The Scroll with The Red Seal

Chen Liqin sat behind his desks in wonder. The brushed on his hand had stopped moving for a while until the ink on the tip had dried. Shao Chen had not arrived in the office even though, the sun had risen very high. Usually, Shao Chen would be inside the office even before Chen Liqin had woken up.

'Does he run away?' It might not be the case. Shao Chen loved money too much to not come to him who had offered him money.

Having that thought, he tried to be calm and wait. However, he could not get back his focus. He was too distracted that even the rumor that had been very hot in the palace did not get to his ears. If he knew about that, he won't be sitting here and would flee to Ming Yu as fast as possible.

A knock suddenly heard. At first, Chen Liqin thought that was Shao Chen. However, he changed his thought in an instant. 'That crazy girl should not know how to knock!'

"Come in!"

"Chen Shoushan hoped His Majesty for great health, long live and blessings." The fifth Senior Prince, Chen Shoushan, appeared from behind the folding wall. Bright red clothes wrapped his body, made the rounded belly more prominent. When he saw his nephew, he smiled brightly.

Chen Liqin also smiled warmly. "Fifth Uncle, you don't have to be so formal!"

The Fifth Senior Prince, Chen Shoushan, similar to his son, was a very playful figure. Since childhood, Chen Liqin had been closed to the fifth uncle and even the other princes and princesses that would fight with Chen Liqin would become united when they were facing the fifth uncle childish-like act. So, it felt strange when someone that had been like a playmate suddenly became so polite and formal.

Chen Shoushan chuckled. "You have to get used to it, Liqin. The palace has its rules," he reprimanded but he still called The Emperor casually as The Emperor had wished.

"At least, when there are no other people, you can act as usual."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Chen Shoushan cupped his hand and bowed but the naughty smile on his face could not be hidden.

Chen Liqin laughed. "Why are you here, Fifth Uncle?"

"Oh yes … yes … I heard from Yongrui that you are investigating about …." Chen Shoushan halted as he did not know whether he could say it out loud or not.

Chen Liqin knew what The Fifth Uncle refer to and immediately nodded. "I am indeed investigating about the illegal auction. Did Fifth Uncle know something about it?"

"Actually …." Chen Shoushan seemed a bit reluctant but after dawdling for a while, he fished out a scroll from the sleeve pocket. "… I know about this," he said while placing the scroll on Chen Liqin's desk.

Chen Liqin opened the scroll, revealing an old yellowish paper which had bits of torn at several sides. On the paper was written a long list followed by a red seal. His eyes widen in shock. "This …."

"The invitation to the auction. The details of the items they sell are on the scroll," Chen Shoushan explained, reaching for the handkerchief inside his sleeve nervously. Cold sweat had dripped down his forehead.

Chen Liqin did not expect to find someone close to him have the invitation. "Why Uncle did not report it to Father?"

"I … sigh …." Chen Shoushan looked regretful. "I thought that it was your father's idea. Look at that seal. That was imperial seal created specially for the emperor. Who could use that beside your Father? So I have never doubt it until Yongrui told me about the investigation."

Yeah, Chen Shoushan was right. The red seal's pattern was crafted only for the emperor. Even different emperor will have their own unique pattern and after inspecting the seal on the scroll, there was indeed the unique pattern his father's seal had. 

"Did Fifth Uncle had ever attended the auction?"

Chen Shoushan immediately shook his head. His body trembled. "No … no way I would attend that kind of inhumane event."

Chen Liqin thought that he could get some more information if The Fifth Senior Prince had attended the auction. He felt a bit of regret but also a bit of relief as Chen Shoushan did not have any interest on the illegal auction and even condemn the existing of it.

Looking at Chen Liqin's unreadable expression, Chen Shoushan looked apologetically. "I am sorry I could not help you more."

Chen Liqin immediately shook his head. "No. Getting this scroll is a big progress. Thank you, Fifth Uncle. If you got the invitation, I hoped you could pass it to me."

"Of course." Chen Shoushan smiled ear to ear, showing a row of neat teeth. 

Inspecting the invitation scroll in his hand, Chen Liqin was full of spirit. He wanted to pull out all of the evidence he had gathered to analyze them once more but Chen Shoushan was standing still, playing with his hands while stealing glances at Chen Liqin.

"Fifth Uncle?" Chen Liqin put the scroll back on his desk, ready to hear any problem his uncle had.

