Elder Wang accepted the pouch from the Grand Prince. Holding out one hand Elder Wang used his other hand to dump the contents of the pouch into the palm of the hand he held out. Five small Knell Stones tumbled out of the pouch into Elder Wang's hands.
As the stone came into contact with Elder Wang's hand, the stones turned from ordinary-looking granite stones to what looked like a glowing blue lace agate with flecks of gold surrounded by crystal clear Selenite crystal. The stones in the Elder's hands seem to hum. It didn't do that when anyone else touched them. Three of the stones tumbled from Elder Wang's hand to the table, leaving two stones in his hand. The stones that had fallen to the table shortly turned back into ordinary-looking stones. However, the knell stones that remained in Elder Wang's hand remained active.
"Knell Sones!" Both the Elder and the Emperor shouted at the same time.
The Elder involuntarily exploded from his seat, clutching the two knell stones in his hand. "Where?! Where did these come from?!" The Emperor demanded in a strange tone of voice that shocked everyone. An indescribable piercing look entered his eyes as he looked at the Grand Prince.
The Emperor reached over and picked up one of the knell stones that had fallen to the table, activating the stone.
"These stones came from Young Master Liu's residence. They are all over the place in his residence. In his residence, Knell Stones are as common as pebbles on the road. There are Knell stones of all shapes and sizes all over. The aura and energy of the Knell Stones in his Residence is very dense. I've never felt anything like it before.
The Elder slowly sat back down in his seat and said, "Explain everything to me in detail from the moment you entered his residence. I want to know even the most insignificant detail." The Elder said.
Wang Fèn Yǒng, Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā, and the Grand Prince carefully began to explain everything to the Emperor and Elder, leaving nothing out from the moment they entered Liu Garden Residence.
They also explain how dense the energy was in Young Master Liu's inner courtyards. The Elder face went pale when Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā explained the reaction the stones had when Liu Tián Qǔ had touched a knell stone at Wang Fèn Yǒng behest. When she told the Elder of how the stone turned a complete glossy black like shungite stone with glowing pure white flecks and all the events that followed, the Elder face blanched white and he grew completely aghast.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He said, "Explain one more time the presence you felt and everything about the presence you observed."
"Honestly, Imperial Grandfather in law. The pain was so much that I could barely maintain consciousness. All I was able to discern was that an ancient primordial presence." Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā said.
Elder Wang looked over to Wang Fèn Yǒng and said, "What about you, great-grandson? What were you able to observe of the presence?"
Wang Fèn Yǒng looked up at his Imperial Great Grandfather and said, "The presence seemed to be especially drawn to Liu Tián Qǔ. Right before I passed out from the pain, I observed the presence beginning to move in Liu Tián Qǔ's direction."
Silence reign in the Elder's receiving room as Elder Wang seemed to heavily meditate on something with a faraway look in his eyes.
A short while later, the Elder looked at the Grand Prince and said, "Immediately investigate Young Liu. I want to know whose family's child he is."
Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā said, "We've already found out who Young Master Liu's mother was, however, finding out who her father is may prove extremely challenging."
The Emperor looked at Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā and said, "Was?"
Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā gently nodded and said, "Was," confirming that Liu Tián Qu's mother was already deceased.
"Who," Elder Wang asked.
"Lady Lei Xiān Huā," Lei Xiān Huā answered.
"The Lady Lei Xiān Huā that the Liu and Lei family almost came to a feud over, and Imperial Father had to intervene?" The Emperor asked in astonishment.
Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā nodded and answered, "Yes."
"Imperial Granddaughter wasn't there many rumors concerning Lady Lei Xiān Huā marriage and pregnancy?" Elder Wang asked Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā.
"Yes, there were. Everyone knew that Lady Lei Xiān Huā was forced to marry General Lu. Horrible rumors began when she went into labor six months after her marriage. However, the rumor died when Lady Lei Xiān Huā died in the birthing chambers giving birth. Rumor had it that her child died at birth as well. However, that doesn't look to be so." Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā said.
"I don't understand how General Lu allowed him to leave home this early and start his own residence. Most of all, I don't understand how the Liu family allowed it. They are very overprotective of their youth. Especially their youth that are promising and talented." The Emperor said with a slight frown on his face.
"According to what I gathered from Liu Tián Qǔ. I doubt if the General Lu is even aware that she left home. As for the Liu Family, they don't know of her existence." The Grand Prince said with a heavy frown of disapproval on his face.
