57 3.19

WARNING: GORE (Slight), Sexual Assault.

"His majesty has arrived!"

Instantly, the whole area seems quiet. All the officials and ministers stiffened, seeing the arrival of the Emperor. With his red and golden robe, displaying superior qualities of both title and position. Though, his sharp face seems sharper and darker than before, that even his every step brought dominance air around them.

The Emperor made his way to his throne, with his servants and Eunuchs at his back. He sat down on the dragon chair, eyes traveled and observed all the familiar faces of his officials, fierce and dangerous.

His face relaxed, seemingly satisfied by the expression on their faces, "This Emperor heard all the catastrophe happening in this country." While saying, his eyes did not forget to examine the unusual physiognomy of the officials in present, "This Emperor has been neglecting his duties, this Emperor was at fault."

"Your majesty!"

"It is not his majesty's fault to begin with!"

"This official was also at fault, this official did not fulfill the duties of being an official!"

"Silence!"

The surrounding apparently turned silent by that cacophonous voice. All the lower officials and ministers stiffened, with their sight never intended to meet his majesty's.

Of course, how can they not perceive the meaning of that phrases? Though, the Emperor was blaming his self, that doesn't mean they are all save. In fact, it's the other way around. That's sugarcoated self inculpate only conveyed that the Emperor was not satisfied by their abilities.

Nervousness floated on their bodies.

The Emperor eyes seems to wander around the hall, with his dark pair of pupils, detaining all the anger and frustration that he felt. His large hands grasp into the edge of the dragon throne.

"I need all the reports while I was gone." He commanded.

Immediately, an official hurriedly ran towards the front, with ripple of sweats visible on his forehead, rough hands pulling the scrolls. "A fire accident appeared on the north that destroyed almost all the houses of the subjects, lacking of resources that resulted into starvation from the residents took place in south, and lastly, several reported cases of crimes happened in both East and West. That happened three weeks ago." He took a breath and observe the expression of the Emperor.

As expected, anger and disappointment appeared on the Emperor's face. He slammed his hands on the armrest of the golden throne and rose from his chair.

"Trash! What's all ministers and officials doing?!"

"Your majesty, please quell your anger!"

They all said in union, with their face already meeting the ground, afraid of the wrath of the Emperor being thrown to them. None of the officials and ministers present had predicted that this outcome was far from worst.

The Emperor sat back at his chair, not bothered by the kneeling individuals. His eyes shifted to the official reporting, "Continue."

The official gulped and stood up, once again pulling the scroll, "After two weeks, the fire accident has been taken care of, all the subjects was now already recuperating from the new shelters provided for them. Crimes from both East and West has been resolved now. The suspects have been caught by our men and all the evidence clear out all their doings. The farmers..." He shifted his eyes to the silent old man and sighed, "Minister Zhao already settled this matter." After that, he bowed.

The Emperor's face turned confused from anger, then generating to his cold face after a couple of second, "Who might be leading this? I believed this plans was not conducted by Left Minister Zhao and Right Minister Han, right?"

He knows the two had different opinions and thoughts. That's why he deliberately chose the two of them, to keep the balance in the court. Fixing this catastrophe very fast, it was very suspicious. The Emperor knows that without him, the two will only continue opposing each other.

The official swallowed hard, "H-His highness, the second prince, suggested all these ideas."

A broken vase near the Emperor right away broke into pieces. The crack sound of the broken vase seems a knot that strangle in each of their breaths, very suffocating and deadly. However, they did not dare to protest, complain nor whine by this sudden event. Even the officials, who were hurt by the fragments of the vase did not flinch in their pain.

The Emperor's deadly eyes traced in the whole area, with his expression furious, like a raging flames seeping through the edges of his pores, that traveled slowly into his mind, resulting for a verge of explosion. Untamable .

"It was all your duties to solve this matter and yet, a bastard prince, who had no connection in this court, sort out these calamities?! What would people think?! That I am an incompetent ruler?! That this Emperor had no care for their subjects?!"

"Y-Your majesty... this official thinks that this is a good thing. The second prince was now loved by many, i-if he will fill the position of the Crown Prince's title... the people will not defy his majesty, for a fact, that he chooses a rightful successor." An official suggested, with his hands shaking and trembling from a mere sight of his majesty's eyes. He pursed his lips. His idea was gamble, but he already knows that this outcome will turn success.

