Scent of Cherry Blossoms (Ongoing)

Chapter 14 - An Invitation

Chapter 14 – An invitation

Xiao Ming watched the Crown Princess bow in greeting to Noble Consort and Tian Ru Shi. Her beauty is mesmerizing and the way she carries herself seems quite good. I guess it's only to be expected of a Crown Princess.

Meanwhile Xiao Ming was thinking, his mother-in-law greeted the Crown Princess. "Hello Crown Princess. I wonder what has drawn you to my manner this afternoon. Come, sit here with me." Noble Consort Wang smiled at her and patted beside her on the chaise. Hua Liena returned the smile and sat down beside Noble Consort Wang. Her face appeared vibrant and angelic. "There is nothing much. A few days ago, I received several rare fabrics from my older brother who just came back from his travels in the north. The materials of the fabrics are especially beautiful and smooth to the touch. One of them happens to have a cherry blossom design. It made me think of you as I know that you are quite fond of cherry blossoms. I came today because I wanted to give it to you as a thank you for always treating me so well." She turned to her personal maid and said, "Hua Lan, let the Noble Consort have a look."

The maid Hua Lan bowed and led the maids behind her bring out a roll of fabric from a long wooden box. Noble Consort Wang displayed a small smile as she examined the fabric. "It is indeed beautiful and smooth." As she examined the fabric, the Crown Princess studied her facial reaction. "In addition to this, I also personally picked a few rolls to bring over. They are in the wooden container. I hope that the Noble Consort will like them."

Noble Consort Wang waved to her maids who took the roll of fabric and the wooden container away to her manner's fabric storehouse. She then turned to the Crown Princess with a faint smile. "You did not have to bother yourself in gifting these to me. You are the Crown Princess, the future Empress of our Red Star Kingdom. Anyone would treat you with the respect owed to a Crown Princess. To have the Crown Princess come here personally to deliver this gift, this Noble Consort is honored."

The Crown Princess remained smiling as though she did not read between the lines. It has been clear to her a long time ago after she was betrothed to the Crown Prince that the Noble Consort did not like her. The current Empress and the Noble Consort did not get along. So, when Hua Liena was betrothed to the Crown Prince, the Noble Consort's loathing towards the Empress stemmed to her. It was something she was helpless against. The Noble Consort used to like her like a daughter, but now she treated her blandly. "It is no bother at all. Hua Liena is pleased to do so. And there is no need to call me Crown Princess all the time." She blushed slightly and continued, "I prefer you to call me how you used to."

Noble Consort Wang shook her head. "You are now the Crown Princess Hua Liena. Calling you by any other name would be inappropriate."

Hua Liena looked somewhat sad. Changing the subject, Noble consort Wang looked toward the quiet Xiao Ming. She smiled warmly and introduced him to the Crown Princess. "It is good that the Crown Princess here. This is Prince Consort Ming, the spouse of the 3rd Prince."

The sad face Hua Liena was suddenly startled. She turned to look at Xiao Ming. Earlier when she arrived, she had seen him sitting there, but did not take him seriously as she thought him to be a small person with a low status. "The Prince Consort to big brother Tian Jin?" As she looked at the person sitting a level below her, she was quite shocked. He looked almost like a woman if one did not look carefully. In fact, she had thought him to be a new lowly concubine who had come to get into the good grace of the Noble Consort. His beauty was astonishing to behold and to know that such a beauty was married to the 3rd Prince caused jealousy to burn in her heart. However, her rising jealousy was quickly dozed upon remembering that the person who married the 3rd Prince was a male. A charming and sweet smile appeared on her face as she said to Xiao Ming, "Please pardon my rudeness. I did not know that you are Prince Consort Ming. How embarrassing for me." A flush appeared on her cheeks.

Xiao Ming found himself flustered at the blushing beauty before him and quickly reassured her, "It is quite alright. It is our first time meeting each other, so it is only natural that you did not know. It is an honor to meet the Crown Princess." Xiao Ming was never very good at dealing with young ladies, especially ones that cry in front of him.

Crown Princess Hua Liena gave him a shy smile and replied to him, "It is also my honor to meet the Prince Consort on this day. I have heard of you but have not seen you. Now that I have, I can see that Prince Consort is quite a beautiful man."

Xiao Ming's eyebrow twitched at her description of him and was about to say something, but Tian Ru Shi cut him off before he could.

Tian Ru Shi laughed happily. "Older sister Liena, you are absolutely right! Ming Ming is certainly a beautiful person. Even Qing Yuan thinks so."

A slight frown appeared on the beautiful face of Hua Liena. "Older brother Tian Jin does? I see."

As she said that, Xiao Ming could discern the sadness in her eyes and wondered to himself the relationship between Tian Jin and the Crown Princess.

Of course, Noble Consort Wang also saw her sudden dejected spirit but decided to ignore it. As for Tian Ru Shi, she was oblivious to it.

Catching herself, the Crown Princess released an awkward giggle. "Prince Consort Ming is this beautiful, anyone would agree to that. Ah, I just remembered. There will be a tea appreciation gathering at Blue Pearl Lake in three weeks. All princesses, princes, and several children of high-ranking nobles will be there. I hope that Prince Consort Ming can join in the festivities too."

Xiao Ming cupped his hands to her respectfully. "Thank the Crown Princess for inviting me. I will be glad to join."

Hua Liena beamed, "Great! Then, I will see you then. Please bring older brother Tian Jin as well since he normally does not like joining in these kinds of things. Tomorrow I will have someone send over an invitation card detailing the place and time." After saying that, she turned to the Noble Consort. She held her hands and said, "Noble Consort Wang, I have been here too long and have taken much of your time. Since I have already given you the fabrics, I will be taking my leave. Prince Consort Ming, it was nice to meet you. I hope to see you and older brother Tian Jin at the gathering." She gave them a half bow and then patted Tian Ru Shi on the head. "Take care little sister Shi'er." She got up and then left the grand receiving hall of Maple Leaf Manner with her train of maids following behind her.

Outside, Crown Princess Hua Liena gracefully walked through the interconnecting halls of the imperial palace toward the manner in which belonged to the Empress. Just slightly behind her was her personal maid Hua Lan. Hua Lan softly asked the Crown Princess in a whisper, "Crown Princess, why did you invite that Prince Consort Ming?"

Hua Liena smiled, "Because of older brother Tian Jin."

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Author's Note: That's all for chapter 14 everyone. I'll see you all again in chapter 15 next Friday!