Guangxi Kingdom

Emperor's Palace.

The Emperor was seated on his throne as he calmly observed everyone present inside the royal court. He was in his early 40's and emitted a strong aura. His yellow robes were having golden embroidery with might dragon design on it. With his hairs knotted properly he looked elegant.

Below his throne, a group of nobles sat.

Within the palace, a meeting was in progress. Needless to say, the Nobles were all elders from influential Guangxi families. Everyone was avaricious and arrogant. The Emperor wasn't completely ignorant of his Nobles, but he always turned a blind eye to them, until his treasury was always brimming with gold.

"Lord, what are your opinions about the holy lady?"

He spoke in a gruff tone. "Is the girl agreeing to become the empire's, holy lady?" You should all be aware that the Guangxi kingdom honors its people's wishes.

A timid man who was seated far from the emperor's throne was getting enraged with each and every discussion.

What a farce!

Beggars were never choosers!

How can anyone disobey the wishes of an Emperor? Even if someone was not satisfied, all they could do was, drink their anger and yield to the wishes of the Emperor.

Elder Zhang from the Zhang family cupped his fist in front of the Emperor as a greeting and smiled with his crooked teeth. "How can anyone miss the chance to become a holy lady. Lord, Miss Yin has accepted the royal proposal of her own free will. I assure you not even an ounce of persuasion was there from our sides. It is solely her decision to accept the royal proposal."

Shock!

Anger!

Despair!

Helplessness!

The young boy felt every emotion surging in his heart. This news was like a thorn in his skin. Every time the matter of the holy lady was discussed something pricked his heart. It was very painful for him.

The Emperor contemplated but didn't announce his verdict.

"I see. Elder Zhang. I believe we should give the girl a little more time to consider her options, as this is not a minor matter. After all, if she accepts the royal proposal, she would have to leave her old life behind and embrace a new one with a new name. Let's address this topic in the upcoming week. The verdict will be released at that time."

"For the time being, the court is adjourned."

The Emperor dismissed the court and left the courtroom.

Everyone presents there cupped their fist as they bowed in respect for the Emperor. One by one everyone started vacating the court and gathered around the imperial garden for chit-chat.

However, you can't expect any good thing coming from all these vicious elders.

"Feng Ye Zhen. Come here lad" The elder from the Zhang family called the boy who was restless the entire time inside the courtroom.

Feng Ye Zhen bowed slightly to the elders as he greeted them.

"Aye, boy. You've matured into a man who looks just like your father. What a striking similarity. I just hope you don't end up like him ". Another elder from the Zheng family mocked him while coating his words in sugar.

Everyone around him stifled their laugh after witnessing such a blatant mockery. Nevertheless, Feng Ye Zhen, smiled with his lips tightly shut. This scene was something with which he had come to be familiar. He was helpless, even though it hurt as they all ridiculed him. His prestige within the court was low, and he was not well-liked by the emperor too. He was like a rusted stool occupying a spot inside the glorious palace.

"Elder Zheng, Elder Zhang. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness and kindness." Feng Ye Zhen said softly with a placid smile on his face.

Elder Zhang, who was dissatisfied with his response, wanted to taunt him even more, but he saw the only son of Emperor, Zhao Shan approaching from the corner of his eye, so he kept his mouth shut. Zhao Shan, the Lord's son of the Guangxi kingdom and the only son of the current Lady Meng was not someone to be trifled with. The Lady was known to be very strict about morals and principles thus she had personally raised her son to become a perfect man. Rumors said that she despised the harem culture but as a woman, there were very few things she could do to change thus she taught her son everything she had learned.

Zhao Shan had a reputation for being a good guy. There were not many who got the chance to talk with him since he preferred to live in seclusion and solitude, drowning in his own work. Even the elders of the Noble court were vary of him.

Elder Zhang quickly changed his attitude as he started bootlicking Zhao Shan.

"Greetings, Lord Zhao Shan"

"Greetings, Lord Zhao Shan"

Everyone started greeting him one after another when he came, to which he simply nodded in response.

"What brings you here, Xiao Shan?" asked Elder Zhang, his tone intimate. He was clearly attempting to demonstrate his acquaintance with the crown prince.

However, Zhao Shan didn't give him any face.

"The imperial garden belongs to the father, so as his son, it also belongs to me too. Do I need to provide reasons for strolling in my own garden Elders?"

"Guards"

They were quickly summoned by him.

"Yes, Lord"

"Yes, Lord"

Four shadow guards quickly came out from the hiding.

"What is my designation?"

The shadow guards scratched their heads in confusion nonetheless they replied. "You are the first son of Lord Zhao, crown prince of our kingdom"

Zhao Shan smiled in satisfaction. "Good at least you are not literate fools."

The shadow guards felt awkward. It was the first time their lord had ever praised them but since they were simple-minded persons, they gladly accepted the praises. . However, the elders' faces turned black. Humiliation was written all over Elder Zhang's face as anger surged inside him, however, the other person was the crown prince thus he just coughed in embarrassment.

Cough Cough

"Lord Shan is right. Atrocious people should be punished. The ones who don't understand their place and try sweet-talking to him shall face retributions...…."

Zhao Shan didn't wait for Elder Zhang to finish his ramble as he tuned the flow of conversation towards Feng Ye Zhen. "Oh, it's you Xiao Zhen".

Feng Ye Zhen was taken aback. The unexpected greeting from the Zhao Shan perplexed him, and it took him a few moments to realize what was going on around him. Feng Ye Zhen was not the only one who was taken aback; the people in the area were as well. Earlier everyone rejoiced in the misery of Elder Zhang when he was mocked by the Zhao Shan but now, it was actually a quiet shock for everyone since Zhao Shan had used a rather intimate form of address with Feng Ye Zhen.

Feng Ye Zhen didn't know how to react. It was the first time he was directly talking to him, in person, so he was a bit flustered. "I am a good Lord Shan."

Zhao Shan's smile took a curve as he replied," It's good to hear. Let's have dinner together sometime?"

Everyone's jaws fell on the ground. This was the golden opportunity that everyone presents their wants for themselves.

What a shame!

Today, Feng Ye Zhen stumbled upon good fortune.

Feng Ye Zhen gave a tiny smile as he nodded. "As lord wishes"

Hahahaha.

"Tonight then?"

Feng Ye Zhen's smile stiffened when he heard him. He was already feeling low today and now he was being forced to entertain him.

What luck!

What a pain.

Feng Ye Zhen sighed.

It will be considered impolite to refuse his invitation, and he will be ridiculed once more for his lack of etiquette. Even though he is used to being mocked and insulted, it always hurts him when they do so. With trepidation, he agreed to his wishes.

"Will do Lord Shan"

Zhao Shan didn't say more and left ignoring everyone's gazes, but Feng Ye Zhen wasn't lucky like him. After he disappeared, everyone glared at him like he was a traitor. If a stare could kill, Feng Ye Zhen would have experienced numerous deaths until now.

Everyone once again continued with their chit chat ignoring him completely. Feng Ye Zhen didn't want to further bear the humiliation thus he quickened his steps and left the imperial garden.