OFFERING CONCUBINES
EPISODE 138 CHAOS IN THE GREAT HALL

"I thank you for all the trust of the Yanzhi people, for making me the main companion of His Majesty.

I know this is an arduous task, but I promise to risk my life guarding the honor of this Yanzhi State." Xiao Yi's fingers were trembling, his hands holding the wine cup.

His Majesty smiled despite being a little uncomfortable with Xiao Yi's attitude that looked like he wanted to say something to her that, never did he see Xiao Yi become that indecisive.

In the ceremony it was rare for a queen to speak anything, except to receive the wine and drink it.

Xiao Yi was impressed like he was stalling for time, but His Majesty did not know the intent behind Xiao Yi's attitude.

The queen mother and all her minions seemed to be waiting impatiently, they were really anxious to see Xiao Yi sprawled after drinking the wine.

And in Xiao Yi's position, if he suspected or knew something about the wine and he did not want to drink it then all the fingers would be shown to him, saying that he did not want to commit an oath of allegiance to Yanzhi.

No one would be able to defend the person who harassed this sacred ceremony, because he was certainly the one who intended to insult the State and betray the people of Yanzhi in front of the crowd.

Slowly Xiao Yi lifted the wine, in front of his face, his gaze pierced through the glass until Zhao Juren who was looking at him with a stiff and trembling body, her hands clenched, her eyes clenched, while his other hand touched the headwaters of the sword that was behind the waist of his great shirt.

Within that area, at the time of the ceremony, all invitations were not allowed to carry weapons, except for Commander Zhao Juren, who was not involved in the ceremony, General Jijuong was in charge of the security of the event with the king's special guards dressed in black silk and white headbands, indicating they were the king's servants, only those holding weapons.

While the soldiers were security guards, they were outside the hall, keep watch until the outside of the wall full of people waiting for the empress in the wine to come out in a magnificent car carved bird hong.

"Don't drink it, Xiao Yi. please..." Zhao Juren stared unblinkingly, hoping that Xiao Yi would hear her whisper inwardly.

Standing in Xiao Yi's place was a dilemma, like simalakama and when he knew it was endangering his life but still doing it, then what could he do?

The wine cup slowly approached Xiao Yi's red lips which were as red as the wine she was about to drink.

"Receive my honor, Your Majesty, by drinking this wine, I give my next life into the hands of Your Majesty..." His whisper was almost inaudible.

Then quickly the wine in the cup was gulped down, and in an instant there was not a drop left.

Zhao Juren was dumbfounded in her place, she was speechless, her throat was like clogged, her legs were numb. His right hand clung to the head of his sword without moving anymore.

When he jumped into the middle of the room, the cup in Xiao Yi's hand, fell onto the stone floor, letting out a crackling sound as it hit the floor.

And then Xiao Yi, fell down on his knees, holding His Majesty's knees, with the sound of shouting from many people.

"Maxing...!!!"Shouting His Majesty blaringly, surprised by what happened to Xiao Yi, Zhao Juren leaped into the middle of the hall, immediately after which the atmosphere boomed and became panicked.

"Maxing...! Xiangxing....! What's wrong with you, Chenxing?" His Majesty shouted in surprise while roaring, capturing Xiao Yi's body like a wounded wolf.

A strange whistle blared in the air along with Xiao Yi's fall, and the bodyguards outside the main hall immediately filled the room with swords drawn in hand.

They came forward, charging and attacking all of His Majesty's special guards in a sudden and strange way, the king's usually fierce special bodyguards did not offer any significant resistance.

They're too easy to hit and take hostage.

The atmosphere became panicked and full of tension in an instant. Scared cries, turned into humming and crying sounds, as almost all of the necks were placed on the tip of the sword.

"What's going on?! Why are you attacking the great hall?" Zhao Juren's voice boomed, his eyes fixed on his deputy General Jijuong.

Some of the swords were removed from the necks of those who were now smiling strangely. Empress Dowager, Governor Qian Lie of Youwu, Governor Xiang of Handong, chairman Xi bing, and, The minister of financial and tax affairs Mr. Li Kang was with several important officials and nearly half the nobles who were the lackeys of the queen dowager, he was released from the sword threat of the hostage-takers who were almost half as large as the guests and guards of the king.

"Juren, go back to your place..." The queen mother stepped forward with a flared smile, seeing Her Majesty helplessly looking as she hugged Xiao Yi whose eyes were closed as if she was losing consciousness.

Zhao Juren who looked confused and could not believe what the Queen mother was doing, was stunned. He looked at the Jian bodyguards standing in a motionless spot, with the Cun bodyguards in a position of protecting His Majesty and Xiao Yi while they were surrounded by the Jijuong general, who was in a position of protection, deputy commander Zhao Juren in the military order.

"Auntie, why are you doing all this?" Zhao Juren was suddenly knocked down when a needle flew at him by General Jijuuong, right behind his neck. He was not wary of the surprise attack as it was so focused on the queen mother.

The flying needle is coated with an anesthetic poison which if the person is affected will result in temporary motor nerve paralysis.

He remained conscious and could listen but he could not move and speak.

"Mother Suri...! What did you do to Consort Yi?" His Majesty shouted rebuking in a raucous and desperate voice. She was very scared that something happened to Xiao Yi.

"Yan Yue's..." The Queen Mother grinned with a smile that fluffed on her lips.

"I've told you, don't force to make that lowly concubine your queen." The speech sounded so light and sinless, the tail of his eyes glanced at Zhao Juren who fell down with a stiff body, his jaw seemed to tremble as if he wanted to say something but he could not do it.

"Why did you do it to an innocent woman who was pregnant...? This is the devil's doing..." His Majesty's tears fell, while hugging Xiao Yi who felt still warm.

"Call the physician sekaraaaaang!" His Majesty shouted commanding the people around him.

But, all were silent, motionless, no one dared to move. Xiao Yi's parents and brothers had even disappeared from among the guests there, perhaps having been captured and removed from the room.

The concubines stood curled up at the end of the throne driven away like pet children, under the threat of the sword of two men dressed in bodyguards.