Arrival of the Princess of Nan Jiang

Half an hour had passed since the Gold Curtain Awards had commenced, but the excitement in the grand hall showed no signs of waning. The air was thick with anticipation as attendees eagerly awaited the announcement of the prestigious awards. 

Amidst the glitz and glamour of the event, an unexpected commotion began to unfold. Five men, dressed in impeccably tailored suits that seemed to accentuate their aura of authority, marched purposefully toward the right end of the venue where the VIPs were seated. It was as though they had a mission to fulfill, one that required precision and discretion.

As they drew closer to the VIP section, the attendees couldn't help but notice their presence. Murmurs of curiosity rippled through the crowd as people exchanged puzzled glances. Who were these men, and what was the nature of their business at the Gold Curtain Awards?

It quickly became evident to the onlookers that most of these men were affiliated with the National Security Agency of Nan Jiang, distinguished by their crisp black suits and discreet earpieces. They had seamlessly integrated themselves into the committee overseeing the award ceremony as if they had been part of the event's planning from the start.

However, the appearance of a woman among this group of men truly captured everyone's attention. At first, only her silhouette was discernible, shrouded in an air of mystery. She moved with a grace that seemed to command the attention of all who laid eyes on her. As she stepped into full view, a collective hush fell over the masses, and all eyes were drawn to her with an irresistible curiosity.

As the five men efficiently assessed the security of the vicinity, they exchanged silent signals with the woman, a silent ballet of communication that spoke of practiced coordination. She nodded gracefully in acknowledgment, a clear indication that she was in charge. It was well-known that the Royal members of the three states comprising the Triad countries preferred a discreet and unassuming lifestyle. The people had grown accustomed to their simplicity, a stark contrast to the extravagance of the event. So, when the signal was given, the five individuals dispersed with practiced ease, blending seamlessly into the surroundings as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

The elegant figure continued to walk forward with poise and determination. She was neither too young nor too old, her age concealed beneath an air of timeless grace. Her attire was nothing short of resplendent—a white-gold brocade long cheongsam dress with a mermaid train and a Mandarin collar. The dress seemed to shimmer in the soft light, and intricate red and gold phoenix embroidery adorned one side of the illusion boat neck and the body of the dress. It was a dress fit for royalty, a testament to her status. Her hair, elegantly coiled into a French Roll, was adorned with a pearl rhinestone dragon Tassel hair brooch, a subtle nod to her linage.

On the lower half of her face, she wore a silk Habotai veil in gold and off-white, bearing the small yet significant emblem of the Triad. It was a symbol of unity, a reminder of the alliance between three island nations—Dong Wei, Nan Jiang, and their dominion island, Bei Jian. Each of these nations held a unique place in the collective identity of the Triad, and their alliance was a source of great pride.

With every measured step, she approached an empty seat situated between two notable figures—Wei Wan Qing and Zhan Yu Xuan. The arrangement of the seats had been meticulously planned for the night's event, a testament to the organizers' attention to detail. As she gracefully took her place, the trio instantly became the room's focal point, radiating an undeniable aura of allure and importance.

It was widely understood that Xiu Xi Feng, the former queen of Nan Jiang, and the royal family of the Triad preferred to keep their personal lives out of the public eye unless they pertained to official duties. The former queen had been the sole exception, as she had donned emblems representing either Nan Jiang or the Triad on her attire. Given that the woman who had just arrived was wearing a similar veil with the emblem of the Triad, it was apparent that she was none other than the daughter of the former Queen of Nan Jiang—a princess in her own right.

While the arrival of a royal family member from Nan Jiang had been the subject of speculation before the event, it did not provoke a significant uproar among the attendees. The ceremony continued with the same level of grandeur and elegance, seemingly unperturbed by the presence of royalty in their midst.

However, amidst the applause, the dazzling performances, and the award presentations, a pair of discerning eyes intermittently glanced in her direction. From the left side, a man's gaze fixated on her, his curiosity piqued by the black lace bracelet adorning her wrist. The bracelet, delicate yet striking, ignited a wildfire of speculation within him about the enigmatic face concealed behind the veil. Yet, she remained oblivious to the scrutiny of this first pair of eyes.

On her right side, another set of eyes attempted to engage her in silent conversation. The person beside her seemed determined to make contact, their eyes burning with an intensity that could not be ignored. However, the princess chose to act as if she was oblivious to this persistent gaze, her attention seemingly fixed on the stage.

The more she acted as if she were ignoring the person on her right, the more scorching the gaze became an unspoken desire emanating from it. The princess, unable to evade the persistent attention and with a reluctance to engage in open conversation in this public setting, decided to employ a discreet method of communication.

She subtly tapped her toes, using Morse code—a secret language known only to a select few who were well-versed in its intricacies. It was a skill that had been passed down through generations, a means of conveying messages covertly.

The Morse code message she transmitted was succinct but filled with meaning: "After everyone leaves, meet me at the exclusive garage on the 18th floor." It was a request for a private rendezvous, away from the prying eyes of the public and the curious attendees. Only after hearing the message did the gaze from the person on her right retreat, the intensity of their desire replaced by a sense of understanding.

Meanwhile, the individual who had received the clandestine message was left both intrigued and perplexed. The need for a meeting conducted by sub rosa, as indicated in the enigmatic message, raised questions and stirred curiosity. What was the nature of this meeting, and why was it shrouded in secrecy? The mysterious encounter had added an unexpected layer of intrigue to an already captivating evening, setting the stage for a clandestine rendezvous that promised to be anything but ordinary.