5. Unfolding drama

On the other hand, the king was acutely aware of the risks and dangers that the Rafoofil Flower posed. He couldn't simply dismiss the potential consequences of harboring this treasure. It was a delicate and precious burden, one that could lead to conflict and strife. The king pondered whether the trouble the flower might bring would outweigh its benefits.

As he surveyed the room filled with l courtiers, each carrying their own hopes and ambitions, the king knew it was a gift that could shape the destiny of his kingdom and those around him.

Well, he couldn't just return the gift to the princess and bring harm to the princess now that the treasure is revealed. Even if he wanted to keep this meeting a secret, he couldn't keep the mouths of every individual in the courtroom shut.

He knew very well, that only dead tell no tales.

But he couldn't just kill his precious sons, wise ministers and loyal generals.

Arrival of Ninth prince:

In the midst of the contemplative silence, the courtroom was stirred by the announcement of the ninth prince's arrival. As the immature among the kingdom's fourteen princes, he held no aspirations for the throne. Born as the queen's son and the younger brother of the crown prince, he had grown up in a cocoon of adoration and indulgence. At the tender age of sixteen, he had been engaged to a nineteen-year-old princess from a neighbouring kingdom.

The dynamics of their engagement, however, had raised eyebrows. In an era where men typically wed women who were significantly younger, the three-year age gap between the prince and his older fiancée had elicited commentary. The fact that the princess was rumored to be unattractive only added to the intrigue surrounding the pairing. The ninth prince's situation was indeed an anomaly, and the kingdom was going to watch this unusual match with keen interest.

The King of Jing had been deliberate in his choices for Princess Ming Liao, aiming to keep her from becoming embroiled in the competition between princes while securing her a significant role in the kingdom. Her marriage to the ninth prince, designated as the first and principal wife, was a strategic move. Should the prince develop affection for other women, they could be wed as concubines or secondary wives, allowing Princess Ming Liao to maintain her status and influence in the palace. The king believed this arrangement would benefit both of them. However, the events that were about to unfold would reveal the flaws in his plan.

The ninth prince, a striking and imposing figure, arrived in a dishevelled state, as though he had just roused from slumber. His demeanor was nonchalant as he approached the king and queen, paying a cursory greeting without sparing a glance at Princess Ming Liao. His indifference sent ripples of shock and disapproval throughout the court.

Witnessing this, the king's brow furrowed, and he promptly closed the ornate box containing the Rafoofil Flower. In a hushed exchange with a nearby eunuch, he issued instructions for the box to be placed inside his secret room on the ear of his eunuch.

He was not at all doubtful that his most trusted eunuch would try to sabotage the treasure as he knew the only person he could trust apart from his family was the eunuch who had grown up with him.

Then, in a clear and stern voice, the king addressed his son, "Zimo, what is the meaning of this? Why have you not dressed appropriately for this occasion? Is this how a prince should conduct himself? Furthermore, your absence in the court today has not gone unnoticed."

The queen, who had been taken aback by her son's actions, realized the extent to which her younger son had disregarded her suggestion. Like always, in order to ease the fury of the king toward her son, she quickly spoke up, supporting the king's reprimand, "Indeed, your father is correct. Your ailment was but a minor headache. You should have sought the royal physician's counsel and taken the appropriate remedies before joining us here. I implore you to return to your chambers, don proper attire, and return once you have restored your appearance."

The words of the queen were unheard. The king knew his wife was trying to help his son out of the situation but the spoiled prince did not care at all.

The prince's nonchalant behavior and appearance were met with a chorus of disapproval from the courtiers and ministers present.

Princess Ming Liao, too, observed the unfolding drama, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected events before her. She had been entirely unaware of the ninth prince's opposition to their marriage until the very moment he had entered the courtroom in such a disheveled and nonchalant manner. Even if she had known, she wouldn't mind. Not her loss.

It was evident that the ninth prince had no desire to marry her, and the manner in which he had disrespected the queen had only fueled the king's anger.

The queen attempted to mediate the situation, but it seemed to have little effect on the king's growing fury.

The courtiers and ministers observed the escalating confrontation in anxious silence.

Princess Ming Liao had little interest in the marriage arrangement. Whether she married the ninth prince or another royal, or remained unwed, made little difference to her. She could do nothing but watch the unfolding drama, though she secretly wished for a more comfortable vantage point, perhaps with some melon seeds and a sofa to make the spectacle more enjoyable.