Give and take.

Though consort mu wanted to be together with them, but emperor waved his hands telling everyone else to leave.

She feared that Yusheng would cure pei jins leg making it harder for her and her son to achieve their goals. Though unwilling she still performed her salutations gracefully, and moved towards her palace.

Emperor invited Yusheng to his study hall, together they walked towards the hall upon reaching the doors she instructed the elders and her other people beside xiaoqing to remain outside.

Immediately emperor had his personal eunuch to prepare the rooms for them, as they will be having a long discussion.

Entering the hall, emperor let Yusheng sit on his chair, while he and empress sat on guest chair with pei jin by their side.

Yusheng motioned xiaoqing who then immediately started to brew the tea. After the tea was placed xiaoqing went outside the door to stand guard along with the emperor's personal eunuch.

Before emperor could speak, empress stood then with a bang kneeled infront of Yusheng eyes full of tears she said " esteemed lord, this palace humbly begs you to cure my son's legs. Searched high and low, near and far but has been in the same state. Only your esteemed hand can cure him now this palace knows, humbly beg you."

Yusheng placed her tea on the table then gently held the empress helping her up. With a gentle smile she said " this lord know's mother's heart aches for the son."

May be because they saw her smile for the first time they were shocked momentarily. She looked so gentle, so beautiful right now. Pei jin felt something tugging at his heart making him feel itchy.

Gently helping empress back to her seat, she slowly walked towards pei jin, she gently placed her small hand on his shoulder gripping lightly she said "Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence. Turning back she also reminded pei jin "for a gentlemen even 100 years is not late for revenge."

When Yusheng was near him, he could smell the pleasing snow lotus and lavender scent from her body soft and refreshing like the first morning after rain. Her hand was so soft and white, her nails well trimmed cute looking making him wanting to pinch them. Her breath smelled like fresh mint.

He felt a sense of loss when she turned away from him. These unknown feelings had him confused. He repeated in his mind that Yusheng was just 8 and because he normally disliked girls was what made him confused.

After she sat back she said.. "emperor why don't we play a game of Qi, empress and qinwang seems to be tired and should go to rest." Understanding the hint empress and pei jin left them alone.

Soon xiaoqing entered with the emperors eunuch and before the emperor could order she placed the board and the stones neatly. Yusheng waved her hand thus both servants went outside to guard.

Outside the eunuch smiled at xiaoqing trying to make him seem friendly and have some little chats but was rebuffed by her nod, soon xiaoqing sat on the chair beside and took out what seemed to be book of arts. Poor eunuch could only scratch his nose and look to the ground as if there was gold growing out of it.

Inside, emperor praised the tea and the board, he was genuinely happy. Soon after emperor placed his stone Yusheng said " emperor, this lord knows your desire and worries, this lord also knows the things you have yet to worry.

This lord isn't flattering you as you must have more or less learned of my temper and nature. This lord knows you are man worthy of the throne, though some steps unwanted yet had to be taken, you are worthy of the throne of being an emperor."

After getting such high evaluation and praise emperor could only be humble. He knew what Yusheng said was right, with her privilege on all four countries she need not flatter anyone.

Just being understood by someone though a decade less in age he still felt genuinely happy.

He was also thoroughly shocked by yushengs talent, strength and wisdom but also very happy that this once in a milena seen genius was born in his kingdom.