Banquet

"Wei Lan is participating in the Selection?" Chang Chen and Chang Bo, both in their respective rooms, are shocked at the report. The Wei clan rarely participates in these events especially one hosted by the Royal Family. Adding onto each of their encounters with her, she isn't much of a social person who would compete to be their sister's companion. Wei Lan is becoming more interesting as time goes by.

"Take out my best robe!"

—

Light footsteps can be heard nearing Lan from behind. Lan doesn't bother. She keeps her eyes shut. It was until the tug of her veil that triggered her awake. "You scheming witch!" Lan's poker face is revealed.

Taking a deep breath then looking up with a forced smile. "May I have my veil back?" The girls did not respond, in awe with Lan's features up close, especially her unique pair of eyes.

No longer the right time to bully Lan as they have planned, the girl in front, seemingly the leader of the three, toss her the veil. "Thank you."

"I'm-I'm Li Qin, Prime Minister Zhao's second daughter," the girl in the back introduces. "Pleasure to be of Miss Lan's acquaintance." The girl is slim and soft-featured.

"You traitor! What are you doing?!"

'Li Shan's sister?' Lan reciprocates, "Miss Li Qin, likewise."

Li Qin looks up with teary eyes and smiles.

While taken aback by the unexpected gloss over the girl's eyes, Lan excuses herself, "If you would excuse me," and returns to her room.

In her room though, another two girls are hassling around—Miyu and Chiu. "You guys are here already?" "Miss, did you take a nap? The sun will begin his journey down soon!" "Ah? Really? Maybe I did..." The maids sigh. Amazingly, their talented, meticulous Miss could be so unaware at times.

"Miss, please step into the bath before it cools." Lan nods and undresses to step in.

Stepping out of her room, the sky begins to darken. Lan waits for the other three as they're required to appear at the banquet together. Li Qin extravagantly comes out next in a yellow dress and well-adorned hairdo. She stands behind Lan, and Lan slightly dipped down to greet. Lan notices the extra makeup on the girl's cheeks…

Next comes the other two (according to Miyu): Zhou Mei Hui, Minister of Finance's eldest daughter, and Ying Dai Yu, Minister of Agriculture's eldest daughter. Both dressed in their always fancy dresses and pieces of jewelry. They flatter each other and heads out, not forgetting to give a disgusted face to the other two's presence. "Can't believe we're stuck with two ugly ducklings." "Right? As if Li Qin wasn't bad enough." Both in self-denial.

Li Qin looks down with sadness swelling her eyes. Lan lifts her chin and shakes her head. "You look fine." Miyu gestures for Li Qin to walk first before Lan follows behind.

"Miss Mei Hui of You Clan, Miss Dai Yu of Ying clan, Miss Li Qin of Fei clan, and Miss Lan of Wei clan, have arrived." In that order, they walk behind one another. Mei Hui and Dai Yu walk in with confidence, while Li Qin shyly walks with her head down.

After greeting the Royal Family, Mei Hui and Dai Yu walk to Li Shan and her crowd. Lan heads to the opposite side, trying to avoid unnecessary headaches.

Lan stands to the side with poise and indifferent eyes.

Families began to show up after the Selection girls have all arrived.

Lan ignored all the clan's arrival call until she heard "The Wei clan". She walks to her Grandfather and Uncle after they greeted the Emperor and Empress, and led them to their table. Guang He leans over a bit and whispers, "How are you handling everything? Any danger, child?" "The most danger I got was getting tripped. But don't worry, I won't let my guard down. Especially here."

Guang He laughs at the image of Lan tripping. "Grandfather, it's not funny." Wei Jing interrupts, "Must you be on enemy's territory?" "Oh? Uncle, you're breaking. Showing care for me?" Wei Jing glares and relaxes after. Lan giggles.

"Grandfather, Uncle, do you come into foreign territories during battle without knowing the advantage and disadvantage points first? No. I have no specific agenda other than to scout out the enemy so, you should stop worrying."

At that moment, the eunuch announces for the Empress to speak: "Tonight's banquet is for these virtuous and talented misses of noble blood who are participating in the Selection. May we all celebrate for them and their families for raising such pride worthy young ladies." Everyone in the room stands and cheers for it.

After some time, Lan heads to the garden for fresh air. As she walks closer, a familiar figure was already sitting at the table. "Miss Li Qin?"

Lan could see from behind Li Qin was wiping her face. She sits next to the girl and sees that her eyes are puffed and red. The tears also washed off some of the makeup revealing her purple cheeks.

"Miss Li Qin…your cheeks." "Oh," Li Qin tries to hide it. With her strong grip, Lan pulls the girl's hands down by the wrist. "Ouch."

'Crap,' "Sorry. But we need to roll your cheeks, it's bruised and swelling." Li Qin looks down, "It's okay. It'll heal on its own." "But-" Li Qin shakes her head with a forced smile, "Really, I'm okay. Thank you."

Lan knew she can't force the girl if she didn't want it. The two just sat in quiet staring at the flowers ahead. "Why don't you ask how I got it?"

Lan could guess what happened, "It's not my business to ask." "I see."

Not long after, Lan rolls her eyes, as she feels the extra presence coming towards them. "What a bunch! Two simpletons and unwanted trash together," Li Shan nonchalantly laughs and claps with her followers, "oh how you guys are perfect for each other."

Li Qin tenses. Lan ignores. Both still look ahead. Li Shan stomps forward and begins pulling Li Qin's hair who began yelp, "You trash. Were those slaps not enough for you?" Lan, with her controlled strength, pulls the hands-off, "Stop it. What do you think you're doing? Compose yourself."

Lan lightly shoves Li Shan away who was then supported by her bunch of four. After attaining her balance again, she stomps towards Lan, "Arrogant trash. Who are you to tell me what to do? Don't think you're better because your family is military. My family is even more powerful than you no brainers. You're just an unwanted orphan anyways."

Lan doesn't respond. Everyone—but Li Shan apparently—knows the Wei's true strength and intelligence. Li Shan raises a hand, "Respond you bit-!"

Before Lan could hold off the hands intended to slap her, someone else does it. Li Shan looks shocked at the figure behind Lan, and went to a deep curtsy, "Greetings, Your Highness."