Journey to the Palace

The next day.

Tang Yi approached A Yao. He's ready to face his opponent that day. This competition was like a muscle-heating for A Yao. So far he had not found a formidable opponent yet. But the top twelve consisted of experts who could not be underestimated.

"Yao, I know you can win this easily, but don't be too fast, at least give them five moves" Tang Yi whispered.

A Yao lowered his head.

"Yes, Your Majesty"

At the organizer's seat. Sang Guan Jiu Ye was already sitting in his seat with the heads of the competition organizing unit. Fortunately, that year's competition was running smoothly. Even though there were a few incidents in the early days, all were quite proud of the results of their hard work after a long time of preparation.

Bai Hu sat beside Jiu Ye.

"Brother Bai, are you heading to the palace tonight?" Jiu Ye asked.

Bai Hu nodded. The morning air and sun were very supportive for today's final.

"Yes, Brother, but after everything is done, Tang Yuan and Hong will go there first this afternoon, Fei and I will follow tonight, His Majesty the Emperor can't wait to see Hong so He sent a special guard to pick him up today."

In front of Sang Guan gate, a carriage the majestic gold has stopped since morning. Several bodyguards with gold armour are waiting on standby beside their respective carriages and horses, even though Tang Yuan and Hong are not ready to leave yet.

Jiu Ye chuckled.

"Hehehe, His Majesty is a very caring uncle, he loves all of your children with all his heart"

Bai Hu smiled. He remembered when Fei was born and when Hong was a baby, his majesty kept sending gifts even the best administrators from all over the country for his two sons, even their teacher was specially brought in according to His Majesty's orders, nothing bit less.

"Well that's how it is, a fortune for Fei and Hong Er"

...

In Hong Er's room

"Hong, are you ready yet?" Tang Yuan exclaimed. Hong shows up behind the restroom, fully clothed and ready to go. His clothes were predominantly red with bright colors embroidery and a wide and stretchy bottom. So light when the wind blew. His hair was tied up neatly in a bun decorated with a golden peacock crown. The right and left parts are braided with a golden red ribbon dangles in his long curly hair. Tang Yuan pulled Hong closer and pinched his cheeks excitedly.

"Oh mother's son is very handsome, my Hong is pleasant to the eye"

But Hong looks unhappy.

"Mother, why should we go now? Can't we just wait until the competition is over? We still have time" he grumbled.

Tang Yuan pulled Hong's hand and sat with her on the chair. She forgot to put the golden hairpin Gao Niang gave her yesterday. The witch will be very mad at her and think she lost it.

"Hong, don't argue, Mother will go there this afternoon. The palace guards deliberately came to pick you up so early, if you don't go they will continue to stand there blocking the road. Do you have the heart to see them waiting there for a long time? Let me look at your face here, oh it's perfect" Tang Yuan caressed Hong's cheek, a very shiny and bright face, she then wiped it gently with her handkerchief.

"Don't make a face like that, you like palace food, right? The Empress Aunt has prepared it since morning, if you go there at night all the food will be spoiled, it's a pity, right?"

Hong held his mother's hand.

"Mom come with me, I don't want to go alone"

Tang Yuan smiled. Hong dropped his head into her hands. She gently stroked Hong's hair.

"This child, Mother will follow shortly after finishing. Mother, Father, and also your brother Fei will go there. Don't worry, Mother is familiar with the palace guards who picked you up this time, he is very great and reliable, you will be fine"

Hong still didn't lift his head, he hugged his mother tightly.

"Mother" 

..

Not long after, in front of the gate of Sang Guan's mansion.

"Heeeeeee" whinnied one of the large stallions pulling the carriage.

"Brother, I'm thirsty" Hong shouted as Fei ushered him out of the house. Bai Hu and Tang Yuan walked slowly behind the two.

"Honey, is it okay to let Hong go to the palace first? That kid doesn't look very excited, and you can't be far from Hong, right?" Bai Hu asked Tang Yuan who was holding his hand.

Fei back with a cup of water the servant just delivered him fast.

"Here's your water"

Hong accepted it with sparkling eyes. Fei had to wipe Hong's wet lips.

"Hong, drink carefully, what a mess" Hong could only chuckle. He relied on his brother the most in everything. Fei was used to serving all of Hong's wishes, and because of the excessive affection, he didn't mind the slightest bit.

"You're hair gets stuck."

The excitement of the final match inside the Phoenix Hall prevented the owner of the house from sending them off. But some suspicious people were seen glancing at them from a distance, making Fei wary.

Soon the group moved. Slowly the carriage escorted by more than ten formidable guards with Suang as the head guard left the courtyard of Sang Guan's mansion.

Tang Yuan had a bad feeling about letting her little son go first, but her duties as Jie Er Bai Hu's wife didn't end at the closing ceremony. She was still grumbling in annoyance as to why her brother sent the envoy earlier than usual, which was pretty annoying.

After the carriage group disappeared at the end of the road, Bai Hu and Tang Yuan re-entered the Sang Guan mansion. Fei was still standing where he was, looking for the few people who then disappeared quickly. This is not a good thing, Fei thought, but, there was a large guard Suang who was escorting the group, who could beat him?

Fei headed back inside Sang Guan's mansion, better to finish his business and catch up with Hong as fast as possible.

.....

The carriage runs slowly. Hong who was sitting inside was so comfortable that he almost fell asleep. He straightened his hair, as well as his clothes. It had been more than two years since he had seen his uncle Emperor, is the old man still the same as before? In Hong's memory, the emperor had round cheeks and red like dumplings and always wore a smiling face like a laughing Buddha in front of him. And the man liked to pinch his cheeks, it hurt so much. Hong held his cheeks, why did everyone like to pinch his cheeks so much?

It's so boring, Hong thought. Even though the trip wasn't far to the palace at the current speed, it seemed like it would be a long time. Hong was just about to open the window to look out, it seemed that the street outside was not as busy as before. There is no sound from people outside, are they about to arrive? He was about to open the shutters when the train suddenly shook violently and came to a stop.

A loud bang could be heard. Hong almost fell forward, and the carriage stopped, there was no more sound.

"Eh Uncle Suang?" Hong slowly got up from his seat, which suddenly scared him. The atmosphere was too calm and there was no more noise in front of the carriage, he reached for the carriage curtain cover.

"Em, Uncle"

But before he could open it, something came in quickly and stopped right in front of him. Hong's eyes widened, he didn't have time to scream when the figure quickly punched his blood making him fall unconscious.

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