Chapter 87: Chapter 87

87 My Friendship and My Loyalty

“Brother Xiaoming, I have a request to make to you,” Jingfei said. They were seated on the floor chairs around a floor table.

“What does Sister Jingfei want to ask about?” Xiaoming asked in his humble tone.

“I want Brother Xiaoming not to let Commander Huang Xi accompany Brother Lóng Wei on his trip to Xinshui Town,” Jingfei urged him.

“May I know the reason?” Xiaoming curiously gazed into the eyes of his younger sister.

“Because I want to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with Commander Huang Xi. Brother Xiaoming knows that I have had feelings for Commander Huang Xi for a long time,” Jingfei asserted and sighed. “I thought Brother Lóng Wei would refuse for anyone to accompany him as he always does, but he didn’t this time,” she complained.

“Sister Jingfei, I will talk with Father and ask him to send another commander with Brother Lóng Wei and his,” he took a slight pause, “wife,” before completing his words.

Jingfei thanked Xiaoming for acknowledging her request. He told her not to worry and asked her if her face was good.

“Yes, Brother Xiaoming. Thanks to the ginseng root extract, the glow has returned,” Jingfei stated. “The Royal Father did not punish Brother Lóng Wei severely even after he attempted to destroy my face. Instead, he fulfilled the wish of his youngest son.” She looked both upset and angry.

“Brother Lóng Wei did get punished with the beatings of the floggings,” Xiaoming reminded her. “It must have hurt him too,” he asserted, showing his concern.

.....

“Brother Xiaoming, the Sixth Brother openly challenged me saying if I would be able to win Huang Xi’s heart with my destroyed face or not.” Jingfei didn’t hesitate to inform the Crown Prince. “Can Brother Xiaoming not do something which will make Brother Lóng Wei and his wife stay away from the palace. Since the Cold Palace in Xinshui, Brother Xiaoming can request our Father to let the Sixth Brother stay in the cold palace,” she suggested to Xiaoming.

“I cannot ask our Royal Father about such a thing. He needs his all children to be around, in the Imperial Palace,” he opined. “Also, Brother Lóng Wei will not do any such mischief anymore,” he reasoned.

“I understand, Brother Xiaoming. However, Brother Lóng Wei had his powers back. I wonder who murdered those thirty servants and made such a foolish mistake. Brother Lóng Wei can become a danger for us,” Jingfei asserted and tried to manipulate Xiaoming because if anyone could convince Qiu Zedong, then it was Xiaoming.

“Sister Jingfei, nothing will happen. She shall leave as I have to rest,” Xiaoming crisply ended their conversation. Jingfei bowed and rose to her feet.

“Thank you again, Brother Xiaoming.” Jingfei again bowed before leaving the chamber.

‘I also want him not to return, but I cannot do anything. Lóng Wei has my tassel with him. If he presented it to our Father, then everything would end. The figure of mine which took years to build will get destroyed. I cannot let it happen.’ Xiaoming contemplated and let out a frustrated sigh.

“Eunuch Lishi, I am going to meet my Father,” Xiaoming stood up and asked him not to follow him. Eunuch Lishi acknowledged the orders of the Crown Prince and stayed back in the chamber.

“But His Royal Highness wanted to rest,” Eunuch Lishi murmured.

~~~~~

Qiu Zedong summoned Commander Huang Xi after his conversation with Xiaoming.

“Greetings to Your Majesty,” Huang Xi brought his hands up, joined them, and bowed before the King.

“Huang Xi, please take a seat,” Qiu Zedong said humbly and gestured his hand towards the chair in front of him.

Huang Xi nodded and settled on the chair. His calloused hands rested on his knees as he looked straight at the King.

“Commander Huang Xi does not need to follow the Sixth Prince and his wife to Xinshui Town,” Qiu Zedong announced. Huang Xi’s eyes widened as he had not expected such a decision from the King.

“May I know why, Your Majesty?”

“Isn’t my command enough?” Qiu Zedong’s hoarse voice fell in his ears. However, Huang Xi didn’t stop himself from speaking his mind since he had to accompany Lóng Wei at all costs.

“Your Majesty, I want to befriend the Sixth Prince on this journey. I have been trying to do it for a long time. When His Majesty announced that he would send me with them, I was extremely happy. Because I got the opportunity to know Prince Lóng Wei. I have found a friend in him and I want him to acknowledge me as his friend by showing my loyalty towards him.”

Huang Xi didn’t stay quiet. Those thoughts had lingered in his mind for a long time. When the King suddenly withdrew his order to send Huang Xi with Lóng Wei it made him upset. His chance to prove to Lóng Wei that he could become a great friend was almost lost.

“Commander Huang Xi, no one ever tried to befriend my youngest son. I am astonished to hear his thoughts. My elder daughter has grown her feelings toward Commander Huang Xi, and she wants to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with him. That’s why as a father of a daughter, I made this decision. I believe that Huang Xi will get ten more chances to befriend Prince Lóng Wei.” Qiu Zedong, shone the light on the matter which Xiaoming discussed with him earlier.

“I am afraid, Your Majesty, but Prince Lóng Wei isn’t easy to please. I do not know when I will get another chance to prove my friendship and loyalty to him. His Majesty already knows that Prince Lóng Wei never let any commander accompany him. It is my golden chance, and I cannot let it go to waste,” Huang Xi explained.

Qiu Zedong found himself in a dilemma. If he didn’t fulfill the wish of his daughter to celebrate the festival with Huang Xi, she would feel that her father discriminated against her. However, Lóng Wei needed a friend too. He needed loyal people around him for his safe future.

“I will converse with the First Princess if His Majesty allows. I understand that as a father, His Majesty has to fulfill the wish of his daughter. That’s why I want to talk to the First Princess.” Huang Xi offered a suggestion to Qiu Zedong, who asked him what he would say to Jingfei.

“My duty as the Commander, Your Majesty,” Huang Xi answered.

Qiu Zedong, after having a deep contemplation, allowed him to see Jingfei. He called Gao Bing and asked him to take Huang Xi to see Jingfei.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om