Chapter 19：Flamingo

Good thing all the officials and princes had left at this point. None of them saw how Xia Lian Bei almost spat out blood because of the eldest prince's taps.

In truth, out of all the Emperor's children, only Xia Yu Sinen could get this close to Feng wang shu. More accurately, none of them dared to.

Since young, Xia Lian Bei was prone to have violent tendencies whenever he threw a tantrum so it further solidified his respectable reputation.

As a result, he was distant to his brother's children and some of them were downright scared of him. It didn't even help that two of the princes were closer to his age range. Eighth prince and ninth prince.

But Xia Lian Bei always found himself being sorted out by the eldest prince while the Emperor silently acquiesced to his (XLB) tyrannical ways.

Xia Lian Bei's family tree was quite a mess because his older brother treated him like a son and his nephew treated him like a younger brother.

But he just got used to it so he wasn't the least bit bothered.

With this odd kind of environment growing up, even if society scorned him and consorts of the palace detested him, he learned how to hold his head high and didn't acquire a sulking, aggrieved personality.

Or else, he wouldn't have lived this long.

In fact, it was quite the opposite for Xia Lian Bei had an unspoken understanding with the Emperor. If someone dared to bully him, then bully that person back ten fold!

And so, those occasions of someone bullying him were now known as the chronicles of Feng wang shu's violent tendencies.

"Back then, even if you were in that distant land, you went home every end of the year but suddenly stopped visiting since three years ago. In the end, was it because you got yourself a little wife back there?" Xia Yu Sinen teased in a rather princely and serious tone.

If one would hear it, they'd have doubts if it was even a joke.

Xia Lian Bei glanced at the eldest prince sideways.

Naturally, if a prince came back from foreign lands bringing home a child, people would think that said child was born from the local of the foreign land.

Only his brother Emperor saw his sweet little daughter. He didn't even know if the officials knew it, he never bothered to care about that.

Even if they knew, these old men would probably be more interested in knowing the identity of the wife he acquired.

Was it the princess of Northern Chu? A daughter or the sister of the King? Was she respected in the kingdom? How would these affect us?

Were probably the questions burning inside their minds.

Xia Lian Bei rolled his eyes and uttered nonchalantly.

"What makes you think this great one has a wife?"

Sinen was used to Xia Lian Bei's arrogant way of speaking so he ignored it. But the words didn't sink in, then Xia Yu Sinen stopped in his tracks looking at the younger man incredulously.

"Father Emperor said you brought a daughter home. Don't children naturally come with their mother? You actually left your wife at Northern Chu?!"

From a puzzled expression at the beginning, Xia Yu Sinen's countenance turned to a look of wanting to eat Xia Lian Bei's flesh because of extreme anger.

This wanton youth actually done it!

Xia Lian Bei usually did as he pleased without giving a damn about reputation or sometimes, even the face of the royal family.

But to actually leave his wife at the foreign lands? Even if she grew up there, she should follow her lord husband since she was now tied to him.

How could Xia Lian Bei, this little demon rascal, fail to understand those principles?

But a certain demon was really insensitive to one's anger.

"This great one has no princess consort whatsoever." Then he walked as though nothing happened.

Hearing this, Xia Yu Sinen had another misunderstanding.

No princess consort? Then, the little princess was born from the side consort?

Xia Lian Bei left him to misunderstand however he wanted.

***

Today was the start of the autumn festival of the capital.

Every year, Da Xia's imperial city celebrated the changing of seasons.

Commoners went out with robes matching the colors of the said season.

Since it was autumn, people donned deep and mellow dyes. The streets were filled with assortments of goods one could find during fall.

It wouldn't be strange seeing performances or stands that offered games or entertainment for a few copper coins.

It was also a day of excuse for young maidens and gents to openly admire those of the opposite gender.

Especially, when there was the rare sight of xiaojie and gongzhi going out in the same day.

But none of the lively events mattered to Yin Hua Lei as she stared at the noisy and sportive street below with uninterested eyes.

She was at the top floor of Ornate Jewel café. Da Xia's most refined place for the noble ladies' sweet tooth.

Yin Hua Lei grew tired of her and granted permission to go out today but she couldn't let the princess go alone even if it was just for appearances sake.

"Elder sister! Elder sister! What are those coarse looking food on a stick?"

Xia Luyoung looked genuinely taken by the sights she was seeing. The people walking down the streets were so energetic that she caught it even if she was only looking from an elevated distance.

She was the picture of a charming naïve girl who was sheltered all her life.

Yin Hua Lei looked at the direction she was gesturing.

"Seems like... Hawthorn candies."

She looked back at Xia Luyoung who by now had glittering eyes.

"Want one?"

The girl nodded like pellet drum.

"Go, buy some. Take Xin Tao and Xin Ling with you."

