Fated Book 2 : The Crown Prince's Golden Consort

"your wounds are healing well, we can now return to the capital" Doctor Li said as he redressed Zhongshan Huang's wounds. "Really then I will inform everyone to get ready we will be headed to the capital tomorrow evening to avoid any sudden I think it's good we leave at night" Lu Xiaolian replied from his right. Zhongshan Huang had been awake for ten days now but due to his injuries they couldn't leave any time soon. "That will be wise luckily I can with a cart so you and his grace can ride on it while the rest of us travel by horse" Physician Li said. "Good" She replied. Physician Li packed up his medicine bag and walked out of the room. "You and physician Li seam to be very familiar" Zhongshan Huang said a few minutes later.

"You can say that, he Lu Yan and myself were trained by my father. When my scouts reported that you were injured I asked him to travel with a few men behind us" she replied seating next to him. "it was a good idea to do that, the masked assassin's were persistent in their attack I really wish to find out who sent them" Zhongshan Huang said thoughtfully

"one thing is certain and that is that they were well trained and didn't seam like the assassin for hire types" She replied balling up her hands. Zhongshan Huang took hold of her hands and brought it to his lips and said on low time "No need to worry yourself my love am very difficult to kill, so your stock with me no matter what".

* * *

"Your highness the Crown Prince is back" The Imperial Noble Consort was reclined on a chair listening to the musicians piece. Since the Crown Prince sopposed death and the Empress departure for the temple she had been at peace. After all these years she was finally getting the fruit of her labour's. Her son would soon be the most powerful man in the know kingdom second only to the Emperor. The Ministers has already submitted their reports for her son to be crowned, all that remained was the Emperor's seal and the world will be at her feet. Or so she thought before the maid reported that the Crown Prince was back alive at that.

"What, this can't be, quickly call the first Prince into the palace.

* * *

The next day

"greetings Imperial father and mother" Zhongshan Huang and Lu Xiaolian chorused kneeling.

"Xiaoli sstand on ceremony" the Emperor replied as the Empress rushed forward.and gave him a hug "Huang'er" she held him tight. After a few minutes she looked up at him. "You really have mum a scare".

"Let's get seated, Zhongshan Huang is still recovering" the Emperor said. "How could I forget, I hope I am not hurting you" the Empress said moving out of his embrace and holding his hands began walking to the seats.

"Xiaolian really took good care of you, I will have to reward her for the care" the Emperor said. "Your marjesty shouldn't worry about that I was only carrying out my duties as a wife" Lu Xiaolian replied. "At least one of you knows your responsibility, You take a break from work take care of yourself, I will handle everything" the Emperor said with a sigh.

"no need for that, after a few days I should be able to resume work" Zhongshan Huang replied. His father wasn't getting any younger so it was only right that he sat up. With all that was going on in the kingdom he couldn't afford to waste anymore time. "You listen to your father you have not idea how stressful these two months have been, the best thing you can do is to get healthy and not make us anymore worried" the Empress said sternly. "Yes mother" Zhongshan Huang replied. "Good, I will have to trouble you Xiaolian to take care of him and ensure that he isn't doing anything but resting" the Empress turned facing Lu Xiaolian. She made the right choice choosing this wife for Huang'er. Who was both beautiful and smart but most of all really cared for him. In the royal family it was very difficult to find a wife who sincerely cared for her husband without any selfish goals. "Yes mother, Xiaolian will take care of his grace" Lu Xiaolian replied. "Good, you must have met the little princess Huang'er" The Empress said smiling widely, she was very fond of her granddaughter. "Yes I did" Zhongshan Huang replied, he may not have been fond of second madam Yang but he was fond of his daughter. Second madam Yang unlike the rest wasn't greedy, she knew her place and never exceeded it. "It's almost time for the little princess's full moon ceremony, Xiaolian you will have to make the arrangements as her mother" She said taking Lu Xiaolian's hand into hers. "Yes mother" Lu Xiaolian replied meekly.

* * *

"w you find out everything that happened when we were gone" Zhongshan Huang said as he moved his chess piece. He was given a months rest by the Emperor and with nothing to do has been speeding much needed time with Xiaolian, resting and planning his next move.

"the first prince ordered some Minister's to submit a report asking for your replacement" Chu Yan replied. "He really didn't waste much time at all, my Elder brother seams to have gotten another father in law while I was gone" he said smiling slightly. "You will have to thank the Empress dowager for that arrangement" Lu Xiaolian said making a counterattack on his move. "My Imperial grandmother seams to have gotten tired of the Xu family already, my elder brother as always is too stupid to figure out her moves" he said moving his piece while looking straight into her eyes. "The Empress dowager has always been two steps ahead of everyone" she replied finally breaking eye contact "Funny how his Two father-in-laws don't see eye to eye on anything" Zhongshan Huang said rubbing her hands with a slight smile. "Stop trying to distract me and make your move" Lu Xiaolian said frowning. She could tell what he was up to no good. "mmmh Xiaolian's gotten smarter" He replied with a naughty smile. "One has to when you keep acting cute, I don't know why everyone thinks you are a gentleman, your clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing" She said. "Am getting tired of playing Go let's play a new game" he replied "what" She said curiously. "come closer" he beaconed her closer, she came closer and his whispered in her ears "The couples night exercise". "Silly" she said and walked away leaving him laughing.