Chapter 22

A banquet was held again. The strange thing is, all the daughters of the Emperor are mandated to attend which did happen in the original story.

The thing is, each of us will be introduced. In my rusted memory, Li Jia Ying was just an insignificant character who was behind Gu Mei Xiang for the rest of the banquet in the first encounter of the female lead and male lead which was in the first banquet. I'm not sure if plot-sama is fixing the plot hole that should have already happened. Going back to the topic, Li Jia Ying's presence was not at all appealing. She was sent away after a brief appearance.

It's strange because these oddities would turn to some chains of events. Coming here had broken the first chain reaction that is, the ML should have met the FL. In novels, it's always the start of drastic changes. It'll be hard for me to come up on the spot if something happens unexpectedly. However, I did not regret turning into a mad dog when I killed those bvtches. So satisfying. Mhmm.

Currently, I'm trying to change from a rabid dog turning back to a meek fool who was shot with dozens of sedatives. Our seats were arranged by order. Being the first princess my distance between the Emperor and the Empress was quite close. The Empress only looks at Li Jing she doesn't even spare to glance at her daughter, the first princess. Tsk. Tsk. Li Jia Ying had it rough. Poor child. I'm a poor child.

"Uhhh..."

Tension had filled the entire hall whispering and looking at me with different negativity. Come on darlings, I know this body of Li Jia Ying is extremely beautiful like the descendants of heaven but this makes me antsy. Wait, maybe because of that bloody incident. Hng, words do spread out like wildfire in an instant.

"Food..."

I stared at the meat in front of me. Just staring at it made me lose my appetite. I'm reminded of the rats from the prison gnawing those jerky meats flashing back to those chopped hands. The bowel of baba I had cut out. Unhealthy foods.

It's better if I was in my courtyard.

Instead, I'm here trying to find that youngster who's the son of a duke. He must be swarmed with lots of ladies.

"Sister, here have something to eat."

Dayuum, this Second Female Lead she's at it again.

She clings to my arm, smiling like a little sister as she pointed out the dancers.

"Elder sister, you see those beauties? They are from the King of Yi's manor. Originally, they are from the Eastwest region of King Yi's territory known for their glamour and spectacular dancing talents. To be able to witness this first hand, Gu Mei Xiang is delighted. How about you Elder Sister?"

"Delicious!"

Gu Mei Xiang chuckled. "You always prefer food."

Because your arsehole of a father favors you more than I do. I've been starved, if not being fed with pigsty of course this is more delicious than those leftover foods.

Man, this sister is distracting. I want to keep my eyes on that Duke's son. It's not too late to talk to him even if he and Gu Mei Xiang had teamwork. You see, Houxian the Duke's son was more appropriate and reliable than any man in this novel who can help me in dealing my death flag as long as I'll offer him something that he can't say no. The earlier I talk to him with better deals than Gu Me Xiang the better. If it's the Overlord, I don't know. He is reliable yet I can't just choose him when I've known more about the other characters that had lived longer than him. Well, it could be my reserve plan...

From the looks of it, Fu Jian Yu bears a sense of dignity, honor and particularly there is a sense of righteousness within him. Not that heroic vibe but a little toned down. If I think a little bit more about his behavior, Fu Jian Yu is the type of person who has his own principles that he upholds, and that principle will only be broken if it's related to his loved ones. I'm not even close to him so there's a long way to go.

I swept my gaze towards the dancers. Anyways, if I can, I would whistle. They got stunning figures alright, especially that lead dancer. Howeee! Curves in the right places, not too curvacious but enough for a man to wrap his arm on her waist. Beautiful skin and the way they move especially the lead dancer's moves, oh mama. It reminds me of one of the manhua I've read about, that golden locks of a blonde girl. Sadly, I forgot much of the plot. Well, I still do remember her husband is extremely handsome. But, not as handsome as the male-lead of this novel even if they were to meet in real life, maybe this novel's ML is ahead in 5%.

Okay, that's enough about him. The ML in this novel is still irritating to my eyes I've kept my grudge on him from what he did to me before. I'll continue looking at the beautiful lead dancer's sparkling brilliant blue eyes dazzling and charming like the sun. She was as graceful as the swan yet fierce like a Phoenix showing that this is her stage and you better watch her dance. The music was both sensual and light. But the woman dancing on the aisle is a spitfire. I secretly glance at the Emperor. Heh. It seems his eyes are also glued to her.

From my peripheral vision, I could see Gu Mei Xiang watching the dancers causally while my dear brother just smiles indifferently. So it seems, there is a man who isn't captivated by a beautiful woman supposing she can charm all men. Now, it makes me wonder who was the woman that caught Li Jing's eyes.

I bit my lip. My mind is always drifting anywhere instead of looking for great timing. What I need the most is finding that youngster! If this opportunity passed how long would I have to wait for another day to even chance upon him?

"Up. Pee. Pee."

"Should Second Sister go with you?"

I'm not asking you to come with me I'm just saying. I shook my head puffing my chest out.

"I'm not a child!"

"Fufu, alright Elder Sister. Alright."

I quickly moved away before this girl could even pat me on the head. Unexpectedly my eyes clashed with a pair of cold eyes, the Female Lead. I tilted my head and grinned at her. She's truly beautiful. Black silky hair, phoenix eyes, skin like milk, and a porcelain face deeply opposite to her inner soul. Song Jing Hua looks ethereal with her dress yet it looks as if she's cold and distant. Yo, the author did a great job with all the main characters. Let's not forget about the lead dancer.

