FENG YU JIU TIAN [VOLUME ONE]

Chapter Nineteen

Feng Ming slowly slumped into the cold darkness of the shadows that dance with the flickering flames.

An Xun knelt beside the boy, snatching the slender wrist to survey for a pulse, he wanted certification that the last beat was exhausted from the dying body. Satisfied, he relinquished the lifeless arm and stood up.

The Queen was closely behind, standing to one side, her tear glistened eyes swept over the motionless Prince. Her voice was calm and gentle, "For your sake, I have sacrificed my own child, there is no mother under the heavens as heartless as I am. Keep your word and recall your spies in Xi Rei and you will also avoid any outsiders taking advantage of leads, else you will endanger Xi Rei."

In contrary to her emotionless state, a turbulent sea of sorrow raged inside the Queen. The elaborate display of loyalty and submission to her old lover today was all part of a ploy to force An Xun onto a path of no return.

Her heart still urged her to deny An Xun's profound love, even after all these years. Her eyes were dampened by her tears, she was crying for An Xun.

Naturally, the poison that Feng Ming was force feed was potent but alas a fake.
An Xun nodded in agreement, "Good. There's no Prince, who else could oppose me now? My men are no longer the needed in the grand scheme." He suddenly released a deep growl, his hand shot to his waist, where he drew out a hidden dagger.

The distinct sound of metal scrapping against the sheath echoed in the hall, it was ear splitting.

Shivers ran down the Queen's spine, as the sharp blade eerily reflected the fire light.

Fear struck down with a heavy hand, she trembled as she dared to ask, "An Xun, what are you doing?"

"Mu Lan, It's not that I do not believe you." An Xun wielded the sharp object threateningly, his voice had a gentleness reserved only for his lover whom he also offered a smile to.

"Merely I do not want take any risks. Xi Rei's Royal Arcanum excels in the art of medicine and they've developed ones riddle with mystery for assorted purposes. There's a possibility that their drug was designed to feign death and the manner of his death gives me no ease."

He smiled.

"Which will be resolved, if I wound him mortally to guarantee his death." He waved the weapon. "I can be assured that he will not rise from the dead. Then I shall hand over my last bargaining chip to you."

Rong Wang had been especially concerned with Feng Ming's safety, with one stab, who can guarantee that there will be any life left to recover?

The colour drained from the Queen's face. "The Prince is dead, aren't you satisfied? Don't tell me you won't even allow me to preserve his corpse?"

"Rest assured, after I stab him several times, I will have his wounds sewn."

"An Xun!" The Queen's raised her voice in disbelief.

"Mu Lan, we are adults now and far from the innocent days we spent as playmates."
An Xun clenched his fists on the handle and issued her a bitter laugh.

"In the end you were his mother, both involved in the title of the King and keeping the throne in his bloodline, haven't I been treading carefully? Everything was for this moment, my love, the affections I have for you will never change. Not now, not forever"

Taking a couple of steps back, the man's words struck the Queen like high voltage electric shots. She couldn't bear to hear her past lover's confession, as the words echoed in her mind it left her critically damaged, her emotions were in turmoil.

Her legs were numb and they faltered beneath her she managed to catch her balance by supporting herself off the wall behind her.

Eyes closed, she shook her head slightly and in a soft voice," His body no longer has a pulse, yet you insist on scarring my child's remains? Will you withdraw your men afterwards then?"