4 _ Outsmarting a Fox.

Aurora lay in her inner Chambers still nursing a broken heart .

How could Li Huang do this to her?

He had no compassion as his heart was as cold as a stone. No traces of feeling remained in Li Huang's blood.

But what baffled Aurora was the fact that , it was alright for Li Huang to have hundreds of Concubines and thousands of mistresses at his beck and call but it was simply 'unethical' for her to love another man due to baseless Societal belief of men 'supposed ' superiority?

Her hatred was directed the most at Xiao Sun Yung. What a heartless man he was ready to betray anyone, in order to attain more that could satisfy his unstoppable wants. He could even offer his own mother's head on a platter in order to put some coins in his pocket.

Xiao Sun Yung was particularly known across the great Kingdoms for his greed. He never stopped wanting more. Aurora was sure that he was to the extent that Xiao Sun could betray his allegiance to the throne if he could get anything out of it.

A facetious idea crept into Aurora's head .

It would take a lot of work and scheming but if she played her cards right and planned it well it would all fall into place.

Well , Aurora thought ...

She'd better get started.

********

Xiao Sun Yung lay on his bed softly sucking on the breasts of the girl that lay beneath him. She made a sound of pleasure that urged him on. He buried himself between her laps and was about to give himself in when he heard a knock on the door.

"Oh for F**k Sake!!!!!" He groaned and reached for his robe. After loosely tying it on , he edged over to open the huge barreled hardwood door with wonderful patterns recreated over and over again . Standing before him was

Hao Zixin , wearing a plain red robe and his usual advisor's cap that lay delicately on his bald head.

Hao looked into his master's room and saw the naked girl on the bed . He had no feeling at all because as required , all advisors were; by necessity due to an unfortunate incident years ago, to be made eunuch.

Hao Zixin brought out a scroll and handed it over to His master. "A letter for you, Xiao ."

Xiao Sun took the sealed scroll and looked it over. It bore the royal seal that was created upon in by red candle wax.

Unconcerned, Xiao Yung tore it open and read through it. The message was brief but its contents were made very clear. Her Royal Highness , The Empress Consort had given him a special invitation to come over to the Imperial Palace at her request with the Consent of the Emperor himself.

Xiao Sun scoffed and tore the letter into pieces. "I'm not going."

Hao Zixin nodded in the negative. "Xiao, a summon from the Royal family Is not a matter to be ignored!." He warned.

Xiao Sun waved him off. "Its already a nuisance that I have to serve and bow down to that Whore wearing a crown but I am not going to oblige her every whim like a F*****g Lapdog!" He yelled but then spoke to Hao coolly.

"Send her a message tell her that I will not be coming as I have more important matters to attend to." Xiao Sun ended and made to turn away when Hao cleared his throat.

"Xiao, as your personal advisor and friend that has your best interests at heart , I beg you to reconsider. This shows a mighty disregard for the Emperor and the repercussions could be grave if you go on with this." The elderly man with graying hair warned.

"You know what Hao. You're right!" Xiao Sun said after careful consideration and the old man heart gladdened.

"You are to personally deliver my message to her and also don't forget to tell her that She- can-kiss-my-ass." heard she is good at it especially other men.Xiao added.

"But...Xiao Sun...The Imperial Palace is over sixty miles away...How would I ever..." The old man stammered.

Xiao shunned him. "Not my problem. You'd better get walking." He shut the door in the old man's face and opened it once more.

"And next time , don't ever visit my chambers." He spoke disrespectfully and slammed the door in Hao Zixin's face.

********

Aurora was busy freshening herself up for the day when her servant informed her that Hao Zixin was there to see her and was waiting at the fountain.

Aurora smiled.

It was exactly as she planned it to be.

She made sure she took her time before she finally appeared to meet with Hao Zixin .

As she came down and walked majestically towards the fountain in her best Clothing, Hao Zixin bowed on the ground to honour her majesty.

"Oh please, You shouldn't be doing that for me." Aurora said and Hao Zixin rose to his feet. The birds Chirped as cool breeze blew by the two. Aurora sent away her maid that accompanied her and Suggested that she and Hao go for a walk.

"Where is Xiao Sun Yung?" The Empress questioned the old man.

Hao Zixin tried to make up an excuse on the behalf of his master. "He is too busy seeing to the affairs of the Sinai District so he sent me in his stead." Hao lied.

Aurora shook her head."No need to stand up for him, Hao. I know he didn't want to come. Some people in this Kingdom think that I'm not even supposed to be the empress. An outlier. They even call me names such as Slut, Witch and much more though I tend to ignore them all."

Hao Zixin wasn't going to be the one to tell the empress what she said was true of Xiao Sun lest he lose his job.

Aurora bent over to touch a water Lilly that floated by in a pond before it passed away to an unknown destination. "Beside Hao , I wanted to speak with you."

Everywhere was at a standstill as Old man Hao was surprised.

"Me? How could a miserable old eunuch like Me be off help to The Empress Consort?"

Aurora motioned for him to sit beside her on a bench underneath a blossom tree.

"Now Old man, we both know that you are no fool. I have something that can benefit us both ...That is , only if you agree ?" She spoke softly, reaching out to pluck a flower.

Hao Zixin was interested though he tried to pretend not to.

Aurora inhale the wonderful scent of the flower and placed it in her gorgeous Yellow hair.

"I knew I could depend on you, Hao Zixin." She smiled .

