第十四章Chapter fourteen

第十四章Chapter fourteen

Miss Chan was recalling her painful past, and her breaths began to quicken. She felt a heavy pressure on her chest, as if the air had become thicker and harder to breathe. She placed her hand on her chest in a desperate attempt to control her rapid breathing, but it was completely out of her control. Hot tears began to fall from her eyes, rolling down her cheeks like burning embers, and she couldn't stop them. She whispered in a hoarse voice, torn between pain and regret, "I... I'm the reason for my brother's disappearance, oh...". Her voice was filled with sorrow and heartbreak, and her crying was burning her heart. She felt a huge emptiness in her soul, as if a part of her had vanished with her brother's absence. She choked out, "Brother... aaah," continuing to cry intensely, feeling that the pain was unbearable.The sun rose on a new day. The trees were thriving with their vibrant green leaves, and drops of water gently fell from them, forming glistening pearls on the leaves. The refreshing smell of the earth filled the air, and the cool morning breeze brought a sense of peace and calm. Meanwhile, Li Xiao was dressing after drying off. She was preoccupied with thoughts about what had happened the previous night. "It was a direct and obvious attack," she thought anxiously. "It's true that the guard was less due to the bad weather, but the guards could have noticed the attacker and caught him. Even if he wanted to sneak in and managed to get in smoothly, why would he leave such clear traces behind? This was clearly planned. The attack is meant for Jin Shin."She approached the bed and picked up the dagger, examining it closely for any markings or distinctive features. "The dagger is highly polished; just a slight touch can cause injury. It's good that I kept it away from Jin Shin, or he might have been hurt." After her inspection, she noticed a strange symbol on the dagger and was startled. "How could this... it belongs to the same unknown person responsible for my brother's death, but what's the secret behind it?" She scrutinized the dagger further, but suddenly someone entered, and she hid it under her clothing belt.She heard a calm voice speaking to her: "You seem to have recovered well." She turned to look at him, and her expression relaxed when she saw him. "Mr. Ma, it's you!" Mr. Ma was standing upright, his hands behind his back, approaching her with slow steps, a slight smile on his face. "I was worried about you yesterday after I left, and I couldn't return due to the heavy rain. I'm sorry."She raised her hand slightly: "It's okay, you've done so much for me already, thank you." Li Xiao looked at him questioningly: "You came early!"Mr. Ma went to the table with his medical supplies and started arranging them. "I forgot my things yesterday; I came to retrieve them." Li Xiao teased him, saying: "Mr. Ma, you're worried about your things, not me, haha." She laughed, and he turned, laughing as well, "I don't think so."He finished gathering his items and placed them in a long leather bag, then rolled it up and tied it. "I'll leave now; don't be late today." Li Xiao smiled with a spontaneous expression: "I've already woken up early."Mr. Ma then said: "Alright, see you later." He turned and exited the room.

All the trainees lined up neatly, preparing to start their training for the day. Li Xiao stood in the back row of the group, feeling a bit nervous. The morning air was refreshing, and the sunlight streamed through the branches of the trees, creating an atmosphere of calm and tranquility.Jin Shin approached with a stern expression, his steps straight and firm, echoing slightly on the paved ground. He walked among them with confidence, scrutinizing each trainee with a sharp gaze. The trainees felt the weight of his stare and moved cautiously to ensure they were in the correct positions.He reached his main position and turned quickly with an imposing presence, drawing everyone's attention. With a serious face and a firm voice, he said, "Since everyone is here, we'll begin the training." His tone brooked no argument and reflected his seriousness about the training. The trainees felt their heartbeats quicken. Li Xiao took a deep breath, trying to calm himself and prepare.The training began with simple movements but soon escalated into strenuous and intensive exercises. Jin Shin moved between the rows, correcting the trainees' stances and giving instructions in a loud, commanding voice. "Tighten your muscles! You, tighten your grip more!" His tone was strict and non-negotiable.Li Xiao put forth his best effort to keep up with the rigorous pace of the training. Sweat poured down his forehead, and his muscles ached from the exertion. He felt his breath quickening and started to feel exhausted. Suddenly, Jin Shin stood in front of him, his gaze piercing him sharply. "You, trainee!" he shouted loudly. "Is this all you can offer?" His face was stern, with furrowed brows highlighting his intense stare. "Redo the movement, and I don't want to see any mistakes this time!"Li Xiao tried again, but Jin Shin yelled once more: "Wrong, try again! Are you going to face the enemy like this? They'll crush you like a bug!" Li Xiao continued to attempt it over and over. He raised his sword with a firm motion, trying to maintain his balance and focus. He bit his lip, trying to endure the pain and fatigue. Jin Shin stood beside him, observing every movement carefully. "During the test, you were boasting and showcasing your skills. What now? What's happening with you? Is this training or acrobatics? It's not enough! Again!"His tone remained strict, but he watched in silence. Li Xiao felt his breathing become rapid, but his determination grew. He kept trying repeatedly. "Wrong..!"Li Xiao paused for a moment, staring at Jin Shin with a determined look as if ready to argue. He threw the sword from his hand, and it clattered to the ground. Jin Shin turned when he heard the sound, standing in front of him with a cold look: "What? Are you going to argue with me?"

