The Empress To Be (BL) [ON HOLD]

Chapter 5 - A Choice

"Attention everyone!" the emperor's varlet called, his booming voice resonating in the large hall for what seemed like an eternity, drawing the attention of the small group of ten. The twenty eyes that belonged to the group of ten; looked at the varlet with an expression of that of someone who was completely engrossed, "our emperor has been called for an audience with a neighboring country's emperor and his eldest son, the prince, of the Kingdom of Xiu. In short, he will be taking along with him; three of you." Immediately the group of ten erupted into a loud cheer, but the excitement was quickly subsided as everyone immediately began glaring at one another, almost saying "I'm the one that the emperor is going to choose, for I'm the one that's going to be his empress after all; not you!" Well, that's how Yu Zhen interpreted the ferocious stares of the other nine to be saying anyway.

"The journey will take place the day after tomorrow, and it is then that the emperor will decide who will be embarking on this journey to The Kingdom of Xiu with him." The varlet enlightened, murmurs enveloped the hall as they spoke threateningly between one another, Yu Zhen on the other hand remained calm and silent; still holding onto Hui Jingyi and Fan Jiahao's hands tightly, unwaveringly. "Are there any questions or concerns to be addressed?"

Although this was indeed a question, but a question that an answer shouldn't have followed after, a rhetorical question. Yu Zhen understood this and kept quiet whilst waiting patiently for this summoning to be over with, however, others' seemed to of missed what Yu Zhen clearly hadn't. "Yes, I do! How will his highness choose between all ten of us?" a mistress-in-waiting, by the name of Far Heng asked naively, not quite comprehending the concept behind the question. It was practically saying "I don't care if you have a question, just keep it to yourself" but courtesy had to be kept and so the question must be asked. The emperor had a vein pop on his forehead in agitation, grunting for his varlet to reply whilst he rubbed his aching temples, "all your question will be answered in due time; be patient."

The girl crossed her slender arms over her chest and huffed, annoyed by the outcome. Dear me, who taught this child to act so disrespectfully in front of such an important figure as the emperor?! Yu Zhen practically screamed in his head, "you are all dismissed, rest well and be ready for the next summoning in two days times" the varlet announced, much to Yu Zhen's happiness.

Yu Zhen slipped his hands from Fan Jiahao and Hui Jingyi grasp; took a step forward then turned around and squatted so he was level with the pair, smiling softly at them. "Fan Jiahao, Hui Jingyi, let's take our leave, yes?" the two smiled brightly and nodded in agreement, Yu Zhen patted their heads briefly before standing only to be hugged from behind by the pair. "Hey!" Yu Zhen chuckled, nearly tripping over his own feet as he took a single step forward then back as to steady himself, the two younger males giggled mischievously as they gripped onto his legs tighter.

The two varlets were laughing at Yu Zhen as he attempted to get a grip on the jovial pair, to then pull them off his legs, until it hit Yu Zhen; they were still in the hall with the emperor now watching them with fixated eyes! Talk about a hypocrite, I was criticizing that young girl about her 'manners', now look at me doing exactly the same thing she was doing! How utterly shameful! Yu Zhen critiqued himself, the emperor had been paying close attention to them ever since Yu Zhen had let go of both Hui Jingyi and Fan Jiahao's hands, and from then he had watched from the beginning until the end to see how the whole story would play out, you could say he was ever so slightly captivated by Yu Zhen's brave actions. But by the time Yu Zhen had finally realized that the emperor was watching them, more so himself, it was already too late for him. That same emperor was rather baffled and somewhat amused by the turn of events, to say he wasn't at least a little intrigued by Yu Zhen would be a total and utter lie; but who would dare point it out and risk losing their head? The answer: no one.