In the morning Court the officials brought up incident in the Spring Banquet and the Minister of Justice explained how the culprits were the Dong family and they had arrested everyone in the morning.
The Dong family head was brought up and he claimed he was innocent but there was no proof of it. But there were eyewitness accounts who had seen Lord Dong meeting with the 'fake Lord Táng' previously and so everyone agreed he was lying.
Everyone looked at the Emperor to mete appropriate punishment. Usually the punishment for such crimes was the execution of the entire family. But the Emperor just exiled them from the capital city and issued orders for none of their generations to enter the court in the future.
The Emperor noticed the slight displeasure in the eyes of Lord Ran but soon he composed himself. He knew Lord Ran was worried that his secret will be revealed if they were left alive. It was the Emperor's plan too as over time the Dong family members can come out with the truth against the Ran family as they would feel wronged.
But they received news on the third day of the Dong family's exilement that they were attacked by 'bandits' and not even a child from their family was spared. Only then they realised how vicious and meticulous the Ran family was and it is not easy to deal with them.
After the punishment was given by the Emperor someone spoke on how harmonious the court is with the seemingly opposing Ran and Huang families help each other for the sake of the welfare of the kingdom and various others joined him in singing praises of Lord Ran who had caught the criminals who tried to spoil the peace of the nation.
Rijun who was silently observing the Court smirked by all the drama unfolding in front of him as he was already informed of all the plots by his father early in the morning after paying respects to Xing's mother's memorial tablet. He knew his father stayed back home after he had heard of the Emperor's summon for Lord Táng was only because even if something unexpected happens in the court today, him being outside the palace would help them more. His father had also told him to do just anything for the safety of his sister.
Rijun rolled his eyes when everyone spoke as if Lord Ran did a big favour and had saved the Huang family from ruins.
After everyone of his supporters had spoken, Lord Ran who was 'embarrassed' by all the compliments given by his peers stood in front of the Emperor and spoke politely,
"This official had done what any other official would have done for the sake of the kingdom. I would never agree if anyone think that I had saved the Huang family but I am honoured I get to be of help to find those criminals. Also this official had heard many good things about Lord Táng. Many of the nobles here would have encountered him too one way or another. Who doesn't know how much he had helped the people in the Western Province over the years. How could anyone accuse him of treason? Even some days back my daughter encountered some problems with her carriage and it was him who saved her. I am grateful for Lord Táng. The Prime Minister's son was with him that day too", he smirked at Rijun and continued, " That day my daughter's carriage was tampered with and she'd have lost her life if not for Lord Táng. Upon investigation, I had found out it was Lord Dong who did it and that's why I kept a close eye on him and was able to uncover this issue. Anyhow I thank the Emperor for punishing the Dong family for their evil deeds", he spoke and strode back to his place.
Everyone in the court started murmuring about this mysterious Lord Táng and Rijun balled his hands to fists.
What does that damn Lord Ran trying to do? Is he trying to say he had found out the identity of Lord Táng? Also by speaking good about Lord Táng, he is trying to make others to have a bad feeling about Lord Táng. Or is he trying to insinuate jealousy of the Emperor by saying Lord Táng had done more good deeds? Also if the Nobles had encountered Lord Táng before, it could only mean they were doing dubious deeds before stopped by him. Also wasn't Lord Ran the one who tried to kill his daughter? Rijun looked at Lord Ran smirking and wanted to punch that smug face of Lord Ran.
Rijun stepped forward with his dazzling smile and spoke calmly,
"Lord Ran is right! Lord Táng had been loyal to the throne and the Empire for long. He is also a charming and an altruistic person. That's why father has plans to adopt him as his Godson soon. We are truly blessed to have such person serving along with us"
With this the entire court was shocked and the smile in Lord Ran's face disappeared. The person who he had recently collaborated with had considered this person as his enemy and now he had joined together with the Huang family? Won't that make it too hard to touch him?
Even the Emperor was shocked and wondered how Lord Táng had gained the trust of Huang AoTian to this extent.
With this the morning court was ended and only after Lord Ran disappeared from his sight did Rijun relaxed which was noted by the Emperor.
Xing and Shengli were waiting near the Imperial Study when they were called inside by an eunuch. As they entered she realised Shengli involuntarily shuddering as he remembered the last time he was here, he was begging his Imperial father only to be met with his cold glare as if he was not his son but a liability.
Xing grabbed his cold hands and looked at him that calmed him a bit.
"Why are you scared?", she asked gently.
