"Quiet!" The Emperor shouted. Everyone went silent.
Amm De peeked from his sleeve. He was really embarrassed and proud at the same time on how his daughter made all these ministers cried in resentment while wearing a woman's clothing and thick makeup.
The Emperor stared menacingly at Liam.
"I don't understand a single thing you are saying." The Emperor started lecturing Liam. He doesn't understand what's happening. What would they get from this? The Emperor was so confused that he even forgot to refer to himself as 'Us.'
Liam was calm even facing these dark faces and ominous aura from the ministers and from the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, let this humble one guide you through what is happening. Our Majesty is wise and insightful. This humble one trusts that His Majesty remembered last week's event. His Majesty asked us if there was anything we want in front of the Ministers."
The Emperor glanced at the side as he tried to remember such a thing.
Flashback from last week in court: The Emperor was drowning in glee and decided to give Ren Shou a final gift.
"Is there anything you wanted Us to give you as a gift? You are Our nephew, after all." The Emperor had said it to the couple. (a/n: refer chap 32)
-End of Flashback-
"My husband, Princess Aurora, who is poorly laying in slumber, rejected you, Your Majesty. He was afraid to burden you thus reject that generous gift. Do you remember Your Majesty and Ministers? " Liam then looked at the Ministers who were now gawking at her.
Flashback of the Ministers and the Emperor: The ministers watched Ren Shou's every move and wanted to see how he would reply to the Emperor.
Ren Shou bowed to the Emperor.
"Your majesty, this subject already received such great blessings from you. It is more than enough for us."
The Ministers didn't know what to feel. They knew that the generous gift that the Emperor was offering was the last one that the general might receive in this life.
-End of Flashback-
"But I can't turn down His majesty's greatness, generosity, and love for his people. How can I? I am just a lowly being." Liam could this all day.
"...." All people.
"So I accept His majesty's might. And host this celebration for the 'Empire.' Your Majesty, this celebration is none other than blessed with Your Majesty's generosity and abundant love. Oh! How blessed we are!" Then Liam turned to the Ministers. The Emperor has gone beyond speechless as he was reminded that he approved of such a thing.
"So Princess, I mean Ministers. You are now under the decree of our beloved Emperor. How can you say these things to the event that His Majesty had personally prepare for you! Our Majesty's boundless love had done it for you! Her Majesty is also here to guide us all! How could you reject it!" Liam said begrudgingly to the Ministers.
The Ministers could not close their gaping mouth. They wanted to complain. To express the injustice, they were feeling. But all the statements that Liam spoke were all true. They had witnessed His Majesty's words that day. If they said one more word against today's event, that would be the same as blaspheming the Emperor.
The Ministers felt their voice was stolen away from them. They could not utter one word.
"Your Majesty. " Amm De stepped forward. It was his daughter, after all.
"We witnessed how you blessed the couple and wanted us to participate in this celebration. We don't have any complaints at all." Amm De, as the Prime Minister, has the right to speak on behalf of the Ministers.
Pocahontas, the Left Prime Minister, did not want to lose and spoke as well.
"The Ministers are momentarily shocked by this pleasant surprise. So they spoke a lot of nonsense. Please be assured that we are happy for His Majesty's grace and thoughtfulness for us."
"We are grateful, Your Majesty." The Ministers swallowed the injustice and bowed respectfully towards their Emperor.
"..." The Emperor.
Liam was smiling brightly. Problem solved. The Emperor's route was the best of all.
"L-let's begin then." The Emperor stammered for a bit and composed himself. He doesn't know why but he felt like he was tricked.
The Ministers- The Princesses went back to their seats. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful sleeping Ren Shou on the table. Seeing his predicament that he could not even speak in this situation and shamelessly lying over there made them feel better.
"Ladies and Gentleman, Thank you for attending our banquet that is blessed by the Emperor. Tonight, we will hear one of your own stories. And of course, you will meet your own Prince. Shall we start then?" Liam's handsome smile was so dazzling. But it brought shivers to the Ministers. Even her father, Amm De, began to look troubled too.
****
The melodious sound of Guzheng made Ren Shou stirred in his sleep. He was feeling cold. He slowly opened his eyes but closed them again as he first saw a bright light directly to his face.
"Princess Arielle, Prince Eric has been waiting for you to dance. You've come to land to find him and seduce him, and now you are rejecting his dance? You might regret that." That familiar voice was clear amidst the murmurs he was hearing.
'Wangfei? Is that my Wangfei?'
Memories of the last incident suddenly kicked in. He had received a bright-colored dress as his apparel on the banquet. He had asked his Wangfei about it. But he got tricked in the end. So what happened after that? He knew he passed out.
"Lady Ren. This is really u-unnecessary." A hesitant voice that sound familiar made Ren Shou confirmed he was at the banquet. He opened his eyes abruptly.
There were different lanterns in different shades and shapes hanging in the ceiling. Wait. He was lying down? Well, he passed out. He tried to sit up.
'Huh?'
Why was he holding a flower in his hands? Why was there a bunch of flowers in his bed? No, the real question is why he was face to face with the Emperor and the Empress, who looked dumbstruck at him.
"Oh, my Princess, you are finally awake! Who lifted your curse? I thought my kiss is the only solution." A familiar handsome face appeared in front of the dazed beautiful Ren Shou.
"Wangfei?" He dazedly spoke those words.
"Mhm?" Liam was smiling brightly like a gentleman. There was no other emotion like a surprise on her handsome face.
"Am I wearing that bright dress?" Ren Shou doesn't want to look down on his clothing. He doesn't want to meet them now recovered Emperor nor the funny-looking women around him, nor the place he was in. The first question was the most important. He was, after all, the legendary general.
"You are not only wearing it. You look good on it!" Liam said while giving him a thumbs up.
Ren Shou felt like a tsunami hit him.
He instantly covered his face.
'Oh, good lord, please kill me.'