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Time is passing by like wind, the marriage between the third prince and the princess of Chang'An is also approaching day by day.

People of many nations, far and wide are all invited to this grand royal ceremony. The people of Da Dong are filled with joy and wishes for their third prince.

Even the sun seems to be shining especially brightly these days as if to celebrate the oncoming merry event which will happen in about three days.

'I'm so excited for the marriage banquet!' A group of girls silently squealed to each other as they walked down the bustling market in the city.

'Me too! Even peasants are invited into the royal palace to wish the new couple. Have you decided on what to wear yet?'

'Yes! My mom spent her savings and bought me an extremely beautiful dress. Oh how I hope to meet the man of my dreams at the banquet.'

They all giggled and continued to talk in excitement about the topic. It seems like these four girls are not the only ones excited for the banquet, if we look to the other corner of the market street, you'll see a group if elderly people eating noodles and talking amongst themselves.

'I heard that the princess of Chang'An is very beautiful! Our third prince is lucky to have such a beautiful bride.'

'Your mind is really too ancient! Beauty isn't always everything nowadays, brain should also be considered.' Said the youngest man in the group of 70 year olds.

'Well, the princess was also rumored to be well-versed in literature and she knows martial arts.' Said an elderly lady.

'Really a match made in heaven ah..'

'Hey, I heard a secret rumor though.'

All of them moved their heads closer together and whispered in an attempt to not let others hear what they are saying.

'I heard the princess has a brother and that brother is even more stunning than her.'

'How can a guy be described as stunning?'

'Who knows? It is said that this prince has unparalleled beauty, even the crown prince is bewitched by him.'

Sitting across from them is a young boy eating noodles as well. As he eavesdropped on their conversation, he used his martial arts senses to listen in on their whispering speeches.

He pulled out two silver taels and placed it on the table before leaving. The shopkeeper saw the two silver and she opened her mouth in shock.

'Young lord! You gave too much, young lord?'

She tried to chase after him but the person was too fast and before she know it, he's already out of her sight.

———

Xiang Ning is sitting by the window sill, painting something diligently. Jin Shan walked in with an awkward pose, he seems to be lamenting on something.

Xiang Ning noticed the man and smiled, showing his pearly white teeth.

'Chang'ge, what do you think of this gift?' He asked, hopping off the window sill.

Xiang Ning showed the painting that he is working on, it is a beautiful picture of a rain forest in Chang'An. It is no secret that this is the young prince's favorite place to go.

Jin Shan frowned. Gift? Who is he giving this gift to? Could it be that crown prince again?

'I think it is ugly.' Replied Jin Shan coldly, with a somewhat disdainful glare towards the painting.

Xiang Ning fell into a sorrowful sigh. He felt a bit unhappy that Jin Shan commented that the painting he has been working on is ugly.

'I just thought it might be a good wedding gift for jie jie...' he muttered

After hearing what Xiang Ning said, the gloomy storm inside Jin Shan's eyes withdrew steadily. It almost feel as if the angry dog is now wagging its tail obediently with a cheerful mood again.

Jin Shan cleared his throat.

'It isn't too bad, it'll be a good wedding gift.' Said Jin Shan.

'But you said it is ugly.'

'I meant that bird there is ugly.' Jin Shan said pointing towards a small bird on the branches outside the pavilion's window.

Xiang Ning shrugged it off and nodded

'Okay, I will go and continue the painting for jie jie then.'

'Wait.'

Xiang Ning turned around in wonder.

'Here.' Said Jin Shan as he held out his palm while avoiding the eye contact with the younger.

Inside his big palm, there are a few beautiful stones laying there. They all glittered and shined like stars in the night. These are the stones that Xiang Ning wanted the other day.

He put down the painting and went to grab the stones.

'Woah, it is so beautiful. Is this for me?' Asked Xiang Ning happily.

'I just happened to walk across a stall selling these so I bought them for fun. I think it's boring now so you can have it.'

Xiang Ning smiled brightly and said his thanks before leaving with the painting.

Jin Shan smiled at the retreating back of the little prince, he felt warm in his heart.

'Lies.'

Jin Xuan jumped out in front of Jin Shan with a mocking face.

'You- Why are you here?' Gritted Jin Shan.

'Going out of your way to get the star stones, a precious treasure, for your master whom you supposedly hate? You can't just buy these on some random stall.' Scoffed Jin Xuan.

'Brat, did I tell you to go back home?' Scolded Jin Shan.

'Brother, I know your real reason why you came here now. I cannot compare to you on strength and skills so abducting you home is not an option. I have another idea though. How about you nicely come back home with me or I will let mom send the whole of Jin clan to cause a commotion at the wedding banquet, announcing to the whole world and your little crush that you're the heir of the Jin clan and you've been hiding as a bodyguard here all along!'

Jin Shan continued to glare at his little brother.

'Brother! Think about it, after you've become the leader of Jin, you can take your little prince and marry him into the Jin clan as your wife. Easy peasy!'

'I DO NOT LOVE HIM!!' Shouted Jin Shan angrily as he pulled out his sword.

Jin Xuan quickly jumped up to the ceiling in fright. Not willing to admit one's true feelings and being this ferocious too? Damn it.

'Ok ok I won't cause havoc, just make sure you come back to rule or I really am going to cause trouble! The gathering of clans will happen in five days, I will not leave until you come with me. It is either you go back as leader or the Jin clan collapse without a leader.'

As the two brothers continued to argue, a hooded figure outside the pavilion has been shielding his existence using his martial arts all this time. Which is why the two brothers cannot sense the intruder.

This person seems to be the person who had been eavesdropping on the elderly at the noodle house just a while ago.

To Be Continued...

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