Chapter 150

150 A Rare diamond

Xiaoming outstretched his arms and the maidservant pushed the golden-white overcoat into his arms. She picked up the belt and clutched it around his waist.

“Your Royal Highness, you had such a small quantity of meal earlier. If His Royal Highness will not take care of his meals, then it can affect his body,” Eunuch Lishi expressed his concern. He had turned happy the last day when Xiaoming smiled and had taken his full meals. But today again Xiaoming was not in a good mood.

“Eunuch Lishi, I do not want to hear anything. I may scold you if you utter another word,” Xiaoming warned him. Eunuch Lishi lowered his head and didn’t speak anymore.

Xiaoming looked at himself in the mirror. He was in no mood to even attend the Dragon festival event. However, as the kingdom’s Crown Prince, it was his duty to indulge himself in such events. He settled on the puffy vanity stool and the servant placed his shoes in front of his feet. He helped Xiaoming wear the white socks first and gently put his feet into the shoes.

Xiaoming stood up and checked his hair bun once again. He brought his hand above his abdomen while the other hand remained on his side. They left for the palace’s grand courtyard, where the event would take place.

Xiaoming encountered his three younger sisters, who stopped to greet him. He forced a smile on his lips and returned their greetings.

“How am I looking, Your Royal Highness?” Jingfei asked.

“Beautiful,” Xiaoming answered. “All the three sisters look pretty today. They all look good all the time, but today it’s different,” Xiaoming praised the three of them and walked ahead.

Jingfei thought only she looked the prettiest. Her elder brother’s words disappointed her, so she asked Ai Fen and Xiaolian about the same.

.....

“The First Sister is looking prettier than any of the ladies in the palace,” Xiaolian said. Ai Fen agreed with her words.

“Thank you, my sisters, for your kind compliments. I wish Commander Huang Xi would be present today. I prepared for this day for over a month. Brother Lóng Wei never wants my happiness, that’s why he took Huang Xi with him.” Jingfei was still upset with Lóng Wei.

“Sister Jingfei, the Sixth Brother, is married. For the protection of Li Hua, Commander Huang Xi has to accompany them. Else, Brother Lóng Wei never let any general or commander accompany him, even in the earlier times,” Ai Fen humbly said.

“I don’t like Li Hua for this reason. A mere servant became the Princess Consort in this family. She is evil like her husband,” Jingfei said with annoyance and stepped forward. Ai Fen didn’t like the way Jingfei always ridiculed Li Hua. Xiaolian gazed at Ai Fen and gestured to her to walk.

The grand courtyard was decorated with lanterns in central space, hanging in the air while the broad mahogany chairs, with small mahogany tables in front of them, were placed on both sides of the central space.

The two Consorts, the concubines and the Princes had come already and had taken their respective seats while the Princesses took their seats after them.

Some reputed ministers were also invited with their respective families. When the King finally arrived with the Queen, everyone stood up and bowed their heads. Qiu Zedong settled on the throne with Zhu Liling.

“You all can take your seats,” Qiu Zedong said. Eunuch Gao Bing and Eunuch Lianying stood at the sides of the King and the Queen.

“The Crown Prince looks good today. Many ministers’ daughters will attend this marvelous function. I hope he will find l suitable concubines among them,” Qiu Zedong told Xiaoming with high hopes.

“Yes, Royal Father,” Xiaoming forcefully agreed to what his father desired for him.

Prime Minister Kang Xi came forward to give his humble greetings to the King and the Queen with his son, Kang Huijuan, and his daughter, Kang Cha Ying.

“Your Majesty, thank you for inviting us to this grand event,” Kang Xi said and looked at his son. Kang Huijuan came forward and bowed before them.

“How is your hand, Kang Huijuan?” Qiu Zedong asked.

“It is better now,” he answered. “Thank you for asking, Your Majesty.”

“Cha Ying looks pretty. Prime Minister Kang Xi’s daughter is no less than a rare diamond among many ladies of the Kingdom,” Zhu Liling could not stop herself from praising Cha Ying, who thanked the Queen for her compliment.

“Your Royal Highness, Cha Ying, told you that yesterday you had lunch with her. My daughter was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the Crown Prince. I am glad that he liked the small present prepared by my daughter.” Kang Xi said.

Xiaoming got puzzled upon hearing the last words of the Prime Minister and gazed at Cha Ying. He understood that Cha Ying lied to her father about the rejection she faced from him. Also, he was confused to see his mother’s behavior. She was again praising Cha Ying in front of the King.

“Prime Minister Kang Xi, Cha Ying had prepared the robe with so much love that the Crown Prince could not hide his happiness,” Zhu Liling said.

The others present in the courtyard also heard their conversations.

“The Crown Prince will marry the daughter of the Prime Minister. Brother Qiu Mu will get married after him,” Tianjie told Qiu Mu, who smiled and looked at Jingfei.

“The First Sister will marry after this,” Qiu Mu said and picked the wine glass.

The King was glad to hear that Xiaoming liked the efforts put by Cha Ying. He was ready to announce his son’s marriage at the earliest. Finally, the Kingdom would get its Crown Princess.

The ministers gossiped amongst each other.

“The Kang Family will get stronger with this marriage,” one minister said.

“Of Course,” the second minister stated. “Now, to get into the eyes of His Majesty, our daughters must be taken as the Crown Prince’s concubines,” he added.

Xiaoming got stressed upon hearing the words of his father and his mother. He didn’t want to tell in front of everyone that he rejected Cha Ying. But all these acts were forcing him to tell his real conversation with Cha Ying. Even his mother took a complete 360° turn.

???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????-????????????.????????????

Eunuch Lishi bent a little down to whisper in Xiaoming’s ear. “Your Royal Highness, please tell the truth to His Majesty.” Xiaoming tilted his head and shook his head, and decided to talk with his father after the event would be over.