Dreamland.
The loud sound of horses neighing was heard and also the screams of people were not left out.
There were dead bodies on the ground, everywhere was bloody as if a war had just happened.
Again, loud screams were heard and everybody started running for their lives.
Then a lady stood, her mouth filled with blood. Her hair was on fire, in fact her whole body was on fire.
She immediately screamed and then….
Qin Huifei jumped out of bed with a startle.
"Not again.." She groaned and stood up.
She just took a small nap and yet, she had dreamt about this again. The dream that has been haunting her for the years that she has been alive.
Qin Huifei stood up and arranged her messy hair that was all over her face.
"Your highness.." She heard one of the maids called from outside.
``Your Uncle and Cousin awaits your presence at the dinner.."
Huifei scoffed and she walked towards the mirror before she then took out a comb and began to comb her lengthy long grey hair. As she combed her hair, different thoughts ran in her head.."
Soon she was done combing her hair, she packed it into a ponytail before rolling it into a bun then she walked to the place where she kept her veils.
She took out a black one and wore it firmly before she went out. She ascended the stairs and then took another exit.
Soon she was hearing sounds of glasses clicking and laughter in the royal dining hall.
She paused a bit and clenched her fists as memories flashed in her hand but she shrugged it off and continued moving anyways.
Huifei walked in.
"Having fun?" She asked and immediately the laughter died down.
They all stood up at the same time and bowed.
"You are welcome, your highness.." They all chorused.
Qin Huifei smirked and walked closer but they couldn't see her smirk anyway.
"Prime minister, I guess all set for the royal banquet tomorrow?" She asked her Uncle Qin Bo( but he prefers to be called Roy)
Roy faked a smile and nodded.
"Yes your highness.."
"And Qin Min, I hope you will be on your best behaviour and not embarrass us like you did last?!" Huifei asked.
Qin Min bit her lower lip and looked at her Cousin.
"Looking directly at me could be considered a great sin, you know. I'm still your empress and you don't dare to look at me directly.." Huifei spoke.
She then looked at Ningning, the wife of her uncle before she took her eyes away.
"That's all! I just came to remind you of your duties tomorrow.."
"We understand your highness.." Roy said and Huifei nodded.
Huifei turned to leave when she heard Min talk.
"Aren't you going to have dinner or are you afraid you will be poisoned since you are even afraid to show your face to your own relatives…"
Huifei turned to her. "Do I have to show my face for you to know how relevant I am? Without my face, I'm still recognised but who are you even with your beautiful face?"
Ningning and her husband gasped at what Huifei just said.
"You!" Qin Min seethed in anger.
"Am I wrong? Or do I need to explain further?" Huifei said and without hesitating, she turned and walked away.
Qin Min scoffed immediately as she was out of sight.
"That evil witch! Dad, why did you give the kingdom to her?"
"You are meant to be the real ruler of this country. You are the oldest child of your parents so what happened? I keep on asking you why but you refuse to tell me?" Qin Min ranted out angrily.
Ningning went to her and patted her shoulders.
"We have to be patient with Qin Huifei. Ever since she was born, she never saw the real world until she was crowned queen and to add to it, she also lost her parents at a very tender age. Those memories haunt her and made her who she became today. So you see, only one thing can change her and that is LOVE.." Ningning said and Qin Min scoffed again.
"Whatever, that's her business. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow's royal banquet. I'm sure there will be more handsome men coming…"
"That's why Huifei says you are not serious. All you think is just men, handsome this… handsome that.. why don't you be useful as well?" Roy said angrily and walked out while Qin Min rolled her eyes.
**
The day passed by and the night for the royal banquet came.
Qin Huifei sat in her room operating on the laptop before her.
The door creaked open and she needed no saint to tell her who it was.
"Nana, you are late.." Huifei said not to remove her eyes from the laptop.
Old Nana bowed in apology.
"I'm sorry your highness, I was way too busy with the arrangement of the food.."
Huifei sighed and looked at her.
"Let's get started.." Huifei said and walked towards the dressing room.
Old Nana sighed. She wondered why she hides her extremely beautiful face which God gave her. Until when will she hide her face?
Old Nana shrugged and also followed her to the dressing room.
Huifei was seated in front of the mirror and staring at her reflection.
Old Nana came in front of her.
"I'll start now my queen.." Old Nana and just as she was about to start.
"You are beautiful, my queen, absolutely…" Old Nana said.
"Just start.." Huifei cut her off.
But then Huifei's phone rang. It was Wei Lingyun calling.
Huifei immediately answered it.
"Yes?"
"My Queen, where are you? The dignitaries had already arrived.." Wei Lingyun's voice boomed from the phone.
