The Emperor's Prisoner
Episode 9

Yona tilted a confused face. Li Jihyun's reaction looked very calm. Looks like he's the only one on his own. Then Li Jihyun's words sounded awkward in Yona's ears.

Yona wanted to ask but stopped. He did not want to upset the employer he served. Especially now it's morning. “No-Nona plan the day after the glorious emperor will elevate you to a great concubine,” said Yona a little nervous. Li Jihyun placed the empty cup on the table. He breathed a sigh of relief. Finally the position we are waiting for will arrive soon. Soon he would occupy the highest position of the empire. As long as there is no empress, she is the one who fills the high position. No one else dared to look at him lightly or oppress him. But before that he had to get rid of the empress candidate in order for his position to last longer. If all the candidates were to be eliminated she could become empress and slowly rule the empire, that was Li Jihyun's determination.

“Yona prepare. Soon we will have many guests,” said Li Jihyun propped up her chin with a big smile.

“Good miss,” said Yona excitedly.

“Before that Yona look for another trustworthy lady. I think we need to add a new lady,”, he said, who is respected by Yona.

Yona's eyes twinkled staring at Li Jihyun. He was very proud of working to serve Li Jihyun. Rumor that girl is smart is not just a lie. That girl is really very smart. Not even smarter than expected.

He was able to obtain that position in just a short period of time. Even concubines who have lived here for many years will not be able to achieve the position of great concubine which is a special position. Usually it was given to a beloved concubine or concubine who helped the empire.

“The glorious emperor Long Jian arrived,” the shout of Eunuch Bo spread the reverie of Yona. The girl who was a year older than Li Jihyun sumringah.

“Her noble lady the emperor has come,” whispered Yona in delight. Li Jihyun got up from sitting down. His face still showed a flat expression. “No-Nona smile. It's a happy day,” whispered Yona again but was shaken by Li Jihyun.

“Still too early happy Yona,” said Li Jihyun bowing respectfully which Yona followed as Long Jian approached. The sound of shoes stopped right in front of them. Yona could not hide her anxiety. It was different from Li Jihyun who was calm.

“Concubine Li Jihyun listen to me,” Li Jihyun immediately rested as well as Yona who was by her side. They listened carefully to Long Jian's words. “Starting tomorrow concubine Li Jihyun was officially appointed as the great concubine,” Long Jian said loudly surprising some of the ladies who were peeking behind the wall. Long Jian's eyes glanced sharply making the lady's breath stifle. Some of the maids had already escaped leaving one lady. His face immediately paled and cold sweat poured out.

It was hard for the lady to swallow. The knees were so scared. He can't move to escape. His body is weak. Understanding the direction of Long Jian's glance, Zhang Liu moved his eyeballs slightly toward Long Jian's glance at the two warriors escorting them. The soldier nodded quickly then galloped forward.

While Eunuch Bo just sighed. Bad luck befell the lady who had been caught eavesdropping on their conversation. Surely in a moment he would be sentenced to death, Inner Eunuch Bo stared at the concerned lady who was being dragged by the two soldiers. Long Jian's eyes that were as sharp as an eagle were staring at him.

The dayang was thrown by the two soldiers right in front of Long Jian. The rower prostrated in fear. “Ma-Pardon my noble one. Sa-I was guilty of eavesdropping earlier. Sa-I beg your pardon my noble,” he stuttered.

“Who is your employer?” long Jian asked coldly. His eyes were still staring intently making the guts of the ladyboy instantly shrivelled. He's getting freaked out. The problems faced increased. If Long Jian knew his master then everything would be massacred in an instant. He had already got his own master dragged into trouble.

Yona who had been daydreaming since then worried about Li Jihyun who had been in a long row jolted. He was a little surprised to see Li Jihyun in the slightest was not exhausted despite persisting for quite a long time. Especially considering his status as a noble. “What do you mean is that ladyboy?” tanya Yona made sure that was embraced quickly by Li Jihyun. Yona turned her attention to the now frightened lady. Eyes squinting.

“I know her miss,” said Yona whispered very softly. He turned his head towards Long Jian. But the horde of Yong Jian had no interest in looking towards them. Their view was more focused on the lady who was soon executed for presumptuous eavesdropping on the conversation between the emperor and his concubine. Disrespectful actions on the imperial family will be punished. It depends on the type of mistake he made.

“Who is he?” li Jihyun asked. Yona gulped. Once again he glanced towards the lady.

“She is the lady-in-waiting of Hai Rong's concubine,” replied Yona whispering softly in Li Jihyun's ear. Li Jihyun's eyes stared at the lady again. His smile was glimpsed. An idea came across him. Quite a long time of silence was created. Zhang Liu had guessed for sure in a moment that Long Jian would slash the ladyboy's neck if he did not get the answer he wanted.

“Do not want to talk, heh?” long Jian said exasperatedly. He looked at one of the soldiers escorting them. His outstretched hand made one of the soldiers come forward handing over his sword. It was as if it understood the wishes of Long Jian. While Eunuch Bo closed his eyes.

Although he often watched it, he still felt fear. Moreover, now the murderous aura from Long Jian's body felt thick. Making Eunuch Bo, Zhang Liu and the two soldiers did not dare to make a sound.

Long Jian stroked that flat and sharp object. He stared at the glint reflected from the scorching sunlight. Long Jian placed it near the ladyboy's neck. The day became more and more frightened. If he moved a little then his head and neck must have been separated. Just imagining it made him shudder in horror.

Am I going to die so soon? The inner lady stared at the sharp sword blade and felt cold on the skin. Cold sweat keeps dripping. Yona who watched instantly was instantly scared. His scarf shrunk.

I have to be nice if I don't want to end up like that, he thought.

“Still unwilling to answer?” long Jian asked once more. The sword is getting closer. Blood seeped out. The dayang grimaced in pain.

“Your highness emperor sorry if I am presumptuous,” a voice stopped the movement of Long Jian brought the sword eye closer to the lady's neck. His head was turned back. Tampam Li Jihyun smiled widely.

“Are you now relaxed because our position is soon on par?” asked Long Jian cynically. Li Jihyun exhaled a coarse breath but a smile was still on her lips. While Yona's face had paled ever since Li Jihyun opened her voice. It seemed like soon the sword would move to their necks. But Yona did not dare to prevent Li Jihyun at all.

“I dare not do it. Precisely there is something I want to tell you,” he said gently making Long Jian's forehead constrict.