Royal Romance

6

as he brush his horse he talk to lin about the serf who made the claims.

"lin you have friends who work for lord xulen, don't you?" asked xie yun.

"i do. your highness. their families started working there when it was first established." said lin.

"and have they ever mentioned to you things like this? food being rationed so sparingly and being punished for getting ill?" asked xie yun.

lin looks at him for a moment, studying his face before she speaks again.

"your highness... this is a topic that could get me thrown in jail." said lin.

"don't worry. i will make sure that doesn't happen." said xie yun.

"but yes. they have. as have so many other servants working for other masters." said lin.

"i see. but why would telling me the truth get you into jail?" said xie yun.

suddenly he hear a voice behind him.

"because you are part of the problem." said shi ying.

"well, that's not how i would have said it shi ying." said ji chong.

"please forgive me your highnesses..." said lin.

she bows and scurries out of the room. xie yun has never seen her look so terrified before.

"are you both looking for me?" asked xie yun.

"we've been instructed by the king, your father, to accompany you to see lord xulen." said shi ying.

xie yun looks over to ji chong who gives him an affirmative nod.

"on that note, shall we leave now? i don't want to be late." said xie yun.

they both nod silently and xie yun get their horses.

'would this visit pan out with their accompany?' thinks xie yun.

they arrive at lord xulen's estate.

there is small welcoming committee, giving them a tour of the farms.

'everyone seems very tense. they probably all know exactly what is happening...' thinks xie yun.

he look to ji chong, worried. ji chong steps closer to him.

"are you alright?" asked ji chong.

"i do not like what i see... he is obviously treating these people horribly. they all look terrified." said xie yun.

"looks like lord xulen runs a tight ship around here. you should be careful your highness." said shi ying.

he looks at xie yun thoughtfully.

"whatever you need. i will be here for you." said ji chong.

'ji chong is just considerate. but lord shi ying's attitude toward me seems changed a bit. i want to leave but i can not. i have duty to my people.' thinks xie yun.

he turn to the welcoming committee.

"please show us the way. and tell us more about the thief." said xie yun.

after being showed around the farms. they've been led to meet with lord xulen himself.

he receives xie yun and both lords in a rather small room.

'he really doesn't take me seriously.' thinks xie yun.

"i trust my advisor answered your questions as he showed you around." said lord xulen.

"he did indeed. but i do have some more questions." said xie yun.

"let's get to the trivial business later. i have something more pertinent to discuss." said lord xulen.