Blood of Deception [ON HOLD]

[Phase II: The Siege] Chapter Thirty

The weekly conference ended just as a page crawled into the throne room to announce the arrival of the Emperor.

Ruixue stepped down the dais where she earlier stood by the King, keeping a keen mind on decisions he made toward petitions, and took her post right below the platform on her father's right. Junqian and Jianguo guarded the King's sides as the advisors. The Duke and Wuji remained at the other row of the carpeted aisle. Their swords glimmered when the doors split open and the intense brightness of the outside world lit the council room.

Ministers and likewise stationed on both rows turned, expectant to glimpse at the figure known primarily from rumors. The only time when the Emperor granted Anhui a visit was long before Ruixue became the next in line for the throne. She would often ask her brother what was the tyrant like, then she would persist him for an explanation on how could a tyrant be strangely kind.

Now she could have her own judgment first-hand. But the memory continued to play out to other cheerful moments and she could not help but search where Boqin, the Chief of the finance department, was at.

Yuzhe stood beside him, looking curiously at the yet-arriving imperial guests. She thought he just had the better reasons to appear on any essential events of the court to the fact that Boqin undoubtedly fell for his diligent character.

General Dao Guangli shifted beside her, riveting his focus from the doorway back to the interior. Murmurs hummed through the others. When nobody showed up at the threshold, Ruixue leveled her gaze to the opposite wall. A few solid thoughts passed her mind just as a group of silhouettes materialized at the corner of her eye.

The King rose from his dragon throne. The silks of his attire reflected the royal emblem that was fastened on the wall from behind. His gaze was directly ahead as he descended on the carpet, unfazed by the jades dangling from his crown. Ruixue followed her father's eyes and landed upon two men advancing forth the aisle.

One man was approximately near her father's age, in his early sixties perhaps. Brilliant were his garments; warm yellow hakama pants accompanied by an embroidered haori coat that reached the knees over a white inner shirt. His topknot was arranged to a cultural chonmage form, showing a spacious forehead over features as benevolent as any wild creatures could be.

The younger man beside him was not so older than Ruixue herself, also draped in formal clothing of midnight blue many shades darker than her own. Anyone could guess who the Emperor was. The onlookers were no longer throwing glances around the room, maintaining formality by standing straight. Solemnness penetrated the atmosphere.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, ruler of Anhui," said the older figure in the kingdom's tongue. He was Fukutagawa Iseimasa, the current Emperor of the Kokuren Empire.

Iseimasa bowed deeply. The man beside him along with their other four imperial guards from behind followed.

The King returned the courtesy. His mobilization was somewhat less strict and more fluid.

"Welcome to our land, Your Imperial Majesty. We have been expecting your visit," he said, then turned to the younger man. "This gentleman must be..."

The Emperor stepped aside, momentarily caught by unusual the sight of Ruixue among all masculine politicians. She curtsied.

"Fukutagawa Takara to moushimasu, heika," the man introduced. His voice reminded Ruixue of the hum of thunders.

"He is the new shogun," the Emperor announced proudly, "and my son."

Ruixue watched the man as they traded pleasantries. So he was the renowned warrior and general across the seas, known by various titles for his infamous prowess in battles and tactics. Acquirement of the invaded countries added to the empire came from his handiwork while many claimed that the Emperor was the one issuing the actual orders.