As the day aged,Yang Zhi was finally released from her detention. She dusted her robes to get rid of the white powder she has applied on her clothes earlier and walked out. She closed the door not wanting the guards to find out about the dead rats. She wanted them to stay piled up there and rot. Their disgusting smell would be her surprise to them. Right now,she was sure everyone was aware of her presence in the palace and that was proven the moment she ran into Yang Mei,her second sister. In the palace she was her greatest rival; the only person whose existence she couldn't stand.
"Mei mei, how are you? It's good to see you again,"Yang Mei said in a gentle delicate voice like she was afraid she would rip her lips if she spoke more firmly. She then faked a smile acting shy and demure.
"Jie Jie,I am fine. How about you?"Yang Zhi questioned forging a smile.
"When I heard you had returned I went out to look for you but I heard Father Emperor had sent you to Reflection Hall. Are you okay?"She asked sarcastically faking her concerns.
"Thank you for your concern but I'm not delicate like others so it's a sure thing I am okay,"Yang Zhi replied rudely. She couldn't stand her sister's fake love and concerns. Everything about her was fake. Yang Mei's aim was to annoy her for her own amusement but Yang Zhi wouldn't let her win so she tried to hide her irritation by pretending to enjoy the conversation.
"Mei mei,I heard about what happened at the border. It must have hurt when people at the capital threw curses at you without knowing the truth behind it,"Yang Mei continued provoking her. Yang Zhi felt like she was going to lose it . She felt her insides rise with fury. She wanted to rip her part into pieces like a lion does to its prey. Luckily, Nanny Wang showed up and summoned her to Tai Hall as per Empress Chen's command. Yang Zhi thanked Nanny Wang internally for coming to her rescue otherwise she would have been exiled from the palace for beating up her own sister adding another crime to her list of crimes.
As expected Empress Chen was eagerly waiting for her at the main hall. She was busy sewing when Yang Zhi arrived at the hall.
"Mother,"Yang Zhi bowed slightly. Her voice was indifferent and her face was pulled into a slight frown.
"Come here,"Mother Empress instructed gently.
Yang Zhi walked towards her hesitantly and when she was only a few centimeters away from her mother, Empress Chen stretche out her hand and pulled her closer before settling her on an empty seat beside her.
"How have you been?"Empress Chen asked with genuine concern, her soft hands stroking her daughter's hands.
"Mother I heard you got angry and lashed out at Father Emperor. You know it's not good for your health..."Yang Zhi paused.
"You... don't have to worry about that old thing. If I had a chance to beat him up I would have done it,"Empress Chen threatened and shifted on her seat excitedly.
Yang Zhi understood her mother well.The two were like a person and their own reflecion- Yang Zhi had inherited all of her mother's traits ,the boldness being the major one.
They had been apart for long and they now shifted to other topics catching up on what they had missed about each other. Soon laughters of amusement echoed throughout the walls of Tai Hall.
***
After subduing the Xiang State without lifting a finger,Cheng Lei returned to his home palace to report to his father. Emperor Huang was already aware of the outcome of the war because he was the mastermind behind the puppet soldiers. But still, Cheng Lei had to inform him out of mere courtesy or rather to brag about his so called victory to the ministers especially those who had disapproved him.
On the day of entering the palace to officially report,he wore a flashy attire that would make it impossible for everyone to not notice his presence. He wore icy white robes,clean and new from his favourite silk shop. His hair was adorned with a small golden crown which shone brightly under the influence of daylight. When he entered the palace hall,he walked like he owned the place leaving the ministers stuck in a staring session. He marched to the front and stood in front of the ministers. He could hear the indistinct chatters amongst the ministers but didn't bother to listen to them. His face was decorated with his usual arrogant smile.
A few minutes later, Emperor Huang arrived and the court meeting started officially. The ministers presented oral reports about their respective fields of work before they delved into the most important part - victory against the Xiang State.
"Now that you all know we won the war against the Xiang State, you're aware we must demand something in return because they have been doing the same thing to us for years. What do you guys have to say to that?"Emperor Huang asked smiling.
The hall was filled with the overlapping voices of ministers shouting their congratulations while others agreeing to the Emperor's proposal.
"Father no need to ask of course the winner makes the call,"Cheng Lei said proudly.
"Then Lei'er what do you suggest we demand from the Xiang State?"
Cheng Lei hesitated a bit as if trying to do some thinking and then smiled like he had thought of something great.
He then parted his lips to verbalize his thoughts,"Father in terms of wealth we are at a better place. I have a long-term solution. We can form a marriage alliance after all I am of marriageable age,"Cheng Lei proposed.
Suddenly there was chattering in the hall as the emperor leaned back on his seat and started massaging his temples his eyes scanning the hall trying to evaluate the ministers' reactions.
As expected Cheng Lei's proposal was immediately accepted by all. It meant the Xiang State had to send one of their princesses to the Huang State for a marriage alliance. Speaking of that,Cheng Lei already had one person in mind- Yang Zhi. He wanted the choose his bride by himself. Yang Zhi was popular for being the sassy female general and every man dreamt of dominating her and making her submissively his and Cheng Lei was definitely one of those men.Even before meeting her on the battle day,Cheng Lei had encountered Yang Zhi a few times before when he used to sneak to the Xiang State to seek pleasure. He had developed an irreversible obsession towards the savage beauty.