Zhihuan closes his eyes in fury as his servants begin to dress him in one of his most luxurious attires. How could he have been so naive to not know what his empress mother was planning? In this nation, there are 4 main empires. The Huan, Wei, Daizo and Xie. Zhihuans empire was none other than the Huan empire while Princess Changying was from the Wei empire. It was common sense that an easy tactic to bring two empires together was to marry off the emperor's children. However, Zhihuan did not agree with such an idea, especially with someone like Princess Changying. He scowls as the memory of how they first met resurfaces.
-8 years ago, Huan Empire-
Zhihuan smiles as he relaxes against a large tree in the Garden of Eternal Beuty.
Beautiful flowers of various colors were in full bloom, giving off a refreshing fragrance. Sun rays jump off the leaves, showcasing Zhihuan as if he were from a stunning painting as he lay there. Today, today will be the day. Zhihuan huffs as he turns another page of, ' The Art of a Thousand Li.' His eyebrows scrunch as he tries to understand the difficult words.
His teacher had promised Zhihuan that if he was able to uncover the true, deeper meaning of this book and its quotes, he would reward him. Reward him with an erotic novel with pictures that is. Zhihuan's cheeks go red at the thought. Soon, soon he will truly become an adult once he laid eyes on one for the first time. Smiling gleefully to himself, a side he never showed others, he immersed himself with his readings.
'Water flows in, only to flow out'
What exactly did that mean! How can such a line have a deeper meaning? It was merely talking about the water. Zhihuan's smile was replaced with a scowl.
'It is better to walk a thousand li then to read a thousand books'
"What kind of idiot wrote this. Books can fill you with limitless knowledge while walking such a long distance will only tire you," Zhihuan scoffs out.
'Every step makes a footprint'
Zhihuan almost threw the book then and there. Now it was just stating the obvious. Calm down Zhihuan. Let's focus and try again.
'While there are green hills, there will be wood to burn'
Letting out a series of cuss words, Zhihuan was ready to launch the book away from him when a soft giggle enters his ears. He pauses and looks around when a small girl approaches him from behind the tree.
She seemed like she was no older than ten years old. Zhihuan found her clothing a bit unusual. She was dressed in pink and blues but her clothing resembled one of a soldier. Not something a lady would wear. Her features were extremely pretty too with a small face and milky white skin. But what was most dazzling was her hair, so long it almost reached her knees. A strong, charcoal black
Zhihuan springs up, looking around. Where are the guards?
"Who are you?" he demands, staring her down with the most intimidating gaze he could muster. It was not that he was scared of the girl but how had she managed to sneak up on him like that? And he had never seen such a girl like her in the palace before.
Her giggles answer him back, shocking him. Did she not know who he was? Any glare from him could send even the highest nobleman to his knees.
"Yes yes, I know who you are. The Crown Prince. No need to be so shocked. You see, I can treat you however I wish to, as I am none other than Princess Changying from the Wei Kingdom." She smiles out gleefully.
Not liking her already, Zhihuan simply ignores her and sits down, returning to his book. There is silence for a few seconds before Princess Changying speaks.
'While there are green hills, there will be wood to burn."
Zhihuan's head snaps up as he stares at her.
"How do you know that line."
"I see you are reading ' The Art of a Thousand Li.' I think I finished reading that book about two years ago." She smirks, crouching next to Zhihuan.
"Hah you lie. Girls do not waste time learning to read. They like pretty things like sewing and what not."
Princess Changying's eyebrows slightly narrow as she balls her tiny hands into fists.
"Wei empire is different to Huan Empire. Girls are also taught the etiquette of men. We are taught to read, write and fight from an early age. In fact, I will tell you the meanings of its teachings, but for a price."
Zhihuan debates on what she said.
"And what will be your price?" Zhihuan demands, not really believing her.
"You will let me kiss you." Changying says, winking.
Zhihuan goes red in the face, both with anger and embarrassment. What was with this girl.
"HAH deal!" Zhihuan spits out. There was no way she could know such difficult teachings. Plus his pride would not allow him to say no. That was like admitting defeat.
"Promise?" Changying asks.
"I promise. A prince does not break his promises." Zhihuan replies curtly.
"Then go on, give me a few lines." Changying urges him on, nodding.
"Then tell me, what is the true meaning of, 'While there are green hills, there will be wood to burn? Zhihuan smirks, awaiting her lies in anticipation.
"It simply means, 'Where there is life, there is hope.'" Zhihuan's smirk falters. That did make sense. But she might have been lucky.
"Then tell me, what does 'Every step makes a footprint,' mean?" Zhihuan's smirk once again comes back. Now, this quote simply was stating the obvious. There could not be such a deeper meaning to it.
"Ah, now this one means to work steadily and you will make solid progress. Is that all?"
Zhihuan's smirk slowly disappears.
"Then, 'It is better to walk a thousand li then to read a thousand books."
"Another simple one. Experience, in the end, will beat theory. Are you ready to offer those lips up yet?" Changying smiles. Zhihuan scowls.
"Last one. 'Water flows in, only to flow out.'
"This one merely means that things reverse when things get extreme. It is never set. But always changing, just like a river."
Now it was Zhihuans hands to ball into fists. How, how could she know. Especially when he was having such difficulty.
"Well, I have answered and now you shall reward me. Come here," She says, pouting her lips. Zhihuan stares horrified at her pouting lips, falling backwards in his efforts to get away.
"Oh come on, don't be like that. A prince must keep his word." She says, walking up to him slowly.
"Never, you will never touch the crown prince's precious lips," Zhihuan yells as he gets up and bolts in the other direction. His pride had been crushed. He was humiliated beyond belief. He was in no means ever going to kiss the likes of her.
A sudden giggling comes up from behind him and he almost screams. How had she caught up so fast?
"Crown Prince, do not make me upset. You said a prince never breaks his promises. If you break your promise, much worse things await you." She says in a sing-song voice as she skips after him.
As they run around the pavilion Zhihuan increases his speed, looking back at Changying and sticking out his tongue. "Hah then try your best. I would like to see what the worse th-."
*SPLASH*
Zhihuan had fallen straight into the koi pond. The water comes up around him as big slimy substances brush up against his body. He hated nothing more than touching weird things in water and big fish are right on the top of that list. He screams, taking in a mouthful of water as he opens his eyes to see murky green around him. He pushes himself up, trashing about. He was going to die. All because of a stupid girl.
"You do know the water is only waist level right?" a giggeling voice interrupts his thoughts. Zhihuan stops trashing about and calmly stands up, the water only coming to his waist. The fish who were now terrified from all the splashing Zhihuan had caused, had gone elsewhere. Water drips down from his wet clothes, streaming down Zhihuan's face.
In his hand was a soggy 'Art of a Thousand Li,' the ink bleeding through and the writing becoming a murky mess. His nostrils flare, biting his lips in anger as Princess Changying's laughter erupts around him. His chances at finally reading an erotic novel. All gone. His eyebrows twitch as he closes his eyes. His teacher was truly going to kill him.