The Emperor's Prisoner
Episode 24

"Your noble concubine is great," Li Jihyun's head shifted. The girl frowned seeing Yona coming across her.

"What's wrong?" li Jihyun asked. The dayang stopped right in front of Li Jihyun. His breath was puffing. Li Jihyun's eyebrows swooped sharply.

"Minister .. minister ..." said Yona brickly. The dayang gulped before continuing his words. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly "... The defense came to visit. He said something was important," said Yona to make Li Jihyun immediately sit down.

"Who did you say? Defense minister? What do you mean Gong Jihon?" li Jihyun asked to make sure Yona was taken in quickly. The girl's eyes immediately sparkled. He hadn't seen his father's best friend in a long time. He looked at Yona with a sigh. "Send him in" said Yona again.

The man turned and rushed to the door. Before long an old man entered Li Jihyun's room. His coughing voice sounded breaking the silence. The girl looked at him enthusiastically. Gong Jihon stopped before Li Jihyun and bowed respectfully. "For a long time did not meet his highness the great concubine. How are you doing?" gong Jihon said politely.

"My good news is uncle Gong," he said making Gong Jihon mangut mangut. He rubbed his gritted beard. Li Jihyun's eyes glanced at Yona who was standing behind Gong Jihon. "Yona prepared tea for us" Li Jihyun told Yona.

"Your highness," he answered immediately leaving the room. Gong Jihon and Li Jihyun were alone.

"Sit down uncle" said Li Jihyun, inviting the man to sit in the chair that was available. Gong Ji-Hon sat down and faced Li Ji-hyun. "Is there anything you want uncle to talk to me about?" li Jihyun asked making Gong Jihon cough again.

As usual Li Jihyun was a sensitive person. No one can hide anything behind him. He could have known it through the person he was facing. That was his instinct during being a hit man in his previous life. Until his second life, his instinct still followed him. Although not as sharp as before but he is still better than most people in this era.

"I'm sorry my noble concubine," Gong Jihon's head bowed. His heart was shrouded in anxiety and guilt. Long Jian's words continued to be eyed. Making him have no other choice but to come to Li Jihyun. The one in power in the palace after Long Jian.

The breath sounded. "Uncle's goal is clearly visible," Li Jihyun said making Gong Jihon's body stiffen.

It clear? Does he know anything? inner Gong Jihon raised his head. Their eyes meet each other.

"Uncle Gong looked nervous. It means there's something, right?" terka Li Jihyun who was weakly embraced by Gong Jihon. The girl laughed slowly. He breathed as much air.

"I'm sorry, my noble concubine. I do not deserve your help in the midst of your condition that is not good" said Gong Jihon guiltily. His head was down. Dare not look at a girl his granddaughter's age. Girls as young as that are already at political war in the palace. The determination and intelligence in him did not dampen his steps to retreat. He had even occupied the position of grand concubine in a short period of time.

Many people admired his luck. But not infrequently there are people who blaspheme it. But as usual, Li Jihyun never cared about them. He was just busy struggling with his business of avenging Long Jian.

"Just tell Uncle Gong. It's my job to help you guys" Li Jihyun said softly. The old man's tears fell. His head was getting deeper.

"Your noble concubine. I'll do anything for you. Even if I have to give up my life," said Gong Jihon suddenly gathered on the floor. This surprised Li Jihyun a little. The man who had been considered his grandfather had to behave so. This time, the problem is not an easy one.

"But your honor ..."

"It's okay. Now stand. Uncle is old. It was not appropriate for uncle to do that," persuaded Li Jihyun to make the old man stand up again. "Now sit down and tell me about your uncle" Li Jihyun said. Gong Jihon sat down obediently. Li Jihyun's hand held Gong Jihon's wrinkled hand. Gong Jihon gasped and looked at Li Jihyun.

Gong Jihon took a breath and exhaled slowly. Gong Jihon's feelings immediately improved. "The emperor's majesty asked Gong Heng to join the fight," Li Jihyun's eyes widened in shock. Gong Heng was the name of Gong Jihon's grandson that Long Jian had said.

"Isn't Gong Heng sick? How could the emperor have sent Gong Heng to fight?" li Jihyun asked. The old man sighed again. He did not expect that after delivering the report, the emperor gave an unreasonable order. It was no secret that Gong Heng was suffering from an incurable disease from childhood. Even he had to live inside the house all the way from year to year. He also experienced life and death. Gong Jihon's money is often almost depleted because the medicine Gong Heng takes is fairly expensive. "If I do not carry out his orders. He will slaughter all the residents of the house" said Gong Jihon again.

"Crazy emperor!" curse Li Jihyun with a furious rage. His hands were tightly clenched.

"Your majesty's better-"

"It's okay, Uncle Gong. You don't have to worry. There's no one here. That dayang I told you to serve tea," Li Jihyun said, shaking her hands casually. It was obvious she was the one who made Yona move away. Just for tea reasons. The dayang will linger long in the kitchen while ensuring a good tea for guests to drink.

Gong Jihon sighed. "You haven't changed at all."

Li Jihyun clucked while crossing her chest hand. "I take that as a compliment" Li Jihyun said. "Tell me what bothers you Uncle Gong. So I can help you finish it."

"This is indeed embarrassing but I beg you to revoke the emperor's noble order regarding this war," Gong Jihon's plea made Li Jihyun sigh softly.

"Uncle what if I replace Gong Heng's position," Li Jihyun's suggestion surprised Gong Jihon.

"A-What do you mean noble concubine? You've gone crazy?" uncle Gong's protest stuttered. Li Jihyun chuckled.

"Do you underestimate my minister Gong Jihon?" li Jihyun asked raising her brow next to the eye. Gong Jihon was silent for a moment.

Li Jihyun since she was a child had already shown her talent. Starting from political problems to swordsmanship that he has. Even he can use a sword at a young age. At the age of 10 years he has been able to take down opponents who are equivalent to palace soldiers. But that talent is known to only a few. They only knew Li Jihyun was an expert in strategy.

"Your majesty please enjoy the tea" said Yona, making Gong Jihon's mouth again close the meeting. Yona deftly serves tea on the available table. "Please drink your majesty and Mr. Gong," said Yona again, who was embraced by Gong Jihon.