Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

The raindrops pitter-pattered on the windshield as Li Juan drove her car past the numerous check posts on the road leading to the Guan mansion.

Thankfully none of the guards asked her to stop the car and checked her identity.

After driving half an hour, the road ended before a giant traditional gateway painted in gleaming gold and red.

She pulled the brakes and looked at the intricate designs on the gate, carved into the shape of a giant dragon soaring towards the sky. 

The gate itself oozed royalty and sparked curiosity in Li Juan, who got an eye for traditional architecture.

She controlled the urge to take a good look at the architectural marvel since it was rude to enter without permission.

"It is better to call Yangyang and ask him to come outside," Li Juan thought and took out the cell phone. As she began to dial his number, the giant gate opened loudly, revealing a tall masculine silhouette.

When she saw him striding towards the car, holding the umbrella, Li Juan placed her phone back in her pocket and rolled down the window glass.

The man stood beside the car and slightly bowed his head to greet her,

"Good morning Miss Bai. I'm Hu Hanmin. Master Guan is waiting for you," He informed and tilted the umbrella to her side as an invitation, "Please get down,"

Li Juan thanked his welcoming gestures with a soft smile and got down from the car,

"I apologize for the inconveniences caused by me," She slightly bowed at the man who came out to get her in the pouring rain.

"Not at all, miss," The man said with a smile and led her towards the gateway.

As soon as Li Juan stepped inside, she was left dumbfounded by the sight of a grand two-storied mansion. The majestic grandeur and simplicity of the traditional architecture of the building was nothing but a feast for the onlooker's eyes.

"Welcome to Dai Jin long palace, miss Bai," Hu Hanmin introduced the Guan family's historic ancestral home to the visitor who was fascinated by the spectacular view. 

"Palace?" Li Juan repeated under the effect of momentary bewilderment. 

However, in a glimpse, she regained her bearings and recalled the fact that her fiance also shares his roots with the esteemed royal family who ruled the C country. The mighty Guan empire was the only kingdom in the mainland that maintained its reign over a period that has spread over several centuries, without any fail. As an archaeology major, Li Juan educated herself with the accomplishments of the Guan dynasty and their contribution to transforming the C country into one of the superpowers in the ancient world. 

As per her knowledge of Guan family being the legendary figure in the modern politics of C country, 

It was rather implausible for Li Juan to believe that the descendants of the Guan family continued to live in their ancestral home- a palace.

"Though it is the ancestral home of Guan family, nowadays none of the family members stays here, miss," Hu Hanmin explained as if he understood what's going on in her mind.

Li Juan glanced at the man curiously, showing her willingness to hear more about the family. 

"Everyone lives in different parts of C country for their work," He elaborated as they head inside the palace. 

The instant Li Juan entered the palace indoors, she grew enthralled by the grand and deluxe interior. Like any other imperial buildings in the country, Dai Jin Long palace was also decorated with red and golden yellow colours to denote the power and authority of the royal family. 

However, when Li Juan realized that the golden yellow colour on the pillars and doors was not coatings but was pure gold and bronze structures, she couldn't help but comment on the fortune of the people who own this property. 

"Why work hard if you own palaces like this?" She blurted out without any second thoughts. 

It was a well-known fact that the Guan empire was the second affluent kingdom on the mainland due to the mineral and metal ores deposits in their territories under the imperial realm. 

"But how much gold did they own so that they could splurge it on making pillars and doors? No wonder, the whole place is highly guarded by different tiers of security measures," She reasoned in her mind.

"That's the common public opinion about Guan family, but I beg to differ, miss," Hu Hanmin politely retaliated. 

"Government owns this palace?" Li Juan responded quickly, her facial expression changing incredulous.

Since C country is a republic, the ownership of almost all the imperial buildings has transferred to the government as monuments of historical importance,

"Not this one," He corrected her with a smile, 

"But owns the other palaces that were supposed to be Guan family's?" Li Juan blabbered in awe,

"Hmm, that's what the last emperor offered when he ended his reign and decided to join the republic," He went on explaining to her like a tourist guide as they strolled across the corridors,

"He handed over everything except this palace and pledged his loyalty to the government,"

"He made a huge sacrifice," Li Juan remarked as she recalled that the Guan family were the first ones to give up their imperial power and became an example for others. 

"More than a sacrifice, I would like to call it is a coherent imperial strategy. The Republican leaders feared that if the Guan empire decides to remain an independent sovereign state, it will negatively impact their newly found government and the entire mainland. Last emperor took advantage of their dilemma and supported the government only to make them indebted to him," Hu Hanmin expressed his view,

"If you can't be the king, be the kingmaker," Li Juan proclaimed in an exhilarated tone when she understood the reason why none of the Guan family members participated in the presidential elections, even though they had enough influence and power to win over the citizens. 

