Fourteen

The man groaned as he started to come too. His sides hurt and he had a rather large bump on the top of his head. His eyes slowly opened as he tried to look at his surroundings. Unfortunately, all he saw was darkness from the cloth that covered his eyes.

The man could hear laughter coming from a space that was close to him and not that far away. A woman's voice carried over from the room that he was in.

"These are delicious dear husband; how did you think of such a method?"

The man was instantly confused. The last thing he remembered was finding the hiding location of Han Bing but, who were these people that could rival the greatest couple?

"look" the soft voice was heard again "he is moving."

The man stiffened as he felt the presence of people staring him down as if they were looking into his soul. The man felt rough hands close around his arms as they lifted him into a different position on the floor.

"Talk or you will never leave this room again" a strong voice could be heard that the man recognized as Han Bings.

"Han Bing" the man cried out before continuing "my name is Fourteen. I am part of an elite unit that the Emperor set up many years ago that do whatever tasks are assigned to them. Although we are loyal dogs the emperor has gone too far!" the man paused to catch his breath. The weight on his shoulders felt lighter as he continued with his story. "He has lost all reason and lives only to see the demise of you. He thinks that killing you will release the sorrow he feels towards his dearly departed concubine."

Fourteen heard a deep inhale from Han Bing who had been silently listening to his story.

"How do we know that you aren't here to lure us into the open?" The female voice asked Fourteen.

"We have been following you since you left your manor" Fourteen said honestly "if we had been

faithfully reporting your movements to the Emperor, I am afraid that you most liking wouldn't be alive anymore."

"Who was the departed concubine that started all of this?" the Female voice asked again "I do not recall any being at the previous banquet I attended."

"Han Bings mother" Fourteen answered swiftly as if the news wouldn't be a shock to Han Bing.

"Impossible" Han Bing muttered "she was alive all this time?"

Fourteen realizing that Han Bing didn't know the story of his origins replied "She was held captive under the city by the Emperor. He was deeply in flaunted with her even though she had chosen another over him. Your very existence is a reminder to the Emperor of her."

___

Mai wrapped her arms around Han Bing as he recalled all his interactions with the Emperor. Han Bings face was deep in thought as he looked back at fourteen.

"I'm not a legitimate son, why are you helping me? You gain nothing from this besides a slow death if the Emperor find out." Han Bing questions the man.

"If we don't remove the Emperor soon, he will destroy this country. If he dies without an heir, it will start a civil war. However, many people believe that you are actually the Emperors son as he too vain to let others believe that he had lost you mother to another man." Fourteen said in a quiet voice. "We will use that connection to restore the peace in the land."

Han Bing looked towards Mai and couldn't picture her surrounded by the poisonous vipers that was the inner harem. Gliding his arms around her and pulling her into him he replied to Fourteen "What if I do not wish to be Emperor?"

------

Fourteen had been scared of this answer, not too often did people completely run away from their fortunes and decide to live in the countryside without even a servant to accompany them.

"Han Bing! Look at how far the empire has fallen already? Do you truly wish to see innocent people dying in a civil war that you could stop?" Fourteen questioned Han Bing in a solemn tone attempting to sound wise but you could hear desperation in the undertones.

Han Bing sighed as he paced around the small room continuously glancing towards Mai.

"I'll need to discuss this with my wife, it's not only my life that it will effect" Han Bing replied.

Although Han Bing thought that some of the nobles would challenge his rule as many could probably guess his actual origin. It may bring peace to the land but would only increase his discomfort of the palace. This was before knowing that his mother had been held captive there, and he had never known… Never even spoken to her.

Han Bing noticed Mai looking him deeply in the eyes once they were out of ear shot of fourteen. Although the cottage was small the walls were still thick and prevented sound from traveling far, especially in the little side room that Fourteen was still tied up in.

"If it is any consolation, I think you would make a great Emperor." Mai said.

Her fingers interlocked with Han Bings bringing them close to her mouth where she placed a light kiss on top of his hand. Mai's gaze looked over Han Bing figure.

"look at the proud way you stand, or the graceful way you move." Mai muttered under her breather before Continuing "I will follow you anywhere."

Han Bing smiled as He looked at Mai of course she would support the path that would bring prosperity to many instead of herself. He couldn't help but feel proud of his little wife.

"It's not me that I am concerned about. Do you know how treacherous living in the palace will be for you? Not only that but you'll be completely sealed away in there to never explore the delights of the world."

Han Bing nudge Mai's fingers towards his mouth, placing a soft delicate kiss upon her hand as she had done to him.

"Look how palace life has treated me" Han Bing continued "I didn't even live in the palace, yet it controlled me most of my life. Also do you truly wish to see our kids fighting over the throne. Everything will change Mai. Are you prepared for that?"

Mai realized that she truly hadn't put enough thought into what being the royal family would entail. Han Bing would be expected to take concubines and have as many heirs as possible to ensure the bloodline continued, especially with the current Emperor having no offspring. Thinking about sharing Han Bing with other woman set Mai on edge.

"Sharing you with other is not something that I am prepared to do" Mai mumbled to herself as she contemplated the situation further.

"However, what about the country? All the people that are like your servants that will die because someone in the court is power hungry and wants to fight their way to the top?" Mai couldn't help but question.