The Emperor's Prisoner

Episode 98's

Lian's move stopped as did Li Jihyun. "There's one thing I want to ask your majesty," Lian said opening her voice. His eyes looked at Li Jihyun's back. He took a breath. "What's the reason you killed Lien?" ask Lian. Even though he had heard the reason from Ceng, Lian's heart was not calm. He had to make sure of himself with his ears.

"Didn't you hear it from Ceng?" li Jihyun asked turning her body around making their two eyes meet.

"I've heard. But I still want to make sure of it myself from your highness. I want to hear his noble reason," Lian said fearlessly. His eyes looked straight at Li Jihyun. Wishing there were no lies in Li Jihyun's eyes.

The corner of Li Jihyun's lips lifted. The girl crossed her hands. "I never lied to you Lian," Li Jihyun sighed. "There's a reason I can't tell you," Li Jihyun continued making Lian pias' face.

"But I have to hear it for myself, your majesty," Lian's sergeant won't lose. His gaze was full of confidence.

"You'll regret it Lian. I'm doing this for the good of all of us" Li Jihyun turned her back. He continued his steps.

"I don't care. I must know the noble reason for killing my sister."

"What would change if you knew? Is your brother going to rise from the grave? At the very end you will kill me," Li Jihyun casually said and continued walking away from Lian.

That dayang clenched his hands full of anger. I want him to scream. But considering it's diistana now. He decided to be quiet. Resist the anger that envelops the heart.

He took a deep breath and then exhaled it rough. Li Jihyun's words were indeed true. Sooner or later they would kill him after Li Jihyun herself who finished them off one by one. They swore to be faithful until the end of their lives. But the girl didn't seem to believe it.

Lian ruffled her hair until it fell apart. He walked up to continue his steps towards Li Jihyun's room. For a while he would still serve Li Jihyun like his master.

After all soon the position of the grand concubine would be drawn by Long Jian. Lian decided to be patient until waiting for that time to come.

...

The night greeted me. Dinner is on the table. Li Jihyun was seen enjoying her food under the moonlight that pierced through the window of her room. The girl bribed the rice into her mouth. The breeze blew swaying his scattered hair.

Jiali who was not far from Li Jihyun watched the girl eat. He assigned Ceng to watch over Li Jihyun. But all the time there was no suspicious movement. The girl finished the rice and side dishes until she was left unnoticed. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

Jiali approached to pick up the dirty tableware. Put it in an empty tray. "When will the emperor come home?" li Jihyun asked breaking the silence.

Spontaneous Jiali surprised. Almost the tray in his hand fell off. "Sa-I don't know your majesty," Jiali replied neutralizing his racing heartbeat. Li Jihyun let out a long breath. Leaning his back on the seat pad. "Do you need anything else noble?" jiali asked before leaving Li Jihyun.

"No. Come out. I have to rest" Li Jihyun said shaking her hands in the air.

"Okay, your highness. Excuse me first," said Jiali bowed then turned around. He walked leaving Li Jihyun alone in the room.

Hearing the sound of the knocking of Jiali's shoes away. Li Jihyun stared out the window. His eyes stared intently at the branch of the tree that was slightly jutting into his window. "Get out! He has already left," Li Jihyun said coldly.

"What are you coming here for?" li Jihyun asked looking straight at the black-robed person.

"There's a message from Mr. Zhang to see him immediately."

Li Jihyun exhaled a rough breath. "alright. I'm going there. Tell Zhang Liu to wait for me in the garden behind the palace," said Li Jihyun who was taken by the man.

"Okay, your highness. Excuse me first," she jumped into the window frame. Then nimblely jump onto a tree branch that looks inclined to the window of the room.

Li Jihyun stared at the fallen tree leaves. He got up from sitting and locked the door. Then change into clothes with dark black hanfu. He tied his waist to make it easier for him to move freely. Do not forget to take the robe that has been hidden behind a pile of cloth.

For a long time I have not done so, the inner Li Jihyun wearing a robe covered her entire body. He blew out the candles making the room dark. Only the dim moonlight allowed him to see out the window.

He stood in front of the window and then jumped down. With a hasty step towards the garden behind the main palace. Sometimes his head was turned back to make sure no one was following him. It seemed like the shadow of the emperor did not forever watch over me, Li Jihyun's inner breathing was relieved. This could be my chance to meet Zhang Liu. There must be important information that he wants to convey, his mind continues to run through the darkness of the night.

....

"I'm sorry that your majesty has called you so late this night" Zhang Liu said as soon as Li Jihyun arrived at the garden behind the palace. The back garden that turned into a garden was abandoned because it had never been cared for in the slightest.

"No problem. There must be something important that you want to convey," said Li Jihyun who was taken in agreement with Zhang Liu.

"This is about you wanting to be emperor. But there's one problem you have to face before sitting down to become emperor." His forehead twitched hearing Zhang Liu's words. "Besides your support you should have a strong military force," Zhang Liu continued, making Li Jihyun pat her hand. He just remembered the most important matter amongst all.

"But the problem is that we don't have the proper military support" Li Jihyun said, causing Zhang Liu to scratch his unscratchy head. Li Jihyun's words were correct. They did not have a single army like Long Jian.

"I think we should shape it ourselves. I will recruit them directly" Zhang Liu suggested.

"This could be our chance to gain the sympathy of the people," Li Jihyun said making Zhang Liu turn to her.

"A chance?" Li Jihyun nodded her head.

"In recruiting soldiers take it from among the people. Especially from mercenaries. Their loyalty was higher than that of even high nobles," Li Jihyun said making Zhang Liu's eyes sparkle.

"God! It seems like the title of genius is not just nonsense," praised Zhang Liu who was grinned by Li Jihyun's soft laughter.

"alright. Our problem is done. As soon as Long Jian came home we had to give him a big surprise," Li Jihyun said raising her head. The dark night sky was wide.

"But your majesty there is something I want to ask," Zhang Liu said staring doubtfully at Li Jihyun.