Chapter 5: The Emperor Kicks the Bucket

General Jin hurries out of his mansion and climb on the horse "Hah" he girdles it harder and the horse rides faster while Yan effortlessly run after him panting heavily.

The door guard bow courteously to them as Prince Xie enters the mansion with Churong and Lin but they eventually pause on hearing the voice of General Jin.

"Stop!"

Churong turns and call "Jin!" in happiness and surprise as Prince Xie pull her gently to his side.

General Jin smirks mockingly and approaches them with a stern face, he pull Churong to his chest saying emotionally;

"As long as I live, she remains mine".

Churong shine her eyes and blushes in surprise and happiness.

General Jin kisses her deeply and passionately and Prince Xie stands at a distance speechless while Lin and Yan chuckles sheepishly.

They were still at the romantic position when the pleasant music intrudes:

"I search all over the city, where are you?"

"If I get a glimpse of you, please stay with me".

"Rainy night, sunny day".

"You are all I care and think about".

"Stay with me and hold my arms strong".

"This journey needs you more".

"My heart craves for you".

"Let's go together".

                      (Lyrics: Ibiso Bob-Manuel)

Prince Tang Xie annoyingly clears his throat making General Jin break away from Churong as they stare at each other nervously and speechlessly.

The traditional sound rise and fade as Queen Shi roll her big bead muttering words in a low tone with her eyes close, prayers are being answered in the Lunha temple thus she fervently pray for General Jin as a young maiden runs into the hall and bow in respect.

"Your highness" she moves closer to Queen Shi and whispers to her ear softly and immediately Queen Shi stands up sluggishly, happily and anxiously.

"Jine'r!" she calls as she runs out of the temple cautiously, the maid follows supporting her courteously.

"Don't worry Uncle";

"I did as you ask";

"Sooner you shall sit on the throne" Queen Fie smile happily while drinking the cup of wine as her uncle who is currently the Prime Minister "Master Yue" nods his head impressively.

"I like you sister, you do your jobs clean."

"No one will ever suspect you." he laughs loudly as they cheer happily and gulp the wine together.

Queen Hua angrily pace around the corners of her room in tense.

"How is this possible?"

"Who stole and gave that bastard the pill" she angrily vents her anger on guard Won.

"Mistress, the maid on duty reported that";

"Prince Xie visited you some weeks ago but met your absence" guard Won reports politely and courteously as Queen Hua sits on the soft wooden armchair and hit her fingers on the table angrily.

"Stupid boy."

"I am doing this for him."

"Is he too blind to see?" she curses angrily in a low tone while guard Won turns the tea into the small cup.

"Mistress, calm down;"

"There are other ways to kill a bird" guard Won said courageously in a low tone and Queen Hua faces him with an anxious beam

"I am all ears" she drinks the tea slowly as guard Won explains to her briefly of his next deadly plan.

The busy market street in Tang city, traders chant and display their products while Yan and Lin walk around the market buying food ingredients.

"My lady and your master are finally in love with each other" Lin informs sheepishly as she eats the tasty hauoxi.

"Yes. What about us?" Yan said nervously and turns his face toward another direction.

"Us" Lin stutters shyly as she walks faster, Yan runs to her nervously.

"Wait for me".

Lin smirks happily under her nose as she continues eating the hauoxi.

"The Emperor arrives" Eunuch Lig announces while holding the royal whip and the court officials including the two princes kowtow courteously while saying:

"Long live your majesty"';

"Welcome your majesty".

"Rise" the Emperor commands weakly and they stand upright.

The Emperor compliments hardworking officials and rewarded some with thousands of gold taels which they happily and courteously accepted.

"If there are no reports, I shall leave" the Emperor tries to stand up from the golden throne when General Jin steps out of the line and bows courteously.

"Your majesty";

"The grains assigned for palliative and relief three days ago haven't reached the hands of the people";

"Lives suffer for hunger and some die too" he reports courteously with a bow and the Emperor nods impressively.

"Minister of supply, Mater Li";

"What do you have to say?" the Emperor asks politely and anxiously but Master Li only bow and remain speechless, General Jin smirks under his nose while Prince Xie stare in anger.

"General Jin, I will leave this case to you".

"Yes, your majesty" General Jin bows as the Emperor stands up and leave the hall making everyone to bow while standing.

"Farewell your majesty" they aid courteously in unison.

Queen Shi sits on the block made chair in the garden enjoying the chirping from the birds as she eats the peuji cake and drinks tea slowly while her personal maid stands upright at a distance.

General Jin walks into the garden and immediately Queen Shi sees him, she smile brightly while the maid bows courteously.

"Your highness".

He sits next to his mother and she turn to him smiling happily while caressing his beautiful face and long hair, they remain speechless.

"I thought have lost you" she mutters softly in a low tone with a small smile as General Jin holds her hand on his cheek and smile.

"I will never leave you alone in this dangerous place" he said impulsively as tears roll down her cheeks, he clean them off with his napkin and let out a small smile.

"I am fine mother" he encourages her and she nods repeatedly with a small smile.

The Prime Minister is on his soft long wooden armchair in his mansion as he admires a painting on the table while Queen Fei enters with a bow and small smile.

"Brother" she notifies him of her presence as he close the painting slowly and put it aside.

"You called for me" she turns the wine from the jar into the small cups on the table.

"Yes, I have a reward for you";

"Your performances have been great lately" Master Yue nods impressively as he drinks the wine while Queen Fei blushes happily.

"But you must not forget that Prince Xie is silly but Prince Jin is very smart" he warns cautiously in a low tone.

"I will definitely do the needful" she whispers softly and drinks the wine while Mater Yue clears his throat and call a servant who rushes into the hall with a bow.

General Jin speaks courageously and professionally to the soldier commander on his next plan in finding out the mastermind behind the grain loss and invisible fund when Churong enters the hall with a tray containing snacks, she smile as she approaches serious looking Jin.

On seeing his wife, he dismisses the commander and walks up to Churong smiling.

"Rong, why are you here?" he asks anxiously in a low alluring tone.

"You have been here since morning";

"I made snacks for you" she happily picks one cake and gives it to General Jin, instead of taking it with his head he bite little from her hand and she let out a toothy shy smile.

"Do you like it?" she drops the tray on the nearby table, he nods;

"Delicious. I like it".

They stare at each other in admiration and happiness as Yan runs into the hall shouting fearfully "Badnews! Badnews!"

General Jin turns immediately to hear Yan's explanation but all he mutter was "The palace ---- the palace", General Jin couldn't wait for him to finish as he pull his sword and rushes out of the mansion while Churong is left in a confuse state.

She approaches Yan and holds his arm strongly.

"What happened in the palace?" she asks anxiously.

"The emperor was poisoned and --- and he died" Yan stutters in fear as Churong rushes out of the mansion.

"But, he may live" Yan finally completes the statement, scratches his hair nervously and exhales.

The Queens, Prince Xie and Empress Dowager were already in the Emperor's chamber when General Jin enters into the palace looking all anxious, the imperial physician approach him shaking his head sadly.

"The poison has spread all over his majesty's veins";

"He died.”