"I'll be there in thirty minutes.. " Huifei replied.
"Are you in your room? I…"
"Wei Lingyun, your mouth has been running nowadays. Are you intending to leave?" Huifei asked with a glare and he sighed.
"I'm sorry your…"
Huifei cut the call and faced Old Nana.
"Nana, you may continue.."
**
Zhang Feng came out looking handsome and dashing as usual.
"You are looking so dashing Boss.." Lett said and gave Zhang Feng a thumbs up.
"But do you think your dress is too formal for an event like this? You should be in a traditional dress.." Lett suggested and Zhang Feng rolled his eyes.
"That I don't care about. I just want to go to this darn event and get it done and over with.." Zhang Feng said as he applied perfume on his body.
"Hmmm, but I think all the girls will go crazy because of you.."
"You will have girls swooning over you.." Lett teased with a wink.
"What's that?" Zhang Feng made a disgusted face.
"Boss, don't you have plans on falling in love.."
"I won't plan it. It will just come suddenly.." Zhang Feng explained.
"Who knows? Maybe you are going to meet the love of your life at this party.." Lett said with a huge smile.
"Stop it Lett. I'm going just for business purposes, nothing else. I don't plan on falling in love with anyone.."
"But you just said love isn't planned. It might just come suddenly to you, don't you think.. Lett said and Zhang Feng glared at him.
"Shut up!"
"And let's go!" He says picking up his jacket.
"I can't wait to meet pretty ladies.." Lett said grinning.
ROYAL BANQUET
The music was on and some traditional female dancers were entertaining the audience while they awaited the presence of the Queen.
Wei Linguyun stared at his wristwatch impatiently and then at the entrance in which the queen will come out from.
"Hey Handsome!" He heard someone whisper to him and he sighed because he knew who it was.
"Qin Min,I don't have time for this.." He said and turned to face, unknowingly to him that she was just right behind him. That single gesture of his made their faces come so closer to each other that there was no space for breathing. Their breaths mashed together.
But Lingyun was quick to push her off him.
Qin Min smirked and licked her bottom lip before she touched his chest seductively.
"You should stop this.." Lingyun warned and threw her hand off.
He made to walk away when he heard her say something.
"You like Huifei right?"
Lingyun scoffed. What a stupid joke.
He turned to her.
"I don't have to explain to you.."
"I told you I like you and I would do anything to get you.." Qin Min said and Lingyun scoffed yet again.
"You suck! And to be noted! I don't like girls who throw themselves around cheaply!" He retorted.
His phone rang and immediately he walked away.
Qin Min scoffed.
"I've always been able to get the guys I want. What more you?"
Meanwhile Lingyun walked to the queen's chamber and stood outside awaiting her appearance.
The door opened and Qin Huifei walked out elegantly. Her dress was beautifully
designed in a traditional modern way. As usual she wore a beautiful veil to match the colour of her dress
Lingyun smiled. He would have loved to see her face but too bad. Just too bad.
"Are they all present?" Huifei asked.
"Yes, your highness.."
"Let's go.." He said and stretched his hands to her. Qin Huifei hesitated a bit before she took his hand. He squeezed her hand gently sending shivers down her spine.
"Hold me carefully!" She warned and rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry, your highness.." Lingyun bowed and Huifei scoffed but her lips curled up to a light smile which was immediately replaced with a frown immediately she realised what she had done.
"What the hell is happening to me?" She thought but then followed him gently.
As they ascended the stairs. The hall became silent.
"You are welcome your highness.." They all said at the same time and bowed.
Qin Huifei removed her hand from Lingyun and nodded at him, meaning he can leave for now.
She walked up to the podium and a glass of wine was brought to her by one of the royal waiter.
She raised it up and was about to say something when all of a sudden, people diverted their attention to another place. It was like another royal was making his entrance in.
Qin Huifei squinted her brows to look at the person who had caused a disruption in her party and then he came to view. Most ladies were gasping and saying how handsome he looked.
Zhang Feng smiled and then bowed to the queen.
"Good day your highness, I'm Zhang Feng, grandson of Zhang AI. It's a pleasure to meet our amiable queen.
Huifei furrowed her brows as she stared at the extremely handsome guy in front of her.
"Zhang AI."
"Oh!"
Huifei smirked. She remembers correctly now.
Qin Huifei nodded and continued with her speech while Zhang Feng just scoffed. He sat beside Qin Min.
Qin Min looked at him, loss for words. He was just.. Handsome.
She then took her eyes to Lingyun who was standing not far away from the queen.
She had thought that Lingyun was the most handsome guy she had seen but this guy seated next to her looked unreal.
