XH 25
Xiao Hua gazed at the long road in despair. She had expected the palace would be huge and mentally prepared her mind to take in the magnificent sight. But she forgot that the larger the palace, the more walking she would need to do!
Transmigrated into the body of a maid has no bright future at all! (╥_╥)
It was only when her trembling legs ached from overusing her muscle did they finally stopped walking. Xiao Hua's face was flushed in an unattractive shade of red and her bangs were slightly soaked with her sweat. Her breathing was harsh and her heart was galloping from the exercise under the sun but fortunately, the chilling wind offered a little comfort to her.
Xiao Hua consoled herself that at least this body was tougher than Le XiaoTing's body. When her breath slowly even out, she looked around and noticed something strange.
Hmm? This does not look like a place for gathering. (・・ ) ?
"There is still sometime before the gathering starts." An Wan, who have no sign of tiredness, explained patiently to Xiao Hua that was sported with a confused expression on her face.
Xiao Hua glanced back at where the Eighth prince's carriage was supposed to be following them but found it to be missing.
"Eighth prince has his own courtyard to rest," An Wan informed, as Xiao Hua's actions were too obvious that was sometimes felt bad to watch on. It was as if she was peeking into Xiao Hua's mind.
Xiao Hua nodded as they followed a eunuch that led their party into a courtyard.
"Xiao Hua!" A blur of green jumped on Xiao Hua, wrapping her with a bear hug.
"Huh?" Xiao Hua automatically wrapped her arms around the green figure and took a few steps back before regaining her balance.
"Long Lian, behave yourself," the Third prince scolded lightly.
The green figure released Xiao Hua, revealing the beautiful Princess Long Lian in a beautiful light green dress with white flowers embroidered on it. Long Lian gave the Third prince a curtsy. "Imperial younger sister greets Imperial Third brother."
The Third prince nodded. "Imperial Younger Sister."
"Mother Empress is using the teacups gifted by you, waiting for your arrival with warm tea. The travel must be tiring and cold for Imperial Third brother."
Xiao Hua found it bizarre how formal and ladylike Long Lian acted. She was used to the ever-smiling Long Lian that hardly displayed any formalities with her. But then, if she did not conduct herself properly, that would be a disadvantage for her and could be used to harm her.
"Then I should not make Mother Empress wait." The Third prince's eyes fell on Xiao Hua. "Wait for this prince in my room."
An Wan offered. "This servant will show Elder Sister Hua the way."
"Mother Empress wishes to meet the one that had saved Long Lian's life," Long Lian cut in.
Ah? Saved Ah Lian's life? Is she talking about Xiao Hua? (・_・;)
"Oh?" The third prince said that single word with plenty of meaning behind it. "Then Xiao Hua, follow along."
"Yes, Your Highness," Xiao Hua said tensely.
Ah Lian, did you hit your head and remember things wrongly? I never save your life before! ＼(º □ º l|l)/
They entered a room filled with a nice fragrance that soothes a person's nerves. Xiao Hua did not dare to look around and keep her head lowered, staring down at her white plain flat shoes that mostly covered by her long skirt.
"This son greets Mother Empress," The Third Prince greeted warmly. His affection was genuine, especially when the Empress was his birth mother that did her best to fight for her children's safety and future.
The royal harem was never safe and peaceful, where hidden intentions and backstabbing was normality among the royal concubines. As the Empress, she had to be firm and manage the harem well for the Emperor.
"The travel must be tiring. Come and drink the tea to warm yourself." The Empress' voice gave off a strong feeling of authority that contrasts with her beautiful appearance.
The Empress noticed what her son was wearing but did not bat an eye over it, already used to it. Although the color was rather feminine and not suited for a man to wear, the Empress never says a word. As an intelligent woman, she knows very well her son was disguising himself to escape the wolves' eyes, even if it would give him an unfavorable reputation.
"Thank you, Mother Empress." The Third prince removed his cloak and handed it to Xiao Hua, who quickly took it and drape over her arm. She had to roll the cloak around her arm twice to avoid the length from sweeping the floor. He took a seat and unceremoniously picked up one of the cups to drink. "Mother Empress always has good tea."
