XH 30
"What did you say?"
Xiao Hua gulped. Thank goodness she had said 'two-timer' in English! It seems that the heroine does not understand English! Lucky!
"X-Xiao Hua says thank you!"
The Third prince placed a hand on top of Xiao Hua's head. "There is no need to thank her. You are just replacing the original tester."
The heroine's sweet smile falters. She had originally planned to make the Third prince's maid to have a good impression of her as well as the feeling of owning her a favor so that when needed, Chu Chu can ask information about the Third prince from her.
But the Third Prince quickly cut off the bridge before it could even be built!
Long Shan had told her that the only one she needs to be wary of among his siblings was the crown prince, but Chu Chu feel that they should keep an eye on Third Prince as well!
The Third prince turned to the Second Prince. "Third Imperial Brother wishes you well with Fifth Miss Liu."
The Second prince nodded coolly as Liu Chu Chu thanked the Third Prince. Xiao Hua sneaked a few glances at the heroine. Liu Chu Chu's face was beautiful indeed, but it was exactly the same face as the two-timer in her original world!
Le XiaoTing could not remember her name, but she remembered that person was agreed by everyone to be the most beautiful woman in her university and most would call her 'Goddess'. She even won a few beauty contests that the university held and was also the girlfriend a handsome and rich second generation.
Then the news of her being a two-timer spread all over the university's chat room when the sex video of her with a lecturer was leaked and her good reputation immediately plummeted. Since then, most people called her 'two-timer' and her rich boyfriend quickly dumped her. At that time, the ex-goddess could not handle the bad mouthing and dropped out of the university.
No one knows where she had gone.
So scary... why did she saw familiar faces from her original world? There were no such incidents occur in the transmigrated novels she had read! Σ(°△°|||)︴
"It's a draw," the Empress announced. "The Emperor will give the final vote."
The Emperor glanced at the Grand Tutor at the corner of his eyes, feeling conflicted. He originally planned to embarrass Liu Chu Chu so that Ping Shui's talent would shine. But Liu Chu Chu surprised him and displayed her talent that would help Guilin Country to grow.
"I- This prince- the Eighth son has not voted yet!"
A little boy dressed in dark green clothes stood up, staring at the Emperor with a serious face, but his attempt make the onlooker feel he's cute instead, with his white fleshy cheeks and round body that looks nice to hug.
"Oh? The eighth son knows what the vote is for?" The Emperor asked with a gentle tone. Towards this youngest child of his, he did not have high hopes for him, except to be a good prince and learn to survive.
The Eighth Prince, Long Ming, was ten years old this year, but his mentality was the same as a three-year-old. The shock of seeing his mother had gotten brutally killed in front of his eyes had driven him mad.
"Yes! The eighth son knows!"
"Then Eighth prince, would you vote for 'Yes' or 'No'?" The Empress asked warmly.
"Yes!"
The Emperor laughed heartily. "Then we will allow Liu Chu Chu to be second son's Princess Consort!"
"This son thanks Father Emperor," the Second prince immediately bowed, followed by Liu Chu Chu.
The Emperor turned to Grand Tutor, whose face was dark. "Grand Tutor, as an elder, we want our children to marry for love. Second Prince had said he has no feelings for Miss Ping Shui and it would be good for Miss Ping Shui to choose another that would treat her well."
"Ping Shui, what do you think?" Grand Tutor asked his granddaughter. This was his favorite granddaughter, who takes care of him well, and inherited his intelligence.
"Ping Shui will obey the Emperor's decision. But Ping Shui hopes that everyone will know it's a mutual separation between two parties."
"You can rest assure of it," the Emperor promised. "We will not slight you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, but Ping Shui has a request."
"Let Us hear it."
"Ping Shui wishes to marry General Tang Jiang."
The Second prince's gaze was sharp, and if it could be transformed into a blade, Ping Shui will be dead from it. General Tang was very loyal to the Second prince and was one of his strongest soldiers. The Second prince even gave him the power to command the soldiers if the prince was not available to command! That was not a secret and everyone knows it if they ask around.
That means Ping Shui purposely ask for marriage to General Tang Jiang to aim at Second prince!
"We grant it!"
The Second prince did not make any form of objection. With Ping Shui marries his second in command, it could be considered as gaining a chess piece.
Did she think it would be so easy to take his loyal soldier away from him? (￢‿￢ )
"Your Majesty, this old man would miss his only grandchild if she leaves my house. Why not have that Tang Jiang boy married into my household instead?"
