Chapter 33: Tricking the Fate Lord.

"You have helped me so much here in the Nine Heavens, Fate Lord Ming Zhu. I have never appreciated it as much as I should. I raise a toast for your good health today," Hong Liu raised the wine cup to Fate Lord. They were in his fate library and it was the time for the sundown. hong Liu comes bearing wines, though it was not good as Ren's peach blossom wine. She borrowed it from Hua Shen's wine. Who herself have very exotic taste in wine, just like Hong Liu. Hong Liu felt assured after she tasted it herself that it would work for a plan well. She also cooked the red lily cakes, her speciality in the kitchen. Nobody can resist this after taking the aroma of the baked goods. If she just has come with wine it would have looked suspicious, so she planned it very carefully.

Fate Lord look at the wine cup that was in front of him to pick up, warily. Fate Lord Ming Zhu had complete control over his tongue though he is the biggest gossiper and there is nothing he doesn't know about the three realms, what is happening and where it is happening. Especially in Nine Heavens, nothing is hidden from him. His excellent power of observation and his eye for a story made him valuable to the First Lord. When and where some information has to be hidden or exploited the right way that is his job and he has only one downfall, wine. More than a half of a cup and he spill things he won't even utter in his dreams.

He sighs, thinking about what he should do? But the little highness brought it with such a true heart, how he can refuse? considering her status it won't be polite to refuse either.

"You are highness, it was my duty but you didn't have too...."

"Come now Ming Zhu, it just some wine and cake and High God Ren always says that red lily cakes by me are best with the wine,"

She opens the basket that she brought the cake in to offer him.

"You made it your self?" Ming Zhu said as he looks at the red decorated cakes. Ming Zhu thought well it can't be helped and the cakes look really delicious and the aroma was enough to make him give in. Well, its little highness...so he took a piece bitting into it, they were so soft fluffy and the sweetness of lily. He raised the wine cup, all weariness drained away. 'A little bit won't hurt,' He thought.

"Your Highness is too kind, I toast to our newfound friendship,"

Hong Liu raised her wine cup beaming and they both down it in one go. Hong Liu might feel a little guilty at what she was doing but Ming Zhu won't say anything without it. He is too loyal to the First Lord and when Huang Ling suggested that Fate Lord can't handle liquor. It all became to easy for her, she can handle it well, it in her blood. In her family, all have started drinking at an early age, so if anybody really has to drown in oblivion it takes more than six to eight bottle. Therefore Ren was really about his wine cellar when Bai Changxi wanted to drown her sorrows.

She kept refiling his cup after third half he was completely disoriented.

"You know, your highness you are really really nice to me, I work here all day and do all kinds of favour to a lot of people but hardly appreciated well generally it doesn't matter but sometimes....it is really nice of you," He babbles.

"Poor Ming Zhu, you look after all of the fates of the mortal realm?" She asked, feeling a little warm with wine but nothing she can't handle. She rests her hand on the lower table and looks at him blinking.

"Well not all of it, I have twenty-eight officials working under me, twe...nty eight," He pointed nowhere.

"But...I have to see to balance out everything so nobody can interrupt their mortal life, their trials and fate are important for...well everything its the vital part of the universe and I am master," He continues.

"That seems a hard job," she nodded at him sympathetically.

"On the worse days, it is...like recently speaking. Because of the new demon activity in the Goblet of blood fire, the demons now being more free interfering the mortal realm even the danger of backfire is not stopping them," He said drunkenly.

"Really?" She widens her eyes dramatically.

"Really! I mean you would think that having their own magic backfired on them will stop them but...no! They think its fun," The last part was stated with irritation.

"You seems capable enough to handle it, I am sure you handle it well," she flatters him.

"Now your highness is giving me too much credit, this kind of things are reported to First Lord you see but...." He paused widening his chest and raised his hand to drive his point.

"It's the mortal fates that I have to rewrite and do over again, guide them into to right direction of their destination," stating the importance of his work, Ming Zhu one more and lesser-known weakness flattery mixed it with wine, you have the actual gossiper coming out in Ming Zhu.

Hong Liu refilled his cup as down the fifth one.

"First Lord take interest in mortal fates?" Hong Liu asked this time she was genuinely curious.

Ming Zhu looks at Hong Liu, hiccupping giving her a drunk knowing smile.

"I know! I know! You fancy the First Lord, It only natural that you would like to know more about him,"

Hong Liu thought he was supposed to tell his secret not discovering hers, first Huang Ling and now him. Is she so obvious? She leans away from the table, little embarrassed.

"I will tell you, I will tell you. First Lord cares about only three things," He showed her the three fingers, Hong Liu again started to pay attention.

"First, The peace and safety of the realms, two his retirement and three...well three is something is not there anymore but I know it used to be special..." He went into the thoughtful trance as he wobbles drunkenly.

"What is three?" She urges him.