Proposal VI

Rolling wheels and loud hooves resounded within the high walls bathed by the reddish and dark light of the evening sky. The rhythmic sound was because a dark green carriage with a bright red nine-petal flower carved on its four sides was being pulled by two majestic Heavenly Snow Deer along a beautiful path of flat stones.

Inside, the Fourth Prince sat with his eyes closed and a hand supporting his cheek. His scarlet hair was left loose and simply secured by two golden hairclips at both sides of his head. From time to time, some fine threads of his hair danced with the soft wind produced by a thing sapphire fan with emerald bamboos that matched his dark red and navy blue layers of robes.

"Why so tense?" He asked without opening his eyes.

Wei Yan and Wei Ge who accompanied him inside the carriage looked at each other at his unexpected question.

"Re-replying to His Highness, the evening isn't that young," Wei Ge answered.

"There is nothing to worry about. What Imperial Father wants the most is seeing This Prince there, it won't matter if it is a bit late or not.

"In fact, the later This Prince arrives, the more people there would be and the greater impact This Prince will cause. Even if This Prince gets scolded for it, attention is attention and sometimes… a bad regard is better than a good one," he replied unhurried.

"…" Wei Yan and Wei Ge were short of words and rather surprised that they looked at their relaxed prince with strange eyes.

"Something else?"

"…"

"This Prince is in a half-good mood, speak your minds," feeling the strange eyes and words that didn't come out, the Fourth Prince added.

"… His Highness is wise," Wei Yan said with a courteous reverence.

"His Highness is wise," Wei Ge followed Wei Yan's praise.

"Umh?" He opened his eyes and showed his bottomless dark pupils, "Why is it… that This Prince doesn't remember having received such praise before?"

Both maidservants paled, "H-his High-," and began to stutter.

"Doesn't matter," he closed his eyes again and waved his fan, "It appears… that having nearly died has opened my eyes. If one can't change the view of people, it is better to take advantage of it and feed one needs above and… under the water to achieve what one desires."

"…"

"Of course, to smoothly accomplish that… one must make the right choices."

"His Highness, we have arrived."

When the Fourth Prince finished adding his last note, Ting Niao, who was playing driver, said aloud.