5 You must be asking for death!

"Your Royal Majesty, Western Xia's rebellion against Song dynasty has been subdued.The Emperor and Empress of Western Xia commited suicide.The Princess of Western Xia was killed during the fight and the palace was accidentally burnt to ashes." Marshal Feng kneeled with one kneel,bowed and reported to Emperor Taizu.

"Well done Marshal Feng, you have done a meritorious service and made the Song dynasty proud.Although it's unfortunate that no one in the royal family of Western Xia survived." Emperor Taizu said.

"Your Royal Majesty, Western Xia plotted against the Song dynasty.Their deaths were inevitable.You have done the right thing by eliminating the rebels.Do not feel guilty Your Royal Majesty." Councilor Deng bowed and said.

"All right,everyone will be rewarded for their great service.Prince Zixin has indeed handled this case we'll." Emperor Taizu praised the first prince.

"You honour me,Your Royal Majesty." the first prince said  and bowed.

" Prince Zixin has proven that he is worthy to be the crown prince of the Song dynasty, hence he will be crowned as the crown prince in the next six days." Emperor Taizu said.

"Your grace is immeasurable Your Royal Majesty." the first prince said and bowed to Emperor Taizu.

"Your grace is immeasurable" All ministers in the court bowed and chorused.

Emperor Taizu leaves the court with his eunuch.

"Madam,the doctor is here." A'lan said as the doctor hurriedly came inside.

"Doctor please check her,she has been wounded." Madam Jiang said standing up for the doctor to examine the injured lady properly.

The doctor checks her wound and her pulse.

"She has been shot by an arrow." The doctor said and applied some powdered medicine on the surface of the wound.

Madam Jiang,Lord Jiang and A'lan look at each other in surprise.

"Please cook these leaves and serve this young lady the water in it" The doctor said and packed his things.  

"A'lan,please pay the doctor and see him off." Lord Jiang said.

"Okay sir."

"Wait!" Lord Jiang stopped the doctor.

"Please do not tell anyone about this lady you treated." Lord Jiang pleaded.

"Okay,I promise I won't tell anyone." The doctor said and heaved a deep sigh.

"This lady was shot by an arrow,it can only mean two things.Either she is an escape criminal or she has been wrongly accused and wants to be gotten rid of." Lord Jiang said to his wife.

"This lady I am looking at doesn't seem like a bad person to me.I think she has suffered a lot.I want to take her as my daughter." Madam Jiang said and looked at Lord Jiang with hopeful eyes.

"We are still not sure of who she really is.How can we take her in like that?" Lord Jiang calmly said not wanting to hurt his wife who had just lost her daughter.

" Lord is right madam." A'lan said as she walked in.

"Sorry for interrupting but what if she causes trouble in the future.I am concerned about this family." A'lan said and bowed.

"What family?" Madam Jiang asked and abruptly got up.She moved closer to Lord Jiang.

" A family consists of the parents and their child.Where is my child?My only daughter is dead now.What will become of me? Madam Jiang asked in tears.

"We are both getting old now.Who will take care of us in the future?And this lady?How can we not help her? I am sure she is innocent.I know she is not a prisoner.She isn't cuffed with chains and has such pure and delicate skin.Can a prisoner look this healthy?"

"What do we tell the people when we get to Bianjing? You are a minister in the court.If everyone gets to know that our daughter died of an illness,people will think our family is cursed.Please let's take her as our daughter." Madam Jiang pleaded.

" Okay." Lord Jiang said and gave a deep sigh.

" We will take her as our daughter, don't worry." Lord Jiang hugged Madam Jiang and wiped her tears.

"Thank you very much husband." Madam Jiang smiled and continued to take care of the young lady.

"A'lan,please go and cook the medicinal herbs the doctor gave us.".

"Yes,madam." A'lan replied.She looked at the young lady lying on the bed and sighed.She then left.

" Brother Zixin! Marshal Feng!" The Second Prince shouted as he ran towards the first prince and Marshal Feng.

" Second Prince,be careful you will fall.Stop behaving like a child anymore.You are a prince." First prince said and laughed.

"Congratulations brother Zixin,I heard you will be the crown prince in the next six days." The Second Prince said laughing and showing all his teeth.

"Thank you Second Prince.Please be more mature and cultivated.That is more worthy of a prince.I need to attend to the court affairs.Bye." First prince said and left.

" Marshal Feng,I heard you annihilated all the rebels of Western Xia like this…...this…." The Second Prince said, moving his hands in the air as though he was fighting with a child." 

"HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! Thank you so much, Your Royal Highness." Marshal Feng laughed and left.

The Second Prince stared at Marshal Feng as he left.He tilted his head to the side and smiled.

" Marshal Feng is more happy about the coronation than the First prince.Anyone would think he is the one who is going to be the crown prince." Human said and laughed.

" Interesting.... Let's go.We still have lots of work to do." The Second Prince said and started jumping around.

"Your Royal Highness,it's me, Marshal Feng."

" Come in!"

Marshal Feng entered the First Prince's chamber and closed the door.

" Your Royal Highness" Marshal Feng bowed and sat in front of the First prince.

" The preparation for the coronation is in progress." 

"That is good," the First Prince said and smiled.

" The Second Prince is such a sight! Even my youngest son doesn't behave in such a manner." Marshal Feng laughed.

His laughter quickly disappears when he sees the First Prince's stern look piercing directly into his eyes.

In feverish anxiety, Marshal Feng quickly bowed.

" I am sorry, Your Royal Highness." Marshal Feng said in fear.

" Is this the way you talk about the Second Prince of Song dynasty?" First prince said angrily and beat his hand on the table.

" You must be asking for death!"

"Please forgive me, Your Royal Highness.". Marshal Feng bowed and apologized again.

"You are awake?" Madam Jiang said and helped the injured lady sit up.

" How are you doing? Does the wound hurt a lot?

The injured lady quickly moved back and got up.

"Arrgh!" She cried in pain holding her chest.

"You are not fully recovered.Please sit.Don't worry, I won't harm you." Madam Jiang pleaded with the lady.

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