Hope you like this as well my readers. This part can be a little confusing but just hold on. Everything will become clear with time.

Chapter 28: A Love-filled Day

The large front door to Ming mansion in Beijing opened in the morning. A tall man entered wearing the most beautiful and royal traditional attire. He walked with grandeur and the servants all bowed low as he walked past them. He seemed to know his way around since he crossed the lobby and went upstairs. Without knocking, he opened Lian's room and entered. Lian stood opposite the large mirror dressed like a queen and a frown on her face. She watched the man in the mirror as he stopped behind her with loving smile aimed at her.

"My dear Lian. How are you?" He spoke softly.

Lian did not turn around and glared at him, "If we did not have some urgent business take care of at this moment, I swear Zhuge, I would have pulled you into the sparring ground and beat you to inches of your life for the stupid stunt you pulled with Queen. You are lucky she did not just kill you for irritating her."

Zhuge sweated slightly knowing that his wife could very well kick his butt if she became serious. She was the only woman besides Queen to have done so in the past.

"I beg your forgiveness my dear but that was the only way for her to grant my wish." Zhuge came closer but Lian flicked her finger slightly and bars of fire appeared between them. He knew she was very angry with him.

"For you information, other non-violent means were already in place for my stay with Jet in that small town for the remainder of this war. I had, in fact, returned to open a secure network between the clan and me so that I could deal with the clan matters from Tomoeda town. I could have returned to Jet by the end of the day had you not pulled that stunt with queen and become unavailable until now."

Zhuge was surprised, "You mean Jet is not here! He did not come with you!"

Lian nodded, "I left him there. He is capable to survive a few days alone and I did not want him to miss school."

"Lian. That town is not safe. A powerful magic hides that town from all clairvoyant magic. Jet is an enemy in that town and he is highly untrained." Zhuge revealed his fatherly worries.

"Do not worry. He is perfectly safe there. And he is training with Eriol Hiiragizawa every day after school. He is learning much from clow's incarnation."

Zhuge was shocked now, "Why would that man train our son?"

"He has become good friends with the cardmistress and others around her including the Li heir. He proved his loyalty to them and they accepted him. They trust him so they train him. There is much I need to discuss with you. Especially that bet I lost to Yelan."

Zhuge was still shocked at all that she told him, "What bet?"

The bars disappeared and Lian waved her fan. The doors to the room immediately shut themselves and all voices ceased to leave the room. Anyone could tell that Lian did it for complete privacy and secrecy for whatever it was that she wished to tell Zhuge.

Half and our later, Zhuge sat in the meeting hall in his throne opposite Lian with his head in his hands. Lian sat calmly with a smile and the other members waited for him to absorb all information and speak his mind. They had just finished telling him what Lian and had been doing while he was recovering. He looked tensed now.

Zhuge spoke, "That is a very big risk you are taking Lian. If your plan does not work as you expect it to, our clan could end up with unnecessary bitterness from Li clan. There is enough bad blood between us."

Lian replied gently, "It is a greater risk for Yelan and she is not pulling any stops. If the cardmistress wins this war and Yelan's words about her are true, which I am sure are true, then having lost this opportunity can prove to be our greatest mistake in centuries. Li clan understands this and so Yelan informed me that they already drafted everything in advance for that time. They are willing to co-operate even with us if that is what it takes to achieve those goals."

Zhuge spoke, "It is too ambitious Zhuge. We will have most of the clans from around the world as our enemy if this succeeds and Li clan at our necks if it fails. They will conveniently blame us if it all fell through."

Lian shook her head, "No Zhuge. Barring the Li clan, due to their very close link with the cardmistress, all the other clans have equal opportunity to achieve this goal today. We are simply the first ones to see it and act on it. None can hold it at our necks for grabbing the opportunity first."