The Empress dismissed the lower ranked servants, letting her two inner maids remain behind. Now that Long Lian no longer needs to keep up with the princess facade, she immediately dragged Xiao Hua forward.
"Mother, this is the Xiao Hua that I've told you about!"
For Princess Long Lian to act this intimately with the Empress was also because the Princess' birth mother was the Empress. It also explained why she adored her Third brother among the other princes the most.
"This servant greets Empress," Xiao Hua curtsied, trying to speak normally, but due to the tension of meeting someone with such a high ranking, her voice came out soft, giving off the feeling of a weak lamb trembling in fear in front of a wolf.
"Raise your head for this Empress to see."
Xiao Hua abruptly raised her head as if she was conditioned to obey any command given to her.
To survive, Xiao Hua needs to obey quickly!
Xiao Hua did not find it degrading to her modern mindset, for a wise person must learn to cope with any situation. It was good that Le XiaoTing's nature was not aggressive or else it would be harder for her to adapt to her situation.
Now that Xiao Hua was standing close to the Empress, she could see where most of the Third prince's features came from. The Empress looked to be in her the late twenties with a beautiful and seductive appearance, easily letting everyone figure out why she could be one of the Emperor's favorite. Her bold red dress further enhanced her fair, white skin, making people unable to resist being seduced by her.
The novel had revealed that the Guilin Country's Empress being the most beautiful woman in the country. Princess Long Lian had inherited her beauty as well, but the only one that could surpass the Empress' beauty was the Third Prince of Guilin Country, Long Zhu.
If Xiao Hua was a man, she would have happily fallen for the Empress and willingly succumb to her pillow talks just to keep her happy.
The Empress nodded, satisfied with what she had seen. "She has the eyes of an honest person."
Long Lian pouted adorably. "Mother, you don't believe me?"
The Empress revealed a smooth, slender hand from her wide sleeves and pinched her daughter's white cheeks. "You are still young with not enough experience. It's not that mother does not believe you, but mother fears you are pulled into a play without you knowing."
Long Lian looked as if she wanted to argue and the Third prince decided to cut in before an argument starts. "Mother, Xiao Hua is my personal maid."
The Empress had heard from her personal eunuch, Eunuch Sun, about her son appointing a personal maid. Although she was worried about Long Zhu's choice, she knows her son would not make such a big decision without thinking about it carefully, but she will continue to hold onto her doubts until the girl proved herself.
"To serve Prince Long Zhu is considered as goodwill for saving Princess Long Lian's life."
In her mind, Xiao Hua begs to differ, but outwardly, she bowed. "This servant accepts Prince Long Zhu's generosity."
"Long Zhu, you should have given her a better name." The Empress looked at her beautiful son that far surpasses her looks during her best years.
"What's wrong with that name? I like it," Long Lian said defensively.
The Third prince smiled. "This prince likes it too."
Seeing her son's gentle smile, the Empress had a sudden bad premonition. But her voice was steady as she speaks, "If you like it then its fine. Go and rest after warming yourself. The gathering will not end early today."
The Empress stood up, with her hairpins gently swayed from the movement and placed a hand on one of her maid's arm.
"Rest well, mother." Long Lian and the Third prince see the Empress off.
Long Lian went to Xiao Hua's side and gave her a hug. "I miss you, Xiao Hua! Third brother, why not let her stay with me?"
The Third prince continues drinking his tea calmly. "Return Xiao Hua to me before the gathering starts."
Even if the Third prince's words were not what Long Lian wanted to hear, she could only take what was given. She happily dragged Xiao Hua away, who was still holding onto the Third prince's cloak.
.
..
.
.
.
The dragon's flower.
Not bad.
It sounds pleasant to his ears.
A/N: Okay~ many ask about the Dragon's flower so let me explain about it here so everyone can see it.
Xiao Hua = Little Flower
Long = Dragon
So if we add the two up and mix it around, it would lead to Dragon's flower. To put it bluntly, the 3rd prince views Xiao Hua as HIS flower~