Weiwei was stunned by the teacher's words. She then realized that she almost made a mistake. If she go away will be a lot of problems. Her father, Xiaoying, maybe even her teacher,Yunfang, and the other students will get the punishment consequences because her behaviour. She wouldn't be able to rest easy knowing they were in trouble because of her.
"Teacher is right, I should just go back and prepare everything. I can't run away from this," Weiwei said. The girl then immediately turned around. However Yunfang then grabbed her wrist.
"You mustn't go. This selection of a concubine was not of your own volition. There must be some other way to keep you out of this trouble."
Weiwei shook her head.
"I'll do it anyway."
He then looked at the wrist that Yunfang was still holding. The girl immediately asked the man to let her go. Yunfang suddenly shook his head.
"Let her go, Yunfang," the teacher rebuked.
"But, Master...."
Weiwei didn't hear Yunfang's words anymore. She rushed away with tears starting to flood. Her blurry vision made her repeatedly misstep and bump into other people.
Again and again she apologized. Until someone rebukes,
"hey, what are you doing?"
"I-I... I'm fine."
"A high temper girl like you, crying like this, there must be a problem."
Weiwei quickly wiped away the tears. No wonder he felt familiar with the owner of that voice. It turned out that Xiuwen had reprimanded her. The man who looked handsome in his white hanfu was standing in front of her and staring intently.
"None of your business!" said the girl as she hurried away.
"It's about selecting the crown prince's concubine, isn't it?"
The man's question made Weiwei's steps stop. Xiuwen took a confectionery that was being sold and immediately paid. He then approached the girl and handed over the candy.
"Don't be sad anymore. I'll help you."
"What can you do? You know you can't go against the king's orders."
"I can do it. Just eat your confectionery. Trust me, I'll take care of things for you."
Weiwei snorted loudly, but she still accepted the confectionery. Xiuwen smiled broadly see that.
"What would you do?"
"You'll see when you're in the palace," Xiuwen replied lightly while pinching the girl's chin. Weiwei immediately shook off the man's hand. Xiuwen then laughed and walked away waving his hand.
"Hey, wait, you haven't told your plan yet," Weiwei called. But Xiuwen still left. This made Weiwei grumble in annoyance. She guessed that Xiuwen just wanted to annoy her and didn't plan to help her.
***
Yunfang was still trying to persuade the teacher. The old man still didn't agree.
Axiang, who was standing outside the room, couldn't help but gulp in disappointment. After long time, Yunfang rushed out with a face full of anger. The man didn't even glance at her.
'Weiwei doesn't deserve your attention. She's not a good girl. She doesn't deserve to be with you. Only me, only me the best for you.'
Axiang then rushed to catch up and comfort the man. In order to win Yunfang's heart, she had to remain kind and understand the man's feelings for Weiwei.
"Let's go home," said Axiang after accompanying Yunfang who was drinking a few glasses of wine.
"Sure, sure, we have to go home. I'll go home with you, Weiwei," Yunfang said as he tightly hugged Axiang. In the man's eyes, the person with him is Weiwei.
Axiang just kept quiet and immediately supported the man after paying for the drinks to the tavern waiter.
'Now you can call me Weiwei, but later you will definitely only call my name. You will definitely forget Weiwei because I am much better than her.'
***
Days passed. The sky that day was clear. The shining sun is also not too hot. It was a beautiful and pleasant day. But that doesn't make Weiwei feel happy. The day she didn't want to go through had arrived, the day of the election for the crown prince's concubine.
Since early morning, Weiwei has been prepared. The best jewelery and make-up have been awarded. The girl then also wore a very beautiful hanfu. Her hair is slightly tied up at the top while the rest is left loose. A golden ponytail adorned the top of her hair.
"Miss," Xiaoying said in a worried tone. She really didn't want to see her master who had been her friend and family since childhood had to go through all this. Not to mention the look on Weiwei's face that looks so different. The face that used to be always cheerful and full of enthusiasm now looks gloomy and devoid of passion.
Weiwei smiled slightly when she heard Xiaoying's voice.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. There's no way I'll be chosen anyway. I don't have the abilities of noble girls, but we have to come to respect the king's orders."
Xiaoying nodded. The lady was still trying to comfort her, although Xiaying know her lady was also worried.
***
The palace building spanned a large courtyard. Various plants and trees looked neatly arranged. The guests who came that day were immediately ushered into the palace hall by the ladies-in-waiting and bodyguards.
Weiwei and her father were also immediately ushered in. Xiaoying followed behind them. It was the first time in ages that Weiwei came to the interior of the kingdom. It's really so captivating the beauty in it. Even so, Weiwei didn't feel comfortable. That place is like a golden cage that confines people with ambition and power.
Weiwei and others still continued to walk towards the hall. Weiwei then looked at Xiuwen. The man immediately approached.
"Come with me for a moment!" invite him. Weiwei just nodded. She glanced briefly at her father for permission, but the man seemed to be chatting with someone. Weiwei decided to just go straight with Xiuwen.
"Miss," Xiaoying called with a confused face. He was about to follow, but then general Wen called her and asked where Weiwei was.
"She ...."
Xiaoying turned to the direction Weiwei had left, but her lady was gone.
"Miss's clothes are a little dirty, so the palace maid took her to clean," Xiaoying replied in a slightly trembling voice. Serving for so long, this is the first time she has lied to her great master. General Wen silently looked at Xiaoying. This made the servant girl even more nervous with guilty.
General Wen finally nodded. He knew Xiaoying was hiding something. It's just that he didn't want to make the atmosphere chaotic by continuing to urge that girl. Now he can only hope that Weiwei will return soon. Otherwise, the king might be furious and punish all his family members.
Xiaoying heaved a sigh of relief. Did not expect that the general believed in her. Even so, she was still worried.
'Miss, please hurry back,' she said in her heart with desperate hope.