Tiger Wife, Lion Husband (Love In The Realms) #1

Chapter 26: Emperor's Birthday (1)

Two Years later...

"Tai Xiu Ying, we are all grateful for encountering you and Bu Hui Zhong. Why must you leave? You helped and created this village. Why must you leave?" An old man asked as the people all around knew them both as they were tearing up.

"I must travel and know the world. You all just take care of yourselves. I will one day return. Any town and village I come across I will not abandon." Leaving with everyone waving goodbye.

"Miss Liang, it's been two years now. We must return back to Xue Manor. If I knew better we must be cautious of Miss Ya. She has grown in favor of the Crown Prince and she is his wife." Su Rong said as they would still collect information from everyone they knew.

"Let us get things first from our hidden home and we'll be on our way back to the Ming Kingdom." Going to a hidden forest it went far into the deepest part. Su Rong and Xue Liang found the place having to make it their hidden home. Hidden from the world, it was between mountains and covered by the forest. The forest was a far journey, but they loved it where it lies hidden from the ones who seek to kill them.

Over the two years they had met other felines that love the forest more than anything but they live in the villages and towns for food and a simple life. Gathering all they need as Xue Liang wore a hat with a leather hungover to cover her looks while Su Rong did the same.

"Gang, I'm back." Xue Liang said to herself as both had traveled far reaching Ming Kingdom.

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Liu Gang and Peng Lim were now returning from the military borders as they were now in the Ming Kingdom seeing the lively streets.

"Today is the emperor's birthday. Today is a day of celebration for him. We must prepare the streets with liveliness." Xue Liang heard the people as she smiled knowing a great way to come and get them to know she is back. She walked off as she prepared all the things.

Liu Gang returned after two years but it was to join the Emperor's birthday event that was happening that day and night. The gift he prepared was a silver mongoose coat.

"Gang, do you hope to see a certain someone soon?" Peng Lim said as he was flirting with some woman while Liu Gang saw it was ridiculous to be near him. "I'm sorry, beautiful. I have to take my leave." Peng Lim followed after Liu Gang heading to his Manor. Everyone there kept his Manor clean as they greeted him for his return. Going to Liu Gang's private study room, they went to discuss some matters.

"Have you heard anything about Miss Ya? She seems to have gotten herself a high position. She seeks power and fortune. This woman needs her wings clipped. She will be the downfall of this kingdom." Peng Lim and Liu Gang agreed upon hearing rumors. They had been keeping an eye on her for two years. Her motive to become empress has brought them in a dire situation.

"I will find more information if you'd like." Liu Gang nodded. Peng Lim smiled knowing he was back in business to find and solve this case.

Night came, the streets were filled with bright lights and the palace was filled with joy. Everyone went in, they sat down and the second and first ranks were invited as some from the run down villages were now in those ranks from Xue Liang's help.

"I thank all of you for coming here today to celebrate my birthday. We will start with anyone who wants to give me a gift and I shall see to it." The Crown Prince then rose up as he wanted to be the first to give the emperor, his father. Xue Ya sat down still as she watched her husband wanting to be the first.

"Father, I have a gift to give." Bowing to the emperor as the emperor allowed him to present it. "What I give Father is a ginseng root that once it's eaten or boiled then it can expand one's lifespan." Everyone saw it as it seemed to be larger than an ordinary root as they all knew well of the plant's purpose.

"Thank you, this gift is a great one that this father hopes to use soon." The emperor replied.

Liu Gang then got up as he wanted to show his now. "I've brought this silver mongoose coat. It can be worn and nothing can pierce through its thick coat."

"What a fine gift. I will surely wear it because it has a fine coat from a skilled designer." The emperor said as Prince Ye Ping was jealous, but Xue Ya looked at him still as she loved him but one sided only. Just as everyone presented their gifts as fireworks then shot up. Everyone watched as two women appeared as they were dressed beautifully and their lower half face was covered by a cloth.

Both danced as they soon did a sword dance. Doing so as music was being played as they followed the rhythm. As their bodies then stopped as the music ended. Both bowed to the emperor as one of the second rank from a Village then yelled, "Tai Xiu Ying!! Bu Hui Zhong!!"

The people who were there that were saved by her then got up as they were shocked. "It's the saviors. They have come also."

"Liang!" Duke Xue Cheng and Consort Ling Fe yelled as they finally saw their daughter after two years. Xue Li and Xue Yahui then got up saying, "Liang!"

"Xue Liang has returned after two years. She has come to show this dance to the emperor as a gift." Both girls bowed to him as they then took off their masks. Everyone's mouth opened wide as they saw both of their faces. They no longer had the baby face but a more beautiful face figure.

"This emperor feels happy that you've returned. Miss Liang has grown into a fine woman. I would like to thank you for saving and helping all those poor and sick." The emperor said as she bowed again.

"This servant was only doing what felt correct to do. She cannot see the poor and sick suffer helplessly." Xue Liang said.