THE RISE OF LIMING

CRISIS

The brothel was very busy full of people going up and down. Music was being played on the stage while on the side was a gambling table where all the nobles would come to gamble. Running up the stairs, Wu Huan didn't notice that some of the girls had seen him. Glancing at themselves, they looked worried as they saw Wu Huan run up. Since Madam Dai had introduced him, they had all take a liking to him. Not long after, the news reached Madam Dai's ears. Trying not to show any expression since she was attending to a customer, Madam Dai nodded her head before glancing at Dai Chan. Just like Wu Huan' s sister whose name became Dai Zhao Yao, Dai Chan was found when she was a baby. 

Madam Dai adopted her and raised her. Receiving Madam Dai's glance, Dai Chan immediately knew what to do. Excusing herself, Dai Chan smiled at the rich noble she'd been playing the zitter for before heading upstairs. Meanwhile, Wu Huan had holding his sister tight playing with her. He had remembered every word his mother had told him clearly. He wasn't going to allow anything to happen his sister.

“Wu Huan." Wu Huan heard his name and his eyes immediately widened. 

“Sister Dai." Wu Huan said knowing he had been caught. 

Dai Chan entered the room seeing Wu Huan holding his sister and her heart softened. He must have missed his sister. Although Madam Dai didn't restrict him from seeing his sister, the brothel was almost always open. Both morning till late at night. 

“What are you doing here? Did you miss Zhao Yao?" Dai Chan asked as she approached him touched by the way he was carrying his sister so protectively. 

“Hmmm. I saw that bad man. The one that was chasing us. I saw him in the market. I was scared that he was going to harm Zhou Yao so I came to see her.” Wu Huan said making Dai Chan glance around. 

“Wu Huan, her name isn't Zhou Yao. Its Dai Zhao Yao. Do you understand? You must master this quickly in order not to bring trouble to you and your sister. You do remember what Madam Dai said, right?” Dai Chan asked watching as Wu Huan nodded his head. 

“He isn't going to come and harm us, right? He isn't going to come and take away Zhao Yao right?” Wu Huan asked. 

“We are a family. Your family. We will never allow anyone to harm you or Zhao Yao. But you must remember. Zhao Yao isn't your sister. In the future when you are asked, you must deny it. Its the only way you can at least save Zhao Yao should the time come.” Wu Huan heard Dai Chan say. 

While he was answering Dai Chan, Madam Dai opened the door rushing in with panic. 

“Is everything okay? Is something wrong with Zhao Yao?" Madam Dai asked anxiously looking at baby Zhao Yao. 

“She's okay? Wu Huan just missed his sister. Its normal since he has to stay outside everyday. Madam Dai, why don't we allow Wu Huan to stay indoors with Zhao Yao? That way whoever is looking for them won't find them.” Dai Chan said smiling as she hoped to convince Madam Dai. 

Anyone with two eyes would see that Madam Dai truly loved Zhao Yao. She was the little princess of the brothel. The problem was Wu Huan. Dai Chan knew Madam Dai was only keeping Wu Huan around because of Zhao Yao. Since she had promised to take care of him, she won't allow them to be seperated. 

“You are right. Zhao Yao looks happy now. Wu Huan, you can stay here with Zhao Yao but you must make sure not to disturb Zhao Yao when she is sleeping. She is a baby and she needs all the rest she can get, okay?” Madam Dai asked still looking at Zhao Yao. 

Wu Huan looked up at Dai Chan wondering what was wrong. Even though he knew she didn't want to tell him, he could feel that Madam Dai had taken an unhealthy liking to Zhao Yao. Dai Chan was the only one that liked him. She took care of him and played with him like a real sister would. 

After Madam Dai left, Dai Chan checked outside to make sure that no one was there before returning back to Wu Huan. 

“Now you can stay here with your sister. Do as Madam Dai asked or you will go back to staying outside. Later, I will ask one of the girls to bring you some food. Your favorite." Wu Huan watched Dai Chan say with a smiley face. 

“Thank you." Wu Huan said slowly watching as Dai Chan got up and waved at him before leaving. 

Although the brothel was a little bit dangerous, being outside was even more dangerous. If his uncle saw him again, he might kill him. And little Zhou Yao( her real name). 

Zhou Dong returrned back to his manor still thinking about the little boy he had met at the shop. Never had he seen a little kid so afraid of him before. For so many years, he had fought at the battlefield saving lives. Many thanked him while many praised him. Today, someone was actually afraid of him. A little boy at that. 

“Your Highness. Your Highness." Zhou Dong finally heard his name glancing at the person and realized he had reached home. Sighing as he smiled, Zhou Dong stood to get off the carriage. 

Getting down, he was about to enter the manor when he noticed someone standing in the shadows by the corner of his house. Getting suspicious, Zhou Dong walked approaching the person when his wife came walking out of the gate gracefully. Although their marriage had being arranged by the king, they got along and respected each other. 

“Your Highness." Zhou Dong's wife called using his official title instead of being intimate. 

