LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS 171 I'll Do Everything My Way

Xing and Shengli returned to the Emperor's courtyard and the first thing Xing did was eat lunch as Shengli served her. He was picking her food according to her likes and was almost feeding her. The Emperor saw his brother glowing like he had attained enlightenment and wondered what that was about.

Didn't the two of them fight when I last saw them? But now why is my brother acting like a vying Consort and Mingxia acting like an overbearing Lord? Well, whatever! As long as they are together and settled everything... Just eat and leave and get married... Or better yet stay here and let me leave!

But the Emperor's happiness was short-lived as they told him their plans.

"Why?", the Emperor was depressed. Why should she stay here?

Xing explained every reason she had found out and how it is necessary for her to stay in the palace for the well-being of everyone dear to her. She also explained about her speculation about her supposed brother being born somewhere else and her presence here is mandatory to keep that power hungry person at a distance.

Shengli had asked Xing not to tell his crybaby brother about the fact that the Gods may not need him anymore and so Xing left out that part and explained everything else including how Shihong is their sibling and why Shengli has to be with him.

The Emperor took a deep breath as he took everything in and looked at his brother who was peeling and feeding fruit to Xing while she was speaking, "Are you okay with this?"

"It needs to be done", Shengli replied, his eyes filled with various emotions.

No one is doing this out of the kindness of their heart but for selfish reasons,especially Xing. She didn't even think about how millions of lives of their people will be lost if she doesn't take the role assigned for her. She only thought about her family and friends who would be implicated by the negative impacts of her decision and that was enough for her. But somehow, her selfishness also benefits millions as always. Just like when she helped the people of the East from the Chu family and the western province from the Gu family of the Water Kingdom.

"Announce her as the Empress during the Coronation", Shengli told the Emperor making Xing choke on her food.

"What? Impossible... How could you...", Xing stuttered amongst her coughs while Shengli was patting her back, "It is not fair to him", she looked at the Emperor, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Seriously! How could he suggest such thing? How can I be the Empress? Shouldn't the Emperor choose the one he likes as the Empress?

Shengli's thoughts were deep. It hurt him to let his wife to be known as the Empress but He knows how the Inner Palace works and with many women added in here, there will be fights and many conspiracies. Even though her Huang family's power is unrivalled now, inside the inner palace, only the power of the Phoenix seal is worthy. He cannot allow her to be powerless inside this place where anything can happen and where she was hurt previously because she didn't have enough security around her.

The Emperor seemed to understand his brother's intention too, "I understand", he replied.

"Are you a fool? Don't you want to give the phoenix throne to someone who is actually your wife?", Xing chided the Emperor. Why is everyone so foolish? And how could Shengli suggest her to be the Empress? Doesn't he usually get jealous? Being an Empress is different from being a Consort right? A Consort is one among many but an Empress is the one! How could he...

"Mingxia, aren't you only going to stay here for a short while? You cannot waste time in petty squabbles with other women here and nothing can assure you that other than the power the position of the Empress gives. My only suggestion is that you talk to me about anything serious you plan to do. I do not want the situation similar to that Eunuch to repeat. Other than that I can give you full autonomy over anything for whatever you are supposed to do ",the Emperor spoke his mind.

Since it has come this far and they have to make a decision , they have to talk everything through so that the mistakes from the past aren't repeated and everything is transparent among them. They should first have good understanding among themselves for their plans to succeed.

Xing looked at Shengli who was nodding in agreement to the Emperor and still she could not convince herself to agree to be the Empress. She could understand the logic in their suggestion and her mind was agreeing with their point but her heart could not.

"Xing, it is fine", Shengli patted her head and he seemed to be genuinely wanting her to be the Empress. For him, her safety is the priority and nothing else matters. He had seen first-hand what the power of the Empress entails and he wanted her to have that power to be able to protect herself and he knew all women other than his wife are vicious and they cannot be allowed to bully his Xing. And if they are doing this to save his brother, his brother should have to endure his feelings for some time too. Seeing Shengli resolute, Xing agreed half-heartedly.

"I'll step down immediately once you find your wife", Xing told the Emperor and he nodded. He seemed to be hiding a lot of emotions and his eyes were a lot confused by what the future might bring. But he knew that she won't be misusing the power she has. Till date she hasn't even used the white tiger token he had given her that has almost the same power as him. So if there is anyone he could trust with some important position like the Empress, it would be her.

"Let's go inform Fei Lian that I agree. You two join me too" Xing got up to leave for the temple but the Emperor didn't want to come.

" Come on! You are important for their plans too", Xing cheered him up as he looked a bit scared. Xing knew them meeting the Heavenly Emperor must have been a terrible ordeal for him. Even though he is their ancestor, he treated them both badly. Shengli said he suffocated kneeling for a long time.

"Am I? Really...?", the Emperor asked dryly. Is he really necessary?

This one is too smart for his own good, Xing felt bad for the Emperor who had figured out what she hid from him.

"You are, Because I say so", Xing declared. "I will keep my promise to you. Now hold your chin up and be brave"

Shengli smiled and nodded at his brother, "Didn't I say so?". He knew if his brother is let go, he'll die. At least he'll have a chance of survival inside this palace. And he himself didn't have a bit of interest in the throne and he has to be with Shihong for his revenge.

The three of them entered the temple and Fei Lian appeared as Xing called for him.

While everyone gave their greeting, Xing gave him his usual offering of sweet buns.

"I'll agree to do what I'm supposed to do by staying inside the palace as the Empress. But the Emperor will be the Emperor and that won't change",she said plainly.

"The barrier?", Fei Lian came to the important point.

"I'll take it down when I feel safe", she replied.

"It is to be brought down for ensuring your safety. Didn't you learn your lesson from the previous incident?" Fei Lian was impatient.

Xing remembered how helpless she felt with her courtyard burning and her hands started shaking and she broke out in cold sweat. But she cannot let the gods influence their every movement.

" Are you defying an order from the heavens?", Fei Lian shouted and everything around them were thrown at them as if a blast happened.

Xing stood firm in front of Shengli and The Emperor,

"I'll do everything my way", she proclaimed and extended her hands with her palm facing the God of wind as if she was pushing/stopping something and both of them saw how they were protected and it seemed like she had formed an invisible barrier of wind around them to be protected from the God's anger as her eyes glowed Amber.

"Have you gotten this strong in this short amount of time..? Enough to stand against me? , he snorted. "Still, arrogance won't take you far, mortal!", he increased his intensity and Xing felt like she could not hold on as her chest felt tight and her consciousness slipping and she took a step back not able to hold on when Shengli held her back to support her.

The situation was tense as the God seemed to actually get Xing for not listening to him and Shengli and the Emperor were panicking not knowing what to do.

" That's enough playing, Fei Lian. We all know you won't hurt her and I even know why! ", a mellow, playful voice was heard and a figure in bright blue clothes appeared. His long silver hair bellowed in the wind as it contrasted his blue robes and his eyes were flaming red. Xing who had seen many beautiful persons was perplexed Seeing the beauty of this person. Even Shengli and the Emperor found that person attractive.

He looked at Xing and smiled, "Oh! How pretty!", his peach blossom eyes had that teasing glint and he seemed to be hiding his emotions by that haughty smile he sported.

Xing could tell by one glance that he is a fox demon. But how could a demon enter a temple? Unless... He is a thousand year old fox demon who had ascended to godhood! But what is he doing here?

"What is the Crown Prince of the Fox clan doing in my temple?", Fei Lian was not happy with the sudden intruder.

Eh! The Crown Prince of the Fox Clan ?

Chapter end

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