Elder Bei spoke, "That is true lord Zhuge. With the current situation as is it, many influential people have begun to give those two a benefit of doubt on whether they will ever become a threat. Everyone will be watching them closer now. Spies will be sent to collect data on those two. Most of them will see the prospect of alliance with her after this war if she wins. Soon they will start their own plans to solidify their hold on the magic community through the cardmistress. We cannot lose our early start and advantage. Li clan will benefit undoubtedly and if we want our Ming clan to stand equal to them, we need to start now."

Elder Liu spoke, "The drafts are ready. We just need your signatures."

Zhuge took a deep breath and replied, "Keep it on hold. I will not take such a risk unless I am sure this is the right choice."

Lian narrowed her eyes, "Zhuge. Are you doubting my decisions?"

Zhuge shook his head, "No Lian. I am simply being extra cautious. If words get out that we are planning to ally ourselves with the cardmistress before she wins; many will call for our heads for betraying the magic council and plotting against it."

Lian replied, "They will not be able to. Li clan has a very genuine reason to actually side with her and yet they stand with the council. Yelan has declared that she will not pull punches against her own son when time comes. Li clan stands with her and if she will not pull back, no one else will dare to either."

Zhuge frowned, "Easier said than done Lian. You are a mother too. Can you not, hold back against your son in a battle? Will you try to kill him?"

Lian replied without hesitation, "I will if I am told to fight today but by hierarchy it will take time for my turn to fight him. So by the time I have to fight him, if he keeps winning then he will be strong enough for me to believe that I would be insulting my son if held back in our fight. So no Zhuge. Yelan will not pull back her punches against her own son or the cardmistress."

Zhuge sighed with defeat, "I do not know Lian. Give me some time to think it through."

Lian smiled, "Fine. Take your time. The time until the next battle will be the limit for you."

Zhuge raised an eyebrow, "Something I should know about that battle?"

"It is a test for the Li clan's loyalty to the Queen. Xeimei Li is the next opponent and she is said to be very close and absolutely loyal to Li heir. She has been his sparring partner as well as his most trusted friend inside the clan. She can lay down her life for him. If she holds back, Li clan's loyalty will be questioned. If she fights with everything she has, Li clan will stand clear of all doubts. In that case, you should have no trouble signing the deal."

Zhuge nodded, "Fine. That battle will decide everything."

Lian grinned as she got up, "Good. Time for lunch. I am starving."

She walked out and Zhuge followed her with a laugh. The others chuckled as well and left the hall.

Zhuge and Lian sat for their lunch at a small six-seated dining table. Lian began graciously and Zhuge smiled to see her love the food. He was starting late since he arrived after her. He took a bite and suddenly felt his throat on fire. He took the jar of water and gulped it down while Lian ate her food undisturbed.

Zhuge shouted at the servants, "What in the world is this? Who cooked this abomination for food?"

Lian replied, "I did."

Zhuge was shocked as he looked at his calm wife.

"But my dear. This is too spicy. You do not usually mess up like this. And how can you eat that?"

Lian smirked, "I cooked yours separately Zhuge dear. I know it is spicy. I made it that way for you."

Zhuge was speechless, "Why Lian?"

Lian gave him an evil smile, "Did you, for a moment, think that you had escaped your punishment for causing trouble to the Queen? Oh no. I had planned so many things to torture you for that stupidity but did not have the time to implement them all. Therefore, I settled for this. Eat it all and I will personally make all your food extra spicy until you sign that deal and return to our son. That is your punishment."

Zhuge shed tears feeling helpless against his wife now, "You could have gone easy on me Lian."

Lian resumed eating, "Oh but I am going easy on you Zhuge. I did consider beating you within an inch of life but that would make you unavailable for even longer time and I did not want to delay my return to my son. Therefore, you were spared."

Zhuge hung his head in defeat and cried as he ate the food, "Why do you I love you much honey?"

Lian laughed behind her fan that appeared out of nowhere, "That cannot be helped anymore my Zhuge."

Zhuge continued to cry and he slowly ate his food. The servants watched it with an amused smile. Their two masters were so much in love with each other. While Zhuge was away, Lian would miss him all the time and ate less. Now that he was back, her face had regained its colour and the air was once again full of her mischief and love for him, something everyone missed.

