One More Step

After the meal, he kissed her on the cheek and rushed back to his office. The talk about nightly even gave him more energy so he wanted to get rid of as much paperwork he could until tonight.

Her small frame stood on the other side of the hallway and saw him with quick steps entering his office and disappearing out her eyesight.

She looked at her main maid. ''Did the girls have a proper meal today?''

Maid bowed respectfully. ''Yes Mylady. Now tehy are playing in the room. It seems they are not very bored. Making all kinds of weird plans for their future...''

Lady sighed while walking outdoor and looking upstairs. '' It is good we found them on time. One is saved from robbers and the other had a long story with the Lord. I just found out that her mother unintentionally, as it seems, saved Lord's life. When the child's grandmother was dying she asked him to find her some safe place. Sigh. I wish we could accommodate them, but our society wouldn't see that as proper action. Even my own brother is blinded by such small-mindedness. Sigh. We owe that child a lot. Go prepare few sets of proper clothes for them. The girl, Kyra, right? Yeah, she likes gardening. Go, find the rare seed of fruits, vegetables and flowers. What else... We need to find them accommodation as well.''

Her face looked distressed. She already told her main maid about the fabricated story they plan to use so she stepped in. ''Mylady, even tho you have a big heart, you can't let them stay here. I have family outside and I can check for some house for the girls. ''

Lady turned her head around and smiled brightly. ''Yes. Do that. they are two small girls if you find a house don't give them to big, to much work for them, some land near the house and a clean environment. If you find such a place, I will reward you properly.''

The maid went on her knees and deeply bowed in front of the Lady. ''Then I will have a thick face and accept it.'' She said while mischievously smiling at her.

Lady poked her head with forefinger lightly and laughed. ''Just do a good job. I never slight people that succeed in finishing their job.''

The hallway was big and most people that heard their conversation end had to admit that their mistress really never slighted them with compliments and gifts. If that maid really succeeds in finishing her task, it seems she will be rewarded handsomely later on.

Lady Wang turned around towards her quarters as she spoke to her personal maids about the house related issues. She saw from the corner of her eye one maid hiding in the corner and listening to their chats. On her pretty red lips, cold smirk appeared as she entered her room.

The big heavy door closed behind her rendering anyone to enter and listen. The two big doors were so thick that even if she sang on the other side, no one would hear her so she felt safe to start making plans with her maids in relaxation.

But what she didn't know was that one more person heard her story and was speechless. ''Wait, she was not his child? She was a child from his savior and it was just to take care of her. But why didn't he just give her some money and send her out? Why staying here?''

Young man standing behind him sighed. ''Young master. It was you who assumed in advance. The girl just came in and the master had no face to send her away right away on the streets. He had to find a way to find her good place but didn't you see yourself. Those cases on his table are almost until sealing. How does he have time to deal with it?''

''Foolisheness, just give her a few silver coins and kick out the house. What caring about her?'' He scoffed.

''This wouldn't be good at all. If he did that the foreigner society would look down on him and would protest that our government has no face and dignity. Even if they are not included in our government, but slapping their face wouldn't even Emepeor dare. And after he does that would anyone dare to give him helping hand in future?'' The young man recounted calmly.

''It's not like they are important key members of palace affairs, to begin with.'' He somehow started disliking foreigners while ago when he heard some of his friends commenting on them.

The young man shook his head in resignation. ''Those people you hang with I can't stop you. But I know one thing, if master finds out about it he will beat you up into a pulp. Stop hanging with those people, please.''

''You are just a lowly slave that has signed death contract with my family. Do not preach. If you continue talking back I will send you back home and find the other person. '' Young master of Wang family was famous in being unreasonable.

''Then I will pack my things and will leave. Young master, have a good and long life.'' The young man bowed deeply in front stunned young master Wang and turned around to leave.

''What... You damnable slave stop right there or I will order them to cut your head.'' He started yelling.

The young man turned around and smiled at him. ''I forgot to tell you, the master actually gave me back my freedom. It was my own free wish to follow you all this time. But this time, I will not accept your behavior any longer. Master is kind and I truly am sorry for having such unfilial son. Don't you know what will happen to your family if your wrongdoing comes into the ear of the Emperor? Sigh. Mind my words. This is the last time I am telling you. If you continue behaving the way you do now, you might as well pull down the whole Wang clan with you.'' Then he turned around and walked away with steady steps leaving speechless young master Wang standing all alone in the big hallway.

By the time he snapped out his stupor the person was already long gone and suddenly anger welled up in him. ''No matter is he free or not, he is after all my servant. What does he know about world affairs? Next time we meet I will order my servants to beat him to death.''

The whole case wouldn't even bother Lord Jung, but it gave him even more reason to send that unruly child back home. After the servant recounted all that was spoken ( of course in big hallway everyone heard his words) Lord Jung stood up and started pacing.

