2 Chapter 2 Paranoid Emperor

28th year of Emperor Yan Wang's Reign (25 years after the Rebellion by Second Prince Yan Zidong and General Li)

Southwest Border, Yan Empire.

"General, the enemy troops are stationed thirty miles away from the border", a soldier from the Black Eagle cavalry reported. 

"hmm..", replied the General of the Black Eagle Cavalry rubbing his temple. There were strands of grey hair on his temple.

The soldier retreated from the tent noticing that the General had no intention to talk.

After a few minutes, a tall and handsome young man entered the tent. His black hair was tied up in a high ponytail making his phoenix eyes look more sharp and bewitching. His high bridge nose and sharp jawlines made the man look as if he was carved out from the finest jade piece.

"Your Highness", the General of the Black Eagle Cavalry stood up to greet the man.

The man stopped the General from bowing. "Uncle, I told you not to treat me like a Prince when at the border. My identity here is only a deputy general of the Black eagle cavalry"

The General of Black Eagle Cavalry smiled and nodded his head.  Both of them sat down at the table, "You heard!" asked the General.

"En..", replied the Prince.

"Xing'er, looks like you are already brewing something", said the General giving a meaningful glance at the Prince.

"Uncle, you will know tomorrow", replied the Prince while pouring a cup of tea from the porcelain tea set. There was a playful smile hanging on his lips.

"I m looking forward", the General replied accepting a cup of tea from the Prince.

"Uncle seems to have something on your mind when I entered just now!", said the Prince.

The General laughed, "Nothing can escape your discerning eyes"

"Well, I will take that as a compliment", said the Prince with a chuckle.

After downing a cup of tea at one go, the General took out a letter from his lapel and handed it to Prince, "My men from the capital send it to me through the carrier pigeon, your father is planning to tie you down. Looks like he is guarding against everyone, including you"

Prince Yan Xing opened the letter and started to read it, no emotions were displayed on his face. After reading the letter, he carefully folded it back and put it down on the table. "it's not surprising that he is making a move against me. What happened twenty-five years ago had left a big shadow on the Emperor. His heart is full of suspicions and fear so, he is guarded against everyone"

The General sneered, "If not for my father who acted as a Human shield for him, would he still be alive"

The current General of the Black eagle Cavalry is Xiao Shan, son of General Xiao, the former General of the Black Eagle Cavalry. 

"Twenty-five years ago, when Prince Yan Zidong and General Li of the Southeast Border started a rebellion in an attempt to take over the throne, My Father who was the General along with his Deputy generals guarded the palace and protected the Emperor until the reinforcements arrived. If not for you and my eldest sister, Father would not have sacrificed his life for a dog emperor like him. He should not have neglected you just because you were born premature and weak. He should know that you are one of the reasons why he is still breathing now", said General Xiao Shan, there was not even a tinge of respect in his tone while talking about the Emperor.

General Xiao who at the time was roaming the pugilist world had to rush back to the capital, he had to take over the Black Eagle Cavalry at the young age of nineteen and went to the Southwest border to guard. While also secretly looking after his nephew, Prince Yan Xing back in the capital.

Prince Yan Xing is very well aware of it.  His father, who is the current emperor of the Yuan Empire is a paranoid emperor. Even if he was saved by his grandfather back then, he is still guarded against him and the Black Eagle Cavalry.

"Why is he afraid of an impotent prince like me, is he afraid that I will take over the throne, or is he afraid that the Xiao family will rebel with the help of Black Eagle Cavalry!", Prince Yan Xing laughed.

"You are in a mood to joke! Have you forgotten what you have just read in the letter!" said General Xiao Shan glaring at his nephew who seems to be unaffected by the seriousness of the situation?

"So what if he wants me to marry a weak and infertile lady! I think this is a good opportunity. I should thank the emperor if he bestows me this marriage", said Prince Yan Xing. 

As if struck by a lightning, General Xiao abruptly stood up and look at Prince Yan Xing, "nephew, why didn't I think about that! You are indeed a genius. If you marry that girl, our plans will go unhindered. Tell me in detail, what is your plan?"

Prince Yan Xing curled his lips and look at his uncle. General Xiao noticed that bewitching smile which was similar to that of his sister and knew that his nephew is up to something. 

"I am just making use of the loophole here. According to the investigation made by your men, that girl is born with a weak body constitution and had always been sick which made her unable to bear a child. And me, I am the famous impotent Prince of the Yan Empire who is looked down on by everyone and no officials would want to marry off their daughter to me even if I am a Prince. I am not someone who they can curry favor with because I have no future. The emperor suspects that I might not be impotent so he wants me to marry a lady who couldn't bear a child as the official consort tying my hands and cutting off my descendants" said Prince Yan Xing.

General Xiao sneered, "The Emperor is aware that the descendants of Xiao family only took one wife and are not allowed to take in a concubine. Your mother's wish before dying was for you to spend the rest of your life with only one person. He is taking advantage of your mother's wish"

Prince Yan Xing nodded, "Correct, if I was a favored Prince then he would not bother with my mother's wish but things are different because I m not a favored Prince"

"How are you planning to make use of the loophole?" asked General Xiao unable to conceal the curiosity in his voice.

...….

Capital, Prime minister's Estate.

"Young Miss, the Emperor is planning to bestow a marriage to you and that impotent Fifth prince", a maid whispered in the ears of a lady who was lying on the bamboo couch.

The lady without looking at the maid said softly, "Prince Yan Xing!"

"Yes, Young Miss", replied the maid.

" Tell Qing'er to go and investigate everything about him in detail", said the lady.

The maid noticed that her Young Miss is not angry about it and asked, "Young Miss, you are not angry!"

The maid looked at the side profile of the lady and noticed that she was smiling while looking at the garden outside the room. 

"Why should I be angry, this marriage is a good opportunity for me"