Before Qian Lan realized it, three days had flown by. Although reluctant, Jiang went back home to the water palace but promised Qian Lan he would see her at the banquet. Qian Lan laid in her bed as she stares at the little sunlight that were peeking through her window.
"Knock Knock."
Qian Lan quickly sits up from her bed and rushes to her bedroom door. Quickly opening her door to see who it was.
"Hello, who are you?"
An unfamiliar old woman was standing next to the head maid and a few other maids. The older woman steps forward and introduces herself.
"Hello Ms. Qian Lan. You may call me grandma Pei. We are here to get you ready for the banquet."
"Oh! Okay....um..do I need to do anything?"
The old woman chuckles at the dumbfounded Qian Lan and motions for the other maids to help her bathe for the day. Although Qian Lan was reluctant at first she had gotten used to the ways of the older times.
The old woman didn't waste any time. Quickly giving duties to the other maids, each maid shortly returned with clothing, jewelry and makeup for Qian Lan. Qian Lan who had just finished her bath and was drying her hair could only stare shockingly at the beautiful items in front of her.
"What's with all this? Isn't it just a banquet?"
Pei clears her throat and motions for Qian Lan to take a seat at the chair in front of her makeup vanity.
"Ahem, take a seat Ms. Qian Lan."
"Oh....okay...?"
Qian Lan sat in her seat quietly as Pei continues to dry Qian Lans hair with a dry cloth."
"Pei? Can you answer my question? What's with all these extra things? I didn't ask for them."
"I am aware of that Ms. Qian Lan. These are gift from his majesty."
"The King? I can't wear these then."
"Why not? Many women would love to receive gifts from his majesty. No need to be shy, just accept his gifts."
"Well if other women want it so badly they can have it. I will only wear what has been prepared by the duke for this event. Take these away or better yet, return them."
Granny Pei stares with a shocked face, unsure of what to say.
"But Ms. Qian Lan it is rude to refuse a gift from his majesty! You can even get in trouble!"
"What? Seriously? So I have no choice but to attend wearing these things?"
"That's correct my lady. Please don't make it hard on my lord as well. The duke is responsible for you for the time being after all."
"Ugh...fine. I suppose I can't drag him into my problems."
Qian Lan sat quietly as the maids worked their magic. Each part of her was being worked on, from her hair to her makeup and her dress. The maids went for an exotic look for Qian Lan. With a dark red tint for her lips, pink blush and red shadow they finished it off with a flower drawn on her forehead. A beautiful dark red dress with a phoenix made of golden thread on the hems of her dress made Qian Lan feel like a noble woman. Her hair was partially braided and pinned up with flower and gold hair pins. With a beautiful jade bracelet and gold earring to accompany her dress, Qian Lan could only stare at the stranger in the mirror.
After two hours the maids were finally done. Qian Lan looked like a beautiful woman from a noble family and yet she was not happy looking at her own reflection.
"Hah....I look like someone else."
"Is something wrong my lady?"
"I don't even look like myself anymore looking like this."
"That's because you're not just a commoner now, so you should look the part."
"Sigh, I guess. What now?"
"The duke has mentioned that once you're done we should notify him."
"Okay, then I'll be on my way. I just need to find the duke right?"
"That's right my lady."
Qian Lan bids the maids goodbye and heads off to the dukes residence area. Before she could even make it to the dukes room, Qian Lan spots the duke in the front courtyard with the guards and a large carriage ready for them.
"Oh, there he is."
Qian Lan quickly walks up behind the duke and taps him on the shoulder.
"Duke! Are we leaving now?"
The duke quickly turns around and spots Qian Lan. After getting an eyeful of Qian Lan the duke smiles and greets Qian Lan.
"My, Ms. Qian Lan you look even more beautiful today."
"What's that supposed to mean, are you saying I don't look beautiful on other days?"
"Ha Ha, please don't tease me too much. If you're ready, should we get going then?"
"Sigh, I suppose."
The duke heads to the carriage and helps Qian Lan climb in and shortly follows in afterward.
"So...duke, what am I supposed to do at the banquet?"
"Don't worry Ms. Qian Lan, just stay by my side and no one will bother you."
"Oh, okay. That sounds easy enough."
Not even thirty minutes later, the duke and Qian Lan had arrived at the palace grounds. Unsure of what to do, Qian Lan made sure to always stick behind the duke to not attract attention. As they entered the palace, Qian Lan could only remember the bad experiences she had from her previous visit.
"You're rather quiet Ms. Qian Lan, is something wrong?"
"Oh, no. I'm okay...just hoping for today to go quick."
"If you say so, make sure to stay close to me. We're reaching the banquet grounds soon so don't wander off."