For a moment, Li Xiao suppressed his anger, then lowered his head and said, "I don't dare, sir. My hand just went slack, and the sword fell from me." Jin Shin responded with a gesture of mockery and condescension, saying, "Do you think your frail body will withstand battles? Since you can't handle it, withdraw now."But Li Xiao, still looking down and holding his composure, said, "I'll try harder, sir. I will become stronger and crush anyone who stands in my way." Jin Shin looked at him silently for a moment, then pointed his finger at the sword on the ground. "Alright, we'll see. Pick up the sword and prepare again."With hesitant steps, Li Xiao bent down and picked up the sword. It felt heavy in his tired hand, but he knew that surrender was not an option. He stood upright again, his gaze filled with determination. "I am ready, sir."The training resumed, and Jin Shin watched him closely. Every mistake Li Xiao made was corrected with strictness. The tension between them escalated, but Li Xiao tried with all his strength and willpower.Jin Shin looked at Li Xiao sharply, his eyes flashing with the harsh look that had become familiar to everyone. "Watch your steps, focus...!" he shouted at him, but Li Xiao did not back down. Sweat poured from his forehead, trickling into his eyes and causing him slight pain, but he refused to let anything hinder him. He raised his sword with a firm motion and bit his lip, trying to ignore the pain that was wracking his tired muscles.As he prepared to execute the movement again, he felt the other trainees' gazes upon him. He felt the pressure mounting, as if everyone expected him to fail. However, he refused to let those thoughts control him. The pain and fatigue increased, but he refused to give up. Instead, he looked at Jin Shin with challenging eyes, as if daring everything: the pain, the fatigue, and even the harsh look directed at him.He began his movement again, this time with greater caution and deeper focus. The sword moved smoothly in his hand, and the air around him grew colder. Jin Shin stood watching, noticing the slight improvement. "Not enough. Repeat the movement again." His tone was harsh, and everyone watched the scene with interest. There were quiet whispers among the trainees, wondering about the reason for such strict treatment. "Why is he treating him so harshly?" Everyone felt as though Jin Shin held a personal grudge against Li Xiao, but no one dared to speak up.

The hours passed heavily, as if time had slowed down. The training intensified, and everyone began to feel exhausted. When Jin Shin finally announced the end of the training, everyone felt a great sense of relief, as if they had been freed from a heavy burden. Li Xiao sat on the ground, trying to catch his breath. He looked up at the clear blue sky and the golden sunlight filtering through the branches of the trees, providing a temporary sense of calm. Between his rapid breaths, he whispered to himself, "Oh my God, he is really getting back at me, that scoundrel."As Li Xiao watched Jin Shin, he saw him gazing into the horizon with alert eyes, as if sensing something strange. Suddenly, his focus was interrupted by the arrival of a palace eunuch, who was panting heavily as if he had been running for a while. "General Jin Shin!" the eunuch Feng shouted, his voice trembling as if the words were stumbling from his tongue due to his intense anxiety. "Her Majesty requests you urgently!"Jin Shin turned towards the eunuch with a steady, neutral gaze, but he sensed the concern in the eunuch Feng's voice. "Speak calmly, Eunuch Feng. What has happened to Her Majesty?"Eunuch Feng paused for a moment, trying to steady his breath, then spoke with a trembling voice: "Her Highness the Princess... has been missing for two days. When Her Majesty went to the Ancestral Temple in Qing Village, she did not find the Princess there. Her Majesty requests you immediately to lead a team to search for her. You must proceed to the temple right away."Those words struck Li Xiao like a thunderclap. He felt his heart stop for a moment, and his eyes widened in shock. "They will really discover my identity if Jin Shin reaches there," he thought quickly, realizing there was no time to delay. He needed to act immediately before his secret was revealed. "I must return quickly before Jin Shin gets there and change my clothes before he arrives."Quickly and calmly, Li Xiao began to sneak among the other trainees, trying not to draw attention. He knew that Eunuch Feng might recognize him if he saw him, and this was something he needed to avoid at all costs. He moved stealthily and carefully, managing to exit the area unnoticed, heading towards his destination as fast as possible.

