Bonds forged

Today was the last day of the hunt as tomorrow everyone would be returning to their respective places. All the princess beside Shiyou were eager to talk privately to Pei Jin to make their stance clear.

It was also important for Nanling to ensure other nations for the peace to continue hence unlike other days the groups were mixed to create an opportunity for the younger generation to feel each other's intentions.

One group had Pei Jin, Jisheng, Anshi, Shiyou, Pei Zhang and Xiuzhi the next one had Chen Yun, Chen zhi, Dongqian, Zhang Jue with their subordinates. The last group had Yusheng, Chunhua, Jidan and their maids. While all the elders were sitting and talking in the platform.

Both Pei Jin and Pei Zhang wanted to be grouped with Yusheng but at the end were forced to group with these people. Pei Zhang was grumbling all the way. Shiyou also was anxious to talk with Yusheng and was thinking ways to do so.

At some point Jisheng and Anshi were able to occupy Pei Jin's each side. While others were 30 steps behind them giving perfect opportunity to talk. Pei Jin too understood their intentions thus increased his pace to create distance with the people at back along with Jisheng and Anshi.

"Pei Jin.. I will not act and talk in circle.. you and I have known for a long time.. though we are not best of friends but we know quite a lot about each other" says Jisheng. Pei Jin nods at him "speak with ease.. indeed been a long time since we have met... I have yet to congratulate for being entitled"

Jisheng chuckles at his ever direct cold face friend "hmm..thanks.. it is my good fortune that I climbed up without struggle and schemes..leaving this aside...Pei Jin you might already know but Qing is weak though we are progressing as fast as we can...still we are not ready to face a war.. it is both my fathers and my dream to rule in peace and prosperity than keep toiling in unwanted wars..huajin acting and eyeing like a vulture we are forced constantly to be on our toes..

Qing and me being the crown prince don't have anything of value to give to Nanling thus can only shamelessly hope and seek your friendship. We might be weak and seen as coward but we value relations and emotions as the top priority.. I hope Nanling and you to hold same sentiments" says Jisheng very solemnly.

Pei Jin holds the rein and looks to his old time friend and replies "Jisheng...it is not your fortune but rather your intellect and talent which had you climb up.. I know in future Qing will be having their golden times with you on top... nor me or Nanling has any intention to rage wars and bring destruction... but if the situation demands then we definetly also won't back down... but you can be assured that I have not forgotten you as a friend and definetly won't in future.. as a friend I would rather prefer to have a calm discussion with you than be hot headed.. about huajin I am confident about your intellect"

Jisheng smiles at his friends reply and understood what he wanted to say without wording. But with the presence of Anshi he didn't want to discuss more. For now he was clear of Pei Jin being on the same side as him.

Anshi who was acting invisible was anxious in his heart to learn that boy Pei Jin and Jisheng were in such good terms. But without dwelling further he tightens his resolve and speaks "Crown Prince Jin.. though it may sound funny and doubtful to you as both of our nations were in war with each other..but it is a fact that as of current we have no other intention beside to be in peace and have friendly relation with Nanling.. it might sound as excuse or pushing the blame ... but you also may already have learned the truth...

it was huajin who schemed against us even managing to place several spies with ill intention and sucessfully able to fool this prince's imperial father and court to go on war with Nanling.. we won't say we are not at fault... our lack of vigilance and naivety was what encouraged huajin to scheme on us... but after the defeat we have awakened... we have also managed to uproot all the spies and are currently working to progress our vigilance and development at peace..

But like Qing we too are weak and cannot shoulder another war... huajin is always trying various ways to trespass or create ruckus... they are hell bent to have us used as the shield and spear for them.. unless we have Nanlings support we fear somehow at some point we will be involved in their schemes... thus this prince also shamelessly hopes to forget our past enemities and start freshly as good friends with Nanling and yourself.."