Didn’t see this coming did you, ahhhh the element of surprise!
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Sand box: Think of ancient etch-a-sketchers. Basically a blackboard using sand!
Poem recitals – back in the day, it was completely cla.s.sy to break into poem or song if the circ.u.mstances are fitting. There were poems for all sorts of occasions such as weather, beauty, love, nature etc. It helped to savour the moment.
Sleeve flicking: Think long flowing sleeves being thrown! It was a body language to display discontent.
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Following Gui Sen’s lead, a smaller delegate from Xi Rei travelled south-wards for an hour to reach the Third Princess’s official resident.
When they finally arrived, with what the eye could tell, it was evident that the Third Princess was doted on by her father. Her home was a mansion and its grandeur design was on par with the Imperial Palace. Guarding the main door on either side were two giant carved lions* from white jade, as well as ten fine soldiers on the lookout.
Feng Ming dismounted from his carriage, his eye glued to the amazing details of his Aunty’s home. Suddenly a strange feeling welled inside him, but he didn’t know what the cause was.
Gui Sen continued his role as the tour guide, “Prince An He, this is the Third Princess’s residence. The Old King spoils her most out of his three daughters, she was granted special permission to select any land she wished to establish her home and she personally oversaw its construction. This place she has chosen has mountains for neighbours and overlooks a lake. The main house and the pavilions were designed with consideration to preservation the natural surroundings. The innovations that has gone into building this estate has been the topic of much praise. The Third Princess is a talented woman and it is unfortunate An Xun met an untimely demise, sadly leaving behind an unmatched beauty to drift alone.”
Gui Sen’s casual introduction actually broke into an impromptu recital of a very lengthy poem.*
Feng Ming stood completely clueless about construction and architecture. He didn’t understand Gui Sen’s words either. It was best he followed Rong Tian’s principle, if he didn’t understand something he had to feign that he did, so he nodded his head little by little, giving the man a rather idiotic smile to show his admiration. Whilst inside, Feng Ming was thinking:
How could you be happy that the Third is the most cherished! You better watch out, or else the throne would be pa.s.sed to the widow, then you’d all be crying over spilt milk!
By now every member of the party was ready. Gui Sen did a bit of primping by straightening his outfit before ushering the visitors towards the front gate.
Before they could even make a step through the door, to their surprised the guards barricaded the entrance, stopping them in their stride.
“Your Highness, do not proceed, the Third Princess has given orders that she will be declining any guests today. She is currently occupied and wishes that your Highness entertain Prince An He, she will meet with the Prince at a later date.”
Gui Sen blanked in a moment of surprise, “Yesterday, I had already announced to the Third Princess about the meeting today. The Prince if Xi Rei is now before her doorsteps, how can she alter our appointment so casually?”
The guards were in a difficult situation, they offered their apologies with submissive salutations before commenting, “Your Highness, please do not take offense. An extremely important guest suddenly arrived this morning and her Highness couldn’t decline their company."
To have the door slammed in their faces first thing in the morning made it obvious that the Third Princess was giving them the cold shoulder. The party could only look at each other in dismay.
General Tong was fired up by the disrespect, “If the Third Princess has her hands tied with entertaining important guests, then what of our Prince who has travelled over a thousand miles? Is he just a lowly visitor?”
Lie Er was part of the entourage for the day and his role was to wait on Feng Ming. Upon hearing General Tong’s outburst, the servant laughed to lighten the mood. “General Tong, there’s no need to set off your fuse, it’s no great hindrance, let’s have King Gui Sen, entertain us for the day.”
Within the young man’s interjection there was a hint of criticism towards Gui Sen’s abilities to adequately cater to his visitors. Especially since such an important meeting he had arranged was now back benched.
With three son in-laws all revving for the throne, they weren’t exactly best of friends. In the foreground the men feigned amicable relations, whereas in reality they each held each other akin to fire and water.
Now that An Xun’s was nothing but a corpse, and the Third Princess freshly widowed, Gui Sen was gearing up to inherit the throne with one less compet.i.tor.  Listening to Lie Er’s provocative words, Gui Sen instantly changed his mind. Recalling the old hostility between the sons in laws, he felt that the Princess had planned to deliberately embarra.s.s him in front of everyone.
The thought that such a crafty woman was going to get the best of him, made something snap inside.
Gui Sen sneered, “Hey, naturally it is first come first serve. Who could be more important than Prince An He. Gui Sen really want to see just how great this guest is!”
He paused before bellowing out, “Get out of my way!” before diving straight through the gate.
The Imperial guards patrolling the Third’s residence were all well aware that their master would not have the chance to rise as the Queen of the country. Instead, it was one of the two King’s left, they didn’t think twice before removing the road block and promptly stepping aside and out of the future King’s way, knowing better than to offend the man, they did nothing but stand down.
