Chapter 104 - 104. Bad Feeling II (1/2)
Third person POV
Hong er sat silently as she watched the performances from other participants. She knew that Long Shangu and Li Qianzi had a thing together from the information that she got from Ah Jian. He had been reporting everything that had happened in Long Quan's harem and everything that circulate around Long Quan to Hong er.
She could feel the stares and glares from everyone around her, especially from the royal family. But what makes Hong er confused was Long Yang's stares towards her, she purposely avoid having eye contact with Long Yang because she felt like Long Yang wasn't that average prince. There was something lies deeply inside Long Yang that makes Hong er uncomfortable.
When it was the time for announcing the winner, all participants stood up and lined up on the podium. Eunuch Zhu stood in front of the line with golden scroll in his hand, he read out loud the content while facing the audiences and the royal family.
The result came out as what Hong er expected, she didn't win the selection. The winner was Li Qianzi with her score was the top in all subjects including dancing. The reason why Hong er's score wasn't high in dancing because she danced the exact sword dance that she did 7 years ago. Since it was nothing new nor amazing, the score barely passed the passing point.
But Hong er knew that Long Quan wouldn't give up just like that. By looking at his calm and relaxed posture right now, Hong er knew that he had another plan under his sleeve. Hong er tried to guess every possibility that Long Quan would do. If Long Quan was going to make Hong er become Long Shangu's concubine, Xu Tingfeng would definitely be furious because it would mean that Long Quan looked down on Xu Tingfeng by making his daughter a mere concubine.
As Hong er knew that Long Quan wouldn't want to anger Xu Tingfeng, she threw away the idea of her become Long Shangu's concubine. Then Hong er tried to guess again, if Long Quan tried to take Xu family's power by her marriage then the only choice was marry her to Long Yang as he was the only prince that was near the marriageable age. The rest of the prince was still toddlers or babies. ( Long Yang is 15 y/o, the same as Hong er but boy's marriageable age is 18 or above.)
Hong er's gaze turned dangerous from the second thought. Marrying her to Long Yang would be easier and safer for him to execute. Long Yang didn't have any power nor supporter in Da Chu's political field and military so it would be hard for Hong er to help Long Yang to become the emperor. Furthermore, it would be easier for him to control her when his husband was utterly useless. Then if Hong er refused to lend them Xu family's elite forces or power, Hong er would be deemed for not being a virtuous wife. It would be hard for Hong er to stop them if Long Quan used imperial edict to announce her marriage with Long Yang. She need to go back to Xi An as quick as possible.
The selection was finally over after Eunuch Zhu announced that Li Qianzi would be Long Shangu's bride. There was an after party to congratulate Long Shangu and Li Qianzi as a new nation couple but it wasn't a must attend party. Only the greedy ministers that wanted to lick Long Shangu's boots attend that party. It goes without saying, Hong er didn't attend the party. Hong er directly walked out of the garden with Meiyun and Huayun behind her.
Long Yang immediately stood up from his seat when he saw Hong er walked away, he was in ecstatic when Hong er lost the selection, it means Hong er had no fiancé. He wanted to make her be his wife that would always be by side, loving him. He ran to the circular gate while being chased by his servants for suddenly running away without asking a permission from Long Quan. A big smile was plastered to his face as he finally reached the gate, his chest was heaved up and down from running. His smile immediately disappeared when he didn't found Hong er anywhere.
Long Yang: ” I lost her again…”
Then suddenly a voice sounded out inside his head.