{Red Moon Poison}
•Fu Jiu's POV •
"When are you planning to come back home??" My mother's voice ranged through the communicator.
"You know we are worried, besides it's the Red Moon in a month, are you really going to endure the pain this year too??" The worry could be heard in her comfortable voice.
"Mom I'll be fine, this is not the first time this is happening and until I find someone who can make my heart skip a beat, I'm going to face the Red Moon alone. You don't have to worry about me I know what I'm doing." I sigh and try to reason.
"No this will not work!! It's either you find a mate to temporarily help with the poison or you are getting married to Mu Shu." I hear her use the 'no arguments, it's final' tone and I press against my temple.
"Okay Mother!" I say agree, for now.
I was poisoned a few decades ago with the famous Fuling Root.
Said to ignite the victim's desire to pleasure every Red Moon and so far there is no known cure. My Mother wants me to find a mate but I don't think that's in my bucket list,besides the Red Moon only appears once every two years, although painful I can stand it atleast.
Because I can't vent my frustrations the pain stretches out for a week after the Red Moon. It's unbearable but I'm certainly not going to find a mate just because of that and there's no way I'm marrying that Mu Shu.
It looks like I need to come up with a new excuse.
*********
The wind was howling as the trees swayed with the rhythm. The clouds gathered in thick formation as though the heavens itself was frowning.
The people of the Empire felt like shivering as the clouds thundered their way through their closed windows. The Star Gazers of the Empire were baffled as to this weird weather as the clouds were high the sun was smiling without fail on them earlier in the day.
•Chennai Hall•
"Your Majesty, this servant bows to you." The voice of State Preceptor Lu Dasheng echoed across the walls of the hall as the Ministers murmured quietly in bewilderment and dread.
"Zhen has heard, what do you speak of this weather" The Emperor's majestic voice boomed as the Golden Robes adorned with the dragons of the ancient swayed with the wind. It looked as if the dragons were doing a slow dance.
"Your Majesty this servant dreamed." Lu Dasheng started, "I dreamed of the ancient gods, the Dragon Monarchs. The ancestors made clear that they have been dishonored, they said that their Heir has been shamed and humiliated. They want answers Your Majesty and they demand results." He continued, his face pale and sweaty. One look and you'd know he was scared out of his wits.
"Zhen does understand, care to elaborate?" The Emperor waved.
"Your Majesty, a Monarch has been awakened and we had know idea, he has been shamed and humiliated for all we know. I beseech Your Majesty to search for the Monarch, I believe he's in the capital." The old preceptor's face lost the last bit of color on it as he clenched his fist and begged with conviction.
The Emperor went silent as if considering the words spoken.
"Zhen understands that this matter is of urgency, but you leave Zhen clueless as to how to find the Monarch." He finally said.
"All Young Men below the ages of 18 should be checked for a dragon tattoo under the soles of their feet. The one with the sacred tattoo of the dragon is the Monarch. I suggest this be done secretly to avoid farce. I shall personally inspect to avoid trouble." The preceptor as if injected with chicken blood talked seamlessly and immediately strategized.
"Zhen has heard, this shall be taken into effect as soon as tomorrow." The Emperor acknowledged and stood to leave.
"Court Dismissed!!!" The clear and crisp voice of the Head Eunuch echoed as the Ministers suppressed their excitement and left for their homes.
....