The royal family escaping from the capital was unexpected, thus, no arrangements were prepared for this sudden outcome. However, the captain in charge of this area was reliable. He immediately instructed his men to find a good residence for the royal family.
"Your Majesty, we prepared a residence for you." The captain escorted the Emperor and the Royal family to the direction of the residence.
The crown princess recognized the street.
"Wait. Can we just stay in the Gong Auction house? That place was a lot bigger and luxurious than any residence here." The crown princess suggested.
She had been to Gong City many times. It was because of the famous Gong Auction house that was located in this city. The Gong auction house was the biggest and extravagant place in this city. The master's room of the Gong auction house had said to be lavish than His majesty's chamber. Of course, these rumors had only been passed discreetly since it was a taboo for making a comparison with the Royal family.
However, it did not stop the crown princess who always visits the Gong auction house from hearing them. Thus, her interest was piqued and had a motive to buy this auction house. She too wanted to see the 'rumored' master room. Alas, before she expresses her thoughts to buy it, Ren Shou's men attacked the capital.
The Empress stilled.
Right. The Gong Auction house had many VVIPs rooms for the nobles who traveled from far away to the capital and waited for the auction every month. The rooms must have not yet touched since the last auction has just recently ended.
Besides, all the things that a royal need must still be in that place. Like the crown princess, the Empress wanted to be comfortable even they were in this tight situation. She was an Empress of this empire, she would not let herself suffer!
The Empress looked at the Emperor and supported the crown princess' suggestion.
"The crown princess is right. That residence was still a few minutes' walk. The auction house is nearer. Just a few blocks away. We can rest there tonight."
The crown prince also thought it through. He stepped out.
"Father Emperor, we still have to travel tomorrow by first light. We can grab anything we need from the auction house."
The Emperor was annoyed by the situation that they need to ran away from the imperial palace. That was supposed to be their home! The rebels and that insolent Ren Shou should have been the one driven out from the capital and cornered to the dessert! Not him! The Emperor!
The Emperor gritted his teeth.
"Follow the Empress' will."
Their escorts then lead them to the Gong Auction house. It was just a few walked away from where they were.
When the guard who was guarding the auction house saw the incoming group, he immediately stood up. That golden robe though tainted with mud stood out too much.
"Your majesty!" The guard kneeled. He was a bit stunned to see His majesty here.
'The report traveled so fast.' He just handed the report a few minutes ago. And now the Emperor was in front of him. This shows how urgent this matter was. The guard compliment himself. Thinking that he had done a good job and he would be rewarded.
The Emperor just nodded. The escort with the Emperor looked at the guard.
"How many servants are here?"
"Uhm. Just the former court's chef and me, Sir." The guard answered.
The escort stilled.
"A demoted chef? Did you got him from the prisoners? You allow a criminal to enter here?" The escort started berating the guard.
"Save it for later. Let Us rest, first." The Emperor said. He was getting more annoyed spending more seconds in this filthy robe of his.
"Yes, your Majesty. You, call many servants here as soon as possible." The escort told the guard.
The guard immediately left and do what the escort told him. There was no maid here. So he just grabbed those guards like him. On the second thought, he also grabbed some eunuchs who worked in the palace before but imprisoned, it was to instruct them, the guards, on how to serve a royal.
They enter the Gong auction house. The rumored master's room was in the inner part of the auction house.
They saw the golden frame of the door. Just the design of the door screams luxury.
The escort opened the door wide for the Royal family.
However, when the two massive doors opened, the Emperor's group was stunned.
A fragrance smell of milky fish soup greeted them.
In the luxurious room filled with golden frames, a woman was sitting leisurely. She just finished her meal and she was caressing her bulging belly. In her side, was the former court chef who was waiting for her orders.
When the woman saw the group standing at the doorway, she waved at them.
"Hi, goldie, you're so fast." Li Amm grinned at the group. Forgetting her manners for a moment.
The Emperor and his family were stunned. How could this frivolous woman be here?! Was Ren Shou here?!
Horror struck in the Emperor's face. His pale lips slightly trembled, "W-what are you doing here?"
Li Amm had a hint of surprise in her eyes as she was given a chance to study the newly arrived group.
Goldie looked so dirty, the Empress was sweaty, the Crown Princess's make up was in a mess, the Crown Prince forgot his 'cool' mask.
What the heck happened to them?
'Such a rare sight.'
Li Amm did not tore away her scrutinizing gazes at the group.
"Oh, I am your prisoner. I humbly and willingly surrender myself, Your majesty." Li Amm said with a smile.
The crown princess looked at her clean face, clean dress, and her bulging belly.
Clearly this prisoner was living a good life than them, the escapees.
Li Amm noticed the crown princess' envy gaze. She raised her chin.
Ah, it's so good to trample the royal family's pride once in a while. Here she was, standing neatly in front of their messy appearance.
She was again thankful for her luck to choose this place. This place has its own tub and clean water. There were also dresses here aside from male clothes. Clearly, the dress was for the prostitutes who spend their night pleasing the master here.
Li Amm finished her tea and stood up.
"Want to have a seat? You all look so tired and all your clothes are soiled. Goodness, what happened to our mighty and respectable royal family? " She took a step to them. But then she quickly covered her nose.
"What's that foul smell? "
The group who was still shocked by Li Amm's appearance, woke up from their stupor when they too noticed the wrenched smell. Because of the adrenaline rush of escaping from the rebellion's army, they were too busy to notice this strong and gross smell. Now that they were in a closed space, the foul smell assaulted their nose.
The Empress accidentally took a huge sniff of it and started to retch.
"Bregh! Bregh!" The crown princess immediately went away from the Empress.
"Hey, hey, don't do it here!" Li Amm shouted but it was too late. The Empress's acid went all the way to the carpeted floor.
The smell of vomit and that repugnant smell enveloped the room.