Unfortunately, Zhang Qianbai didn't have enough room on him to carry both of them, so she let Wind hanging around on his back or shoulder, while Xiao Niao flew and landed on the things hanging from the walls and ceilings.
It was natural that everyone noticed her doing this, but since the prince didn't say anything, neither did the escorts or soldiers. Five minutes of walking, and flying, had led the group to a large pair of shiny wood doors.
'Ohh~!! This must be where the king is! I wonder what he's like.'
Xiao Niao was hanging from the wall close to the ceiling, with her claws digging into it. Unknown to her, one of the escorts had been watching her carefully to make sure she didn't break anything. However, that escort couldn't do anything about it since they had already arrived.
Creak~~
"Third Prince, please make your way in."
"Only the prince."
As Zhang Qianbai walked into the room without the soldiers, Xiao Niao let go of the wall and glided through the open door. Wind had also hovered off of the prince's shoulder and right next to him instead.
Xiao Niao didn't really like to hover in the air like Wind, and instead, she gently landed onto the red carpet on the floor. The moment her feet touched it, she felt that feeling of touching something softer than soft!
'This is the fluffiest thing I've ever felt~! What is this?'
Zhang Qianbai and Wind couldn't feel the fluffiness of this one carpet, since they weren't touching it, but she didnt care and touched the carpet even more. Soon, Xiao Niao couldn't even be considered touching the carpet, more like rolling around on the floor like an idiot!
"Hey, Xiao Niao, why are rolling on the floor?"
"Touch the carpet too, and you'll figure out why...!"
She continued rolling and hugging the red carpet after answering Wind's question. Soon enough, the prince had two big birds rolling around on the floor like they had gone crazy! It was obvious that Zhang Qianbai didn't get why they were acting like that. Y'know, since he was wearing shoes and all.
Meanwhile, a middle aged man with yellow hair and orange eyes, was outside a second door to the room with a smaller child, around thirteen or fourteen.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Yes, father! I won't disappoint you! I'll be the most serious i've ever been in my entire life!"
Of course the kid said all that in a quiet voice, before the young kid turned around and pushed open the door next to him.
- - - - - - - - - -
Although the 'King' was supposed to enter so Zhang Qianbai and him could talk about business, instead of an imposing king, it was a young kid. That little kid walked to the throne, and sat down without sparing a glance.
"Let's begin with introductions. I am the king of the Qi kingdom, Lan Yuchen."
"I am third prince of the Shenhua Empire, Zhang Qianbai."
To be honest, Qianbai was a little skeptical about whether this kid truly was the king, or not, since from what he heard the king's name was Shuang, not Yuchen. Zhang Qianbai didn't have extensive knowledge on this kingdom's culture either, but what the 'king' did when he looked up almost comfirmed his theories.
''I wish I could have this carpet~!"
"Me too~ It's softer than any nesting I've ever felt~!"
Wind and Xiao Niao were still absorbed into the insane softness of the carpet, and didn't even notice the little kid who went into the room and sat down. Both of them only slowed down their rolling around when a muffled laughing was coming from in front of them.
"Wait when did this kid get in here?"
"I don't know, we were rolling in the carpet."
"Ah- The kid is sitting on the throne!"
Xiao Niao didn't actually know who the kid was, but if she had to guess, it would be the prince of this kingdom! Definitely! That was the only possibility! She couldn't think of anything else, since king's are usually middle-aged from what she heard in her old world from other children.
"Lang Yuchen, about the cooperation...."
"Oh, yes! About that, let's get started."
"I would like to have Qi beasts trained in your kingdom for our Shenhua Empire's army."
"What would our kingdom get in return?"
"My empire will provide materials, items, and help for your kingdom, as long as it is within reason."
"Hmm..."
Xiao Niao only listened to the first few sentences, but she was already uninterested. Things like politics or business talks weren't a concern to her, ever, in her life. Wind was also uninterested quite a while ago and went back to rubbing her face on the carpet.
Unlike the eagle, she didn't get any more absorbed in the carpet's softness, since she'd probably fall asleep if she kept at it. However, something did attract her attention.
Next to the throne thing, was a well camouflaged door. She might've not even noticed it was there, except for how it was slightly cracked opened. Xiao Niao hesitated a little, but looked up at Zhang Qianbai and then back at the door.
'No harm in exploring if I come back later~!'
She quickly activated her stealth skill, so no one felt her presence, and slowly shifted along the wall like a crab. Luckily, everyone was distracted with their own thing, and didn't notice her arrive at the opened door.
Using her claws, it grabbed onto the side of the door and pulled it open. Surprisingly, it didn't make a single sound which only made her exploring(escape) easier.
'Huhuhu~! I wonder if they have any delicious food here!'
Unlike, Xiao Niao's expectation of luxurious food, what greeted her was a whole lot different. The moment she set one foot out the door, a hand grabbed onto her and disabled her flying, while another hand held her beak closed!
She immediately used Piercing Feather, and the person dropped her onto the ground.
'What's up with this guy!! .... He kind looks familiar..'
It was at the tip of her beak, but she couldn't completely remember it. Well, if she forgot it probably wasn't important in the first place. Ah, the man's other hand was other hand was still closing her beak! Just when Xiao Niao was going to hit the guy's other hand, he started whispering.
"Bird, be quiet for a second..! I'll treat you to some delicious food if you do, so be quiet for a moment...!"
'Delicious food...? Hehe~ Deal!'