''Chang.'' Suddenly a person appeared next to him. ''Find out what is that about. If there is such a case, it seems someone is instigating him to make trouble here. That dumb fool doesn't even know he is used by someone.''

Chang bowed and disappeared again.

Lord Jung sat on his table to write a long letter to his father-in-law. ''It seems that those people can't wait any longer. They are stirring teh water and making it muddier. But tehy forgot. Under the Emperor's breath, muddy water will become dry and all the fishes inside will be caught under the scorching sun. They will burn to death not even knowing...''

Another man appeared near his table. ''Speak.''

''We found one house near the forest for teh children. The foreigners there planned anyway to go back home and was quite happy about our generous offer. But the man denied taking more than it is worth. I had to lie to him that the prices went up as many new people are coming to town so he accepted just a bit more. Master, those foreigners never take bribes or ask for any unreasonable stuff. If our people could become like that, wouldn't our country flourish more?''

Lord Jung saw his puzzled expression and sighed. ''In the last few hundred years we learned so much for them, but they were never integrated into our society. If we could integrate their and our traditions and make better laws, this country would be the strongest ever. But no matter where or in other countries, bribe exists. It is only personal preference.''

He stood up and walked to the window and looked far outside. ''Look at my family members and look at how different the Wang family is. My people would even kill each other for benefits but the Wang family is strong because they work together. Sigh. If they could learn from all teh things they did wrong, I would have more peaceful days. They don't even appreciate such smart women like Lady Wang...''

The man looked at him with a smile and coughed. ''Master. If lady Wang were not that pretty, would you still be this way?''

Lord Jung turned around poking his forehead with a finger. ''Even if she was the ugliest person, I would be on her side. It is, of course, a good thing to have pretty little wife tho. You ask too many questions, maybe its time I find you a little wife and let you settle down. What do you think?''

The man walked back a couple of steps, while his face became deep red. ''Master, don't even think about it now. We have things to do and I can't leave your side when it is the worst time. If I get married now and die in our task, wouldn't I make someone widow even before enjoying married life? I can't do that. Later... If I am still alive .''

Lord Jung had to admit that his reason was valid. If he let him marry now and die while going on task, wouldn't that woman be alone by herself? But then he remembered ''her''. If she were left alone, she would have clawed her way in life and live contently. He sighed. It seems he needs to teach his girls more things than just reading, writing, painting and handwork.

Women in this society were weak to the point that if the men in the house die, the rest of the family usually die as well or sell themselves as slaves. Not even trying to work hard and live.

Then he remembered Kyra and Anna. The decisiveness in their eyes as they walked in his office hurt his pride as a father. She wanted to get away from him so badly that she stood up, all broken and walked here to negotiate with him.

When she left his heart hurt so badly that he couldn't even get a breath. he had to appear cold and distant to her, for her sake. But when he saw her clear but alienated eyes and cold expression he knew that he was about to lose her. Just like he lost ''her''.

He loves his wife deeply. With time he forgot how ''she'' looked like, but seeing Kyra he remembered. Her looks couldn't compare with Lady Wang's in any way. But her countenance, stance and bearing were what left a deep impression on him. Not the way she looked.

His heart is already filled with Lady Wang but the lingering feeling couldn't be erased completely. He smiled as he took the yellow letter and opened it up. He read this letter so many times and it hurt him s badly, but now he was calm and smiled. ''I will keep her safe, don't worry.''

He took the letter and put it back carefully in the box and closed it in a secret compartment in his table. With a click, the compartment closed up and his face became expressionless. ''Speak, what did you find out about those missing cases. The Emperor is getting nervous about this case. It is not very simple as it seems.''

''Strange thing happened when we were buying the house from the foreigner. We heard some woman crying and lamenting in the house at the end of the street and when we asked the foreigners about it he sighed and told us that her little son was gone and no one in government is willing to even search for him.'' He waited for Lord Jung's reply and was about to say more when he saw Lord Jung's expression.

''It seems those little officials forgot why we set up government building there. When we take the children there I will pay a visit to them, let's see what excuse do they have for slacking on work.'' His eyes became terrifyingly cold and the man stepped back from fear. This Master of his is scary when he gets really angry, those poor officials. He sighed and left.

Lord Jung sat down to continue writing the letter and called his servants. ''Call Young master Wang into my office. I have a few things to say to him.''

The servant left the office and sighed. -It seems that the behavior of young master Wang was this time to much. Lord is this time really angry. I need to run fast or the fury will end up on my head.-

He runs towards young master Wang's door and conveyed Lord Jung's invitation. But to his surprise the young master Wang not even felt scared or wrong, he even proudly went down like he did nothing wrong, cursing servants for disturbing his midday sleep.

When he entered the room the servants looked at each other and shook their heads.

Better not commenting anything...