The Royal breakfast

Under the shining moonlight, Anchhi had already fallen asleep while her head rested on Shuo Jin's shoulder.

Both of them were resting on the dry firm surface of the corridor. In the mean time, Shuo Jin heard a woman's voice approaching towards them, "Young Miss! Young Miss!"

It was Shoumen who was heavily worried of her Young Miss. As soon as she saw them,

"What happened to you, Young Miss?" Shoumen tried to carry Anchhi on her arms while she was slowly awakened from her nap, still not sobered up.

"This maid would like to thank Your Highness for saving my Young Miss." lowering her gaze, Shoumen thanked.

Overlooking Shoumen's polite words, Shuo Jin led his way to his chamber that's when Anchhi befuddled, "Stop right there." Then, she took her reeling and unsteady step towards him and turned him around to face her.

"What do you want now?" Shuo Jin spoke with a cold expression on his face.

"Do you know me? I am Fei Jia, the royal niece of Royal Consort Yimu." She said boastfully.

"I don't know her, do you?" Shuo Jin scoffed as he averted his gaze to Shoumen, waiting for a reply.

"Hey! What makes you think you can talk to me like this? I will tell His Majesty about you, stealing my first kiss!" Anchhi snapped her finger before him as she blurted out. She was feeling a short of dizziness already and her head was already spinning before she finally spewed out everything that was bothering her stomach. "BLAAAAARRRGH!"

"You little...!" Shuo Jin threw a dark chuckle, his icy cold gaze glaring at her in revulsion.

The taste of vomit as it passed between her open jaws filled her with shame and regret. "I didn't mean this..... I swear...." before these words escaped her mouth, Shoumen stepped forward and started apologizing.

"Forgive Young Miss, Your Highness! For the sake of heavens, please forgive her." She kowtowed before him.

Then, Shoumen hurriedly grabbed her Young Miss and instantly disappeared from Shuo Jin's sight. Whilst, he stood there, with his back straight, pondering upon the situation that happened just a minute ago.

~~~~~

It was 8 AM in the morning and obviously, a time for the morning meal of the Emperor. Unlike other days, today the Emperor Gua Huang wanted to have his royal breakfast with his royal members. So, he ordered the Head Eunuch to summon every one for breakfast with him in the Hall of TianYun.

Before they could arrive in the hall, the senior and junior officials in the imperial kitchen immediately ordered the eunuchs to set the table in the hall where the emperor wanted the meal served.

The Hall of TianYun was a building in the inner courtyard of Chang Yuan Palace, constructed with coffered ceilings exhibited with dragons and golden decorations. Empress Mawangdui, Royal Consort Yimu, Noble Consort Wen Xiang, Crown Prince Hui Jing, Crown Princess Consort Bao Zhu, First Prince Shuo Jin, Third Prince Gua Peng, Princess YanYan made their presence count in the hall, as being the part of imperial household.

With His Imperial Majesty's arrival, everybody bowed him and took their respective seats after Gua Huang took his seat in a woven mat accompanied by a square rosewood- dragon table. The seating arrangement were arranged in a separate-serving manner where the Emperor was seated facing the entrance of the door and that seat was considered as the most honorable one.

Except his seat, every other seats were on either side and the second most prestigious seat was the seat located on the right side where the Empress Mawangdui was sitting. Likewise, Royal Consort Yimu took her seat in opposite of the Empress, facing her.

In accordance to the order of arrangement, Shuo Jin with his cross-legged, was seated in the seventh seat located on the left side.

The Eunuchs then brought the dishes prepared according to the menu the Emperor had ordered and placed them on the table. "I am glad to see each one of you here in this prosperous morning time." said the Emperor.

"It is our privilege to get the opportunity to share the morning meal with Your Imperial Majesty." The Noble Consort asserted whilst the Empress interjected, "It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you all, but as the Empress of this land, I am habituated to it." a soft giggle escaped from her lips as she bragged.

"If Empress mother is done with her talks, then shall we start?" Out of blues, Shuo Jin callously said. Everyone's sight was caught by him where one could clearly see a ridiculous look plastered over their faces, except that of Crown Prince and The Royal Consort.

Then, Hui Jing immediately stood from his seat and bowed, lowering his gaze and rising his hands high while clasping them together. "Forgive First brother for his impoliteness, Emperor Father."

As a reply to her son's apology, Mawangdui scornfully glared at Shuo Jin who was enjoying his breakfast even before the Emperor had started his meal. "His words are not to be blamed. The upbringing shows how disgrace the person is!" The Empress uttered sternly in a provoking manner.

"Indeed! How can one expect a maid's son to rise in the position of regnant?" added YanYan.

"Princess YanYan! It will be better if you watch your mouth." Hui Jing cut off his sister's words. "If you have forgotten then I shall remind you that the maid you're talking about was also once the wife of Emperor Father."

Shuo Jin turned blind eye to every words they were saying as he continued having his meal because he knew it was not the right time to act impulsively but to be in patience. But, the Empress's sole intention was to provoke him so that he would ruin His Majesty's auspicious meal time.

Seeing Shuo Jin in his sane behavior made Mawangdui more furious and with a heavy sigh, she blurted, "It was that lowly maid who seduced His Majesty and even dared to give birth to this bastard. I have a doubt if he is the legitimate son of His Majesty or an illegitimate born from the other rascal?"

Shuo Jin clenched his jaws hearing her, as her words sharply pierced his heart though also he didn't lose his patience and stated with nonchalance, "Weren't you the one who was jealous of that maid when she seduced your husband? More than that, there was a second bitch like you, who couldn't bear her existence when she was favored by your husband and given the title of a mere concubine."

Empress Mawangdui was taken aback by his words and her fiery eyes were shooting glares at him. "You....." before she could lose her control, The Emperor interrupted, "Silence."

In their recent squabble, they were so busy belittling each other and showing each other's level, they even forgot the Great Emperor Gua Huang's presence among them.

"I didn't invite you all here to discuss about the past incident. I thought family gatherings shall bring peace and prosperity in the royal household but you people are so busy on insulting each other. You are all dismissed!" The tinge of disappointment and dismay was clearly visible on Gua Huang's face. He stood from his seat and departed to the Imperial Court followed by the Head Eunuch behind.

"Your Majesty!" Mawangdui called out for him as she followed his footsteps to reach him. After that, everyone present in the hall proceeded their own way. Meanwhile, Shuo Jin and Hui Jing were the one still in the hall.

Shuo Jin with his back straight, stood from his seat and even without peering a glance at Hui Jing, he was about to leave whilst Hui Jing approached, "I know you are feeling bad of Empress Mother's words."

Standing at the entrance of the door, Shuo Jin gripped the handle of the red ornate door which he tightened in rage, burning inside his heart. The Crown Prince walked towards him and turned him around while he assured, "Trust me, it will take time but everything will be fine."

Shuo Jin chuckled while a small smirk formed on his lips. "You should console yourself and your so- called family members in the coming days. Don't worry about me." He patted Hui Jing's shoulders. "What if a catastrophe suddenly falls on the land of Gua's? What if in that catastrophe all your loved ones have to give their life?" Shuo Jin threw his head back and howled in laughter, laughing with a maniacal cackle.

Hui Jing, muddled with his words spoke, "Even if such disaster occurs, we both will protect this empire with our life."

The menacing laugh on Shuo Jin's face suddenly vanished when he heard the word 'protect' and the guffawed face now had turned to a silent stone-faced as if Hui Jing's words really affected him.

"I shall take my leave, First brother." The Crown Prince bowed to him and took his departure.