Qian Lan stayed a few steps behind the Duke as the two continued to walk on the palace grounds towards the banquet hall. Soon, Qian Lan could hear loud laughter and music playing. Even if she dreaded coming to the palace she was still interested to see what a banquet was like. As they reached the entrance of the banquet the duke hands in his invitation to a guard who announces their arrival.
"Duke Xia Long and Ms. Qian Lan have arrived!"
Hiding her nervousness in, Qian Lan couldn't help but feel everyone stare at them as they walked by to their table. Qian Lan couldn't help but notice the king and his crown princess sitting on their seats in the center of everyone. Realizing the king was staring at her; Qian Lan quickly adverts her eyes to the back of the duke who was walking in front of her.
Finally making it to their table, Qian Lan could finally breath a sigh of relief.
"Sigh, finally!"
"Having a hard time Ms. Qian Lan?"
"You're kidding right duke? You're used to this because you probably do things like this every month. Did all those stares not scare you?"
"Ha Ha! You get used to it. Relax a little and have a drink with me Ms. Qian Lan."
Qian Lan couldn't believe the dukes seat was also placed next to the kings table. Qian Lan figured it was due to the Dukes status and that the higher the status the person has, the closer they sit to the king. Qian Lan figured she'd see Jiang, but he was no where in sight.
Whispering to herself, Qian Lan was feeling a little dejected that Jiang was not at the banquet like he promised.
"Where is that man?"
Mumbling to herself, Qian Lan stuffs her face with the food in front of her and chugs her cup of wine and pours herself more.
"Woah, slow down Ms. Qian Lan. These are strong wines."
"I'm fine! Don't worry."
Qian Lan wasn't much of a drinker and felt herself feel light headed already from just two cups of wine. Realizing she'd probably pass out soon is she doesn't stop, Qian Lan could only silently sip on her tea now.
Once everyone had arrived the king silenced the crowd of attendees and thanks everyone for coming.
"Welcome everyone! Thank you for being here today to celebrate the harvest festival banquet with me. We have been fortunate to have a good harvest this year! I'd like to introduce everyone to someone important to me who helped make this possible! Ms. Qian Lan if you could join me up here please!"
Qian Lan chokes on her tea and stares at the king dumbfounded at what he was planning. Qian Lan was puzzled on what to do. She stares at the duke who was also confused as to what the king was doing.
Unsure of what to do, Qian Lan stands up from her seat and slowly walks over to the king and crown princess as the king stretches out his hand for her to hold onto. Qian Lan nervously chuckles and whispers under her breath and places her hand on the kings hand.
"Ha....ha what are you planning your majesty?"
The king smiles at Qian Lans remark and pulls her towards him as he walks away from his table and seat where the crown princess sat.
"Everyone this is Ms. Qian Lan. She is the one we must thank for the abundance of rain and good harvest this year. The citizens won't starve this winter! Such a woman only deserves the best! Don't you all agree?!"
Qian Lan watched as the noblemen and women whisper among themselves and clap in agreement to the king statements. A middle age old man stands up and greets the king.
"Pardon my rudeness your majesty, but what are you proposing to gift her?"
The king smiles in satisfaction to the question and grabs hold onto Qian Lans hands tightly as she tries to break away.
"I'm glad you asked prime minister. As many of you know, I haven't been crowned long and therefore lack an heir. I would like your agreement into welcoming her as my new crown princess."
Qian Lan knew it was a bad idea to come to the banquet and was now regretting even feeling pity for the king. Whispering to the king to avoid anyone noticing.
"Please tell me you're kidding your majesty. I'm not a noblewoman and you don't even know my background. There's no way they will agree! Please let go of my hand!"
Qian Lan watched as the banquet hall erupt in chaos with the crow princess running away crying. One after another, the noblemen came to voice out their disagreement as Qian Lan was a woman of no background. On the verge of tears, Qian Lan could only continue to try and break off the kings hold on her hand.
"Silence! I am the king of this country! Who dares to stop me!?!"
"I do."
An enchanting voice quickly caught the attention of the crowd who quickly stopped speaking. Qian Lan and everyone in that room watched as the duke stood up from his seat. Without looking at the king, the duke walked to the center of the room and stares at the teary-eye Qian Lan.
"Duke? What's the meaning of this?!"
"Ah, I forgot."
Everyone looked on in amazement as they watched the duke transformed into someone else. A beautiful man with translucent pale skin, white and shiny hair that could reflect the moon and light blue eyes that were as clear as water.
Qian Lan didn't have to look twice because she knew who it was instantly. Screaming from the top of her lungs.
"Jiang!"