Empress
Episode 19 - War (?)

25 Years ago

A baby boy was born, he was the hope of the whole people, and the hope of his parents. His father was an emperor who led several small kingdoms. His father was known as a just and wise emperor.

When the baby was born, it rained heavily. Lightning rumbled, and the wind was very strong. A royal elder approached the baby being held by his father.

"He will be the Lord"

His mother and father smiled at him.

" But, he will be a person full of ambition, everyone will scare him, he will lead the entire land. But he was also the reason for the destruction of this land and no one could control it" the parents were shocked.

It sounded like a bad omen, everything that the elder spoke was accompanied by flashes of lightning and an increasingly violent wind.

" Old man, what should we do?"

" Don't let any woman stand with him on his throne"

" So, she'll never have a woman on her throne? But it could shake the government"

" There is, there is one woman"

" Who is the Elder?"

" The woman has white hair on both sides, she has different eye colors from people in general. He will muffle destruction and bring peace"

Since then, her parents have never allowed her son to marry any woman. Even if there is a woman he likes it is only allowed to be his concubine. What was predicted was true, since childhood the boy never wanted to play like other children. He just wanted to learn the science of war and how to increase his strength.

It was Yuwen Zhao.

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The kingdom of Wang heard the news that the Imperial party was heading towards his kingdom by bringing a lot of troops and supplies. King Wang only knew one thing, this meant that they would attack his Kingdom. They tried to conquer and control his Kingdom. This could not be allowed, King Wang directly made a letter and sent it to his sons.

" King, Emperor Zhao asked to meet you"

" Where is he?"

" He's in the Hall waiting for you"

King Wang rushed towards the Hall with an indecipherable look on his face. He saw a young man sitting on his throne. Seeing the arrival of King Wang, the man invited him in.

" Ahh King and Queen Wang, welcome. Please come in" said the emperor.

The ministers were furious at him, but there was nothing they could do. Rumors about Emperor Zhao's savageness were already very well known. They could only hold their anger in their hearts.

" Emperor Zhao, you seem to be sitting in the wrong seat" what the King said made everyone worried. The Queen stroked the King's arm to appease her, she did not want anything to happen to her husband.

" Is that so? Then where's my chair? Beneath you? Haha. You should have realized your position as King" Zhao said very haughty.

" What do you want Zhao to do?"

Zhao rounded his eyes, daring for this old man to call out his name. Zhao got up from his seat to approach King Wang. The atmosphere stiffened, and it felt gripping. Everything there gulped with great difficulty. Except for the King, even though his age is no longer young but his soul is still young. He won't be daunted by anything.

" It's very brave of you to call me by my name" he said right in front of King Wang's face.

" What's your purpose here?"

Zhao smiled looking at the bravery of the old man in front of him who was undaunted at all, he retreated his steps then looked towards the surroundings. See the beauty of the carvings on the walls of the hall.

" Join me Wang. And surrender your kingdom, submit to me"

" Less-Teach!!! I WON'T GIVE UP MY CRAFT TO YOU !!!"

" really? Let's see if you'll give up or not"

" Please return to your palace Zhao. My servant will escort you" King Wang gestured for his guards to escort Zhao out.

" You're really looking for dead Wang!"

Zhao moved his hand throwing something towards King Wang. The movement was so fast, King Wang was unable to detect it. Almost hitting it, suddenly someone came and made the little knife fall to the floor. Yes, Zhao threw a small knife that pointed right towards King Wang's eyes.

" Y!!!" The king was surprised by his son who came suddenly.

" Dad, are you okay?"

King Wang nodded indicating he was fine. It turned out that not only his eldest son, but his other sons also came following, including his daughter.

*^*

After the explosion they gathered together and checked Xiao shi's state, fortunately he was in good shape.

They spend time talking to each other. Including the reason Xiao Shi wanted to join the hunt with his older brother, also the story regarding his strength all along, the training he always did with Yuan and how he reached the highest level without being detectable by anyone.

