LOTUS

CHAPTER VI: THE BANQUET

The capital was lit with excitement as the much awaited banquet for the crown prince’s birthday has finally arrived.

All the noble houses are buzzing with life as maidservants run from here to there to prepare their young miss’ for the banquet. The chosen young maidens from each noble household is to be presented as an official candidate to be the future empress of the empire. And since only one is chosen from every family, jealousy filled the hearts of those who were unlucky. However, it did not stop them to decorate themselves and be at their best. In hopes of catching the heir to the thrones’ attention.

Bei Wei on the other hand has no interest to the big celebration, but it is inevitable to attend. Unlike the other noble ladies in the capital, she only wore a simple yet elegant light blue dress and decorated her hair with adequate silver accessories, solely to hold her it in place and their design intended to  avoid getting herself the unwanted attention. After all, she only needs to attend and the Xue family will be out of the emperor’s eyes.

Or so she thought.

After she was ready, she went out of her room, Ling Hua following close behind her. As she opened her bedroom doors, she was greeted by her father’s scrunched up face.

“What is the matter father?”- she asked the poor man.

“I just dislike the idea of you stepping inside that tiger’s den” he sighed miserably.

Bei Wei stared at the man before her and heaviness weighed at her heart.

“Ill be fine father” she tried to comfort him

“Bei’er promise this old father of yours that you will be back in no time” The always smiling face of Master Xue was tinged with worry. Although today is only the presentation of the candidates, it wouldn’t take long before they are summoned for the year-long choosing period.

Bei Wei only nodded as a response  and went past her father to go inside the awaiting carriage.

Inside, she seated herself and wore the veil her father gave her on their way out. It  covers her nose down to her chin, she likes the comfort it gave her. This is her first public appearance in a very long time.

After a while the carriage started to move and she stared straight ahead.

“Let’s just get this over with” she thought to herself thinking of all the times she could spend hunting in the forest again right after she’s sent back and eliminated from the choosing.

To her surprise, she felt her lips tingle at the thought of the forest. Without her noticing, her hand involuntarily touched her bottom lip.

Realizing her actions she shook her head and reprimanded herself like a mad woman.

She took a much needed breath and buried the unwanted memories deep inside her mind.

Back at the palace, the crown prince was casually lounging at his room when a knock came at his chambers. Ru Quiang need not to respond before Hei Xue let the person inside.

It was the second prince who arrived.

“Ah! My brother it has been such a long time, you didn’t even visit me the day you came back” the second prince exclaimed a smile on his face.

Ru Quiang didn’t spare a glance at the newly arrived prince and continued sipping his tea.

After a long silence he took a sip and set the cup down before responding.

“You will have to forgive me brother, it has only been two days and I have to do a lot of duties as the crown prince you see” he replied putting an emphasis on his final words.

The second prince’s smile got brighter at his words and it hurt his eyes.

“Ah ofcourse, as a matter of fact, I am here to congratulate you on your achievements and your upcoming engagement!”

At the mention of the selection, his mood got darker and a longing he didn’t know he has bloomed in his chest.

Seeing that his older brother is in deep thought Ri JIe smiled internally.

“I will take my leave then, I am glad brother did not change ” At this, Ri JIe exited himself a dark look on his face.

Hei Xue who stood by his master’s side felt the weird aura cloaking the crown prince. Like any other time he could not guess what runs in his master’s mind and just continued to accompany Ru Quiang.

The time for the banquet to start arrived and the guests are slowly disembarking their carriages.

Every one of them are showing off the wealth and power their family holds. From the top of their head to the soles of their feet are ornaments shining brightly for attention.

An extravagant carriage especially stole the show, it was well decorated with gold and silver pulled by two fine horses. But what caught everyone’s eyes was the beauty that emerged from the carriage.

The young  lady has a slim figure dressed in an extravagant pink hanfu,  her silky black hair pulled up in a beautiful hairdo kept together by numerous golden hairpins.

Her skin was as white as milk and her eyes as soft as the morning sun. Everyone stopped what they’re doing and just beheld the beauty among them.

The reigning number one beauty of the capital stood like the goddess that she is, uninterested of the world around her. She’s just staring ahead , walking side by side with her father, Prime minister Shu.

She only has one thing in mind and that is to meet the love of her life.

Everyone was busily staring at the Shu nobles that they did not notice who arrived right after the father daughter duo.

