Day 16: “Turmoil.”

It's been a few days since Emperor Zhao tasked Zhao Mingxia to accompany the guest from the border. I felt bad for her since she had to divide her time from day to night, to keep both of us company. I often told her to just focus on her guests, but she insisted on seeing me every evening. I admire her for her fondness for me, but I also don't want her to get sick.

"Haah… what should I do?",

"Did you forget that I'm still here?",

Liao Yan, who had visited since early, still hasn't gone back to the barracks. I did tell him yesterday that Zhao Mingxia and I began dating. He rejoiced and wanted to celebrate by drinking wine. However, I refused since we still have to work tomorrow. Hence, now we can only eat lunch together.

"A message from the Emperor to physician Xun…",

Liao Yan and I quickly retreated from the room and bowed to the messenger,

"The Emperor wants to invite you to tonight's banquet, he wanted to announce something important. Do you accept this decree?",

"I accept the decree and be ready for the banquet.",

"I shall tell the Emperor, thank you.",

When the messenger had gone away, Liao Yan and I got up and returned back to the room. It's been a while since we attended such an occasion. However, I had learned my past mistake from getting drunk, and almost revealed my old love for Zhao Baiguang. Had Liao Yan not stepped in, I wouldn't be standing here up to this day.

"What announcement could it be? You're the one who had worked inside the palace most, what news have you got?",

"You know that I'm not much of a person who eavesdrops on gossip. Perhaps to announce a new heir or marriage? Who knows...",

"Right. I hope it's nothing big…",

However, it is something big…

At the banquet, the Emperor introduces the guest from the border. It was actually a general who had just become a marquis recently. He was called Qin Zihao, he was dressed in a dark green robe and wore a headband, he looked very masculine and handsome. Totally different from me who looked like a pale and weak scholar. After comparing our differences, Qin Zihao suddenly stood up, gave a salute, and said, "This official asked for permission to speak…",

"Go ahead.", the Emperor answered.

"This official seeks for the eldest princess's hand in marriage.",

The banquet suddenly filled with the audience's hubbub. The Emperor slammed the table and shrilled, "Silence!", then he asked what Qin Zihao could bring to benefit this country. Qin Zihao explained, "This official has found a way to exterminate the Huns once for all. We currently occupy their main base at the north's bank. We expect to move to the other base and occupy their supplies.`` His words had shocked the entire audience, even to the Emperor himself. This is bad… at this rate, Zhao Mingxia is going to be--

"You have my blessings! With your talent, this kingdom shall flourish for a hundred years to come!"The Emperor lifted his cup and the audience rejoiced. My eyes immediately looked at Zhao Mingxia who sat next to Zhao Baiguang. The two of them looked surprised, especially Zhao Mingxia, her face could be said to have gone pale. Our eyes met each other and honestly, we both didn't know what to say, it's the Emperor's order.

Everyone at the banquet enjoyed the feast, I found myself a way to sneak out with a jar of Du wine. With what had happened earlier, I feel like drinking until I'm wasted. I walked to the nearest garden in the main palace, sat on the pavilion, and enjoyed the wine.

"You shouldn't drink too much, bro.",

I thought I was hearing things, but I feel like the wine hadn't kicked in. So, I turned my back and spotted Liao Yan and Qi Mo walking up here. I ignored them and continued to drink, but Liao Yan stopped me right away, "Hey, I know how you feel right now. But you shouldn't get yourself wasted.",

"Say, Liao Yan… Am I destined to be alone?",

"I could say for the same thing, but no bro…",

"Just like what people always say, there's a lot of fish in the sea.", Qi Mo sat beside me and took the wine jar from my hand.

"...Yet, all I want is her…", I replied weakly, I leaned on the pillar behind me, and felt greatly distressed. Liao Yan patted my back and tried to console me, the three of us watched the flowers in the garden until the banquet was over.

…

....

The next day, I don't feel like working at all. It's scary how a heartbreak could affect us, humans, in so many ways. Last night, I was feeling weak and overwhelmed. I didn't know what to do and even if I did know, I'm completely powerless. The thought of being beaten before the battle even started had me feeling irritated. I shouldn't be like this, I shouldn't give up on her. We both love each other and had promised to get married by the end of December. I definitely won't let my bride get stolen. After feeling spirited up, I closed the bamboo scrolls on the table and prepared to head out.

"Whoa--",

"Eek--",

When I opened the door, Zhao Mingxia had already stood behind the door. We both were shocked by ourselves, "Princess? What are you doing here?",

"I came to visit you, or… is now a bad time?",

"N-no, not at all. I was just about… to get some fresh air. Please come in…",

Zhao Mingxia came inside the room, now there's only the two of us. After what had happened yesterday, it feels awkward right now.

"Yesterday--",

"About yesterday--",

We both speak at the same time, it seems like we are worrying about the same thing.

"The princess can go on first.",

"Thank you. Um, about yesterday… I really don't know anything about it. Qin Zihao didn't say anything when I accompanied him. What happened at the banquet last night had me petrified… especially when we had… a close relationship.", Zhao Mingxia took a deep breath and stared at me, "What do you want to ask about last night?",

"I just wanted to ask… if you were given the chance to choose your husband. Among the two of us or other candidates, who will you choose?",

I could see that Zhao Mingxia was quite taken aback by my question. However, she returned me with a genuine smile and said, "Do you really have to ask?",

"Yes, I feel like I may fall apart if I didn't hear any reassurance from you.",

"You and your jokes… fine. I will choose my first choice.",

"Huh? Who's your first choice?",

Zhao Mingxia frowned and said, "It's you, dummy.",

I secretly rejoiced inside my heart, I was her first choice, HER FIRST CHOICE. I can't contain my own happiness inside my heart.

I took Zhao Mingxia's hand and kissed it, "I promise, I will make you happy.",

"You already are…",

The two of us stare at each other, the moment I realized it we had already fallen into a deep kiss. It was my first kiss, I could taste the tea from Zhao Mingxia's lips. People often say, when you have your first kiss, it will taste sweet like honey. But my first kiss tastes like bitter tea, I suppose you can't always trust the words of people. After the kissing, we both spent time together at my office. I asked what Zhao Mingxia often does during her off time before I came. She said she loved calligraphy, so I asked her to teach me calligraphy. It was a bit difficult to get the hang of the brush, you can't press it too hard nor press it too lightly, and at a certain precision, you have to lift the brush at the end. By the end of the day, Zhao Mingxia praised me for being a quick learner. Many people often said that to me, but hearing it from my sweetheart does have a different effect. I escorted her towards the gate, where her personal guard had waited. After Zhao Mingxia left, I still stood at the gate watching her figure slowly become smaller and vanished. Now, all that is left to do is to talk to Liao Yan about the idea that had come up earlier.

"It's time to get serious...",