Chapter 31: Banquet (2)
The banquet is at its peak of celebration when the older princes are gathered together: Second Prince Chang Chen, Third Prince Chang Bo, Sixth Prince Chang Ji, and Eight Prince Chang Min. Though their father is of questionable morals, no one can deny the looks the royal blood had given them. Misses fawns at their presence, seeking for their favorite prince's attention.
"Third Brother, your blue robe is quite too extravagant for a simple banquet no?" Chang Chen chucks nonchalantly, "Second Brother, you should speak for yourself. I don't think orange fits you well." They glare at each other.
But then an arm hangs over each of Chen and Bo's shoulders, "Let's not fight today brothers. There are plenty of flowers surrounding us, no need to be jealous." In unison, they respond, "Who's jealous?", and slaps his head.
Chang Ji had always been the playful prince between them all. He mediates and is cared for by his brothers despite their own agendas.
"Eighth Brother, your gloomy face is ruining this party." Chang Min with his poker face looks to Chang Ji, "Brother, I think the party's mood stays the same despite my facial expressions." Chang Ji laughs at Min's literal understanding, "Okay, alright. My bad."
The four continue to drink before Chang Min excuses himself. "Brothers, if you would excuse me, I'll be out at the garden for fresh air. Seems like my tolerance isn't up to par today."
Chang Ji laughs at his excuse when Min left. "Why are you laughing?" Chang Bo asks. "Eight and I may be from different mothers, but we grew up together. I know him well enough to know he doesn't get drunk from a few sips of wine. An odd one, that one," as he takes another sip.
Outside, Chang Min wanders the garden admiring the lilies his mother loves. His mother is Consort Luo, second to be titled Consort after Consort Xian(Third & Tenth Prince's mother). But her nights with the emperor was quickly numbered after becoming weak due to an unknown illness. Afterward, Chang Min rarely sees his mother as he was moved to a different residence in case it was contagious.
Then, a commotion could be heard from afar on the other side of the garden. Lan, Li Qin, and Li Shan with her friends were on that side of the garden. Li Shan, enraged, raises a hand, "Respond you bit-!" Before Lan could hold off the hands intended to slap her, someone else does it.
Shuffling due to their shock, Li Shan curtsies and the girls behind her follows "Greetings, Your Highness." Sensing the presence behind her, Lan turns around without bothering to look and curtsies too.
"Seems like there's a second party out here that I didn't know of," the familiar voice of Second Prince Chang Chen. "There was no such thing, Your Highness. We were just having a ladies talk," Li Shan speaks up with her sweet voice.
Chang Chen scoffs, "Since when did lady's talk require such vulgar and of your waving hands? I'm quite surprised. I suppose I should share this new trend with my mother?"
Li Shan doesn't dare to look up, and no one dared to back her up; it'd be a crime of lying to the Empress. Silence.
"You dare lie!" The ladies flinch and go onto their knees at his sudden yell. As Chang Chen was about to call out for his servants, he gets interrupted. "Your highness," a blissful sound soothes the hoarse anger. Everyone stares at Lan who's been quiet this whole time. "We really were having a ladies talk. Miss Li Shan was showing me something new she learned, that's all. Please don't anger yourself over our humble matters."
Shocked at the excuse Lan obviously made up, "You-" "Yes, yes, I was just showing my dear sister along with our new friend, Miss Lan something I learned," Li Shan said quickly.
Internally Lan applauds the girl's quick wit to accept the lie so quickly. Without being properly excused to stand up, Lan grabs Li Qin's shoulders and calls out for Chiu to help. "Your highness, if you could excuse us. We need to retouch our makeup. Just ladies things."
Despite his chuckle of disbelief at the nonsense, "You guys are excused." "Thank you, Your Highness."
Chang Chen turns over to Li Shan and her friends with a glare, "Stand." Amid the fresh summer air, cold air crawls up their back. They oblige without looking straight at him.
"You are here for the Princess, watch your behavior. The Palace is not a playground," he said coldly. "Yes, Your Highness."
A sudden courage pushes her chin up to look at the owner of the deep voice; Li Shan takes a glance. Second Prince Chang Chen is blessed with a tall nose and sharp lips from the Empress, while his chiseled jaws and deep eyes are clearly from the Emperor. A distinguished aura surrounds him that makes one never mistake the royal blood running in his veins.
Chang Chen turns to take his leave, but a tug from behind his robe stops him. Li Shan had unconsciously pulled him back in her trance. His glare wakes her up, "You dare!" He slaps her hand away, "Watch yourself! This is your last chance before you're looking for a punishment!"
Li Shan quickly goes on her knees, "This one apologize! My impudence is inexcusable." Chang Chen turns and walks away, annoyed at the time the girl is wasting.
On the way to the other side of the garden, Li Qin is being aided by Lan and Chiu. "Miss Li Qin, where is your maid? Why are you making my miss help you? Quite rude." "Chiu," Lan simply said. "I apologize, Miss Lan, Chiu. I should walk by myself."
Li Qin pulls away, but not even on her second step yet, she trips. Lan caught her in time and notions for Chiu to help. Tears run down Li Qin's face, "I apolo-apol-apologize. I'm so useless."
Lan steps in front of the now bawling girl. She looks straight at Li Qin with a poker face and slaps her face with minimal force. Li Qin pauses with a hand over the stinging pain on her left cheek, staring at Lan with shock.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
nonamenow
nonamenow HAPPY NEW YEARS !!
So...December I said...hahaa...circumstances still stands so I won't make any more excuses.
Anyways, I have taken notice on obvious mistakes like grammar and such. I can't promise to give perfect work in the future as English is my weaker subject, but I have edited it to the best of my abilities.
It has also come to my attention by one of you that the rank of Commander is in fact lower than General. I sincerely apologize for the lack of research for accuracy, but I will continue to have Commander ranked higher^^
You live you learn amiright, so I also learned that only Emperors and Empresses are called 'Majesties' so I have also edited so that the princes/princess are going to be 'Highness'
I genuinely thank you EVERYONE for your support and patience with me. <3
**Please note that I welcome any notes/criticism you may have as it gives me perspective so feel free to do so!
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