Jiang sensed an intense blood lust directed his way, and looked towards the direction it came from. It came as no surprise to him that it the same lady as before. But there was something he didn’t quite get, he wondered why she appeared to be in shock. He saw the fleeting shock in her eyes became a deep seated jealousy, then it was overshadowed by this overwhelming killing intent. Jiang shook his head at her in disapproval, almost like he was passing on a message that she wasn’t worth his time and he couldn't even be bothered enough to find out why she was so hostile towards him.
Although he couldn't help but wonder why the lady's hated for him seemed to grow with every passing second. But then he thought it wasn't too much of a surprise, who wouldn't be jealous of a sixteen years old Magus Elemental? Most people reached that level at a much older age, for example that glaring aunt lady over there. Jiang snickered with pride and rolled his eyes at the aunt lady as he thought about all these things.
Meanwhile, Liang Na seeing the scorn directed her way wanted to pulled out her hair in frustration and anger. She couldn’t believe that the Young Mistress Lei Yue, who she could crush with a snap of her fingers, treated her like she, Liang Na didn’t exist in her eyes. Oh how she wished she could just kill Young Mistress Lei Yue already. However, she wouldn’t dare as this was the Emperor’s prey and she had no right to kill her without the Emperor’s approval. If she dared, it would be her head next on the chopping block, childhood friend or not. She knew the Emperor well enough to understood that she wouldn’t be spared just because of sentiments. The Emperor had his plans and she could not disrupt them.
The Emperor's smile and laughter didn't lasted long, and what remained was a stoic expression and a piercing gaze. He spoke to Jiang without looking at him, instead he was gently caressing the different beautifully designed rings on each of his left fingers. "A competition has already been organised to pick the finest talents in the whole of Tang Qin Shang Empire. Those that came on top will be made to pick a ballot, the six people that picks Empress elect will challenge you in the coming months for your position." Jiang felt like he was hearing things, nothing made sense to him. It was like a lightening had suddenly struck his head, making him dizzy enough to send him on his way to the afterlife.
"If you are defeated then the victor will take your place and will have to defend the title against six opponents like you are expected to do now. Whoever wins all six fights will have the right to become our true Empress."
"Forgive this lowly servant for asking this but Your Majesty had mentioned that the person who wins all six fights has ‘just the right’? Then I can’t help but wonder if there is more to be done in other to be your true Empress?" Jiang asked, forgetting his place and even daring to stare at the Emperor. The Emperor didn't mind seeing Jiang’s scared, but sparkling eyes. Those eyes looked so damn enthralling with a rare tint of pink within were truly rare. He had never come across such beautiful eyes before, they somewhat made him so relax that even his fiery irises had turned back to a normal brown color.
"Of course, to stay by our side is not an easy feat. First defeat your six opponents and then you can be qualified to know what's next." The Emperor got up from his throne and, followed by Fang Mu and the glaring lady, as Jiang liked to call her, was about to leave. But before the Emperor went out of the Grand Hall he left a parting shot, “Remember Young Mistress Lei Yue, this competition is the kind that could lead to one's untimely death.” With that stark reminder a shaken Jiang was left to himself to try and process what he had just heard.
Jiang’s ears were buzzing with the information he just received. The words, finest talents and six opponents, just kept assaulting his mind. "How strong could such talents possibly be?" he asked himself. Jiang didn't want to find out how strong they were but it wasn't something he could avoid either.
What Empress elect! What good fortunes awaited him at the Imperial Palace if he was to take his sister’s place! His father had reassured him that so long as he kept a low profile and not attract the attention and favour of the Emperor, he would be safe and still get to live a good life while protecting the Lei’s family secrets about him being a male and a fake Young Mistress. He had told Jiang to be obedient and just do as he was told and all would go well. Apparently, there was no such security.
His father had simply concocted a lie to fool the naive Jiang back then. He must have been known this was going to happen if Jiang entered the Palace. If so wouldn't their lies be discovered immediately seeing as how Jiang was just a total trash who couldn’t even cultivate when his father had told him to take his sister's place? There was no way the Emperor wouldn’t discovered the deceit after all, the real Young Mistress Lei Yue was not a total trash like Jiang once was.
After going over about what the Emperor had said Jiang understood that perhaps even the Emperor himself couldn't just choose any girl he wanted to be his Empress. At best, he could choose an Empress elect. But that didn't explain why the Emperor chose his sister. If he had a problem with General Lei, why not just deal with him directly? What if the Young Mistress Lei Yue really did pass all the tests then? Jiang was already certain the Emperor's decision to choose Lei Yue probably had something to do with the Lei family. They must have offended him somehow; however, was this the right way to issue out punishment? Jiang had thought about this over and over again but still couldn’t figure anything out.
Jiang felt quite depressed, he had thought he could just hide away and cultivate somewhat peacefully in the Palace until he was strong enough to leave the Palace. How wrong he was!
Jiang had naively thought the Palace would be safer for him than anywhere else but now it was obvious that the Emperor wanted to make life difficult for him. Leaving the Palace was not an option either; if he was outside the Lei family would do anything to get rid of him. Besides, he believed that it wouldn't be easy to leave the Palace.
Jiang hated that even after getting a second chance at life, his life was still so pitiful.
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