章 18: Banquet (VII)

After the tea ceremony ended, the Celebration Banquet officially commenced. The Emperor and Empress, both were sitting at their elevated throne chairs and were being greeted by the ministers and guests who came from far away kingdoms one by one.

While everyone was waiting for their turn to greet the Emperor and the Empress and wish the Crown Prince on his 25th Birthday, the other guests were casually walking around the palace and were talking to each other, expanding their social relations, and were busy discussing the political affairs.

Finding the right opportunity, Yang Ning slipped through the crowd and left the side of her so-called family who was trying to use her as a tool to make connections with the other guests.

" It's so beautiful and peaceful." Yang Ning sighed in pleasure as she walked around the royal palace with Xiaowei while admiring the beautiful paintings on the walls.

Even though greeting the guests and unnecessary formal ceremonies were quite boring, she was still trying to look for something interesting to not regret her decision to attend the banquet.

This is something that she can never get to experience in her world. How can she miss this precious opportunity?

She was busy admiring the beautiful paintings on the walls while listening to the peaceful and soothing music of Guzheng (Chinese zither) that was being played by the well-known musician in the Empire.

Xiaowei smiled to see Yang Ning enjoying the banquet and was relieved to see that she wasn't feeling sick anymore. It made her less guilty to wake her up in the morning when she was supposed to rest for a few days more to recuperate her body.

Just as she was following Yang Ning around the palace, her ears perked up when she heard people talking about Yang Ning. The words that started as a low whisper soon became loud that even Yang Ning could hear, loud and clear.

[ Isn't she the eldest daughter of Minister Yang? Is she here to celebrate the 25th birthday of His Highness or to curse him? Why is she wearing such simple-looking clothes at his Celebration Banquet?]

[ Hah! She is going to become the Crown Princess once she marries His Highness, however, she does not even respect the etiquette of the royal family. Even the servants of the royal family are wearing more extravagant clothes than her.]

[ She is so shameless. I heard that a while ago, she was beating her maid in front of the royal palace. I cannot believe that she made such an embarrassing scene on the day of the Celebration Banquet.]

[ So the rumors were all true. I had heard that the eldest daughter of the Yang Family not only mistreats her maid but also looks down on other people as well. I also heard that, some time ago, she even made a scene at the shop in a market where she went to buy dresses.]

Yang Ning clenched her fists as she tried to control her temper and not lash out at others. She is standing right in front of them, yet they are speaking ill about her as if she doesn't exist.

She only wanted to enjoy her time while looking at the paintings and listening to the peaceful music, but it seemed like some people cannot let her breathe in peace. While Yang Ning was trying to keep her nerves in control, there were a pair of eyes that had been following her around since a while ago.

" Your Highness, Princess Liu has come to meet you." Zheng Liang's guard whispered in his ears to make him aware of his surroundings.

Princess Liu has been standing in front of him for the past few minutes to get his attention, however, rather than attending to her, he seems to be lost in his thought and keeps looking somewhere else.

" Your Highness, Congratulations on your 25th birthday. I heard that you have controlled the situation at the southern border with your exceptional leadership skills and have proven your worth to your subjects and His Majesty as well." Princess Liu said while smiling shyly.

Her eyes were fixated on her hands as she cannot dare to look at his face. She was too embarrassed to look up at him that she was looking at her hands all the time during their conversation. Her cheeks were blushing crimson as she tried to start a conversation with Zheng Liang.

However, rather than getting a response from him, all she received was an ignoring silence. Her face, which was burning in shyness, was now crimson in humiliation as everyone was looking at them and was trying to listen to their conversation.

The personal guard of Zheng Liang saw the dull expressions of Princess Liu and called him out again, " Your Highness?" He called out for him again, hoping to get his attention this time.

How can he ignore a lady like this? That too, when the lady in front of him is none other than Princess Liu, who is the beloved princess of the Liu Kingdom, who is their neighboring kingdom.

" I heard you when you called me out for the first time." Zheng Liang snapped at his guard and turned to Princess Liu with a stony look on his face and said, " Thank you for your wishes." As soon as he thanked her, he went somewhere in a hurry, leaving her standing there alone.

After Zheng Liang left, Princess Liu's face turned cherry red. How can he leave her behind like this without bidding goodbye to her? She scoffed in disbelief and glared at his bodyguard who was still standing there in shock.

The Guard: "..."

He wasn't expecting Zheng Liang to keep the lady hanging in the middle of the conversation. If he wants to leave, at least give him a signal before he does this.

Why does he have to leave him alone in this awkward setting?

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