chapter 11

" It's already 3 days and I am still stuck in this damned underground prison ، no one ever come to visit me or even ask about me even my damn mother, but what was I expecting , that stupid clingy woman who only know how to chase after the emperor, she probably doesn't even know that her only son was put in the dark damp prison ....shit ! ....

I have no idea about what's happening above , I asked the guards but no one talks to me, they are preparing for my penalty I am sure, would I be excuted!?...but ... father never killed one of his sons no matter how many mistakes they did ...but I think this one can't be forgiven...DAMN !! I didn't make any mistake, I was only enjoying myself, it's their fault, damn slaves , they sold themselves, I only brought them and sold them again to a better place, they would have lived their whole life like stray animals But I did them a favor! ... shit ! ... shit ! ..... .

Six days have passed, I started hearing some noises coming from the palace, but as always, no one tells me what's happening, the third prince that no one cares about....I wish I had some wine....it would have derived some of these useless thoughts away....Damn ..... I shouldn't have listened to that bastard , look where you are now stupid Feng..

The ninth day , one more day here and you can call me a crazy already ...I can't take it... please....mom .... anybody. !! .... you were always busy chasing that damned emperor ، but he never gave you one glance more than the other councobins, all the women in the casino loved me , but my own mother? Heh 😏.. bullshit...

I finished days in this hellhole, and still no one's come to see me. My faithful servants or any of my 18 brothers , I think I was a pain in their ass and finally I am gone, the trouble is gone , here I am, probably awaiting execution... but what did I even do? I was just having a little fun! Selling some slaves! Totally harmless!

I swear I will inform the emperor about you stupid bastard!! ...I won't fall alone...it your fault in the first place...if just... You didn't hint to me about it. .... you didn't say it was a crime !!.... YOU DIDN'T..... "

(The cell door creaks open.)

Emperor Ming steps inside, looking calm and relaxed. The Third Prince jumps to his feet, heart racing.

("Oh no, this is it. He's come to chop my head off. Stay strong, Feng. You've had a good run. You'll die as you lived: handsome and misunderstood.")

" Father, if you're here to punish me... just... make it quick! No need for drama! " ( He said nervously)

" No need for all that. My third son Feng, I've come to inform you of your penalty. "

( " Here it comes Feng, prepar yourself for the your coming death, just embrace it like a the real strong man that you never was ")

" Execution right?....I am ready your majesty.... just fulfill my last wish and punish...."

( Ming waving it off):

" Oh no, nothing so barbaric. You'll be sold... as a bride—ahem, I mean, a groom—to the leader of the Lang Duí tribe."

THIRD PRINCE (choking):.

"A... BRIDE? To BARBARIANS?!"

" Yes. They're in need of a... spirited spouse. You leave at dawn."

" B-but... the barbarians! They eat... raw meat! And drink from skulls! And their women... their women are giant, Father! With arms like tree trunks! I'll be squashed! I'm too delicate for this!! " ( stammering)

" Oh, I'm sure you'll make an impression. You've always been... charming."

" Charming?! I can't even charm my way out of this prison! You're selling me to a giantess! She'll snap me in half on the wedding day "

"Consider it character building. Good luck with the honeymoon."

The Third Prince collapses dramatically to the floor, eyes wide with terror.

" I'm gonna die. Death by... giant barbarian wife..."

EMPEROR MING (chuckling):

" Better pack light. "

******************

After what happened with the third prince, the news spread like wildfire, as everyone in the empire knew what happened and was talking about it. Of course, all the princes and princesses knew about it, as they all showed different reactions to this scandal, Even though no one knew exactly what happened, everyone knew he was the cause of a huge scandal and crime but they expected it to be similar to his usual assault cases , all thanks to Ming's efforts to cover it up.

By the way, every one of the princes showed a different reaction, some of them where irritated, some disgusted and there was even some who was happy because of removing one of the throne competitors . Only one prince was there but didn't know about anything that's happening in the palace .

