5
1024 Words
The first encounter.
After speaking with Yuri and Jing for some time, the Second Prince was summoned by one of the palace eunuchs.
The elderly eunuch bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness, Their Majesties request your presence at tonight's royal banquet."
The Second Prince nodded.
"I understand."
As the eunuch prepared to leave, the prince's gaze shifted toward Yuri and Jing.
After a brief moment of thought, he spoke.
"You will accompany me."
Yuri blinked in surprise.
"Your Highness?"
"The royal family will undoubtedly be curious about the guests Commander Wei discovered in the forbidden forest."
Yuri immediately lowered her head.
"As Your Highness commands."
The prince then turned toward a nearby servant.
"Prepare suitable clothing for them."
The servant bowed.
"At once, Your Highness."
Several hours later, Yuri could hardly recognize herself.
After years of wandering and hardship, she had almost forgotten what it felt like to wear clean clothing.
She now wore a simple but elegant pale-green dress suitable for a palace guest.
Beside her stood Jing.
The little girl's faded travel clothes had been replaced by a light blue ruqun. Though not extravagant, it was neatly embroidered with tiny white plum blossoms.
Her chestnut-brown hair had been gently combed and tied with silk ribbons.
The celestial locket remained around her neck, hidden beneath her collar.
Jing looked down at her sleeves.
"Do I really get to wear this?"
Yuri smiled.
"You look wonderful, Young Miss."
Jing grinned happily.
As evening fell, they followed the Second Prince toward the banquet hall.
The palace was brightly illuminated by hundreds of lanterns.
Servants hurried through the corridors while musicians prepared for the evening's festivities.
When they entered the grand hall, most of the royal family had already arrived.
Long tables filled with delicacies stretched across the room.
The six other princes were gathered together, engaged in conversation.
At the highest seat sat the Crown Prince, the First Prince, beside his wife, the Crown Princess.
The moment the Second Prince entered, several pairs of eyes turned toward him.
More than a few noticed the unfamiliar maid and child accompanying him.
Before anyone could ask questions, a cheerful voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
"Who are you?"
A small girl in a bright pink dress came running across the room.
She stopped directly in front of Jing.
The child stared openly.
Jing instinctively took a small step closer to Yuri.
The little princess tilted her head.
"I've never seen you before."
For a moment, Jing looked up at Yuri.
When Yuri gave her an encouraging nod, she finally answered.
"I'm Jing."
The princess gasped dramatically.
"Then you're new!"
Jing nodded.
The princess immediately smiled.
"Oh! Then I have a new friend now!"
Before Jing could react, the princess threw her arms around her in a hug.
Jing froze.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
No one besides Yuri had hugged her so suddenly before.
For a moment she stood completely still, unsure whether she was supposed to hug back.
The surrounding servants exchanged amused glances.
The Second Prince rubbed his forehead.
"Eighth Sister."
The little princess looked up.
"You are a princess. Conduct yourself properly."
"But Brother, she's my new friend."
The princess tightened her hug.
Jing stood there helplessly, unsure what to do.
The Second Prince sighed.
Some things never changed.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed outside the hall.
A young voice could be heard.
"I'm late! I'm late!"
Several princes immediately exchanged knowing looks.
The Second Prince closed his eyes.
Not again.
A moment later, a boy rushed through the doorway.
His robes were slightly crooked, and his hair looked as though he had only just escaped his attendants.
The Seventh Prince.
"Seventh Brother," one of the princes said. "You're late again."
"I know!"
The boy hurried forward.
Unfortunately, he failed to notice the raised wooden threshold at the entrance.
His foot caught against it.
"Oh no—!"
The entire hall watched in horror.
The prince stumbled forward.
Straight toward Jing.
Before either child could react—
Thump!
The Seventh Prince crashed directly into her.
Both children tumbled to the floor.
The hall fell silent.
Jing's eyes widened in shock.
The prince's eyes widened in equal horror.
For several seconds neither of them moved.
The Eighth Princess blinked.
The other princes stared.
Even the servants froze.
The Seventh Prince quickly pushed himself up.
"I-I'm sorry!"
For a moment, Jing simply sat there, blinking in surprise.
The fall had happened so suddenly that she barely understood what had occurred.
After a few seconds, she pushed herself back onto her feet and dusted her sleeves just as Yuri had taught her.
Then she looked at the flustered prince.
"It's alright, Your Highness."
Her small voice was soft and polite.
The Seventh Prince stared for a moment.
Most children would have cried after being knocked over.
Yet the little girl seemed more concerned about comforting him.
Somehow, that only made him feel even more embarrassed.
The prince stared at her for a moment.
Blue eyes.
He had never seen anyone with eyes that color before.
Jing quickly looked away, far too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
Around the hall, several members of the royal family exchanged amused glances.
The Third Prince laughed softly.
"Only Seventh Brother could make such an entrance."
The Fourth Prince shook his head.
"And directly into a guest."
The Fifth Prince hid a smile behind his cup.
"At least he arrived before Father."
"Barely," the Sixth Prince added.
Even the Crown Prince looked mildly amused.
The Elder Princess covered her lips with her sleeve to hide a laugh.
Beside her, the Crown Princess smiled warmly at the scene.
The Eighth Princess looked between the two children before proudly announcing,
"I think this means you're friends now!"
Both Jing and the Seventh Prince immediately looked alarmed.
The hall erupted into laughter.
Across the room, the Second Prince watched everything unfold and quietly sighed.
For some reason, he had a feeling this would not be the last time these two children found themselves at the center of unexpected situations together.
Judging by the amused expressions of his siblings, he was not the only one thinking it.
- Writer
