Chiu Yeung POV:
I already recognised Li Tian You when he walked in as the childe I met on the street. ' Wow look how fate played out huh. Since we've so much fate together, maybe my plans will work and he will fall for me. He looked toward me as I gave him a flirty wink. His expression was not what I expected. What he did was turn furiously away from me, not because he was embarrassed but was furious. Why would he be furious he told Imperial's father that he has no sweetheart so why?
'Pweh!' I spat the grapes in my mouth as I heard Prince Sithuka say that he wanted to marry me." I thank Prince Sithuka for his interest in me but I'm afraid I have feelings for someone already" as I explained this I shyly looked over at Tian You's direction. But all I received back was a blank face. " Seeing as my daughter already has a sweetheart then this marriage should be called off. Prince Sithuka if you find somebody else you're interested in please tell me I will immediately make her my adopted daughter and give you her hand in marriage," Imperial father interrupted. " Sithuka thanks the Emperor's grace," He bowed " Your majesty may I propose to hold a masquerade ball for young nobles who are unmarried? This way there might be more candidates for this marriage." " This is a good suggestion. How about we hold it for next week? August 6?" Emperor Li replied. The Prince nodded in agreement. ' That day I think Imperial father would expect me to go. Let's see if I can make Tian You fall in love with me' " I wish everyone a good sleep for tomorrow's Summer hunt. Eunuch Qiu arranges for Prince Sithuka and the Apollo envoys to have a place to stay at Pilgrimage Palace. Prince Zi and his children at Qinchi Palace," Imperial Father quotes. He walked silently away as everyone chorused " Send the emperor back to the palace*(1)". The royal consorts and everyone left leaving only the princess, princess consort and Prince Zi and his children.
As eunuch Qiu led away Apollo state visitors my Imperial Sisters walk over towards me. God, I wonder what they have to say as it was oblivious when I refused this marriage that my crush was Tian you. " Imperial Third Jie do you have no shame? How could you proclaim your love for Li Tian You in public not to say that he is our cousin," hissed my fifth sister 'Why is she so concerned about my proclamation of love?
( Meanwhile )
Tian Yao POV:
(Tian Yao is the sister of Tian You )
When everyone left I knew the storm between Imperial father and Imperial Gege would be abrupt. Imperial Gege has never gotten well with Imperial father, though I can't say I blame him when Imperial mother*(2) died gege was immediately sent towards the boarding school in Wushan, where a famous poet once studied. Though he ran away seeking a conference in Jiang Hu he still wrote a letter back to Imperial Jie Jie telling her he was safe but didn't refer to where he was. When father found out gege sneaked away from the academy he was beyond furious, It wasn't until later when Imperial gege wrote another letter addressed to Father telling him his thoughts that father tolerated him.
'Smack' The sound of a slap against someone's face attracted the attention of others, whilst I was deep in thought I hadn't realised that Imperial father and Imperial Gege were already arguing.
Tian You POV:
When everyone left Imperial father raised his voice saying " You bastard of a child do you know what you just did? Do you know how honourable it would have been for Prince Zi's mansion for the emperor to be your marriage matchmaker?". My temper had gone just hearing this but it was held in as not to make a commotion." Imperial Father I believe I'm old enough to make my own opinions in marriage," I commented " Marriage is the will of your parents, the words of your matchmaker*(3). Since your previous marriage alliance was scrapped then you should have a new one," He replied. " I snapped back saying " Others may believe that you don't want this throne nor the country, it may be true because you want something more, you only want more fame, money and status. You treat your offspring's marriage as a business for you to rise in society!".
SMACK! The sound of a slap hit my ears as my face was flung away. ' Since my dear father has started the fight then I would not hold back. As I was preparing to fight back I heard a sweet voice, sweet but sacred, saying " Imperial father calm down I'm sure gege didn't mean what he said. Father, you are drawing too much attention to yourself. We aren't at home," Addressing me Tian Yao hushed saying " Gege calm down as well, come to the training grounds with me I want to show you a new skill I learnt,"
Taking deep breaths in and out I apologised to my father and turned towards Tian Yao saying " Imperial mei I would like to see how your martial arts is coming on as well, but you should change into appropriate clothing" she nodded leading Imperial father away from me.
I watch as my mei walked away. Tian Yao is no longer the tactless girl she once was, she surely has blossomed into a beautiful young girl. The cherry blossomed hanfu*(4) with a blue belt holding her dress, her hair was adorned with two braids at the sides tied back with a butterfly hairpin, her two light fringes swaying at the front and the rest of her hair falling slightly above her backbone this fitted her innocent-looking face.
Glossary:
1. When translated to mandarin it means to send the emperor back to the palace.
2. When Yue lin died Tian Yao was 9 years old. She was adopted into the Prince Zi mansion under Yue Lin as her birth mother.
3. Well in the period of this story it was believed that marriage is nothing more than a business.
4. A typical Chinese clothing from the Han dynasty