"Ahha, you are sharp as I heard," Hu Hanmin acknowledged her quick-wits and allowed Li Juan to enter into a hall that recreated as a living room to meet the man who invited her inside. 

However, not in her dreams, Li Juan expected the person to turn out to be Guan Lin Zheng, Lee Tae Yang's grandfather.

Li Juan stared at the man who is the current face of the kingmaker of C country who is also the head of the largest military force in the world. 

"Guan Lin Zheng of Guan family pays respects to the great phoenix of Yu clan," Guan Lin Zheng's deep authoritative voice resounded in the silent room, sending chills to Li Juan's body. 

Though she heard a lot about Guan Lin Zheng through her boyfriend and media, it was her first time seeing him in person. 

Even on the first look, anyone could figure out that his grandchildren take after him in charisma and character,

The air around him screamed supremacy and quite intimidating, clearly answering her most sought after question- "why grownup men like Lee Tae Yang and Guan Tian Long are still scared of their grandfather?" 

"It's an honour to meet you, elder Guan," She bowed her head and paid her respects. 

"Please take a seat, miss Bai," He offered Li Juan a seat opposite to him. "How's your health now?"

"I'm doing fine, sir," She replied and sat down. 

Guan Lin Zheng's eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second when he found out that her reply contrasted with her tired demeanour.

"Pardon me for the lack of a proper welcoming ceremony for your first visit to Dai Jinlong palace," He said courteously,

"Please, sir, I'm the one who visited without any prior notice," Li Juan retained the disturbingly formal conversation with Guan Lin Zheng who was not only her boyfriend's grandfather but also the patriarch of Guan family.

"I hope you have a valid reason for that," Guan Lin Zheng crossed his arms and looked directly into her eyes.

"I acted out of an impulse to meet young master Guan. I was not aware of the security measures and would like to apologize for the inconveniences caused by me," Li Juan expressed her apology.

"There is no need," He refuted her and turned towards Hu Hanmin intending to give an instruction, 

"Chief Hu, can you get him?"

"Yes, master," Hu Hanmin immediately went looking for Lee Tae Yang. 

"So you are done with your vengeance and ready to move on with your life?" Guan Lin Zheng inquired as soon as they were left alone in the room. 

Hearing his question, Li Juan was left astounded,

"How did you-" She swallowed the rest of her question. It was merely a few hours since Ning Jing's death and the alpha team even took care of the dead body without any hassle. Then how did the news reached grandpa Guan in H city? 

"It is a mere guess, miss Bai," Guan Lin Zheng answered as if he read her thoughts, "When I heard that Tae Yang did not obstruct the perpetrator's escape plan and allowed her to let go loose, I could figure out that he left that woman alive for your family to seek justice on behalf of you," 

He paused and studied the bandages on Li Juan's pretty yet weary face before continuing, 

"But I never expected that you actually had the courage and willpower to seek vengeance in a short period," Guan Li Zheng's sharp eyes sparkled as he looked at the phlegmatic woman before him. 

A month ago, when he met her in the hospital, he never thought that Li Juan would recover quickly and go on hunting her enemy,

"But why do you look guilty?" He pointed out, an enigmatic glint rippling in his overbearing obsidian eyes, "Ah you must have realized that it is not so easy to take someone's life," He made a valid point to reason her sudden visit.

"Hmmm, I do feel guilty, but not for her death. I'm sure that I gave her an option to live, but she refused and chose the difficult path. I would rather feel bad for people who love me and got hurt because of my actions," Li Juan stated honestly. 

"So I assume that you are here to confess the truth before he hears it from someone else, interesting!!!," The corners of Guan Lin Zheng's mouth curled in amusement.

"That's not the only reason for my visit. Last night has made me realize that it is never too late to admit my wrongdoings and seek repentance from young master Guan before we proceed any further," She added indifferently, 

"Why do you think he will be a better judge of your wrongdoings?" Guan Lin Zheng's words were sharp like a sword,

"I took young master Guan's kindness and magnanimity as granted and hurt him in return," Li Juan admitted without any hesitance, "As a doctor who is considerate towards other's lives, I want to know his stance about whatever I did today,"

"I'm glad and annoyed by the fact that my grandson has only revealed his angelic side to you, miss Bai," Guan Lin Zheng let out a sarcastic laugh, "Of course, doctors save lives, but they also happened to know how to take lives,"

"What did he do?" Li Juan inquired in startlement as she listened to the man who sat before her,

"What he didn't do- that's the accurate way to frame that question," Guan Lin Zheng gazed at Li Juan's confused face and continued,

"His hands are not clean as you think," 

Dumbstruck by his sudden declaration, Li Juan stared in dubiety,

"Since you have decided to seek repentance, take Tae Yang with you and make him plead guilty for the lives that he has taken so far," Guan Lin Zheng's shocking revelations echoed in the silent room.