“Oh. What are you doing here? The weather is getting cold." Zhou Dong asked. 

" Your Highness, it's already late. You've been out since morning.” Zhou Dong's wife said hinting him. 

That was just how she was. Silent. Their conversations with each other was nothing interesting since the both of them some how tried to stay far from each other. Heating his wife, Zhou Dong nodded his head smiling as he turned entering the manor. 

After all of th had left, the empress came out of the shadows standing in front of the manor. The gates had been closed for the night but she was curious to know what the emperor had said to him (Zhou Dong). 

“Your Highness, what are you doing?” The empress's personal maid asked as she saw the empress about to climb the fence. 

“What does it look like I'm doing? I need to see Zhou Dong. “ The empress said as she skillfully jumped up to the top of the fence using her martial arts. 

“Your Highness, the Duke's wife could be with him. If you are caught, it would be a big embarrassment and His Majesty.” The empress's personal maid said looking at the ground to make the empress understand. 

And she did. If she was caught, she could be accused of adultery. It was going to be the only thing the emperor believed. Because he was like that. 

“Right now, I don't care about anything. My Ming'er is more important. I have to find out what the emperor told him.” The empress said more to herself than to her maid. 

Without a second thought, the empress jumped down looking around to make sure no one was around. Since she knew the manor well, the empress proceeded to try and head to Zhou Dong's study. 

“Greetings Your Highness." The empress heard someone say and turned around. It was Zhou Dong. 

“Your Highness, you still haven't cahnged your habit of sneaking around." Zhou Dong said. 

" What did the emperor say to you?” The empress asked going straight to the point. 

“Is that why you came here?” Zhou Dong asked. 

“Isn't it a good enough reason?" The empress asked in return. 

“His Majesty's health is getting worse. Just as you wanted, I went to see him. The emperor is in a very bad state. I don't think he will last long. His heart is refusing to heal. That's the worst time of illness." Zhou Dong said beating round the bush. 

“So what exactly did he say?” The empress asked again showing she eas not interested I'm the emperor's health anymore. 

“Aren't you concerned?” Zhou Dong asked. 

“I'm not a goddess. I can't save someone who doesn't want to save himself. It wi ge impossible. What's more important is Ming'er. I want him to succeed the throne smoothly." The empress said. 

" What makes you think I'm going to help you?” Zhou Dong asked. 

“I'm not asking for your help." The empress said. 

" Then? “ Zhou Dong asked

" I'm asking you to stay out of my way. We don't want to become enemies. No one would win. Whatever ambitions you have, I will make sure Ming'er fulfills them for you. He listens to me.” The empress said. 

“Is that all you want? To become Queen Mother?” Zhou Dong asked making the empress go silent. She understood what he was asking. If it was twenty years ago, she would have said no. Since she had come this far, she should just take it to the ending. 

“Yes. Its my reward." The empress said before turning and flying to the top just as she had done before. 

The next day, Zhou Dong went back to the shop to look for Wu Huan. Throughout the night, he hadn't been able to sleep because he was thinking about the encounter they had. Glancing around, Zhou Dong searched for Wu Huan buy didn't see him. Meanwhile, Wu Huan had been hiding by a shop selling steamed buns.

He had also spent the night thinking of what you do. Since they were in the capital, it was nearly impossible for him to hide away from him forever. While he was looking at Zhou Dong, someone hit him by mistake.

“Sorry." Wu Huan saw a teenage boy say. 

The boy was dressed neatly in a white and blue attire and his hair was neatly packed in am expensive hairpin.

“Hey! You stop there." Wu Huan heard some people say and turned around to see that it was royal guards. 

The teenage boy took off leaving Wu Huan and Wu Huan hid quickly as the royal guards passed by chasing the teenage boy. Zhou Dong heard the commotion and turned around only to see crown prince running . He was the one being chased by te royal guards. 

Opening his mouth in shock as he watched his nephew pass by, Zhou Dong took off following him and the royal guards. Just as crown prince was about to bend around a corner, Zhou Dong blocked him. 

“Uncle!” Zhou Ming said smiling as he saw his uncle. 

Not too long, the royal guards appeared. Seeing Zhou Dong, the royal guards bowed their heads. Shaking his head at crown prince, Zhou Dong dismissed them. 

“You are crown prince. How can you be running around in the capital? If any official recognizes you, the emperor would hear about it in an instant. Your mother is worried cracking her brain for your sake. How could you be this careless? “ Zhou Dong asked scolding crown prince. 

“Sorry, uncle. Its just that I heard that the famous Dai Chan was going to come out and okay in the open. I've heard about her for a long time. I just wanted to see her." The crown prince said making Zhou Dong sigh again. 

“Isnt she the prostitute? You are coming to see a prostitute perform?” Zhou Dong asked wondering if this was his nephew. 

“She's not the prostitute. She's a performer. Her zither skills are divine. They say no one in the entire state can beat her." Crown prince said smiling.