62 Release This Slave (2/2)

This was the length of deceit he would not reach against His Majesty. According to his knowledge if the Grand Dowager Empress was to know where Elora was, she was going to have her killed. It would be like child's play for her considering that Elora was within palace walls. For a long while the Grand Dowager Empress had waited on a certain girl from the Wu Clan to become of age so she could enter the harem and seat on the phoenix seat. If Elora was found, she could possibly ruin these plans.

”Answer me,” she pressured him.

”I am a shadowing guard, responsible to protect His Majesty's body, which includes his heart.”

”You have become unfilial.”

”Not telling His Majesty about this to honor your plans is the last thing I will do to show my gratitude towards you.” He got on his knees and lowered himself. ”May Her Highness act like I never belonged to her. Release this slave.”

”Luo Meng,” her voice begged.

”This is my last time being here.” He started to bow for leave. Now, he could fully be faithful to his master and not be held back by his past.

”Wait,” she commanded.

”Here to save Her Highness for the last time,” he emphasized the 'last time' part.

”Tell me everything that transpired between Elora and Shen Hong, and I will release you.”

Luo Meng did not think twice. He had hungered to be completely loyal to his master without compromise for a long time. It was time the restraining chains became a thing of the past.

”I know Shen Hong trusts you with much more than any other person.” He saw the court lady place a scroll in front of her with some ink. It was not of coherence why it was important for her to know about Elora and the emperor. Had the Wu Clan changed their strategy of attaining the phoenix throne into something else he was not aware of?

Never mind that. He just needed to be out of the place as soon as he could.

”If Her Highness is ready, this slave shall begin.” He started recounting what he knew and she also began to record his every word. She wrote every detail with much enthusiasm, nodding her head in approval.

He narrated to her everything he could remember; how, where and when they met, then how they separated. The court lady teared a little and excused herself as listening to the story made her emotional.

'Women,' he thought. What strange creatures they were.

He also told her about how they recently almost found her at the Capital Bridge. By the end of everything, Grand Dowager Empress was smiling and he was leering while he received the signed scroll that was evidence of his freedom. He was no longer a slave to her, the scroll stated with a stamp.

From there on, Luo Meng was not entitled to do her side jobs. It was a  sickening job to silence ministers who were against the Wu Clan, kill palace maids who bore witness to Wu Clan  secrets and shutting up rebellious concubines. He was done doing the dirty work for the Wu clan.

If the emperor was to find out about all that, he would be deeply hurt. It was in plainsight that Luo Meng was trusted and treasured by him. Many people betrayed and let the emperor down in the past and Luo Meng didn't want to be one of them, well he was already, but he wanted to still be the one that stayed true in His Highness' eyes.

The dragon would not understand his actions. He would not behold what it was like being a slave. So heaven knows whether he would manage to save his life if the beans spilt.

S.V