EMPRESS OF THE LOST KINGDOM

"Master Tang, we've found young master. Yes, we are on the way to the mansion." 

Yang Xiong reported over his phone as he glanced at the man on the steering wheel. 

Tang Wei Sheng, the renowned young master of the Tang family, rushed his fancy sports car through the busy streets of Jing city, oblivious to the perilous situation at his home.

The countless neon lights across the city peeked through the window pane, and illuminated the perfectly sculptured Greek god-like creature on the driving seat without any fail.

"This is the third call from Master Tang." Yang Xiong pointed out in a scolding tone.

"Rather than attending the calls, why don't you switch off the phone for a while?" Tang Wei Sheng's rich and jovial voice tinted with sarcasm, rang in the car as a reply. 

"Rather than switching off the phone, why don't you attend the call for once?" Yang Xiong retorted in the same tone as his boss.

"Can't you see that I'm driving?"

"Yes, yes you were driving for the last five hours." Yang Xiong emphasized his words as if he knows something more to the story and pursed his lips shut. 

Picking up the hidden meanings in his statement, Tang Wei Sheng immediately refuted to clear his side of the story. 

"Aye, assistant Yang, I was just partying. Look, I am not even drunk." He tried to explain as a mischievous smile hung on his lips. 

Well, he was indeed partying on a cruise in S city before his assistant came looking for him and dragged him back to Jing city.

"Did you go all the way down to S city for partying? that too in your car?" Yang Xiong sounded quite serious as he began to interrogate. Even though, he just had to follow his boss's gps location, it was quite difficult task for him, especially on his day off. 

"Wait a minute." Tang Wei Sheng interrupted, all of sudden, "Why are you questioning me? I am the boss and you are my assistant, not the other way." 

"Yes...you...are...the...boss..." Yang Xiong sarcastically enunciated each word and crossed his arms in objection. 

"Then assistant Yang, explain to me. Why did you come looking for me on your holiday? I thought you had a date with your girlfriend?" Tang Wei Sheng inquired as he slowed down the car while concentrating on their conversation.

"Chairman wishes to meet you." Yang Xiong stated with a straight face, as if he is not affected by the sudden cancellation of a well anticipated date with his girlfriend.

"Me? Why?" There was a visible confusion on Tang Wei Sheng's face as the words reached him. 

"I think it's something important." Yang Xiong turned to face his boss and spoke calmly, "It was master Tang who called me, on my personal number."

Tang Wei Sheng stared at his assistant with a puzzled look on his face. 

Contacting Yang Xiong on his personal number means that his father is aware of the truth - Yang Xiong who was supposed to follow his boss everywhere, slacked off from his duties. 

"Did you get an earful from dad?" Tang Wei Sheng inquired in a guilt ridden tone. Well, he was the one who let Yang Xiong take a break from their busy schedule and decided to have some fun. 

"No. Master Tang said that he is unable to contact you." 

"Hmm." Tang Wei Sheng agreed with a slight nod and focused on the road while several thoughts ran through his mind. 

"Did my father meet anyone from the Qin family?" He asked after a moment's silence.

"Qin family's young miss is already engaged." Yang Xiong informed crisply as he figured out the real meaning of his boss's question. Not so long ago, he himself have witnessed Qin family's frustration and disappointment when they found out that the most eligible bachelor in the capital city is single and unfortunately they have lost their chance to create an alliance with his boss. 

Well, he can't blame anyone, but the fate. 

Hearing Yang Xiong's answer, Tang Wei Sheng let out a sigh in relief and changed the gear. 

"Corporate marriages are inevitable even for young masters from powerful families." Yang Xiong added indifferently, to remind his boss about the ugly truth. 

"I know, but am I too young to get married?" Tang Wei Sheng grinned like a Cheshire cat as he swiftly changed the topic. "But look at you, aren't you a man who is at his prime? Why don't you consider it?" 

"Don't change the topic," Yang Xiong fixed his glasses and reminded his boss who was smoothly drifting away from the discussion. "If you have someone in your mind, it's better that you take your relationship to the next level."

"Aye, look at you, persuading others to get married!!!! You are turning into that nosy relative who is obsessed with matchmaking. Get a life uncle Yang!" Tang Wei Sheng retorted teasingly as if he took an oath to utilise every chances to make fun of his austere assistant. But luckily, his assistant was some one with a silver tongue, so it didn't even take a moment to get a reply.

"For your information, I am getting married within a year." Assistant Yang declared proudly as he showed the Platinum couple ring on his hand.

"Woahh...finally I am getting a sis-in law. Congratulations, Bro Yang." Tang Wei Sheng's face gleamed with a big fat smile as soon as his eyes fell on the bright little ring. 