Feng Ming watched on, shaking his head in disbelief before he sighted with an afterthought:
Women of ancient times are really pitiful, her husband just pa.s.sed away and yet they are already bullying her. Her guards couldn’t even defend her perimeters. In the end what use is her father’s love? Well I guess there’s a good point to it all, if Gui Sen and the Third Princess are at each other’s throats, it will be an easy task to persuade her to return to Xi Rei with us.
Following their leader, the small delegate tailed Gui Sen into the Princess’s residence. In a hurried manner, they pa.s.sed several magnificent courtyards filled with sporadic cherry blossom trees.
Lie Er picked up his pace, bee lining in a brisk fas.h.i.+on until he was just a step behind his Master. He leant in to whisper to the Prince, “The visitor is the King of Li, called Ruo Yan. This man ascended the throne less than two years ago and has successfully increased the Country of Li to a higher standing. He is an extremely powerful man across the eleven countries. From what I’ve heard, the Queen of Li had only pa.s.sed away and now he is here secretly to visit the Third Princess. It is extremely probable that he is here to discuss matters of marriage with the Princess.
Feng Ming lowered his voice and asked, “How are you so sure that the guest is Ruo Yan?”
“There are several carriages parked outside the Princess’s residence. I noticed one in particular that stood out above the rest. This one had carvings of royal insignia’s on either side. If one didn’t pay enough attention, it is not apparent.”
The Prince poked out his tongue, he hadn’t even noticed any other carriages parked outside. Lighting his face to check on the enraged Gui Sen, he found the man still determined to sully forth.
Feng Ming turned his attention back to his servant, “Since we are gate-cras.h.i.+ng, aren’t we going to b.u.mp straight into the King of Li?”
Lie Er grinned barely hiding the joy he was receiving in this potentially disastrous event. “This stroke of bad luck will serve Gui Sen right.”
“Lie Er, Gui Sen hasn’t offended you in any way, why are you acting this way?”
“Your Highness didn’t see how Gui Sen looked at you! It was like he wanted to eat you up, crus.h.i.+ng your bones and all!”
Feng Ming raised an eyebrow, a bit puzzled before frowning, “You must have been seeing things? He seems fine to me.”
His servant snorted.
“Hmph! I’m no stranger to understanding the looks in men’s eyes and his are definitely like a wild hungry dog being presented with a juicy slab of meat!”
Feng Ming s.h.i.+vered at the description and reminded himself that he must stay alert.
Another few minutes, the group entered an elegant courtyard that was stood out from the rest. Alternating cherry blossom plants of white and reds littered the garden, each in full bloom. The light alluring fragrance of flowers permeated the air. From an invisible source, one could hear a therapeutic trickling of water in the background, it was sweet sounding and soothing.
They had finally reached the Princess’s personal quarters. Even Gui Sen was cooling down his previously unbridled fury, at the same time his walking pace was more docile.
Everyone was beginning to hype themselves up, even though there was an uncertainty to whether their visit will end in failure or success. Regardless, each person couldn’t help but to carry themselves with an air of dignity to keep up appearances.
In silence the group reached a sizable pavilion, the main entrance was s.h.i.+elded by a curtain with a delicately embroidered phoenix. Suddenly, the material was parted, and out stepped a maid dressed in long emerald green robes. She was quite pretty and had delicate features, especially her eyes which had a bright glow to them.
Seeing the unexpected guests she paced quickly towards them, flas.h.i.+ng a sincere smile in attempt to lighten the awkward situation.  Standing in front of Gui Sen, she took a deep bow, “My respects to King Gui Sen. The Third Princess is currently entertaining a guest who has arrived from afar. The Princess has requested for Your Highness and Prince An He to await her at the reception hall. “
Gui Sen was familiar with this maid; the girl was highly ranked and personally served the Princess like a shadow. There was no doubt she was also very cunning and eloquent, the girl knew the delegate had rushed in and had not heeded the requests at the front gate. Without consulting the Princess, the maid had spoken on her master’s behalf, immediately offering a waiting period within the residence. Gui Sen didn’t bother to argue and instead he offered her a wry smile.
“Oh, she’d go so far as to have Prince An He wait at one side, who could possibly be so important? Making the Princess play favourites?”
The blunt question was returned with a sweet smile and a set of dimples, “Your servant does not know either, but there were two strange men. Ever since they arrived, they’ve done nothing but scribble in the sand box*. If the Princess labels them as important guests, then they are treated so.”
Feng Ming and Lie Er made eye contact and both boys signalled in agreement at how crafty this little maid was. She was very clever, manipulating Gui Sen’s big ego. She had managed to entice him to challenge the Princess’s authority.
Gui Sen grunted with displeasure, flicking the sleeves of his garments in frustration behind him as he walked right into her trap, “If that’s the case, let’s see just how strange these guests are.”