We Meet Again

Not long after Da Ying returned to her courtyard, two maids from the Empress's quarter arrived with two trays filled with clothing and jewelry. "Tao Tao/Su Sui greets Princess," they both bowed to Da Ying as they walked into her courtyard and held the two trays in front of her. "The empress was worried that you couldn't find an outfit for tonight's event. Si she has prepared three outfits for Princess to choose," Tao Tao explained.

"She also sent us to take care of you and make sure that everything is to your liking," Su Sui added. Da Ying got up from her chair and walked towards the two trays filled with content. Her eyes beamed with satisfaction as she picked up a dark burgundy dress from the pile. Just one touch and she could tell it was of the finest quality. "I shall have to express my gratitude and thanks to the empress, make sure to let her know how much I appreciate it. Set it down and leave,"

"Princess, the empress has left us with the job of taking care of you. How can we just leave?" Su Sui asked bluntly.

"I already have Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi. You may go," Without any warning, Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi quickly took the two trays from Tao Tao and Su Sui. "My missy has spoken, be on your way," Ban Shiang smiled at them. Tao Tao and Su Sui had no choice but to leave.

The first thing Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi did was inspect the clothing to see if there was anything wrong. "Princess, why would that woman send you so many dresses? Don't tell me she is planning something," Bai Zhi asked when she couldn't find anything wrong with the outfits. Da Ying proceeded to softly scan the clothes and jewelry with her finger full of content. "She doesn't plan on doing anything, she has no reasons to. Sending me these outfits is simply a way to protect her own status." Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi looked at each other confused. Protecting her own status? They had no clue what that meant. "If I were to appear in front of Prince Xiao with my daily outfits, do you think that he would find it suspicious? That woman wants to protect herself from any accusations of treating me poorly. Looks like she has thought it through quite far,"

By evening, every important official had arrived at the banquet. To be exact, tonight's banquet to welcome Prince Xiao was probably the biggest and most extravagant event of the year. The emperor had spent quite a fortune for the bright decoration, entertainment and food, for he did not want to lose face to Northern Liang.

Once again, all eyes were on Crown Princess Wen Wan. Wen Wan made sure to be one of the last guests to arrive, to ensure that she would gain the spotlight. Once the eunuch announced her arrival along with Jie You, Yue Li and Ying Me, many of the young men who were immersed in talking with the others, stopped to admire the beauty. Wen Wan had her hair in two braided hair loops, adorned with a golden peacock crown that went well with her dark blue gown, detailed with a stunning peacock and pearls. All four of them slowly and elegantly walked to their seats. Wen Wan always grew up hearing people praise her beauty. It was easy for her to attract a crowd but why was it that she felt; Lui Xi Feng didn't even look at her once. Her heart tugged looking at him cheerfully talking to the other men on the other side, not sparing her a glance.

Da Ying was on her way to the banquet, dressed in the dark purple gown she chose earlier. The dark color complimented her fair skin, making her look even more stunning in the night. She felt that the night was too beautiful to take a carriage, and so she walked to the grand hall, accompanied by just Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi. Her mood was simply too good to be enjoyed inside a carriage. Just thinking about how flustered Jie You was made her heart satisfied and she felt that even the everyday trees and flowers she passes by were beautiful.

Da Ying entered from the south, just as she was about to walk up the stairs leading to the Grand Hall, someone caught her eyes. She let out a small smile as she stood there back straight with both hands held together in front. It was none other than, Prince Xiao Yuan of Northern Liang walking from the North entrance. Upon seeing her, he also could not hide the pleasure in his heart.

Chao Gongong was the one leading Prince Xiao also stopped when he saw Da Ying. "Chao Gongong greets Princess Da Ying,"

"This is…" Da Ying asked Chao Gongong. Just as he was about to introduce Xiao Yuan to Da Ying, Xiao Yuan beat him to it. "Prince Xiao Yuan of Northern Liang," he introduced himself.

"Princess Da Ying greets Prince Xiao," she did a slight bow to him. Seeing Da Ying for the first time in a while, his eyes could not stop gleaming with joy. No matter how much he hid it, the sparkle in his eyes could not be kept concealed. "I've heard many great things about Princess Da Ying, seeing you in person; you are much more beautiful than they say,"

"Prince Xiao must not listen to the rumors; I am not as beautiful as they say,"

"Hehehe…Princess Da Ying is not only beautiful, but modest," he let out a small chuckle.

"You praise me too highly, it is Prince Xiao who is deserving of the praises," Chao Gongong who was standing at the side felt a sigh of relief when he witnessed the two exchanging praises. He hated the fact that he had no power to stop her marriage with Prince Xiao but seeing how much spark the two had in these few minutes gave him hope, hope that she would be able to live out her life well. "Ahem…" Chao Gongong coughed lightly, breaking the atmosphere outside. "Prince Xiao, Princess Da Ying, please…" he used his hands to point towards the Grand Hall. "You first," Prince Xiao said.

"Princess Da Ying and Prince Xiao arrives," announced Chao Gongong when both Da Ying and Xiao Yuan reached the top. The emperor who was having a chat with General Meng stopped and waited for Prince Xiao's entrance. All the young ladies who had been eager and impatient to see this man all evening also stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction of the door. The door opens…