THE RISE OF LIMING

THE EMPEROR'S KARMA

Wu Huan adapted quickly to his new life. Madam Dai had adopted his sister as her own though he was still allowed to see her. With their new names, they were safe for meantime. Back at the palace, the emperor had gotten very sick after hearing the news about the death of Madam Zhou. Although he tried not to show it, the Empress knew. 

Many physicians rushed in and out each day trying to restore his health but it was furtile. The head physician came out looking at the Empress as he shook his head. The emperor's condition was getting worse. Entering inside the room, the empress saw the emperor sitting on the ground with a jar of wine. Walking up to the emperor, the empress hit the jar of wine of his hands watching as it fell to the ground and broke . 

“What are you doing here?” The emperor asked staggering as he stood up. Nevertheless, he could hold his liquor well. The emperor fell to her knees immediately seeing the emperor's anger. 

“Your Majesty, please punish me. But you cannot go on drinking. That person has died. You should have thought twice before killing her husband. Now that she is dead, time can't be reversed. Why don't you continue living?” The empress asked watching as the emperor turned his face away. 

“Its none of your business.” The emperor said while the empress stood up. 

“Ming'er still needs your guidance. Although the dynasty has been peaceful, unforseen trouble always comes when we least expect it. Are you really going to abandon your people? The people that need you because of a woman?” The empress asked but this provoked the emperor. 

“I said get out! Get out! You are in no position to judge me at all! Get out! Anyone?” The emperor asked shouting. 

The empress sighed gazing at the emperor before leaving. When she opened the door, the head physician was standing outside. 

“Your Highness, any way?” The head physician asked watching as the empress shook her head. 

“This time, I fear it will be hard to convince him.” The empress said worried about the emperor. 

“Your Highness, the emperor isn't getting any younger. If he continues down the path, it isn't going to be long before death comes knocking on his door." The head physician said making the empress's eyes go wide as she looked around. 

“Cousin, don't say rubbish. This is the palace. The emperor is in the prime of his youth. Nothing will happen to him.” The empress said. 

“I am the head physician. It is my duty to always say the truth. Your Highness, you must do something to stop him. If you don't mind. “ The head physician said excusing himself. 

The day grew dark and the empress opened the back door of the palace that was being used by servants. Wearing a long white cloak, the empress hid her face as she left with her perosnal maid entering the carriage. 

At the Duke's manor (Zhou Dong), Zhou Dong was sitting down in his study. It had been some months since he married. The emperor urged him everyday to hurry up and have a child so he/she would be Zhou Ming's playmate. Zhou Ming was the crown prince. As young as he was, he was already outstanding and intelligent. He left a mark wherever he went and people admired him. Lately, he had gotten news of the emperor disregarding political affairs and always drinking. 

Even though his brother, The emperor seemed like a cold hearted person, Zhou Dong knew the death of their third brother had affected him the most. Zhou Wu Tang. He was the most affectionate outstanding one among the three of them. Such a pity he had to die. 

“Your Highness, the empress is here." Zhou Dong heard his bodyguard say making his eyes go wide from suprise. 

“Where is my wife?" Zhou Dong asked. 

" Second Madam Zhou is in the kitchen. I heard from the maids that she wants to suprise you with something she created in her free time.” Zhou Dong's bodyguard said. 

“Don't let her in. Tell her that I have important things to do. Dismiss all the maids and make sure they don't suspect anything.” Zhou Dong said to his bodyguard watching as he nodded his head leaving. 

Few seconds later, the empress entered the study being led by another servant. Turning to her maid, the empress signaled her maid to wait outside as she entered. When Zhou Dong saw the empress, he immediately stood up from his seat coming to meet her in the front. 

“Greetings, Empress." Zhou Dong said bowing his head while the empress removed her hood. 

“There is no need for formalities. I have something to discuss with you." The empress said taking her seat first and Zhou Dong followed. 

“Your Highness, you came so late at night. Whatever you want to discuss with me, you can just do it at the palace.” Zhou Dong said. 

“You know that's not possible. The palace has ears. And you know the emperor has always been keeping an eye on us." The empress said. 

" If you know this, why did you still take the rsik and come? Zhou Wu Tang died because he was my father's favorite. The only reason I am alive is because the emperor believes that I will never turn my back at him.” Zhou Dong said. 

“Its precisely because of Zhou Wu Tang that I came here. Did you know? Third Madam Zhou is dead. She died with the baby she was carrying.” The empress said. 

“What?” Zhou Dong asked suprised. 

“Yes. After hearing her death, the emperor has abandoned political affairs. He doesn't longer care about the state.” The empress said. 

“You think this is because of my brother's wife? Impossible." Zhou Dong said. 

" Back then, your brother was able to marry the person he loved because he was well favoured by the late emperor. But you don't know that the emperor also liked Jiang Bai Lin ( Wu Tang's mother). The emperor is getting what he deserves. I just wish that he wasn't the emperor. Even after all his bad deeds, he can't afford to fall. Because he is emperor. Along with his fall comes great diaster.” The empress said. 

