Banquet

The next morning, Yi Guan woke up without Hui Jin beside her. She yawn and rub her eyes as she look at her clothes.

"My clothes!" She gasped when she saw she was wearing her night dress.

She remembered she fell asleep last night on their way back home.

'Who changed my clothes?!' She realized something that made her blushed.

"Is it...."

Before she could get off her bed, someone went inside the room.

"My Lady, are you awake?" Hui Jin is wearing his casual imperial costume but more of a formal apparel. In his hands, he's holding a box.

Yi Guan's eyes were gazed on Hui Jin as if a he was from another universe because of his handsome looks, specially when he is wearing a fancy clothes. Seconds later, she's back with her senses.

"Uh...did you change my clothes?" Yi Guan stuttered as she avoided Hui Jin's eyes.

Hui Jin let out a little laugh and shake his head.

"No. I asked Yin Tian to change your clothes." Yi Guan was embarrassed on her thought. She thought he was the one who changed it.

"Oh.." Her face was red so she covered it with her blanket.

"Without your permission, I won't change it." Hui Jin said and sits on the bed. And then he continue speaking.

"Get change. We are going to the palace." He handed the box to her.

Yi Guan opened the box and saw a royal dress that is matched on what Hui Jin was wearing.

"It's beautiful." Yi Guan smiled while she touches the dress and scan how soft it is.

Hui Jin was glad that Yi Guan liked the dress. He actually asked someone to make a dress for her but then he thought to have a couple outfit so he asked for two.

"I'll ask Yin Tian to help you change." Hui Jin said and walk out from the room.

Yin Tian went inside as Hui Jin's order to help Yi Guan to change.

It took thirty minutes for Yi Guan to get ready. She wanted to be presentable specially they are going to the palace.

When Yi Guan was already set, she almost forgot something.

She reached out of her drawer and a small rectangular box was place in there. She pulled it out and open the box.

It was a silver butterfly hairpin given by Hui Jin few days ago.

Yin Tian was fascinated by the hairpin and then she speak.

"My Lady, the hairpin is so beautiful!"

Yi Guan asked Yin Tian to help her put the hairpin. And then she is done.

"Let's go." Yi Guan said and Yin Tian help her to stand up.

"My Lady, your so beautiful! You and His Highness are so daring. It's like the two of are destined to be together!" Yin Tian was awed by her lady. Even if she was with Yi Guan since childhood, she can't help but still praised her lady's beauty.

"Pfft. Yin Tian, what are you trying to say?" Yi Guan raised her eyebrows and fixed her eyes on her maid.

"I...uhm....My Lady, I was just trying to say...uh...." Yin Tian hesitate. She don't know if her question might offend her lady.

"Just say it. I won't be mad." Yi Guan just smiled at her.

They are chatting while they are on their way to the yard where Hui Jin and Fu Cheng are already waiting for them.

Yin Tian took a deep breath first before she ask.

"MyLady, whenareyougonnahaveababy?" She said as fast as she could. Yi Guan didn't get what she was saying.

"Yin Tian, what did you say? You're talking too fast."

They almost reached the yards that they could already see the two gentlemen.

"I said, when are you gonna have a baby?" Yin Tian whispers but loud enough for Yi Guan to hear it.

Yi Guan's eyes widen as she quickly look at Yin Tian that results her to step on something that made her lose her balance.

But before she could hit the ground, someone holds her wrist and pull her up.

"My Lady!" Yin Tian shouted.

Luckily, Hui Jin caught her on time.

"Are you okay?" Hui Jin ask still holding Yi Guan's wrist.

Yi Guan shook her head and said, "I'm fine." She smiled.

Yin Tian thought she's the reason that her lady stumbled because of what she said.

"My Lady, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked you that. Please forgive me!" Yin Tian almost broke out in tears. She also thought the Prince will punish her because of not looking out on her lady.

"No! No! It's not your fault. I was not looking on my steps that's why I accidentally trip." Yi Guan let go from Hui Jin's grip and hold Yin Tian's hands.

"Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong." Yi Guan comforted her as Yin Tian calmed down.

Hui Jin heard what Yin Tian said earlier when she was apologizing so he ask,

"What was the one you shouldn't have asked?" Yin Tian was startled and look at Yi Guan nervously.

"She was just asking if what are we gonna do in the palace." Yi Guan response in behalf of Yin Tian.

'I hope that worked.' Yi Guan said in her mind. She know Hui Jin won't believe it but instead, the Prince just nod his head. Both her and Yin Tian release a sigh after that.

"Okay. Let's go?" Hui Jin walk in front as Yi Guan follows him.

Since they'll be headed to the palace, Hui Jin doesn't need to ride on his horse. So he sit beside Yi Guan on the carriage. Yin Tian and Fu Cheng are sitting outside the carriage near the door.

