Chapter 17

"Our apologies we didn't think it will take us that long to visit all the-"

A slap fell on my face. "How dare you talk back to the second princess"

"I didn't mea-"

Another slap fell. "So you are still talking back. Do you know who we are."

"Take it easy on her we just need to educate her since its their first time." said a sinister voice across the room.

Then we started the offering tea ceremony. Starting from the second princess to the 16th. I managed to get all of them correct, but A Qi didn't.

"How dare you greet the 8th princess before me. Do you even know my name? What my title?"

A Qi looked terrified not knowing what to do or say.

"Your Imperial Highness, Hui Sheng, Daughter of Imperial Noble Consort Li." I said covering up for her.

"Since your sister can't even remember my name serve me tea in her stead."

As I serve her tea she pushed the hot tea on me. "Xuan are you alright" I heard A Qi behind me. I felt my hand stinging from the burn.

Suddenly, "His Imperial Highness, The Crown Prince, Wang Shen Long, the Dragon of the Empire and Her Imperial Highness, The First Princess, Wang Feng Shira, the Phoenix of the Empire."

I haven't seen her since she left that day. She has grown older. All the princesses in the room immediately bowed. "Greetings Your Imperial Highnesses, The Crown Prince, the Dragon of the Empire and The First Princess, the Phoenix of the Empire."

"Bow both of you" one of the princess commanded.

"No need" said the First Princess

"Shira bring those two out first." said the Crown Prince.

She brought us out and immediately asked people to attend to our injury. After they were done they left us in the room alone with the First Princess.

"You must not remember me." she said suddenly breaking the silence.

"Your Imperial Highness if you-" she cut me off

"Don't call me Imperial Highness just call me big sister Shira"

"Yes big sister, if you mean the time you visited us when we were babies I remembered that"

"Oo really, than the rumors must be true that you are a genius. Well Xuan its my official meeting with you, as for A Qi, I'm not sure you remember me."

"I don't big sister, but thank you for today" A Qi said.

Silence again than a few minutes later the Crown Prince entered.

"I dealt with them they won't bother you both anymore. As a big brother I never thought this would happen." he said. "This is the first time we met. I am your older brother Wang Shen Long. You can call me older brother Shen."

***

From that time on they came occasionally to mothers palace also to visit us. I didn't know what he meant at first but then I found out he meant he threatened everyone in that room that day