Battle Royale of the Sinners

September 1st, at dusk.

A caravan of merchants entered Julu City. Among the merchants, a group of soldiers in disguised and a charming woman rested in a carriage.

The woman was He Xing, the former Empress He that ran away from the Imperial Court. All soldiers inside her carriage were also women. They disguised themselves as a group of performers.

Despite the fact that He Xing could have sent an envoy to retrieve her son, she still snuck out of Nanpi to see Liu Xie herself. She might be a former Empress, but she was still a mother. Her son was her everything.

In addition, He Xing did not like Yuan Shao and his attitude during their escort. She saw her elder half-brother, He Jin, bowed down to Yuan Shao and followed him like a tamed dog while Yuan Shao acted as if he was the Emperor. She was not stupid enough not to know what Yuan Shao was thinking.

Living in Nanpi with Yuan Shao was impossible for her. If she continued to stay in that city, one day, Yuan Shao would take her as his concubine and claim the right to the throne. Afterward, she and her son would be enslaved by Yuan Shao forever.

Disillusioned by the dark side of the political warfare, she decided, she would not become anyone's tool in this civil war. She would take back her son and live her entire life as a commoner from now on.

"I saw an army passing by. Go and ask around where they are going or doing."

"Yes, your majesty."

He Xing gave her servants a bitter smile and shook her head.

"I'm not the Empress anymore. Just call me by my name."

"… I'm sorry, Your Majesty. To us, you're still our Empress. Please forgive us."

"Please forgive us, Your Majesty."

The bodyguard girls bowed to He Xing.

"Haiz, go then. Ask the townsmen for me. I want to know what has happened in this city."

…

September 2nd. Morning.

He Xing received the reports about the recent changes in Julu. Though shocked, she did not mind it as the thievery and crimes here were uncommon. The "Police" garrison soldiers always patrolled the city, and the police booths were everywhere. She admired how they cared for the citizens.

The cost of living here was two times higher than the capital due to Tong's dictatorship and the inflation of the gold value. He Xing used to be an Empress, so her financial power was not an issue.

But the real problem was the recent announcement, Zhang Jiao declared rebellion and vowed to fight Liu Ping to the death.

He Xing connected this information with the recent deployment of the troops, which she had seen yesterday. Julu Army should be marching southward to establish a base to prepare for the upcoming war.

She also disliked Liu Ping. Even though he was her adopted son, who was the surviving son of the previous Empress Song, Liu Ping always lecherously looked at her as if he desired her body, which disgusted He Xing.

She wished that Liu Ping would die a horrible death!

Now, she had found a force that also hated Liu Ping. She had a complicated feeling toward Zhang Jiao and his army. She was glad that someone also wanted to kill Liu Ping as well, but she was afraid that this city forces might not be a match for the Capital Army.

"Should I ask Yuan Shao to help them?"

He Xing shook her head again. Despite the fact that Yuan Shao also wanted Liu Ping dead, he was overbearing and arrogant to the bone. He would definitely imprison her if she were to return to ask him for the assistance.

"What am I thinking? Aren't you going to quit the politic world? It's no longer my business now."

He Xing gave up the thought. She continued waiting for her subordinates' news about her agent that protected her son. She wanted to see Liu Xie as soon as possible.

It did not take long for her subordinates to rush back to He Xing.

"Your Majesty, we've found His Highness Liu. He is currently residing in the official residential area. And …" The reporting girl hesitated.

"And?"

"His guardian, Jia Xu, has entrusted His Highness with one of the officials here. His name is Sima Fang … he was once a minister in Luo Yang …"

The eyes of He Xing brightened up because she knew this person. Sima Fang was well-known by all as he was a stern, earnest, and a loyal minister. However, due to the political infighting between her, Liu Ping, and the eunuch faction, Sima Clan left Luo Yang and disappeared from the scenes.

She was glad that this person was still alive and he was taking care of her son. It was the best scenario possible for her.

"Let's pay him a visit. I want to talk to him."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

…

Sima Fang was at Tong's courtyard today. He came here with Zou Shi to deliver Liu Xie to Hua Shi as she should be in the middle of learning how to take care of a newborn baby. With Liu Xie under her care, it would be like killing two birds with one stone. In addition, have women taking care of the young prince was far better than having Sima Fang looking after him.

Hua Shi, Zou Shi, and Dong Bai were playing with the young prince in a merry mood. Tong had informed Hua Shi and Dong Bai about the prince's identity through the clan chat, so they knew what would come once he grew up.

Moreover, because of Hua Shi's irregular hormone and her perversion, her breasts occasionally leaked out breast-milk and forced her to wear a chest pad. With Liu Xie around, she could practice feeding him too.

However, Hua Shi cringed when she heard the idea. As a former nurse, she had enough experiences dealing with kids and babies. Moreover, there was no reason for her to breastfeed someone else's little brat as he already had a wet nurse.

"For now, please bring in his wet nurse. There's no need for me to replace her just yet. Besides, he is probably over a year old now. He can eat soft vegetables or soft meat instead of breast milk for every meal."

