LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS 143 Heart Of The Kingdom

"You are cruel father!", Xing said after she stopped tickling him making AoTian confused. What did I do again?

But then Xing knew matters of the heart are always complicated. True, if her father agreed to take in Ran Weici, her fate this lifetime would have been better but will they have had a happy life? Will father accept her and will she find real happiness? It's all unknown and now it is useless to think about it as it is all over.

"Father", Xing placed AoTian's hand on her head, "Promise me you'll stay home tonight".

"Why?", he asked. Why is this girl acting weird again?

Xing knew the G.o.ds will be able to protect them only if they are outside the palace. So she has to make sure her father and brother stay in their Manor tonight when there are plans to burn the city.

" Father, Write me a letter. I want a letter for five pages telling me why and how much you love me! That's going to be my birthday present. My first birthday present from you", she used her charming cute smile that made AoTian think that how lucky his wife must have been to see this smile everyday and how much of her life he had missed in the past eighteen years. And all she wants for her birthday is a letter? How cute is my daughter!

"Fine", he patted her head, "If that's all you want, father will write you a letter today", he left forgetting why he came to meet her now. All he could think was that even though her looks have changed and she is wearing more jewellery now, she is still that girl who'd run around in their Manor with her soft silk robes and braided hair, who'd act cute with him to get what she wants... His adorable daughter!

Xing took a nap in the after noon as she felt tired and she could not wake up even when it became evening. But she forced herself up and drank some tea from Hu Mei and tried to figure out why she might be tired. That's when she remembered that she drank something strange from Eunuch Xin's place and chided herself for being stupid.

She found some Poison antidotes from her medicine collection and ate a wide range one as a temporary solution and decided to go to the mountains and get a proper antidote.

Just as she was about to leave, Lin Mubai came and reported that the entire Ran family was eliminated by a group of people who used the Emperor's name with white armour having moon symbol and then those people were killed by another group of people who wore black armour and had the symbol of sun on their armour plates.

Xing smiled realising her plans were a success and by now Eunuch Xin would be fuming as his people are dead and would try to talk to her any time soon. Her uncle and his people had killed the traitors used by Eunuch Xin who had killed all the previous Emperor's children and many loyal supporters of the throne.

Xing had already advised Lord Zhong through her uncle to protect the underground tunnels. Xing knew in this winter the only way to burn would be by using accelerants in these tunnels.

Xing also knew to overthrow this Emperor it is enough to destroy Zhong family and Huang AoTian as they play an important role in court and there is no need to burn the entire city. Burning the city could only mean the people who are the heart of the city, the Zhongs, Huang AoTian and more importantly the Emperor.

Xing learned from Seiren the other day that the tunnel runs under their Manors probably close to the foundations and it would be easy to burn and destroy their Manors from these tunnels.

Either they will end those two or the other easy way is to kill the Emperor. So the security of the Emperor is also fortified under the supervision of the Zhong family.

Xing told Lin Mubai to guard her family and also to find any news about Shengli in the city because she had a hunch that he'll be here tonight.

Lin Mubai left and the sky began to darken and Xing not only felt dizzy but her legs began to cramp up and it became a little hard for her to walk.

Xing called for Hu Mei but found it odd when no one replied her. Her entire courtyard was silent making her wonder. Previously she'd have to act rogue-like to have a moment of privacy but now all her maids are gone?

Xing felt something was wrong and tried to look outside but her heart began to beat erratically and she could not even move anymore. She gathered all her strength to sit on a chair nearby, when she smelt like something was burning.

Turns out she was the heart of the city and KINGDOM! Her courtyard was the one burning!

Xing laughed in her heart, Should I have been narcissistic and thought of myself as the most important person in this kingdom? They are right, my death would break my father's heart and he won't be concentrating on politics anymore and the Oldman will be devastated too. More importantly won't Shengli go on a mad rage and kill anyone in his sight he thinks responsible for my death, after I die?

I am the heart of this Kingdom!

Xing for the first time in her life felt that utter fear that she might not survive tonight. She tried to move but she could not and she could see flames engulfing her courtyard outside in.

Xing's courtyard was a bit secluded but that does not mean no one would not notice a building on fire in a clear winter night, right? Xing held a little hope....

My Prince....! Where are you...?