The Coronation Ceremony 1

The Coronation Ceremony 1

"Meihui... Meihui!" Chao Xiang shouted,bringing Princess Xiao Ai back to reality.

"Uh? Oh... I am sorry. A walk? That seems extremely nice" Princess Xiao Ai replied and gave a dry laugh.

"Okay. Let's go" Chao Xiang smiled, leading  the way for her.

    Zhan and Princess Xiao Ai followed him looking all dejected and disappointed.

In the Imperial Palace the high court officials including Lord Jiang are present in the main hall, wearing their different court attire.

Emperor Taizu is sitting on the throne while Empress Song is sitting  on the royal chair by his right hand side.Princess MingXia, The Second Prince and The Third Prince are seated by Emperor Taizu's left hand side.

Outside the main hall are the people from different places in The Song Dynasty waiting for the arrival of The First Prince and Princess Chu Hua. Two big drums are placed on each side of the Palace gate.The drummer standing in front of the first drum beats the drum with the drum sticks in his hands. Immediately the people outside the main hall heard the beating of the drum, they all kneeled and bowed.

The Palace gate swung open. Giving The First Prince and Princess Chu Hua the opportunity to grace the people with their entry. The First Prince and Princess Chu Hua arrived in two different royal carriages. They both alighted from their carriage after entering the main Palace premises.

They both stretched their hands forward each holding a golden jade plate and walked gracefully to the main hall.The First Prince and Princess Chu Hua walked inside the main hall and kneeled in front of Emperor Taizu.

"The weather is really nice today." Chao Xiang said with a smile trying to create a conversation between him and Princess Xiao Ai while walking along the streets of Bianjing. He looked at Princess Xiao Ai who was walking beside him with a blank expression.

"Meihui, is something wrong?" Chao Xiang stopped walking and asked.

"I am fine. There is nothing wrong with me." Princess Xiao Ai replied and plastered a fake smile on her face.

Chao Xiang stared at Princess Xiao Ai's mesmerizing eyes and can't  help but wonder if anyone else in the whole of Bianjing had the same eyes as hers. It is impossible! Only she could be this beautiful.

"Let's go. Chao Xiang quickly said and looked away, realizing he could no longer control his emotions.

"Okay." Princess Xiao Ai muttered and cursed under her breath while thinking of what to do in order to be free from Chao Xiang.

"Let's check this out!" Chao Xiang said, pointing to the hairpin store in front of them.

"Pick any one you like." 

"Mmm."

"Young mistress, the crown prince's ceremony will soon be over. We should come up with an excuse to leave now!" Zhan whispered to Princess Xiao Ai.

Princess Xiao Ai glanced at Zhan and frantically looked at the hairpins.

"Chao Xiang, I will pick this one." Princess Xiao Ai said and took a green jade hairpin.

" It's beautiful." Chao Xiang complimented.

"Ummmm.... Chao Xiang. I just remembered that my mother sent me an important errand. I will see you next time. Thank you so much for taking me out today. Bye. Let's go Zhan." Princess Xiao Ai hurriedly said and ran away with Zhan without even taking a look back at Chao Xiang. She ran as though she was being chased by thieves leaving Chao Xiang shocked and confused at the same time.

"When did Meihui become such a carefree person?"

"And she is running?" Chao Xiang thought to himself with a question mark formed on his face. He stared at Princess Xiao Ai until she disappeared into the crowd.

"Young master, you need to pay for the hairpin." The store owner said.

"Oh….. I am sorry." Chao Xiang paid for the hairpin, still looking confused and shocked. It was as if his Jiang Meihui had been replaced with someone else. 

"Did the illness affect her brain and personality as well?" Chao Xiang muttered.