Meanwhile, Jin Shin was preparing to leave the site, unaware that Li Xiao had already preceded him there. As he surveyed the surroundings one last time before departing, he felt a strange sensation that caught his attention, but he could not pinpoint it. He looked at the horizon again, and then his team, mounted on horses, set off quickly.When Jin Shin arrived at the Ancestral Temple, the scene before him was charged with tension and anticipation. The massive doors of the temple were wide open, allowing the cold breeze to enter, as if nature itself was expressing its concern. Around the temple, the guard was unusually tight, with imperial guards standing like living statues, their hands on their swords and their eyes watching every movement with vigilance.In the main courtyard of the temple, the atmosphere was heavy and charged. The cold stone floors reflected the silence of the place, broken only by the whispers of the wind and the sound of trembling hearts of the kneeling servants. Everyone was kneeling, their heads bowed to the ground in submission and fear. Among them was Rory, kneeling in despair, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably. These were not just tears of sorrow but tears of fear and worry for the fate of her missing mistress.Amidst all this, the Empress Dowager sat beside a massive stone table. Her usual imposing demeanor was overshadowed by the fear and anxiety that filled her features. Her eyes darted rapidly, as if searching for answers amid the chaos. Her pale skin did not hide the depth of her distress. She was reprimanding everyone with a sharp voice, each word carrying a tone of anger and reproach. "How dare you fail in protecting the princess?! You are all responsible for this failure!" Her words pierced the surrounding silence, as if jolting those present from their stupor.Jin Shin stood calmly, observing the scene before him, his mind filled with questions. Every detail in the place reflected what had happened and the princess's disappearance, and the distinctive smell of burning incense filled the air, mixed with the scent of fear emanating from everyone. His gaze was sharp, picking up every movement and detail, searching for anything that might lead him to understand what had occurred.He then took slow steps toward the Empress Dowager, maintaining his usual calm. He bowed to her in respect and spoke gently, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to find the princess and bring her back safely. Do not worry, we will find her no matter the cost." He paused for a moment, then added apologetically, "But, Your Majesty, I have never seen Her Highness before."

"It would be helpful if you could provide me with a detailed description of her." The Empress Dowager was still staring blankly ahead, then looked at Jin Shin with a gaze that combined hope and despair. She gave him a detailed description of the princess, describing her long black hair cascading like a waterfall, her wide eyes resembling bright jewels, and her delicate facial features reflecting the purity of imperial blood. As she spoke, her voice trembled intermittently, indicating the deep anxiety she felt. She then pointed to Rory and said with a faltering voice, "Get up now, bring my daughter's portrait so he can recognize and find her... Hurry."Rory, who had been quietly crying, lifted her swollen eyes to meet Jin Shin's gaze for a moment. That brief look held a lot of pain and hope, but she quickly averted her eyes back to the ground. Rory cautiously stood up and, with quick steps, went into the adjacent room to fetch the portrait.During these moments, everyone, including Jin Shin, waited anxiously. The Empress Dowager leaned her body toward the stone table, her hands clasped nervously, and her pale fingers trembled slightly. She breathed heavily, as if trying to compose herself. She whispered with a trembling voice, "The princess is my life; if anything happens to her...!" She did not complete her sentence, but her words were enough to make everyone feel the weight of the responsibility they carried.Meanwhile, Li Xiao was on her way to the temple. She had changed her clothes into a pretty pink outfit and wore a veil that covered her face, revealing only her wide eyes that resembled bright jewels. Her heart was racing as she thought about what would happen once she arrived. "I need to hurry... My mother will do anything to find me; if she discovers my identity in this situation, it will be exposed to Jin Shin..." Her pace quickened, her anxiety rising with each step.At the temple, Rory returned with the portrait in her trembling hands. She approached the Empress Dowager and bowed slightly, presenting the portrait with great respect. Jin Shin stood at a short distance, observing the situation carefully. The Empress spoke with a voice full of concern, "Come closer, General Jin, so you can see clearly." Jin Shin advanced with confident steps and took the portrait in his hand.The moment he opened the portrait, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, as if time had stopped for a moment. At that precise moment, Li Xiao entered the courtyard, holding the hem of her skirt with quick steps. Her heart was pounding, and her eyes searched for any way out of this predicament.When Rory saw Li Xiao, she exclaimed loudly with astonishment and joy, "My lady! It's my lady, Your Majesty, she's here!" Everyone turned to her, including Jin Shin, who fixed his gaze on Li Xiao with a steady look, concealing a hidden astonishment beneath his stern face.Li Xiao stood in the middle of the courtyard, her back straight and her hand raised as she elegantly held the hem of her skirt. She began to move confidently and steadily towards them, her eyes locking with Jin Shin's in a focused stare. She felt the weight of everyone's gaze on her every move. She finally stopped in front of Jin Shin and slowly raised her hand, opening her palm towards him. In a sharp tone, she said, "Hand me the portrait."Silence fell over the place for a moment as everyone froze in their places, watching the scene with wide-open eyes. Despite his momentary confusion, Jin Shin maintained his usual calm and looked at Li Xiao with intense focus, trying to understand what was happening before him.

To be continued in the next chapter.

Thank you for reading.