"You are not? This is the place where the fates of people change within a second and the one you are going to meet is called the son of heavens. Anyone would have a little fear", he asked back.
"Fear..? No.. What I feel is more like aversion to this place. Also you are with me aren't you? And, stop me if I do anything wrong ", Xing answered calmly. She could smell the stink of blood more in this place.
Shengli looked at her being calm and his memories of the past faded and he felt calm too. Why do you trust me this much?
Both of them entered to see the Emperor, General Zhong and Rijun.
Xing looked around to see that this Imperial Study was exceptional. Every pillar was decorated with gold and the wood was of highest quality and the carvings were refined and there were dragons everywhere, in the roof, the tiles, in the vases and if it is not dragon it was qilin. There were big jade carvings of dragons and between two elephant tusks those black and white decorative sword the emperor had last night was placed. Seeing Xing starting to linger towards the swords, Shengli held her hand to walk towards the Emperor seated in his table filled with documents and there were more dragon artifacts there. Even the ink stone had a dragon flying towards the sky carved in it.
Whoa! How narcissistic! Would he forget that he is an Emperor if there are no dragons around him? But this does not look like his style though , Xing thought.
"Your Majesty, may you live a thousand years", Shengli and Xing bowed.
"Don't stand on ceremony", the emperor waved.
If not stand, should we sit? Xing looked around to see only a couple more chairs and that too was placed around a chess table. Is this for intimidation? To make the people stand in front of the Emperor to show who has the power. Nice technique!
"Bring chairs and refreshments and do not disturb us", the Emperor ordered and everyone was soon seated and the table was filled with various delicacies and aromatic tea.
"Lord Táng, your cousin's tea was really good like my father said", General Huojin spoke.
Xing who had question marks over her head wondered for some time as it hit her head, That's right, I told him Rijun is my cousin and his sister is my cousin too... So, He is talking about me as my cousin right? But didn't he meet me just hours back? How could he not recognise me? His father recognised me immediately! Xing wondered and looked at Rijun and Shengli who were silently sipping tea and she remembered Lord Zhong telling her not to tell the General and she kept her silence too.
Xing just gave a polite nod to General Zhong and leaned to her brother,
"Brother, is the general that dense?", she whispered to Rijun.
"You play both parts well. If you ask me you are perfect dressed as a man. It is a shame you have to pretend as a woman", he whispered sarcastically.
"Really", she grinned proudly. Rijun sighed, "You know usually women get offended if someone tells them they look like a man. Oh heavens! Why can't I get a normal sister?", he continued to drink tea. Xing gave him an elegant smile and said, "Brother, you flatter me too much", which made him sigh.
The Emperor saw Rijun whispering with Lord Táng and wondered what was that about and he looked at his brother who did not mind them two being close. Then he remembered the kiss he saw the previous night and he felt embarrassed,
"Lord Táng, congratulations on becoming the Godson of Huang AoTian", the Emperor said to break the silence.
"What in the...", Xing was about to curse but stopped herself remembering the place she was in and looked at Rijun,
"What was that about?"
Rijun fisted his hands, "That Lord Ran... I really wanted to hit him today. Saying all those things. He knows who you are and he almost threatened me. If father was here he would have..."
With the mention of her father Xing remembered her father's words from before and wondered of he would want to be involved with her anymore. Anyone wise would keep her at a distance.
"But I told you that I don't want to be involved with the Huang family.. How can you decide such important things without your father's consent?", she lashed out at Rijun shocking everyone even Shengli.
"Huh! What's with you?", Rijun knocked her head, "You are already involved with the Huang family and why would father disagree with what I said?"
"But..", Xing screamed,
"Shh! Stop shouting! It makes you look ugly", he pushed her forehead with his forefinger.
Shengli realised something was wrong with Xing. He had his doubts when she didn't tell him what happened before his arrival as she used to. He decided to wait for her to open up but seeing her getting agitated, he patted her hands which calmed her down.
"So, that aside.. Rijun! Is your sister fine?", the Emperor asked Rijun.
"Ah! She's fine... Fine. She is just a delicate person", Rijun nodded. Xing then remembered the lies her brother told the Emperor last night and laughed silently.
"She was fine and she even made tea for us today. She didn't seem to be have any problems with her feet anyway", General Huojin added making Rijun fidgety.
Shengli was already at his wits end as he wanted to know what Xing was hiding and he didn't like it when his brother talked about Xing. He was about to snap when Xing interfered,
"So what happened to the assailants from last night I caught?"
