His Rui

Xi Ying walked back to the banquet hall with a stifled heart.

He was actually trying his best to understand Li Rui but he really didn't seem to find some reasonable reason behind her worry for sisters like Li Na and Li Caihong.

He was feeling so frustrated with whatever was happening that he just wished to burn the whole Imperial Palace down.

Xi Ying took deep breaths to calm down his anger and entered the banquet hall only to see another ongoing drama inside the banquet hall.

He glanced at the center of the banquet hall as he walked towards his seat.

A very large crossbow was placed in the center of the banquet hall and a man was standing in front of it. From the way he dressed, Xi Ying knew that he belonged to one of the countries or cities that lied in the north of Xin.

However, what he didn't understand was the silence in the banquet hall. Also, everyone was looking at the silent Emperor and General Li who didn't seem to have any expression on his face.

"Prime Minister Xi"

Xi Ying raised his head and saw Minister Xin standing beside him.

He nodded his head in greeting and patted the seat beside him indicating Minister Xin to have a seat which the middle-aged minister did.

Minister Xin smiled and looked at Xi Ying while saying

"I supposed that Prime Minister Xi must be unknown to whatever had transpired here since you were outside... so came to inform you about everything."

Xi Ying didn't say anything but he didn't interrupt Minister Xin also

"This messenger from the north here … has a very special designed crossbow and claims that having such a weapon included in our war weapons will make our army more strong. He presented the crossbow in front of the Emperor and said that he is ready to give it in Xin's hands but…"

Minister Xin smiled coldly as he continued

"he has one condition. He portrayed his words in a very different manner but I will only tell Minister Xi what I understood. He is sent by his people here with this crossbow with a special purpose. He first presented the crossbow and said that he can give it to His Majesty but he said that he can only give it to the His Majesty, not to Li Clan who is managing the largest army in Xin.

He says that he and his people don't feel safe if the military strength of Xin is in the hands of a clan instead of the Emperor who should be solely responsible for an Empire. He demands the demolition of the Li Clan's large army from His Majesty in exchange for his so-called special crossbow.

Really the right way to put his words. Now if His Majesty refused to accept the crossbow then His Majesty would be said to ignore the good perspective for improving the military power of Xin. But if His Majesty accepted the crossbow then….? Ha…"

Minister Xin finished with a cold chuckle.

At the end of Minister Xin's words, even Xi Ying's face was very somber.

As much as the whole matter sounded ridiculous, it was affecting so many things in the whole process that it couldn't be taken so lightly.

"And what does this wise messenger suggests for the safety of Xin? Did anyone show him the mirror just like the second Prince did for the First Prince?"

Xi Ying asked with narrowed eyes as he observed the crossbow placed in the center of the hall. It really seemed to be more useful than the ones they had in their Empire but it didn't seem to be that much uncommon.

However, it didn't matter that much now. The situation had already come to this point where the Emperor just has to speak about his decision. And knowing the Emperor how was just looking for a chance to snatch the military power from Li Clan, there was no need to guess what his decision would be.

He heard Minister Xin sigh.

"I did."

Minister Xin said answering Xi Ying's question.

"The wise messenger has his own thoughts. He says that His Majesty has two sons. Even if he wishes to keep one to himself to help him in the Palace's affairs he can send the other one to the border and give him all the military power. By doing this, Imperial Clan shall be the sole power holder in the whole Empire and that is how the things are supposed to be in any Empire so Xin should not differ from them."

"Giving the military strength to one of the Prince?"

Xi Ying asked again with a raised eyebrow and scoffed in ridicule.

There was no need to speak that which prince will be the one to go to the borders.

The first Prince had always been very eager to take the military power from Li Clan so he would happily take over this responsibility.

"This will be just equal to committing suicide foolishly."

He said as he imagined the brainless Zhao Zhuang Chen managing the large army of Li Clan.

Minister Xin looked at Xi Ying with a horrified face when he heard his blunt and straightforward words.

He looked around in fear to check if anyone heard them but sighed in relief when he didn't find anyone.

However, the next moment Minister Xin thought he was just worrying about nothing.

Lord Xi was intelligent enough to know what he should say or what he should not. He must have known that there was not anyone around or perhaps the young Minister was fearless unlike him.

Minister Xin saw Xi Ying suddenly standing up from his chair.

"Where is Lord Xi going?"

Xi Ying smiled coldly and glanced towards the straight-faced General Li.

He stretched his hands and answered Minister Xin

"Nothing…this minister just thought that since this crossbow sent from the north side is so precious why doesn't this Lord just check it once and help His Majesty in checking its strength."

Xi Ying smirked and walked towards the center of the hall while behind him Minister Xin shuddered as he remembered his evil smirk.