In one of the vast training grounds, a tall, muscular man was swinging his iron sword with impressive precision at a wooden post. Despite the large space, he was alone, completely absorbed in his practice. Suddenly, a beautiful young woman, dressed in an extravagant Chinese gown, rushed toward him, her face beaming with excitement. She stopped in front of him, panting heavily, her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.

Sister (excitedly): "Brother! Did you hear what happened?!"

Prince (still focused on his sword): "No. Did you fall in love? Getting married?"

Sister (rolling her eyes): "No, stop joking! This is serious!"

The prince finally stopped swinging his sword, turning his head toward her with mild curiosity.

Prince: "What happened?"

Sister (grinning): "The Third Brother's finished! We're rid of one more competitor!"

Prince (shocked): "Really? What happened to him ?" .

Sister (in disbelief): "Are you serious?! The whole empire's talking about it! Even the commoners know!"

Prince (scratching his head): "Is it really that important?"

Sister (exasperated): "Of course it's important! The Fourth Brother is a bookworm, always hiding in the library. He's no threat to the throne. Now that the Third Brother's out of the picture, all that's left is the First and Second Brothers , we are so close !"

She clenched her fists with excitement, practically bouncing on her feet.

Prince: "You really think so?"

Sister: "Yes! You're the Fifth Prince! If we deal with them, nothing will stand between you and the throne!"

Sister (smirking proudly): "No need to thank me brother. I am your big sister after all !".

Fifth prince : "Just because you were born a few years before me doesn't make you bigger. I'm taller and stronger!"

Sister (crossing her arms): "no , it doesn't work that way, I was born first , I am the older . that's it ."

Fifth prince (sighing): "Yeah yeah I know , thanks for the information."

" So big brother tell me, when it will be ?( She said clenching her fists, her eyes glowing with excitement (

" Will be what ? "

" Your great glory , the day you expose yourself with a huge achievement"

" What!..why should I do that? "

" You are the fifth prince stupid!! ... shouldn't you be preparing achievements to gain Honor and support !!?"

" Am I not doing enough? "

" You are doing nothing dampass! You keep training in this ground all day long, this isn't an achievement! ...go outside and do something useful!!"

" Hey hey sis . calm down, I am perfect the way I am, strong and muscular and why do I need achievement by the way? "

" TO WIN THE THRONE YOU STUPID ASS ! "

" Throne?..oh yeah that's right.... sorry I forget 😅"

" There is no hope in you, my brother 🤦"

Meanwhile in the imperial study :

Jin Yang. The fifth prince who was renowned for his immense strength and unwavering dedication. A man of simple focus, he devoted himself entirely to the art of combat, spending long hours in the training grounds perfecting his skills. His loyalty to his family and empire was unmatched, and while others were engrossed in courtly intrigues, Yang remained steadfast in his purpose. His straightforward nature and pure heart made him a beloved figure, respected not for his words, but for his actions and commitment to those he held dear. the only thing that saved him from the cunning palace plots was his unparalleled strength . he also had a big sister from the same mother who was the third princess , but Not much was said about her .

By the way, the reason I am writing all this now is because I didn't meet this prince yet and I still have 7 sons and 5 dauther that I didn't meat either, and I have to summarize my informations about them to know which work I should throw at each one , I am busy and they are doing nothing all day long ( actually they have their own duties, but he ignored this part ) , I have to make use of them , that remind me I still have to write a long greeting card for the Barbarians' tribe's wedding and send a decent gift to my daughter-in-law. I still have to maintain the image of the empire after all .....

But no ... no no no...I am a busy emperor and this is secondary job , I will ask my first son to write the letter and let the first dauther pick the gift . Actually...a part of me think that I should assigne this task to the second son who got us involved with that tribe in the first place , but no ! Let the first son do that.

That night, Ming received a report of the First Prince spending the night drinking heavily with a dark face, something he had never done before.

" I am worried about this empire having such a first prince, I hope you repent my son." .