The next day, Zhou Song took the empress's advice and went to see the emperor. Just like the other days, the emperor hadn't attended court meetings leaving the crown prince to do all the work. 

“Your Majesty, your brother is here to see you.” Zhou Dong said standing outside the emperor's door. No one had dared to go inside after the argument he had with the empress the other day. They knew the emperor was furious about something. 

“Zhou Dong? Come in.” Zhou Dong heard the emperor say from inside. 

The servants immediately opened the door allowing Zhou Dong to enter. Zhou Dong entered seeing the emperor lying weak in front of the portrait of his brother 's wife. The empress hadn't been wrong. The emperor had been in love with Jiang Bai Lin. 

“Your Majesty, what is happening to you? You don't attend court meetings. The crown prince is worried about you. I am also worried about you.” Zhou Dong said as he sat down near the emperor. 

“Dong'er, look. All of them have left me one by one. They have all left. Look.” The emperor said pointing to the portrait. 

“Your Majesty, do you regret it?” Zhou Dong asked watching as the emperor's eyes suddenly turned sober. 

“Regret? What should I regret?” The emperor asked turning to look at his brother. 

“Everything. Your Majesty, you are the son of heaven. There is nothing that you cannot get except the things heaven withholds from you. Its either the throne or love. Since you have chosen, do not backslide nor regret.” Zhou Dong said while the emperor drank more wine from his jar. 

“Its not worth it. Its not! Lin'er. She's dead." The emperor said as he got up staggering. 

“Your Majesty! There are some words that shouldn't be said out loud. Jiang Bai Lin is your brother's wife. What will the peoe say of they hear that you were in love with your brother's wife?” Zhou Dong asked watching as the emperor walked around staggering. 

“I know I don't have much time left. Although I am at fault for many things, you have never abandoned or betrayed me. My Dong'er." The emperor said holding the back of his brother's neck as he stood. 

“Your Majesty, please get well." Zhou Dong said staring at the emperor face to face. 

“I have written a decree. You. I trust you too much. That's why I want you to take care of Ming'er. Promise me you will take care of him." The emperor said as he shook Zhou Dong. 

“Yes, Your Majesty." Zhou Dong said closing his eyes. 

A few minutes later, Zhou Dong came out of the room and knelt down in front of the door bowing his head. It was his way of bidding his brother goodbye. Zhou Dong left the palace riding in his carriage when he stopped in front of a shop selling candied haws. Suddenly, he remembered when the emperor and him were younger. Their father would be so preoccupied with Wu Tang so they had the opportunity to sneak out often. They would run into the main street and but as much candied haws as they could. 

“Return back to the manor.” Zhou Dong said getting out of the carriage. 

Unfortunately, Wu Huan was also standing in front of the shop selling candied haws. He had come out to buy some for his sister. It had been a few months and his sister was already so big. Well, not big enough to eat candied haws but she could lick them. Madam Dai had been taking very good of them. In the brothel, he was sent to run some small errands while the brothel was open. This was done in order for him to disturb the girls who had become very fond of him. Pointing at the one he wanted, Wu Huan waited as the shopkeeper removed it. Just as he was about to pay, Wu Huan realized he had lost his money. 

Zhou Dong walked to the shop also wanting to buy some candied haws. Seeing Wu Huan, he watched as Wu Huan searched for his money. 

“You don't have money? Where you trying to fool me?” The shopkeeper asked. 

“No. I was with my money just now. I must have lost it somewhere. I will just go back and get another one." Wu Huan said. 

" You liar. You msut have tried to trick me. Don't come back! “ The shopkeeper shouted at Wu Huan. 

“Little boy, do you want some candied haws?” Wu Huan heard someone ask. 

Turning around, Wu Huan realized it was Zhou Dong. Wu Huan recognized immediately as the one his mother had pointed out. This man had killed his father and now, his mother. Clenching his fist, Wu Huan struggled to control his anger. He was sti little. There was nothing he could do to hurt such a powerful man like his uncle. 

“No. No need ” Wu Huan said gritting his teeth as he talked. 

“Its okay. I can buy you some. I heard you were going to buy for your sister too. Shopkeeper, please give me…” Zhou Dong said but Wu Huan stopped him. 

“I said no! " Wu Huan said shouting as he stook to his feet running away as fast as his legs could carry him while Zhou Dong stood speechless. 

“What just happened?” Zhou Dong asked himself. 

“Don't answer him. He must have felt embarrassed that he was caught. You must he careful with these children. They look innocent but are actually devils.” The shopkeeper said as he went about his work. 

Wu Huan only stopped when he reached the brothel. He had made sure no one was following him. Although Madam Dai had told him not to enter the brothel during business hours, Wu Huan went straight up to look for his sister.