Lingyun was very handsome no doubt but Zhang Feng can be considered better looking than him.
'I welcome everyone to this year's royal banquet. As we all know, this is just a royal festival but it's celebrated all over the country. It's a day to saturate our freedom as the citizens of the Republic of China. And I'm glad for the support you have given me fof these past two years of my reign. I hope our country continues to sour high.." She said and lifted the glass of wine up.
"Cheers!" She said and slowly brought it down.
Lingyun sighed and clenched his fists. He knew she would never want to drink. But she will have to.
Huifei looked at the drink and then slowly placed it on her lips taking a sip of it.
She then walked out of the podium. She needs to get rid of this thing in her system.
"Hello, Queen Huifei.." One of the dignitaries interrupted her and she turned to face him.
The next thing that followed Huifei's speech is the party.
**
Zhang Feng sighed as he checked his wristwatch.
"It's been almost an hour since I got here and nothing interesting about this royal banquet.."
"I just hate this.."
Soon it was time for the couple dance. Huifei who was done with all kind of formalities was about to proceed to her room when..
Zhang Feng stood up.
"How about I do something daring?" He thought with a smile and then walked up to the queen.
"May I have a dance with you my queen?" He asked stretching his hand to her shocking everyone.
Soon murmurs and gasps filled the whole hall.
"Gosh! What's he doing?"
"Is he insane or what?"
"I get that he's very popular here but doesn't he think before he acts? He practically disrespected the queen.."
Lingyun looked at the strange handsome guy and he sighed. He knew that the handsome guy was planning to flirt with the queen.
Meanwhile Qin Huifei stood frozen to the spot. No one had dared to do what he just did? Asking her for a dance? What an audacity?
But then she knew he must be here for some kind of mission. He was from Zhang AI whom she knew about well enough.
Lingyun was about to take a step forward but Huifei stopped him with the wave of a hand and then nodded at him which he understood at once.
"I would love to.." She replied and placed her hand on his but almost immediately a friction caused both of them to remove their hands at the same time.
To Zhang feng, she was extremely hot and to Qin Huifei, he was damn so cold.
But however they still placed their hands on each other as Zhang Feng led to the dance floor and that shocked people the more.
The dance started and they began dancing slowly to the beat meanwhile as they danced, Zhang Feng was trying to see her face but then he could only see it dimly, just a glimpse.
He wondered what kind of clothing material she uses to make these kind of veils.
"Don't try peeking. You would get nothing.." Huifei said and Zhang feng twirled her and then caught her immediately by her waist.
"And don't touch my waist too firmly, have some respect.." She further added and Zhang Feng was tempted to scoff but he didn't.
"Do you have any reasons why you hide your face?" Zhanf Feng said.
Huifei said nothing."Smart move.." She thought.
"I don't think you should be asking the queen something so crucial.." Huifei said and this time, he caught her again and they both stared at each other.
"It just baffles me, how you are so hideous. Is anyone out to get you after seeing your face?"
The music ended and they both had to separate.
Both bowed at each other and Huifei immediately walked away.
Lingyun immediately hurried towards her.
"Your highness, are you okay?" He asked.
"I'm fine. I just need a moment alone.."
Lingyun bowed and nodded.
Meanwhile Zhang Feng furrowed his brows and played with his fingers as he watched Huifei walk away.
Something was so suspicious about her. He looked around and when he noticed that the people were engrossed in their merriment.
He started walking away taking the direction Huifei took.
Lingyun hung the call and looked around. His eyes widened when he saw that the strange handsome man was out of sight.
"Could it be that he followed the queen?" He thought and he immediately proceeded to leave but then one of the dignitaries came to him.
"Wei Lingyun, we need to discuss about something. I'm sure you would pass it to the queen later…."
Lingyun groaned inwardly but then he faked a smile and nodded before walking away with him.
**
As Qin Huifei took the exit and then looked backwards before she then proceeded to another exit. Then she came out into a place. A place only known to her. It was hidden, very hidden that no one could guess that it even existed.
Qin Huifei looked around as the diamonds sparkled brightly and then she smiled and then removed her veil.
"It never faded.." She thought as she stared around but then sharply she turned. She heard footsteps behind her.
"Who could it be? No one knows this hidden place?" She thought and shrugged.
The footsteps became more clearer and her eyes widened. She took her veil and was about to fix it when suddenly a hand grabbed from her.
Her heart beat quickened and as she turned, she almost lost her balance but then a hand grabbed her waist.
Too bad, the person also couldn't keep his balance. The both of them fell to the ground with a loud thud. She was on top of the person.
And when Qin Huifei opened her eyes. She was shocked. He saw her! He saw her face!