14 The Red Eagle Nest

So as planned before hand with the empress, for the stupid brother emporer's health improvement with a sufficient number of men, servants and supplys emporer was taken to the frozen mountains where the richest natural hot water pools hidden in china reaching the indian borders.

I suggested that treatment for a whole month for the emporer for his betterment. The empress and the crown prince along with me also joined to make it a family trip which royals rarely have. Leading under Bojan a high security force guarded us as the Commander was left at the capitol for the security and to deal with other matters regarding the unfilial officials related with the red eagle nest.

The problem was the emporer's enraged behaviour towards me. So i stayed away from him as much as possible oly visiting him to give him the decoction made to take in after the bath in the pools as to cleanse the internal oragans damaged by the continues use of medicine all those years. One should no that even medicine taken so often can also harm you. However the crown Prince was always their to accompany me whenever the emporer isnt strolling around the fixed warm tents. He will frown at the boy and even the empress when seeing them accompany me.

However i have another purpose coming here. So giving a lame excuse for the empress i got out of the royal base to spy on a Red Eagle Nest base which i was lead through some clues provided by Brother Chan. Since i neglected the Commander all this time, i found another source of help. It was a great help that Brother Chan's father,though a boring lazy neglectful man, had many friends in contact with that eagle company. Just eavesdropping or sending some tackful flowermaids to those stupid grand merchants would do for him.

I wore a white suit to camflage in the snowy mountains. After few miles with Black Spirit(my stallion) i managed to reach a well secured base by men, huge walls and also well enclosed from view within miles by the mountains surrounded.

The only fault was that it was in a lowland. Whoever reached the distance of mine shall clearly see all the functions atleast the structure within the base from above without sneaking in. But one should have sharp eyes since this safe spying place is also a bit too far for a closer inspection regarding the people's identities. I kept myself behind the huge shrubs covered with snow to have a sip of water to take back my breath cause i had to leave 'black spirit' at the bottom of the mountain and had to walk in the deep snow to the top.

The wind blew furiously towards me. So any sound i make is incapable of reaching them. However i heard the ice crunching sound of footsteps coming towards me.They stopped right infront of me bush. I covered my head with my hood to conceal myself better only leaving my eyes exposed. I kept myself calm as the person whoever standing there waited still.

However in few minutes another two people's ice crunching footsteps were heard. I clutched my sword hard to draw it out whenever wanted.

Squwsh!!!

A man jumped right next to me crushing a whole pile of snow into the bushes he himself also covered allover with grey robes. Surprised and alarmed my presence his hand went for his sword hilt. I didnt think twice. As we both were still covered by the bushes i swayed my sword towards his neck and pressed it without piercing into his wind pipe to warn him and from the other hand quckly drew his mask down to identify him.

Shocked by the realisation my grip softened from my sword. Taking the oppertunity he removed my mask too. His eyes widened.

"Princess!" His low voice surprised. I quickly sprang on to him bending him lower to hide both of us from the strangers moving to our direction and pressed my hand on his mouth to silence him. I felt him struggle a bit under me then again he stiffened in place."Commander, what are you doing here?" I asked in a whisper still focusing at the arriving people through the branches.

Commander:

After the huge surprise i realised that she was sitting on top of me with her legs stretched on my sides and her whole body pressed on me. Her warm breath blown near my ears as my hands wrapped around her waist. Her few strands of hair visible dangled with the wind tickling ne at my neck. All the memories of the beautiful night rolled over my mind making my whole body rigid by her touch.

I shook my head to clear my mind.

"Ming Zeng why are you here? You are supposed to be in the capitol?" She whispererd again peeping from the bushes still.

"One of the arrested merchants gave some information about this base. So i came!" I maintained my voice low. Rolling her eyes cutely she looked at me.

Her sparkling eyes flickered fire within me. I felt her heart beat banging on my chest. Her snow white skin glowed with the limited sunrays reached us through the stormy like weather matching the surrounding. Her black ebony hair strands danced on her pink blushing cheeks. Taken aback by the odd position we were in, she took her palm away from my mouth and looked down at my hands around her waist tight.

I released her from my grasp swiftly. She moved away from my top and dropped next to me as we both looked away to cover the uneasiness. However the voice startled both of us.

