Inside Liu Garden Residence; the hidden enclosure

Liu Tián Qǔ ignored the look in the eyes of the Grand Prince and the Emperor. She knew that the only thing on their mind was eliminating her. It was the looking in Elder Wang's eyes that caused her a moment of disquiet. She finally realized why many found the Elder to be too strong of an opponent. Elder Wang's eyes held mirth as they continue to flicker between Liu Tián Qǔ and Wang Fèn Yǒng. Elder Wang had seemed to have figured her out before she could even open her mouth.

Liu Tián Qǔ had approached the powerful men and stopped in front of them. Wang Fèn Yǒng followed in her wake. Liu Tián Qǔ ignored the Grand Prince, whose hand had rested on his sword. She carefully removed the Medallion of Mercy from her inner robes.

Early that night, Liu Tián Qǔ had retrieved the medallion at the same time that she retrieved her sketches of the design of the carriage that the Emperor requested. She had initially planned to kill two birds with one stone by showing the men the hidden enclosure. At the same time, she wanted to reveal her gender in a safe, private place where there was no chance of anyone else overhearing or finding out about her gender.

She didn't trust the servants of her residence. Liu Tián Qǔ also didn't think it was wise to allow the deception to go on for too long. The Emperor of the Tolling Lands was a very unpredictable cunning man who hid his true nature. Liu Tián Qǔ felt that this was the perfect opportunity to reveal her gender.

Liu Tián Qǔ had every intention of steering clear of the Imperial court. So when else would she get the chance to speak to the emperor privately? He already presented her with the perfect opportunity she decided not to let the opportunity bypass her. Liu Tián Qǔ didn't know that she would truly need the Medallion of Mercy that night.

Liu Tián Qǔ presented the Medallion of Mercy to the Emperor and kowtowed. "Using this Medallion of Mercy that Your Majesty bestowed on me, I would like to beg Your Majesty's mercy and forgiveness for the crime of Deceiving the Emperor."

Liu Tián Qǔ's actions completely derailed the thoughts of the Grand Prince and the Emperor. The smile in the eyes of the Elder manifested itself as a small smirk that lingered on his lips. Only moments ago, the Grand Prince and the Emperor were only concerned with silencing Liu Tián Qǔ as fast and painlessly as possible. However, her words and the presentation of the Medallion of Mercy triggered an avalanche in the minds of the Emperor and the Grand Prince. They were being deceived? How? With What? Since When?

The Emperor and the Grand Prince glance at each other to see that they were still on the same wavelength. The Emperors' eyes flickered over to Elder Wang before flickering over to Wang Fèn Yǒng. He didn't see the surprise on their faces that was on the face of his Imperial Older Brother. The Emperor was quite sure that surprise was on his face as well. That led him to the conclusion that Wang Fèn Yǒng and his Imperial Grandfather must already know what was going on.

The Emperor looked at the Young Lord, who was now kneeling with the Medallion of Mercy held out in front of him. "You deceived me? How and in what way might I ask have you deceived me?"

The Emperor was too baffled and perplexed to feel angry at the moment. At that moment, he just wanted to know in what way he was deceived. Every time he thought he had the young lord figured out, the young lord would do or say something to overturn all of his preconceived notions. The Emperor looked at the Young Lord with the most complicated look in his eyes and a neutral expression on his face.

The Grand Prince never took his face off of the Young lord. Although he was pretty shocked to hear the young lord was deceiving them. The Grand Prince also knew the work of a schemer who was trying to climb a tree to catch a fish. After all, he lived with a schemer and a great schemer at that. To the Grand Prince, it seemed impossible for the Young Lord to escape the enclosure with his life. After all, he witnessed something that was not for his eyes.

That didn't stop the Grand Prince from inwardly praying that the Young Lord would successfully use his cunning tongue to emerge safely from the situation. He really liked the Young Lord and didn't want to kill him. Most of all, the Grand Prince loved the change he saw in his oldest son since the Young Lord and his oldest son became friends.

Liu Tián Qǔ looked up and calmly met the eyes of the Emperor and said, "Although it wasn't intentional, it doesn't excuse the fact that I've deceived the Emperor with how I presented myself when I disguised my gender. I am not a male. I am a female."

Briefly resting the Medallion in her lap as she knelt before the Emperor, Liu Tián Qǔ reached up and deftly released her top knot allowing her long hair to tumble down and curl about her. With her hair down to soften her features, Liu Tián Qǔ looked more feminine. Liu Tián Qǔ also relaxed her body, subtly and stealthily adopting a more feminine deportment, which somehow inexplicably made it extremely obvious she was a female.

The Emperor and Grand Prince's eyes and mouths popped open in deep utter shock. The Emperor never felt when the device he retrieved from the coffer slipped from his nerveless fingers as he gaped at the Young Lord...uhm... Young lady?!

Elder Wang was too busy smirking and feeling self-gratification to catch the device, and the Grand Prince was lost in deep shock. It was Wang Fèn Yǒng who shot forward and snatch the device out of thin air before it could crash to the ground. That was when the Emperor and Grand Prince snapped out of their stupor and quickly looked over to make sure the device wasn't damaged. However, everything was fine. Wang Fèn Yǒng had caught the device.

