Episode 2 The Court

"Your Majesty," Minister Lu stepped forward, "I have received the news that said there are refugees waiting out of the capital gate to take care of. I recommend letting them in to spread Your majesty's benevolance."

"But there is a disease spread among them, isn't there? I've already investigated there is no need fooling me. That is the reason why the capital city is their last resort for survival but think about what will happen if we let them in!" Qin Xiuyan's eyes contorted in rage, banging the table, nearly spilling the hot tea onto his hand. The BANG resonated through the whole court, the ministers at the front almost ran away with fright.

"Your Majesty," the minister wanted to plead for the refugees, but was cut short by a raging Qin Xiuyan.

"Shut your mouth!! We almost brought our own country by a small disease. What would you do if I hadn't found out in time? Let them in the capital and spread their disease to our people?"

"Your majesty," Minister Lu attempted to say again as the atmosphere would worsen if he didn't.

"Shut up! If you want a solution, get some soldiers to round them up into the house and burn them!"

"Your majesty, please think twice." Minister Lu bowed low, so low that it almost touched the ground. The other ministers hesitated before thinking it over and following Minister Lu's action.

"You all, are you all betraying me?!" The King spurted out in rage.

"We don't dare." All minister kneeled and protested in unison.

Another courageous minister stepped forward to intervene in this debate, forseeing that it would never end at this rate. "Why don't you send out the former Saint doctor who is wandering around the world?"

"Hearing the word 'saint', the king's left eye brow twitched. "Saint Doctor? But why the former? A new saint doctor hasn't been appointed yet?" Qin Xiuyan said impatiently.

The minister, as if noticing it, took the initiative to explain and solve the problem at hand, "The former Saint Doctor is skillful and nimble with his hands. Once you are cured by him, you will be stronger than before.. so the rumours say."

"Those are just rumours. Then what about the current Saint Doctor? Is she reliable?"

"Yes, but she is not as skilled as the former, after all the former Saint Doctor, Yue Limin, was her master. If you want reassurance, you should seek for his help." The minister suggested.

"What's your name?" The King asked.

After putting forth the suggestion, he lost all his courage and his legs gave out. To Qin Xiuyan, it looked as if he was kneeling out of respect and he was greatly pleased.

"My name is Cao Leihao, Minister Cao."

"Cao Leihao, nice name."

The ministers in the court were surprised. It was hard to fish out of his majesty's mouth ever since his father's death. Only his relatives, grandmother and his mother could hear them without being surprised.

"Cao Leihao, I entrust you to find the former Saint Doctor, help the starving refugees and distribute the food."

"Yes." Minister Cao replied, bowing and walking back to his position in court.

"Your majesty, you are in the age of marriage would you consider..?" Minister Fang suggested, but was dismissed by Qin Xiuyan impatiently.

The other ministers were surprised by his audacity to bring it up again and again. The marriage proposal was always brought up by Minister Fang since he's got a beautiful daughter and thought it was suitable to marry off his daughter even as a concubine.

Every time he heard the word marriage, Qin Xiuyan got used to dismissing it every time. Refusing wedding invations of his family. Although he was in the age of marriage, he thought it was better for him to die alone. That way he won't have to feel sad about leaving anymore or carry a burden while he is alive and can be doing anything he want. If he married a woman, he knew it would enrage other women's jealousy and get himself killed without knowing who did it or how he died. After all, the women who were presented to him were all beasts craving for the power behind. But it didn't mean some didn't love him sincerely. Some who weren't chosen to be his wife or even concubine turned mad and started to attack him. The King, although was known for his cruelty, knew nothing about women's behaviours and were puzzled as to why they do that. He shook his head, disimissing his train of thoughts about the reminisce.

"What's the next problem?" His majesty asked.

"Ah," it took a while for another minister to speak up, "there is flood up north and the Chu state took this chance to try and inavde our land. Shall we also fight back or shall we provide the flood survivors with food, water, shelter and money?"

"Do I have to tell you what I think? You are my ministers. Can't you tell what I am thinking?" The King angrily banged the table, this time spilling the tea onto his hand, scalding it. The hand was obviously red but showed no signs of pain etched on his face.

Minister Cao noticed even from his position that the hot water would have spilt on his hand. Seeing no reaction on his face, he thought Qin Xiuyan was very interesting and parted his lips to smile a bit.

The Ministers once again hesitated before Minister Lu stepped out to proceed the discussion.

"Your majesty, I, Minister Lu, boldly takes a guess that you want to give a warning to Yang state by attacking them back?"

"At least sound sure when you are answering me. Morning court is dismissed. Let's go, Cao Leihao. I am going to personally choose our main army's best horses and check out the weapons."

All heaved a sign of relief before leaving the court. Only 3 ministers remained. That is Cao Leihao, another new minister on court, 2 senior ministers, one hanging on a wooden stick, one with a hunched back.

Minister Cao stood from his position, pointing at himself, as if saying me? The King frowned at him, a look that says yeah, you, if not you, who else is called Cao? Cao Leihao hanged his head down and followed Qin Xiuyan's steps.

The ministers watched them walk away and gossiped among themselves. Their talk goes like this: *Why does it seem to me that His Majesty seems to be in a good mood?

Hey, you are a new young minister here right?Remember this His Majesty is always in a good mood when he gets to kill something.

Kill? Animals? What about humans?

He gets to kill them in war. War is just an excuse for venting his feelings. He has always been this way ever since the former emperor passed away.

Is that why you guys fear them?

No, the real reason is his face and smile. The ministers who saw it couldn't forget how wide his smile was when he once killed a rabbit with an arrow in the hunt and dismembered it. His face was covered in blood and his clothes were. .

Okay, stop. I heard enough. Then I guess the ministers who saw it got drunk and accidently spilled the beans. This is why the rumours spread rapidly.

How did you know?

I was once in the investigation bureau.

If you know then don't tell His Majesty. In a fit, he might kill you too to lash out his anger. If you don't want to get killed stay silent.

Okay, my lips are sealed tight*.

With that, their little gossip ended, but they didn't know that the king was eavesdropping and haven't left the room to take back his winter coat. Although they said it in a low voice, he heard it all clearly, clenching his fists. Cao Leihao, like a dog wagging his tail at his master, was behind him, saw his cleched fists and also heard their conversation. He bandaged the king's right hand where the red spot was, with his clumsy hands. He thought I hope His Majesty wouldn't notice such a little detail and lash out at him for being over caring.

Qin Xiuyan controlled his anger before walking into the court again with Cao Leihao at his trail. All 3 ministers' face turned pale as ghost, as if someone sucked their blood, their eyes went wide, unable to say out a word.

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