"Im pretty sure that i saw someone standing here near these bushes!" A husky voice said. As he said i quickly ducked the princess in an odd position pressing ourselves in to each other and deeper to the bushes. I held my breath still as the uncomfortable auro rose up frequently.

"But there is no one....You must have imagined. Sometimes even i do cause these trials are so boring. Who will come up here? We are guarding an undiscoverable place!" The other replied in a heroic manner.

"Fine, lets move back.Lord Thalthal will be coming to visit our head master with his groups... along with some supplies. We will have to stay guard there!" Then their soundly footsteps faded away.

She quickly sprang away from me and stood up taking away the warmth. She looked around and spoke again loud because of disturbed by the howling wind."what are you doing however?"

"I guess the same what you are doing princess!"i felt impatient. I just feel like being mistreated.

She shook her head."Fine!" Then she focused on the base. "No wonder it was so hard to track their main base. Though its hard to travel through these mountains these mountains are like a junction where many important countries can conduct their sales.....i also should think of having a base around this freezing place apart from the ones in the burning deserts...." sitting on the snow she took out something like the telescopes which the star readers or the so called fortune tellers use at their sacred temples. Then she looked through it down the hills.

"Isn't that a ..."

"Yes , yes it is. But im not reading the stars..... just wandering for something useful....." Then she threw it to me and layed down next to me. Closing her eyes she seemed to think about something as i started to think about her stairing at her. She looked like a beautiful swan. Her face was clean as jade. "Can you see everything?" She asked still her eyes shut makin me to feel like find a whole to bury my head in with embarassment. I did analyse you....but i didnt look at everything.... i mean just your snow white face..."Ah?" Still her eyes shut she continued.

"Dont you feel like the buildings at the corner looks like a bungalow as if some very rich family has its house quarters here. Is it possible that the family of the Eagle Nest head lives here? But why here? Its not that comfortable for a family unless the people coming here are so trusted and he wants to hide them from the world just like his base???" She frowned with her eyes still closed. Its then i realised that what she asked was whether i observed the base.

I looked through it. It was really cool to watch everything closer in such a faraway distance.

And what she said was true. Though the architecture is a bit odd, with all the other devisions and arrangements, a home like building isolated away from the somewhat busy like storage schemes was recognised. The i noticed something more."yes and also... The back of that house is burnt down!"

She stood up."is it?" The close proximaty to ber made me uncomfortable again but managed to overcome it. I nodded." A fire on ice!!.....a bit peculiar. I wonder how." As she was looking down again in thought i knew that these mountains will soon be in dark and the cold might be more unwelcoming. She already looked sensitive to the environment as she was rubbing her gloved hands.

"Princess, i guess you should be heading back cause the night will fall soon and the wind will get more chilling. Ill be going in for closer inspection!" I bowed.

For my surprise, without arguing she started to dismount the mountains away from the base. For a moment i was speechless but again found my words useless in no time. She spoke still descending not giving attention to me by a glance.

"Hurry Commander! I left some spare clothes with Black Spririt down the mountain. We can get into them and join Merchant Thalthal's arriving group in to the base after the night falls for closer inspection!"

I could only roll my eyes at her in perfect understandment. She'll never be obedient!

As we dismounted i glimpsed the black stallion well covered within the flock of snow covered pine trees. She threw me some poor looking civilian set of winter clothes. Then she started to undo her furcoat and then her outer robes. I turned around forzen as a current of blood rushed to the back of my neck. My leges felt numb.

"Commander! Look!" I slowly turned and was again surprised to see her wearing civilian clothes underneath holding two furcoat in each hand. She is always ready?

"What do you prefer?" She pointed the coats."Anything you wish princess" i bowed. She then rolling he reyes cutely threw me one of them. Then pulling away her outer robe she got onto her furcoat. Ialso changed into mine as she turned away. The next time i saw her, she was wearing a beared and her hidious mole near her left eye as some charcole was smugged under her eye bags.

She looked like a beggar man but from a closer look one could see the celestial beauty.

Then we both hid ourselves not that faraway from the base waiting for the arriving group.

Princess:

It was getting extremely cold and my thin layer of clothes was no that useful as my finger tips and toes began to get numb. I rubbed them. But in a moment i felt a warmth as Ming Zeng removed his furcoat and placed it on me leaving himself in hus thin layers. I looked in to his eyes. Their was no regret or displeasure but care and affection. I pulled his hands around me and supported myself in his chest , making both of us warm by the embrasse. He spoke nothing neither did i an dit was so silent for a couple of hours until the sound of horse hooves crunching snow and the sound of cart wheels.