"Bro Yang" from that title itself, Yang Xiong could figure out that his boss is extremely rejoiced by the news of his engagement.

Over the long period of time spent together, Yang Xiong maintained a close relationship with his boss that almost made everyone jealous.

Seven years ago, when he met Tang Wei Sheng for the first time, Yang Xiong was nothing but an unlucky job seeker who came to the capital city from a rural village.

While working in a club as a part-timer, he helped a boy who got heavily injured in a fight with local gangsters. 

It was only when he took the boy to the hospital he realised that he actually saved the young master of one of the affluent families in the capital, the Tang family. 

They were willing to give anything to the person who saved their young master from harm. However, Yang Xiong politely denied their offers by quoting that he will never ask payment for compassion and kindness. 

Impressed by Yang Xiong's principles and bravery, Tang family offered him the position of secretary for their only young master. 

Appointing a secretary for a high school student- well, it was something unprecedented and new. 

However, Tang Fei, the chairman of Tang Corporations insisted on choosing the diligent Yang Xiong as a secretary to the only heir of his business empire and gave the youngman an opportunity to prove himself. 

 Yang Xiong seized the opportunity and worked hard to prove elder Tang's decision was never wrong. Along his teenager boss, Yang Xiong also grew up and made his name into the list of the best employees in Tang corporations.

When Tang Wei Sheng returned to Jing city after his studies, Yang Xiong became his right-hand man who assisted him in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities as the new director of the entertainment division of Tang corporations. 

Within a year, Tang Wei Sheng proved that he is worthy enough to manage the entire business empire of Tang Corporations and got promoted as the CEO.

However, despite being the head of one of the largest conglomerate in the country, Tang Wei Sheng always treated Yang Xiong as an elder brother rather than his assistant, maintaining their sworn brotherhood and friendship intact. 

It was already midnight when Tang Wei Sheng's Bugatti La Voiture Noire reached his ancestral home.

 While getting out of the driving seat, he confusingly stared at the Tang mansion glistened in fancy lights and quickly checked the time on his wristwatch. 

 It was already half past midnight.

"Everyone is still awake?" Tang Wei Sheng mumbled as his eyes caught the sight of the military vehicle parked in the garage.

"Oh...Even uncle is here!" He exclaimed. 

Tang Wei Sheng's uncle, Tang Yin was a high-ranking military official who rarely visits his ancestral home due to his busy schedule.

"If a busy man like uncle, found time to visit home, then definitely there is something important is going on." The panic alarm started to tick inside his brain. 

"I guess, they are waiting for you boss." Yang Xiong notified his boss who stood still in absolute confusion. "I will leave, then." 

"Do you want me to drop you at home?"

" Eh?" Bewildered by his boss's question, Yang Xiong stared at the man in doubt. 

 Don't tell me, boss is scared to go home after what he has done all day? 

"Ha-ha, I am just joking. Here, take my baby." Tang Wei Sheng tossed the car key to Yang Xiong and turned around to walk away. 

"Go, go and sleep well. Don't let the bed bugs bite you." He almost sang like a chirpy bird to hide his fluster, 

"Good night, boss." Yang Xiong took a step back and guided his boss towards the main door of the mansion. 

He continued to watch the lean silhouette of his young boss, heading to the mansion and smilingly lowered his gaze to the key in his hand.

Like a lucky charm, a black wolf plushie toy attached to the key. Though it appeared quite old, anyone can tell that it's owner has taken good care of it. 

For the entire C country, the daring and dashing CEO of Tang Corporation appeared as an ardent fan of supercars, but only a few knew that his real obsession lies with plushie toys.

Just think about it, who puts a 2 dollar plushie key chain on a 19 million dollar supercar?

"He is crazy!!!!" Yang Xiong mumbled and strode towards his boss's precious baby parked outside the garage. 

At the same time, Tang Wei Sheng stood before the huge door of the mansion, hesitating to ring the doorbell as he contemplated the possible scenarios that he has to face from now on.

After gathering enough courage, he finally reached out to press the doorbell, but to his surprise, the door got open on its own.

"Mom!!!" Tang Wei Sheng's eyes widened in surprise as soon as he saw his mother at the doorstep.

He was expecting the housekeepers to open the door, not the lady of the house.

Wang Fang's eyes glittered in joy, when she met her beloved son who came home after a long time. 

Last year, Tang Wei Sheng moved to a penthouse in the centre of the city and rarely visited his family, thanks to his busy schedules. 

"Ah Sheng!" Wang Fang welcomed her son with a warm hug and let him enter.

"Mom, why are you still awake?" Tang Wei Sheng asked her while changing into a pair of house slippers, just an effort to dig some information from her. 