Lian finished first and glared at Zhuge before leaving. He knew she glared to tell him to finish his torturous food before leaving his seat. She usually waits for him but this time she was punishing him. Zhuge waited a few more minutes after she had left the room before began to pant and drink water like crazy. The servants were amused to see that he had been holding it in while she was present. He laid his head on the table and shed tears.

"Have mercy on me Lian. I cannot eat this everyday for a week." Zhuge cried his sorrow before he looked at Lian's side of the table. He spotted that there was still some food left.

Zhuge looked at the servants, "Let us keep it a secret between us. Please."

Without waiting for an answer, he jumped at her food and ate a few morsels. Once again he was panting with a red face and drank all the water he could reach.

"What in the world? It is even spicier than mine is! Has she been eating this all this time?" Zhuge complained and the servants were surprised at this. A maid rushed to it and tasted it. Her face turned red instantly.

"She switched it my lord. This one was for you." She spoke while chugging glasses of water.

Zhuge was shocked, "What do you mean? Why would she be eating something like this?"

The maid replied, "I do not know sir. She made two sets my lord. The less spicy one for herself and the more spicy one for you as punishment. However, it seems she gave you the less spicy one."

Zhuge stared at the food with shock before he dashed after her. He sensed her magic from their room and it was fluctuating as if she was losing control. Lian never lost control. He dashed at full speed and went inside. Lian lay on the bed in pain. She was sweating like crazy. Zhuge went to her in horror.

"Lian! Are you crazy?" Zhuge shouted.

He laid her properly on the bed and opened her robe to expose her stomach. He placed his hands on it and his magic covered her stomach in a green light. Lian visibly relaxed with it and her breathing became even. Zhuge continued to heal her for a long time before Lian finally opened her eyes.

"Zhuge, you cheat. You did not finish your food and tried to eat mine." Lian spoke in a shaky voice.

"Stupid woman. Why did you eat that poisonous cooking when I am the one that is supposed to be punished?"

Lian chuckled, "I just did not have the heart to punish you alone. You were not supposed to find out about it."

"Are you crazy? You could have done irreparable damage to yourself if I had been late." Zhuge scolded her again.

"Yes. I am crazy. Crazily in love with my Zhuge." Lian chuckled weakly.

Zhuge kissed her passionately and Lian responded with all her strength. They kissed for an entire minute before parting. They could see immense love in each other's eyes. Zhuge had not stopped healing throughout all this.

"My Lian. I will take anything you give but do not hurt yourself for it. Please. Let us end this punishment game."

Lian smirked, "You just want to escape it."

Zhuge shook his head, "I will take any punishment you wish if it makes you happy but I cannot endure to see you hurt because of it. That spicy food was nothing compared to the misery of seeing my beloved suffering. This was punishment enough for me."

Lian smiled, "Does that not apply to you as well Zhuge? This should tell you how I felt when Queen told me you had hurt yourself so bad to give me a chance at vacation with our son. I do not you hurting yourself for us either."

Zhuge gave her a helpless smile, "Truly. No husband can ever win against his wife."

Lian chuckled, "They were never meant to my Zhuge. Come now. I feel tired and wish to sleep. I have missed holding you when I sleep. Come on."

Zhuge entered the bed and lay next to her. He pulled her against him and she breathed in his chest. She was out like a bulb in a few seconds and Zhuge fell asleep while stroking her hair. She was finally peaceful with her beloved husband.

Xeimei waited outside the school as she looked at her watch. She was casuals to attract as little attention as possible from the people. It was time for the school to end and right on time, the bell rang. Moments later, the students began to rush out. Xeimei straightened up and stared at the gate for any sign of Syaoran. It was several minutes later that she saw him emerge out with Jet, Eriol, Meiling and another black haired girl. She could not find Sakura anywhere. She could not sense her either. Syaoran spotted her and directed his friends to her.

