Three days after the General and his wife had come to dinner, a delivery was sent to my father from the palace.
I was in the garden, practising the lotus technique. I inhaled, pulling my arms towards my chest and exhale, releasing my arms and the air in me. The slight push caused a force that blew the leaves of my tree slightly.
I giggled,happy that I could have such pressure. "Hien Lixue!" I heard my father call me from the bridge above my pond. I quickly walked towards him and bowed. "Yes father?" I said looking at him.
"We were invited to a royal banquet. The emperor is looking for an empress and requested that all the daughters from noble households are to attend" he said, sounding wary. I smiled at my dad and thought about how he felt about me.
"Father, do not worry about Hien Lixue. I will always be your daughter, whether or not the emperor chooses me or not, I will always be your little girl" I replied softly.
He sighed and tried to smile. I saw a bit of sadness n his eyes anf I knew why. Being the only daughter of someone who he loved dearly.
Later that day....
The tailor came and measured me. My dad wanted me to dress in something new but I refused. I til he that I would like to wear something of my mothers. He was hesitant, but agreed.
My step family on the other was very excited. They had a strong love for material things, while I appreciated anything given to me.
I took out my mother's blue and white dress. This is the dress she wore when she met my father. I lay it down on my lounging chair and went towards my window. It was afternoon and the sky was clear.
"What are you thinking about? " Wei ge-ge asked me as he walked into my room. "The ball" I replied looking towards him. He smiled at me and sat next to me. "Well, if the all so powerful emperor picks you, make sure I get a title here" he said mischievously.
I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around him. "I will make sure that does happen" I replied to him.The evening came and my food was brought to me by a servant.I was hunger and could eat anything. As I was about to pick up the chopsticks, I saw something unusual.
I quickly got up and checked if the maid whom gave me this food was still in the halls. I saw her figure, in the shadow of the setting sun and followed her. She went to an abandoned corridor and there she met with my step mother.
"Did you give her the food?" She said as she looked at the maid with determination. The maid nodded and looked down. "Good, now go along. The money is on your bed, get out of this compound and never look back" she said.
It was not the first time my step mother tries to poison me and the fact that she uses the same poison kills me slowly inside. I laugh about it and throw the food back to the kitchen.
I made myself some food and walked back to my room. I ate, read a book and prepared for sleep. The next few days passed like a breeze and finally it was the day of the ball. But I was not considered about it, because a certain dream disturbed my thoughts. My eyes have shown me whom would be the traitor in my family.
Slowly, evening came and I was being prepared. Maids ran around like headless chickens, while others prepared my hair and make up. I chose to stick with a more natural look. I was not a big fan of make up since people already compliment my beauty as it is.
I dressed in my mothers dress and finished off my hair. It was in a simple yet elegant braid and was decorated with beautiful pins. My father walked in and looked at me with happiness, sadness and admiration.
"Oh Wa Zhi Ruo, why did you leave me alone?" He whispered silently, hoping I would not be able to hear him. "You look so much like your mother my dear. I'm going to have to get a whole army just to protect your beauty" he commented.
He gave me a veil, to cover my face. I wore it with ease and walked behind my dad. "We will be taking the horse, it would be best if you take the carriage with Fa Ting and your sister" he said. I shook my head. "Please let me ride my horse, Chun please" I begged him.
He sighed but than nodded. I know if I went into that carriage, I would have been killed. I got on my horse, with my bodyguards by my side and Wei ge-ge in front of me.
We rode the horse and soon got to the palace. When we arrived, all eyes were on me. I could not deny for a fact that a woman riding a horse anywhere was a rare occation, but a woman of nobility was more surprising. Wei ge-ge got off his horse and came to help me get of mine.
As I got off elegantly, my veil flew off my head. I heard gasps and murmurs from the people around me. "Should I or?" Ge-ge asked me as he referred to the veil.
I shook my head, indicating that I was fine. He nodded and walked with me towards my fathers carriage. My step mother and step sister both looked pissed as to see that their plan had not worked. As I look to their faces, full of make up that would make a baby cry. I giggle and covered my mouth before they noticed.
"What happened to your veil"father asked me. "Hien Lixue asks for fathers forgiveness. It flew away while I was riding" I replied.
He sighed and told me it was fine. We followed him as people still stared at me. We passed the main hall towards the ball room. The announcer saw my father and greeted him before announcing.
"The Chen family greets your majesty" the announcer yelled. All eyes were on us but mostly me. People gasped and looked at me as if the found a mine. This was going to be one interesting night, I thought to myself.