Empress Xie

Empress Xie•9

With Xie Lien gone, Jun Qi Fai didn't see a reason to remain and enjoy the festivities. Barley anyone was willing to talk to him, and it was clear Jun Qi Kang was going out of his way to isolate Jun Qi Fai as payback for the archery match.

The golden eyed prince smiled, though it was subtle. In another life, he envied Jun Qi Kang's liveliness, but now he saw it as childish and debased.

The way Jun Qi Kang pulled all those young master along like little brothers did not allow the Fifth Prince to solidify his place in their hearts as someone to be admired but also feared.

They liked how the playful Prince easily came down to their level. As a result, Jun Qi Kang couldn't always order them but had to convince them to do his bidding lest his relationship with them be damaged. When a time came that they had to hail him like a deity, they wouldn't be able to, not full heartedly at least.

When Jun Qi Fai climbed into his carriage, he found Wei Yuan patiently waiting for him. Even seating, the adjutant cupped his fist and lowered his head in respect to which Jun Qi Fai waved off. "You did well today." The Prince praised.

"This subordinate is honored by Your Majesty's praise."

The task Jun Qi Fai praised Wei Yuan for was in relation to the earlier archery match. Jun Qi Fai really didn't know what kind of monster the people in the capital thought him to be, but weren't they too stupid?!

Even now, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Monster or man, it was impossible to shoot through a sturdy target with a thin arrow and a shoddy bow! Ah those pampered Xiaojie1 and Gongzhi are too stupid!

It is too Jun Qi Fai's advantage, but that won't stop him from looking down on them.

It would have been one thing if Jun Qi Fai wielded his Zitan2 wood bow and used the same arrows he used on the battlefield, but today's bow did not allow for vicious shots and the arrows were made in a way that would not allow them to dig too deep into a person. In his hands, they were like toys.

Had Wei Yuan not hidden and tossed senbon at the back of the target, Jun Qi Fai might have only been able to drive the target back some paces. However, everyone assumed his feat was a result of the demon blood in his veins. It really made Jun Qi Fai laugh.

Well, he called it a laugh but for Wei Yuan it sounded more like the broken echo of what used to be a laugh. Amused, but not happy.

As Jun Qi Fai continued to mull over the day's events, he naturally recalled Xie Lien. Seeing her so young and bright-eyed was an unexpected treat for the Prince. In his dream, he met her when she was twenty years old. He remembered clearly how he temporarily took leave of his senses upon seeing the woman with a lithe yet full body, charming heart shaped face, and beautiful starry eyes that curved like a crescent moon when she smiled.

Xie Lien is already a beauty, but in a few more years she could only be described as heavenly. Jun Qi Fai silently took pride in being the only one aware of this.

"Your majesty, concerning the woman you asked about, this subordinate has some news."

A deadly light flashed in Jun Qi Fai's eyes but Wei Yuan didn't know what he was thinking. In truth, he'd rather not know. There are times the royal would hear, see, or even smell something and in that instance, the demon Jun Qi Fai is rumored to be would make an appearance. This is one of those times.

Jun Qi Fai grit his teeth, his hands twitching in a manner that Wei Yuan understood meant his master is in the mood to torture the poor soul that fell into his trap. "Speak."

"Her name is Lang Mao. Originally named Su Mao."

"Su? Is it a coincidence?"

"No my Lord. She is a distant relative of the Empress, but her family became estranged because her father offended the main house. Her father passed away some years after the estrangement and she has been living under her mother's last name ever since. The Empress contacted her and her mother two days ago, promising to bring her into the capital."