I quickly gave him his coat and we both sat there watching at the group passing by.

"Isnt he Thalthal?" Ming Zeng asked pointing at the man on horse. He lookedlike a well experienced barbarian. I also noticed that the merchants were mostly Japanese than the chinese and it was an acceptable fact cause Thalthal used to trouble my buisness alot in japan and later found out that he himself is a japanese.I nodded as i have come across him before many times in the past.we are merchants afterall.

"Have any ideas on how to join them? " i asked.

Nodding he replied slightly gesturing at the arriving cart with wine barrels arranged on top of each other binded by ropes. "Distraction, aid, confidence, tale and in..." his lips arched up giving me chills. Of course you are not the heavenly saint neither always the well know war god!

He slightly stood up with a small dagger on his hand.

I pulled his sleeve to remind him that," Ming Zeng remember you are dumb!" He looked at me first seriously like dumb but looking at the merchants he nodded and.....

Swish! Without anyone noticing the ropes cut and the barrels started to roll down the snow slope making a huge commotion. Everyone rushed behind them and so did we without anyone noticing ,also without anyone noticing we blended well with them and always sticking with each other we arrived inside the base without trouble.

Commander:

As we were unloading the barrels after entering the base safely without any suspection, one of the men we were accompanieng wanted to be friends with us.

" Anata 2-ri wa betsu no tento ni itha ni chigainai. Anata no namae wa?" The gruff voice gave me realisation.

Its then i got the meaning of the princess telling me to be dumb. Most of the merchants here were japanese or indians and there is no way of me conversing with them fluently though i know a bit or talk in chinese without arousing any attention. By the way she knows to speak japanese well for she's being their princess for so long.

"Hai. watashinonamaeha Banzandesu. Kore wa watashi no ani de,kare wa bakadesu. Dakara kare wa hanasemasenga watashi o óini tasukete kuremasu!"(yes. My name is Banzan. This my senior brother and he is dumb. Though he cant talk he helps me a lot and stays around.)

What ever she spoke the man was pleased by her words and for a moment gave me a pitying glance. What did she say about me? Blah...blah...blah.... i understood that the princess was named as Banzan and im dumb...but the rest it was a bit unclear.

The man looking at me patted her shoulder looking at me from time to time and continued to blah...blah....blah.... i could only grasp few words as he chattered whole heartedly with the princess. This princess is really good at pleasing people with sweet talks. For sure i was in disadvantage.

"WHAT ARE YOU THREE DOING?GET BACK TO WORK!" one of the guards shouted at us making everyone take a look.

"What is the fuzz!" A more domineering voice spoke from distance. Everyone bowed at the perseon. Thalthal!!!

We also lowered our head."Please forgive us my Lord for diturbing your stance!" The princess spoke in japanese acting feared with a lower voice still with her eyes facing the snow ground.

Thalthal slowly solemenly walked towards us. It was a pin drop silence as everyone around started to tremble except for the two of us. This man thalthal has such a place in the hearts of these people. How powerful can he be??

His feet stopped right infront of the princess.so close to her that i felt a sudden fear rise within me.

"Young man, raise your head!" Though it was commanding it had a touch of vulgar. Continuing with her act she slowly in a feared manner raised her head showing clear reluctance. But her eye contact couldnt hide her confidence.

The man stared at her eyes without blinking and sized her up and down before speaking.

"If you were born as a women, with some kind of status, without the dirt...you'll be a pierless beauty....and might have a fortune if found by me...."

A sudden jolt of anger shot through my spine as i myself found my clenched fingers digging to my palms trembling as i glared at him. How dare you old rag!!!!!!

And my killing intent was discovered by him as he felt the stare and turn towards me.

"Who is this young man so caring and protective?" He sized me up in disdain.

"My brother!" The princess snapped making everyone shiver as for the results of raising the voice to this man.

She glared and made one feel thousand knives attack the victim but in no time she retracted her emotions and shown a pitiful look and bowed as if being wronged. Next her voice was barely heard."Sir this is my brother and he is dumb.."she really enjoys telling everyone that i am dumb... with all the feelings i felt a bit helpless as i cant stand infront of her blocking every stare.she continued."so he cant talk.." She bowed even lower.the man again kept stairing at her as his lips hooked up.

