Chapter 19: A wrong meaning of our proximity
Lee Xianwu was astonished to see the Grand Empress Dowager. Despite her old age, the brightness on her face would deceive anyone about her age. He lowered his gaze and waited for her to ask him to sit.
"May I take a seat?" asked Lee Xianwu.
Prince Wangjie looked at his grandmother, who allowed Lee Xianwu to take a seat.
"Thank you," Lee Xianwu settled on the chair and briefly glanced at Wangjie. He understood that something dangerous was cooking in their heads.
"I have heard a lot about the eldest son of the Lee Family," Grand Empress Dowager initiated the conversation. "I am surprised he doesn't want to be the rank one official in the Empire," she stated.
"Because that would be cheating. I failed the exam this year, so I cannot become even a rank 7th official let alone rank 1st," Lee Xianwu declared. "Moreover, I don't believe in working. I am not used to it," he said.
Wangjie wryly laughed and gazed at him. "Lee Xianwu is the first person, who doesn't desire to be on such a prestigious rank in the Empire. The Lee Family has served the royal family for over five generations. We hope the same from you," Wangjie stated.
"That means I have to listen to the command of Prince Wangjie all the time. Am I right?" Xianwu asked while arching his eyebrow.
Grand Empress Dowager interceded in their conversation and said, "Lee Xianwu only needs to support my grandson."
"I wonder why?" Xianwu shifted his gaze at Grand Empress Dowager. His challenging gaze made her a bit insecure and she felt Lee Shimin's son was quite more stubborn than she had thought. Because Wangjie needed full military support, she kept her anger in control. When the time would come, she had thought of showing Lee Xianwu his right place.
"I would like to know the reason why I should accept the top official position in the Empire," Xianwu proclaimed. "I am well aware of the Lee Family's loyalty toward the royal family. But shouldn't it be toward the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Princess first? Grand Empress Dowager can correct me if she finds me wrong," he affirmed.
Wangjie realized Xianwu wasn't naive after all. He already saw through them and that was the point where he decided not to join hands with Xianwu. He could be dangerous for them in his future plans to take over the title from Jia Li.
"Lee Xianwu said right. However, his father's loyalty may come into question since he failed to nab the shooter, who tried to kill the Emperor. Only I can save him from the accusations he started to get after the Crown Princess raised the questions in the court on his capabilities," Grand Empress Dowager explained to him.
"Grand Empress Dowager isn't telling me what she wants from me," Xianwu said and chuckled.
"Nothing. Whatever I want is from Chief General Lee. I only want you to accept the official rank one position for a ministerial post," Grand Empress Dowager pronounced.
Xianwu frowned to hear her. "I accept this," he said.
Wangjie was shocked to hear Xianwu's decision. It was unexpected to him and he looked at his grandmother in bewilderment.
"Is Lee Xianwu serious?" Grand Empress Dowager asked to confirm.
"Yes, I am," Xianwu replied.
"Very well. I have expected this response from the Lee Family's eldest son. You will be appointed soon in the court and will be notified about it," Grand Empress Dowager asserted.
"I will wait for the day of my joining," Xianwu said and stood up. He bowed to the Grand Empress Dowager and raised his head. "Should I leave?" he then asked.
"Yes, you should. Prince Wangjie will show the way out to Lee Xianwu," Grand Empress Dowager ended the conversation and gazed at her grandson, who rose to his feet.
Wangjie bowed to his grandmother, then looked at Lee Xianwu. "Please, this way," he said and left with him.
As they came quite far from Grand Empress Dowager's manor, Wangjie said, "I am totally shocked by your decision. Earlier, you refused to accept it."
"Since I am useless in everyone's eyes and need a job to survive in the future, I could not refuse it. Moreover, Grand Empress Dowager requested me so much that I could not refuse it," Lee Xianwu affirmed with a tiny smile on his lips.
Wangjie was dubious at his use of words. But he didn't pay much heed to it.
"I will go myself from here. We will meet soon, Your Highness," Lee Xianwu said and slightly bowed before going ahead.
While crossing the corridor, he encountered Jia Li, who was excited to see him. She was looking for him for quite a while. Xianwu bowed to her and thought to go ahead when Jia Li stopped him.
"I didn't steal anything today," Xianwu pronounced before she could accuse him with her sharp glare at him.
Court Lady Xuan was perplexed to hear such a reply from Xianwu.
Jia Li tilted her head and told Court Lady Xuan to head to the manor with the maidservants. She complied with the order and left with the maidservants.
"The Crown Princess sent everyone away. That means she is curious to ask me something," Xianwu affirmed.
"Who are you? I forgot to ask your name that day," Jia Li said. She kept her tone humble since she needed information from him.
"I thought the Crown Princess will apologize to me for that day," Xianwu remarked.
"Why should I apologize?" Jia Li inquired.
"Her Royal Highness accused me of stealing a medicinal plant last night," Xianwu reminded her.
"I won't because, in my eyes, you did steal the plant," Jia Li replied.
Xianwu chuckled to hear her. "I wonder how will the Crown Princess take decisions in the future. Will she accuse innocent people and punish them?" He muttered.
"Tell me your name," Jia Li said.
Xianwu amusedly glanced at her. "I did tell the Crown Princess. It's sad to know she forgot me," he said.
Jia Li was bewildered to hear that. When did he tell his name to her?
"I should leave," Xianwu said and walked past her when Jia Li grabbed his arm. He lowered his head to look at her, who was glaring at him.
"People will take a wrong meaning of our proximity," Xianwu stated and smirked at her.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone