Capítulo 48: 3.10
The forest was located at the east side of the country. It was isolated and precious part of the country's land as it was always the first target of the nemesis kingdom to occupy the said country. But no foreign ruler had succeeded due to the superior defense and powerful resistance of the country that allowed them to stand firm on what they possessed.
The weather was warm and vaguely cold as the sky was covered with thick masses of clouds, indicating that it was already mid-autumn. The green surrounding with small and large trees gave off a visual of a peaceful forest.
But today, the change of ambience was perceivable as the usual serene forest was filled with mixed noises from nobles and individuals with superior identities. Flashy and costly clothes was deeply exhibit in the whole area while the cacophonous sound consistently reverberated.
The Mid-Autumn Hunt was the most anticipated part of the festival that has rarely occurred in the whole year. Many nobles and foreign men who received the invitation to attend at the said occasion was verily delightful.
It was not just the competition that made them joyful, but this occasion was served as the bridge to broaden their connections for their family, businesses and identities. This event serve as the turning point in their lives.
Of course, some young men and women participated in this event also wanted to find a suitable companion. Some young ladies dressed in their most beautiful dress to attempt to attract the attention of the rich and superior young master. They were lucky, if they manage to gain the Emperor's favor.
The entrance of the forest was filled with several tables and chairs as numerous individuals was socially chatting. The event has not yet to start, so they all started to befriend someone they desire to gain.
"His majesty the Emperor, and his sparrow, has arrived!" A Eunuch announced.
Suddenly, the mix noises gradually faded and was replaced by a quiet and respectful looks. The people present immediately stand up and pay respect to the Emperor.
Dressed in his usual Emperor's robe, with his firm and supercilious look, the Emperor traces his eyes on the sea of people. His prominent lazy smile again invaded in their eyes. The people in present did not dare to lift their eyes and only saw several costly robes passing by.
The Emperor sat on his respectful chair and his sparrows stand behind his back, he commanded in a low yet finalize voice, "Rise."
Immediately, they all followed what the Emperor has said, thus lifted their eyes. Amusement and fear was displayed in different faces. The Emperor was still handsome without a hint of aging in his current face. And the fact that several beauties of his sparrow made him look godly.
"The Mid-Autumn Hunt will be the same from last year."the Emperor stated firmly, his voice was low yet produced a severe pressure, "Begin!"
Then, the Eunuch give a speech of introductions and rules of the competition. The animals were already released in the forest a while ago and the participants was preparing to get ready.
Some contenders was very veteran in this aspect. Some were noble young masters, generals and princes from the different country. Some nobles also hired professional hunter to compete in this competition to exhibit their power and connections of the said event.
Qiao Chen's pale green eyes examine the whole area. The fur cloak hanging from his shoulder made his face appeared small and delicate but also oozing in elegance. His smile was in a limited curved as his eyes bore from a specific person.
Dressed in a red robe with a gorgeous face, Wen Yang attentively attempted to find the second prince in the crowd. As the two eyes collide, the two immediately look away and hide the ambiguous looks in their eyes.
Of course, this whole scenario was witness by Qiao Chen. His lips curved and turned his eyes on the male protagonist.
The appearance was truly matched in his role as the male protagonist. Wearing a hunter clothes, Yong An was handsome and tall. He was currently talking with a young master close to him. From this angle, he can clearly see the spark between the two protagonists, with a red strings of fate connecting their body. Of course, only Qiao Chen noticed this. But suddenly he felt a deep gaze penetrating inside his body. He shifted his gaze and instantly stiffened.
The watcher.
Ironically, he thought that the watcher will had a huge identity in the plot because this was the higher realm, he did not expect that the watcher was only one of the male protagonist's current servant and was deeply observing him.
Qiao Chen's calm face exudes. The corner of his lips curved as he discerned why the watcher was looking at him suspiciously.
At this time, the original Qiao Chen was supposed to be already one of Yong An's secret's ally. But now, the plot has changed, and Qiao Chen has not yet become his spawn, that's why the watcher was deeply examining the abnormalities in Qiao Chen's body.
"Xiao Chen are you uncomfortable?"
The firm voice of the Emperor made Qiao Chen came back to his senses. He displayed his serene smile and turned his eyes on the Emperor.
"Xiao Chen is alright, your majesty."
The Emperor only nodded and shifted his eyes to examine all the candidates of the hunt competition.
Several young men was lined up in the front with their horses. The Eunuchs and servants of each man was busy preparing the things that the hunter needed. A bow and an arrow.
Out of the few young individuals, the two men caught mostly of the ladies' attention. They're eyes with an infatuated and lustful gaze never intended to leave the two.
One has a charming and handsome face, and exudes a natural charm that hook anyone just by mere looking. And the other was very dominant and manly, as the eye patch on his left eye made his presence oozing in intense sexual appeal.
Instantly, the ladies in present pulled the handkerchief that they made in their cachet in headed towards the contestants. Some ambitious smile appeared on their lips.
Before the start of the game, it was a common rule of the hunt that ladies can give their handkerchief to someone they were rooting for. It was to displayed beauty and class of each noble ladies that was also competing in each others.
Mostly of the women pick the two promising young hunters as their winning candidates. But only one handkerchief will be accepted of the latter.
"I-I wish you success..."
Yong Guan stared at the lady with a red cheeks in front of him. He shifted his eyes and was met by the calm gaze of the beautiful sparrow standing beside the Emperor. His heart turned uncomfortable and returned his eyes on the lady. He frowned and pulled his black horse away, never intending to accept the handkerchief.
The lady who was suddenly ignore clenched her fist and almost exploded in anger. She was the fifth young miss of the Zhao family and his father was one of his majesty's minister. And yet, that man simply ignored and rejected her presence?! No one ever do that to her!
Her pretty face turned nice and calm. She walks away and swallowed the mocking gaze of several ladies towards her.
But they can't do something about her. She was a noble lady. They were no man that she can't capture. A wicked smile crept on her lips.
Qiao Chen watched the whole situation quietly. His eyes paused on the male protagonist, that also rejected several ladies wanting to hand their handkerchief to him. His gaze turned sour.
At this time, the relationship of both Wen Yang and Yong An was already severe. The male protagonist was almost smitten to the darling of fate. And this is harder for Qiao Chen...what made it harder was the fact that the watcher this time was the male protagonist's servant.
He released a very tight air and his green eyes turned tranquil. He shot a meaningful look to Qi Lan, who was a few meters beside him, and the latter also understand his gaze and nodded eagerly.
Qiao Chen turned his eyes on the Emperor and smiled sincerely, "Your majesty...what if Xiao Chen serve tea to his majesty."
The Emperor who was presently busy talking to one of his minister shifted his eyes, when he heard a very sweet and soothing voice. His heart trembled in excitement at this sweet intimacy and deeply stared at the beautiful sparrow in present.
"Quick, serve the tea to the Emperor."
Qiao Chen smiled and nodded, he called some servants, and the servants hurriedly brought the tea to the table.
Qiao Chen's hands held the porcelain tea pot elegantly and poured the tea on the teacup. His moves were precise and graceful as his slender fingers appeared more pretty and delicate. Other sparrow seeing this also approached the Emperor to serve the latter.
Now, the Emperor's chair was filled with several beauties, attentively serving him with full attention. Some noble men and minister felt awkward for a while, but still answered the Emperor's question respectfully.
Qiao Chen's scheming eyes paused on a specific person. His usually upturned eyes curved into a crescent moon.
Zhao Lan. One of the minister of the Emperor and also one of the biggest backer of the male protagonist. Zhao Lan was already old but still hold a very righteous path in terms of tyranny. He was the only one who can decrease the wickedness of the Emperor. He was not fond of the ascension of his majesty, but had no choice but to aid the Emperor. Because their family was very loyal to the royal family.
But now, Yong An still not gain the cooperation of Zhao Lan.
Qiao Chen hid the vigorous smile on his lips.
But a huge commotion interrupted their actions.
"I-I'm sorry..."
"What the hell?!"
A young servant was kneeling in the ground. His face was pale and tears started to drip in his eyes. The young lady glared angrily at the poor servant and kicked him in anger. The people present stared at the unexpected commotion.
Qiao Chen's eyes darkened. The young servant was Qi Lan and the surrounding atmosphere turned violent. He stood up from the ground and was met the worried look of the Emperor. He smiled at him and walk towards the sea of crowds.
"I-I'm really sorry.... I didn't do it on purpose."
"How dare a mere servant put an excuse in front of me! Do you know how much this dress cost?! Of course, you don't know, because you're a pathetic person!"
Qi Lan bite his teeth and stared at the stains on the lady's dress. His master commanded him to fetch some ink and paper, it was unexpected that he will bump with a noble lady and stains her clothes accidentally.
"You dare not to answer?! Who is your master and let me teach him how to educate a proper servant!"
"A strong provocation can really tempt a one's angry mind..."
Suddenly, a sweet yet chilly voice emerge. It was like a river in an endless snow, imprisoning their narrowed heart just for a mere voice.
The lady turned around and pale immediately, "Y-Young master..."
She knew who is the young man in front of him. She didn't expect that the master of this trash servant was one of the Emperor's sparrow, and the most favored one! Furthermore, she instantly regretted her words and pray for a light retribution if ever the young sparrow will bestow her.
Qiao Chen stepped in and the people in present made a way for him. His cold and wintery face was very firm and stiff as his green pale eyes trace the servant kneeling on the ground. Anger right away exhibit in his face but tragically maintain the serene countenance.
He asked calmly, "What does my servant do to deserve this humiliation?"
The woman paled more and did not dare to meet the eyes of the juvenile, "I-It's a misunderstanding.... This subject is at fault."
"No. This young master was asking a question. What did my servant do to deserve such thing? If my servant indeed done something intolerable, this sparrow will punish him."
Both the woman and Qi Lan stiffened. The words were very firm and serious.
The woman gulped, "T-The young master's servant...accidentally stained the lady's dress, but it was an accident...the young master needn't worry."
"Do you think of me as a fool?" Suddenly, the calm face of Qiao Chen's distorted and was replaced by a scary expression. It was devilishly terrible as his slender fingers pulled the jade clip on his hair and instantly pierce it on the shoulder of the young lady, "How dare an existence like you tell me the things that you shouldn't have."
A loud scream escaped in her lips and she fell down on the ground, staring horribly at the beautiful sparrow with a blood stains on his face. Her servants hurriedly approached her and aid the pain on her shoulders.
Qiao Chen smiled nicely, "I hope you don't dare to do this again."
The lady trembled, "I-I dare not."
Qiao Chen finally nodded, "Good girl."he then shifted his gaze to his servant and throw a meaningful look before started walking away.
His usually clean clothes was now painted in blood. His hands were still holding a sharp jade clip that was dripping with blood. It was like a demon in people's perspective. They dare not to meet his pretty eyes.
When Qiao Chen passed into a certain someone, his fingertips moved very fast and pulled a small paper on the edges of his sleeves and handed it to the man. It was very fast, leaving others not to see the secret actions. Then, Qiao Chen smiled nicely as he returned to the Emperor.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
BunnyDubu
BunnyDubu I also posted an extra chapter from arc 2, in case if you forgot (^_^;)