Looking at her choking brother, Ming Hui snorted. "Don't worry. He has long known that I am a man."
Jun Hua knew that, but that brother of yours cannot handle you saying such things when you're still dressed as a woman. By her side, Soujin shook his head as he downed his wine, completely ignoring Yan who was still in a coughing fit.
From a long time ago, Jun Hua had noticed that Ming Hui was a man because of his behavior. Since she wanted to pass off as a man, she always paid close attention towards how men usually behaved. Although Ming Hui always acted as a girl, he was a man so his built was different from a normal woman and that was how Jun Hua noticed it.
At first, she was worried that Ming Hui would notice her real gender, but until now, it seems that Ming Hui still doesn't know about it. Jun Hua felt that Ming Hui might be excellent in acting as a girl, but he still could not notice that she was a girl, probably because her martial arts was far higher than him.
"When did you find out?" Yan asked. He knew from Ming Hui that Jun Hua found out on her first day meeting Ming Hui, but he wanted confirmation.
"When we were playing chess," Jun Hua answered.
Yan felt completely defeated. Looking at the depressed Yan, Jun Hua thought about what she said. Had she said something wrong?
Ming Hui snorted. "Don't mind him. He's just depressed because he didn't notice it until he found out by chance."
That guy was truly pitiful. He's your own brother, alright?
"What about Soujin?"
"He found out from the first glance. Only Heaven knows how to trick this guy's eye. His eyes can see things like a mirror," Ming Hui said.
Now Jun Hua truly wanted to know whether this guy had realized that she was a girl or not. If his ability in his eyes was truly like what Ming Hui claimed, he should have known that she was a girl. But from the way he was behaving, he didn't look like he had found out about it.
"Do your other brothers know?"
"No, I hardly ever interact with them," Ming Hui answered. "They don't need to know about it. All they need to know is that they have one younger sister and not another brother to compete for the throne."
Jun Hua nodded and didn't ask any further. They turned their attention back to the still-depressed Yan and teased him. At first, it was just some casual remarks, but with Soujin joining the fray, Yan was totally defeated.
After bantering for close to an hour, they left the restaurant one by one, starting from Jun Hua. They purposely didn't leave together in order to avoid suspicion.
"Do you think it is the right choice to trust him?" Yan asked.
Ming Hui shrugged, "Why not? There is hardly any man who dares to rise up against that big guy, if we don't cooperate, it will take us longer. Besides, do you think there are any other people as talented as him?"
Yan thought about Ming Hui's words and he soon found that what he said was true. Jun Min had everything they needed, talent, power, ability, and motivation. Even if they searched the whole land, they might not necessarily find anyone as suitable as him.
"He's fun as a friend too," Yan said.
Soujin stared at the door. He chose the boy because of what he saw in him. They have been planning for so long, it was time to take action.
"He's dependable," Soujin remarked.
Ming Hui smiled. "You're correct."
...
"Grandpa, I thought I told you that I will be back late," Jun Hua was surprised to see her grandfather still awake. Since she told Xia to tell him that she will be back late, she thought that he would go to sleep early as usual.
"Hua'er, your uncle sent you a message," Jun Zhenxian took a deep breath. "You will be going to the front line again."
Jun Hua raised her eyebrows as her mouth formed a smile. She had been waiting for this news, now it was time to cause some ruckus on the battlefield and leave this 'peaceful' capital. She had finished all of her schemes and enacted her revenge towards Chun Maora.
As for Lin Tang, his reputation was already decreasing rapidly, she doesn't need to do anything to make it worse. The killing blow can wait for a later time in the future since there is something more important for her to do right now.
"You lass! Why are you smiling when you're being sent into the battlefield? Don't you like staying with your grandpa here?"
Jun Hua's mouth twitched. Her grandfather's foul mouth was as bad as usual. It seems the training Madam Mu had given him had not changed his habit at all.
"Grandpa doesn't need to worry. Hua'er will soon return to the capital after the business there is finished."
Jun Zhenxian smiled at his granddaughter. "Before you go, please give your grandpa....."
The figure in front of him had disappeared, leaving only the sound of the door closing. Jun Zhenxian shook his head lightly and looked at the letter. He knows the time has finally come.
...
Nanglong Souka truly wished to beat up his grandson who was ignoring him at the sight of a message from the frontline. Nanglong Soujin's mother, Qin Shie, looked at her son worriedly.
"Soujin, is that a call to the front line?"
Soujin nodded his head. This message had come even earlier than he had expected. It seems today's meeting was truly crucial.
"Mom, I will be going to the battlefield. You have to take care of yourself."
"You too," Qin Shie said reluctantly. She didn't want to part with her son.
"What about your grandfather? Don't tell me you will only say that to your mother?" Nanglong Souka chided.
Soujin ignored him and proceeded to have some rest.
"You little rascal!"
...
Yan looked at the message in his hand.
"Shu, they have finally moved? That was quick."
"Yes, Young Master."
Yan looked at the letter with interest. It seems like he finally knew about the news the other three were talking about before. It's time for him to move too.
"Start with the preparation."
"Yes!"
...
Ming Hui looked at the message he received and a smile formed on his lips. With this news, they will all start moving and their plan will roll.
"It means, we will be busy again. What will happen in the future is going to be interesting."
(END OF Volume 1: Capital of Ming Kingdom)
