Love Sword

28

Xiang Ning returned to his pavilion. As he pushed the doors open, he found that the place is as empty as how it was when he left. Where is his sister?

He turned around, perplexed.

'Chang'ge, where is jie?' Asked Xiang Ning.

Jin Shan coldly turned around and left the pavilion without uttering a word.

???

Seriously?

Xiang Ning followed Jin Shan outside and grabbed onto his arm.

'Ge? You told me jie jie is waiting for me here.' Said Xiang Ning with a suspicion.

Jin Shan pulled his arm away.

'The princess told me that she is busy, she will be leaving first. You took too long to come back.' He replied coldly.

Xiang Ning raised his eyebrows.

'Then, should I go to find her? She probably has something important to say for her to come all the way here.'

'The princess caught a cold, she doesn't want you to get it from her.' Explained Jin Shan. His face natural as if he did not just make up a lie on the spot.

'Oh, okay.'

Xiang Ning nodded, his face showing concern for his big sister. Although, there is a small voice in his heart telling him that this situation is very weird.

———

In the main study of the imperial palace of Da Dong, there is a giant hall where the royal children can spend their times and enjoy each other's company. This is also where the princes will be learning with their private tutors.

The beautiful scenery of the pond in front of the place shows how luxurious the royal palace is. The prosperity of flowers blooming alongside the pond added to its charm.

The third prince and his royal fiancé are forced to sit here and get to know each other everyday as a tradition set by the ancient people of Da Dong.

'Achoo!'

'Aiya! Who is talking about me behind my back?' Complained princess Ruo An.

She twisted her face to relieve the itch in her nose. After feeling a little better, she went back to singing.

'AND THE MOON IS SCREAMING OUT YOUR NAMEEEEEEEEE!!!'

'STOP STOP STOP!!!'

The princess paused her singing and raised her head to glare at the man in front of her. He is wearing a dignified robe of dark green color, his face elegant and refined. He is the third prince of Da Dong, no doubts.

'Can you quiet down your singing? You sound stupid!'

Such vulgar words, no one would believe it came from the mouth of the noble scholar who is a prince. He even returned to glare to his fiancé-to-be.

'Jiang Yulang! Show some respect to your future wife!' Scolded princess Ruo An.

The revered third prince who was birthed in luxury was actually insulted like this. He felt an incoming splitting headache. First, his younger brother called him with his full name, and now, his soon-to-be wife scolded him using his full name!

Where is the respect he deserves as a husband and older brother?

The eunuchs and maids on the side nearly spit out blood upon the princess's words but they swallowed back the blood, not courageous enough to actually spit it out.

With the marriage banquet approaching so quickly, if the two carries on acting like this, surely there would be a horrible show to watch.

———

'Are you guys taking me as a fool?' Snapped the madam of Jin clan.

She sighed.

'A'Shan could not possibly be doing all this to just simply wait for the one thousand year old ice flower!'

Jin Xuan who came to deliver his brother's message put on a confused face, why not?

The Jin clan's madam heaved another sigh.

'Our Jin clan is the most wealthy of all martial clans. You'd think we don't have the one thousand years old ice flower in our possession? We have many!' Shouted the madam.

Jin Xuan widened his eyes. He'd always been skeptical since the start, although he was kissing up to his brother, he knows that with his strength, he could just steal the item easily without going through all this bullshit.

At this point, he is really curious about what is going on in his brother's head.

'If mom is right, that brat is escaping from the gathering of clans banquet!'

'How could that be? Why would brother do that?' Asked Jin Xuan.

'Why? Of course it is because this banquet is his coronation ceremony as well!' Said the madam.

'WHAT!!' Shouted Jin Xuan in complete surprise.

How come no one ever tell him anything about something important like this? He suddenly feel a little left out. Haiya, the life of an unfavored son is like this.

Jin Xuan pretended to be sad.

'Stop with the act, let's talk seriously.' Scolded the madam which made Jin Xuan let out a giggle.

'But no, are you telling the truth mom?'

'Why would I lie? I've already told that child that he will become the clan's leader in the next gathering of clans ceremony. A'Shan has always despised the position of power, but I cannot wait any longer. Mom will have to leave the clan after the gathering ceremony to live in the forests and cultivate peace before my death which will happen in a short while. A'Shan has to take over no matter what.'

This is true. All leaders of each clans will leave the duty of ruling to clan to their heir to take over whenever they feel like they want to cultivate peace for their afterlife. After giving up their power, they will have to go live in the forests, completely isolating themselves from worldly affairs.

The madam of Jin clan is relatively old, it is reasonable for her to give up the position to her son now.

'A'Shan is planning to not appear during the ceremony which means that the position will be passed on to you instead.' Said the madam.

Jin Xuan's face turned unpleasant in two seconds.

He quickly moved to kneel next to his mother and began massaging her legs.

'Mom! You have to make sure big brother comes back! I am not going to rule the clan!'

Madam Jin used her fan to hit her youngest son playfully.

'Of course, I wouldn't let the clan fall into a troublemaker's hands like yours either.'

Hearing these words, Jin Xuan secretly scrunched his lips.

Tch! Always favoring big brother over me, hmph! Thought Jin Xuan to himself.

However, he is glad as well. He would never want to take control over the clan, this means that he will have to let go of his freedom and fun to become a bland responsible clan leader.

Boring!

Furthermore, he agrees with his mother. Jin Shan is way more suitable than him to become a leader of such a powerful clan.

He must make sure his brother comes back before the gathering no matter what!

To Be Continued...