Buying the hawthorn candies was just an excuse. Yin Hua Lei also knew.

What the girl really wanted was to experience the festivities first hand but was afraid Yin Hua Lei would reject if she said it directly.

Yin Hua Lei had prepared well so she was complacent.

Even if an enemy nation suddenly attacked, Xia Luyoung would be unharmed. Not that there was any threat of an attack.

But she still found her eyes trailing the figure of the ignorant child going from booth to booth buying trinkets here and there.

Xia Luyoung was a far cry to the haughty, irresponsible princess after several weeks of being snubbed at the Gao Le palace.

Her needs were well taken care of but the deferential treatment that came with it was gone.

Yin Hua Lei expected a tantrum at every turn. But Xia Luyoung surprised her with none.

The girl even learned how to be meek and demure if necessary. So Yin Hua Lei decided to be lenient with her today.

What she wasn't aware of was that Xia Luyoung was actually afraid of the look in Yin Hua Lei's eyes during those silent moments.

It was as though in those phoenix orbs with ink black irises, nothing was of significance or worth mentioning of. None had the ability to move her emotions or influence her mind.

Such a look held silent oppression that left one breathless the longer it was seen.

But when Xia Luyoung wasn't in her presence, the young lass couldn't help but admire the image of the lone figure reading underneath the slowly shedding tree of her courtyard.

For the tenth princess, Yin Hua Lei became a special existence to be admired from afar but especially dangerous yet enchanting up close.

She wanted to be just like her, ah! But it was a far fetched dream. Yin Hua Lei was born with this kind of temperament, how could a flower change her fragrance?

So she decided on fully learning everything she could from Gao Le princess!

En... That way, Father Emperor would look at her in a favorable light.

Back to Yin Hua Lei who was sitting at the tea and confectionery café...

The lady was immersed in her thoughts for a moment but her eyes were pulled by a walking flamingo.

Gao Le princess' face grew dark when she fully saw the flamingo with silver hair.

Xia Lian Bei was walking like the tyrant that he was in hot pink robes embroidered with silver cranes.

Such a ridiculous choice of wardrobe! For a second, Yin Hua Lei had an impulse to erupt in a fit!

The artist in her wanted to drag her feet and give a lecture to Feng wang shu about the art of dressing oneself.

It wasn't that Yin Hua Lei was against the idea of unconventional fashion but this man clearly had no taste at all!

The embroidery on his clothes, although had excellent quality was haphazardly placed anywhere all over the robes. Too disorderly. Yin Hua Lei swore that if she met Feng wang shu's tailor, she'd have a long talk with that person.

It was evil to scam Da Xia's imperial uncle.

Moreover, Yin Hua Lei grew weak in the knees when she saw the little bun in Xia Lian Bei's arms wearing matching clothes with the big demon!

How could her pride as the lady who personally designed all her clothes see her daughter in such unsightly state?

Every one might not be aware just how much Yin Hua Lei loved designing the things she wore from top to bottom.

But every time she went out, all ladies no matter what status they had, from the Empress down to the little yatou in the street (though it would be a blessing for a lifetime for that girl to see even Gao Le princess' shadow) always envied her subdued yet handsome attire.

If not for her aloof nature, even the older and married princesses would like to take a peek at her vestiary or even ask for her seamstress' good grace. But Yin Hua Lei's usual reply to those comments would be a slight curve of her mouth.

By appearing like this, prince Feng gave a huge blow to Yin Hua Lei.

She did her best to look unaffected and remain apathetic to the matters of the world when the pale prince stumbled upon Xia Luyoung.

The two exchanged pleasantries but Xia Luyoung's gaze was lowered the whole time and her little face was wan.

The imperial uncle seemed to ask a question about the princess' entourage since she seemed to be only followed by two attendants.

Indeed, it wasn't safe for a royal princess.

So Xia Luyoung gestured to where Gao Le princess was sitting.

Yin Hua Lei steeled herself and met Xia Lian Bei's gaze. Her eyes automatically lowered to the little dumpling who was busy munching on sweets.

She was displeased by this. How could her child casually eat something bought from the streets plus those clothes... Just where could she vent these stuffy feeling?

When her gaze went up again, it was to see Xia Lian Bei's unmistakable condescending look.

What? Have the ability? Then, come get her.

That look contained those words and Yin Hua Lei could only curl her fists under her sleeves.

What enmity did she have with this Feng wang shu to torture her so? Even when she first saw him, she already feel a huge loathing coming off of Xia Lian Bei directed towards her.

As far as she knew, they rarely met when she was young and those coincidences were uneventful.

She should be the one hating him! It was obvious that he was the father of Xia Tiandi, then that night, the one who stole her innocence was this man and he still had the audacity to abhor her?!

Yin Hua Lei's insides twisted as she tried curbing her anger.