*** After the Fan Sheng's Exile
Li Feng and Jiang Ru Yi married in a grand way as the whole city witnessed their happiness.
The Li family rose to power as Li Feng's Sister Li Ran married the crown prince as his main Consort- Min Chul who is just 17 years old.
Min Chul doesn't have any other wives apart from a concubine who is his childhood lover Shi Ning. Min Chul adores very much, even more than Li Ran and spends most of the time with her.
Li Ran grew anxious day by day seeing his affection towards her.
The Li family became unstoppable with Li Feng's continuous military achievements and victories in the battlefield.
He married many noble women as his concubines and side consorts apart from Jiang Ru Yi.
He soon had more connections and wives than the crown prince that he is believed to be the regent of their kingdom.
Li Ran also made her move by killing Shi Ning as Li Feng's military power grew day by day.
Min Chul was left heartbroken and stopped communicating with everyone after his beloved's death.
Her Family's power made them unable to punish her deeds and she became even more wild by not allowing any other women around Min Chul.
***Present
This sudden increase in power gained the attention of the Royal Family.
The Emperor summons Min Chul to his Study.
"Father, You have summoned me?"
"I don't think that Li family growing power day by day is a good sign"
"I also heard your concubine is dead but we can't punish the culprit right now, her brother now hold many military achievements and his cultivation level is much higher than us"
"I am sorry father, I was unable to become as great as you want to be" Min Chul responds in a devastating tone after his heartbreak.
"It's okay to not be so powerful, but we must do something to protect ourselves."
"What do you intend to do father?"
"As long as he doesn't get some thoughts which he shouldn't its fine, but its better to be prepared"
"You are my only son. We can't let our blood line end in the hands of Li family and end up our sword in their hands"
The emperor looks at a sword which shines in golden light.
"Father, isn't this one the Divine Sword which is passed through our family?"
"Yes, it is the sword of our Ancestors who established our Min Dynasty. So we need to protect it in all time"
Min chul picks it up with ease and admires it, the sword shines in golden color as if recognising its master. He tries to pull out the sword but it doesn't budge even a little.
"Why is this not coming out father?"
"Only someone with a Strong Strategist Ability of our blood line can move this sword and for someone to unleash it, he should be a God of Strategist Ability"
The Emperor's eyes were filled with admiration as his son was able to lift the sword up from its place.
He couldn't feel more happy after witnessing this and stood up from his place.
"Min Chul.." he called his name.
"Yes father"
Min chul looks towards his Father and a conversation takes place between them which is hidden behind those closed walls.
Min Chul returns to his room as Li Ran is waiting for him in his room.
"Your Highness, why did majesty summon you?"
He looks at her with a cold expression and approaches her.
She remained fearless and looked in his eyes, His eyes were hiding the agony of Shi Ning's death as he looked at her.
He pulled her closer and his lips sealed her, making it difficult to breathe.
"Your Highness, please leave me"
She struggled as he kissed her and he was even more forceful on her.
He then pushed her onto the bed and started to tore apart her clothes and kiss her neck.
She wanted him to have her but she never expected that he would be so harsh on her
Their clothes scattered around the room and the curtains fell behind while Min Chul performed his duty towards her.
Sounds of pain are heard from their room as the night darkened. The palace maids were shocked as this is the first time the crown prince has been intimate with consort Ran.
After some time Min Chul dressed himself while Li Ran is still in bed feeling pain in her back.
Her eyes were filled with anger.
"He hasn't been gentle at all.", She thought to himself as Min Chul left her room.
Her maid approached her to help her.
"Young lady, Are you alright?"
"All I need is his child and my brother will have no use for him anymore. Then I will show him who really has power" She sneers at him in disgust.
Min Chul listens to her as she scolds him from outside.
"So Father is telling the truth, they wanted to rebel" He talks to himself.
"Li Ran, I won't let you succeed in your plan" He scoffs and goes back to his chamber.
He goes back to his room and starts to think about how they even rose into power.
"Summon Minister Dao" he tells his subordinate Gao Li.
"Your Highness, is it okay to call Minister Dao at this time?"
His loyal guard asks him, he always stays by his side since childhood.
Gao Li is a loyal wellwisher who is more of a friend to him and never hesitates to put his thoughts before the prince.
"If we delay even more then i don't think we will be able to survive"
His face tells the seriousness of the situation. He immediately goes to summon Minister Dao.
Minister Dao is Min Chul's Teacher and the most loyal person to him. He trained him since childhood.
Soon Minister Dao arrives in his study.
Min Chul greets him with utmost honor.
"Minister Dao, Sorry for calling you this late but i need to discuss something important"
"It's my pleasure to lessen your worries, Your Highness. Tell me what is bothering you?"
"Do you how Li Feng suddenly grew into power as i never heard of their family or him before"
"How come someone can get the limelight and grow into power in such a short span of time. I think there is something which we are missing"
"It's not too sudden your Highness, he has been planning this for a long time" Minister Dao responds to him.
"What do you mean?" He is a bit surprised.
"What i mean is that Li Fen has been planning his uprise from a long time"
Min Chul looks surprised.
"He became close to Fan Sheng on purpose and gained his network"
"You mean the Duke's Youngest Son?"
"Yes.."
"Isn't he just a playboy who went wild and destroyed his own family's fame and fortune"
"No Your Highness, He is just a child who has a kind heart and this became the reason for his own downfall"
"So, what you mean is that Fan Sheng is framed?"
"Yes, if not why else would Fan Sheng's finance would marry Li Feng"
"So the prime minister's daughter is also involved in his scheme"
"Yes, in fact she is his main target. He stole Fan Sheng's connections and exiled him. After that he became the prime minister's son-in-law and then.., he soon rose to power and became a general"
"It is true that he is talented but all the knowledge which he have now is through Fan Sheng"
"Then why didn't the Duke oppose it, he is so powerful. Isn't he?"
"Yes, he is powerful but this is the reason he is framed"
"What do you mean?"
"He is so powerful that even the Emperor fears him and he used this chance to remove his positions and resources to weaken the Fan family"
"Then why didn't he use that power to defend his family?"
"Li feng also framed the Duke of Moral Corruption and he can't save his name and his son at the same time"
"So, he chose his son over his position"
"Yes, He protected his son's life and resigned from his position"
"So, where is the Duke Fan now? Nobody knew where their family went after that"
"We don't know where they went, apart from the emperor no one knows where they went"
"You mean My Father knows where they are?"
"Yes.."
"Then let me ask my father, may be they could help me us in this crisis"
"Do you think I haven't tried? Your Highness"
"My Eldest daughter Married Fan Shuo who was a great scholar in our Min Dynasty."
"they were a lovely couple and I tried to plead with the Emperor to know about their whereabouts but its of no use"
"But why would the father not disclose their whereabouts?"
"I first thought its because he wants to punish them but i later realized that he wants to protect them"
"Master Dao, am I actually confused? Didn't you say my father feared their power?" Min Chul looks confused with his twist of words
"Yes, He feared them because they also have the same power which he has"
"The Divine sword? Do they also have one?"