Ding Ding Girl

The Great Imperial Palace – currently within a side residence palace belonging to the Crown Prince….

Inside the main study room; which was an extensive space decorated with lavish hangings draped from the ceiling over shelves of delicate ornaments, was now filled with the soft ear-tinging sounds of a guzheng.

A minute later, Zhi Hai opened his eyes and shouted, "Enough. Stop playing." He had a displeased look on his face.

The young musician playing the guzheng immediately kowtowed onto the floor. "I'm sorry Crown Prince. Please forgive me."

Not moving an inch from his seat, Zhi Hai tonelessly said, "I brought you here to play music to soothe my restless soul. Yet you dare to play so appallingly before me." He waved his hand at his guards standing by, "take him away and cut off his hands."

"Crown Prince, your highness please give me another chance...." the musician wailed as he was dragged away.

"Another chance?" Zhi Hai quizzically repeated. "You will never be able to play as well as my sweet Yourong." His expression softened up slightly at the mention of Zhou Yourong. [I haven't seen her for a while. Is she doing well in Ping Tian Palace?]

"Your highness," a servant came walking in. He bowed his head down to Zhi Hai.

"What is it?" Zhi Hai asked.

"Adviser Zhou has arrived. He requests to see you," the servant answered. He raised both hands holding a small scroll towards the crown prince. "Also, this is the report sent back only minutes ago."

"Bring Adviser Zhou here," Zhi Hai ordered. He took the scroll from the servant's hands. Watching the servant run off, he unrolled the scroll and read its contents. A frown now formed on his face.

"Crown Prince," adviser Zhou greeted as he entered. He instantly noted Zhi Hai's frown. "Is something troubling you?"

Zhi Hai scrunched up the scroll and threw it to the floor. "Yes," he almost hissed. "Seems like I've been feeding a bunch of useless fools. They can't even find information on a single girl."

"Girl?" adviser Zhou repeated.

"A girl named Ding Ding," Zhi Hai clarified. "Prince Ping's new favourite."

Adviser Zhou raised an eyebrow.

"You don't believe it either?" Zhi Hai questioned, seeing adviser Zhou's doubtful look. "I was there that day. I witnessed first-hand the way he protected that Ding Ding girl. She also dared to openly go against me." He clicked his tongue from annoyance, remembering that moment.

"I don't think you need to be so worried about this Ding Ding girl," adviser Zhou spoke truthfully. "You should know that Xia Qian Ping has always loved only Yourong."

Zhi Hai's expression darkened.

"Besides, if this Ding Ding is a problem, Yourong would've already mentioned this to us," adviser Zhou went on. "There are much more important things for us to focus on right now. Forget about this Ding Ding girl."

[More important things?] Zhi Hai mentally queried. [For once, I think you could be wrong adviser Zhou]. He gave a simple nod anyway, pretending to agree with the adviser.

Disregarding the fact that Yourong, his beloved daughter is now married to Prince Ping; adviser Zhou had always shown nothing but support towards Zhi Hai. In fact, the entire Zhou family was strongly supportive of the Crown Prince, and adviser Zhou's unwavering loyalty for him was no secret. That was why Zhi Hai often chose to listen to adviser Zhou's guidance, rarely questioning his words.

"We need to focus our attention on the Ngai Kingdom," adviser Zhou said. "His majesty has placed the Ngai Kingdom's representative in your care. It's a golden opportunity."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Zhi Hai mockingly asked.

Adviser Zhou smiled and lowered his head, "apologies your highness. Of course, I am one step behind you. There wasn't a need for me to come here and advise on something you already were planning to do."

Zhi Hai let out a low laugh, "well adviser Zhou. Since you already know my plans for the Ngai Kingdom, you'd better start making preparations."

"Of course," adviser Zhou simply responded. "Well then, I shall take my leave for now."

Zhi Hai nodded as adviser Zhou happily made his way out the main study room. The moment adviser Zhou was gone, Zhi Hai sent a servant to fetch for one of his trusted guards.

"Your highness," the guard knelt before Zhi Hai.

"Continue to search for the Ding Ding girl. You are not to stop until you can present me with sufficient information on her," Zhi Hai sternly commanded.

The guard bowed to Zhi Hai and swiftly left.

[Ding Ding] Zhi Hai's lips twisted into a malicious smile. [I will definitely find out who you are].