Princess Liena's beautiful courtyard was rather lively today, unlike any normal days that were filled with gloominess.
Far from the usual decorations of all the palace's buildings which were colored in royal red, the outside structure of Princess Liena's courtyard was embellished with silver color, to show off her unique present. Starting off the deep brown gate with gold linings, to the silver walkway, pass the bridge across the frozen pond laid her immaculate chamber.
Since she was the only rightful heiress in the throne, her Emperor grandfather spared no expense in decorating her courtyard lavishly. He pampered her too much to the point that he even gifted her the biggest courtyard which was even bigger than his own and Empress Dowager's residence. Empress didn't mind, rather, she thought that her granddaughter deserved more so she directed her servants to adorn it extravagantly by using golds and silvers, even though it was not her granddaughter's taste.
Today, the courtyard was filled with cheerful sounds of women and young girls laughter. Maids and servants were gleefully walking to the silver walkway holding heavy tray on their hands which were filled with different types of mouth-watering delicacies and imported rare tea. They were serving the royal guests with utmost respects, though most of the guests were basically the princess consorts and concubines of the Emperor and King Lin Jingze.
Today Empress Dowager looked happy as she especially bestowing everyone the exclusive gifts, eg: rare silks, jewelry, etc. So obviously, everybody was present on the occasion even though they were cursing inside with jealousy, hate, and envy. But they dare not succumb upon such a tempting opportunity. Which woman doesn't covet for jewelry and gifts!
So they were greedily eyeing on each other's gifts to check on who received the best, comparing and anticipating for more by using flowery words to please The Empress Dowager and of course, Princess Liena.
Too bad that the center of attraction was distancing herself by wearing her usual gloomy appearance and sat rather far. Though she tried her best to detach from the group of hungry wolves peck, sadly those greedy ladies still didn't spare her any means by approaching consistently. She was feeling uncomfortable with their overwhelming behavior but remained quiet.
"Ai! Look at you, child. You've gotten so skinny and sick."
Said one of the emperor's concubine while touching Liena's hands. Even though her voice sounded warm and full of concerns, but the sarcastic remarks still not escaped from Empress Dowager and Queen Lin's ears.
Queen Lin felt anxious as she knew that her daughter always hated these types of situations, but she still remained silent because the woman was the emperor's one of the second-ranked consort. Moreover, Empress was sitting beside her. So she didn't want to start a nasty argument.
Empress Dowager got angry so she scornfully looked at the person and commented,
"Doesn't matter as long as she isn't unwell. Being skinny always doesn't mean being sick. But..." Empress dowager suddenly tilted the corner of her lips with a mocking grin.
"Overweight is unhealthy. This Empress recently spoke with the imperial physician and he said that grossly overweight can cause different types of diseases. So, this empress is very concerned about the fifth sister. We, humbly advice fifth sister that you'd better take care of yourself before there is no room for regrets."
"Pfttt-"
Some young consorts suddenly started to giggle loudly, when the relatively older ones were surpassing their emotions with the years of practice. Because the fifth princess consort was very fat. So they found Empress's remarks very funny.
The fifth princess consort balled her fist tightly and frowned as she glared at those ladies coldly. Soon the giggles halted as the ladies retreated hurriedly with fear. She then fixed her emotions and replied with shedding some crocodile tears,
"Apologies to the Empress sister. This princess consort's words were out of concerned."
"You should apologize to my grandchild."
Empress corrected the fat consort. To give the women some face in front of people, she changed her position and looked at Princess Liena.
"Ah, my child! Grandmother feels ecstatic that you have finally opened up." She said lovingly.
"Yes, grandmother." Liena noddingly replied. Then she mumbled,
"Grandma, may I leave now?"
"Yes my child. You should go and rest in your chamber."
"Thanks to the grandmother. This granddaughter will pay a visit, again." Liena said and then bowed. Then nodded slightly to the crowd and started to walk away from the place. However...
"Both Emperor and Empress are so biased to that good or nothing."
"It's natural. She's the only living successor and there are not any grandchildren. It wouldn't be like that if she had any competitor. Otherwise, His Highness's couldn't choose her over a qualified concubine born child."
"Hahaha~ What a big mouth! If you are that jealous then why don't produce a qualified child? Humph!"
"Shhh- Stop badmouthing. She'll hear you."
Princess Liena heard the whispers and mockeries about her that were coming from different directions. She used to cry overhearing people's contempt remarks. But now she didn't. She was not a weak little girl like before, and wouldn't be anymore.
So she took large strides and left from her courtyard without giving them a damn. They are not worthy of her time.
Liena was wearing a luxurious pink gown. The gown had small flowers printed in it with real gold threads. She had some light make up on her face, so she looked very elegant and beautiful. There were some bodyguards behind following her.
Her destination was now her father's living quarter. For days, she had been feeling uneasy. She couldn't sleep at night due to guilt. She heard that general Bai Qiang had been demoted. To be honest, she didn't think the outcome will be like this. Her whimsical action destroyed a person's bright future.
She was in deep thought when walking closer to her father's courtyard. Not paying any attention to the surrounding people that were kowtowing with respects whenever they saw her. However. She almost jumped in fright when someone suddenly touched her and shouted,
"N-Nuwa!!! What are you doing here???"
[Note: Unedited chapter.]