A promise

Emperor Xizong was experiencing ice and fire..he could feel his heart turning cold along with his blood, the blue eyes of Yusheng gave him the feeling of been seen thoroughly, her words made him feel as if being submerged to ice pond.

Yet, at the same time those clear blue eyes gave him hope... hope to avoid disaster, a warmth of being someone there for to look out for you, a warmth of knowledge and most importantly warmth of taken as an equal.

Slowly with a slight shaky voice he said...worth it, your lordship this emperor was not inconvinced but rather being a father should say had thread of emotion attached but this emperor also knows....

Enduring deepening pain is how man ascends.

Yusheng finally smiled, her smile so bright that anyone would fall in a daze...só was the case for emperor, unlike earlier it was a pure smile of fulfillment... "this lord won't share with you how, who and why but this lord clearly states of having no ill feelings towards you. Because of your innate nature this lord has decided to be in goodwill with the Nanling kingdom till you are the emperor.

For your empress and even future king this lord has no special feelings inside, forget about your other concubines and children. This lord won't even lift a finger for them.

This lord knows what you crave is not for your greed but for the coming generation to flourish.. being born and raised in this land this lord also have wishes to see your desire come true,..

But there are times when the one in throne, grows senile filled with craze for power and riches. Scheming for ones fulfillment no attachment to his people or land.. hence this lord doesn't know if my goodwill will reach to the next one in throne but be assured till you are in that throne this lord will be your friend not your foe.

Emperor -You're never too old to live your dream."

Raising her three small fingers towards the heaven ...."Do not worry this lord, 35th head of Medicine Valley Liu Yusheng swears upon my ancestor till the current you remains so,, so will my friendship....

This lord will be a friend in your time of need will let you live till your hair grows white."

This was Yusheng's promise as well as a subtle hint that until the emperor remains with pure intention she will be his friend, she will cure his poison and protect him only to die at old age of natural causes.

Feeling overwhelmed.. a tear slid down from his eye then feeling ashamed quickly he looked side ways and wiped his tear with his sleeve then with great determination of his own he also raised his three fingers to swear...

"Current emperor of Xin dynasty tilted name of Xizong, birth name Pei Songzhi of Nanling kingdom swears to 35th lord Liu Yusheng to be true, to be wise, a friend of need, and will walk mountains of fire and sea to uphold my friendship till this body becomes dust"... Then he refilled his and Yusheng's cup raised his cup to toast and drank then turned down the cup to show that not a drop was left implying his swear has etched and locked in his heart.

Yusheng also raised her cup high in motion of receiving and giving back the offered toast then in swift motion drank and tilted her cup down showing the same sentiments.

When they realized it was quite late and seeing how utterly he lost again he requested Yusheng to stay the night in the palace, also hoping another 1 or two matches of Qi.

But Yusheng politely declined saying how the elders and zhu mama would worry if she stayed as wise people say -if the palace is a lions den then the harem is a snake pit. But agreed to play last one round before leaving.

Listening her opinion he laughed indicating it was true. While outside the emperors eunuch named Min felt he was standing beside an iceberg. Several times he tried to have conversation with Xiaoqing but only to be rebuffed with that elegant nod.

Feng Min for the first time in his life felt guarding the gate was so difficult and cold, remembering how other servants try to bootlick him, revolving around him like butterfly he felt little pleased.

Suddenly a hearty laugh of emperor came from inside the room. Then even though being time and again rebuffed his smile enlarged even daringly going near xiaoqing and serving her tea, expressing that like their masters they also should become friends.

Both of them were clever and wise to know and behave according to situation hence xiaoqing though still cold face took out another cup from her pouch and poured Min a cup of tea indicating the same sentiments.

After half an hour finally their masters came from the room and bid farewells.