However, a black shadow appeared on his back and instantly slash his sword, aiming at his throat. His head fell down on the ground, blood tainted the clean floor, with his head continuously rolled down in the area. Opened eyes and mouth, expression shock and terrified. The officials and ministers only swallowed their disgust and nervousness, to avoid angering more the Emperor. They can only pray silently for the official who suggested a clumsy plan.

"How dare a lowly official tell this Emperor what to do." The Emperor's voice sounded terror, with miniscule flames indulging through, resulting some ministers to retreat back what they wanted to say. "A prince was only a title for me. I am the Emperor, and I did not remember allowing someone resolve this matter out of the court, that should've been your duties. I suppose you are all nothing worth for your positions. Guards!" Instantly, numerous bulky men with their hard and solid armors arrived. "Cut off their heads and strip their titles. Banish all their families from this country, never letting them set a foot at this place."

"Your majesty have mercy!"

"Please, let my family survive! Your majesty!"

"My wife was pregnant, your majesty!"

Nevertheless, their cries and pleads was no avail at the stone heart of the Emperor. Hearing the words 'Second Prince' seemingly boasted his anger in max level. Perhaps, this is what that bastard was aiming for? To gather the hearts of the people, and to achieve the crown prince's title. Nonetheless, that will never happen. The Emperor will never let that day come.

He sat back at his golden chair, hands faintly massaging his temples and controlling the anger inwardly. The silence returned once all the ministers and officials have been discharged. He knows his decision was rash and injudicious. But he can always change and fill the position with that titles. He will not regret stripping those incompetent individuals who done nothing and instead, letting that bastard gain adoration. His burning gaze turned to the two remaining ministers.

"Left Minister Zhao and Right Minister Han, what's are your thoughts about my judgement?" He asked coldly.

Right Minister Han smiled coolly, "His majesty has right to punish those unworthy individuals. Those officials does not manage to fulfill these duties properly. Though, his majesty should never have gone this far, the subjects will be unsatisfied and truly anger by this event."

The Emperor bite his lips, "What would the Right Minister suggest?"

"Elect the Second Prince as the Crown Prince." He replied calmly, eyes seems narrowed that resulted for his expression to turned in intense excitement, "If his majesty elect the Second Prince as Crown Prince, not only, his majesty reputation will be clear out. His majesty's reputation will also gain reverence, and those subjects will definitely forget the neglection of his majesty from the past. This minister was only suggesting his opinion, not because this minister were the Second Prince's blood-related."

This scheming bastard!

How can't the Emperor distinguish all the benefits that Right Minister Han's can obtain? In fact, the advice was beneficial for the Emperor, but he cannot let that wolf enter his den. He knows how much the talented the second prince was.

Thus, his lips curved into shallow smile, "This Emperor will consider that—"

"The Crown Prince's election were done according to the laws. It doesn't consist only his majesty's approval. If his majesty, indeed, straight away appoint the second prince as the crown prince, not only, his majesty's position will be questioned, his reputation will be tarnish. The higher nobles will think that the Emperor has favoritism. Even if the second prince has the highest qualification of being the crown prince, the process will proceed according to the rules." Minister Zhao's firm voice reverberated, face filled with finality and seriousness.

The Emperor was surprised. He had expected that the Left Minister will agree to this suggestion. He knows that latter was always fond of the second prince, but what made him change his mind? Howbeit, this is a good opportunity. He can convince the Left Minister to support other candidates aside from the second prince.

Different from the amuse face of the Emperor, Minister Han slammed the teacup on his table, teeth was gritted, and his wrinkle face distorted, "Minister Zhao, what we need was a quick decision. Even all the subjects thinks that the second prince was the best fit as the crown prince. As for the higher nobles, we can always let them see through their eyes what good qualifications the second prince had."

"Oh, then what about the rules? According to that, no matter how good and excellent a prince was, the latter still needs to undergo the process to become the sole heir of the throne. I believed Minister Han will not break the rules, because the Minister was not suggesting this offer for a fact, that he was the Minister's blood related."

The visible veins on Minister Han's neck was the effect of the inner rage he experienced. Nevertheless, he knows that he cannot lose his cool in front of the Emperor, thus forced a smile, "I dare not."

Gaining what his objectives are, Minister Zhao smirked cockily then shifted his gaze to the silent Emperor.

