6 6. Seeing him for the first time

Entering the palace is a piece of cake for Lihua. Aside from her excellent martial art skills, she has an amazing memory. She can memorize a place the first time she was there. The first time she visited the Palace five years ago, she was tempted to go to the head of the Imperial Guards to complain about their lack of security. But then again, she's Lihua. One of the best Holy Mountain agents.

It took Lihua a good 15 minutes to locate where Chao Shen was. She went to the palace today to take a good look on the man they said was her father. The men are in one of the study room of the king.

When Lihua peeked inside, she saw a couple of people inside. She immediately identifies who are they. The king, the queen, the prime minister, the crown prince, the young master..and then, she saw him. The man she cannot recognize is talking to a woman beside him.

The woman she recognized as the 5th princess who is married to the prime minister. The man must still be young but because of the battles he's been through, he looked older.

Lihua saw him being called by the king. Then, suddenly, she heard someone, "hey you! what are you still doing there? go and send this tray inside."

Lihua saw a eunuch holding a tray of wine. At first, she stood there frozen on the spot. But then, after a while, she remembered that she stole a maids uniform earlier. She looked nervously to the eunuch before answering.

"Yes, of course."

The eunuch shook his head in disgust after he gave the tray to her.

"Be careful with that. It's a congratulatory wine to be given to the Minister of War. " the eunuch reminded him. She just nodded and entered inside.

No one paid close attention to her when she entered. She walked in the middle going in front where the king and queen of the kingdom are seated. When she reached the front, she offered the tray of wine. The king noticed her so he said, "Minister Hu, the wine is here. Let me give you a toast."

Minister Hu Yang looked at where the young maid is holding a tray of wine looking down. He cannot explain why but he felt connected to her.

The tray of wine was taken from Lihua's hand by the head eunuch and placed it on the king's table. He poured the wine on a cup before giving it to the king.

The king holds it and said, "I made a toast for you, Minister Hu for securing the kingdom's safety from the barbarians on the North." then, he drank the wine.

Minister Hu holds the other cup of wine that the head eunuch is holding and accepted the toast.

Lihua looked that this whole scenario from the side of her eyes. She is about to get back when the king suddenly called her out.

"Hey you, come and help Minister Hu take this wine."

Lihua immediately turned around and held her hands up, waiting for the tray of wine to be handed to her by the head eunuch. When she felt the tray on her hands, she stood up straight and wait for the minister of war to move towards his seat before following him.

At that moment, she had a glimpse of the young master. She can clearly see the shock on his face when he recognized her.

Lihua pretended not to noticed him and started to walk towards the seat of the minister. When she is about to put the tray on the table, she lost her balance (it is more of an intentional fall) and the wine was splashed all over the minister's clothes.

Everyone suddenly stood up when they see what happened.

"I am sorry. I deserved to be punished." Lihua immediately bowed so low in front of the minister. She is listening attentively to her surrounding.

"What's this useless thing did?!" the king said angrily. "Go and drag her out," he ordered immediately.

Chao Shen who is now panicking under his cool composure doesn't know what to do. He did not order her to follow him inside the palace. When he is about to say something, the minister of war spoke.

"It's okay. No need to punish the little girl. It's just wine." he said lightly.

Lihua remained bowing, her forehead touching the floor.

"But minister..." 5th princess is about to complain when she was stopped by the prime minister.

"You little useless, you are lucky today that the minister is gracious." said the king who is still very angry.

"This slave thanks my lord for your mercy," Lihua said acting as if she is very grateful.

"No need to thank me. Come. Everyone needs to enjoy their life."

Lihua felt the minister helped her to get up. The moment, she looked up and eyed level with him, she saw that he surprised. He was looking at her speechless.

After a few seconds in that position, the minister got hold of himself and stood up, helping her.

"You can go now and be careful next time," said the minister to Lihua.

Lihua bowed again in front of him and then bowed to the people seated in front. She walked out of the study hall looking straight. She caught the glimpse of Chao Shen who is trying his best to hide his emotions.

The moment Lihua came out, the eunuch who gave her the tray of wine approached her and is about to slap her when she looked at him coldly. The eunuch was startled.

"You!!!"

Lihua did care about this little eunuch and she started to walk away. The eunuch, who is scared to death by her glare knew well not to follow her.