Chapter 7: The Lost Promise

Yan and Lin sadly prepare lunch in the Jin kitchen, though Yan feels worried for his master but his feelings for Lin remains unchangeable.

"He can't leave me or die so fast" Yan will always encourage himself.

They keep exchanging weird and shy glances as Lin blushes but keep a stern face when facing Yan.

"Lin, can we go and watch the cartoon show after lunch?"

"No" Lin refuse shyly and bow her head walking closer to the exit door but Yan grabs her hand nervously.

"Is that a yes?" he asks sarcastically with a flirtatious wink, she nods her head awkwardly and runs out of the kitchen. Yan smirks happily and continues arranging the meals on the tray.

With fear Marquis Chu kowtow on the central point in the hall.

"But your majesty, my daughter is already married to your brother"

"General Jin".

Emperor Tang Buexuan Xie hits his hand angrily on the throne handle.

"Impossible"

"I can choose my bride" he squeals angrily as the crown beads on his head shakes left and right.

"Never!" a loud authoritative voice echoes in the hall as General Jin walks into the hall confidently with his sword on his waist which is stained with blood.

"Welcome your majesty, long live your majesty" the court officials kowtow courteously to General Jin as he absentmindedly walk angrily to the central point in the hall.

"Absurd!"

"I am the emperor" Emperor Xie stands up from the throne angrily with a confuse stare.

"Can a junior brother covet the belongings of his senior?" General Jin bow standing upright facing prince Xie angrily.

"Don't allow them persuade you into a wrong character"

"Do the needful" General Jin pauses as he faces the court officials, he smirks and start walking confidently out of the hall.

"Farewell your majesty" the court officials bow courteously while standing upright.

"I am the Emperor!"

"You won't tell me what to do" Emperor Xie stutters and leaves the hall in confusion.

"Court ends now" Eunuch Lig announces loudly and the court officials leave the hall muttering in a low tone between themselves.

The wide entrance gate opens slowly as General Jin walks into the Jin mansion, to his surprise Churong, Queen Shi, Yan, Lin and Empress Dowager were standing patiently awaiting his arrival.

"Mother, grandmother" General Jin approaches them impulsively as Yan shouts happily "Master!"

They all exchange warm embraces and pleasantries as Churong smile helplessly while tears roll down Queen Shi's swollen eyes.

Empress Dowager and Queen Shi explains briefly to him of the current state of Tang kingdom and the palace, the dangers in there, General Jin after days of thinking calls Churong to his study in other to disclose to her of his final decision.

"Hubby" Churong calls happily as she enters into his chamber with a small bowl containing liquid substance.

"I prepared peach soup for you" she drops the bowl on the table and approaches him where he seats closer to the window.

"Since you return your attitude towards me have changed" Churong complains sadly, he grabs her hand softly.

"I'm sorry Rong, there are lots on my mind lately but I still love you" General reassures her with a warm smile and she smiles.

"Okay. Take the soup while it's still warm" she reminds politely while walking away to the exit.

"Churong" General Jin calls out in a low tone and she turns backward impatiently "Yes".

General Jin smirks softly "Nothing" he shakes his head slowly with a sad smile and she leaves the chamber.

"Empress Dowager" Queen Hua and Queen Fei greets courteously as she slowly sits on the soft wooden armchair, Queen Hua clears her throat.

"Who forced Xie'r to take the throne?" Empress Dowager asks anxiously and annoyingly.

"His mother of course" Queen Fei snorts.

"I am sorry mother"

"I have failed as Xie's mother" Queen Hua pleads sadly but one could tell it's out of pretense and fear.

"Now the throne is empty"

"We shall let the court officials deliberately choose the right descendant" Empress Dowager informs the consorts cautiously.

"Yes mother" they bow their heads courteously.

"You may leave" Empress Dowager commands politely as she drink the tea slowly.

Marquis Chu pace around the sitting room while Madame Chu sits on the wooden armchair turning the tea into the small cups sadly, she clears her throat softly and Marquis Chu pauses facing her with a sad smile.

"How is the court?" Madame Chu asks anxiously as she stretches out her hand giving him the small cup that hold tea, he receives the cup and smirks.

"Prince Xie was manipulated by his mother to take the throne this he has been dethroned, now the throne is left empty" Marquis Chu explains briefly to Madame Chu as he drinks his tea slowly.

"Yes" Madame Chu nods her head slowly in happiness.

"Prince Xie's rule was a bad one"

"He almost killed all his subjects" Madame Chu snorts sadly.

"Since Prince Jin doesn't like prestige, who will ascend the throne then?"

"The Empress Dowager can't rule Tang kingdom" Marquis Chu laments sadly while taking his sit.

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Crowd cheer happily while dropping coins into the small bowl of the street story teller, Yan and Lin walks out in the midst of the crowd smiling happily.

"The story was nice" Lin said nervously.

"Yea, I like it too" Yan nods his head as they walk along the bustling street.

"I want bun!" Lin squeals happily and they run closer to the small shade purchasing two buns from the seller.

"What's wrong with your master?" Lin asks anxiously while eating the bun.

"I don't know"

"Since his visit to the court he has been behaving weird" Yan explains verbally to Lin as she nods her head slowly.

Lin lean closer to Yan's ear;

"Is he taking another wife soon?" she whispers softly and he raises his head up immediately.

"Impossible" Yan rebukes apathetically, he walks closer to Lin.

"My master loves only Lady Jin" he said sarcastically and confidently in a low tone.

Lin nods her head happily while her hands were clasped.

"What about us?" Yan asks nervously and immediately Lin walks faster to a distance, he follows awkwardly.

"Lady Rong"

"In my whole life, you are the only one that made me laugh and feel sad at the same time"

"The only one that made my heart beat for the first time"

"I am a filial son but an irresponsible husband"

"I thought heaven will give me an option"

"But I'm left with choosing you over another"

"The throne"

General Jin holds Churong on her waist tightly as he informs her of his final decision impulsively, hearing "The Throne" she pull out from his arms and walks over to a distance.

"You promise never to choose the throne or any lady over me"

"You also promise to marry me official – and then take me away to a city so we could live a normal life"

"Why all these now?"

Churong stutters sadly as she asks impulsively with an anxious stare, tears roll down from her eyes uncontrollably to her cheeks.

General Jin approaches her slowly and she walks backward sadly.

"Churong, I will be the Emperor and you will be the Empress" General Jin informs her sadly with a small smile, she laughs nervously.

"Did I ever ask for that?"

"Did I ever care about luxury?"

"I just want to be your wife"

Churong informs sadly while sniffling, General Jim quickly embraces her tightly while muttering softly in a low tone.

"We are still going to be husband and wife"

"I have to take the throne"

"This is my conjugal duty"

General Jin said vividly and she angrily pushes him away from her body.

"Conjugal duty you say"

"Why make promises when you can't keep them?"

"Why give me happiness when the result will yield pain"

"All these promises are lost overnight?" Churong squeals bitterly as tears rolls down from her eyes down to her cheek, she turns to leave but he pulls her closer to his chest kissing her deeply and passionately.

She succumbs for a while and pulls out.

"I can't accept this pain" she runs out of the chamber and General Jin stands at a spot speechless.