I Want To Meet The Empress
I Want To Meet The Empress
She was seated on the chair in Yuan Shun's study, wearing a pale blue chemise, the thin strap falling loosely over her shoulder. She was looking at the map of the city, familiarizing herself with every nearby road, alley, intersection, and passageway.
Yuan Shun paused at the threshold with a cup of tea in hand. He watched as his wife twirled the handle of a combat knife in her hand without looking, and without fear of accidentally harming herself. She was fidgeting with it as she studied the layout.
He stepped forward, walking towards his desk, the one she was using. He placed down the cup of tea on a coaster. "Oolong," he told her.
Shi Yen gazed up at him. "Thank you," she said, sheathing the knife. She then picked up the cup of tea and sipped it gratefully. She relaxed a bit as Yuan Shun stepped behind her, placing his hands over her shoulders. "Don't stress too hard," he told her.
Shi Yen sighed. "How did you know I was stressing?"
Yuan Shun laughed. "Your face tells it all," he said, "and so did your grip on that knife."
Shi Yen looked at him sharply, wondering when he learned to read her so well. "I have been trying to contact members of the Underworld, but the Emperor has hold of my organization since I didn't have a replacement. It's difficult to get through without giving myself away, but I have to do something before it's too late, and no one seems to know which organization he originally belonged to."
"He's untraceable," Yuan Shun said.
"Hm. It's almost like he doesn't exist," Shi Yen replied. "But we can still prepare—defend—since we can't attack first. I've reached the Princes of the Dragon organization and Phoenix flock. They are willing to send help when we call for it."
Yuan Shun looked at her. "And you have the Wolf and Scorpion organization behind you. Look at the numbers, Yenni. You are in favour."
Shi Yen grinned briefly. "Don't underestimate what this man can do, Shun, but I appreciate it."
"I believe in you, that's why," he replied.
Shi Yen cupped the side of his face. "I sometimes hate that you always make me feel better. Why don't you ever let me brood?" she pouted.
Yuan Shun took one of her hands, landing a kiss on her knuckles. "I must make you happy."
Shi Yen smirked. "Look at this," she said, laying out the map. Yuan Shun glanced at her markings, taking the time to observe it. "You circled all the points where the organizations meet—their hangouts, where they perform exchanges and deals. But..." he paused. "You did this to find an escape route, or to find an entrance."
"I used to have a place that conceals most of my operations. It's hidden in an area least expected and heavily populated. So the Emperor will have something like that, somewhere else."
"Do you have a lead?"
"Several," she said, marking them on the map.
"You're amazing," he said.
"Not really," she replied. Shi Yen then stared at him, and her stomach growled.
"Come join me," Yuan Shun said, voice low.
"Where?" she asked.
"In the living room."
Shi Yen narrowed her eyes, but her expression quickly softened. She let him take her hand, guiding her towards their connected living room. Yuan Shun had moved the furniture to scatter blankets and pillows on the floor. There was food, snacks, and a bottle of white wine, waiting for them. Shi Yen tightened her grip on his hand, and that single gesture told him that she was happy. Shi Yen wasn't good at expressing her feelings, but each day she was able to tell him how she felt either through small confessions or body language, and Yuan Shun understood them clearly.
Shi Yen dug into the food he cooked, followed by drinking a few too many glasses of wine. She devoured the chocolate-covered strawberries he spent the entire morning making for her within minutes, and Yuan Shun couldn't help but chuckle at her.
Though she was not acting like herself lately, some parts of her never changed, and he wanted to lift her spirits.
"Shun," she said drunkenly.
"Hm?" he replied.
Shi Yen lifted herself, sitting on Yuan Shun's lap. She sat facing him, twining her arms around his neck. She smiled at him sheepishly as she raked a hand through his black hair. "You're so…handsome…hubby," she said.
Did she just call him hubby? His eyes widened, a flush blooming on his face. Shi Yen mirrored his blush, red from the alcohol and her own words.
She then tightened her arms around him, embracing him. "I luv…you…" she muttered, nestling against his neck. Yuan Shun held her against him, caressing her back softly. Her full weight carried him down, and they both lay on the floor, propped on the pillows and blankets.
She began to kiss him senselessly, and Yuan Shun watched her shower his lips until their mouths were red and swollen from kissing. Shi Yen broke the kiss, settling herself on him, fighting to keep her eyes open.
"I luv you, Shun…" she repeated, closing her eyes. "…please don't…hate me."
Yuan Shun didn't understand what Shi Yen was trying to tell him.
She fell fast asleep, and given the late hours, he followed her into a deep slumber.
…
Clad in dark clothing, covering every inch of skin from head to toe, including his face, the Emperor was faceless, nameless, and fearless.
He walked with a cool strut, striding towards a low-lit interrogation room. Someone was tied up on a chair, face covered with a dark sack. The person struggled, trying to wriggle and escape the bonds strapped around their body.
The Emperor smiled beneath his mask. He entrusted his men to bring him the former Empress, and they succeeded. It turned out that the Empress was a member of the Shi family.
He removed the sack from her face, tears rolling down her eyes. Her hair was messy and tangled, but she stared at him defiantly. "What do you want?" she shouted, voice quivering.
"I want to meet the Empress," he told her.
Shi Ailin furrowed her brows. "What are you talking about?" she questioned, demanded.