Are You In Love With Your Disciple?

"Yes, I was playing with Huan before but I am tired now." The Second Prince replied and laughed in a childish manner. He was trying to avoid being with Gao Xue but the more he insisted, the more he fell into her trap.

"Really, does that mean you won't play with your friend? Uh?" Gao Xue sulkily said,as if she wanted to cry.

"I really don't want to refuse you Gao Xue, but I… I am really tired now."

"What are you saying? Who gets tired so early in the morning? Come on and play with me. Don't be such a spoil show!"

"But...."

"Don't talk anymore. Let's play hide and seek in the courtyard now!" Gao Xue interrupted and dragged The Second Prince out of his room.

"I…. But…. I am not really in the mood to play now" He protested but it all went down the drain as Gao Xue already dragged him out of the room.

"If you do not play with me now then I…. I won't talk to you forever."

"Alright fine. Only for a while." The Second Prince conceded to her demands.

"Okay." Gao Xue replied and gave a broad smile.

"They really look cute together. It is only young mistress Gao Xue that understands The Second Prince and makes him smile." A palace maid said.

"You are right. I do not know why there is a need for a competition anyway. The Second Prince and young mistress Gao Xue are a match made in heaven." Another palace maid contributed.

"What is going on here? I thought I had clearly warned all palace maids not to standby and gossip about the palace affairs." Empress Song angrily reprimanded.

"Please forgive us, Your Royal Majesty. We will never make this mistake again. Never in our lives." The two palace maids quickly kneeled and pleaded.

"Is Gao Xue in the palace?" Empress Song asked.

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty. She is in The Second Prince's courtyard."

"Alright. You both should be on your way."

"Thank you, Your Royal Majesty." The two palace maids replied and hurriedly left.

"Ti Lang, let's go to The Second Prince's pavilion." Empress Song told her personal maid.

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty." Ti lang replied and bowed. They all left for The Second Prince's pavilion.

"Second Prince, Second Prince. I am going to start counting now okay." Gao Xue said with her eyes closed while The Second Prince went to hide.

"Okay." The Second Prince shouted from his hiding place.

"1... 2….. 3. I am coming." Gao Xue shouted and laughed as she searched for The Second Prince.

"They really look happy with each other." Empress Song said as she watched them play together from afar.

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty. They have been friends from childhood. They have a beautiful relationship. I do not understand why Your Royal Majesty is having a competition for The Second Prince when it is clear that he likes young mistress Gao Xue."

"Ti Lang….." Empress Song replied and paused for a while.

"Childhood love is different from the love you have for a person as an adult. I am holding this competition to ensure that The Second Prince marries the one he loves." Empress Song explained.

"Your Royal Majesty's wisdom is beyond my capability." Ti Lang complimented.

"Second Prince, where are you? Second Prince…" Gao Xue childishly said and quietly tiptoed towards The Second Prince who was hiding behind the oak tree.

"I caught you!" She shouted and they both burst into laughter.

"I want to return to my chamber." Empress Song softly said.

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty." Ti Lang replied and led the way to Empress Song's pavilion.

"I also want you to inform minister Jiang and the minister of affairs that I would like to see them at my study." Empress Song added.

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty." Ti Lang slightly bowed and replied.

"Young mistress! Young mistress!" Zhan called out, breathing heavily and looking worried.

"What happened? Why are you in such a condition?" Princess Xiao Ai frowned and inquired.

"Outside….. Outside….. in the courtyard. Madam Jiang and Lord Jiang are…"

"Why are you talking like that? What happened to mother and father?" Princess Xiao Ai asked, getting worried and tense. She quickly ran to the court yard while Zhan followed her. She is shocked to see Madam Chen.

"Greetings to Madam Chen" Princess Xiao Ai slightly bowed and said.

"Greetings my dear. How are you doing?" Madam Chen asked and smiled.

"I am fine thank you." Princess Xiao Ai gracefully replied and looked at Lord Jiang and Madam Jiang who were all smiles

"Madam Chen, I need to go to the palace now. You can discuss the rest with my wife here." Lord Jiang explained and left.

"Meihui, Madam Chen has come for you and Chao Xiang's marriage proposal." Madam Jiang announced in great delight but Princess Xiao Ai froze on the spot in shock.

"Madam Chen, let's discuss the preparations in my room."

"Yes Madam Jiang." Madam Chen replied and happily followed Madam Jiang to her room.

"Young mistress, are you okay? Why are there tears in your eyes?" Zhan worriedly asked but didn't get a reply from Princess Xiao Ai.

Princess Xiao Ai goes back to her room in anger and despair. She had been put in a really tough situation now. She quietly sat down and stared into space.

"Young mistress, what will you do now?" Zhan asked but Princess Xiao Ai only let out a deep sigh.She had a lot of things to worry about.

"I can't afford to get married to Chao Xiang now. All my plans, my pretense as Jiang Meihui, everything would go down the drain. And…. .. I won't be able to meet my disciple again." Princess Xiao Ai said in anger.

"Young mistress. Are you... Are you in love with your disciple?" Zhan asked in surprise and happiness.

"What? What are you going on about? How is that possible?" Princess Xiao Ai muttered and went into deep thoughts. Out of all the reasons why she didn't want to get married to Chao Xiang, the fear of not being able to meet or talk to The Second Prince was what disturbed her the most.