Chapter 90 - Runaway Hero (1/2)
An Hao strolled in and stood in-between Prince Rui and Prince Yi, smiling brightly up at the Emperor and got on one knee and cupped his hands, ”Greetings to your majesty! It has really been too long. As per your order, I brought our esteemed guest here safe and sound!” He finished bowing his head.
The Emperor smiled and said, ”Rise, you have done very well.” An Hao happily got up with a smug expression. Prince Rui and Prince Yi cast him a side glance, they were both not sharing in his amus.e.m.e.nt. On the other hand, the Emperor cleared his throat to stop the urge to laugh.
The Emperor then turned to Prince Rui, ”It is good to finally be able to receive you formally...I hope you do not hold your past experience against us, we are a very hospitable people.”
Prince Rui put on a smile and said, ”Not at all, the past was a different time, it was what was necessary.”
The Emperor laughed, ”I knew you were a man with a great mind the moment I saw you. I hope An Hao did not cause you too much trouble. He is very capable but because of his young age, he sometimes gets carried away.”
Prince Rui's smile became strained and he cupped his hands, ”Not at all.”
{...His smug face just almost drove me mad...}
An Hao scoffed, ”What trouble could I possibly cause? I treated him even better than I would my father.” He then smiled at the Emperor, ”I served him as I would you, Your majesty, with the utmost care and respect.”
The Emperor laughed, ”That is very good then. I worried for nothing.”
Prince Rui maintained his smile while his irritation was building up on the inside. Prince Yi was also not amused at all. He just witnessed the Molin he had been searching for arriving with Prince Rui. It was clear that there was now some sort of plot behind all this and he was yet to get an explanation for it and suspected it had to be his brother's doing.
The Emperor looked at the two disgruntled Princes and smiled, ”My brother here has graciously agreed to be your companion during your stay here to ensure that you are treated to only the finest of our country's offerings. If there is anything lacking be sure to let him know. Tomorrow we will have a welcome banquet to officially receive you. For today, you should return to get proper rest.”
Prince Rui smiled and then said, ”Thank you, Your majesty for your hospitality. I do have a request if it's not too much of a bother...”
”Of course, ask.” The Emperor swiftly responded.
”My sister, Princess Nalan followed on this journey. To pay respects to Your majesty she has prepared a special performance as a gift to offer during the banquet. The performance requires an outside venue, if it's not too much...”
”A simple one, very well.” The Emperor responded and then turned to Eunuch Li, ”Do see to it that the preparations are made to properly receive our guests.” Then he turned back to Prince Rui, ”Inform him of what you require and it will be arranged. With that being said, we will meet again tomorrow. I leave you in my brother's capable hands.” He finished smiling at Prince Yi.
”Thank you, your majesty.” Prince Rui bowed his head and turned to leave, Prince Yi bowed as well and followed with Eunuch Li following behind them. As they left the room, the Emperor got up and walked down to the smiling An Hao.
After the doors closed, An Hao looked the Emperor up and down and said, ”Your majesty, you really look good as an Emperor. It suits you perfectly!”
The Emperor laughed and pat him on the shoulder, ”How was the journey?”
”Easy!” An Hao swiftly responded, ”That prince was quite easy to handle. All that travel must have made him tired. He didn't even put up a fight, everything was settled too easily.”
The Emperor snorted, ”What is the point of resisting when there is nothing to be done?”