"Is everything alright? Why the lights are still on?" He was indeed curious.

His grandfather followed a strict routine at home. Tang Fei was someone who followed the belief that 'An individual should rest properly for a healthy life.' 

So elder Tang insisted everyone to sleep early, including the housekeepers. 

"Go inside, dear." Wang Fang gently pushed her son towards the living room without answering his queries. 

As soon as Tang Wei Sheng stepped inside, he was left speechless by the presence of his entire family, waiting for him in the living room. 

"How come everyone is still awake?" Tang Wei Sheng looked for answers as he greeted them cheerfully, 

"Good evening everyone."

"Evening?" Tang Yi looked at the giant wall clock and began to interrogate his only son. It was obvious that he was angry. "Where have you been?"

"I was...!" Tang Wei Sheng stopped in the middle of the sentence as he recalled the events of the day, especially travelling to S city and ended up partying on a cruise.

Every year, he arranges a pre-birthday party for his friends and spends the birthday with his family. 

It was also one among the unwritten rules of the Tang family.

Even though the members lived separately, whenever there is a birthday, the entire family gathered at the ancestral home for the celebrations.

Since Tang Wei Sheng was born in December, his birthday happens to be the last family reunion of the year.

When Tang Wei Sheng felt his father'sscrutinizing stare, he snapped out of the thoughts and started to explain.

"Actually, I was planning to surprise you all, by visiting home at the midnight. But it seems like I've failed to execute it. How come everyone is still awake?" Tang Wei Sheng couldn't wait anymore to know the reason as he inquired. 

"Tang Wei Sheng!!!!"

All of sudden, Tang Fei called out his grandson as his booming voice which echoed in the quiet living room.

By the tone of his grandfather's voice, Tang Wei Sheng immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. 

Although his grandfather was a man in his mid-seventies who loved grandchildren more than anything, the tone Tang Fei just used wasn't something he normally uses with his grandchildren.

It was the authoritative tone that belonged to one of the great business leaders who molded the C country into the biggest economy in the world. 

It sounded more like a superior officer calling his assistant to reprimand for a mistake. However the words which followed after a long moment of silence was something unexpected. 

"Happy birthday, Ah Sheng." Tang Fei greeted as the tightened coroners of his mouth relaxed into a warm smile.

The moment when Tang Wei Sheng saw his grandpa's smile, the tension that lingered in his mind vanished without any trace. He walked over and hugged his Tang Fei with a beaming face.

"Thank you, grandpa."

"Happy birthday Ah Sheng!!!" The family took their turns to greet the young master of the house.

"Since Wei Sheng has safely reached home, everybody goes to bed...now!!"

Upon hearing Tang Fei's order everyone returned to their respective rooms, except his elder son.

"Father, I thought you are going to tell him." Tang Yi initiated a conversation in a low voice after making sure that no one else was in the living room. 

"Didn't you see him? He was tired to death. Do you think he will understand its importance if I tell him now? Let's wait for the right moment to discuss it."

Tang Fei instructed and headed straight to his room without further explanations.

-----------------------------------

While walking towards his bedroom, Tang Wei Sheng's eyes fell on the female silhouette in the balcony, immersed in a phone conversation. 

It was Tang Wei Lan, his sister. She was a piano major who recently returned to Jing city after completing her studies abroad. 

Upon seeing her brother, Tang Wei Lan waved her hand and signalled him to come over, as she busied herself with the phone call. 

Listening to the happiness rippling in her voice, Tang Wei Sheng sauntered towards his sister without any second thoughts. 

Just like him, Tang Wei Lan also inherited a cheerful and kind personality from their mother.

However, at this moment she sounded so elated that anyone could figure out that she was talking to someone special.

"I will definitely tell him!!!" Tang Wei Lan babbled as she passed her cell phone to her brother and gestured him to talk.

"Seriously Lanlan, I am going to kill you, if you tell him."

A melodious voice heard from the other end. 

The very instant when the death threat fell on his ears, Tang Wei Sheng's eyes widened in astonishment as he immediately recognised its owner.

It was her. 

"Sweetheart!!!" He unknowingly addressed the caller in a doting tone, just like the old times. 

The moment Tang Wei Sheng spoke, on the other end of the call, Li Juan felt like a bomb has been disposed on her and she jolted up from her seat in shock.

"Sweetheart, is that you?" Tang Wei Sheng repeated to confirm the caller's identity. 

Even though Li Juan heard his question, she couldn't utter a word as she remained stunned by the voice that she hasn't heard in the last seven years. 

The mighty Tang Wei Sheng is talking to her.

HE addressed her by his iconic "sweethear" title...

