Zixuan and Zemin look at each other before giving a fake smile to the Lan emperor "welcome to Zi , emperor Xi lan."
Xi Lan gives a wicked smile back "No wonder, you planned to replace your brother emperor Zemin. You two really look alike. How do your consorts recognise you ?"
Zemin's fake smile didn't change. He already heard that emperor Xi Lan is the rudest emperor ever existed in history. So, he is mentally prepared. "We will discuss that later. Why don't you enter our palace first ?"
Xi Lan smiles "why not ! It's not like you have plans to trap me there.. even if you have plans, I heard your plans never succeeds ?"
"We don't hoard useless things, emperor Xi lan. You can rest assured." Xingchen stands beside Zemin with an offended look "We would get nothing by traping emperor Xi Lan."
Xi Lan's eyes falls on the glaring ice blue eyes. He tilts his head "You are ?"
"Chief minister of Zi." Xingchen introduced himself but he didn't bow.
Xi Lan chuckles "It's pleasure to meet you, chief minister. But that's your position, not your name. I want to know your name."
"Lu ..."
"Zi Xingchen !" Zemin cuts in the middle "he is also my other half. His position is not only a chief minister."
Xi Lan looks at Zemin offended "You are indeed something, emperor Zemin. You married your own chief minister? Shouldn't an emperor treat his chief minister like a brother ? This looks like an incest."
Xingchen clenches his fist to supress his anger. Zemin also gives out a deep sigh.
Zixuan who was just listening to Xi Lan carefully, speaks up finally "Let's come inside. Talking at the entrance doesn't look good."
***
Zemin stops Xingchen behind as Xi lan and Zixuan walk inside the court.
Xingchen looks at Zemin with a frown.
"Xingchen, this discussion is really important to us. So,we can't be rude to him, even when he talks shits about us. He has upper hand right now." Zemin whispers softly.
"When did I behave rude .."
"You called him useless !" Zemin interrupts. "Please Xingchen. If not for anyone else, then for the little girl trapped in his palace."
Xingchen lets out deep breath. He nods in understanding.
Zemin smiles. He was about to kiss the pouty lips when he heard someone clearing his throat.
He looks up. Emperor Xi lan is standing there, watching them.
"Forgive me, I came out to summon my brother. I mean, my chief minister, Hairuan."
Xingchen glares at Xi Lan.
Hairuan who was standing outside with the guards, frowns. "Your highness !"
Xi Lan smirks "yes ! Come in !"
Zemin walks in the court followed by Xingchen. Xi Lan has already taken his seat. He is sitting like he is the original Emperor and everyone else is his guest.
Zemin looks at Zixuan with a face full of complains. But Zixuan nods at him calmly.
Even though Zemin is better than Zixuan in scheming but in diplomacy and external affairs, Zemin is like a child. Zixuan knows better. So, Zemin takes a deep breath and sits beside Zixuan.
Zixuan finally takes the lead "why don't we discuss the matter over some supper ? Emperor Xi Lan came a long way on our request, so it's our responsibility to welcome him properly."
"Cut the formalities! Emperor Zixuan can be free but I don't have much free to waste. Let's discuss the transaction!"
Zixuan nods with a subtle glance at Zemin before replying "is Lan emperor not happy with our offer ?"
Xi Lan smiles "Zi kingdom wants a maid who works under Lan kingdom palace and in exchange ready to give away almost hundred maids to Lan kingdom ? Isn't it funny ? Why is this maid so important? Why shouldn't I think that she is a spy ?"
Zemin shakes his head with a relief. So, it was confusion about safety. "That maid named Lu Sin Yi is sister of my consort Lu San Yi. She was sold to Lan kingdom by their evil elder sister. Now, the sister is gone, my consort wants to bring his sister back and keep her with him."
Xi Lan looks at Xingchen"you said that you name was Xingchen?"
"My other consort !"
Xi Lan raises his one eyebrow "looks like, emperor Zemin really loves his other consort. He wants to trade hundred maids for his Consort's wish. That also infront of his ..."
"The little girl was innocent when she was sold. It will be kind of you ..."
"I am not that kind , emperor Zixuan. Also, the little girl was innocent. I don't think she is .. still. Also, she is my favourite consort's maid. I can risk my kingdom's safety but I can't risk offending my consort."
"Are you saying no to our offer ?" Zemin asks impatiently. Favourite consort his foot. He knows Emperor Xi Lan's charecter pretty well.
Emperor XI lan treats his Consorts and concubines as shown piece in his harem. Each and every consort was either brought or won by war. He has collected the famous beauty of every kingdom to keep in his harem. His Consorts are infamous for their various backgrounds. Some were picked up from the brothel too.
"Yes ! Because I don't think you are paying enough to offend my consort !"
"Then can mention a price and we can discuss on it." Zixuan gives a counter offer.
Xi Lan tilts his head "I don't think Zi kingdom can pay me what I want."
"You name it !" Zemin grits his teeth.
Xi Lan looks at Zemin direct in the eyes "Xingchen !"
Zemin's eyes went wide as he stands up fiercely "WHAT NONSENSE!"
Xi Lan laughs out loud. "Told you, you can't pay me what I want."
"Xingchen is only only Zemin's consort, he is also the chief minister of Zi." Zixuan voice drops to a dark level "Are you mocking me, Xi Lan ?"
Xi Lan stops laughing and looks at Zixuan "Your brother asked me to name it. I named it. Xingchen is what I want. Now, It's just a demand of transaction. If you want to transact with me, you fulfil the demand. If you don't want to, then don't. I am not forcing you."
Xingchen who was still in shock , heard a sound of Zemin's sword from his side. He holds Zemin's hand tightly to stop him.
Zemin glares at Xi Lan even after being restrained by Xingchen.
Xi Lan stands up making eye contact with Zemin. "You need to choose which consort you love the most, emperor Zemin. If you choose your other consort's wish, then let Xingchen go. But if you love your this consort, then forget about the wish & little maid."
"You .."
"I will be here till tomorrow evening. Decide, which consort you want tonight." Xi Lan cuts Zemin's words the he smiles wickedly "by the way I heard, Xingchen is not even your consort. Is it true ?"
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YOU ARE READING
Guard Dog
Historical FictionHe was just a chief minister who fell in love with a prince. He expected trouble. But he never expected his love was part of a big scheme. The prince whom he loved with his heart and soul , never loved him back. The prince was just faking it to ga...