The Emperor's face grew red, and he blushed in embarrassment as he accepted the device that Wang Fèn Yǒng caught and once more handed to him. Like a movie, all of his interactions with Liu Tián Qǔ began to playback in his head. The Emperor almost groaned in embarrassment when he remembered how he bullied the young girl out of her carriage.

However, when he met the cunning eyes of Liu Tián Qǔ that were filled with laughter at his expense, all his embarrassment flew away. The cunning Emperor immediately understood the cunning Young Lor...Lady's intention. 'Humph! Young Lord. Young Lady, it makes no difference. I will not be manipulated by you. You will not be getting your carriage back, so don't even think about it.'

The Grand Prince finally glanced over to his son, who met his gaze and gave him a faint nod. Understand exploded in mind of the Grand Prince. The Grand Prince's hand fell from the hilt of his sword. Suddenly an enormous smile graced the face of the Grand Prince. The smile morphed into a chuckle that quickly turned into deep laughter.

The Emperor immediate stored the device in his storage space as he simultaneously stepped forward and retrieved the Medallion of Mercy that Liu Tián Qǔ once more held out to him. "Why have you chose now of all times to reveal this to me?"

"There are several reasons, Your Majesty. For the time being, I will continue to disguise myself. I will not be revealing my gender to the world just yet. Wang Fèn Yǒng found out about my gender," Liu Tián Qǔ was looking up at the Emperor as she explained her reasons to of why she decided to reveal her gender.

Liu Tián Qǔ saw when the Emperor gaze flicker over her head to meet the eyes of Wang Fèn Yǒng who had once more took up a position behind her. Liu Tián Qǔ didn't know what the Emperor saw in Wang Fèn Yǒng's face or eyes, but Liu Tián Qǔ saw when the Emperor eyes had briefly widen in shock once more. It happened so fast that if Liu Tián Qǔ weren't watching the Emperor closely, she would have missed it.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"I refuse to put my friend in the position where he has to deceive his loved ones needlessly." Liu Tián Qǔ continued as the Emperor's eyes once more lowered to meet her gaze. "This is also the perfect opportunity for me to safely confess to the Emperor without exposing myself to others. Most importantly, it is to inform the Emperor of my intentions."

The Emperor's face and eyes turned expressionless, "Your intentions?" the Emperor parroted her, simultaneously questioning her.

"I have claimed Wang Fèn Yǒng. He stole my heart, so I have claimed him. Later on, he will be mine." Liu Tián Qǔ boldly and fearlessly met the Emperor's eyes and announced her intentions.

Silence dominated the enclosure as the eyes of the Elder, Emperor, and Grand Prince snapped to Wang Fèn Yǒng. The men all gawked in deep utter shock to see a faint smile on the face of Wang Fèn Yǒng as he looked down at Liu Tián Qǔ with gentle, affectionate eyes.

Truthfully the Imperial Family had long begun to fear that Wang Fèn Yǒng would forever remain alone. Wang Fèn Yǒng had begun declining betrothment since a very early age. Everyone decided to let him be after forcing a betrothal on him at the age of fourteen that almost ended in the death of the girl he was betrothed too. Now someone was 'claiming' him, and he was allowing it?! Just what was going on here?!

The slightly flustered Emperor quickly snapped back to his sense and looked down at Liu Tián Qǔ and said, "That is not for you to decided."

Liu Tián Qǔ couldn't resist having the final word and said with a faint smirk on her face, "I didn't decide it. Wang Fèn Yǒng is the one who decided it when he came and stole my heart. So as you can see, I have no choice."

Before the Emperor could respond, a Shadow Dragoon Warrior appeared in the hidden enclosure.

Outside Of Liu Garden Residence

The Imperial City Patrol Guards that were outside of Liu Residence was getting ready to unsheathe their weapons and charge forward when they heard the words of Wán Zuò Jiǎ. The strong smell of gunpowder that permeated the air that was generating from Imperial City Patrol Guards died a strange death.

The Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards turned and glared at the idiotic Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards. He inwardly began cursing the moronic Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards who shoved his way to the front to senselessly began to adding oil to a situation where one spark could set off a massive blaze.

'You stupid, moronic idiot! If you wish to die, then die on your own. I will not have these charges forced onto my head!'

Wán Zuò Jiǎ words had bought the Deputy Commander back to his senses. At Wán Zuò Jiǎ words, the Deputy Commander felt his heart freeze. His face had turned pale, and he lost his breath. In the heat of the moment, the Deputy commander had forgotten that Liu Residence was hosting the newly returned family members of the four martial families.

The Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards and the magistrate didn't forget, though. That was why the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards didn't address Wán Zuò Jiǎ in an aggressive manner even though he felt that Wán Zuò Jiǎ was insulting his intelligence. Before the Commander could say anything to patch up the situation sounds of the front gate of Liu Residence, being unsealed was heard.