"Are you there, sweetheart?" Tang Wei Sheng asked when he heard no responses. 

"Lanlan, I think she ended the call." With a puzzled look, Tang Wei Sheng turned the speaker mode on and returned the phone.

"Lily." Tang Wei Lan called her friend in dubiety. 

Upon hearing a mellow voice from the other end, Li Juan regained her senses and almost shouted at top of her lungs.

"Girl, you are so dead!!!!!" 

Tang Wei Lan could not help but laugh when her best friend continuously threatened her with death. 

Hearing a response from the other end, Tang Wei Sheng moved the phone towards his mouth and tried again to have a conversation with her. 

"Sweetheart, I know that you can hear me. Are you still not going to talk to me? It's my birthday." He demanded sweetly. He knew that Li Juan is not a chatty one, but still he couldn't help but to wonder whether she has changed or not. 

"Happy birthday." After a long silence, Li Juan's trembling voice reached them. 

"Let's meet up, sweetheart. Come home, we are having a party tomorrow," Tang Wei Sheng elicted enthusiastically, 

"..." 

"Sweetheart, are you even listening?" Tang Wei Sheng looked at his sister for help as heard no responses. 

"Lily...!" Tang Wei Lan tried to seek a reply from her friend who must've been startled to death, by now. "Will you attend the party?"

Hearing the dead silence from Li Juan, she wondered whether handing her phone over to her brother turned out to be a bad idea.

Li Juan was her best friend from high school. 

While they were together, Tang Wei Lan often used to playfully ask Li Juan to get married to her brother, so that her best friend can officially become a part of her family. 

Even though, Li Juan never wholeheartedly agreed, Tang Wei Lan was aware of the fact that her best friend had a huge crush on her brother. 

Li Juan who had a silent and aloof personality, becomes chatty whenever she talks about her favourite senior. But the moment the same person appear somewhere close to her, she completely loses her voice -the signs were obvious. 

 Tang Wei Lan glanced at the man who was now, staring at the phone with highly anticipated eyes. 

It was quite shocking for her to realise that even after these many years, Li Juan and Tang Wei Sheng can't have a proper conversation with each other. 

"Senior Tang, I will attend it." Finally, Li Juan spoke.

"That's it." Tang Wei Sheng's eyes sparkled as he went on,

"I am looking forward to meeting you. I wish we could talk more, but Lanlan has already started to sulk." He let out a chuckle and quickly concluded,

 "Good night, sweetheart. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight."

"Gege, you just scared her to death." Tang Wei Lan sulked as soon as her brother returned her phone. 

"Did I?" Tang Wei Sheng innocently asked as if she is wrongly accusing him. 

"Where did you find her number? I thought you lost her contact when we went abroad." 

"I just got it from one of my classmates. We were recalling our memories before you came to scare her off." Tang Wei Lan pouted her lips in disappointment.

"Anyway, you can meet her tomorrow and talk as much you want." He patted Tang Wei Lan's hair and cajoled her.

"It's already late, go to bed." 

Tang Wei Sheng advised his sister before heading to his room.

However, as soon as he left her sight, Tang Wei Lan quickly gave a call to Li Juan. 

"Lily, are you okay?" She asked out of concern.

"You should've told me that your brother is home. Why did you put him on call?" Li Juan started complaining as soon as she picked up the call. 

"Please, don't tell me that you still have a crush on my brother and stutter at the very sight of him." 

"No, I don't."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then will you visit us tomorrow?" Tang Wei Lan asked in a persuading baby voice before her friend could come up with an excuse. She was well aware of the fact that Li Juan avoids parties like plague. "Pretty please." 

However it took a moment for Li Juan to answer that question. "Yes, I'll come."

"Hurray! Now I can sleep peacefully." Tang Wei Lan let out a cheer.

"Yes, yes..go and sleep now, let me do my work."

After exchanging few more words, Li Juan ended the phone call and closed the book that remained open before her. After removing her thick reading glass, Li Juan pulled open her desk's drawer and took out a small diary. 

It was the slam book which she used to note down her silly scribblings during school days.

She gently turned the pages and found an old photograph of a high school boy with a motor bike. 

It was Tang Wei Sheng. 

Under the warm evening lights, young Tang Wei Sheng appeared effortlessly handsome even with his ruffled hair and sweaty face. 

Li Juan gazed at his charming countenance with a sense of adoration. 

Even though he was still in his late teens, his well-defined features made everyone swoon over him like a celebrity. 

However, unlike everyone, his bright smile that resembled the radiant sun, meant the world for Li Juan. 

As she immersed herself in the photograph, it didn't take much for Li Juan to take a walk down the memory lane.