"This is Xeimei Li. She is one of my most trusted people in the clan." He introduced her to them. "You know them all except Daidouji." He pointed at the black haired girl.

Tomoyo greeted politely, "Hello. I am Tomoyo Daidouji. Pleased to meet you."

"Xeimei Li. Young master told me about you and your...hobby."

Tomoyo's eyes sparkled, "Yes. But I only design for my cousin and her boyfriend. Nevertheless, if Li tells me to, I can design for you as well."

Syaoran raised his hand in surrender, "Hey. Do not involve in that. I want to have a peaceful day."

Tomoyo laughed her evil laughter and everyone took a step away from her. Even Xeimei had a feeling that she should not provoke her.

"By the way, where is the cardmistress? I do not see her anywhere." Xeimei asked Syaoran.

Syaoran replied with an amused smile, "She is behind you."

Xeimei was confused, "What?" She turned around and jumped to see Sakura standing directly behind her with a big smile. Xeimei was shocked that Sakura had managed to sneak behind her undetected. If not for magic, at least her warrior skills should have warned her.

Sakura greeted, "So you are Xeimei Li. Syaoran told me about you today. Let us have a good fight whenever it is you want to fight."

Xeimei nodded, "Okay. Wait! Why are you so relaxed when I have been tasked to kill you?"

Sakura chuckled, "Syaoran trusts you so I will trust you as well."

A male voice spoke, "How about you all show her around town since she is new here? You all will get to know each other better."

While others stayed relaxed, Xeimei was slightly alarmed. They saw Michal approaching them with an amused smile.

Sakura nodded with a big smile, "Okay."

Syaoran introduced Xeimei, "This is Michal Sullivan. Sakura's godfather and our trainer as well as homeroom teacher."

Xeimei scrutinised him but she could sense nothing from him. No hostility, no magic, nothing at all. Everything was perfectly hidden about him. In an instant she knew that he was a seasoned player. She knew she should stay clear of him and not make an enemy out of him.

Michal spoke, "You have good senses but you are still inexperienced in many areas Xeimei. You will need a lot of training if you wish protect your young master and not be protected by him in the future."

Xeimei was shocked at his words. He just continued to smile gently.

"Yelan told me a lot about you when you were chosen. The very reason you could enter the town a week early was because Yelan assured me that you will not try anything before the time. So try not to upset her trust in you. I expect a good fight but only at the decided time and day."

Xeimei nodded, "I...I will cause no problems for anyone."

"Good. Now how about you take Meiling and Tomoyo home while I take my students to train. Sakura will show you around town after your battle. That way both of you can just relax and enjoy the tour."

Xeimei nodded and soon left with Meiling and Tomoyo. Eriol left with Jet. Michal stayed behind with the young couple.

Syaoran spoke, "Do you have something planned for her sir?"

Michal shook his head, "Not me. Yelan and Lian have some plans for her. Nako would not tell me what they are. She says we will have to wait and watch. I am guessing it will not interfere with us so we should focus on other important stuff."

Sakura asked, "Can we win against her uncle? She trained Syaoran how to use his sword. She will know his every move. It puts him at a great disadvantage."

Michal smiled, "Syaoran is not alone Sakura. He will have you and both of you have your own new magic. Sword skills alone will not decide the victor."

Syaoran nodded, "She knows about my charm based magic. Since I do not use them anymore, much is unknown to her. I know her very well too so I am sure I can think of a plan against her."

Sakura nodded and the three left together to their usual training spot.

Sakura visited Syaoran's sisters after training that evening. While the quadruplets once again pin him down on pretext of hugging him and he had to blast them off, once again; they four sisters were very gentle with Sakura. Sakura was awed with how they were unaffected at all after been blown off by Syaoran and they came to ground gracefully. It made Sakura realise the huge difference of skills between the four sisters and her. She had much to learn and to grow before she could match them. Syaoran had the same thing in his mind. They talked a lot and the sisters teased the young couple mercilessly. Sakura was so red that she was afraid it would become her permanent colour. Syaoran was angry but he could not help it. His sisters were always that hyperactive.