"Since Grand Tutor say so, we will have General Tang marry into Ping family. Have General Tang here to receive a decree!"
"Father Emperor, General Tang entering Ping household might not be appropriate," the Second prince kindly 'reminded'.
Having Ping Shui enter Tang household is one thing, but for Tang Jiang to enter Ping household is another!
"Second Brother, surely you can't deny a grandfather's wish to have her granddaughter stay with him?" The crown prince asked. "You can't expect to have all the good things to yourself."
"General Tang is the only male heir. If he enters Ping household, Tang household will be no more. Father Emperor, please reconsider!"
The Emperor frowned. Duke Tang indeed only has one son and the rest were daughters. There was not even a male relative to pass the position to in future if General Tang enters into Ping household.
"Grand Tutor only has one grandchild, which is Miss Ping Shui," the Crown Prince countered. However, the Ping household still has male relatives which the Grand Tutor can pass the patriarch seat.
"Third brother heard that Duke Tang have an illegitimate son. I wonder if that's true." The Third Prince, intoxicated by the tea, keeps on having Xiao Hua refilling the cup for him.
Xiao Hua stared at the Third prince doubtfully. Don't you need bathroom break if you continue drinking this much? (・_・;)
The crown prince laughed. "If Duke Tang has another son, then it's not a problem! Don't worry, Grand Tutor! Father Emperor is a man that keeps his word!"
"General Tang Jiang arrives!" A guard announced at the entrance.
A tall and robust man marched into the place, his armor made sharp clinking sounds as they rubbed together and saluted with a movement that could be considered as energetic. "This subject greets the Emperor!"
"Tang Jiang, receive a decree from the Emperor for a reward!" Eunuch Xiang hold up a yellow scroll and Tang Jiang kneels down to accept it.
"Tang Jiang, for your huge contribution to Guilin Country, the Emperor decides to reward you! Tang Jiang will marry Miss Ping Shui and enter Ping household before the year ends! End of decree!"
Tang Jiang immediately raised his head in shock. "Y-Your Majesty?"
Eunuch Xiang was quick to return beside the Emperor before Tang Jiang could shove the hot potato back to him.
Xiao Hua stared at Tang Jiang in pity. That's why, classmate Tang Jiang, do not receive the decree scroll before listening to the decree first. Even if the eunuch tries to force it on you after the decree was read out, you can run away and pretend you do not know anything about it!
But then, this Eunuch Xiang was sly. To tell the general that the decree was a reward and use that opportunity to give him that scroll.
Royal family sure was a den filled with wolves.
"General Tang, the illegitimate son of your father will be the next Tang head family. Remember to tell Duke Tang about this," the Emperor 'kindly' advises Tang Jiang, who had not even get over the first shock.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Tang Jiang was not aware of the existence of the illegitimate son of his father's. He will return and ask his father about it, with some fist talking too!
"What a lucky day! To have two joyous news in a day! Father Emperor, this deserves a celebration!" the crown prince said happily.
The air around the Second prince was cold and his table was covered with a thin layer of ice. Liu Chu Chu does not seem to be affected by the sudden cold temperature and even caressed the ice like a lover's caress.
Everyone pretended not to notice it. Xiao Hua wondered if they were able to ignore it was because this was not the first occurrence of the Second prince's ice outbreak.
Grand Tutor and his granddaughter stood up. "Your Majesty, please excuse us. We had sneaked out without informing anyone. My daughter must be looking for us everywhere."
Xiao Hua blinked. What an honest and funny grandpa!
"We won't hold you back then."
General Tang, the Second Prince, and Liu Chu Chu gave random excuse and left as well. The Emperor did not stop them and let them leave because he wanted to leave too!
"Long Zhu, We have something to discuss. Follow Us to the study!" The Emperor did not wait for the Third prince's reply and walked away.
"Serve the dinner," the Empress ordered the maids. She did not bother waiting for the Emperor to return and there will be another set of meals waiting for the Emperor and Third prince in the study room.
The Third prince turned to Xiao Hua. "When the food arrives, eat it for this prince." Ignoring the shocked Xiao Hua and the disapproving An Wan, he walked to where the Emperor had disappeared to.
"Third brother, let's go together. I have something to discuss with Father Emperor." the Fourth prince quickly followed.
"Alright."
"Third brother-"
"Eldest brother's discussion could wait till tomorrow. It would be rude to leave Mother Empress alone."
The crown prince looked dissatisfied as he watches them leaving. Then he turned to look at the little maid that belongs to his Third brother.
If I can't join their conversation, I can ask from the other source! (✧ω✧)