Planning Mischief

Zhao Xing could only continue to suffer until the day of the banquet arrived.

Apparently the banquet was to celebrate the success of the disaster relief and the safe return of the Crown Prince.

Zhao Xing till this moment didn't realize just how much the news about her rescuing the Crown Prince had shook the Capital. Many young ladies were going to attend this banquet just to get a glimpse of her face. Everyone knew the Crown Prince hardly paid attention to the fairer sex. Now that such a thing has happened, that a girl had somehow saved his life, they wondered what else would unfold from this.

Zhao Xing had her maids help her dress up. Zhang Zhengyang had asked her to dress as simply as possible. They had already discussed what they were to do, including her fake identity that the Crown Prince had prepared for her.

She was an orphan that lived in the mountains. That day she had gone looking for medicinal herbs in the forest when she saw a bunch of people in black attacking a carriage.

They talked over it and came up with a convincing story.

Zhao Xing was happy that she would not only be showing off her acting skills, but that she would be dressing up as a girl today of all days to a banquet at the palace. She would be able to sit with the nobles, and taste the food of the royals made especially in the palace by the imperial chefs. She had been dying to taste all the food she had seen during the Emperor's birthday. They had been so appetizing she almost drooled.

Zheng Zhengyang even told her it was alright to mingle with the young misses at the banquet today, that would mean she was allowed to eat melons today!

While she daydreamed, she didn't know that this day was the day that all nobles would come to eat melons and she would be the center of attention.

Because she was going as a female today, she was going to take her own carriage, where she would sit with her maid. Today, she took Nuo Nuo along. She had wanted to take them both, but this was the prince's arrangement. It was well known how reliable Nuo Nuo was, so in case of anything, Nuo Nuo was the best choice.

Zhao Xing wasn't used to the plenty free space in the carriage. Though Zhang Zhengyang's carriage wasn't easily crowded she got used to being with two or three people accompanying her.

When they arrived, Zhao Xing suddenly felt nervous, as all eyes fell on her.

People crowded them, in guise of talking with the Crown Prince and exchanging pleasantries, their eyes would drift towards her.

They dared not ask directly and only talked about how glad they were that the Crown Prince was able to return safely from the journey.

Zhang Zhengyang didn't back down, he exchanged a few words with them here and there.

The hall was filled with people. Zhao Xing no longer dared to do all the things she imagined. She suddenly wanted to find a quiet place to sit. But she could only stay beside the Crown Prince, as if she was his little tail.

At the other end of the hall where many of the women gathered, they couldn't help but look on in jealousy and disgust.

"Who is she? So what if she saved the Crown Prince? Why is she sticking so close to him."

"Aiya, big sister, you don't know, these days, women are becoming braver and braver."

"Indeed. You don't know, those peasant girls really dream big these days."

"True."

"It's not like she even has the appearance. There's nothing extraordinary about her."

"In my opinion big sister is more beautiful."

They talked among themselves, and formed small groups.

As Zhao Xing stood beside the Crown Prince, she felt so many eyes on her, and could feel hostility from the crowd of women. Whether young or old.

It seemed she even offended the mothers who had set their eyes on the Crown Prince as a potential husband for their daughters.

Zhao Xing didn't know what to think. She was just a chess piece for the Crown Prince, ok? There was absolutely nothing else between them.

Anyone who wanted to court him shouldn't be afraid to do so. At least, she knew perseverance was key to any difficulty in life. Like she believed her friend Lu Yang could soon melt the heart of the class belle, Xue Shan Shan.

Zhang Zhengyang was too busy talking to the many hypocritical officials to care about her.

Zhao Xing who was unwilling to stand and do nothing on this rare occasion decided to excuse herself to go and meet up with the women.

At least even though the words 'I don't like you' was written on their forehead, it would be better to have some fun with them no matter what. She felt like it would be interesting to find out what they'll do to her.