23

Prince Xiao idly shifted the cup he held. His gaze staring at the liquid as it sloshed around, almost spilling from the rim. His gaze then moved to gaze at the Emperor with a coldness that caused those to look at him shiver. "This 'lowly' one things that maybe the Emperor hasn't understood fathers hints at sending me here?" he asked softly, though those words held a danger making one trembled in fear.

Emperor Zhihui frowned as he turned his gaze away, feeling a bit off put by the gaze on him. "I don't know what you mean. Though Zhen was given world of your arrival, we hadn't really heard anything about the meaning behind it." he said. "Besides, the Princess was engaged to the Marshall since before the request was sent." he stated. Which was half true.

Of course, Qi Ah was the one who had given him this idea, so the Emperor Looked to him. Qi Ah blinked a few times before he realized it was finally his turn to act. "Ah...Yes, ..." he then began to explain the 'relationship' between the two main leads, making sure to note the 'timing' and 'hidden' arrangements without directly saying it.

The prince gazed at Qi Ah for a while, his gaze not as harsh as when he looked at the Emperor. "I see." he then said, turning his gaze away. Qi Ah wanted to pat his chest as he began to prepare for his timely 'exit'.

The silence drew on for a moment before the conversation began to grow again, only the 'royal' members up top seemed to be eerily quiet as the rest whispered to themselves. They weren't sure what to expect from the sudden arrival of the neighboring prince!

Did this mean war might break out? Some doubtful thoughts lingered as those below began to gossip, each having their own speculations on what might happen.

Now that his words had been spoken, Qi Ah was to leave shorty after with the excuse of not feeling good. Which wasn't far from the truth. Though, instead of out of boredom, it was because he truly wasn't feeling good. His legs were burning and his body felt sore and ill all over. He wanted to curl up and cry ah!

However, just as he was about to comment on his leave, the Prince once more began to enter up the peaceful banquet. Having spent enough time on 'reflecting'. Qi Ah was a bit taken back, becomes the Prince before had remained silent through the rest of the banquet in the story ah? So what did he need to say now?!

"You see, I was sent to gain a marriage alliance...However, we were not informed that the princess was already to be married. Thus now this lowly one is at a loss you see." he began, his gaze looking at the emperor with a blank expression. It was utterly eerie and unsettling.

"Zhen is sorry for the inconveniences. Though we hadn't thought of marrying the only Princess off. Empress truly does dot on her baby girl. Zhen didn't have the heart to send her off." he said, with idle excuses as to why they had married her off before the talks of 'marriage' could go through.