Valiant Princess

Nineteen: The General is a fox

Nanny Lei and the 3 maids are walking in a considerable distance in front of the group, once she arrives at the intended destination, she stands near the door of the room. Chengshi, Congming and Lianhua calmly went into the kitchen to bring out the food and drinks. They were assisted by 2 more male servants, Dui1 and Shengxia2. All of them efficiently and speedily arranged a variety of food on each table. Nanny Lei then instructed Dui and Shengxia to bring enough cups of hot tea to be served to their mistress and her honoured guests.

The table on the pedestal is for Emperor Long Feng and Empress Huihuang. Just below them, on their left side is the table for the Crown Prince and his fiancée and on their right side is the table for Imperial Noble Consort Mei and Princess Long Hua. Next to the Crown Prince's table is where Crown Princess is sitting. Prime Minister Bing, his wife and adopted daughter are sitting on the table opposite the Crown Princess. General Bing Xiaji calmly sits next to Crown Princess Long Fenghuang. The others are looking at the odd pair sitting side by side in silence, the General with his dark outfit which contrasted of the crown princess's sombre yet light coloured outfit. There is even a stark difference in their body sizes, the General is a tall and well-built young man while the princess is not even 1/2 his height. Her dainty body is still growing, while the General is at his peak as a 17-year old young man.

Most men at his age are already married with young children. That is why his mother intends to let him marry his adopted sister. He loves Meili but it is more of brotherly and sisterly love, but he did not have the heart to reject his mum's intention. After all, he thought he would never fall in love with anyone much less with the bratty Crown Princess. He cannot even stand to be in the same room as hers in the past but now, he is sitting next to her without anyone forcing him to do so. As he sits there, next to the small princess, he feels somewhat lighthearted and very calm. Since she has woke up from her coma, he feels the attraction between them much stronger but, the crown princess seems to be distancing herself from him. Her cold manner in treating him is something that he did not expect to happen, not even in a hundred year, will he ever expect that the princess who used to annoy him with her very presence is no longer showing any sign of interest towards him. Gone were the days that she will do absolutely anything to gain his interest. Gone were the days that she will disturb him almost daily. He is not willing for her to ignore him like this. Realizing that the crown princess does have her own admirers as well, he is more and more unwilling to let her leave the imperial palace.

That hateful captain of hers... That good-looking eunuch is obviously smitten with her as well. That annoying crown prince who thought that he is not worthy to marry his precious sister. That devious Emperor that unwillingly decreed the marriage so that his growing influence will be kept under control. If she lives outside the imperial palace, her number of admirers will only add more and more without him keeping an eye on her.

She is still a young and growing girl now, but he is sure that within that 5 long years, she will only grow more and more devastatingly beautiful. Her small heart-shaped face. Her beautiful pair of doleful eyes. Her small pointy nose. Her naturally reddish small lips with that seductive cupid's bow. Her soft, smooth and fair as snow skin. Her long jet-black hair with natural wavy curls. Everything about her seems to have greatly affected him in the last few days after meeting her. She smells good as well... He does not want other men to realize that. She is meant to be his. She asked for 5 years. That he will be allowed. But, when she asked for him not to bother her within that 5 years, he simply brushed it off and promised to visit her whenever he could. Or, he can ask for the Emperor to allow him to guard the border again. That he can do.

Sitting there in silence, the Crown Princess can feel that the General is planning something. Seeing how the expression on Congming's face is looking more worse by the minutes, confirms her very thought. This man beside her is planning something bad. But, wait... Congming suddenly snorted as she is trying her best not to laugh out loud. Nanny Lei upon seeing this shameful act of hers, smacks the back of Congming's head. The royalties and the nobles saw this and heartily laugh on seeing how Nanny Lei is reprimanding the younger maid. The other 2 maids, Chengshi and Huli, are still standing there with a slightly bowed head it with a slightly trembled body.

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1. * Right2. ** Midsummer