A Flower Without Rain

Chapter 51

In the hall of the royal court, King Han Zhaohui sat as he listened to the information presented. Every time a detail he did not know spill, his fists would clench tighter and tighter.

Opening another scroll, the minister continued. "After Han Yinjie found out the truth behind his birth, his first victim was the first princess, who had been abandoned by the late queen. Once this was done, he himself, went after the late king and queen." Finished, he closed the scroll and reached for the last one. And unlike the others, it was not of the Sui Kingdom, but the Wei Kingdom.

"Despite it being known to all that Crimson Mountain is a sacred place to His Divine God Bai and should never be set foot on, Han Yinjie broke the absolute law that has been established since the beginning. With his impure spirit that has wandered those grounds, we declare that His Majesty, Han Zhaohui make amends." Just reading this message, the minister could feel just how intimidating the person who wrote this was.

It went silent for a moment as the officials were unsure of what to say. This crime that Han Yinjie committed, was unlike anything they've ever seen before. The number of lives he took in executing his plans were too many to count and the possession of items no one was to ever hold, was in his possession. Not only that, it was enough to shake the Four Kingdoms. And his followers weren't just of the Sui Kingdom, but the others as well.

Stepping forward, the Prime Minister gave a bow before speaking. "Your Majesty, nothing can pardon the things Han Yinjie committed against the Four Kingdoms. I believe it is best that he be sentenced to death."

That last line made a few of the officials whisper amongst themselves. "Your Majesty," the Minister of Personnel stepped forward with a bow. "Although Han Yinjie committed these horrible crimes, he shouldn't be laid to rest. By doing so, you will be the last holder of the Han royal blood."

"Silence," although Han Zhaohui didn't raise his voice, it was enough for everyone and all side conversations to cease. "The Prime Minister is right and after all, he is an illegitimate child and even dared to destroy the Four Kingdoms." He then eyed the Minister of Personnel, "And if I were to make an atrocious assumption, I'd say you are trying to lift his crimes because you supported his every move."

The Minister of Personnel quickly came to his knees, "No, Your Majesty!" He exclaimed. "I wouldn't dare to betray my nation."

The king lightly chuckled causing everyone to look at one another. They were aware that the king had a nature of sneering those he had the slightest doubt of along with his straightforwardness; however, they didn't expect that he'd do it to a person in front of a crowd. But in a way, this established his position even more so as it wouldn't be bright to make a careless comment.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Personnel going back to their position, all the officials bowed in agreement of his decision. It was now final.

Leaving the hall, the court officials walked in groups as they gossiped about everything that had just gone on during their meeting. Other conversations simply consisted of wanting to betroth their children to another or how their wives would not stop bickering them about the smallest things.

The last to exit, was King Han Zhaohui with his personal guard, Ming Yunru. He has been accompanying him since he was a young teen and even left to the borders with him. With all these years they've spent together, they have become close friends as well.

Walking down the stairs, he was then met with the incoming queen, Crown Princess Tai Lifen. Although the Crown Prince was not right, she was. A bow, she greeted him. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Coming closer, the king motioned for her to stand straight. Although his expression was calm and reserved, those eyes were filled with longing. "I wish you were the first person I saw when I returned."

Hearing so, the Crown Princess looked up to him but he was already going along his way, not allowing her to respond. At this, she playfully scoffed as she too went along her way with a smile forming. Seeing her back, the woman's hair remained free except for a small bun that was held together by an accessory. And it wasn't just any accessory, but a plum blossom hairpin that was given to her by Han Zhaohui himself before he left to the borders.

In his prison, Han Yinjie sat alone in silence with guards stationed at every corner watching him. Suddenly, one by one they all left causing him to become more aware of his surroundings. Hearing footsteps, he knew that person would come sooner or later as he has been expecting them. "What brings you here?" his voice was nonchalant.

Entering this space, was King Han Zhaohui this late hour. Coming before the cell, the first prince couldn't help but to laugh. "You must be delighted to see me in such a state." Reading his mind.

The king also laughed, irking Han Yinjie. "Maybe I am happy." leaning against the wall. "Since I no longer have to be away from the palace as you were the cause of me having to leave."

Irritation was all that the imprisoned man held. "You are a fool for stopping me."

"And you're a fool for believing you can win against the four deities." Refuting him.

A scowl came upon his face. "The deities are nothing but a lie." his voice was intimidating but that didn't stop Han Zhaohui.

"Then why do you bear the tattoo of the blue dragon? There is no one in the Four Kingdoms, the world that knows of this mark besides the other royals of our nation. We are the chosen ones. The ones born into this world to protect our nation, our people."

This only made the rage within Han Yinjie build as his teeth clenched and rushed forward to grab his only other blood. However, he couldn't reach him as his prison forbid him. Hands around the bars, he spoke. "If we are protecting them, then who is protecting us?" he questioned. "The Wei Kingdom is forever cursed to bear witness to the bloodshed of their princes; the Jin Kingdom's princes are forced to take part in the selection where they must either fight to the death or until surrender for the throne; the Sui kingdom is doomed to have tragedy all around and within, and the Xie Kingdom.....the sole Crown Prince is burdened with watching all those he loves and wishes to protect die......How is this not a curse? What I am doing is setting all those chained to this nation to be free."

".....The moment our founders stumbled across this land, we were forever bound to it. This land we took refuge in to protect our people from the world that always took and never gave......." Han Zhaohui turned his back to him. "And although this legacy won't be forever, we still have to protect it as it is our home. The day it falls is the day our world is no longer needed and the need for a new one will take place. Once it does, the Four Kingdoms will become nothing but history, a story, or a legend. So until then, we will protect it with all that we have."

Han Yinjie's expression dimmed somewhat, realizing something. "......Do you not hate me?" He was able to tell that the reason why the king turned away, was because his face began to express sorrow. Sorrow, not for the words they spoke, but for him.

Han Zhaohui kept silent as he made his way out, and not allowing his face to be seen by him. But before he could step foot out the building, he paused for a second. "It was nice having this conversation with you." And with that, he was gone.

Confusion, was all that filled Han Yinjie.
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