"What!" The Emperor exclaimed in astonishment.
"Explain! How could this be?" Elder Wang commanded. He, too, was a bit astonished.
The Grand Prince quickly related all that Liu Tián Qǔ had told them to the Emperor and Elder Wang concerning the matter.
With a slight frown, Elder Wang said, "Is there really a need to plant a dead body in his courtyard?"
"When Young Master Liu's identity is revealed. The corpse will cause confusion. I think it is a perfect idea if he wishes to buy more time." The Emperor said.
Wang Fèn Yǒng looked up and his Imperial grandfather and asked in a quiet voice, "Imperial grandfather why does the knell stones respond in that manner towards Liu Tián Qǔ."
Elder Wang seemed to be picking his words carefully as he responded to Wang Fèn Yǒng, "I have a theory of why the Knell Stones responded that way. However, I first must make a journey. There are several things I must confirm. For now, it is best that Liu Tián Qǔ do not touch the Knell Stones until I return. I also will need you to retrieve some for me. Bring me a few of the larger stones."
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"I will do so tonight," Wang Fèn Yǒng responded. He then looked at the Emperor and Elder Wang and said, "Liu Tián Qǔ said that the stones are unless to him. He invited us to take as many as we wanted as long as we leave a few for the good energy it's producing in his residence. He wished to open negotiations immediately. He has eight conditions." Wang Fèn Yǒng said.
"Eight conditions, did your friend get bitten by the bug of greed?" The Emperor asked with a heavy frown.
The Grand Prince grinned and said with a light chuckle, "I think he wishes to squeeze as much out of you as he could for stealing his carriage."
"Ah, I see," The Emperor smirk, "It is an excellent carriage."
"He was most displeased. He never even got a chance to test ride in it before you stole it away from him." The Grand Prince laughed lightly and shooked his head at the big smile that blossomed on the Emperor's face when he heard that Liu Tián Qǔ was upset.
"What is this about you stealing a carriage," Elder Wang asked the Emperor with a slight frown.
Before, the Emperor could even respond. The Grand Prince immediately began to regal Elder Wang about the situation that took place between Liu Tián Qǔ and the Emperor concerning the carriage that the Emperor commandeered from the Young Master.
"Oh?" Elder Wang said with a glimmer in his eyes after listening to the story, "Is it really that smooth to ride in? Perhaps I could use it on my journey."
However, the emperor quickly answered. "I've already turned the carriage over to the ministers of transportation. They're doing a bit of research on the carriage. I wish to upgrade the travel wagons that travel between all the major towns and cities. I also wish to upgrade the military travel wagons that transport our warriors. If we can manage to do so, it would provide for faster travel and a more comfortable journey. This will be a great benefit to the Tolling Lands."
"Humph, " The elder just gave the Emperor an unpleasant look before turning to Wang Fèn Yǒng. He then said to Wang Fèn Yǒng, "Request a copy of the designs from Young Liu. Let him know why we wish to have a copy of the designs and inform him the we will meet any demands that he make." Elder Wang commanded. "If these designs could assist in providing faster and better military movement, than this will benefit the Tolling Lands greatly."
The Emperor silently released a sigh of relief. It would be too embarrassing to steal the carriage from Young Liu only to have his Imperial Grandfather take it from him.
"I will speak to him tonight concerning that matter as well," Wang Fèn Yǒng answered his Imperial Great Grandfather.
The Emperor hurried to change the subject and asked Wang Fèn Yǒng, "What are his conditions?"
"His first condition is that we keep his identity a secret a bit longer, he said he needed more time." Wang Fèn Yǒng answered.
"Um," the Emperor nodded. That is understandable. "What is his second condition?"
"Liu Tián Qǔ just started his residence, and all his servants are new. He doesn't trust his servants at the moment. His second condition is that if we need any of the stones immediately, then we have to take them stealthily. Otherwise, he requested that we wait a week or two. He will be clearing his residence of all servants for three days to have the residence searched from top to bottom. During that time, he said we may actively take whatever we want. He does not wish to draw the attention of the servants to the Knell Stones." Wang Fèn Yǒng informed the Emperor and Elder Wang.
"Good, I agree." Elder Wang said, "Knell stones are invaluable and beyond price. We do not need to draw unnecessary attention. This is actually ingenus. I will be sending a special team of warriors who will do the inspection. They will also bring away the Knell Stones. This way, no one would suspect anything when things are being carried out of Liu Residence."
