Chapter 639
A long trumpet sounded.
Layered guard starting from the outer gate to the second gate leading to the main square of Xin Hua palace. The sunny day began with the arrival of enthusiastic state guests to take part in the Viceroy Xin Hua’s concubine selection competition.
Various types of gifts in boxes from small, medium to large sizes were lined up brought by the followers of the leaders of small tribes or countries who couldn’t wait to enter in front of the gate. That afternoon Feng Han and his men were busy accepting guests accompanied by palace guards to General Fa Lu who had to take part to maintain security.
“Welcome, here is your plaque, welcome to Xin Hua palace,” Feng Han said softly.
Due to the large number of guests arriving, it was obligatory for the junior minister, who should only be sitting observing, also to stand up and distribute identification plaques for each guest who entered.
Various types of tribes with unique clothing and appearances enter the gate after going through a strict inspection.
Old advisors Pai and Shin Ya line up to greet the guests with the biggest smiles on their faces. Although neither of them expected that there would be this many guests, it was beyond everyone’s expectations.
“Please come in Your Majesty”
.....
......
Chen Ming stood near the exit of Bai Ying’s room. Still wearing a cold face after seeing Bai Ying pass him to come out with his two maids earlier.
Xiao Hong approached him.
“Prince, please”
Chen Ming lowered his hand and turned his body towards the exit leaving the vila and will join Bai Ying at the event, and Xiao Hong followed him.
His beautiful clothes, soft blue combined with a pinkish colour thin layer with beautiful embroidery of plum blossom decorated along the lower part blow lightly by the wind. His hair is loose with a tiny bun stick with a greenish jade hairpin with the handmade shape of a small lily, even Chen Ming himself looks so stunning and eye-catching to everyone who saw him.
“That rotten Crown Prince must be joking, what exactly is in his head? If indeed he allowed Brother to participate in the event he should be prepared to accept all the consequences, but he is indeed cunning. How could he think of that?”
Xiao Hong stifled a laugh. Chen Ming’s face when he said that was adorable, he was angry and annoyed but could only grunt without being able to do anything.
“Em, that’s very reasonable, my Prince, I guess I would also do the same if the Prince was in the same position as His Highness the Viceroy”
Chen Ming turned to Xiao Hong. frowned.
“Really? Does it have to be like that? Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”
Xiao Hong stopped in his tracks. Holding Chen Ming’s hand and holding his shoulders facing him. Look at him for a long time.
“Um, how is it, His Majesty the Viceroy’s face is very attractive, since birth His Highness has been blessed with a face that can attract anyone who sees him. That’s why ever since His Highness was a child no parents allowed their children to play with him because He will make everyone cling to him. And His Highness the Crown Prince is only worried, he will create even greater chaos with the natural charm that His Highness the Young King has.”
Chen Ming frowned. Seeing Xiao Hong’s pair of eyes looking at him.
“Then, does that also include you, Hong? You were also attracted to little brother from the first sight?” he asked.
Xiao Hong smiled. Lowering his head avoided Chen Ming’s gaze on him.
“Eh, actually, that’s true, ever since I first saw His Highness the Viceroy’s face when I was still a rosy young bird, in the cage, I had already fallen for Him at first sight. All of that could not be avoided, even now, I still feel it. But, everyone has their own destiny, and love is also the greatest form of respect, in the end, all beings must choose what is truly the choice of their heart” Xiao Hong said while smoothing Chen Ming’s hair which fell in front of his glistening white forehead exposed to the morning sun.
Chen Ming pushed Xiao Hong’s stomach.
“You are getting smarter at talking, just say that you still like him until now, not need a lot of excuses”
Chen Ming was about to continue walking even though Xiao Hong’s hands were still holding his two hands, but, Xiao Hong pulled him back to him so close and hugged each other.
Xiao Hong smiled mischievously, even though he knew Chen Ming was holding back his anger.
“Hong”
“Hehehe my Prince, are you jealous of your own brother? I happen to know that, my Prince also loves His Highness the Young King very much, right?”
Chen Ming’s eyes widened. Tried to push Xiao Hong’s body away from him but his efforts were in vain. Xiao Hong, who was one hundred and ninety-five tall, despite his slender stature, possessed extremely strong strength. As a mystical creature, he has a very perfect human physical form. If only Bai Ying did not reduce the effect of the Red Bird’s enchantment on him, perhaps all human eyes that saw him would be enchanted by his beauty, unable to resist it.
“What are you talking about? He is my brother in blood how can I love him? T-that, really impossible” Chen Ming averted his eyes, his cheeks flushed red.
He remembered back then the first day he saw Bai Ying at Yue Yang Palace. He really couldn’t deny that his heart was beating very fast and warm water immediately flushed his stomach making him feel nauseous but he couldn’t get it out. It was love at first sight, as the young man still didn’t know that he is his cousin.
“Don’t talk recklessly”
Finally, Chen Ming pushed Xiao Hong quite hard so he could escape. Without waiting for the young prince to walk quickly along the path leading to the main palace area.
Xiao Hong couldn’t help but smile, immediately saw Chen Ming’s pale face and avoided his gaze. He immediately caught up with him.
“My Prince please wait for me”
.....
Pai Hua Field.
The guests were seated neatly in their own private areas. Various kinds of colourful flags of all shapes fluttered proudly with the roar of the wind blowing from the Pai Hua valley. The air was so clear with the sun shining warmly, the blue sky and white clouds that were a little lumpy made the event that time run perfectly.
“Her Highness Princess Wu Lan arrives!” cried the guard loudly.
The sound of trumpets echoed in the distance. Princess Wu Lan followed by Me Ma and the Palace adviser, Pai and Shin Ya appeared from the end of the path to the front seats. All the guests stood up to greet the Princess who slowly sat down in her place.
“Greetings Your Royal Highness, Princess, wish you a healthy and long life!” exclaimed the guests who were mostly the leaders of the great tribes in ancient Wah Ye, their number could be from three to fifty.
Princess Wu Lan herself didn’t expect that there would be so many guests that there weren’t any empty seats. From her place, she could see all the participants mostly the Princesses as well as, the young Princes at the very front of their respective groups. All Princesses and Princes have an age range of eighteen to twenty-five, the age that the Great Yue Yang allowed marrying.
“Please sit down everyone, no need to be so formal with this old lady.”
The guests sat back in their places in an orderly manner.
Princess Wu Lan smiled so broadly that her cheeks were as red as plums.
“Hehehe they are all very young and fresh, really very attractive”
Old Advisor Pai lowered his head in front of the Princess while handing him a fairly large bamboo scroll with a list of participants.
“Princess, there are twenty-five Princesses and sixteen Princes. As mentioned before, the competition will be held for five days, starting with cooking classes, knitting for princesses and horse riding for princes, as well as playing musical instruments in the preliminaries, which are agility matches for princes and dancing for princesses. It’s all divided into several groups according to the type of match they attended.”
Princess Wu Lan smiled, looking at the contents of the bamboo scroll which was filled with letters. She nodded and handed the scroll to Me Ma who was standing behind her.
“Me Ma, later you help me show the names of those who will take part in the competition, these old eyes can’t see well anymore.”
Mama nodded.
“Yes, Princess”
“Old Man you can start the opening ceremony,” said Wu Lan nodding to Old advisor Pai.
“Ready Princess” the old man was just about to do his job when Shin Ya approached and lowered his head in front of Princess Wu Lan.
“Princess, I beg your pardon for my presumptuousness, but His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered not to start the event before He and His Highness the Viceroy to arrived.”
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