Back in time

Chapter 11- A song of sorrow

Chapter 11

Minori's POV

"It has always been a well known fact that the ladies of the Qing Empire are really talented . I am pretty sure as a princess, Ke Jing would most definitely be one of the most talented ladies around, the cream of the crop. I have always been interested in having a frinedly competition with one of these ladies. Unfortunately, I have not had the chance until now. Hence , Ke Jing , would you mind if we have a friendly competition on our skills on the zither between the two of us ? " Saikhan finished with a smirk on her lips.

Her words brought me back to my senses immediately.

Stupid! How can you get seduced by him just like that ? He is probably just drunk and playing with you, I chided myself mentally as I pulled myself away from Kame.

Kame had a displeased look on his face that showed his displeasure towards Saikhan clearly. But whether it was because of the way she interrupted what he was planning to do, or whether it was because what she said , I do not know.

"What a pity. " Kame added before he shifted himself into a more upright and proper position .

I could not help but blush as I realised what he was displeased about.

Perhaps thinking that we were ignoring her, Saihan started again, " are you ignoring me right now because you dare not compete against me ? "

This time round, her words drew more spectators . Many people stopped what they were doing on hand and turned to look at the commotion Saikhan created in the corner we were sitting at. Even the performance that was going on up
on the stage came to a halt.

" Saikhan, take back your words. Why would Ke Jing be afraid to compete against you ? She is a princess from the Qing Empire after all. I'm pretty sure Ke Jing is more than competent and would be able to beat you very easily.Right wifey ?"Kame replied with a smile that was clearly meant to show others his confidence in his new wife.

But I knew otherwise. The glint in his eyes betrayed just how much he wanted to see me make a fool of myself in front of others.

That bastard! I'm appearing as his wife right now! Shouldn't he be thinking of ways to not make me embarrass myself in front of public ? I mean, he himself will be disgraced too, if he is seen to have a wife that appear incompetent.

This acted as a reminder to myself to never behave in such a foolish manner like before especially when the man involved is such a jerk.

"Well, if what Kame say is true, shouldn't you, princess Ke Jing accept my challenge instead of being a coward out here ? " Saikhan retorted.

"I guess people from the Qing Empire are just of this standard afterall, for what more can you expect from them when their princess is behaving in such a manner ? " Saikhan added with a smirk that showed just how much more superior she thought she was.

Her words reminded me again of who I was at the moment. I wasn't just Minori right now. I'm supposed to be Princess Ke Jing, representing the entire Qing Empire at the moment. If I reject her challenge, I would be admitting to others that the people from the Qing Empire is inferior to those here. But if I accept the challenge, the consequence would still be the same. For I'm not the real Princess Ke Jing afterall. So I would most definitely not be able to play the zither , much less beat Saikhan who has been trained to play the zither since young!

But before I could actually think of whether or not I should accept her challenge, another voice broke the silence that now hung around in the hall as everybody watched the exchange between Saikhan and I .