After an hour, they arrived at the palace.

Christmas is coming so they were wearing thick coats. They were also wearing gloves to prevent them from cold hands. As they went inside the palace, they have their coats and gloves remove since it is warm inside.

The Emperor and Empress did not yet arrive but the Crown Prince and Princess are already there sitting on the left side.

The Crown Prince stands up with the Crown Princess to greet them.

"Hui Jin! You're here!" Hui Jin walk towards the Crown Prince to greet.

"Greetings, Crown Prince and Crown Princess." They were going to bow but they were stop by the Crown Prince.

"Aya! No need to be polite, Hui Jin. Stand up!"

Yi Guan, who is standing beside Hui Jin, became silent when she saw the Crown Princess.

She examine the Crown Princess' beauty. And then she thought, 'She is so stunning!'

Yi Guan then went back to her senses and greeted the Crown Prince and Princess.

"Greetings, Crown Prince and Crown Princess. I am Xu Yi Guan, Lady of Xiao."

Fei Han, the Crown Prince, smiled and command Yi Guan not to bother doing some curtsy.

The Crown Princess smiled and walk towards Yi Guan.

"The rumors are true about Lady Xiao's rare beauty. You are really beautiful!" The Crown Princess held Yi Guan's hand while mesmerizing her beauty.

"I am nothing compared to the beauty of yours, Your Highness." Yi Guan said with a shy tone.

"Ayo, don't call me that. I command you to call me sister." The Crown Princess smiled sweetly.

The two girls are adorable that even the Crown Prince and Hui Jin couldn't help but smile by the girls' interaction with each other.

"It's possible you have not known my name yet, am I right?" The Crown Princess asked but still smiling.

"I supposed you understand me, Your Highness." Yi Guan's eyes widen when she called her 'Your Highness' but then she continue.

"I mean, jie-jie...." The Crown Princess chuckled by her shyness.

"My name is Bai Yun Qi. From now on, you are my sister. The moment I saw you, I swear to all Emperor and Empress that I will treat you as my real sister. You have caught my attention, Yi Guan. I like you very much. I guess, Hui Jin have chosen the right woman to be the First Lady of Xiao."

Yun Qi looked at Hui Jin and smiled widely. Hui Jin glance at Yi Guan and their eyes met.

'I am more lucky to meet him.' Yi Guan said to herself.

Minutes have passed and other Princes and Princesses are slowly arriving.

'I guess this must be a banquet.' Yi Guan thought.

Yi Guan went to their respected sits as some Prince greeted Fei Han and Yun Qi. Hui Jin is also having a little chat with the 3rd Prince and 4th Prince.

All the Prince have a good relationship with each other. But due to some personal works, they only unite once every month.

After several seconds of silence, a Eunuch speak.

"The Emperor and Empress are here!"

Everyone went to their seats but have not yet seated when the Emperor and Empress came.

"Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness!" They all bowed in respect.

"Alright, please rise and have a sit everyone." The Emperor said.

Servants serve foods on every table of the royals. Including a wine that is specially made for the Imperial family. Then, they started eating peacefully.

The Fourth Prince, Zhe Mu, stands up and spoke.

"I would like to express my gratitude to father and mother for inviting us here." He grabs a glass of wine as the Emperor and Empress do the same and drink it together.

"Since all of us are here, how about having a game?" The Emperor said as everyone turn their attention to him.

"I have prepared a game for all the Prince. And that will be archery." The Emperor smiled widely.

The Princes were excited hearing those words. But they knew who'll win if they play archery. So they turn their gaze to Hui Jin as Duan Tong, the 3rd Prince, speak.

"Second brother, will you not join the game? You would eventually win the game anyway." All of them chuckled. Even Yi Guan knew what they mean.

'So Hui Jin is the master of archery, huh?' Yi Guan chuckled on her thoughts.

"No way. Father prepared this game for all of us. So I should participate as well." Hui Jin refuses not to join the game. The rest of the Princes sigh as they shake their heads in devastation.

Hui Jin is also called as the Archery God. Honestly, he is called as 'Omnipotent Prince'. This means he can do everything. By his intelligence, strengths, and will-power, and no one could easily deceive him. Even no one knows his weaknesses for he barely shows them. He is also very careful in choosing his decisions even when at critical state during a war.

Yi Guan sometimes thinks Hui Jin may have no weakness.

"I have also prepared a game for my daughter-in-laws." The Empress smiled sweetly as the Emperor widen his eyes like he was startled.

"You were also preparing a game? How come I do not know that?" The Emperor raise his eyebrows as he asked.

"Do I have to tell everything to you?" The Empress said and didn't bother to look at his husband as she only reach for his glass of water.

The Emperor was speechless in disbelief and everyone burst laughing seeing the two act like a teenage couples who fight in just small reason.