32 The Ten Candidates

"Are you sure you are ready?" Mengyao asked Lihua with concern on his voice.

Lihua laughed at his sudden question, they are preparing her things when Mengyao suddenly arrived from the border.

"You still don't believe in my abilities?" she said acting as if she was hurt by his question.

Mengyao just looked at her with a grim expression. Lihua suddenly became serious when she saw his expression.

"I know I messed up before, it will not happen again,"

"That's not what I meant!" frustrations are evident on his voice now.

"Shhh" she smiled at him. She knew what he is trying to say but she doesn't want to stop now. She made the decision five years ago. She cannot afford to waste all their efforts.

"Fine" he suddenly surrendered.

"Thanks" and Lihua hugged him. For her, Mengyao is like a big brother that she can always depend on. If not for him staying with her all these years she does not know how she can survive.

"I think it is better if you will not send me off,"

Mengyao's face tightened. Lihua is afraid that he will insist of sending her off to the palace. Chao Shen met him five years ago, allowing the two meet this time will just create more suspicions. Besides, the goal is to get the attention of the king and not of his imperial advisor.

"Okay, but I will see you soon," with that he left. Lihua was not able to utter another word, she just looked at his retreating figure.

Lihua's leaving the manor caused a lot of disturbances in Hu household. While some of the servants are happy to see their miss enter the palace, the other miss is shouting and crying accusing her older sister of stealing her position.

"Don't mind your younger sister," says Minister Hu to Lihua as they are standing at the entrance of the manor. Lihua looked at the direction of her sister's room. Somehow, she felt guilty. Only if it is not her mission, she will even help her get the attention of the king.

"Yes, father," she answered quietly.

"Be careful in the palace. It is a different world there," Minister Hu cannot help but worry about the safety of his daughter. He knew the danger she is entering but then, he felt like he has no choice. Even though Master Guang

told him not to worry because Lihua's skills are the best among the Holy Mountain agents, he still cannot help to be her father.

Then, they heard the eunuch annouced the time of their departure. Minister Hu hugged his daughter tightly. The people outside the Hu Manor saw how much the minister of war love his daughter.

When the father and daughter started to walk towards the imperial palanquin, both were surprised to see a man came out of the palanquin and approached them.

"Minister Hu," he bowed to the minister. "and Miss Hu" his gazed made Lihua almost lost her composure.

"Imperial Advisor Chao Shen, I am surprised to see you here today," the voice of the minister does not show any sign of surprise but of anger.

"I am ordered by the king to accompany Lady Hu to the palace. Lady Hu, this way please"

Lihua looked at him for a few seconds before looking at her father. She saw the anger that his father is suppressing at the moment.

"Father, Huiyin is leaving now" and she bowed to her father before turning around and follow Chao Shen in the palanquin.