In the end, Hua Shi refused to become the prince's new wet nurse, but she accepted the task of being his nanny.

"Walk slowly! Walk slowly!"

Zou Shi and Dong Bai were having fun teasing the baby prince.

"Da-ma-fa-fad."

"Oh? Is he trying to talk?"

"Is he trying to call you mama?"

"No, I think it should be [Papa]. He's been with Jia Xu all these times. Maybe he taught him a few words?"

The girls laughed and tried to teach a couple words to Liu Xie.

Before they could play with him for long, a guard rushed inside and knelt.

"Reporting to Secretary Sima, a guess came to pay you a visit. She informed me that she went to your Manor but you were not there, so she came here instead."

Sima Fang, who was observing the girls from the distance, was surprised by the new guest. He did not remember reserving or making an appointment with a guest as he always declined all invitations and offerings from nobles and merchants.

"Uncle Sima, you can invite your guest here. Feel free to use this courtyard to entertain your guest."

Hua Shi gave her permission to Sima Fang. Since she had nothing to do after she was laid off from her job, eavesdropping on other people's business was a good alternative hobby as well.

The corner of Sima Fang's eyebrows twitched as he could read Hua Shi's mind. He sighed and bowed to Hua Shi.

"Thank you, lady Hua. I'll invite her here then."

…

He Xing entered Tong's courtyard. The moment she entered the garden, Sima Fang had a dumbstruck expression on his face because he recognized her. He immediately kowtowed.

"Your Majesty! You're alright!"

His sudden shout shocked the girls in the courtyard. In a panic, all of them also knelt down even though they did not know who she was.

Hua Shi and Dong Bai were the only ones that did not bow to He Xing because they thought that Tong's position was highest in this city. Unless the guest was Zhang Jiao, they would not bow down to anyone.

"It's alright. I'm no longer the Empress. I'm just a runaway commoner now. Please stand up."

"Your Majesty…" Sima Fang stood up in reluctance. Everyone in the courtyard also stood up.

"Fa-Fu-Fad"

He Xing heard the sound of a young healthy baby. In delighted, she looked at the baby who was playing with several girls.

"Is that my son, Liu Xie?"

Sima Fang's body shook. Jia Xu and Tong had informed him about the prince's identity before they left for Yie City.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A teardrop rolled down from He Xing's eye. She was so happy that she could see her son again after all the tribulation in the Capital.

She walked slowly toward her son and called him.

"Xie, come here. It's me, your mother."

"Fa-fa-du."

The boy heard his mother's voice. By his instinct, he remembered her and tip-toed toward her.

It was a tranquil scene. Everyone smiled as they were observing the mother and the son's interaction.

He Xing laughed and wrapped her arms around Liu Xie. She picked him up and hugged him.

"Do you remember me?"

"Fa-du?"

"Oh? Are you trying to speak?"

"Fa-du-gu!"

"Haha! What are you saying? Are you calling me mama?"

"Fa-fa!"

"Try again. Mama."

"Fa-da!"

"Mama"

"Fa-du-gu"

"Well, maybe it's too soon for you. Let's take our time, ok? We'll be together from now on."

At the side, Hua Shi, Zou Shi, and Dong Bai were looking at the mother and son with a smile. The scenery like this was good to the heart of the girls.

Looking at the happy duo, Hua Shi had a strange thought.

"Don't call me weird. I have a feeling that the boy isn't trying to pronounce [Papa] or [Mama]."

"What do you mean?" Dong Bai asked Hua Shi.

"I have a strange thought. I think he was swearing."

"Swearing? ... Ah!"

Dong Bai also thought of the word. Suddenly, both girls grinned.

"Do you think he's trying to say it?"

"Definitely."

The innocent Zou Shi was curious. She asked the two. "What is it? What is he trying to say?"

Both of them did not speak. However, they did their best to hold their laugh.

Meanwhile, Liu Xie was still trying to speak.

"Fa-dud"

He Xing laughed. "You have something to tell me?"

"Fah"

"Fah?"

"Fudge!"

"…"

"..."

"..."

Time had stopped.

After the sacred first word of the baby, everyone's eyes turned into a small dot. They stopped speaking and looked at Liu Xie with poker faces.

"Fudge!"

"…"

He Xing trembled. His first word was supposed to be [Mama]. How did it turn into this word?

"H-How long has the boy been here?" He Xing asked Sima Fang.

"Just yesterday. Jia Xu has been keeping the boy's identity a secret. He suddenly told us everything about him and left him here yesterday."

With a pale face, Sima Fang told her everything.

"B-But w-why? How did he learn this word?" He Xing was so shocked that she could not think of anything.

"Maybe Jia Xu had it rough when he was escaping with the prince from Luo Yang? He probably learned it from the peasants nearby. He had to mix in with the commoners all the time before he arrived here after all."

Hua Shi helped Sima Fang by giving her an explanation in his stead, while she held back her laugh.

On the other hand, Dong Bai was crawling on the ground, trembling and biting her clothes as she was holding her laughter as well.

As for the baby …

"Fudge!"