Sakura began to leave before dinner and she met Xeimei outside. She looked very tired and low on magic standing outside the training hall. Sakura knew she had trained very hard while they were chatting inside. They greeted each other and then went their way. Sakura returned home and Xeimei went inside for dinner. During dinner, Xeimei noticed that Syaoran looked exhausted. She remembered that Sakura was just as exhausted earlier. They must have trained brutally to be that tired. She could see how serious they were with this. Why would they not be? Their lives were on the line here.

That reminded her that Sakura had snuck up behind her that day without her knowing anything and Syaoran did the same last night. She was still wondering how they both did it and if she could ask him about it. It was their secret and she was the enemy. Would he reveal anything to her? Probably not. Syaoran seemed to have noticed the conflict on her face.

"Is there something on your mind Xeimei?" He asked her while ignoring his sisters.

Xeimei smiled, "It is nothing."

"Come on Xeimei. Tell me. I am curious to know what troubles you."

Xeimei looked unsure and then sighed, "Okay. I was wondering if I should ask you about it. I was thinking about how the cardmistress snuck behind me and I never found out unless you told me. It was similar to how you snuck last night and I found out too late. I know you cannot tell me how you both did that so I did not ask about it."

Syaoran nodded, "We are still working on that. Teacher told us that sneaking skills are very important. We just mask our own presence with that of our surroundings. So it camouflages us and we blend in. You cannot sense our magic or our presence easily. But mother is very skilled. She can still sense us from miles away. So far it works only for people that are close to our level."

Xeimei was speechless, "Young master. You just told me how you do that. Is it not risky? I will be your opponent soon."

The eldest sister spoke, "That does not make any difference Xeimei. He trusts you so he told you. You cannot repel it unless you know exactly how it is done."

The second eldest sister spoke, "A very neat trick if you ask us. We figured it out last night when he returned."

The third spoke, "However, it has its limitations and you cannot use it much in a battle."

The youngest spoke, "The battle changes face every second so you will have to change the camouflage constantly as well. It is very impractical in battle."

Syaoran smirked, "Then you are in for some shock since I already figured out a way for that. I just need to fix some kinks in the technique and then I will teach it to Sakura."

For the first time in his life, Syaoran saw his sisters speechless. They stared at him in shock at his words. Suddenly Syaoran felt proud of himself and even missed Tomoyo's camcorder to record this moment. What he did not know was that Yelan was smirking identical to him as she watched the scene in her tea in Hong Kong. She felt proud of her son.

The eldest spoke, "That is a high class cloaking magic. Mother is one of the very few people in the world who know it with perfection. She could not have taught you this already."

Syaoran replied, "She did not. Our teacher did but he only told us the basics and gave us homework to figure the rest out ourselves. I have seen him sneak up on mother a few times and scaring her simply to demonstrate to us."

Meiling giggled, "Yes. You should have seen Aunt Yelan's face when he showed to her the same necklace she was wearing only minutes ago. She was shocked that he took it off her without her knowing it in such a short amount of time."

The four sisters were shocked even more. Syaoran was beginning to miss having a camcorder very much.

The youngest spoke, "Someone successfully sneaked around mother and took her necklace while she was wearing them! Just how good is this guy?"

"I do not like to praise myself but very good is the word." Michal's voice sounded from above them and they looked up in alarm at the sudden new voice.

Xeimei and Syaoran knew him but the four sisters did not. Their weapons were out in an instant and they seemed uneasy at his sudden appearance without them sensing him.

Syaoran spoke, "Relax. He is our teacher. Michal Sullivan."

The eldest spoke, "You are Michal! Mother told us a little about you."

Michal came to ground as he twirled around a necklace on his fingers. The third sister check her neck in shock and found her necklace missing. Michal smirked as he gave it back to her. Everyone realised that he took it off her without them knowing it.

Syaoran asked, "When did you take it? We would have at least seen you since we were talking to her."

