Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

Dungeon

(PRINCE JIN)

I stared at the wretched looking old man inside the cell of the dungeon jail. This dungeon is where they put the criminals who committed unforgivable crimes. Like stealing funds from the Royal Treasury, covetting the power of the Imperial Family, insulting the members of the Royal Family or trying to eliminate them.

The old man inside the cell looked frail and defeated. So different from the regal and confident form of the First Minister. I realized it now, without his power, the First Minister is just a normal man. Old, with wrinkled skin and dull eyes. Nothing to be feared about.

I spent my whole life fearing this man. He pushed my mother aside to give the Princess position to his own daughter. If he can take out an adult like my mother, I know he will have no qualm in harming me, a boy.

I was afraid of him. Of what he can do to me, to my Baba and to my siblings. I was scared.

Was. I am not scared anymore.

And I went down here in the dungeon to look at him with my own two eyes. How a mighty man had befallen because of his excessive greed. Before, he held considerable power in his hand, he should have contented himself with that. But his greed prevailed and landed him here. In this dark, dank and dirty place.

The old man looked up when he felt my presence. From the glow of the torches around the cells, he recognized who is gazing down at him from behind the solid wooden bars.

"Princess XiLen's son..." the old man snickered.

"Prince Jin," I corrected him. "I am more than my parents' son. I am the first born son of the Imperial family."

The old man's eyes glared in muted rage. Aside from being locked up in a cell, he is also tied down like a pig getting readied for slaughter.

"You think I give a care if you are the first born son of the Royal family? You are still the son of a banished Princess. My grandsons' standing should be higher than yours..."

Not by the eyes of the law. A first born son is a first born son. Always special. But that is neither here nor there. Because...

"Your grandsons who won't even visit you? You put too much importance on your blood and lineage but where did that landed you..." I clucked my tongue. "There is nothing wrong with having dreams and greed, Minister. But having too much of anything is never good. You became too greedy..."

"And you think your family is better?" The old man spat at me. "No one is more greedy than the man sitting on the throne right now. The Imperial Family is the greediest people in this land. Even your mother's family has greed. Don't stand there and pretend you don't have greed in your body, boy. The way you coveted the daughter of the Wangs..."

"Don't ever mention Hua!" My anger spilled. "You have no right to think of her much less mention her in any way. You...are maybe right. We all have greed, but not all of us will kill for it."

"Won't you kill for Wang Hua?" The old man laughed. "Ah...naive boy...don't try to hide it. I know you. You have the blood of the Khans in your body. Animals, you all are. You will kill, any man will kill, for the right reason."

"And you think the Crown Prince throne is a right reason, I have no doubt." I smirked at him. Not bothering to deny what he said. Yes, give me a good enough reason and I can kill anyone too. Especially if it's for Hua. She is the woman I love. "But you made a mistake, old man." I crouched lower so he can peer on my face and see the hatred I have in my soul for him. "You shouldn't have tried to hurt Guo. You crossed the line, you old bastard." My teeth ground together as I control my desire to reach out and strangle him with my hands. "I can overlook all those attempt son my life, but you also threatened the life of the woman I love. You ordered them to take Guo and kill the rest. My guards, Wang Dao and even Wang Hua. I will never forgive you. My brother and the woman I love. You are dead." I straightened again. "I will make sure that you will die here." I stated in a cold tone.