''...Kowtow and accept the decree Zhou li hua of the Zhou family.'' The shrill voice of the standing eunuch passed into the ears of the kneeling Zhou family members and servants. Some were happy and some gritting their teeth but no one showed it in their face.
A slender girl of about 16 who was kneeling in between two middle aged man and women got up and then kneeled again to accept the decree. ''Zhou li hua thanks his majesty for his benevolence and accepts the decree.'' The melodious but slightly shaking voice of the girl was heard. The eunuch gave a satisfied smile and handed the decree while observing the girl infront of him. ' A virtuous girl indeed he thought.' After the decree was handed to the girl the eunuch stepped back and the kneeling people stood up one by one.
The middle aged woman who was the mother of the girl hurriedly came infront of the eunuch and handed him a heavy pouch with a smiling look. ''Eunuch Ming , thankyou for your hardwork. We have troubled you this time.'' Eunuch Ming was the personal eunuch of His majesty The Emperor. A person trusted by the Emperor could not be offended. Eunuch Ming put the pouch inside his sleeves with a smiling face, his smile widening by the second. With a flattering behaviour he smiled towards the middle aged man standing in the forefront ''Minister Zhou, His majesty has great expectations from you.'' The meaning was clear. Zhou li hua was the legitimate eldest daughter of minister Zhou bo wen and as the left prime minister of the Xia empire he was a powerhouse that the fighting heirs were eyeing as a piece of fat meat. Zhou li hua being his only legitimate daughter naturally became the prime target of all these drama. Now, for the meaning of why his majesty willingly gave this piece of meat to his highness prince Xia ji xin is something to ponder about. No matter what it didn't look good for the Zhou family.
Naturally, even though Zhou bo wen had various thoughts he would not show it on his face. He smiled and saw the eunuch out ''Naturally, naturally''
The Zhou family members gathered inside the main hall to discuss the decree. No matter what the emperor was thinking the marriage was set and they had to discuss the event.
''....What I say is no matter what, this is a happy event. Li hua marrying a prince and on that his highness prince Xia ji xin who the people worship as aGod of war is a good thing.'' Zhou jun jie said out aloud with a big smile on his face. Li chun hua, his wife also nodded with a smile while secretly clenching the hond on her lap. 'Oh, why did such decree not fall on her daughter?'
Zhou bo wen sitting on the seat of the patriarch expressed his uneasiness sighing and frowning" this matter is not as simple as it seems."
"What do you mean big brother?" Zhou Jun jie expressed his confusion. How is marrying into the royal family as a princess consort not a good thing? If he had such good opportunity, today won't be be the one who is in charge of the Zhou family.
How could Zhou bo wen not know what his shu brothers were thinking. He glanced at his brother and then turned his gaze towards his daughter and wife sitting beside the old madam Zhou.
" Hua'er what do you think about this decree?" He gently asked his daughter.