"Brave...but knows ones place...but ive never seen you before.....and its hard cause one is remarkable....."he slightly brushed his beared as if reminding something.

"Sir forgive this unfilial servant!" A man who looked quite firmiliar came rushing towards us and went on knees kowtowing. As he lifted his head....he was none other than....Chan!!!!Brother Chan?????

I turned towards the princess but she showed no emotions. Thalthal turned towards chan kowtowing while pleading forgiveness and explaining.

"Please forgive this servant for being insolent as this one has let my cousins aqcuinted me on the way without informing sir...as these too have interupted sir and made trouble for sir...please punish this unfilial piety!" He kept his head lowered as it was next thalthal's turn. He nodde with satisfaction.

"So it seems that these are your cousins. Though you are recognised by me even by a short time a servant cannot work behind my eyes"

"This servant dare not do so. This servant has been careless and lowminded but now sees my sins. Please forgive me." His head dug a whole in the snow with the big kowtow.

"I dont like wasting time! Work!" Even without sparing a glance he walked away making everyone feel relaxed.

Everyone scattered and went busy as Chan, Princess and I found a shade to unite.

"Brother Chan, what are you doing here? Specially alone??" Princess asked.

He shook his head."Not alone, i managed to bring few more. Actually i worked hard for this all because of you!"

I know that he has a girl friend but still i felt annoyed by his words as unintentionally i got closer to the princess towering her behind. My mobement was noticed by Chan,so he chuckled.

"Commander and you seems to be having a good relationship...." as soon as the words were spoke suddenly his expressions clouded. Even i was behind my princess and couldnt see her face i still could feel her frown as a sudden chill remained. Then Chen spoke seriously.

"Forget it.... its just you siad that there can be some thing very big behind the kids you sent me that day and told me to personally look through.... So i investigated and found out....can you remember the restaurant you used perform which was closed after and was sold to Thalthal?"

Chan spoke excitedly expecting curiosity from the princess as my eyebrows twitched.

So the child that said that has a sick sister and had being captured by some people after their mothers death and also diddnt know their father...has something to do with the red eagle nest????

But his excitment was spoiled as the princess spoke clearly." Since the kids managed to hide in the city after escape, the place they were kept should be near the city.That restaurant was the most possible place to hide two kidnapped children in the city as it is at the far end. The person who kidnapped wanted to bring them to the city but without anyone noticing and also later has being reluctant to bring them in for some reason so they kept them for a while to take a decision on them.So the kids have being kept there by Thalthal who is probably an intermediate, before they managed to escape somehow. So altogether their sufferings have something to do with the red eagle nest. After i thought so much i wandered why that child was really used to having Jingseng given by her mother. Probably his family should be wealthy but why? Since he was a healthy child. Then i understood that since jingseng gives so much energy and keeps the body warm..it shouod be the reason. Which means they should be living in a very cold place.... i thought it might be in the winter times...however it actually leads to these mountains as you have appeared here..."

I was surprised by her piece of mind and sure was satisfied because of the shocked expression of Chan. Princess continued.

"I thought that is possible too....but the child didnt expose anything about travelling for a long time as it requires months to appear in the city from here. But thinking about it...may be they have being unconcsious and wasnt aware about the passing time...if so that explains how his sister's sickness got worsen...though it must first caused because of the morning for her mother... the climate change, long travelling, inactivity, can worsen it. So does that mean that they have lived here? Also the child mentioned that their mother died from a fire and....from above we saw that the house like building in this base had a pat of it burnt by fire...so things do match but the mystery is no less....so they might have some relationship with the head of the red eagle nest or a major supporter like Thalthal who are firmiliar to this place.is it?" She asked. What a judgement???smart!!

Chan's jaw dropped by her explenation. But upon her question he shook his head and replied.

"Indeed what you said might be true sister genius! You must have simply told me your judgement at the very begining of the investigation so i shouldnt have wasted a whole month to investigate and know all these now and just arrive here now!" The princess slightly turned towards me and rolled her eyes.

"It was just a guess since you have appeared here regarding that matter! However i dont want to listen to your boasting!"

My lips twitched as i watched her arrogant expressions.

"Fine. You two should be here together to investigate by the information i told you regarding their leader's main base right ?"

"May be..." she frowned at me."you dumbhead, better if you follow my command here!"