" Sister understands, you should be careful next time. No one has ever reached that level, let alone a Princess." Cheng was worried about his sister, but also proud.

" Hmm I understand Brother"

" Good, hahhh now I will start hunting again, it seems like I don't have to worry about your safety anymore"

" You should keep worrying about me, brother! You're so mean"

" Alright, alright. I go, let me know if anything happens" Cheng rubbed his sister's shoulder and left.

" We go Shi'er" said Yan and Xun together.

Xiao Shi waved his hand as he stared at his brother's departure.

Now only Xiao Shi, Yuan, Feng Yue, and Teng She remained. Don't forget some of the soldiers who were left to stay there just in case. While Long had already returned to the Kingdom first to make medicine.

Feng Yue walked up to Xiao Shi, kneeling while clasping her sword in front of his body.

" Feng Yue, what's wrong with you?" xiao Shi asked in confusion. So did the others, they focused their attention on Xiao Shi and Feng Yue.

" Daughter, I don't know what to say. You even risked your own safety to help me."

Xiao Shi Smiled at her. " There's nothing free for that Feng, especially before we leave here I've also paid off all your debts "

Like being struck by lightning, Feng Yue did not know what she should be like. In what way he will pay.

" Why are you quiet? You sorry?"

" Pardon the Princess. Not at all"

" then? Why are you quiet?"

" I was just thinking how I'd repay all that"

" Are you sure you want to pay him back?"

" Of course"

" Pay with your life" he said firmly and without rebuttal. Feng Yue swallowed her saliva, while the others stared in disbelief at her.

" Daughter..." Yuan was surprised by his master.

Feng Yue closed her eyes, then exhaled slowly. Xiao Shi did not let go of his gaze at this man before him.

Feng Yue was about to remove the sword from its sheath, yet Xiao Shi held her back.

" This is not what I meant"

Xiao Shi got up from his seat, he walked a few steps forward, grabbing the fruit on the tree nearby.

" I need you, you'll work for me, just like Yuan. But it means the same as you give your life for me because you will follow me wherever I go, you will be my bodyguard. You will of course get your pay, but your pay will be paid directly to your family" Xiao Shi turned his back and smiled.

Yuan and Teng She sighed in relief. The smile from Feng Yue's face could not be hidden, she was very, very happy.

" Thank you for your generosity Princess" he said while prostrating many times.

" So, are you ready?"

" Of course, I will devote myself to protecting you Princess"

" It's not just me, you also have to protect Yuan"

" Wh-what?"

" I don't want to lose any of you. So you have to protect each other in order to protect me too. You understand?"

" Both Princess" Yuan and Feng Yue said simultaneously.

" good"

In the middle of their chatter a blue-colored light approached Xiao Shi. Xiao Shi shook his hands, the light turned into a collection of words. It was a letter, a letter from his father. Xiao Shi read the letter and how surprised he was as he read what his father had said. As soon as Xiao Shi finished reading it, the collection of words faded and disappeared.

" Daughter, what's wrong?"

" Yuan, call my brother and say we should return to the Kingdom, this is an emergency signal" Xiao Shi stared at the grass with a blank look, he panicked.

Hearing what Xiao Shi said, Yuan immediately sent a signal to the Princes. After the Princes returned they rushed off towards the Kingdom as fast as they could. This is terrible, the Kingdom and his father are in danger.

Emperor Zhao? Why knowing what you said makes me nervous. My mind is fucked, my heart is troubled. I don't know whose direction this is heading. Daddy's? Or on her.

- Xiao Shi

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Cheng stared fiercely at Zhao, and the one being stared at only smiled disdainfully.

" Crown Prince, welcome. Prince Yan, Prince Xun. And Princess SunYi is welcome" he said seeing one by one people who came.

" Why doesn't anyone answer, am I wrong?" continued. Then he looked towards the ministers. And seeing Consort Chun, he saw there concubine Chun with a girl.

" Ah it seems that I was wrong, it was Princess Sun Yi." Point it towards Sun Yi who was beside Consort Chun.