Slight burden disappeared from the Emperor's chest, he eyed the two ministers seemingly not on one idea. His lips curved, "I believed the two ministers have different candidates. What is Minister Zhao suggesting?"

Minister Zhao rose from his chair and bowed respectfully at the Emperor, "This minister suggests to immediately start the process of selecting the Crown Prince."

----

The sun has long been disappeared, and was replaced by the radiant moon, outwardly beautiful, with numerous stars accompanying itself. The soft undulation of the cold breeze animates the scene, likely as lonely snow. It's already been a day since the Emperor visited Qiao Chen.

This is the longest time his majesty was not on the sparrow's sides. It allows Qiao Chen to gather all his thoughts and plans, without fearing of being find out. However, he knows this is also the day, all those schemes will be resulted.

He was expecting pain... at this time.

His hair flutters unconsciously as his pale green eyes watched how the stars sparkle at the cloudless sky. White thin robe hugged his slender body, with each outlines, recognizing his godly muscle structures. However, this assets didn't matter to Qiao Chen as for the fact, that today... this body will no longer be use.

Suddenly, the door from his behind forcibly opened. Tall and handsome man, with his flush face apparently drunk and hazy steps walk towards the sparrow. Qiao Chen hurriedly approached the man and put a concern look on his face.

"Your majesty, are you alright?" His sweet voice flowed like a ridge of waters, soothing and serene.

Instantly, a huge sensation traveled in the eyes of the Emperor. Unquestionable desire embellishing in his groin, making it burn in lust. His mind was overthrow by this inclination.

The Emperor's large hands circled the thin waist of the sparrow, pulling him closer until their bodies clashed. The sparrow was soft and fragile, even his smell was delicate and sweet, making the lust of the Emperor boasted.

His fingers touch the skin underneath that fabric as his eyes leaned closer to the juvenile's ears, "Xiao Chen was now eighteen. It is time for Xiao Chen to serve the Emperor."

The sparrow's eyes widened by the declaration of the Emperor, his eyes unknowingly trembled in anxiety, "Y-Your majesty..." He slowly retreated.

Eventually, this actions only provoked the desire of the Emperor, grabbing the wrist of the lovely sparrow and capturing his delicious lips.

The Emperor already disregard the holiness of this sparrow. He doesn't care if he tainted this beautiful being, he only cares about the reassurance that this person was his. His own. He will claim him to his heart's content.

"Y-Your majesty—hmp—"

The sparrow started to struggled, but how can a mere fragile body can fight against the Emperor's who cuts hundred of heads. His protest has been overthrow by the Emperor. The pale and slender wrist was captured, falling his body to the soft bed, silent whimpers and cries as the Emperor towered his figure.

His lips were viciously sucked, tongue forcibly entered his mouth and started tasting the insides. For the Emperor, it was sweet and addicting, causing his lower body to hardened more. So hard that the golden robe cannot restrict that monstrous bulge. But to Qiao Chen, it was pure disgust. He fought the urge to bite back.

Only the Emperor let him breath when he was getting paler. Silver wire formed in their lips, with heavy pants sounded.

The Emperor took a quick peek at the lovely sparrow under him. Qiao Chen's face was flushed, with small tears and saliva clang into his skin, looking so erotic and... sexy.

A soft chuckled emerge in the Emperor, "You are beautiful Xiao Chen. You are the most delicious sparrow I will ever taste. This day is your birthday, and this will be our celebration..." He guided the sparrow's hands into his hard crotch, "Did you feel that Xiao Chen? That's how much love the Emperor have for you. And this Emperor will not hold back." He once again moves his lips to the sparrow.

Qiao Chen's eyes was fuming in fury and abhorrence. He gathered all his might just to push the man above him. It gave him a small space, but the dark face of the Emperor seems like an invisible net trapping his throat.

The Emperor aggressively choke his throat, "Are you rejecting me Xiao Chen? Why are you rejecting me? You are going to serve me and I am going to fuck you!"

His powerful hands ripped the thin fabric merely covering the youth out of anger. The juvenile screams sounded as his upper body lost its cover.

Suddenly, the Emperor's eyes widened. His mind went blank, with several thoughts producing immoral deeds. His breathing turned heavy.

He was mad.

Undeniably furious.

He wants to kill.

He wants to erase what his eyes saw.

Because in the sparrow's beautiful body...

Several love marks was printed.