Han Qin stood above the kneeling men and women in front of him. The now former Lord Fei was at his feet, his sword pointed at the man's neck.

"Anything you have to say for yourself?" He asked.

The man remained silent for a long moment before he looked up, his eyes resolute. "The crimes I have committed are mine and mine only. I ask the Emperor to be generous and spare my family."

Han Qin let out a dry laugh and knelt in front of the man. "If the situation had been reversed, if that man you support took the throne, would you have granted us the same mercy?"

The silence that ensued was a good enough answer.

He scoffed and stood. "Don't worry. His Majesty is not quite as ruthless as I expected him to be." He said before sweeping his eyes over the courtyard. "You, your eldest son and daughter, your legal wife and first concubine, and all of your other accomplices will be executed. Your younger children will be sent into the Palace as slaves, your sons as eunuchs and your daughters as maids."

There were some cries of protest. After all, from being children of a Lord to becoming slaves…. It must be difficult for them to accept. Not to mention, the boys would be castrated. And who knew if these delicate flowers would be able to survive the Palace?

However, this was far, far more merciful than Han Qin ever expected his liege to be. After all, the man did not get the throne by being merciful to his enemies.

He waved a hand, not interested in listening to their cries for mercy. "Take them away. Their punishments will be executed in the Capital to make an example out of them." He ordered and watched indifferently as they were dragged away. It was not that he didn't have pity in him for the ones who were truly innocent in this. It was just that he could not afford to let his pity affect his judgment.

He sighed softly as the courtyard finally quieted down and started to make his way back to the inn where he was currently staying when a figure appeared behind him. He paused and looked back.

One of the Shadow Guards that His Majesty had lent him. The very same he had sent with the letter in which he had written of the possible existence of the King's child.

The guard knelt in front of him, holding out a small scroll in his hands. "Reply from His Majesty, General Han. I was ordered to hand it directly to you."

He nodded. "Well done," He said in a dismissive tone. The guard bowed and disappeared in a flash.

Han Qin opened the scroll and his eyes swept over the only sentence written on it in the familiar calligraphy of the King.

Bring them to me.

----------------------------------------

Someone had been watching her these days. Her and her son.

Whoever they were, they were good.

Samaya tried to find them. Even though Samaya knew she was being watched, they would disappear once she showed signs of detecting them. No trace was left behind. She should know, she searched. Therefore, after the first two times it happened, she began pretending to be oblivious but was always on guard. She knew from experience not to go running after a stalker. They would come to her soon enough. And when they did, she would be ready.

The day came soon enough. Sooner than she expected, actually.

It was the kind of day she liked too, with the sun hiding behind the clouds and dry wind sweeping all over but with no sign of rain. She usually liked to stroll around on a day like this, and take Manu out to play. Pity.

She felt the footsteps approaching her small hut of a house. She felt her muscles tighten, her fight or flight screaming inside her body. It wasn't long before she heard a hand knocking on the door. The knock probably didn't have much force behind it but the poor excuse of a door still rattled.

So the rats that had been sneaking around her had finally come.

She paused for a moment, adjusting her expression and state of mind. another series of knocks came and Samaya threw an innocent-sounding "Coming, I am coming!" as she headed towards the door.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She opened the door, coming face to face with the rats that had been sneaking around her the past few days. The one in the front, with dark brown hair tied up in a top bun and grey eyes, brows furrowed in a stern expression as he looked down on her. Behind him were two more men.

Pretending to be something she was not was second nature to her. So, it was no problem for her to hunch her shoulders slightly and shift her eyes around in a show of nervousness.

"Y-yes?" She said softly. "How may I help you?"

The grey-eyed male cleared his throat and straightened himself. "We came from the capital." He announced. "You are... Samaya, correct? You live here with your son?"

Samaya blinked slowly and tilted her head with a frown. "Yes, but... what do people from the Capital want from us? I... we have never been there...." She sifted from foot to foot, letting her eyes show a glimpse of fear. "We are no one of importance. We have never offended anyone... have we?"

The other two men shared a glance before turning back to look at Samaya again. The man at the front spoke. "No. You have not. Do not worry. We are not going to hurt you, nor anyone else in your village." He told her firmly. "We just need to talk to you. About you and your child."

Samaya gulped before her brows furrowed in a show of confusion. "What about my child?"

The man smiled at her reassuringly. "My name is Han Qin, and these are my friends." He gestured to each man. Samaya stared at each of them, unsure as to what they wanted. Her hand tightened on the door and she did not have to fake the worry and tension she felt. What did they want with her child?

"May we please enter your home?" Han Qin asked softly. "We want to talk about your child. And yourself, of course. I assure you... we mean no harm. In fact, we might be the bearer of good news for you."

She bit her lip. She honestly did not want these men in her small home. However, she had been wondering why she was being tailed constantly. And now she would know. As they say, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. And it wasn't like she, a “poor peasant” girl, could refuse officials from the Capital. She stepped aside and opened the door further, indicating them inside. The five of them filed past her, their eyes scrutinizing every part of her home.

"Would you care for some tea?" She offered politely. The men all exchanged looks before Han Qin nodded, assuring her that would be fine. Just as she was about to go inside, a voice came from the kitchen.

"Mama, who's here?"

Samaya froze. What the fuck was he doing here? She thought he was out roaming the markets looking for people to pickpocket. She had been so relieved that these rats came at a time her son wasn't home.

"Manu," She called softly but firmly and her tone made it clear to him that there was something wrong. "When did you come home?" She asked cautiously.

Manu peeked his head around the corner and stared at her for several seconds in confusion. She heard an almost inaudible gasp behind her. Her chest tightened. They must have seen something in her son.

Then, suddenly, Manu lit up with delight and raced over, throwing his arms around her neck in a crushing hug. "Mama, Mama!" He gushed excitedly. "I got pineapples! Could you make me some pie?!" He asked as he buried his nose into her neck.

She stroked his back with a soft smile and then leaned down to whisper softly in his ear. "Alright." She said softly. "But you have to go get the sweet syrup from Uncle, okay?"

Translation: "Is there anything wrong?"

"Yes. Get away."

The boy tensed slightly and then nodded. She was really glad that she taught Manu these inconspicuous codes just in case. They really did come in handy.

She smiled and put him down. "Alright now. Don't be impolite. Introduce yourself."

She turned towards the men watching them with complicated looks in their eyes. Manu half hid behind her as he gave a small bow.

"Hello. I'm Manav. My mother calls me Manu."

"Manav?" One of the men frowned in confusion. And Samaya didn't blame them. Hindi and Sanskrit were not exactly mainstream in this Ancient Chinese setting.

Manu gave a small nod. "Yes! It's the name my mother gave me. But she told me my birth name was Xu. But I don't like it so I don't want people to call me that." He said with a childish pout, effectively distracting them as Samaya went into the small kitchen.

She looked at the pitcher that was half filled. She looked outside the window through which Manu must have climbed in. Once she ensured that there was no one around, poured out the rest of the water through the window.

She then peeked into the other room and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. There is no water left. Manu, take the pitcher and bring some water for the guests."

Manu nodded happily and walked into the kitchen. As soon as they were both out of the men's eyesight, he frowned.

"Mama..." He said softly but she shook her head. They could be listening.

"Go now. Don't keep our guests waiting." She said as she waved two fingers to dismiss him and smiled.

'I'll come to get you' was what she said in that gesture. He bit his lip and nodded before giving her one hug and then jumping out of the window.

Samaya took a deep breath and walked up to face the men in the outer room.

Here went nothing.