" That means you are Wang Xiao Shi. Right?" his question was probing towards Xiao Shi. Xiao Shi who used his veil and hat made Zhao curious.

" My father will not give up his kingdom. So please return Your Majesty" Cheng said as he normalized his voice. Seeing what almost happened earlier he thought he should not be rash with this person in front of him.

" It seems your son is more civilized than you, King. All right, if you don't give up your kingdom I'll come back." Cheng knitted his eyebrows together, this was unlike Emperor Zhao. Releasing the Kingdom is so easy? How unlikely.

" But I'm going back with my army. So prepare yourself Wang. Surrender or War, the decision is in your hands." Then Zhao walked away. His decision made everyone surprised. A war? It has been a long time since Wang last fought.

Xiao Shi was as surprised as what happened, he tried to think of another way to avoid the war. His father was old, if he had to fight Xiao Shi had no idea what would happen. Not his disbelief in his father's ability, but the war was also done with tactics. Sometimes the enemy will use cunning means to win the war.

Xiao Shi stepped a little further, blocking Zhao who was about to come out.

" What if fighting, one on one" Zhao's steps came to a halt, he stared at the person blocking his path.

" you mean?" Zhao brought his steps closer to Xiao Shi.

" You're asking me to fight with your father? Don't you think with your father's age he'll lose against me?" continued.

" Not with her, but with me"

" What? HAHAHAHAHAHA" Zhao laughed out loud. A princess wants to fight her? Just be right. What kind of joke is this.

"Xiao Shi!!"

Among Zhao's thunderous laughter, Xiao Shi instead received a reprimand from his Father and Brother. Her father rebuked her for thinking her daughter was weak and she did not want to lose her. While her brother did not want Xiao Shi to show his ability.

" Is your daughter making a joke of the King? It tickled my stomach a lot hahaha"

" You scared?" asked Xiao Shi defiantly. The laughter from Zhao came to a halt, replaced with an emotionless flat face.

" I don't fight women"

" No other choice, so—"

" There's another option." Zhao cut. Xiao Shi looked at Zhao puzzled.

" Eunuch Han, tell me what happens if the kingdom refuses to fight?"

" There is only one way, Your Majesty. Marriage Alliance" said Eunuch Han.

Everyone was getting more surprised. They were afraid that the Emperor was after Xiao Shi. But the Minister's words afterwards brought a little hope for them.

" The King's permission, to keep the kingdom safe. I will hand over my grandson as a marriage alliance between Wang and Emperor Zhao."

The minister with his thoughts that he would be said to be more meritorious to Wang made him do that. And Consort Chun who thought that she would have a daughter-in-law of an Emperor, her daughter would marry the Emperor. It will benefit their descendants. And Sun Yi? Hearing what his grandfather said, his cheeks turned as red as tomatoes, he thought what if he slept with the Emperor who had a stout and gallant body.

Indeed there is nothing true of the family is not that fir.

King Wang nodded his head in agreement.

Minister Chun pulls Sun Yi and takes him right in front of the King. " This is my grandson Your Majesty" he said, saluting.

Zhao looked at Sun Yi from the bottom up, then from the top down, tried to look at him from the side, then back and back to where he was standing earlier.

" Your grandson is a beautiful minister, but I think I already have someone like your daughter in my palace. And...."

Zhao turned his body, walking closer to Xiao Shi.

" I don't take a concubine's son if there's a Queen's son" she said, fading the smiles on Sun Yi and Minister Chun's faces. However it also made everyone tense, did that mean the Emperor would ask Xiao Shi?

" I want this girl, or no Marriage Alliance." His remarks made the King and Queen limp, they could barely stand up if only his sons did not hold him back.

" Dad!"

" Mom!!"

Xiao Shi stared intently at Zhao.

" Give Wang Xiao Shi to me, or fight. The choice was yours King" before he left he briefly smiled towards Xiao Shi, a smile that made Xiao Shi shudder.

You are a unique girl, you will belong to me Wang Xiao Shi. So is your Kingdom.

Emperor Yuwen Zhao

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seriate...