Wang Fèn Yǒng nodded and said, "I suspect that was Liu Tián Qǔ's intention."
"What was the third condition?" The Emperor asked before taking a sip of tea.
"Five hundred horses," Wang Fèn Yǒng said baldly, causing the Emperor to swallow his tea wrong and go into a coughing fit.
With eyes of amusement, Wang Fèn Yǒng added a bit more to what Liu Tián Qǔ actually said to tease the Emperor, "Liu Tián Qǔ said he needs to get his house guards mounted. The mounts that his house guards used yesterday were rented. He also said the events of yesterday were a lesson. To better assist his Emperor and country, he doesn't want his house guards to be caught mountless again. The horses are to be delivered three months from now."
The Emperor was busy coughing. Elder Wang glanced at the Emperor with a sly smile and said, "Young Liu must have meditated on this as well. He must really have the Emperor and the country in his heart."
The Emperor finally managing to get his coughing under control he asked in a voice that was hoarse from coughing while glaring at Wang Fèn Yǒng as if everything was his fault, "I just sent him three million gold. You're telling me he can't afford to buy horses for his house guards?"
"Who told you to run away with his carriage?" Wang Fèn Yǒng asked him with a raised eyebrow in a tone of voice that held amusement.
The Grand Prince snickered and said with a huge grin on his face, "Brother, you're telling me you thought Young Master Liu was going to take this lying down? He dared to threaten you, why wouldn't he get revenge for his carriage?"
Lady Wǔ Gāng Huā was barely able to contain her laughter. She hid her mirth behind her teacup.
The poor emperor's face was blood red from almost coughing up a lung. Honestly, he really thought that he had the last laugh. He didn't think that the young boy would continue to displease him after meeting him. The Emperor saw where he was too naive.
Elder Wang burst into laughter at the sour look on the Emperor's face before asking the Emperor, "What is your decision?"
"I won't begrudge him a measly five hundred horse. Granted," The Emperor said. His face looked as if he had sucked on a lemon. "What is is the fourth condition?"
"The fourth condition is to be granted experienced stablehands to help with the horses. The stablehands, too must be sent three months from now.
"Sure, why not!" The Emperor said once more, feeling exceedingly displeased with Liu Tián Qǔ, "I'm giving him the horses, so why not request stablehands to take care of the horses? A stable to house the horses and land to build the stables on?" The Emperor said in a deeply sarcastic manner with obvious vexation.
"Good," Wang Fèn Yǒng said, "That is actually his fifth condition."
Everyone except Wang Fèn Yǒng burst into deep laughter at the look on the Emperor's face. The Emperor's face looked to be dripping blood as he blushed in anger and embarrassment. The Emperor roared, "He's really requesting a stable to house the horses and land to build the stables on?" the Emperor looked as if he was about to have an apoplectic fit. He couldn't believe that the daring young lord would dare test his patience by pushing this far. The Emperor was breathing heavy and practically foaming at the mouth. He was starting to feel true anger at the Young Lords daring.
Wang Fèn Yǒng had a slight smirk on his face when he said, "No, he requested land. Liu Tián Qǔ third condition is to be granted ownership of the land that Commander Jiang finds for the Garrison that Liu Tián Qǔ will be building."
"Why is he asking me for land, he got more than enough gold to buy his own land?" The Emperor growled. Although the Emperor growled his displeasure, he felt the genuine anger that begin to build recede. However, he was still vexed. The Emperor was trying to regain his composure. However, every demand that Liu Tián Qǔ made seemed to mock him provoking him more and more.
The Grand Prince found great amusement at his brother's vexation that parroted Liu Tián Qǔ words when he chuckled as he said, "Why didn't you buy your own carriage instead of stealing Young Liu's carriage? You bought this on yourself. I told you not to play the 'who's sword is bigger' game with Liu Tián Qǔ.
The Emperor glared at his brother as he took a deep breath to calm down before he said, "Granted." The petty black-belly Emperor vowed in his heart that Liu Tián Qǔ would pay for this disgraced.
The gloomy sourfaced Emperor now just wanted to get everything over with, "What was his sixth condition?"
"The sixth condition is a Bill of Familial Separation from the Lu Family." Wang Fèn Yǒng quickly explained Liu Tián Qǔ's reasons for requesting this condition.
After listening to Liu Tián Qǔ's reasons for requesting the condition the Emperor quickly said, "Granted, I will take care of it later on this afternoon. I do not want more military might in the hands of general Lu." The Emperor said before asking, "What is his seventh condition?"