Exile Queen is Beloved

Chapter 39 - Night with Tian 'Er

Ji's funeral went smoothly, family members and all officials watched with regret some saw it as an opportunity. One great power had been lost again from Yuan Shi's side, General Ji who had always been with Yuan Shi against various rebellions as well as the armistice of the opposing country had left. Now, the Wu Clan smiled even more when they saw Queen Qing who they realized was not as clever as the rumors that were being raised.

After the funeral was over, Qing Er returned to the pavilion and was aloof as she sat staring at the beautiful expanse of the flower garden. Not long after the sound of footsteps rang out, then as usual Eunuch Huo told the empress of the emperor's arrival in a loud voice. "The emperor has come to see the empress."

For the time being, the murky atmosphere started to calm down a little after Yuan Shi took over the matter of Qing'Er's rebellion becoming his personal problem with the wife. Trying to convince the officials that it was not a big threat, because Yuan Shi knew the real threat was the Queen Mother as well as the Wu Clan.

Yuan Shi entered the room that appeared to be still empty as it had not been well-decorated yet, the man slowly approached trying to comfort Qing Er. But all he did was sit next to her and stare at the flower beds from the open window.

"When did you realize it?" ask Qing Er.

Yuan Shi turned his head slightly dumbfounded, yet he immediately understood the intent of Qing Er's question. "From the first time I saw her that morning, I thought she was the witch who took your soul."

Qing Er chuckled softly while looking down. "I almost died, but somehow I was finally able to return. It was all thanks to him, even all these things that I had. Isn't he the one who fought for all this?"

Yuan Shi grunted softly. "Then, what are you going to do with all this later? Do you still want to get away from me? If so, I'd be willing to let you loose for the happiness you want."

"Isn't it too late to let me go? Ji's gone, I don't think I have any more goals. How're you? That future soul, always supporting you, helping you settle all matters of the empire and also looking sincere to you. You must be sad to see me coming back and not her." Qing Er turned her face away.

"I feel sad but also relieved, because my little friend is back." Yuan Shi gently stroked Qing' Er's hair buds. "I brought you your favorite rose cake from childhood, eat it to improve your mood!"

"You're not good at hiding your disappointment from me." Qing Er grabbed a packet of rose cakes which she then opened the contents and took one then gave it to Yuan Shi's hand.

"To blame you always doesn't change anything that has happened, I just want to meet my family and bring them back to Yuanqing" he continued.

Yuan Shi nodded then clasped tightly onto one rose cake handed over by Qing Er. "I promise to find them and avenge Ji's death to the Queen Mother!"

"Thank you for the help, Your Majesty the Emperor!" qing Er said while saluting.

Yuan Shi nodded then out of the pavilion, he waited for news from Xiao Yan regarding a suspicious place that might be the place where the Prime Minister's family was held. While waiting, Yuan Shi went to the imperial reading room and busied himself with a brush and a piece of paper. He began sketching the image of a person embedded in his mind, every detail of his face, the color of his hair and eyeballs and his smile that he never forgot.

Time was too late, yet Xiao Yan still did not meet the emperor who continued to fill his time making paintings. There are already ten paintings with various poses that he made, he said, the latter painting was the one that made him laugh the most when the woman walked over the cold palace walls just to see the preparations for the imperial event.

"The provisional assumption is that the old dungeon is no longer in use, Your Majesty" Xiao Yan explained.

"Alright, tomorrow morning we will go there to make sure directly. The imperial decree is ready and tonight it is likely that Consort Wu Zetian will come to my room" Yuan Shi said.

"Everything has been prepared, Your Majesty." replied Xiao firmly.

"Good, then I'll be back." Yuan Shi sauntered away not forgetting he patted Xiao on the shoulder shortly past him.

Yuan Shi walked towards the main palace, where several maidservants of Consort Wu Zetian were waiting outside the room. Yuan Shi accompanied by Eunuch Huo then entered his room, pretending not to know the snake woman's movements. Upon seeing Wu Zetian sitting on his seat inside the room, Yuan Shi turned towards Eunuch Huo to leave the two behind.

Wu Zetian with a sumringah face approached towards Yuan Shi then stroked the emperor's chest, leaning against the man's field chest as he spoiled at Yuan Shi. "Where have you been? I've been waiting a long time."

"Tian 'Er, why come to me in the middle of the night like this?" ask Yuan Shi.

"Of course to comfort Brother Yuan, Big Brother must be saddened by General Ji's departure. Therefore, allow Tian to accompany Big Brother Yuan tonight." Wu Zetian said as he turned his face towards Yuan Shi.

"Well, you can accompany me. Tian 'Er tomorrow morning I have to leave here looking for the family of the empress who disappeared without a trace, I plan to give the imperial decree to Tian 'Er." Yuan Shi walked past Wu Zetian then unfolded his imperial robe.

Wu Zetian instantly stole the opportunity by hugging Yuan Shi from behind. "I know, you still love me the same way you used to. I will definitely keep your throne well, you should have managed to find Kak Qing's family Er because otherwise she would have felt very sad even more so she had also lost her true love."

Yaun Shi smiled subtly then turned around and gently stroked Wu Zetian's hair. "Tian'Er is indeed gentle and affectionate, you perfectly understand Qing's state of Er."

Wu Zetian gently touched Yuan Shi's cheeks then raised his legs slightly to grab Yuan Shi's charming pink lips. "Allow Tian'Er to serve the emperor tonight" Wu Zetian said as he moved closer to Yuan Shi, still silent.

"There's something important that I have to give Tian'Er," Yuan Shi said.

Yuan Shi walked up to his bed and grabbed a stamp on a box he had kept secret. Yuan Shi again walked towards Wu Zetian and opened the box slowly.

Wu Zetian's eyes immediately sparkled in disbelief, an important stamp that would now be handed to him even Yuan Shi's throne would soon be obtained. Make him big head and feel in the wind. "This is the Prime Minister's stamp."