I felt so wronged amd bullied so i didnt give up. She is the only one that can annoy me.

"I dont think so Princess as i have come alone for the investigation and i can work my way but since the princess requests accompaniment i can lead the way and ensure your security!"

"Now is it your duty?" She snapped."Why get into my way?"

"Yes it is my duty to protect the imperial family too!" I tried my best to keep my calmness and slightly bowed.

...

For a moment Chan went blank and as he recovered im sure that he enjoyed the childish fight and finally thought to interject.

"I have already investigated a bit and im quiet furmiliar with most of the people here. So...ill take the lead and you two can follow. He gave a wide smile.

"Fine!"princess replied stomping her feet.really childish!!

Then we started with exploring and discovering many stores containing weapons and many valuable things. But mainly focused on Thalthal's movements.

Thalthal disappeared into a house like tent which looked like his private room.

Behind the tent we eavesdropped on his conversations with his subordinates. He seemed to be questioning about the supplies and nothing was more important. Then one of their guards rushed in.

"Master, the Headmaster asked for you!"

"Ill be coming!" As Thalthal replied they all moved out of the tent.

"Brother Chan, look where he is going and Ming Zeng watch for me here." Without anymore warnings the princess crawled under the tent cloth leaving us to understand what she said.

Then Chan slowly stepped away from the tent following Thalthal behindas i kept an eye on the tent entrance ready to alarm the princess inside the tent.

As i was watching the entrance a powerful hand grasped my shoulder from behind. Grabbing the dagger princess once gifted me i turned around flipping the hand away aiming the dagger to the person's neck behind me.

I froze midway as i recognized that the person i flipped was the princess. The next moment i wasnt sure the thunder like heart beat is mine or her's as for an eternal moment our eyes were locked as my left hand supported her leaning back and other rested on her shoulder numb letting the dagger knock the ground...

Suddenly she pecked on my cheek making me freeze and was pushed away y her leaving me in a daze. She held my hand with her soft tiny cold fingers and tilted her head go a side."lets go!"she smiled,picked the dagger,wiped its dust, pushed it back to my clothes along with another book surely she has stolen from the tent,then patted my chest and dragged me like a frozen puppet. whats going on....???

A kind of deep warmth spread inside me and a sudden confusion ran inside my mind with the memories of the lanternfestival and when i was ignored later by her.

I wanted to ask her,but from nowhere Chan popped up breaking my thoughts and showing out our mission."He went in to that residence. The burnt one... The leader must be living there so as for the kids.... i looked into the house a bit and found out that its a bit spacious and could hold a family and...saw some stuff which might be belongings of them and....i manged to bribe a servant and got to know that the women they call as their land lady and their master's two kids were burnt by the fire months ago...nearly a year..... However now Thalthal went into a chamber surely to meet the leader...we should hurry...." Princess and i both nodded and followed him into the half burnt hoise from behind hiding from the guards. But theburnt part seemed to be sealed from the chamber. So We had to eavesdrop.

Dash!scram! Objects thrownin rage was heard from within.

"Useless! Still you havent found those filthy brats. " with a thud a man knelt down and Thalthal's voice was heard.

"Lord please forgive me. Im looking for their wearabouts. Give me a chance!"

A wicked laughter was heard(leadre's)." I dont mind them not being alive. Just dont leave them!"

"But sir! They have being your kids.....just dont misunderstand sir..you might have regrets...understand this loyal subordinate.." Again the leader laughed more louder.

"Oh!my kids!.....how can my blood be in those filthy roots????...Deokmaan...my right hand man...dared to work behind me...stole mywomen....and dared to make a fool of me making me feed HIS kids all those years... now lookwhat has happened...suicided...only the stupid officials believe so...he is dead and gone.....i took back everything he got from me. On intrest even hislife.....but aren't im generous...i let them filthy women accompany him back to hell...."

He laughed madly and suddenly stopped. "Find them and kill them....i dont want themto get near my family and mess my things.....i have my true son to be raised properly....." then his voice got more cruel."Also make sure that there was a huge fire at the dead merchant Deokman's household accidently burning all his family miserably." He laughed again. "And ....there will be an uproar in the city against the emporer's weak rulling next month... so be first prepared with the rumors.... As soon as that timid emporer with his loved empress comes out to present themselves in the public to explain themselves to convince the people.....we will have our people to eliminate them...." princess gasped and we both looked at eah other in disbelief.

