[center][h3][b][u]The Imperial Palace, Bushu, Musashi System, The Musashi Empire[/u][/b][/h3][/center]

“Did you hear what happened the other day?”

“You mean when Saeko-denka and that ambassador from the Confederation spoke with the Emperor?” Xiang stopped as she heard the two servants speaking. She strained her ears to hear what the first servant, a woman, said in reply.

“Yea” The female servant lowered her voice slightly, making it harder for Xiang to listen in. “I heard there was some kind of disagreement between her and that ambassador. And the Emperor agreed with the ambassador!”

“Surely that is not the case” The male servant replied.

“Well that’s what I heard!” The female servant shot back. “But get this, instead of just giving in, Saeko-denka stood up to the Emperor and told him what’s what.”

“And she lived?!” The male servant nearly shouted the question. A deep blush spread across his face as he noticed a few guards looking in his direction. “And what happened then?”

“No one really knows” The female servant answered, “but a number of the Imperial guards noticed Saeko-denka’s neck was bruised. I think… the Emperor might have physically struck her.”

“Are you saying the Emperor would strike his own flesh and blood?” The male servant didn’t sound convinced.

“It’s happened before. Remember what happened to the Emperor’s brother?” The female servant commented.

“True…” The male servant allowed.

“But that’s not even all that happened!” The female servant continued. “After Saeko-denka and the Confederate ambassador left the throne room they were attacked by an assassin!”

“Now you’re just making this up.” The male servant shot back.

“Am not! Ask the Imperial guards stationed by the throne room! They saw Saeko-denka use her psionics to throw a would be assassin away as he tried to attack the ambassador!”

“Even after he was the cause of the Emperor’s displeasure in her?” The male servant’s tone held a hint of awe in it.

“She must have felt honor bound to ensure the ambassador’s safety.”

Sensing that the hushed conversation was coming to an end Xiang approached the pair of servants. “Don’t you have something better to do then spread false rumors” She snapped. The eyes of the two servants widened before they quickly rendered a low bow. “Who did you even hear this from?”

“A uh… I don’t remember” The female servant answered. 

“Well stop spreading that nonsense and get back to work!” Xiang said. The servants rendered a second bow before scurrying away. A wide grin spread across her face as she watched the pair rush away. They would continue to spread that rumor if for no other reason than to spite the ‘cruel’ aristocrat that was Xiang. It was exactly what she wanted. 

She had put a lot of effort into ensuring that a number of rumors about Saeko’s recent run in with the Emperor caste her in a good light. Her efforts were clearly paying off. She herself hadn’t even considered claiming that Saeko had saved Woolsey’s life from an assassin. Now all she had to do was carefully whisper the right words into the right ears and Saeko’s image would be even better than it was before.

But that would have to wait for another time. Xiang had allowed herself to be delayed for long enough. Her uncle had summoned her to partake in an official meeting. What that meeting would entail was a complete mystery to her, but she would soon find out. She hurried down the halls of the Imperial palace, finally reaching her destination.

“Ah Xiang-chan, right on time” Xaio Zhi said as she entered the room. He, along with four other rather important ministers from the ministry of the interior were present and seated around a round table. Each one still wore his mask as was his right given how much lower ranked she was. She quickly removed her own mask as she rendered a low bow.

“I apologize for making you wait Xaio-dono.” Xiang said as she rose from her bow.

“Think nothing of it. Please take a seat.” Xaio gestured towards the sole unoccupied chair in the room. “There has been much talk about you in the ministry of the interior as of late” Xaio commented as Xiang took a seat. “I find that your name is on the lips of many individuals these days. And I speak for all of us when I say you have done excellent work in the Emperor’s name.”

“Thank you” Xiang said.

“No, thank you” One of the other ministers countered. “The trade deals you negotiated with the Dominion and Commonwealth most of been divinely inspired.”

“Indeed” Another minister nodded his head. “We’re already seeing our economy climb out of the recession it’s been stuck in for decades. The influx of cheap raw materials and new markets to export finished goods to is already causing a marked growth in our economy.”

“And it has also demonstrated just how important our country’s interactions with other countries will be in the days to come” Xaio stated. “This, along with a marked decrease in isolationist tendencies in both our own government and population, has made it clear that we need a segment of the Imperial government that focuses purely on foreign affairs. This can no longer be the domain of the ministry of the interior.” Xaio took a deep breath before he continued. “As such it has been decided that a ministry with the sole purpose of overseeing our interactions with other countries shall be established. The Emperor has decreed that you shall be in charge of this new ministry. Congratulations… Xaio-dono.” Xaio Zhi removed his own mask as did the other ministers, showing that they saw Xiang as an equal.

“I…. I don’t know what to say” Xiang said. She was genuinely shocked by how things had turned out, not expecting to be given such a prestigious position. Did her uncle realize just how important this new segment of the government would grow to be?

“You have attracted the attention of the Emperor” Xaio stated. “Be sure you do not earn his ire. Now I believe the Dominion has personally requested you to act as its official liaison. You surely managed to impress them as well. Seeing as I am the minister of the interior and you of foreign affairs, it is up to you whether you accept such a role. I would recommend you do so until you assemble a larger staff.”

“Then I shall do as you recommend.” Xiang said. 

“Now shall we celebrate tonight?” Xaio asked. “From tomorrow on I’m sure you’ll be quite busy.”