Michal smirked, "At one point, you were talking to Xeimei. That is when I took it."

The sisters were still shocked and speechless. This man was making them nervous. They had only felt this nervous with their mother.

Syaoran nodded, "How long have you been here?"

Michal laughed, "I came with you two. I flew over your heads hiding from view and making sure no one sees or senses me. I have been here since then."

He placed a camcorder before Syaoran. Syaoran saw his sister's speechless state on the small screen. He exchanged a smirk with the man and they shook hands. Xeimei and the four sisters were still speechless.

The eldest spoke, "Welcome sir. I... we welcome you."

Syaoran sensed their uneasiness, "Why are you here?"

Michal sat in a chair, "Actually. All of your godmother asked me to take you four girls out tomorrow in her stead. Since tomorrow is a holiday, we can have a short break from training. So you girls up for it?"

Wei entered the hall and spotted Michal. He went to him and gave him a letter. Michal opened it and then smiled as he read it. He put it down and turned to Wei.

"Thank you for delivering it to me."

Syaoran asked, "What is it?"

Michal replied, "You do not need to worry about it. I sent a message through Jet's mother and this is its reply. I have a meeting in three days with an important guest so I will be taking the day off from school. Leaving that aside, you girls need to stop being so nervous around me. Your godmother is going to be my wife soon so think of me as your godfather. Relax girls."

The second eldest spoke, "Sorry sir. It is just that... we did not know how to react to you."

Michal smiled softly. Syaoran recognised it to be similar to how he smiled to Sakura. The four girls noticed affection in his smile and it somehow warmed them up. Yelan noticed it as well.

"I met your father Yuan Li a few times before he... Well, we met briefly each time." He purposely avoided finishing his sentence and everyone had noticed it. Yelan knew he must know of Yuan. Though it came as a surprise that they met since her husband never mentioned anything to her. "I will not tell you six girls and one boy what our meetings were about but I will tell you that he opened up his heart to me as your father." When he mentioned six girls, Yelan knew that Michal knew she was watching them. "He said that when I would finally get to meet you girls, he would like it if I treated you as my own daughters. So respecting his final wish to me, I would love it if you girls would treat me as your father too. Let me take my four hyperactive daughters out tomorrow."

Yelan wiped a tear as she heard his words. She always worried that her daughter would never feel a father's love again but it seems her fears could rest. She had seen how much he loved Sakura and Tomoyo and if her four girls could get the same love, she would be glad for them. Eva was doing a good job already having sent Michal to the girls for a day out. Syaoran saw his four sisters melt at his words. They could all tell that he meant it all.

The eldest spoke, "Okay. We will come. But it is still very awkward so give us some time."

Michal nodded, "Sure. So do you girls like ice cream?"

The quadruplets chorused together, "We love it."

Michal smirked, "Great. I know this great place and you will love the sundae there. In addition, I will give you permission to do whatever you wish with Sakura while you are inside that shop, null and voiding Yelan's order to you. So you can jump her, pinch her, hug her or whatever you wish. Is that alright Yelan?"

He clicked his fingers and a large circular portal appeared above them while Yelan on the other side looking gigantic. It was as if they were tiny compared to her and she gazed at them while they were inside a cup. Only her upper body was visible and she looked down at them. Yelan looked impressed.

"A reverse clairvoyance, is it?" She chuckled. "Yes. I am perfectly okay with you spoiling those girls. You are technically their godfather so it comes with the title."

He voice rang in the hall completing the illusion that she was a giantess compared to them.

Michal smiled, "I am glad you agree. Though it is not as if you could do anything even if you disagreed."

Yelan chuckled, "True. Anyway, have fun tomorrow girls. And listen to your godfather."

The girls nodded happily. Yelan ended the connection and Michal got up.

"I have much to do tonight. I will see you all tomorrow morning."

He pecked all four on the head lovingly and the girls loved the gesture. He turned to smoke and then vanished.

End of Chapter 28.

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