LOTUS

CHAPTER XIV: HIDDEN PEARL

It was early morning but the participating households has been running about to prepare their ladies for the much awaited chance of becoming the empire’s next empress.

Carriages where waiting outside ready to take them off to the palace and start the selection for the Lotus Bride.

A crowd of commoners has gathered as well outside the palace, they are hoping to see even just a glance at the beautiful flowers that will appear today.

They did not wait long as the first lady arrived, and then another until they could not keep track of the time anymore and just focused on the sight before them. The carriages kept on arriving and one very notable , bearing the prime minister’s insignia stopped before the palace’s entrance.

There was a slight pause and then a stunning woman emerged, a gasp was lodged in their throats and they can’t help but follow her every movement that seem to flow like water.

The men got it worse, mouths agape and eyes shining in adoration they could not help but wish they were nobles to have a chance at asking for the lovely maiden’s hand.

They did not peel their eyes even though Shu Fei Ling’s back is the only thing they can see as she walked elegantly inside the palace and out of their line of sight.

The men did not have time to recover as few minutes later, a simple carriage arrived with the Xue emblem embedded on it.

The commoners did not know that the house of Xue have a daughter that is eligible for the selection. They did not know that there is one to begin with.

Curiosity grew amongst the crowd and anticipation rose as to what the young miss of the Xue household looks like.

They were sure that there would be no one to par with the number one beauty of the capital. So the lady should be mediocre in looks , same with her status.

Whispers were flying through the palace’s entrance as discussions of the hidden pearl of the Xue household ensued.

However that blabbering mouths were shut as a dainty figure emerged from the carriage. She was wearing a simple light pink dress and her hair was decorated to maintain simplicity and elegance, not to flaunt their wealth.

The crowd gaped at the stoic face of the young miss , that reminds them of the harsh winter season. Cold and unforgiving but enchanted at the same time.

The men could have sworn they heard angels singing at the entrance of the young lady. The ones who have their wives at their sides couldn’t even feel the elbow strikes they received from the jealous women. Even the guards who were standing near the entrance were staring in awe at the ethereal being in front of them.

Suddenly the young maiden stopped and turned at the gaping crowd. Her lovely face broke into a small smile that is far from inviting nor seducing but a friendly one. However they could not help but fall for that smile.

It was a brief exchange but the people were delighted at the humble display of the young miss. Though this is the first time they saw the Xue’s young miss and they now understood why she is hidden from the world.

The people broke out in cheers and doted on the humble young miss.

With a slight nod on her head, Xue Bei Wei advanced to the palace gates and just like that, she captured the hearts of the citizens of the empire.

Little does she know, the small kindness she showed will lead to her demise.

More ladies arrived  and crowd went on admiring each one. However not single lady was able to capture their attention as much as the two ladies who were definitely the prettiest among the rest. However, the selection is more than just the ladies’ appearance but it is more on their ability to carry out the responsibilities expected of the empress.

The ceremonial drums resounded within the palace signalling the start of the selection.