Chapter 16: Marriage proposals

Chapter 16: Marriage proposals

Emperor Qaihong slammed fifteen files onto the table startling me to the point I drop my bean cake onto the floor, "imperial father what are these?" I asked shocked at his sudden action and where did he get those files from?

Emperor Qiahong scoff at my question "Qaihong Gho these are your marriage proposals and as promised, you can choose who you want to be your future husband" He stated plainly and spread the files across the table.

Forgetting about the bean cake on the floor I picked up one of the files to read "Name Yang Zhefen, age 15 son of a small merchant" I muttered under my breath while reading the files one by one. Completely absorbed reading the marriage proposals I forgot about emperor Qaihong who sat quietly drinking tea.

Once I had finished reading each file I looked up towards my father "These three have my interest" Putting the three files on the couch I neatly stacked up the twelve other files emperor Qaihong raised his sword like eyebrow "What three did you choose?" he asked.

File 1:

Name: Yang Zhenfen

Age: 15

Third son of a small merchant, cultivation level stage 9 bone refinement. Rarely leaves home and spends most of his time helping his father with paperwork. Attractive.

File 2:

Name: Feng Qiling

Age: 14

Only son of Baron Feng Bifen, appearance is unknown due to the baron protective nature of his only son. Feng Qiling is excellent with business and is at Refining bone stage 8.

File 3:

Name: Zhou Min

Age: 15

Son of the sect master of the heavens rivers sect, stage 9 bone refinement, looks unknown.

Emperor Qaihong looked through the files with his lips slightly curled up "Interesting set of choices that you've chosen" he stated with amusement laced in his tone. Emperor Qaihong picked up a small bean bun and took a bite.

"How do you plan to make your final design Qaihong Gho?" emperor Qaihong asked generally curious, I smile at him "I'll ask them to prepare dates that represent who they are" I replied smoothly. Emperor Qaihong hummed in thought "That doesn't seem to be a bad idea" he muttered.

"Qaihong Gho I heard a strange rumor that you are looking for some real estate to set up a shop" Emperor Qaihong changed the topic. Strange I had only told Cheng Chin about finding me a real estate to set up my clothing business, someone must've been eavesdropping.

"I am making my own seamstresses shop that makes a westerner style type of clothing," I told him off the bat since it's useless to keep it from him, he would have figured it out eventually. Emperor Qaihong placed down his teacup "If you can give me an item of this western clothing style and it satisfies me, I will sponsor you" emperor Qaihong stated with a serious expression.

I placed my right hand to my chin in thought "Imperial emperor I will make you some jewelry" I stated with a voice full of confidence "You are dismissed" emperor Qaihong waved his hand in dismissal. I lower my head and gave a slight curtsy before taking my leave.

Cheng Chin followed me with a small smile on her facial features "Do you have any good news, Cheng Chin?" I asked with curiosity "My lady I have found the place you wanted, I wonder if you would like to take a look at it yourself?" she spoke in a humble manner.

"I will be the judge of that" I stated calmly before changing my direction to my pavilion to get my lazy carriage driver to do his job for once. Passing through the gates of the palace inside my carriage, it took a while before we made it to the correct district where the perfect real estate waited; stopping outside a two-story building that looks like it's about to cave in at any moment, I looked back at Cheng Chin with a raised eyebrow.

"This shabby building is the place?" I asked feeling like Cheng Chin was playing some cruel joke on me. "This is the place my lady" Cheng Chin replied with her lips curved upwards. Cheng Chin helped me out of the carriage and walked me towards the building "Cheng Chin where is the owner of this establishment?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"She should be here at any moment" Cheng Chin replied. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited with a slight frown on my pretty features, an older woman who has long gray hair walked towards us with long strides; she stopped before us with a toothless smile.

"This humble servant greets your highness Qaihong Gho" the old woman lowered her head in greeting, she wore a black western-style dress. FUrrowing my brows I looked at the building behind the old woman "This place belongs to you?" I asked solemnly.

She kept her head lowered "It was my husband, your highness" she replied in a tearful tone. 'Ah so her husband passed away I thought to myself with a light hum. No wonder why the business has fallen so far, the old lady must've tried her best.

"Ma'am, would you show us the inside?" I asked warmly, the older woman raised her head in slight surprise "O-of course your highness this way please" She turned around and escorted us into the shabby place.

Inside the old building was a clean interior which one wouldn't normally expect from such a shabby-looking place. It has hard dark wooden floors and yellow-painted walls that nearly turned me blind.

A few square beige-colored tables are scattered throughout. I place one of my index fingers on the surface of the table and gave it a swipe 'looks like it is clean in here' the old woman showed us every inch of the establishment.

"Your highness, what does your highness still want to buy it?" the graying-haired woman asked softly. "I'll take the place" replying to the old woman I glance at Cheng Chin "discus on the price Cheng Chin" I took my leave shortly after; later that day I wrote letters to the three suitors that explained that they have passed the first stage.

I gave the letters to my eunuch Lin Pi, he left my room and fulfilled my task. More days passed in a blink of an eye, time for the hunt near around the corner; Cheng Chin came inside and bowed down before me. I place down the painted figurine of Cheng Chin and turn my full attention on her.

"Cheng Chin read them to me" ordering in a detached tone, I picked back up the figurine to finish up the painting "Dear princess Qaihong Gho I have received your letter successfully, how about we go on a date after the royal hunt? As you requested I shall show you who I truly am. Sincerely Yan Zhenfen" Cheng Chin readout.

"This one is quite bold don't you think Cheng Chin?" I commented handly "I agree my lady, this one seems very eager to meet your highness" Cheng's chin commented from her observations. Putting on the final painting touches I place it back down to let it dry "My lady I have been meaning to ask why do you have a doll that looks like me?" Cheng Chin tilted her head cutely.

"It's a gif, also when will the sliver ores that I have ordered will arrive?" I changed the subject quickly, she puffed out her cheeks in annoyance "it should arrive soon" she replied with a huff before marching away.

Knock! Knock!

"Come in!" granting permission to whoever decided to disturb my peace, a eunuch walked inside with his head lower, he hold onto a rectangle light purple box. I raised my brow at him "Your highness, your hunting outfit is ready" he answer my unspoken question and placed down the box on the table in front of me.

"If that's all you are dismissed," dismissing the eunuch I open up the box to examine my hunting outfit. That reminds me Cheng Chin didn't finish reading the other two letters, that girl gets distracted so easily.

Sighing lightly I picked up the two unopen letters that Cheng Chin left in my room, "Now which one to read Feng Qiling or Zhou Min's letter?" musing to myself I decided to read Zhou Min's letter.

Princess Qaihong Gho

I am honored to receive your letter, your highness I hope that you would accept my prey from the royal hunt later. On our date how about, we go hunt some magical beasts together? Or do you give me some support from the sidelines?

From: Zhou Min

That's an interesting date idea he has, at least now I know I'll have to wear my hunting outfit on that date with him. Now onto Feng Qiling Letter… Never mind I don't want to read that letter anymore I swear this man is trying to curse me with his handwriting.

Knock Knock!

The door creak open "My lady-" an eunuch began to speak but upon noticing my mood he backed out of the room.