Chapter 6: Craving for Power

General Jin pull Churong closer to his chest making the cake to fall off from her hand and her cheeks turn red.

"Rong"

"When you need a pillar to rest on, I will lend you my shoulder"

"When you need a pillow to cry on, I will lend you my body"

"If you want to fly, I will give you the sky"

"If you want to run, I will give you the grassland"

"If you want to love, I will give you my heart"

"I will love only you forever not minding the unforeseen future"

"Till death tears us apart, you will be my one and only wife"

General Jin kisses Churong's forehead deeply as she closes her eyes blushing happily.

They stare at each other in admiration and happiness not until Yan rushes into the hall.

The Emperor's consorts, Empress Dowager, prince Xie, imperial physician and few maidens were already inside the Emperor's chamber when General Jin rushes into the room looking anxious and worried.

The imperial physician approaches him while shaking his head sadly.

"The poison has spread all over the Emperor's vein"

"I couldn't save him"

"He died" the old imperial physician falls to his knees fearfully.

"Please forgive me, your highness" General Jin staggers in shock and slowly approaches the bed of the Emperor, Queen Hua clears her throat softly.

"Since the Emperor is dead, we have to nominate someone that will rule the kingdom peacefully" Queen Hua suggests slyly as she roll her eyes looking happy.

"Yes, perfectly said Queen Hua"

"I think I know someone suitable for the position"

Queen Hua and Queen Fei starts arguing on who would ascend on the throne, General Jin turns backward angrily.

"The throne will be vacant for one year, we must mourn the Emperor rightfully" General Jin said authoritatively without looking at anyone and leaves the room.

"Who is he?" Queen Hua snorts angrily and Empress Dowager shuns her cautiously, she leaves the Emperor's chamber followed by Queen Shi and her maid.

Prince Xie drown himself on alcohol with his best friend Marquis Gan as he discuss about his sad plights and predicaments, he stammers angrily as a result of the alcoholic wine while Marquis Gan keeps turning wine into his cup.

"My prince"

"You don't have to act childish and silly in matters of the court" Marquis Gan tries to convince Prince Xie wrongly while drunken Xie mutters rubbish.

"He is my senior brother"

"He owns everything rightfully"

"Who am I? I can't do anything" Prince Xie complains sadly as he gulps the wine and hit the cup hardly on the wooden table, Marquis Gan smirks mockingly.

"You are wrong Xie"

"You have to fight for what you want until you have it" Marquis Gan pat prince Xie softly on the back.

"You own Churong and the throne"

"Fight for it" Marquis Gan laughs mischievously as he turns wine into the cups on the table while prince Xie nods his head slowly.

"Yes"

"They are all mine"

"Yes" prince Xie mutters in a low tone with a mischievous smile as he gulps the wine and joins Marquis Gan to laugh loudly, Doubin sighs sadly.

<><><><><>

The mourning of the late Emperor begins as other genuine subjects participate in the mourning via visiting the royal cemetery.

The royal palace was shut down during this periods, General Jin stays indoor mourning his father and loving his wife.

Not until the war break into the capital city between southern regions, General Jin was called upon to fight and gain justice for the kingdom. Churong felt empty as soon as General Jin left and continues mourning with Yan in the prince Jin mansion, the consorts (Queen Hua and Queen Fei) notice the absence of Jin thus Queen Hua pressures prince Xie into taking the throne while Queen Fei persuades her uncle Master Yue to fight for the throne this made the palace turbulent as they all turn against each other ignoring the words of Queen Shi and Empress Dowager.

Prince Xie courageously opens the royal palace again and calls for a meeting between the court officials, they all disagree with prince Xie rule for he is too childish and vulgar while Master Yue is capricious.

This angered Queen Hua thus she ordered guard Won to do a clean job on any adamant court official without the consent of prince Xie.

Churong on seeing the perilous event sent countless letters to General Jin through his dove but she receives no reply in return.

"Was the war a trick?"

"Is he dead?" these wild thought run in her head as Yan and Lin encourages her morally to be hopeful.

Queen Fei randomly spread rumor that Prince Jin died in the battle between capital city and southern regions, the people disagrees while some isolate themselves to mourning.

Churong and the people in Jin mansion found it hard to believe but still the news sounds real as his absence has lasted for a year and three months (1 year and 3 months), this gave Queen Hua the opportunity to bribe few court officials into accepting prince Xie thus he was blessed and crown the new Emperor of Tang kingdom meanwhile Queen Fei and Master Yue didn't give up as they continue fighting for the throne internally and externally to dethrone prince Xie

As for prince Xie, he was like a pet being controlled by its owner or a toy being remoted by its user. Queen Hua controls prince Xie into making harsh decree on the people, monopolizing rich businesses in the capital and punishing her enemies.

Queen Shi and Empress Dowager were forcefully kicked out of the royal palace by Queen Hua using a fake decree from the Emperor, she killed everyone that loves prince Xie and vice versa. No one could stop her as it visible she wants to be the only empress, all these were going on behind prince Xie's watchful eyes and he never cared.

Prince Xie conferred his mother the title of the new Empress Dowager, the court official murmur in disbelief between each other but couldn't speak up to avoid death.

Churong takes in Queen Shi and Empress Dowager into the Jin mansion and they lived as one big family hopelessly waiting for the arrival of their saviour.

<<^^>><<^^>>

Prince Xie visits the Jin mansion one year after ascending on the throne.

"Brother Xie" Churong calls happily as she ushers him into the living room.

"Once you become the Emperor, she will definitely fall at your feet begging" the words of Marquis Gan rings in his head as he approaches Churong impulsively while she walks backward in fear and confusion.

Prince Xie pull her tightly and goes in for a kiss, surprise as Churong she slaps him hardly on his cheek.

"How dare you!" she pushes him away and falls on the soft armchair.

"I like you Chu"

"I am now the Emperor, be my Empress" he said impulsively as she stands up shaking her head in disbelief, she leaves the living room speechless.

"It's already two years and months"

"I have exceeded the mourning period"

"How is the court?"

"How is Churong?"

General Jin girdles his horse hardly and anxiously as the horse runs fasters in the busy path around the Tang forest.

The mourning court is proceeding as the court officials report the current issues bothering the kingdom but prince Xie now Emperor Xie keeps stammering and scratching his hair nervously while speaking, he finally clears his throat facing the officials who were all lined up standing upright.

"I shall be getting married soon"

"Marquis Chu get ready, your daughter Churong will be my consort"

"What?" Marquis Chu stammers with his head bow in surprise and fear while other court official mutters between themselves in a low tone.

"But your majesty, my daughter is already married to General Jin" Marquis Chu bows his head in fear and Emperor Xie hits his hand angrily.

"Impossible"

"I can marry who ever I want" Emperor Xie squeals angrily.

"Never!" a loud authoritative voice echoes as General Jin walks into the hall majestically with his sword on his waist as everyone fall on their knees in kowtow.

"Welcome your majesty, long live your majesty!"