Everyone looked towards the Chen family with faces of curiousity and amazement. There attention moved to the lady in blue and white. The color contrasted her skin color perfectly, making her look like an angel.
As the Chen family walked into the hall, people came towards them to greet them and get to know there lady. Memorized by her looks, you could tell she was not like the others. Her delicate body danced under the light of the moon, her fierce violet eyes burned with passion and detemination. Men looked at her, while women envied her.
The ball room was at the back of the palace, close to the big pond. The moon light reflected into the room and contributed with the light of the fire.
As they walked in and were attacked but a large crowd wanting to greet the minister, they didn't not realize that they caused a stir in a certain person.
All the murmur made Emperor Zhou Weishang stand up from his throne. "What is happening, Bambang?" Weishang asked his head general and close friend. "It seems as though Minister Chen has brought his 'hidden gem' I suppose" Bambang replied. Weishang would finally see what the minister had hidden all along.
Her eyes looked towards the throne as women complimented her. She caught the eyes of the man who sat in the throne.
His intense stare made her shiver in an unexplainable way. She was so caught up in this staring contest that she did not realize that her father was calling her.
"Hien Lixue, my dear can you hear me?" He said. Hien Lixue removed her eyes from the piercing black ones and stared at her father. "Yes father?" She replied, smiling at her. "Do you feel fine? I know you are not used to the attention given to you" he replied softly.
She shook her head and replied "one must face there fears to be able to live again" she replied softly. Her father smiled and took her had gently and sat her next to him at a table, close to the emperor's table, where the dukes and duchesses sat.
Two girls, almost next to Hien Lixue whispered "look at her, she does not even deserve to be here. I know my Weishang would never even spare her a glance" one girl whispered to the other. "I know, she does not even seem normal at all, she looks like duck" the other said as they giggled. Hien Lixue rolled her eyes, not even caring what people say about her.
She sat alone, looking at the moons reflection in the water. A soft breeze passed her and she closed her eyes, inhaling the sent of water and wet soil.
She felt a presence by her. She sighed and began to speak, "isn't it beautiful? How the moon reflects on the water and glows like a diamond that has been lost? The beauty of nature is more superior than the beauty of a woman with make up" she said as she smiled.
She gazed at the person who was standing next to her and almost had a heart attack. The emperor was staring at her closely with no expression what so ever.
"Y-your majesty, I didn't not know it was you" she replied bowing slightly. "No, that is not a problem at all. I did not mean to get into your personal space. Its just that you have caught my attention in a way I can not explain" he said as he looked at me, admiration shone from his eyes.
A light blush came to her face. "Hien Lixue thanks his majesty" she replied looking down. "Its a pleasure. Would you like to take a walk with me. I'm sure there are things that you might be interested in seeing" he replied, gesturing with his hand to a the opposite direction. "May I please ask my father permission? I need not to worry him" she said softly. "Of course, that is not a problem" he replied.
She looked for her father and saw him standing next to General Han. She walked towards him, not knowing that the emperor and Bambang were following being her.
"Father" she called she she got to his side. She saw her Fa Ling and her step sisters eyes grow wider as they fixed themselves. "Your majesty, what a pleasant surprise and you are with the Chen gem I see" General Han replied, his voice souning amused while looking behind Lixue.
"Your majesty. I see you have met my daughter" Lixue's father said, smiling softly. "Yes Minister Chen, she has somewhat caught my eye" Weishang said.
Lixue's step sister walked in front of the emperor, swaying her hips seductively. As she was about to touch his shoulder, Bambang blocked her way. She wanted to say something but Bambang shook his head, indicating that she should not do this.
She pouted and turned back to her mother. Her mother scoffled and brought her daughter close to her. "So, what can I assist you with your majesty?" Minister Chen asked Weishang.
"Yes, I wanted to ask if I could show you daughter around the palace?" He asked my father. My father looked at me at me, as if asking for approval.
I nodded slowly and smiled at my father. "Well, as a long you bring her back safely, I don't see a problem" he said.
The emperor took my hand and guided my towards the main halls that exited the outdoor ball room. I didnt realise that we were being watched by all the nobles and guests.