Emperor's Edict

In the Imperial study...

"Princess is obviously talented both in strategic field and fighting. But I also agree with His Majesty, how can you put yourself in danger. Your Highness, you are the Princess of the country." General Shen smartly answered.

"But-" Princess Jingxi started but Emperor interrupted her.

"Stop making things difficult for General Shen, I won't allow you to go there." Emperor said.

Princess Jingxi felt angry at this and said, "What is the point of me being a commander if I can't participate when something happens? It's like proving those right who say I go to Army Camp just to play around."

"It's just a rank, I allowed you to go there because it brought you joy as you were interested in swords. I couldn't bear to see you lonely and not talking to anyone after your brother and mother's death." Emperor said to her in a loud voice.

There was silence in the study, General Shen looked at the Emperor and bowed before saying.

"I already apologise for interrupting Your Highness but it's not just a rank, Princess has worked hard for years and reached at this point. Although many people don't know, she wasn't given the Commander Rank just because of her identity as the Princess. She has earned it and I'm a witness to it all through these years. I will wait outside and leave you to talk."

General Shen bowed again and left the Imperial study to them.

Princess Jingxi looked at the Emperor and said, "Father if you don't allow me to go, the soldiers in the Imperial Army will think of you as a partial person who thinks of their lives are less important than the royals."

"I'm your Father, what's wrong with me trying to protect you. I don't care if it looks partial treatment to them." Emperor said stubborn on his decision.

"You are not just my Father but the Emperor of the whole Xia Empire. And it doesn't matter if I'm Princess of Xia or Commander of Army, I have responsibility towards the country so do you." Princess Jingxi said to him and left her seat.

"I'll wait for Father's decision." She said and left bowing to him.

...

Back at the Lotus Courtyard...

"It's late Princess, why don't you go to bed." Ji Ran said to Xia Jingxi who was looking at the scrolls in front of her and writing something.

"I will after I finish reading these reports from Jiangnan."

"Are you that sure His Majesty will agree to let you go?" Ji Ran said grinding the ink for her.

"Father will make the best decision after all he is a Emperor first before my father." Princess Jingxi replied.

"Do I need to prepare anything else for you?" Ji Ran asked.

"The things I said are enough. Nothing else. I want you to take care of the Lotus courtyard and keep an eye on the things around you. Most important thing, stay safe in my absence."

"What do you mean by that? Am I not going with you?" Ji asked.

"I will go there as Commander Xia not Princess Jingxi. They take me as a man, I can't take you with me." Princess Jingxi replied to her.

Before Ji Ran could say anything else, to divert her attention from this Princess Jingxi asked her, "I asked you to see what's going on with Concubine Jin. Did you get anything?"

"Yes, although Concubines Jin said she was going to see Imperial Doctor that day, she was late and the Palace doors closed. She went out secretly today to see a doctor in the city and it seems that she is pregnant."

"Why is she so secretive about it? Is she having an affair?" Princess Jingxi asked.

"I also thought the same but she is a loyal person. She was being secretive so Consort Wang doesn't know about her pregnancy."

"Who did you send to get this information?"

"I asked a maid from our courtyard, Tao Tao to spy on them secretly."

"Keep this a secret. Don't let anyone know about her pregnancy." Princess Jingxi ordered.

"I will make sure of it. Your Highness." Ji Ran said.

...

Next morning...

At the Training Grounds of Imperial Army...

"I'm going to Jiangnan for dealing with the rebel case, after you have selected qualified soldiers for the mission. Please come with me so I can tell you about training schedule of soldiers. In my absence you will be incharge of training them." Commander Shen said to Xia Jingxi.

Xia Jingxi glanced at him for a moment and went back to what she was doing ignoring his words.

At this moment, the Imperial guard entered the area with Eunuch Gao in the front.

"I'm here with Emperor's Edict." He announced.

Everybody present their kneeled down including Xia Jingxi to receive the edict.

"Emperor says that the situation in Jiangnan is tricky and needs to be solved as soon as possible. To lead the soldiers, a qualified person is required after much deliberation and discussion with General Shen. They think that Commander Xia is the suitable person to do this task. Being collected and smart of mind, and fast and sharp of moves, Commander Xia is ordered to lead the troop to Jiangnan tomorrow morning. His Majesty hopes you can solve this problem and bring peace to Jiangnan. Here recieve the edict." Eunuch Gao finished reading and folded the scroll.

Xia Jingxi bowed and received the scroll from him saying, "I will surely fulfill His Majesty's expectations."

Eunuch Gao said in a low voice only for her to listen, "His Majesty also hopes, your Highness will keep her safety in mind first."

"I will." She replied.

After that Eunuch Gao left the camp, Xia Jingxi turned around and saw Commander Shen, "Commander Shen was saying about showing something to me."

Commander Shen shook his head and said, "Commander Xia's words are sharper than a sword."

"I beg to differ. Anyway let's go and select the soldiers." She said to him.

...----------------...

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