The Emperor's Prisoner
Episode 74

Long Jian cleared his throat repairing his great clothes. The red Hanfu seemed to glow under the morning sunlight. "It is not wrong that you are indeed the most sensitive concubine compared to others" Long Jian said. "I need your testimony regarding the death of the Xu family" he continued.

Li Jihyun was silent for a moment. "I don't know your majesty. All I remember was slapped and locked up. Your Majesty must have seen my face flushed, right?" li Jihyun asked showing a cheek that had a hint of redness. Even his wrists were flushed like marks tied to a rope. Although it happened long enough but the traces are still left a little.

Long Jian's feeling churned furiously. He clenched his hands tightly. For some reason his heart was veiled with anger at the sight of the scar. He took a breath and exhaled violently. He should have been happy to see the girl destroyed but his feelings seemed to be unsettled. He took another breath.

"Everyone in the palace knows that, too" Long Jian said. "But are you going to keep lying? You think I don't know if your body has a strong killing desire?" long Jian's pointer made Li Jihyun smile thinly. He sighed softly.

"How many times should I say your majesty. If I were just an ordinary woman. My ability compared to others is very bad," Li Jihyun lowered her voice. Long Jian clucked.

"Stop lying. I know very well about Li Jihyun's abilities. I'm sure you burned the house down, didn't you?" investigate Long Jian who greeted Li Jihyun's sigh.

"How many times do I have to say it, your majesty. I didn't do it" Li Jihyun replied. There was no way he knew I was igniting the fire burning down Xu's residence. Is it possible that Zhi Shen reported it? thought Li Jihyun.

"Darang Lien entered the room," cried eunuch Bo who from behind the door. The sound of clattering shoes made Long Jian pause for a moment. Lien with a heart put down the teacup. He bowed his body and left.

Long Jian lifted the teacup then gulped it down slightly. Then put it back on the table. Li Jihyun also enjoyed the tea served. The two men stayed long enough. "Then what is your reason for not resisting being slapped by the head of the Xu family? Don't you usually fight?" long Jian asked with a slanted smile. He looked straight at Li Jihyun.

"I deserve it, your majesty," Li Jihyun replied. The girl sipped her tea again. "Because what I've done has made them lose someone they love." Long Jian immediately laughed at Li Jihyun's words.

"Like not only you Li Jihyun," sneered Long Jian gulped down his tea. He got up from sitting staring out the window. The sun is almost high indicating it is soon noon.

"Many say you're great. But in fact you are a useless coward," Long Jian added to Li Jihyun's heart. The girl swallowed her hard-earned saliva. "I'm more sure once you're near me. You can't compare to anything. Heh? Great what? You always lose to me," ridiculed Long Jian patting the girl on the shoulder. Then walk past Li Jihyun.

"Your highness," called Li Jihyun to stop her steps. But not even a little bit turned his head.

"Our talk is over. Stop this useless talk of ours," Long Jian continued.

"What if I manage to snatch the throne out of your hands?" li Jihyun asked to stop her steps. Long Jian turned to look at Li Jihyun's back. Long Jian's eyebrows swooped sharply. His face turned red.

"Did? You think you can take it from me?" challenge Long Jian. The corner of Li Jihyun's lips lifted.

"You don't forget how I got to the position of grand concubine?" Long Jian clucked.

"I can just revoke that title whenever I want," Long Jian said arrogantly.

"Based on arrogant women! Without that title you are just trash," Long Jian maki before turning around. He went out leaving Li Jihyun.

Fen who was there looked at Li Jihyun in disbelief. The girl had just challenged Long Jian. Li Jihyun's position was now in danger. "Sorry Fen you witnessed something inappropriate" said Li Jihyun, who was led by Fen.

"Not your highness. You don't have to apologize. I'm the one who should be apologizing Your Majesty can't defend you" said Fen.

"Thank you Fen. You are not someone close to me." Fen shook his head.

"I won't forget the noble kindness that saved me," said Fen making Li Jihyun smile widely. But the smile immediately faded considering there was work pending. He needs to finish it as soon as possible.

"Fen seems like today we can't talk any longer. There are a lot of things I have to do now" said Li Jihyun, who is a Fen.

"Yes, your highness. Excuse me first. Sorry for interrupting your time, "he bowed respectfully then left Li Jihyun's room. As soon as the sound of Fen's shoes rang far away. Li Jihyun immediately called out to Lien.

"Lien delivered my message to Gong Jihon to meet me now" Li Jihyun told Lien. The dayang turned his body and rushed away. "Jing come here" he called again.

Jing came in with a crush. "Call the other lady over here. We need to get to the basement. Don't forget to bring that bucket of water," pointed Li Jihyun at the bucket filled with water near her bed.

"Okay noble," Jing replied walking over to Li Jihyun's bed. His body slightly bent over reaching for the bucket under the bed. Seeing Jing already carrying Li Jinyun's bucket walked first followed by Jing.

They both walked through the palace hallway. There are many ladies who go back and forth around them. Because the day that has gone by keeps them busy. The few maids who had crossed paths with Li Jihyun lowered their gazes.

Li Jihyun smiled in response. At junction three they turn right keep going. The atmosphere of the hallway was very different from before. "Have you made sure no one saw you?" ask Li Jihyun.

"It's your highness. Everything is safely under control," Jing replied. Li Jihyun mangut. The more walking to the end of the hallway atmosphere the more gloomy. Sunlight is not visible. Different from the previous hallway. Their steps stopped right in front of the door made of iron.

Li Jihyun reached into her pocket and took out the key of the warehouse. He put the key in and turned it around.

Kriet's!

His voice broke the silence. Li Jihyun stepped in followed Jing. The room had steep, deep stairs. Seen from the flame of a torch attached to the edge of the wall. Li Jihyun and Jing went down the stairs after Jing closed the door first.