Major Misfortune Strikes

"Your Majesty, your Majesty! His Majesty and General Sean have arrived!" Martin Wu burst into Princess Jade Hayes's cabin, bubbling with excitement.

Alexander Hayes is back—now that dog Justin Zhao can step aside!

Princess Jade Hayes responded coolly, cradling Charles Hayes in her arms.

"Jade!" Alexander Hayes strode in, his gaze full of concern for his wife and child. "I heard everything from Simon Yu yesterday. Justin Zhao really has some nerve, daring to treat the Queen of Qin so rudely!"

As soon as Alexander finished speaking, Charles coughed a few times. Alexander's heart ached as he hurriedly asked, "Charlie, why are you coughing? Did you catch a chill?"

"Not a chill. Last night, the stench from that sewage got to him." Princess Jade Hayes handed her son to Alexander, looking aggrieved. "I’m the Queen of Qin, for goodness’ sake! I come to my own territory and get bullied by some petty magistrate."

Alexander Hayes snorted, soothing his son as he spoke: "Justin Zhao's had it too easy for too long. Tch, he probably thinks a mighty dragon can't beat a local snake, and that I can't do anything to him. But let me tell you, a dragon that can't bow its head isn't truly strong—and I’m not like the rest!"

After comforting Charles for a while, Alexander handed him back to Princess Jade Hayes. "Jade, stay on the boat for a few days. I’ll be back soon."

Princess Jade Hayes knew exactly what Alexander was planning. She nodded and reminded him to be careful.

Not long after Alexander boarded the boat, he left in a hurry with Sean Hayes, anger written all over his face. Martin Wu shivered and muttered to Simon Yu nearby, "Wow, I’ve never seen His Majesty this furious before."

Justin Zhao stared wide-eyed and pinched himself, "Nina Darling, look! Did you see that? The ground just moved!"

"How could the ground move, my lord? You must be drunk!" Nina Zhao giggled.

Justin Zhao grunted, waved his hand dismissively, but just then, another tremor shook the ground—much stronger than before. Even Nina Zhao felt it, her face turning pale with fright. "My lord, I feel it too... Is this, is this an earthquake?"

"No, earthquakes are continuous tremors. This one feels different, almost rhythmic. It sounds more like..." Justin Zhao's face turned white as his cup clattered onto the table. "...like footsteps marching!"

Justin Zhao and Nina Zhao exchanged nervous glances, the festive atmosphere instantly replaced by dread.

Outside, the sound grew louder, echoing like a thousand drums beating in unison.

Justin Zhao rushed to the window, his hands trembling as he peered out with Nina Zhao clutching his sleeve.

What they saw next made their hearts freeze—a massive army was marching straight towards the Magistrate's Mansion!

"My lord, what do we do?" Nina Zhao's voice trembled, her earlier playfulness gone.

Justin Zhao swallowed hard, his bravado evaporating. "Stay calm, Nina Darling. Maybe they're just passing by..."

But the army stopped right outside the gates. The ground shook with every step as banners unfurled, their insignia unmistakable.

Justin Zhao's legs went weak. "This is bad luck... really bad luck!" he muttered, voice barely above a whisper.

Nina Zhao clung to his arm, eyes wide with fear.

Outside, the soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the very walls of the Magistrate's Mansion.