"And for that Princess!!!!who thought that she'll be the great Pheonix..... we'll get her next and let her follow his brother to the underworld!!!!...is what i said right Thalthal???" The man stood up.

"Of course sir...since even the ministers are held on your palm...eventhat minister Choi....since we made him poison the emporer for years..we can blackmail him no matter how much power he has got... they'll be no one to offend you in the empire sir!!"

"Correct! But...also that Commander... he is tracking us....silent those people he has arrested as soon as possible. Also the required weapons should be ready at the city by the time we destroy the imperial family....the emporer dies along with his only son....a bit of oil poured to the greedy turkey's .....the empire becomes unstable....and they will be war again....this time no princess or commander....so...the war develops..we can have a good profit from weapons and gun powder....later we will gain the winner's favour...."

As the conversation built up inside the brincess strated to scratch a crack on the wooden wall making a small whole. She stole a glance and jumped back in shock. Who did she see??? The leader .....does she know...

Then taking a chance Brother Chan took a look. But not giving him a chance to watch clearly the princess suddenly pulled him away and dragged him out of the house by force. To maintain silence we both had to follow.

We stopped at a wood shade well concealed from the others.

Princess smiled awkwardly."So since we know their plan...we must work on them.."

why is she speaking like that instead of tellling about the leader? Is she concealing him??? But why??? For sure she saw him now.....

"Princess did you see the leader? Do you recognise him" I asked. She then shook her hands like its nothing.

"Yes yes...i saw him.....but i dont recognize him...by the way instead of tailing the leader we have other ways totake hold of the red eagle nest since we have so many clues and proof!" She smiled again but was shicked by Chan's next words.

"Was it my father?" ....his face was pale and rigid....he showed no emotions. I came to senses for the reason the princess tried to conceal the leader's identity and look for another way. Princess looked down unable to face him.

Chan continued in pain."Is my father the leader.....is he the murderer of Deokman....is he the one trying to kill those innocent child....was the burnt women my stepmother...???" His voice volumed up and stopped abruptly. Princess stood silent.

"So thats it...." the princess looked at him and picked up his hand.

"Brother Chan! Im sorry..... illl take care of everything from now on....step aside from these.....i wont be able to help your father...im sorry ....but try not to hurt yourself." Chan shook her hand away and tried to smile.

"Thats all right.....ive started to investigate and let me continue and help you... no matter who he is ...he should be punished according to the law...." he continued." If possible...before he is punished for scheming against the emporer.....grant me a chance to speak to him for the last time..." princess nodded forcing a smile. Chan also turned away to leave.

So likewise leaving Chan behind in the base with the other merchants i followed the princess on horse towards the royal tents base all the way silent.

We headed towards the emporer's tent as to inform my attendence.

"Greetings Brother emporer!" The Princess bowed.

"The Commander reports to the emporer." I bowed too.

"Commander! How come you be here?" Emporer asked ignoring the princess.

"Your highness, i was carrying an investigation on the red eagle nest and accidently came across the princess..."the emporer disturbed."Now how come my sister come across your investigation. I am wondering is she behind the people trying to eradicate me?" I felt like being struck by lightning. What are you saying your highness! Are you gone crazy????

Princess sneered."oh! Eradicate your highness! Should i waste my time on such a silly thing? You should get some more advice from Minister Choi. He'll explain that im not that free! Let me take my leave," she then slightly bowed and hurried out of the tent bursting in anger.

Bang! The emporer strucked the table with his fist."How dare you talk to your emporer like that???" But the princess didnt stop yet exited the tent."Guards!" I couldnt hold anymore letting the emporer do something bad. So i knelt down.

"Your highnesss! There should be a misunderstanding...please control your temper....if it wasnt for the princess, i dont believe that we are capable of living until now. She is sincere to your highness and does help a lot in every important matter..."

"Enough!" The emporer roared."She is sincere? I see.....get out of here!" It is stupid to remain here and make him more furious trying to explain. So i took my leave and discussed the matters with the empress and the Princess at the empress's tent. It seems that the Minister Choi is not that simple. Since he couldnttake control of the crown prince he is trying to sway the emporer and get rid of the princess. This brother and sister once enemies then friends again enemies.....again....when will this end.....

