tell her.
King Lin sleeplessly thought for the whole night, it was an important decision. He was also thinking of the possible future outcomes of his decision since they would greatly affect and change Liena's future.
'Will she happily accept the girl? Or get jealous!'
Some children do the latter because of insecurity, they hate sharing parental love even with their siblings. And here it was such a serious issue. A girl from the street!
Moreover, he also needed to pay a visit to his Imperial father's permission. He found the whole situation too coincidental.
"Why everything is going on according to the prophecy...???"
If his doubts were right, then the future was too dangerous!!!
The next morning, Queen Lin discovered her panda eyed husband. So she anxiously looked at him. Realizing Queen Lin's footsteps coming, King Lin glanced at her and suggested,
"How about adoption?"
[Note: Unedited chapter.]