Chiu Yue was the most playful of the girls, “What is there to be afraid of, we have King Ming’s seal! We can leave the capital easily!”
Chiu Lan shook her head, “It is out of the question, the capital is rampant with foreigners who have come to congratulate the King. There are countless envoys and their footmen stationed at the border of the capital. What would we do if they kidnap King Ming? Among other things, if we run into Princess Miao Guang’s party…”
The maid often listened to Rong Tian’s exchanges with Feng Ming. Topics ranged in political and national struggles. For the young lady to try to analyze the consequences in a rationalizing methodology, it was rather cute.
Hearing his servant’s words struck fear in him, nothing scared him more than Ruo Yan. And to hear that his troops may be prowling the capital sent a chill down his spine.
Shaking his head he finally submitted, “If that is the case, then we shall not leave the capital.” With his declaration, the other two maids naturally didn’t pursue the matter further.
Chiu Lan beamed him a smile, “Ming Wang is the smartest.”
“Well, the smartest one is you!” Chiu Xin tugged gently at Chiu Lan’s ear.
Chiu Yue looked around and an idea hit her, she moved to tug at her master’s sleeve.
“Ming Wang, I heard that Princess Miao Guang is very pretty, shall we go visit her instead?”
“The King of Li’s sister?” Chiu Xing interrupted, “can she even be compared to our Third Princess?”
Chiu Yue pushed her nosy friend aside, “The other attendants have been saying…” she grinned and moved closer to whisper into Feng Ming’s ear.
“The King sought a private audience with the Princess. Their discussion was long and intense.”
“King Ming, seeing that we won’t leave the capital we should pay the Princess a visit.”
Anyhow, Feng Ming wasn’t in a rush to return to the palace. His interest was perked and he wanted to see the Princess for himself.
He nodded, “Very well, I’d like to see that the King’s sister bear no resemblance to her dreadful sibling. But…where is she staying? Someone should go inquire about her whereabouts.”
Chiu Lan covered her mouth and laughed. Chiu Xing caught her and shouted, “Chiu Lan must know! King Ming you should ask her!”
Feng Ming took the cue, “Chiu Lan, if you know where Princess Miao Guang is staying then you should speak up.”
Chiu Lan had taken up one of Feng Ming’s bad habits, teasing people. Chiu Xing and Chiu Yue pestered her continuously for the answer.
Chiu Lan finally gave up and lazily replied, “I overheard the people who oversee the foreign envoys that she is living in an annexed royal mansion not far from the palace.”
“Then we shall head over there!” Feng Ming chanted. “Let’s go and take a look at the King’s sister!”
On his command the small party galloped towards the northern side of the palace.
As for Miao Guang, to be paid a visit by the man who her brother was enamored with was a godsend.
Xi Rei’s King Rong really lived up to his reputation, meeting the man in flesh, Miao Guang could already tell he was a tricky one to deal with. Moreover, King Rong would never take up her offer for marriage. There was also a potential threat he would keep her as a hostage.
However, her own brother was not a simple man. He had long anticipated the possibility of this outcome, the fact King Rong would delay his response to her proposal. Everything was going precisely as planned, she needed this time. As long as Rong Tian doesn’t declare war with the country of Li, she would be treated as royalty and her access would not be restricted.
She had to exploit the time she had left in Xi Rei to make a move on Feng Ming.
What does the man who won the hearts of the two legendary heroes look like?
Upon receiving the announcement from an attendant, Miao Guang hurried to fix her make up, and then quickly sat down in the middle of the room to wait for the arrival of her guest.
“You’re Princess Miao Guang?” Feng Ming blurted out with surprise. On his only mission out of Xi Rei territory he visited Fan Jia, a country famous for its beautiful women, with the Third Princess being one of the finest gems. He had a strange notion that the women of this era were all ethereal and goddess like.
Miao Guang’s mundane appearance came as a complete shock. In earnest he was rather disappointed. After the initial moments he realized his outburst was very rude. He felt guilty and immediately apologized, “I’m sorry, I’m…really…I….” he stuttered.
The princess gave him a faint smile, and gently asked, “Are you King Ming?”
”Yes, I am. But you can call me Feng Ming.” He was more comfortable with people addressing him by his name and hated the nonsense of people his age having to call him by his official title.
The two exchanged looks.
“Are you Ruo Yan’s sister? You don’t look alike. I mean you are better than him by far.”
“Really?”
Feng Ming didn’t know but beneath Miao Guang’s calm exterior she was trying to control the shockwaves of meeting him.
She knew the men of Xi Rei were collectively the most handsome men under the heavens. Her brother was also quite a handsome man himself. But to meet Feng Ming in person she could understand why her brother was enwrapped by the man’s charms.
Water.
Upon laying eyes on Feng Ming, that was the word that came to mind. The man’s eyes were glistening, playful and mysterious. The lighting reflected off his doe eyes and made one feel the power of the seas, deep and magnificent, wild and full of vitality.
Miao Guang knew her brother the best and could instantaneously understand how he must have felt. For such a rare specimen to be born into royalty, why would her brother let him slip away? This person was pure and refreshing as water, surely countless maidens would swoon and gravitate towards him.
They remained in silence studying each other before Miao Guang flashed him a sweetened smile.
“King Ming is well known for his advance knowledge in mathematics. My brother has told me much about your abilities. He even spoke of the battle he had with you at the Fan Jia palace. He told me how he was defeated and was left completely red faced. I laughed so hard my stomach was about to burst.”
Then in a whisper she continued, “My brother has never been so disgraced in his life!”
Feng Ming was really fooled by his own misconceptions. In no way would he have ever guessed that Ruo Yan’s sister was so outspoken and candid. She was better than her treacherous sibling by a hundred fold. This occasion made it obvious that just because people are related it can’t determine their personality, rather he suspected that Ruo Yan must have inherited all the bad genes!
He chuckled.
“A young Princess is more fun! Each time the Fan Jia’s Third Princess speaks with me, she always keeps the formalities. The Empress too, referring to herself in third person. It irritates me to no ends.”
Feng Ming didn’t hesitate to bombard her with more personal questions. He moved closer to her.
“Princess, how old are you?”
Miao Guang secretly cast a glance at Feng Ming’s temple, beneath his translucent skin there was a hint of purple. Inwardly she thought: It appears a more obvious symptom is beginning to surface after one month. I wonder how distressed King Rong will become.
She grinned, “I’m two eights.”
“Twenty eight? Are you really that old?” Feng Ming stared at her with bewilderment. He shook his head. “You surely defy your age.”
“King Ming you are an interesting person too, I am not twenty eight, I am sixteen years old.”
“Ah! Then you are younger than me!” Feng Ming dragged a chair up beside the Princess and sat casually sat down.
”At such a young age, how could Ruo Yan have the heart to send you here as an ambassador?”
Miao Guang had never experienced such informalities with a dignitary. She momentarily froze on the spot.
“Sixteen is the standard age of marriage for women, how can I be young?” She answered.
“Marriage?” Feng Ming repeated dumbfounded, he looked her up and down. One could easily forget she was Ruo Yan’s sister.
“It’s young and you are thinking about marriage?” he laughed lightheartedly until it dawned on him.
His laughter died.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login