But fudge...

"..."

Where is that youngster? For some reason, this beautiful lady with golden locks dancing so majestically is distracting me. I'm a woman. I'm sensitive. Although I like your beauty but..gurl, don't you think I don't know that you are always in my line of sight? What's up with this girl?

She rhythmically changes her pattern going at my position, quite bolder than before. Now, the lead dancer with red luscious lips and charming eyes closed our distance after one flawless twirl. Her slender fingers so soft as if without bones grazed my cheeks. I shuddered.

Uhm, beauty, don't be like this. The Emperor's eyes can turn to laser beams. Mother father.

"May you dance with me, Princess?"

No.

Yet alas. This beautiful woman pulled me in the middle. Although I have an inkling of how to dance these steps but...

"No... Beautiful lady, don't play with me. Pee. Li Jia Ying pee!"

In which she just laughed. Sheesh.

"It seems the King of Yi is not wrong about you."

That smiling fox? I glance at the Male Lead frowning when I saw him gazing at me with his signature smile. Before I could overthink she twirled me like a gentleman. I bit my lip secretly looking around until I caught a familiar head not far away from us mingling with his fellow peers. By intuition I know it's Houxian.

Yet being the center of attraction is not one of those strategies. Why of all people would you choose me? I've been dying to not attract any more limelight! It's not even killing!

"Sister does not know this play."

I answered looking perplexed and unwilling to play with her sometimes glancing at the Emperor who now had an emotionless face. That's already storm warning signal number 2.

"Don't worry, Princess might know this."

"Don't want. No, no, no."

"I see."

Still, this woman was unperturbed even smiling charmingly. Should I say yes so you'll stop? "Then let this servant guide you."

Her golden locks swayed as if the wind is controlled by her. The dancing clothes she wore fluttered with every movement she does. The beauty gently pulled me close and twirled me twice beaming with smiles. Even though she used a cloth to mask most of her face, her eyes would turn to slits every time she look at me.

Backing away and dancing freely this time. Her dance pattern changed.

I faintly glance at the crowd.

Houxian was now looking at us, ehem, at the beauty who's with me. He was mesmerized like the other people here.

I sighed staring blankly at the leading dancer.

Let's just stand here slowly moving away before bolting away. Is this even their intention to make fun of me? Pulling me at the center as the nobles and watch me with their amusement and criticism.

I can't help but glare at the dancing woman and twitch my lips like a child while the surrounding nobles felt satisfied watching this kind of amusement.

Despicable people know no bounds. Fine, enjoy the show.

"Princess, how about one last twirl and you'll play by yourself?"

Look at those cat eyes of hers. Fine. One last twirl. I subtly nodded. She held my hand, at times letting go circling me while we walk in the middle swaying her hips like a Bollywood dancer shifting to some Shvkirv movements. The way she steps even feels like stepping on a lake like a pixie.

"Hold on to me, princess."

This time, she held my hand twirling me once more my dress fluttering from the movement. Geez, this is making me diz—ugh I tumbled down. What kind of wall had been made in the middle of the aisle?

"Hng."

"This King thanks the Emperor of Fu for his benevolence and magnanimous welcome for the Dan Empire."

This blonde beauty...had just dumped me with the Male Lead who's currently holding me right now, this manmade wall.

Fudge.

Now, what are they planning?

Is it their time to show off? Should I go now? I pulled away but he didn't budge.

"Big bro..."

"This King is here not only for the alliance but for announcing that there is a special woman this king would like to be wed."

Oh, the female lead. Congratulations. Well, that's too early for him to announce. It was in the later chapter though when he saw her killing the assassin sent by one of Song's adversaries. Her skill caught his interest. After all, it was rare for a woman to know how to fight along with having wits and wisdom. Son Jing Hua's skill was refreshing to him, something a woman in this era can never do.

This limelight, I need to move away. I pulled away from his grip.

"???" I'm deeply confused, can't this ML let go of my hand. Don't tell me you're nervous? I patted his shoulder.

"Don't be nervous. Let Li Jia Ying play."

Y'all, I don't want to be your shield, your cannon-fodder. Why are you guys so eager to use me? Instead, he just smiled. This Chesire cat...

"This King would like to marry the Emperor's first daughter, Li Jia Ying."

"..."

Did I hear that wrong?

"Marry...me?"

Huh? What is going on? What? Me with...who? This guy? My head, the novel...no there was no such a thing!

"King of Yi!"

Numerous indignant voices were heard. My stunned self also woke up from this reverie. Very bad, not good, numerous warning signs and red lights circled my visions. Get out, get away. Yet it's as if he knows even though he is facing the Emperor the side of his lips turns into a smile.

I trembled in horror. He is just like Li Jing. They show up for no reason, popping out of nowhere and just act whatever they intend to do then they'll leave me when they think it's enough.

"Emperor, may you give us your blessing?"

Of course, he won't. You're meant for the Female Lead. Duh. I stared at my father frowning but inside I'm just chilling. As if that'll happen. My memory isn't that jogged to not know how the story e—"This Emperor will give you his blessing."

"Shv—."

The ripple inside my head made a loud splash.

Just what is wrong with these people? I don't understand them at all. Feels like we're skipping chapters here. Hold on, this...is too fast! It's making me out of place when I already am!