Zhi Rou was very surprised and turned to look at her father who was smiling. The attendants and people around were also very surprised and there were murmurings. still pretty shaken she spoke up "Thank you, your majesty, your grace is immeasurable"
Zhi Rou accepts the edict from the royal eunuch and he left with his attendants. She received congratulations from her attendants and servant and returned to her residence looking pale as she was not expecting the emperor to approve their marriage so early as this was his oldest son and crown prince. "Young miss I am sorry I should have kept the paintings away; you would not have had to marry the crown prince," Ying Yue said to her fiddling with the hem of her dress.
Zhi Rou then realized that Ying Yue had been thinking she was responsible for the marriage "Ying Yue don't be ridiculous none of these was your fault besides I have a way to cancel this engagement" Zhi Rou said with a playful smile on her face. Looking shocked "what? Young miss you can't just do that you may get into trouble and you will ruin your reputation and the crown prince," Ying Yue said. Smugly smirking "I will make the crown prince cancel the engagement and there will be no issue so don't worry, "Zhi Rou said. Despite the worry lurking at the back of her mind Ying Yue nodded in approval to her young miss idea.
The next day
Zhi rou was in her dressing room as she was getting dresses up and soon there was a knock on the door. Ying Yue went to open the door and found a maidservant who handed her an envelope saying it was from the imperial palace.
Zhi Rou received an invitation from the dowager queen to come to the annual palace women talent banquet. "Young miss are you aware that all maidens at the banquet all get to showcase their talents? What are you going to perform at the banquet" Ying Yue asked looking curious? turning around to look at Zhi Rou''The worst performance you have ever seen'' Zhi rou answer.
''But young miss you are going to destroy your reputation and bring disgrace to the royal family. Don't forget you are engaged to the crown prince" Ying Yue said. Spreading her palms apart "that is exactly the point so the emperor can break the engagement" Zhi Rou said.
Some maids soon came in with the dress bestows to Zhi rou by her father who gave her on her eighteenth birthday. The dress was elegant and made of expensive silk material designed by the famous ping tailor who most times designed the royal family wears. She decided to put on the necklace given to her by her mother.
Zhi rou POV
As I got into the carriage and began my journey to the palace. I sat quietly with my hands clamped together because I was nervous as I am going to be meeting lots of important people today and if I do anything wrong or make a little mistake it could bring harm to my household.
''RouRou you can do this'' I cheered myself. Soon we reached the palace and I got down from the carriage and went into the hall where the event was taking place. I was so excited as I will get to eat a lot of food and snacks.
I quickly took a seat at the front to get a better view and I soon heard my name from the dowager queen, ''Zhi rou my child come on and seat beside me''. The queen dowager has always liked me since I was young, and I occasionally visited her and entertained her with jokes. I quickly went forward and greeted her ''Zhi rou greets your majesty''. ''I already told you to call me grandmother. "Okay, your majes... I mean grandmother'' I said. I went ahead and sat down beside her, she then whispered ''my child I was very happy when I heard of your engagement to my grandson huiqinq, he has never had anyone he loves and is often cold to women I hope you can change him for me. ever since his mother died.. "she suddenly stopped.
''oh, I should not be mentioning her anyway Zhi rou take good care of him since you both will lead the country one day''. After hearing all she said I began to waver in my decision to make huiqinq break off the engagement. The event soon started and many young ladies came out to perform and I was only able to recognize some as I did not associate with them anymore since my mother died I left all of them and began schooling at home after getting mocked by them.
The arrival of important guests was announced. Suddenly, I heard the eunuch say "here comes the crown prince", and everyone stood to greet him. I was surprised and asked grandmother "what he was doing here," I thought it was a banquet for the women. "child, I invited him so you both can meet each other and become close, or have you ever met each other," she said looking puzzled at me. I shook my head vigorously.
I turned my head back to the banquet and saw him coming toward the direction of where I was. He looked handsome with his shiny black hair and blue eyes which stared coldly at me despite this I felt he looked really familiar. I shivered when I saw how cold he looked at me. He soon turned his attention to the dowager queen. "Huiqinq greets grandmother," he said. "come on rising up and sit," she told him and he turned and sat on the seat by her right but not without taking a last look at me which I responded to by bowing my head.
It was soon the turn of the minister of west daughter Su Ming lan who came out and said she was going to perform the bojing dance, it was very famous in the west and was not easy to play. She was able to perform successfully and everyone applauded her.
She faced the dowager and said, "thank you, your majesty, I have always heard of how talented the crown prince fiancée is, can she please come out and perform?" She said this with a smug look on her face. She must have thought I have no talent since I was not taught with the other kids, it seems like I will have moved my plan to another day and show her what is talent. I decided to perform the fire and ice music which involved me playing with a partner.
I decided to ask the crown prince to join me. I learned the dance when I visited the dragon clan with my father. He soon came up to me and sat down beside me as we started playing the tune and I sang along. I was surprised when he suddenly kept his hands wrapped around my waist to play on the zither, I stiffened my body in response to his action and he just smirks and I turned to look at him while playing and for the first time I was able to get better at him and I noticed his well-chiseled jaw, his handsome looks, and blue eyes which I kept drowning into. Our eyes soon met, and I quickly looked away and we were done performing.
People began commenting "Wow they are a perfect fit they are able to play this amazing music which Is very difficult for most people". I felt proud of myself and bowed to the crown prince before going back to my seat and looked at Ming lan who did not look too happy.