Liam had a grim face in every step she took. Her pace was slow, and her actions were uneven. That damn Emperor summoned the couple into the place that afternoon. Liam, who planned to sleep and take a beautiful rest all day, was now walking in pain. Her lower half was still sore. And walking made it worse.
'That damn old man! If you want to kill someone, don't drag me!' Liam was gritting her teeth. If it's in modern times, she had the power to decline an invitation even it came from the President. But here in ancient times, she could not do that.
Ren Shou looked at her worriedly. He noticed her uneven steps.
"Wangfei, I can carry you. I would take it to my name if His majesty punished us for such an act." Ren Shou had been convincing Liam to carry her in his arms. But Liam declined.
"Husband, what if the emperor takes that against you and executes you as a punishment?" Liam answered this instead.
"That's not.."
"The emperor is crazy enough to do that."
Ren Shou realized that it might be possible. He checked his surroundings. The servants guiding them were too far to hear their whispers. He walked nearer to Liam and hold her hand. His other hand was on her waist. It looked like he was embracing her. He used his qigong to ran fast in a couple of seconds and arrived at the court's entrance door.
"..." The servants.
Liam felt dizzy. Ren Shou let go of her, but he was still holding her hand.
"I have an excuse for that. Don't worry, Wangfei." He whispered to her to assure her.
Liam, who doesn't actually want to be carried like that because it was embarrassing and also who doesn't want to fly because it makes her dizzy became speechless. She sighed. 'Nevermind. It already happened.'
"T-that! It's against the law of the palace to use qigong in the premise without His majesty's approval!" The eunuch who was assigned to the entrance door shouted at Ren Shou.
"I'll take responsibility." Ren Shou said without minding it.
"50 lashes is the punishment! " The eunuch was strict to the rules. Besides, the eunuch knew that His Majesty and General Ren Shou were at odds with each other. The eunuch chose to side on His majesty.
"And since General used it with another person, that would be another 50 lashes!"
Liam was stunned at this. A hundred lashes were too much even for a general, a veteran of war. But it's understandable since it was the palace that every mistake results in death. This man was mainly one of the tops on His Majesty'swanted to kill' list.
"I will receive it later, now announce our names." Ren Shou did not care a bit in that 100 lashes.
Liam looked at Ren Shou. Observing the young man who did not even seem to faze in that painful lashes awaiting for him. This kind of man deserves praise.
"Husband is so cool!" So she did. In these circumstances, she could not do anything as she was just a flower vase here. Ladies in this ancient era could to even argue in public.
The eunuch smiled that he managed to give 100 lashes to the general as he announced the couple's arrival.
Liam watched as the entrance door in the palace court opened.
A wide luxurious hall was revealed. A red carpet was on the floor for any visitors to walk through. Men were standing at both sides. Wearing official clothes. At the front of the right side was her father, Amm Gu De. Her father, as usual, had an anxious face whenever she saw him. Liam sometimes wondered why that man always had that kind of face. Then she looked at the front.
The golden throne lives up to its reputation. It was really a golden chair.
The emperor looked majestic and mighty sitting on that chair. Even that face was wrinkled, his golden robes added 100% percent to his charm to really call him an Emperor.
Seeing that figure in the chair made Liam thought of a term, 'goldie.'
Liam nodded. Right. From now on, that old man is called goldie!
Ren Shou guided Liam to the front. They both kneeled down and greeted the emperor.
"Greetings, to the sun of the empire!"
The emperor nodded at them.
"We might have disturbed your rest. "
'Yes, goldie, you really disturbed my rest..' Liam wanted to say this, but another word came out from her glib tongue.
"It's an honor to be minded by His majesty as soon the day comes. We are grateful for your care, Your majesty."
Amm Gu De looked at his daughter. It was a good thing that his daughter was talking like a human. He was worried his naughty daughter would say something that would lead to the execution of both of the entire families.
"Ha. Ha. Lady Ren really made Us happy whenever she speaks. Don't you agree, General Shou?"
Ren Shou smiled like a gentleman.
"Your majesty, I can't only agree that my Wangfei you choose for me was the sunshine of my life. She is also the rain in my dry heart. I am grateful for His majesty unparalleled wisdom and generous heart."
His Majesty smiled at Ren Shou's answer.
'Of course, you fool, your very sunshine and rain will put your life to an end.' His Majesty then looked at Liam. This knife that he gave to Ren Shou was putting the Emperor in a good mood.
Liam, who saw that stare directed at her, just smiled awkwardly. 'Goldie really put his hope in me.'
"We invite the two of you here to see if you are doing well. It seems like We don't have anything to worry about." The emperor continued to speak hidden words.
"We thank your majesty for his concern. We are doing great." Ren Shou answered with a smile as well.
"Is there anything you wanted Us to give you as a gift? You are Our nephew, after all." the emperor was like a generous man.
Ren Shou looked at this old man who was full of thorns. Wondering why this old man seemed to give him gifts nowadays. Was there any reason? Or did the emperor feel that by giving gifts, he would settle down and serve him loyally?
'No. The Emperor has a fickle heart. He would never trust me or treat me fairly. He must be preparing something. Is it my assassination?'
Ren Shou bowed to the Emperor.
"Your majesty, this subject already received such great blessings from you. It is more than enough for us."
"Is that so?" The emperor still asked. He was generous because it might be the last gift Ren Shou would receive from the throne.
Suddenly, Liam spoke at the side.
"If Your majesty's gracious heart insisted us to request a gift. Then this humble one would take His majesty's favor. "
All eyes turned to Liam.
Liam smiled at Ren Shou, who looked curiously at her, then she smiled at the emperor. Her smile seemed so dazzling and innocent.
Her eyes flashed as the list came to her mind.
'_have party-party with the ministers'