Dewdrop in the Morning Mist

Chapter 01: Keeping a Hostage

Lu Si woke up in the middle of the night in sweats. Everything was still a blur, the pain in her head come and go. Although it hurt to move, she got out of bed, and struggled to the door, gripping onto tables and chairs along the way. She understood her weaken state, but she just wanted to see if it was heaven or hell that she got herself into. When she opened the door, and met with a quiet picturesque view of the courtyard with the howling wind passing by she collapsed on the floor and cried. She was ready for death. The maids that tended to her rushed over when they saw her on the floor passing out. They brought her back to bed, and continued to nurse her back to health per the order of the General.

Wu Lei rescued and brought back the young soldier that he thought looked quite familiar. When he saw the small body moving about in the valley accompanied by the fair looking face he was reminded of none other than Huo Shang Tian. When there was an opening he rushed forward and grabbed him. He didn't think much of it other than the probability of rescuing another Huo Shang Tian to repay him. Once the young soldier was in his arms Wu Lei could see clearly the disheveled hair that covered his face, but more importantly the chest armor broke and it revealed to him the gender of the soldier. Immediately he threw his cape over her. He called for the doctor, and a few maids to come tend to her. He should've realize it sooner. The crest on her armor, the flags that fell, were from Baimu. Their army was destroyed and their General injured. Fortunate that he got there on time else Baimu will set blames on Jin for the whole event that happened at the border. After conducting with other generals and captains he decided to have the Baimu General be nursed back to health at his Southern Estate. Once she recovered they will send her back to Baimu. Right after, Wu Lei left abruptly to the capital for other businesses.

Letters were sent to Baimu to inform them of what happened but there were no replies. Xiao Tian was quite suspicious of the political atmosphere in Baimu. He believed they were undergoing a civil war, but Wu Lei disagreed. He argued that Baimu was quietly protecting the border, and in recent years have built a larger female army for defense than building their offense soldiers.

"But Your Highness, defense would be better for a civil war." Xiao Tian said.

"If a civil war break out in Baimu, will it be the men or the women that start it?" Wu Lei asked.

Baimu was known for strong female soldiers that could play both defense and offense but they were never the frontline when in war. The men in Baimu could take up high status like any other men in other country but they were barred from the highest position of Emperor. That position was always left to daughters. For the past hundred of years factions were built by noble families in secrecy for usurpation of Baimu's royal line, and most were led by royal princes. They all hoped to get rid of this god awful curse and superstitious belief that only women can lead Baimu to prosperity.

Xiao Tian sipped some tea, deep in his own thoughts, he let out a sigh. "It is not like the men of Baimu lacking anything. The only thing they can't have is that position of Emperor. For the rest of the country, men and women are both equal according to that family law of theirs. They both can hold high position per arrangement."

"There is no need for the men to start any civil war. Of course human are greedy. You give them a basket and they will fill it above the brim–"

"If it holds." Xiao Tian finished the sentence for Wu Lei.

"The women in Baimu will not sit in content. They have freedom and prestige, they will not give it up. Defense won't be the only thing they will use. Surely they will use offense tactics. Their female General wouldn't be deployed out into the battlefield to be killed like this."

"Hm...Your Highness is sure that that is their General?" Xiao Tian had suspicion. He could not believe they would send a female general out to the battlefield among thousands of men. Then again, Baimu's ways of doing things were always peculiar to the rest in the world.

"I held her in my arms. Not only her armor was broken, the shirt along with the white sash underneath was torn. Her cleavage was out. I'm sure that was a woman."

"Why did you leave her at the Southern Estate?" Xiao Tian asked. He was curious on why his Young Master would rescue someone, then left them without an interrogation after.

"To be truthful, I stormed in because the person reminded me of Huo Shang Tian–"

"Your Highness–"

"I know Shang Tian is dead. But I was taken up by the familiarity. Anyway, when I figured the person is a woman I didn't want to deal with any repercussion so I left it to the maids and the doctor. When she recovers we will go as plan. Return her to Baimu so Jin will be absolved of faults. We might have a better negotiation deal at the upcoming Spring Conference if we are the rescuer of their General."

"Meticulous, Your Highness."

"Thanks for the compliment." Wu Lei smiled.

"But surely you know we have a big problem with Baimu's replies." Xiao Tian paused to take a deep breath with eyes closed, "There's none."

"Give it time. If we don't get anything in return in a month, then we will interrogate that General."

"Are we going to stay here in the capital until we receive a reply?" Xiao Tian dread the social atmosphere of the capital. He didn't like how politically dense it was. It was suffocating to hear about different factions fighting each other every step he took, every way he turned. Although he was given the high position of Head of the Information Guild, he didn't like that he had to be presented for every little details and gossips.

"Unfortunate for us." Wu Lei muttered with a small smile.