Lin Xueyo/Shen Yichen
Emperor Li Zhiyuan was widely called the Greatest Tyrant to sit on the dragon throne.
Everyone in the empire had heard stories of him. His birth alone caused the Dragin Vein, the source of all cultivation, to crack open. His father, the previous emperor, died in battle when Li Zhiyuan was only five. The rest of his brothers died mysteriously till he was the only one left. His mother was poisoned not long after. He was then crowned as a puppet king.
Whispers arose, saying that he was cursed, stories and tales spread far and wide recounting how he caused the destruction of his entire family.
Lin Xueyo doesn't know the full story, there were so many details that everything started blurring into one another. And the emperor never addressed any of those tales officially.
When he was fifteen, he launched a revolution where he killed fifty percent of the corrupt court officials and those that used him as a puppet. That act alone gained him his fearsome reputation. No one dared cross him. Even the remaining court officials and the later instated ones feared him down to their bone marrow.
Armed with all this knowledge, Lin Xueyo didn't know what to make of the emperor that stormed into her room. Called the royal physician, and made himself comfortable on her desk.
I'm already thinking of myself as Shen Yichen.
"You're late," The Emperor announced, his eyes bearing down Lin Xueyo. Even though they were both on horseback, he was still a head taller.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I got lost." She apologized with a bow.
His eyes narrowed but he didn't say anything to that. He turned to the dozen soldiers flanking them. "Ride out!" and to Lin Xueyo he said; "Stay by my side."
I want nothing more than to be at your side, my emperor!
Biting back her excited squeals, she bowed and fell in line beside him.
The entourage rode out of the massive palace walls and into the imperial city. Even though Lin Xueyo was a noble lady, she had never taken a ride on horseback outside of the Lin family estate, and most definitely not unchaperoned.
The experience was new for her. And as they rode, the hooves of the horses thundering on the ground, she wished she could pause and take in the beauty of the imperial city, with its bustling markets and colorfully dressed people and so much lively chatter it felt like the city itself was alive and buzzing.
The entourage did not stop. Not for long hours. They rode until the sun peaked in the sky, then stopped for quick refreshments before they continued. Lin Xueyo had no idea where they were going. And each time she glanced at the Emperor, hoping to find a sliver of time and ask him, the stern, focused look on his face silenced all her brewing questions.
The sun had gone down by the time they arrived at their destination.
The soldiers moved in a trained formation. Three of them dismounted and took the horses, securing them deep into the woods. Another two handed out civilian clothes. Lin Xueyo watched, her eyes wide, as the soldiers immediately shed their clothes and got dressed.
Her face burned bright red. How she went from never seeing a naked man to seeing over a dozen was mind boggling.
The only one who didn't change clothes was the Emperor. Lin Xueyo couldn't imagine him in drab civilian clothes.
"Is anything the problem?" the soldier that handed her clothes asked.
Lin nodded. She looked around quickly before grabbing his arm and pulling him aside. "Say, what are we hunting here?" she asked. It was no hidden news that the emperor liked to go on elaborate hunting trips. Perhaps this was one of them.
The soldier didn't look offended as she answered. "Reports of violent bandits came in concerning this place. The Emperor came to investigate. Master Shen, I thought you would be aware of this first."
Lin Xueyo laughed uneasily before she replied. "I did, I just needed to be reminded again. It's nothing serious, I assure you."
He nodded before he went off to join the other soldiers, meanwhile Lin Xueyo looked around for a place to get changed in. She found none, and ended up having to hastily shed her clothes and throw them on.
After she was done, the emperor gave them orders to blend into the town and gather as much information as they could. The investigation was to last three days to seven days, and would be over quicker if the bandits showed up sooner.
Lin Xueyo wanted to ask why the emperor himself came down to his tiny border town. He could have sent some soldiers and be done with it.
"Move out." The emperor's command rang out in the air. Lin Xueyo turned to follow the other soldiers out when a sharp voice stopped her in her tracks. "Not you, Shen Yichen."
Her shoulders shot up to her ears and she slowly turned to face the emperor. He looked at her sternly, his bulky arms folded and a look of anger in his eyes. "Did you forget your duties?"
Right! Personal soldier!
She bowed in apology and rushed to his side. She quickly glanced around, noticing the posture of the other soldiers before adopting one, which was just her standing like her spine was made of red wood.
The soldiers moved out, leaving Lin Xueyo with the emperor. Discreetly, she snuck glances at him from the corner of her eye. He looked pensive, his brows drawn together as if he was deep in thought.
"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" she asked, hoping to break the ice.
He turned to her. "We're going on a hunt."
Her eyes widened. "A hunt? But we're here for the investigation."
His hand went to the hilt of his sword. At the back of her mind, Lin Xueyo knew that there was no reason for him to pull the weapon on his personal soldier. But out of caution, she stepped back.
"We're hunting the bandits, Shen Yichen." the Emperor said with a smirk. One that was full of bloodlust. His eyes gleamed, and Lin Xueyo saw every inch of the Tyrant king they said he was. "Grab your sword and follow me." he said, pivoting on his heel and heading into the forest.
Lin Xueyo ran after him. "Your Majesty! Do we even know their hideout?!"
He didn't reply. All he gave was a balking laugh. One that promised nothing good was coming for those bandits.