Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

The Second Prince

(PRINCE GUO)

I cannot help but secretly smile as I watch my older brother and the lady he is courting smile at each other, oblivious to their audience, with joy in their faces.

It's like they are in their own world. Just them and we, the ones looking at them, cease to exist.

It looks like Prince Jin finally have a weakness. And I may want to warn him because he is flaunting it right in front of my mother but it's so satisfying to see the different reactions on the faces of their audience.

My mother's face is incredulous that she is being ignored by Prince Jin and Wang Hua. Her female attendants' reactions varied. Some are annoyed and angry but most of them, I can see, are envious. Envious at Wang Hua. Prince Jin's whole attention is with her. Who wouldn't like to get the whole attention of a Prince? Or any man for that matter?

Wang Hua has a loyal suitor in my older brother.

That made me look at Wang Hua with a bit more interest. Then I dismissed her again. She is still not my type. She is too slight, too petite, too fragile looking. She is probably too nice too, to go up against the Empress.

My mother, who had enough of being ignored, noisily cleared her throat. The sound she makes is grating to the ear. I don't blame Prince Jin and Wang Hua when they winced visibly. I grimaced too.

"Why did you make her wait here in the corridor, Prince Jin? This is not acceptable at all. You are not the only one living in the Princes' wing. Your brothers have rights on this space too and her presence here can disturb them..."

Prince Jin looked at me, "Is her presence disturbing you, Prince Guo?"

"No," I did my very best to keep a neutral expression on my face when my mother gave me an annoyed look.

Prince Jin frowned at me. "Still I apologize if we disturb you or anyone in anyway." He took a small step forward to shield Wang Hua a little from the Empress' censoring looks. "I am sorry, your Majesty." Prince Jin bowed respectfully. "Lady Wang and I are about to go back so I can deliver her to General Wang. May we be on our way?"

My mother's eyes are still sharp. I inwardly sighed. She will make a big deal out of this issue just to spite Prince Jin. Really...she is tiring.

"This will not happen again. I know you are courting her, Prince Jin. But she is not part of the Imperial Family. We have to maintain a certain amount of security in the Palace from danger..."

My eyes and Prince Jin's eyes widened the same time. "Danger?" I cannot help exclaiming. "From her?" I point at Wang Hua. "Look at her Mother, she is no more dangerous than a little mouse. What possible danger can she bring...?"

I stopped when the Empress gave me a sharp glare. I just can't stop myself. Isn't she being a bit too much by giving Wang Hua too much credit? How can this pale, slight, little female be a danger in a place full of fully armed guards?

"Her father is General Wang. He is one dangerous man," my mother lift her chin in the air. A perfect haughty look on her face.

Prince Jin's jaw ticked in supressed annoyance, "General Wang protects us all, your Majesty. He has proven how loyal he is by protecting this capital and this Palace time and time again from rebels, pirates and other criminals who wanted to destroy our peace..."

"You have such sweet words for General Wang, why is that, Prince Jin?" The Empress sneered. "Is it because he will be related to you by marriage? Is it because he can be your father in law?"