General Huojin was not very happy,
"They are all dead"
"All of them?", Xing asked surprised, "So no leads from them? How could they switch the Imperial Guards? "
"Our guards were found unconscious in an abandoned courtyard of the inner palace. Also one of the assailants was said to be a retainer from the Eastern Province", the Emperor answered seeing General Zhong unwilling to answer and was met with Huojin's glare.
"Eastern Province? Was he Lord Chu's retainer?", Xing asked.
"Yes, but do you know Lord Chu?", the Emperor asked.
"Shihong and Lord Chu...", Xing was in deep thoughts and Shengli observed her closely. But he didn't know any connections between her and Lord Chu and also between Lord Chu and Shihong.
"Nope! He won't have such guts", she said and soon she could not bear the stink of blood coming from that room and stood up to leave.
Shengli was surprised, so she does know Lord Chu? But how?
Xing then remembered why she was there,
"Your Majesty! You summoned me here, why?"
"Lord Táng, I just wanted to thank you personally for saving me twice last night", the Emperor smiled.
"No need for it, your Majesty! It was my duty", Xing bowed, Also you kind of forced me to...,
"If that is all, I will take my leave", Xing patted Shengli who stood up too.
Huojin who was observing everything got angry by the way Xing was acting towards the Emperor. Does this person realise he is talking to the highest authority in the land?
The Emperor whose original intention of finding out the relationship between his brother and Lord Táng was not happy they were about to leave.
"Lord Táng you must remember the promise you made zhen that you will attend the exams if you are here? Good thing then, you be prepared for the exams in a month", the Emperor told Xing and she jerked. She really has no interest in writing exams.
"Ah that, your Majesty! ", Xing gave a deep bow, " Please forgive this little one's lack of knowledge. I didn't know that females aren't allowed to attend the exams. So I must apologise for not being able to keep that promise and I wish the emperor would exempt me from that promise", Xing bowed sincerely, while Shengli patted her back and Rijun sighed knowing some facts cannot be hidden forever.
The Emperor looked at her and realised the possibility of that person before him being a woman. That must be so since when looking closely he felt a feminine aura around her, also his brother's interests also made him wonder.
"You are really audacious! How dare you oppose his royal highness' word just because there won't be women there? How much of a deviant are you? My perverted brother said the same thing too",the oblivious Huojin started his rant.
Xing raised her eyebrows in surprise, Just how does this guy always reaches to the weirdest conclusions? I told him that I cannot attend the exams because women are not allowed and this guy only thinks that I am a pervert, refusing to do anything that does not involve females?
"Stop Huojin", the emperor interrupted, " Let's listen to her"
"Her? You mean Lord Táng is a woman?", Huojin gaped after realising it.
"Your Majesty, you are indeed wise. I am Táng JiaXing and I am female. Sorry for misleading everyone here. It was not my intention ", Xing said sincerely. The Emperor looked at Rijun and his silence proved he knew it too.
The emperor sighed and remembered how every time they've met he had made a woman defend him while he didn't even lift a finger and felt ashamed. Also this is his Sister-in-law? Would his brother hate him for putting her in danger?
"Then yesterday..? Also the other day? ", the Emperor said with a shameful tone.
"I was a woman always, and I still am", she said without thinking through and that made Rijun laugh out loud and Huojin was still shocked to say anything.
" Are you really a woman? Then why did you lie to everyone?" Huojin asked angrily after some time snapping out of his shock.
"I can personally assure that she is one hundred percent a woman. Also she never lied. Just because she was dressed as a man you all just assumed she was a man. It's your fault for jumping into conclusions and she can't be held responsible for that"
Everyone's jaw dropped by the sudden and long proclamation of the ever silent Shengli.All through this meeting he had only opened his mouth for only talking about her. Also, What did he mean by he can assure that she is a woman? And how come they are being blamed of being judgemental? This person kissed a girl in broad daylight didn't she? How can one not assume she is a man?
" Brother, how can you assure?", the Emperor asked mischievously to Shengli.
Xing looked at Shengli, who smirked at her and he bent and whispered in his brother's ears, "That's because we bathed together all the time when we were young and also we slept together last night " and stood up straightening his clothes.
The Emperor became red, "Third Brother, you are lying " he said wondering when his brother had become such a tease and Shengli replied with "It's true" leaving the emperor shell-shocked. Since when his brother started breaking social conventions and enter an unmarried woman's room at night?
Xing asked Shengli what he said and he just shook his head meaning it was nothing. Xing just rolled her eyes and let that go.