Han Jisung decided to walk to the palace this time as he wanted to enjoy the view of the beautiful gardens and trees that were in the palace compound.
Han Jisung got to a certain tree and stopped staring at it with nostalgia filling his eyes.
The late Empress had planted this tree when they first got married, she said it would signify their long life and a happy marriage.
Han Jisung felt tears threatening to drop as he remembered that moment that after the sprouting tree was planted to the ground, the joy that filled the Empress eyes when she came to him holding his hands eagerly.
"We would definitely bring our children to see this tree when they are all grown up." She said happily swinging Han Jisung hands.
Han Jisung felt that it was all his fault, the Empress has always been a jovial woman that never fails to have a smile on her face, which can sometimes be contagious.
But he who claimed to love her couldn't protect that smile, as the smile had been wiped off by the various schemes and games in the palace, and soon his golden ray, that shone as bright as the sun, became so dim that it could barely pass as a moon.
Han Jisung vowed to never love any woman again as he didn't want history to repeat himself.
What is the essence of loving, if you can protect your lover. To Han Jisung that was the greatest sin of all time and he learnt it the hardest way one can ever learn it, losing the person he loves.
Han Jisung was lost in thought when the steward voice interrupted his train of thought, "your Majesty, the ministers have already assembled in the palace." The steward bowed wondering what could make the all so powerful Emperor lost in deep thoughts as this, apparently he had been trying to get his attention since but the Emperor failed to notice him till now.
"Oh okay, am on my way." Han Jisung muttered staring one last time at the tree before folding his hands at his back and walked away elegantly, his blue robe flowing at his back.
Han Jisung had already summoned all the Ministers concerning Song Minhyun idea, it was true that the Qi nation could be of great help during the war.
On getting to the palace Han Jisung could clearly hear quarrels when he was just five steps away from the courtroom door, he then paused massaging his brows already recognizing Bogsu nonchalant voice and decided to pause to hear what it's about.
"Just because you got lucky to be promoted from your poor life doesn't give you the audacity to treat me like this, am the CROWN PRINCE, so respect me." Han jiwoo yelled angrily at Bogsu stressing on crown prince to ascertain his position, Bogsu who was sitting down with one leg folded and placed on the chair as she rested her hands on it, lazily twirling the tea cup that was placed there, Bogsu had earlier asked the servants to serve her tea.
"You seriously need to change your quip, any little disagreement you start yelling about me being poor, why can't you use other things, or is it because am better than you in every other aspect?" Bogsu asked with a cold smirk on her face, Han Jisung who was still standing outside suddenly felt the urge to chuckle at her response, as she had just hit Han jiwoo sensitive spot.
Han Jisung didn't know why but as soon as he saw Han jiwoo raising his hand to try and hit Bogsu, he hurriedly entered inside afraid Bogsu would be hurt despite knowing her capability, what was wrong with him, Han Jisung thought as he entered inside.
"What's going on here?" Han Jisung asked with authority oozing out of his voice.
Han jiwoo hand that was about to land on Bogsu face paused, "eerrrm....errrmm..." Han jiwoo stammered not knowing what to say, her father sudden arrival had come as a shock to her.
"Your Majesty, greetings,you don't need to mind the youths it was just a friendly scuffle." Chen Jihyun butted in saving Han jiwoo as she nodded her head in approval, Han Jisung decided to let the matter go when Bogsu responded.
"A friendly scuffle, you almost disfigured my face." Bogsu scoffed at the pair, purposely trying to provoke them, Han Jiwoo gritted her teeth together, trying to calm her anger down, "how could I, you know I treat you as an older sister." Han jiwoo lied through her teeth, Bogsu just rolled her eyes in response as she lost interest in arguing further, while Han Jiwoo realized a smile of victory which Bogsu ignored.
After seeing the arguments die down, Han Jisung walked to his throne and sat down, and all the ministers bowed down greeting him, they had already thought the Emperor would be in a bad mood because of the war and the arguments he saw today but it was quite the opposite, for the first time in a long time since the Empress death, the Emperor seemed, Happy?
"My lord, why have summoned us?" A minister who was unable to keep his curiosity voiced out.
Other Ministers started to feel sorry for the minister, thinking the Emperor would dismiss him for his rudeness.
"The royal Concubine had suggested a way out for this war." Han Jisung paused gauging the reactions of the ministers, Han Jiwoo ears piqued up hearing her mother's title while Bogsu sipped her tea like she wasn't even part of the world they were in.
Some ministers doubted the suggestion as they believed women are nothing when it comes to politics.
"She had suggested we contact her home nation, the Qi nation, for help." Han Jisung finally said.
Mixed reactions filled the court, as a few where skeptical about the suggestion as they had heard the dealings of the Emperor of Qi nation, while some Ministers were elated at the suggestions there was finally a way to relieve themselves in this war.
"Isn't that just inviting another fool to this kingdom." Bogsu muttered sneering, she was sure that since Song Minhyun was dumb, her brother would be too.
"Your Majesty, I think that is a great idea and we should carry it out immediately." A minister voiced out unable to hide the happiness in his voice, their were sounds of protest in the court but due to the fact they were at a minimum and the King supported the idea, they were pushed to the ground immediately.
"I would send a messenger to relay the message to Qi nation, you may all leave." Han Jisung dismissed.
Bogsu angrily stood from her chair pushing it back, "so you mean my sleep was disturbed just for this?" She yelled angrily walking out, not wanting to listen to any unnecessary talks again, Bogsu couldn't believe she had to leave her sweet bed, just to hear about inviting a fool over.