Chapter 45 (1/2)

Chapter 45: The Emperor's Birthday

Before Rou'er could finish, Qi Chen helped her get to her feet and put an arm around her waist. ”I hereby announce Rou'er as my new concubine,” he said to the fuming Wei Lanying. ”If anyone dares to hurt her, I'll have them killed. And I meant anyone.”

Wei Lanying collapsed onto the ground. He can't possibly mean it! It was only after Qi Chen and Rou'er had left that she pointed at the door and shouted hysterically, ”Qi Chen, don't you dare forget who it was that helped you become the crown prince! How could you treat me like this?”

”The emperor's birthday is near,” Jun Huang said. It made her pause seeing Rou'er leaning against Qi Chen. She didn't expect Rou'er to be this good. She gained Qi Chen's favor in only a few days! ”Has Your Royal Highness come up with a good gift?”

Ever since his fight with Wei Lanying, Qi Chen had not stepped foot into her palace. He wasn't even willing to see her. Wei Lanying couldn't possibly hate Rou'er more than she did right now.

Qi Chen ate the grape Rou'er pushed against his lips and shook his head. He couldn't think of anything. ”I never know what to give Royal Father,” he said with a sigh. ”Everything in Northern Qi is his. No gift will be of any value to him.”

”That's not true. It's been said that even giving a feather as a gift can mean the world to the receiver1; what matters is the intention. Whatever you give to the emperor, he will like it.”

Qi Chen arched an eyebrow. ”What if I really do give him a feather? Will he be happy?”

Jun Huang looked at him with bright eyes and curved lips. ”There are many kinds of birds in the world. A phoenix's feather is one of the most valuable. If you can get your hands on one and give it to the emperor, he will be happy.”

Qi Chen jumped  to his feet and didn't respond immediately. ”I've heard that phoenixes were only seen in Western Que, and after the country's destruction, no one knew where they'd gone. None have been seen since then.”

Sorrow flashed through Jun Huang's eyes, but she quickly recovered and pulled out a small bag. ”When I was young, I used to travel a lot. Once I was in Western Que and happened upon a phoenix. As it flew into the air, this feather dropped to the ground.”

Qi Chen took the bag and opened it. There was a golden phoenix feather inside. His breath hitched. It was so vibrant he could not take his eyes off it.

Rou'er narrowed her eyes and gave Jun Huang a questioning look. After Qi Chen had left to search for a decorative box to hold the feather, she stopped Jun Huang from leaving.

”What do you want?” Jun Huang looked back at her.

”You know that Qi Chen is the prince's enemy, miss. Why are you helping him?”

Jun Huang was taken aback. Qi Yun told her about me? She shook her head. ”I don't have an answer for you, Rou'er. Hasn't Qi Yun told you that everything I've done, I've done on purpose? You don't have to worry that I will harm your prince.”

Jun Huang was about to leave again when Rou'er murmured, ”It's from Western Que, then it must be the one piece of home you have on you. Don't you feel regretful for giving it to Qi Chen just like that?”

Jun Huang stopped in her tracks. She was silent for a long while. Just when Rou'er thought that she would not say anything, she opened her mouth. ”That's for me to decide. If I feel like it's not worth it, then it's not.” She paused before continuing, ”There are many pairs of eyes in this manor, Rou'er. You should be more cautious now that Wei Lanying sees you as an enemy. Don't give her anything to threaten you with. And don't call me miss.”

Rou'er stood there thinking about what Jun Huang had just said. Who could say Jun Huang was wrong? She let out a sigh, sorrow pulling her eyes downward. She couldn't figure out why Jun Huang did what she did.

When she turned around, she saw Wei Lanying coming towards her.

Wei Lanying looked at her, then she looked around. Qi Chen was nowhere to be seen. Her smile deepened as she walked up to Rou'er.

”What happened? Why is little sister Rou'er standing here on you own? Has the prince gotten tired of you already?”

Rou'er greeted her. ”Big sister should ask yourself that question.”

Wei Lanying sneered, ”You really are a spoiled girl. You only just gained the prince's favor and now you are acting like a savage.”

Rou'er looked at her without a word. Her silence riled up Wei Lanying even more, and Wei Lanying raised her hand to slap her. Rou'er cut her off with a chuckle and said, ”Big sister should think twice before you act. If you really do slap me and I tell the prince about it, he will get mad at you again. Then you'll never be able to regain his affection.”

Wei Lanying seethed with anger, but she knew she could not lay a hand on Rou'er. She balled up her hands into fists and laughed lightly.

”You probably don't know, but you can't go to the emperor's birthday. You are only a serving concubine after all.2” She smiled widely at her, her face as vibrant as the cherry blossoms in March.

Rou'er did not want to waste any more time arguing with Wei Lanying. Besides, why would she care who Qi Chen took to the palace? She gave her a smile and took her leave.

Wei Lanying watched her go. In her eyes Rou'er seemed upset, which made her feel a little better. She went off to find Qi Chen to talk about the emperor's birthday gift.