At Kwon Jiyong's estate within the Imperial City, Emperor Zhu's eunuch arrived with another invitation. Kwon Jiyong sat majestically on the seat of honor at the main receiving hall. Not even minding to accept the scroll, Kwon Jiyong waited until Sandara finally arrived and sat beside him.

"What is it this time?" She asked Kwon Jiyong in a hushed voice, side eyeing the eunuch with remorse.

"The emperor is asking for me." Kwon Jiyong answered in a big voice, loud enough for the eunuch and the imperial guards to hear. "Should I go?"

Sandara smirked. Whatever it is that's going on inside Kwon Jiyong's head, she had no idea about. However, she wanted to give the emperor a piece of her mind. Linking her arm around his husband's, Sandara leaned on Kwon Jiyong's shoulder. 

"Since the emperor has called for you, then you must go, right? But… Are you fine now? Weren't you so disappointed with how the palace handled the event? What I experienced was such a disgrace and insult to Joseon! You even left the party because you were so enraged because of what they did to me! Oh, I didn't know both Emperor Zhu and Princess Yunhe were poor hosts."

Kwon Jiyong gawked at Sandara after hearing her speak! She had the gall to say those things in front of all Ming people inside the estate! He was only asking her to let everyone know he greatly favors her so that no one would dare harm her but look at this woman! The moment she opened , she immediately launched fireballs at the enemies! With an amused smile, Kwon Jiyong dotingly patted her head before facing the eunuch.

"You've heard this Lord's wife. We were greatly disappointed by yesterday's chaotic event. However, since Emperor Zhu and I had been friends for so long, I shall let this matter pass and accept his invitation, on the condition that my wife has to come with me. Should there be an issue with that, let me know immediately so we can avoid wasting each other's time and head back to Joseon as soon as possible."

Again, everyone fell silent at Kwom Jiyong's words and the eunuch could only bow and receive his response. Meanwhile, all the servants and guards who overheard the conversation couldn't help but wonder why Kwon Jiyong's words had more weight and felt even more frightening than the emperor's when he was just a mere grand internal prince of a smaller Kingdom. When everyone was gone, Kwon Jiyong turned to Sandara with a scrutinizing gaze.

"This is got to be one of the most dangerous weapons I've ever possessed." Kwon Jiyong caressed her lips with the pad of his thumb before bending down to kiss her. "You are always one step ahead. How come?"

Sandara grinned smugly. "I used to take huge steps just to get close to you and now I'm a step ahead? I should congratulate myself then! I've worked hard!"

"Silly!" Kwon Jiyong pinched her cheeks before standing up, taking her hand in his as he led her down to the main gates.

"Where are we going?"

"Downtown. I'm sure you'll like it."

"Just the two of us? How about Moo Yeon and Hong?"

"I am with you. Do you still need anyone else?"

Sandara rolled her eyes at her husband upon seeing his dark expression. Despite being an imoogi, he could really be petty at times.

The market in Hanyang cannot compare to that in the Imperial City. Her feet were already in pain and yet, they haven't completed going around just yet. When they stopped by a famous tea shop to rest and have some refreshments, Sandara noticed something before they entered the private room Kwon Jiyong reserved.

"Your Highness, aren't those Jurchens?" Sandara whispered and pointed at a group of people down the dining hall. Kwon Jiyong only nodded and pulled her into the room.

"I want you to keep observing. Tell me everything you see later. You can ask around and see through people's thoughts as we take another walk."

Sandara finally understood why Kwon Jiyong suddenly took her downtown. He was investigating something! Sandara couldn't help but look at him with a proud grin on her face. "Your Highness, you are really amazing!"

Kwon Jiyong dislikes hearing overly flowery words and praises. It makes him feel awkward, and hearing it from his wife made it even worse. "Find something you'd like to try." Kwon Jiyong covered Sandara's face with the tea house's menu before drinking some tea.

At the back of his head, he was wondering why there were Jurchens roaming freely inside the Imperial City. He clearly warned Emperor Zhu about them before. Why did the emperor ignore it?

_______________

As soon as Kang Daesung arrived at Hanyang, he immediately rushed to the Hidden Seclusion upon receiving a message from Dong Youngbae. There, he saw his younger brother Kang Seungyoon looking every inch awkward and scared of the great dragon before him.

"Yah! What's with that face?" Kang Daesung asked his brother.

"Facing His Highness is already frightening. Isn't this one a great dragon?"

"Don't worry! He won't bite!"

"Oho! Of course I won't bite. I'm a dragon, not a dog." Dong Youngbae interrupted as he sat down. "Have a seat, you two."

"Hmm… Elder Dong… I don't think I need to sit down. I have a lot of things to do inside the palace. The King must be looking for me as we speak." Kang Daesung said only to earn the elder dragon's surprised look.

"Why, I heard the morning assembly was finished and all the officials were having a break?"

Kang Daesung immediately smacked Kang Seungyoon in the head. "Yah! You son of a… Sit down!" He mouthed at his brother who was left with no choice but to shiver as he sat across Dong Youngbae.

"W-w-hat c-c-an this useless man do for you, elder?" Kang Seungyoon asked.

Kang Daesung rolled his eyes. Damn this little scaredy brothery of his! Handing Kang Seungyoon a cup of tea to calm his nerves, Kang Daesung decided to explain on behalf of his brother. "Aigoo, Elder Dong. Please forgive my brother. He was raised as the intellectual type. He lacks in martial arts and self defense."

"Don't worry. I won't be asking him to do anything physical. All I need is for him to send me reports about Lady Sun Hae as well as all the events inside the palace."

Kang Seungyoon spat the tea he just drank. "Sun Sugui???"

"Yes." Dong Youngbae smiled delicately at him. "It wouldn't be too difficult. I heard the members of the Southern faction where you belong were the ones who supported her."

"Excuse me, Elder Dong, sorry for interrupting, but what does Sun Sugui have to do with His Highness' and your clan's matters?" Kang Daesung asked.

"You will know, in the future. Daesung-ah, you know very well that too much information can cause you trouble, right?"

"Ahaha! Of course! I'm very aware of that." Kang Daesung swallowed hard. How many times did he almost get killed just because he was carrying Kwon Jiyong's secrets? Even the elders tested his loyalty a couple of times before!

"So, when can you start sending me information?" Dong Youngbae faced Kang Seungyoon once more. When the latter didn't answer because he was still dazed, Kang Daesung nudged him until h