Everyone's eyes moved in the same direction as they remembered the damage caused by the explosion. Even with Hei Shen Sect's power, it would take them at least a week to rebuild the courtyard. Lory's eyes moved to Zhao Li Xin with a questioning look and he shifted his eyes to Ming Yue Yin with an inexplicable gaze.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Ming Yue Yin had a bad premonition when she met Zhao Li Xin's icy glare.

​​

Lory was confused by Zhao Li Xin's look as she wondered what he was thinking about. It took a moment for it to hit her. Lory turned to Ming Yue Yin and gave her a pitiful gaze. The others also realized what their lord was thinking as they simultaneously gazed at Ming Yue Ying with sympathy.

______________________________

Half of the Yong Heng courtyard was ruined by the explosion and a few courtyards were saved. The first one was the Qin Hua courtyard which escaped the explosion as it was further from Zhao Li Xin's courtyard. The second one was the Mei Gui courtyard which was occupied by Ming Yue Ying. Mei Gui was also the biggest of the two remaining courtyards. Zhao Li Xin decided to move to the Mei Gui courtyard and transferred Ming Yue Yin to a smaller courtyard.

As the freeloader, Ming Yue Yin had no choice but to move but no one would believe the great empress was treated harshly inside Hei Shen Sect. Lory felt bad for Ming Yue Yin and thought to make up for the situation by pressuring Zhao Li Xin to let Ming Yue Yin enter his private armory, and let her choose one weapon from there.

Ming Yue Yin quickly forgot about her pitiful state when she heard this. She jumped up and down like a happy kid in a candy store.

Zhao Li Xin was a high-level armament master and the weapons he created were both rare and powerful. His weapons were treated as treasures by those who owned them. Zhao Li Xin was a lazy person who hadn't created many weapons when compared to other armament masters. He was also known to be stingy and never sold his weapons even when offered a high price.

A few people were fortunate enough to be rewarded by Zhao Li Xin's weapon. These people were the King Palaces, the Mong brothers, Lory, and now Ming Yue Yin.

"Seen anything you like?" Lory asked as she flipped the small knives in her hands smoothly.

"Yes. I like this one!" Ming Yue Yin smiled widely as she raised a silver sword. She tested the sword's balance, weight, and length. It was perfect for her. This made her happy Zhao Li Xin for being kicked her out of the courtyard as she got the chance to own the sword.

"The Blue light jade, not bad," Zhao Li Xin said in a low voice as he joined them room from the basement.

"Why is it called the Blue light jade?" Lory placed the knives on the table.

"Look at this!" Ming Yue Yin said as the sunlight touched the sword surface making it glitter with blue dots.

"This is no ordinary blue jade. This weapon doesn't need you to sharpen to maintain it. The weapon composition is light but sturdy and you can store it for decades without worrying about rust. It is amazing!" Ming Yue Yin laughed heartily as she swung her new weapon around.

Zhao Li Xin stood beside Lory who placed her head on his shoulder. Zhao Li Xin was known to be stingy and generosity was not his style. She knew he was being nice to Ming Yue Yin because of her. Lory whispered to him "Thank you…"

"She is like family to you…" Zhao Li Xin easily replied.

"You are my family too," Lory chuckled softly as she spoke to his ear. Her warm breath blew into his ear teasing him.

"You know… You still owe me one night," Zhao Li Xin raised his eyebrows meaningfully.

"Just one?" Lory teased shyly.

They looked at each other passionately. Their faces were an inch apart. Lory was tempted by his sexy thin lips and Zhao Li Xin couldn't wait to savor the sweetness of her lips.

"Why can't you two stop flirting for one day," Ming Yue Yin broke the sweet atmosphere between the married couple.

Lory's lips thinned as shifted her gaze from Zhao Li Xin and narrowed it to Ming Yue Yin. She was both embarrassed and annoyed. Zhao Li Xin also scowled at Ming Yue Yin.

"You need to solve the problem left by that Qian woman…" Zhao Li Xin abruptly told Ming Yue Yin.

"Why me...?" Ming Yue Yin pouted. She was reluctant to meet the Emperor and the former empress of Liu Yan Kingdom plus she was not a fan of diplomacy. She preferred throwing people to the wall and be done with them if they were a nuisance.

"You didn't think I give the Blue light Jade sword for free, did you?" Zhao Li Xin crossed his arms.

"Ughh…" Ming Yue Yin grunted and stared at her new weapon. She was reluctant to part with the beautiful weapon. She rolled her eyes with exasperation, "FINE! "

However, the young Empress couldn't help but try to push her luck further. Ming Yue Yin wondered if she could get another free weapon from Zhao Li Xin. She gave Zhao Li Xin a cunning smile, "How about giving me another small weapon? It will make my job easier."

Zhao Li Xin knew what Ming Yue Yin was thinking. He smirked, "Why don't I Invite Grand Tutor Zhang to help you with your job?"

"..."

A chill touched Ming Yue Yin's back. She had been away from her kingdom for about three months and Grand Tutor Zhang Yu Hao was eager for her to return. If he was to learn she was attacked in the Liu Yan Kingdom, the old man would scold her for not being careful and courting trouble. Ming Yue Yin subconsciously scratched her ear when Zhao Li Xin mentioned Zhang Yu Hao's name. Her lips twitched into a smile, "Well played."

"I know…" Zhao Li Xin smiled calmly.

Lory watched them with glee. It was funny to see the cunning Ming Yu Yin accept her losses when facing Zhao Li Xin. The matters of state were not easy and diplomacy could drag for long as it was a push and pull situation that no one liked. Zhao Li Xin had little patience for it. This is why he was quick to dump the problem to a person like Ming Yue Yin who had sufficient experience.

____________________________

Left with no choice, Ming Yue Yin accepted the problem…reluctantly. She asked Su Yi to send a message to the Liu Yan Emperor requesting for an audience. She also gathered witnesses and evidence to present to the Liu Yan imperial court as evidence. She was ready to leave when Su Feng entered the room.

"Your Majesty, General Yuan Shao is here," Su Feng cupped her fist and bowed respectfully.

Ming Yue Yin sheathed her new sword happily, "Let him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Su Feng nodded and left the room.

Ming Yue Yin took a deep breath, turned to the mirror to make sure she looked presentable, flicked her red robes, and left the room.

Yuan Shao stood quietly by the small pond with his hands clasped behind his back. He turned around when he heard the light footsteps.

He saw a beautiful woman dressed in bright red robes with a sword in her hands heading toward him. Yuan Shao's mouth curved unconsciously and his stoic expression became gentle as she got closer.

"You are here?" She said softly.

The Su sisters exchange a quick glance as Ming Yue Yin's voice turned sweet. She was no longer the stern Empress before her officials or the spoiled brat in front of Lory and Zhao Li Xin. Her voice was like that of a normal woman her age.

"I'm here to accompany you," Yuan Shao smiled gently.

"How kind of you," Ming Yue Yin smiled as she teased.

"You have saved my sister twice. This is the least I can do. I also don't trust that cunning old fox. Who knows what he would do?" Yuan Shao chuckled lightly. He made it sound like a joke but he genuinely worried about Ming Yue Yin. She was still a seventeen-year-old and his Emperor was in his fifties. She was no match for the old fox if they were to look at experience alone. He wanted to make sure the old bastard won't take advantage of her and besides, he also had a thing or two to convey to them.

"It is just a coincidence…" Ming Yue Yin shrugged.

Yun Shao raised his eyebrows playfully, "Well thank you for coincidentally saving my sister twice."