Very Scary and Powerful Being

Though Zhang Zhengyang had other worries in his mind, he didn't persuade her to leave anymore.

"Alright, let's return then."

They returned to the banquet hall, and soon many officials as well as young masters came to have a chat with the Crown Prince one after the other. The hall was also filled with young misses of different ranks all wearing pretty clothes, making Zhao Xing envious.

'Tch, I'm sure I'd look much better than them in my clothes!'

She also saw some of the princes, even the ninth prince was here. He seemed to have recognized her. To not raise the slightest suspicion he smiled at the person he was talking to and turned to face her before continuing with his discussion as if the interaction just now didn't happen.

Zhao Xing didn't respond. She really wanted to knock that head of his, she hadn't forgotten about what he had promised her the other day. Ever since then he had never showed up again in the mansion. She ignored him trying not to roll her eyes for she was undercover.

She looked around more, but she suddenly felt that someone was staring at her, the thought send shivers down her spine. She was sure she stuck to the rules that Xiao Chen had thought her, she shouldn't have blown her cover, right?

But she later found out it was the fourth Prince's attendant that was staring at her, and somewhat calmed down, at least it wasn't a palace guard or those nobles. Though, the attendant stare made her feel uncomfortable. She didn't know what to do, so she just ignored it, besides, she was used to being reprimanded in front of her class, even in front of the school assembly, attention and crowds were the least of her fear, her skin wasn't that thin.

As the Crown Prince attended to the people that came to meet him, Zhao Xing felt like she'd die from boredom. She looked towards the side of the room where the women had gathered with envy. That place was concentrated with the air of gossip. Zhao Xing felt if she leaned in just a tiny little bit, she'd be able to hear some interesting things.

Where else could she get information that could satisfy her gossipy self if not from these female aristocrats that did nothing all day.

While her mind was looking for ways to wander into other people's discussion, something called her mind back to where she was.

"…It's a pity that you would be leaving to deliver disaster relief to the people of the Southern region." The person that said this was a renowned official in court, with a fairly high rank, he said this with a sigh but he was clearly saying so to remind the Crown Prince that he wouldn't be attending one of the Five Crowning ceremonies. He was a staunch follower of the Fourth Prince, so he took the opportunity to poke at other people's wounds.

Zhao Xing heard this and her eyes widened unconsciously, fortunately her head was lowered and it wasn't easy to see her expression. 'So it turns out Smiley Face is going to deliver disaster relief!' she thought this and an image appeared before her eyes, it was just a second, but she saw a pool of blood.

She was so terrified that she turned pale. What did that mean? Was it because she had thought of the disaster relief?

She could only stay silent. And try to focus her attention elsewhere. She didn't know exactly what they were talking about since she wasn't paying attention, she didn't know why she had managed to hear this sentence, was it fate? She remembered just a moment ago, when she had seen the 'future' of those officials she couldn't see that of the Crown Prince, she wondered, if the pool of blood was actually related to the Crown Prince's future, then he absolutely could not go on that journey.

It was fine if other people died, she couldn't do anything about that, but the Crown Prince was someone she had stayed with for a bit over a month now. How could she let anything happen to him when she could have him avoid it? Besides her mission was to help the Crown Prince, if he died, her mission would be considered to have failed. She doesn't know what would happen but it sure wouldn't be anything good, right?

The rest of what they talked about or how the Crown Prince responded, Zhao Xing couldn't hear it anymore.

She thought of how to dissuade him from going, but had no idea. It was something official that he couldn't evade. From the words of that middle aged man, he was going to miss some 'Five Crowning' ceremony it sounded important. If he couldn't attend such ceremony how could he refuse to go by her just telling it to him?

Just then an eunuch announced the arrival of the Emperor with his shrill voice.

"May His Majesty, live for ten thousand years!" The people in the hall all bowed and greeted as the most powerful man in the empire walked into the hall.

"Rise." His voice was deep and powerful, and unconsciously evoked a sort of fear and reverence. Making one feel blessed to have heard his voice.

Zhao Xing had the chance to sneak a peek at he who sat on the highest seat surrounded by his consorts. It was at that moment that Zhao Xing realized even the Imperial consorts were present.

'There really are people who were so powerful, they had the words 'Not to be trifled with' writing on their foreheads even in their surrounding!'

This man was sick, and even had one feet in the grave, yet he had such aura, and bearing well maintained. He looked in no way as haggard as Zhao Xing thought he looked. In fact in the Hall, he was the most refined the respectable person by looks alone, everyone else seemed to just be the background. She turned to look at Zhang Zhengyang, thinking this kid was very bold. He actually wanted to plot against a man whose appearance alone can bring down the moral of opposing armies! What hidden cards did he have to think he could win against this man?

Zhao Xing then thought about the vision she had seen, her heart couldn't help but drop. 'Being too ambitious brings about one's downfall.'

The thoughts in her mind weren't one that a high school student of her background could handle, so she tried her best to forget it, at least for now.

With the Emperor's arrival the banquet had officially began. Dancers came in wearing slightly revealing dresses, and performed beautifully.

Some young misses also came out in the name of performing for the Emperor to impress some of the princes, by dancing or playing an instrument or just doing a talent show.

Zhao Xing tried to distract herself with all the performances, even the display of gifts composed of rare treasures, paintings, exuberantly expensive brushes, and what not. But what didn't help was that a point when she got herself engrossed a scene would just pop up in her mind.

'What is wrong with this…thing that came out of nowhere to ruin my day?' It just had to be today, that she sees every bad thing. She thought it was bad enough that she couldn't dress lavishly or eat delicious food, who would have thought the worst was yet to come, or should we say, the worst had already come.

Then a beautiful young girl came up, wearing dancer's clothes, catching the attention of everyone present. Especially Zhao Xing since she recognized who she was. Yes she had seen how a long time ago the day she came to the manor to make a scene.

It was Chu Yin, the duke's second miss.