**********

Xiao Sun Yung was at his table examining some papers dealing with the management of his district when he heard some knocks on the door. He ignored it and kept on reading. He was only brought back to reality when his door was smashed in and A dozen soldiers marched into his room.

Xiao was outraged as they put his hands behind his back and pressed him on the table. "What is all this for???!!!! Do you not Know who I am!!! Release me!!!!"He shouted.

"Our orders comes from The Emperor himself !" A gruff voice replied. "

Xiao Sun Yung ..."Another continued."You are to be taken to the Imperial palace immediately to await trial and Judgement..."

"What for????!" Xiao barked at the head soldier.

"For treason by conspiring with the Kingdom of Zeltron and selling Kanerria Dynasty Secrets." The head Guard replied and ordered the guards to whisk away the now Confused man to await trial.

Xiao appeared before Li Huang and his Advisors .Aurora was to be seen seated by his side.

"Xiao Sun Yung, you are being accused of treason against the Kanerria Dynasty .How do you defend yourself?" Li Huang stared coldly at the simpering man before him.

"I am innocent Your Highness! Someone is trying to frame me!!". I will never betray my king.I have served my king with all honesty and faithfulness. no one love this Kingdom like I do,am ready to lie down my life for it.

"Indeed" . So how can you explain the witness?" Zhuo Fan , an advisor accused and the others nodded in agreement.

Li Huang motioned to his soldier standing nearby. The man nodded and a few minutes later, a man walked into the hall.

Xiao looked up but couldn't believe it.

That miserable old goat!!!

Hao Zixin stood in the presence of the king and by his side was Xiao held bent with shame and disgust on his face. do you know this man? Zhuo fan looked at xiao Ponting to Hao Zixin. Xiao raised his head and nodded in affirmation.

"So Hao Zixin ..." Li Huang spoke in a clear voice. "You say you have seen your master, Xiao Sun Yung, speaking with Nobles from the Kingdom of Zeltron?"

Hao cast one last pitiful glance at Xiao on the floor shaking his head .

"Yes , your majesty." Hao Zixin bowed his head as he answered yes to the king.

Li Huang nodded. "You are a trusted man, Hao Zixin . Even during my father's reign , you spoke the truth and only the truth. But people Change. So I ask again , Did you see Xiao Sun Yung conspiring with the Zeltron Nobles?!

Hao stood his ground. "Yes, my Lord."

Li Huang tapped his fingers rhythmically on the throne .

"Well Then, Xiao Sun Yung, I , Emperor Li Cao Huang of the Kanerria Dynasty , hereby sentence you to death by hanging in the Capital due to your collaboration with our enemies and selling of the Dynasty's secrets."

Xiao was dragged away kicking and screaming , pleading he was innocent.

Li Huang sighed. "Seems we're in need for a new District Head. Any nominations?" He asked his court.

"I nominate Kai Danag." An advisor said and the others mumbled.

'I nominate Hao Zixin ."Luo Gin voiced out.

Li Huang yawned. "All for Kai Danag?"

Thirteen men put up their hands.

"All for Hao Zixin ?"

Twenty men rose up their hands and Aurora smiled.

Nothing like good old leverage.

That was what her father had taught her.

"Hao Zixin, You are now the New District Head ."Li Huang said rising and leaving the Court.

Aurora Congratulated Him and whispered."Remember who put you in your present position. you are mine now any wrong moves, and I won't hesitate to remove you " She smiled again.

"Rule well."

#######

Aurora made her way out to see Xiao before his death.

She called out to the soldiers and they left her with him chained up so that they could talk privately.

'How does it feel?' Aurora asked Xiao.

'How do you think Aurora?" Xiao sneered.

"I wouldn't know because I'm not the one in chains." The Empress gloated.

"You set me up !"Xiao yelled.

"I am not denying that but at least the Sinai District has a new Head. Hao Zixin seems very capable ; much more than you."

It was all a plan work. Hao was to speak against me so that once am gone Hao will take over.

"You bitch!!!" Xiao lounged at the Empress Consort and the soldiers held him back. "Ill kill you for what you've done!!!"

"How are you going to do that when you're dead?" Aurora whispered as Xiao Sun Yung was taken away.

######

Aurora was indifferent as her husband's servant told her that he requested her presence.

Aurora pulled on her transparent Nightdress that she knew was definitely sexually provocating and walked towards her husband's chambers.

Li Huang eyes widened and Aurora saw him gulp.

Slowly he looked away . "I hope you are pleased now, my little wife."

"What do you mean Li Huang?"

"Framing Xiao Sun Yung and Placing His advisor in his place. Having an ally in a position of power. And I suppose you have a few secrets about him too?!" Li smiled at his wife.

Aurora moved past him and poured some tea for herself. "How could I frame Xiao Sun from inside the palace walls, Li Huang? I am shocked you'd ever think I could do such a thing." She spoke innocently and gave him a hateful smile.

Li Huang grinned. No matter what Aurora did , he had always respected her for her wits maybe he even loved her . He knew and acknowledged that she had more brains in her little finger than some people had in their entire head and Lu Huang, his son took that from her.

"And besides , Xiao is a good riddance. He would have eventually betrayed the Dynasty sooner or later." Aurora added because She also knew Li Huang knew this just too well.

"I will grant you my presence for this evening, Aurora . You have done well." Li Huang held her supple waist firmly pushing her to the direction of the bed.

That was the closest that Li Huang was ever going to get to tell her that he was Starved of her presence and needed her..

Aurora pulled away from his iron grip. "I'm observing my monthly illness." She lied and left Li Huang cold and numb.