Bei Wei felt the carriage come to a halt signalling that they have arrived at their destination.

Ling Hua opened the carriage curtains and assisted her young miss down.

A lot of people were at the entrance of the palace but their attention was trained on something, so when the two carriages of the Xue family arrived no one noticed. On the First carriage, Master Xue was still sulking but the order of the emperor is absolute, so he can only accompany his only daughter. Bei Wei came out of the carriage and only the palace guards saw the breathtaking lady in blue.

They were awestruck at her beauty, even though she has a veil covering half of her face, her features were still discernable especially her beautiful round eyes.

The guards were speechless and didn’t even have the chance to announce their arrival before Bei Wei and her father situated themselves far from anyones’ radar.

Not long after they arrived, a loud horn sounded signalling the start of the celebration. All the guests were welcomed inside the humongous banquet hall and was assisted to their designated spots.

The women stayed on the right side and men were seated on the left side of the hall.

Xue Bei Wei kept her eyes down and was seated at the back, Ling Hua was right behind her. Master Xue was seated at the group of old nobles who were masters of their families.

Chatter filled the hall and women conversed with each other. Some were giggling inaudibly at the thought of seeing the crown prince after a long time. Those who were chosen to participate at the selection were even more energetic. Fixing their dresses from time to time.

A eunuch arrived and in a loud voice announced the arrival of the royal family. Every being in the room stopped what they’re doing, stood then bowed to their rulers.

“Long live the Royal Family” they chanted.

At the sight of the crown prince, all the ladies in the room struggled to hide their curious gazes and internal squeals. However, Bei Wei has no interest at the banquet at all. She couldn’t wait to get out of the palace and be at the forest doing what she loves, hunting. Her mind was so preoccupied that she did not know what was going around her.

On the other hand, the prince stood tall and proud in front, with his midnight black robe and icy gaze unfazed by the attention directed towards him.

The emperor ordered for his subjects to rise and obediently they did. Bei Wei just followed the crowd but inside her mind, she’s contemplating on which part of Ah Ling mountain she will choose as the location for her hunt. She would have to live inside the palace for a year, so she has to enjoy her freedom before its gone.

“Nobles, today’s banquet is for my son’s birthday however it is also a joyous day for you to present each of your eligible daughters as candidates for the lotus bride selection” After saying these words the emperor sat at his throne and the whole royal family followed suit.

 All the guests did not dare to sit down not unless their rulers are seated.

A eunuch then stepped forward holding a golden scroll and without further ado, one by one called out the family names and the young maidens who were selected.

“Shu Fei Ling of the House of Shu!” the eunuch loudly read.

A young woman in front stood up and took everyones attention. She walked with dainty steps full of elegance and grace. Every man in the room glued their eyes on the woman like they needed her presence to stay alive. It was the same girl that caught their interests at the palace gates.

The young maidens of the other families, stared at Shu Fei Ling with disdain. However, they could not do anything and stayed put until Fei Ling was done giving her respects to the royal family and goes back to her seat.

It went on for a couple of minutes and almost all of the candidates were called.

“Xue Bei Wei from the House of Xue” the eunuch called out.

At the unfamiliar name, the crowd looked for the person being called. And at their surprise a small figure stood up from the back.

Slowly she walked at the middle of the hall to face the emperor and as she passed by every table, people stopped and stared at her figure.

Although cloaked in a simple dress, one could not deny the allure the woman holds.Even with half of her face concealed.

As she reached the front of the hall and is facing the emperor she bowed low and waited for her permission to rise on her feet.

“Miss Xue, please remove your veil when at the presence of the royal family” the eunuch reprimanded her softly.

Bei Wei didn’t know that it was not allowed to wear a veil, after all her father gave it to her.

She took off her veil without another word while keeping her head down.

“You may rise” the emperor commanded.

Slowly, Bei Wei stood from her stance and revealed herself to the world. Unlike the other ladies who were identical big balls of sunshine, her eyes remained uninterested and cold like the winter season.

Numerous gasps were heard and the young miss’ were even more disdainful and jealous.

However, at the sound of chairs being pushed back, all the guests turned their attention at the two princes who seconds ago were calm and collected but are now standing up. One with shock registered on his face and the other blank but undeniable warmth blooming within his eyes.

A certain young maiden clenched her fists in the background at witnessing such a reaction from her beloved.