Chen Shoushan still a bit hesitate. He dawdled for a while before finally open his mouth, "Did you … hear that rumor?"

"What rumor?"

"The rumor said that you …." Chen Shoushan halted to take a few deep breaths.

Chen Liqin frowned. 'I do what?'

"… that you had 'that kind' of relationship with that harem girl who was exiled to the cold palace a while ago." Chen Shoushan put his index finger together, then twisted them several times to depict on the 'intimate relationship on bed'. He could not look straight at Chen Liqin but the temperature suddenly dropped, making his spine shivered.

BAM!

"What the—! How come that kind of rumor appear?!" Chen Liqin's face was red like a tomato. He had the urge to behead someone.

Chen Shoushan took several step back. "I—I don't know. When I woke up this morning, the rumor had spreaded all over the palace but I heard that you went to that girl's pavilion last night," he said with a trembled voice, but when Chen Liqin did not pay attention, he took a breathe of relief.

Chen Liqin choked on his own spit, coughing loudly.

Chen Shoushan immediately took several step then patted his nephew's back softly. "Are you okay?"

Chen Liqin shook his head in frustration. He had never thought that his casual action last night would become a very distorted rumor. If Ming Yu heard about this, his lover would become sadder than before. Thinking about Ming Yu's tears tore Chen Liqin's heart.

'But, how could they know that I went to that girl's pavilion last night?' The cold palace did not have a lot of visitors even when the sun shone brightly. It was night and very dark yesterday. He did not meet anyone before and after leaving the pavilion.

The only suspect was ….

His face darken. Only Shao Chen and him knew about his visit so only Shao Chen could spread the news! He really did not expect that three of the guards had peep on the two last night.

The thought became more convincing. His breath became shorter and rougher and all of the blood flowed to his head.

At the same time, Shao Chen appeared from behind the folding wall. Their eyes instantly met.

BOOM!

Chen Liqin exploded.

He took big steps towards Shao Chen then ….

SLAP!

Shao Chen's view turned 180 degree before his butt met the carpeted floor. The tray on his hand was released, fell down with a thump. The teapot rolled on the floor, spilling the liquid inside, resulting on a big stain on the carpet.

"B*tch! What is your purpose to spread that baseless rumor, HAH?!"

Shao Chen was too shocked his brain lost its capability to function. He stared at the spilled teapot on the floor and Chen Liqin's fierce face consecutively. The only thing he could feel was the throbbing and hotness on his cheek.

Yan Mei screamed in shock. "Liqin! What the hell are you doing?!" She ran towards Shao Chen, immediately helped him to stand up.

"Mother! Don't help that crazy girl!"

"You are the crazy one!" Yan Mei snapped back. "Shao Chen only knew about the rumor several minutes ago. How could he become the one who spread it?!"

Chen Liqin stared at Yan Mei, baffled. "Then how could Mother believe her? Did she have any evidence? She could have feign innocence!"

"If you said that, do you have any evidence that she feign it?!" Yan Mei challenged.

Chen Liqin fell silent in frustration. Of course he did not have any evidence! But no matter who say what, he believed that his thought was the correct answer!

Seeing her son could not retort, Yan Mei smiled in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Shao Chen ….

'Sob … the tea!!! My revenge!!!' Shao Chen was staring at the teapot, mourning the again postponed revenge plan. He could not help glared at Chen Liqin, full of hate.

"Are you okay?" Yan Mei asked while touching Shao Chen's cheek. She planned to check the condition but immediately retreated her hand when Shao Chen groaned in pain. His cheek was still red and a bit swollen.

Yan Mei glared angrily at her son. "I am really disappointed at you, Liqin! How dare you to slap woman's face? Hurry, treat her!"

Chen Liqin stared at his mother like he was seeing some stranger. The mother he had known seemed being swapped by other creature since Shao Chen appearance. He had fed up on all of this. It was better for him to explain everything to Ming Yu and got comfort from his lover than arguing with his mother about Shao Chen or even to treat Shao Chen's injury.

However, Yan Mei was indeed his mother. She knew her son's character the most. Even before Chen Liqin took a step to the office door, she had seized his arm tightly. "I won't accept any rejection. Treat her, now!"

Yan Mei ordered her personal maidservant to deliver cloth and cold water to compress Shao Chen's cheek.

Among the chaos, no one noticed Chen Shoushan who had slipped away from the office.