Guard Dog

chapter 25

Xi Lan stands in front of Zemin with a smug smile. He is not here to attend Zi kingdom's morning court. So there is no reason for him to sit down.

Zemin on the other hand is trying hard to control his anger. He doesn't even want to see Xi Lan's face.

"I am waiting for emperor Zemin's reply ! Is he accepting my offer or not?" Xi Lan asks finally eyeing Xingchen who is standing at one corner.

Xingchen feels uncomfortable with Xi lan's gaze. He is not in his upright self today. He didn't talk with Zemin after Xi Lan's offer. He doesn't want to interfere or influence Zemin's decision. If he loves San Yi enough to give him up then, he would go with Xi Lan. He was planning to leave anyway.

"Xingchen is mine and he will always be mine."

Both Xingchen and Xi Lan looked at Zemin hearing the firm voice.

Xingchen blinks.

"So, you are rejecting my offer ?"

"Yes !" Zemin didn't even waste a minute to reply.

"How about your consort San Yi ? Don't you wanna save his sister ? He would be very angry at you, if he knows that you are choosing your concubine over your consort !"

"That is not emperor Xi lan's business."

"Fine then, you are not getting the sister back !" Xi Lan smiles and turns around to leave.

San Yi who was standing behind the curtain, clenched his fist. Emperor Xi lan didn't take his offer. He was right, it was not easy to fool emperor Xi lan.

Now it's time to plan B. There are two things that he learnt from Simi. One, never take your opponent for granted. Two, always have a plan B.

Simi lost last time because she took Xingchen and Zemin for granted. She thought they were fools. But he wouldn't repeat her mistake.

San Yi slips out of the court in silence.

***

Hairuan takes a deep breath of relief as his highness walks out of the court without making any further demand.

Xi Lan looks at his chief minister with a chuckle. "Were you worried , Hairuan?"

Hairuan looks down in guilt "I shouldn't have doubted his highness !"

Xi Lan grins. "I still wonder how consort San Yi looks under his veil but I also wonder what Zi kingdom will do next to rescue this maid ! Let's find out one thing at a time. Where is the maid ?"

"Still in cage !" Hairuan replies with a sad voice. He doesn't like how maids are treated in Lan kingdom. But he already realised that he has no say in this matter. Whenever he tried to pass a new rule, every other royals objected it like it's a sin.

"Food , water ?" Xi Lan inquired.

Hairuan looks down "not given."

Xi Lan reads Hairuan face for sometimes. He knows Hairuan is lying. There is no way he would let a little girl starve in his presence. But Xi lan lets it slide.

He doesn't care whether food is given or not ! As long as the girl is alive. "Let's prepare for our departure."

***

"Why didn't you accept his offer ?" Xingchen asks Zemin with a gloom face.

"You wanted to be his slave ?"

Xingchen looks outside the window "maybe it was the last chance to save that girl."

"Save her and push you off the cliff ?"