However i sent a message to the city for my troups , so we can attack the red eagle nest base.

After discussions with the empress Princess exited tent first and i followed. The surrounding was covered with snow as the freezing wind swirled calmly around. I stopped the leaving figure."Princess!" I just wanted to get my mind cleared as i feel like tortured too much.

She turned around to face me. She was as white as snow as her black ebony hair hung down as it was uncovered by her white cape. Her cheecks were rosy a sher lips were red and her black eyes sparkled like stars.

"Yes Ming zeng?" She hummed.

"Princess....about.....at the Thalthal's tent..... just.....i like you princess and nothing can change my mind...just...ill wait for you...and....." it was hard to speak looking at her eyes and again unlucky me... i couldnt get any reply as from nowhere the crown prince jumped in between us and ....frowned at me???

"Commander, sorry for disturbing...nice to see you here"then he turned to the princess."Aunt, you look tired, take a good rest so we can play tommorrow!" He smiled.Princess nodded,patted his head and left. Then he turned again back to me with his eye brow arched."Commander also can leave as there is nothing else!" Now is he jealous?????

I just left towards the Bojan's tent after bowing him.

At the empress's tent:

The crown Prince comes in to the tent with a worried look.

"My dear crown Prince, whats the matter?" Crown prince walks near to the empress and hangs on her sleeve.

"Mother, i dont like the Commander,"

"Now why is that?"she strokes his head.

"He seems to be troubling Princess Huwanuwei, as he always hangs around her!" Empress burst out in laughter annoying the Prince more."why do you laugh mother?"

The empress calmed down and spoke clearly with a smile.

"Do you want your Aunt to be happy?"the prince nodds.

"Then i shall tell you a secret and i need your support! Even Colonel Bojan is also in the mission,....so Deal?"the Prince's eyes brightened with curiosity."DEAL!!"

Princess Huwanuwei:

I got up a bit late today and thought of meditating on my bed itself after changing my clothes.

what about meditating????????Last night I was cursing that stupid Mingzeng all the time until i fell on my bed exhuasted. Can't he speak directly?....I myself showed my affection to him directly at the camp.....and no he can only stammer princess this....princess that....sigh....

Though he looked cute when he was stammering and turning bright red behind his neck...

Can't he be more manly????? The so callled great genaral....god of war?????? Ridiculous!!!

I shook my head to clear my mind.

Am I too direct??? Its supposed to be the man arriving first right???? But still this is absurd!!!!!

While i was fuming in rage on my own thoughts and taking my final decision that i want ever step forward infront of him until he takes the first chance.....thinking i want be second to him again...i was distracted by the abrupt ice crunching sounds outside the tent. Guessing from the footsteps it should be....

"Aunty!!!! Princess Huwanuwei!!!!!!!Good Morning"the little prince galloped in and directly jumped into my bed pulling my sleeves acting spoiled. The guards outside my tent were lost of words by the prince's sudden ambush.

I just waved my hand guessing them to get back to their job and as they did i just slapped the boy's head from behind.

"Ouch! What was that for?" He looked at me like he was wronged.

"Learn etiquet properly. You can't just sneak in to a young ladie's tent like that." He looked confused.

"Why is it? By the way this Prince is not someone like that. I thout that you are not an ordinary lady like others. I want harm you, you want harm me, I trust you, but don't you trust me????" Seing his wronged expression i couldnt help laughing as he shook his head looking depressed.

What he said was true...i dont mind him being so either.....but he should be a more responsible Prince...

Finally relaxing I patted his head.

"Alright Aunty won't blame you. It doesn't matter barging into this Princess's room.But you are the future emporer so you should be more responsible. Apart from that i have taught you to be respectful towards women unlike other bad people in this empire."

"Don't worry I will be respectful for others." He said innocently.

I rolled my eyes as i heard it.Doesnt this little brat mean that he'll be disrespectful only to me???

"Fine, but what brings this Prince here this morning?"

A sudden light beamed in his eyes as if remembering the most important thing.

"Come to play with me!" He smiled making me speechless.

This prince is seriously pampered. In other kingdoms princes at this age starts working with the official matters while this child is seriously a child.

As I nodded he pulled me off the bed and dragged me out of the tent. After that we were practically running down a valley as he was reasoning that there is a better place to play. I just had to follow remembering the turns we took to return. But as we moved more i thought of slipping out that thought as the little prince seemed to be so familiar with the route we took.

