Chapter 60: Our first meal
Tian You Pov:
I noticed that the princess was approaching us because her colourful clothing it attracted everyone's attention. Today she was wearing a whole set of pale pink. It didn't suit her facial features. Everyone was here today including Tian An, Hu Chao Xing and An Hui Zhong. As soon as she entered the room everyone's head turned to look at her. She looked at everyone as if expecting someone to greet however her maid beside her whispered something. And at this, she hastily bowed down. I nodded at her and gestured for her to sit down. She took her seat next to me. She gestured for her maid to come next to her. I watched as her maid removed all the cutlery and plates placed for her and replaced them with her own set of golden plates, cups and cutlery. Is this necessary? His Majesty has ordered everyone to save up resources yet she is here having golden plates. I nodded to Yu Xuan and he understood immediately. Yu Xuan walked to Chiu Yeung and recovered the golden plates and chopsticks. "Your Highness what is the meaning of this?" she asked. I looked at her and replied "His majesty has ordered for everyone to save resources to help the commoners more. These golden plates are ridiculous. Most commoners don't even have enough to eat yet you're here showing off with your golden plates. You wouldn't die using silver cutlery and plates. And besides silver chopsticks is much more useful to find out whether or not your food is poison,". She glared at me but nodded in defeat. I chuckled and smirked "Then I'll thank you on behalf of the commoners,". Addressing Yu Xuan I said "Take these golden plates and melt them into real gold. Then uses those gold to buy some rice and hand them out to the commoners in Wen Zhou* and Xi Zhou*(1). Hopefully, it could help them,". Yu Xuan nodded and went off to finish the job I gave him.
I gestured to Shang Gu to ask the kitchen staff to bring the food. I looked at Chiu Yeung and announced "let me introduce you to my family,". Looking over at Tian An and Hu Chao Xing they stood up and greeted her. "This is my eldest mei Tian An and her husband Hu Chao Xing," I addressed whilst Chiu Yeung smiled and nodded her head at her. "Sitting next to her is Tian Yao my adoptive mei mei," I announced. Tian Yao looked at her and nodded her head. Unlike Tian An she did not get up to greet her. It seems that Tian Yao is still angry with Chiu Yeung's remark about the mascarade ball. I smirked and laughed inwardly. Well looks like the first battle is gonna happen soon. But the third princess seems to be holding in her anger as she gritted her teeth and nodded in reply. Gesturing to Tian Jing and her family I declared "this is Tian Jing, her husband Sun Mu Chen and daughter Ming Yu," they also got up and bowed. "Next to Ming Yu are Tian Hua, Tian Ming and Tian Xia," I gestured as they too got up and bowed. The princess nodded and smiled around. She stood up grabbed her cup and poured some tea into it. Standing up again she muttered "Since I've already married into this family then hopefully we can live together harmoniously," everyone nodded in reply as she sat back down again. She loves being in the centre of attention. Chiu Yeung already knew An Huai Zhong so I didn't need to
The maids came over and brought the food and we ate in silence. Usually, there would be a lot of chatter. Ming Yu would always start the conversation but even she knew that she should keep quiet. We finished the meal in silence and only then did Ming Yu speak up. She got off her chair and walked over to me. "What's wrong Ming Yu?". Ming Yu blinked and replied, "Jiu Jiu*(2) you promised me yesterday to play kite with me,". I laughed and picked her up placing her on my lap. "ok, we'll go right after lunch to the nearest grassy land ok?" I asked. Ming Yu thought carefully and nodded. Everyone around us laughed heartily. Yu Xuan rushed in at that moment and I carefully placed Ming Yu back on the ground.
Yu Xuan rushed over to me and whispered "Old Master Shang Guan is here,". I mean like finally how long was Shang Guan Yue gonna take? "Let's go and meet them. Tian Hua and Tian Xia follow me," I ordered. Everyone took this to head back to their courtyard. "Your Highness can I follow you?" Chiu Yeung asked, I turned to look at her and nodded. She quickly rushed over to my side as Tian Xia asked "Imperial brother where are you taking us?". I looked at her and replied, "Old master Shang Guan is here,". I glanced at both of them and noticed that they at least looked decent. Tian Hua was wearing a light pink Hanfu and Tian Xia was wearing a light blue Hanfu.
Glossary:
1. Wen Zhou and Xi Zhou are the poorest regions in Dong Yue.