LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS 8 Who is Shihong?

By the time the Emperor and Táng Jia Xing reached the bottom of the mountain, the sky has gotten dark and the moon was rising. But what greeted them was the angry bickering of General Zhong Huojin.

" You sophomoric, irrational, fool of a Monarch… Where did you disappear for this long? Do you have any sense of danger? You want to kill me? At least leave an heir before disappearing…. "

Xing laughed hiding her face in her sleeves. Then she remembered the time as the sky was darkening and how worse her mother will scold her if she reaches home after dark. She will have to sit for a lecture from mother. The worse thing would be the punishment, wearing layers and layers of women's clothing and preparing tea or sometimes it was copying Stupid books that spoke about the 'virtues of women' . It's a nightmare. Thinking about this, her head started aching. She decided to slip away and kneel before her mother for forgiveness, when her arms were grabbed by General Zhong Huojin, "Wait", he screamed, "Where are you escaping and the other one escaped too?".

Xing, who was already in a bad mood got furious. No one is allowed to use this tone on her except her mother.

"Let go", she said her teeth gritting. Seeing the fury in her eyes, the General backed a step unconsciously.

" What now?" she asked irritatingly. The general came to his senses, cleared his throat and said,

" I have some questions"

" What? ", she spared no respect. Right now the one more scarier than the god of death was her mother.

" How did you find out the Emperor's identity, no one knows of his arrival here. Or is it that you are colluding with the assassins too?.."

Even before he finished the emperor interfered, " Huojin that's not how you thank those who help you. Stop seeing everyone with doubtful eyes",saying this he looked at Xing and said, " But I'm also curious as to how you found my identity "

"That's simple Your Majesty" she replied, "You made sure you keep your clothing simple but you didn't pay attention to your shoes. I mean, not everyone can wear golden dragon embroidered shoes, can they? Even the soles of te shoes had dragons carved in them", she said in a slightly mocking tone.

Seriously! Why is the soles carved with dragon? Narcissistic people! Do they expect others to worship the footprints left by the Emperor?

He laughed loudly, " True that, I should have paid more attention. But you got that in one glance. That's impressive. But how did you know that I'm the Wind Emperor and not the Water Emperor, when the assassins thought that way?"

" Your general helped me with that. That jade pendant he's wearing on his waist has the Wing Kingdom's Emblem on it. That's how " she replied as if it was not a big deal.

Both of them were amazed by the person in front of them.

"I would be really happy if I could have you by my side. You're really amazing . You would be a great support for me. ", the Emperor said with a gentle voice which made the two listening get wound up. He is really meaning what he says.

The general thought, Why does this sound like a proposal. Isn't that one a man too? What's wrong with his majesty. Is the rumours in the palace true that the Emperor has different preferences for a partner?

Xing thought, I am not here for your amusement.Find someone else for that. Support you? Sorry, I won't survive a single moment in the palace without headache. I have to leave now. Or else I will have to face the wrath of a furious tigress in my home.

The emperor broke their thoughts by asking the general, "Was that assassin returned on time?"

The general cleared his throat, looked at Xing with aversion and said, " Your majesty…. That.. He was returned, but he's ranting absurdity."

" He still didn't confess?" Xing asked with surprise, "Where are you keeping him?"

The general shot her an accusing glare and was about to speak when the emperor said, " General , lead the way"

He reluctantly walked towards the nearby tent. While walking, the emperor asked, "Well, what is he saying"

The general sighed and then whispered, " He's telling that that gorilla that took him,.... turned to a woman and….. You know….. Apparently, touched him inappropriately".

" Ha…. ha…. ha.. Was it a pretty woman?"The emperor laughed.

" Your Majesty, that man must be delirious…. But somehow he really looks like he's not faking".

Xing followed them silently and they reached in the tent. That man was sitting in a fetal position with his hands and feet tied together.

"Well hello! How was your day?" Xing asked standing before him and removing the veil covering her mouth and her dark eyes shining. Those two were standing behind her. Seeing her, the man shuddered in freight and a puddle formed around him.

" Really…", she said in disgust and took a step back.

"Help..please help me..", he started shouting.

" Shut up, you don't want me to whistle again, do you? "

The man whimpered and kneeled before her.

"Good, now speak", she said with a commanding tone.

" I don't know anything. I'm just the leader of a bandit group on the other side of the mountain. A man came to me and said he'll pay me a lot of money and women for us. He said the Water Emperor would be alone this side and it would be an easy kill. So we came through the mountain pass two days ago. Today morning we received the time and place to attack and we came here and waited. Just before we attacked a falcon delivered us a message of the person's clothing. But we did not think this emperor is protected by the gods. Please great one spare me…."

" That man, describe him", the general asked

" I don't know.." he said and seeing Xing's stern look, he continued, "It was dark moonless night when he met me. Shihong is how he was introduced . He referred himself as benwang(a word used by a Prince to refer oneself). He said he's the rightful ruler and his followers will be rewarded heavily. He was of average height, lean and had waist long hair. He smelled nice. It was agarwood, he said. This is all i know. Now please don't send me back . Kill me, I beg you", he started sobbing.

Xing fixed her mask and turned towards the general. The general nodded and they left the tent.

"There's that name again 'Shihong' ",Houjin sighed, " but how did he know of our arrival here? We probably have a mole. We shouldn't stay here tonight. There may be others."

"There aren't others for now I'm sure. For tonight this is the safest place for his majesty. But to be cautious you can stay in the Heavenly Flowers Palace tonight" Xing said.

"What insolence! An Emperor staying in a brothel? I should cut the tongue that suggested such insanity", Zhong Huojin fumed.

"At least that place has much more loyal guards than your messed up posse",Xing mocked back. Only people who don't know about that place would dismiss it as just a brothel.

"Then you can settle here. There is food, water for you and the horses and it is easy to stand guard here too", Xing suggested.

"Is that so? Then it's decided", the emperor said.

" Your majesty, you cannot…"

" Calm down Houjin, this place is beautiful. You can see the stars clearly here. Zhen have decided. It's an order. Now go prepare dinner for zhen", the emperor said shooing him away. He then looked at Xing, " Lord Táng, care to join us for dinner? You are really full of surprises. I would love to spend time with you and hear your stories. What do you say?"

There he goes again.. Come on! I think you can afford a jester for your amusement. Leave me.. I really have to get home.

, " Your Majesty is thinking too highly of this lowly one. I'm not worthy of such praise.. This one has to get back to my family now. I'll take my leave.I'll be waiting for your Majesty's wise decision about the Ming family", saying this she took a deep bow and looked at the emperor.

" Raise", he said, " Zhen will also hope you keep your promise. You may leave now" and smiled.

Xing nodded her head and started running towards her home thinking about the various punishments her mother may give her.

Chapter end

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