Everyone's attention immediately swung to the opening gates of Liu Garden Residence. The gates to the front entrance of Liu Residence were opened wide to reveal Jiang Tài Píng, surrounded by one hundred and fifty-one armed Liu residence house guards. Jiang Tài Píng stood at the top of the stairs in the gateway of Liu Residence and looked down at the Imperial City Patrol Guards.

Jiang Tài Píng clasped his hands behind his back before he slowly and casually walked forward and began to descend the stairs of the Residence. The one hundred and fifty-one Liu Residence house guards fanned out behind their commander. Some of the warriors also descended the stairs. Some of the warriors stood guard in front of the front entrance of the Residence, ready to stop anyone who had the wild idea of charging into Liu Garden Residence.

The five guards that guarded against the Imperial City Patrol Guards moved out of the way. They made way for Jiang Tài Píng, who came to a stop in front of the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards.

Complete silence blanketed the area. All the Imperial City Patrol Guards stared at Jiang Tài Píng nervously. The enormous crowd of citizens that stood behind the Imperial City Patrol Guards all eagerly strained their necks and cocked their ears as they waited in anticipation to see what was going to happen next.

Jiang Tài Píng glanced over at the Deputy Commander that stood next to the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards before looking back over at the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards. Jiang Tài Píng finally spoke and said, "Commander, it may be time for you to seek a new Deputy Commander. Your Deputy Commander doesn't seem to value his head. More importantly, he doesn't seem to value your head either."

Both the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards grew even paler. They blanched completely white in shock and fear when new movement at the entrance of the Liu Residence drew their attention and they saw who was standing at the entrance of Liu Residence.

They felt as if their soul would fly away in fear as the Liu Residence house guards cleared the entrance giving way to the Emperor's personal Shadow Warrior, who was accompanied by several other Shadow Dragoon Warrior's.

Cùn Yīn, the Emperor's personal Shadow Guard, did not descend the stairs. Instead, he remained standing at the top of the stairs in the front of the entrance of the Residence.

The Shadow Dragoon Warrior looked down at the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards and said in a neutral voice and a blank, expressionless face. "Commander, you need not concern yourself with this matter. The Emperor is already aware of the situation in Liu Garden Residence. At the command of the Emperor, the Imperial Shadow Dragoon Warrior's have taken command of this situation. The imperial City Patrol Guards may continue with their duties of patrolling the Imperial City."

After saying, so the Shadow Dragoon Warriors faded back into the Residence, leaving shaken Imperial City Patrol Guards and citizens standing in the front of Liu Residence.

"That was the Emperor's personal Shadow Warrior. Does that mean the Emperor is currently in Liu Residence?" A shocked retired elder exclaimed aloud. The Elder was on his way home from a brothel when he saw all the excitement in front of the new Liu Residence. He joined the crowd to find out what was going on. Now the Elder was no longer interested in whatever was going on in Liu Residence.

That Elder was Elder Ou. Elder Ou had taken a significant loss when he had the misfortune to bump into a fool of a halfwit's imbecilic horse. Vultures descended on his manor demanding compensation. However, Elder Ou had yet to find that halfwit wine seller to demand compensation from him for his pain and suffering.

That halfwit's imbecilic horse almost trampled him to death! He deserved compensation too! A depressed Elder Ou finally decided to drink away his woes and seek comfort in the arms of a courtesan. However, now he had a run-in with another unfortunate event.

Elder Ou turned on his heel and quickly hurried away from Liu Residence. As he hurried away, Elder Ou vowed that he would seek spiritual consultation first thing tomorrow morning. A shadow of doom seemed to be following him around.

Shadow of doom or no shadow of doom, there was one thing Elder Ou knew for sure. There was no way he was going to allow himself to be accused of disturbing the members of the newly returned four martial families. Although he was old, he had no intention of dying anytime soon. There was more of life to enjoy the Elder Ou saw no reason to risk his neck minding other people's business. He can always find out what happened later if he really had to know.

The words and actions of Elder Ou cause everyone to momentarily freeze in shock before a desperate mad scramble began. Both citizens and Imperial City Patrol Guards ran away from Liu Residence faster than people fleeing a burning building. The Imperial magistrate and the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards were in the lead. They quickly ran away, cursing the Deputy Commander every step of the way. The Commander of the Imperial City Patrol Guards inwardly vowed to fire the Deputy Commander first thing in the morning.

People crashed and bumped into each other in their desperate bid to flee lest the Emperor come out and catch them, and they be accused of disturbing the members of the four martial families that were resting in Liu Residence. Some slipped and fell only to be trampled by others who were also desperately fleeing. As if they felt no pain, those that were trampled scrambled back to their feet and ran away. Some were too hurt to run. Ignoring their pain, some limped and hopped away as fast as they could, cursing their curiosity all the way home.

In no time at all, the enormous crowd of people and Imperial City Patrol Guards that stood in front of Liu Residence vanished into the night, leaving one hundred and fifty-six guards and the Commander of Liu Residence standing in the front of Liu Residence by themselves.