"Commander!!! I brought a playmate!!"

What the...???

Commander:

I was surprised to see the Princess as our playmate.

And I think the Princess wasn't pleased about that fact caused she glared at me and the little Prince throeing flying daggers ripping into the soul making the little Prince shrink back giving an innocent smile.

"Aunt,.... Let's play hide and seek...the two of us can't play alone....😆😆😆"

"Fine!" A trace of warmth sparkled in her eyes but still looked aggreieved.

"Rules are like this,...after counting to shí(ten) the catcher will seek the others and to make them surrender you have to hit with an ice ball accurately. All should surrendr to win.😇"

"I'm too lazy to be the catcher." Princess said nonchalently but the next moment both of their eyes shined bright as they turned towards me.

"Ok. This commander will be the catcher." I accepted and turned towards a tree and started to count. Crunching and rustling sounds were heard from behind and dissapeared to the distant valley.

"...jiú,shī(...nine, ten).I'm coming!"

Obviously finding the Princess is hard so better to get that little rascal first. And within few minutes i spotted him behind a bush.

"Aiya..commander why are you so fast? Are you hitting me with snow or rocks."Prince rubbed his head himself complaining."sssss.....it hurts....forget it!! Did you find aunt?😆"

"Not yet your highness."He then gave me wide grin 😈 and made me follow him.

"See over there.That lazy aunt is having a good sleep on the tree!!" Little prince pointed at a cherry tree at the corner of the valley.

The scenery was beautiful,pure and holy.An angel like creature in white clothings with pink spots on it blended well with the blossomed flowers and the snow only contrasted with the ebony black hair flowing down along side with the tree trunk. She was like a celestial maiden sleeping in peace with her eyes closed unaware of any mortal  in the surrounding on a painting.

"Crush.."The painting shook because of an idiotic brat shooting it with a huge snow ball. Those beautiful eyes fluttered opened calmly and turned this way with a dangerous glint.

"Aunt it was commander who shot you!!!" I was still dazed by her eyes.

"Or is it?" She gave another dangerous grin."After all one betrayed me revealing my hide out to the enemy."

"Its better to beatup you both!!" Giving a playful grin she started to shoot snow balls at us.

What more...we attacked back.

The silent valley was now filled with her silvery laughter and the child's. It was almost midday.

"I surrender!!!! Aunt, commander...when did you two come to one side to beat me up!!"

"Or now you surrender, traitor!!! Little rascal!!!" Princess rolled over on the snow with the little brat tickling him.

"Im tired my dear, lovely aunt!!!Lets stop and first eat the snacks i brought with commander earlier!"

"Fine get up..."

With the prince on the middle we ate some snacks. Actually I wanted to continue the talk we had yesterday with Huwanuwei but there was this little brat between us.

However grating my wish in no time a eunach with two guards whom i recognized to be the queen's walked towards us.

"Your highness crown prince, the queen wants you back with her. I was sent to escort your highness"

"You both wait here and have a chat Im leaving!!" The little prince winked at me and ranaway.

What??????

Next it was dead silence.

"Actually.." we both spoke together and finally looked at each other.

"I was too rude yesterday." The princess said with a slight pout unwilling to admit which made he rlook so cute.

"It was my fault Princess. What you said was true. I was like a coward." I kneeled infront of the still sitting princess and bravely looked into her eyes.

"Huwanuwei....I love you!! I dont care anymore who you are or who I am. I want to be with you." Her eyes sparkled blinding  me and i was welcomed with a huge hug cooling down my boiling blood.

I hugged her back.

Then withdrewing from me she suddenly pecked on my cheek making me freeze from the stupor and next couldn't recover from her confession which made my blood boil again."I love you two Zheng.Afterall I never cared your status only who you are..." Then giggling she started to run away. Breaking away my stupor i started to chase her and we again came to a friendly match with snow balls and ended up with a close distance combat which obviosly after some noticable number of rounds i won over her. After all though she was better than me in archery im still better than her in close combat and also has the advantage of being a man.

Though we didnt eat the lunch, we werent hungry cause our hearts were full and until the sunset we lied down under the cherry tree with her in my embrace enjoying the sunset.

But the peace is never eternal as we so the emergency fire signal light up in the sky above the royal base.

"You first leave ill bring people." I nodded at her and headed towards the royal base.