Chapter 167 - Garden Tour I

Third person POV

Today was the day where the nobles that came to the tournament were invited into a garden sightseeing. Of course they didn't reject this kind offer and joyfully came to Da Qi's Royal Palace.

Not different from tea party, the guests were guided to the beautifully arranged seat at the imperial garden to enjoy the view. Knowing that this event was flower themed kind of event, the girls dressed up in flower embroidered dress and used Nanjing Velvet Flower as their hair ornament. (Look into story of Yanxi palace or Nanjing Rong Hua, the flower is very beautiful. It was an ancient art and to me, it is very impressive.)

Hoping that they could catch the DQ's emperor's attention or another high ranked young master. Weisheng and Hong er arrived the last and their attire for today's event were more simple and calming. Only a few accessories and simple yet beautifully made clothes.

The rulers of each country greeted each other and then the officials greeted them one by one. The gathering was more relaxed that they thought. An opera performance, dancing, singing, and art appreciation, plus, accompanied with high quality liquor, tea, and confectionaries.

Sound of people clapping and voiced 'Good! Good!' could be heard all over the garden. Then Hong er invited all of them to stroll deeper into the garden which they happily accepted. Hong er had noticed a few people were missing from their seat and it were girls from one of the highest ranking noble in DQ's daughters.

She has keen eyes therefore she could notice their absence in a glance, furthermore, the guests were not that many in the first place and as an empress, she should know her subordinate's face or else she would embarrass herself in the public for being ignorant.

The entourage strolled around the imperial garden for a while and talked about how the garden was artistically made. Hong er briefly thanked them for their praises and saw the girls that were absence before were now gleefully talking and giggling except one girl whose face was solemn and grim. Yet, she noticed one of them was still missing.

Hong er remembered her name is Huang Ming Yu. Ming Yu's presence was quite unique in Hong er's eyes, while other girls tried to sat closer to the bachelors young master, she sat quietly in the corner with a very simple dress and a gaudy looking accessories on her hair which didn't suite her pure and innocent face. And despite her having such a innocent looking face, her gaze was fierce and firm.

Hong er looked around when she heard an ear piercing screech from the girls in the entourage. Even Weisheng turned around to look at what happened as he was the master of this palace. If anything happened inside his territory, then it would be his responsibility.

Girl: "How shameless of you to do such a filthy thing in front of His Majesties and Her Majesties! Huang Ming Yu! Not only you embarrass yourself, you also tarnished our family's name!"

The girl spoke in loud voice in purpose everyone in there heard and saw what happened. Weisheng and Hong er walked with fast footsteps yet their face was calm like nothing happened. The crowd split into two to give way to the rulers.

There was a girl with her clothes and hair disheveled, her shoulders and half of her thighs were exposed to the eyes of the crowd. She hastily covered her exposed body part with her torn clothes. Her body was trembling vigorously under all of their stares, her face was as pale as paper and nothing could come out from her throat.

She didn't know what to say to protect her name and reputation. Her mind was blanked out and what she could do was lowering her head in shame and fear.

Hong er swiftly took off her coat and dr.a.p.ed it on her shoulder, she tied her coat so Ming Yu's front part was securely covered. Hong er and Huayun helped Ming Yu stand up while Meiyun uses her body to block the crowd's view.

Ming Yu looked at Hong er and Huayun with eyes full of grateful. Huayun comforted her and rubbed her back to reassure her. Seeing that her (the girl with grim face) plan wasn't going right, she went to the front and kowtowed to Hong er and Weisheng.

Other girl: "I deeply apologize for my little sister's behavior. I, as her big sister had warned her to behave herself, yet, she didn't listen to any of my advice. Please give me punishment for my negligence as a big sister."

Ming Yu glared at her with her eyes full of disbelief. She didn't dare to say anything back as she could tell everyone in the crowd, including her own father, were siding with her big sister. However, Hong er stepped up and stood dignifiedly in front of the girl.

Hong er: "Ben Gong hasn't said a word, yet, you had said hundreds of it."

Hong er coldly glanced at the girl and spoke with low tone. The girl's face paled when she heard Hong er's cold voice. She thought that Hong er is very kind and forgiving therefore she dared to use Hong er as her sword to destroy Ming Yu, her blood related little sister.

(A/N: I will just give her random name, kay. Bc it's hard to use 'the girl' lol. No need to remember her name as she will only appear in a few chapters. Her name is Huang Ming Zhu.)

Ming Zhu: "I-I deeply apologize for my behavior, Your Majesty Empress."

Hong er turned her eyes to the shivering Ming Yu without replying to Ming Zhu. Ming Zhu bit her lips in anger, she was older than Hong er a few years, yet, Hong er's presence was tenth times stronger than her presence.

Hong er: "You are Huang Ming Yu?"

Ming Yu: "Ye-yes, Your Majesty Empress."

Hong er: "En. Are you fine?"

Ming Zhu: "Your Majesty Empress, my little sister had done the deed with a lowly servant. How can she be fine. She tried to ruin Your Majesty Empress's face by doing this. Your Majesty Empress, please don't be fooled by her act."

Ming Zhu's father started to panic and his face paled. At first, he thought that Hong er was an overly kindhearted person, therefore he was very happy that he could climb higher by taking Hong er's kindness to his advantage. Yet, not even a week of her reign as an empress, she had killed two high ranked officers and gave her husband their head as a present.

Weisheng showed them the heads during morning court and warned them to not mess around with him and his wife because these heads were personally prepared by her for them. And since then, everyone ran around to erase every evidence of crimes that they ever did. And now, it was her favorite daughter who would bring him to the death gate.

Hong er: "Did Ben Gong ask you?"

Hong er gave Ming Zhu a dead look and her voice changed drastically compared to when she talked to Ming Yu. Even Long Quan ( Emperor DC) and everyone shivers under her eyes. Her face was black as ink with her golden eyes shone brightly.

Lu Cixi silently watching her from the side with indifferent look. She wanted to know how Hong er handle this situation and Hong er indeed surpassed her expectation. Lu Cixi herself had lived in the nest of scheming female foxes for decades, of course this cheap and unprofessional scheme wouldn't be able fool her even tiniest bit. Ming Zhu was trembling in fear, she didn't mean to anger Hong er.

Ming Zhu: "N-no, Your Majesty Empress."

Hong er: "And from your words, are trying to say that Ben Gong is a fool?"

Ming Zhu widened her eyes in shock. She vigorously shook her head and didn't dare to lift up her head.

Ming Zhu: "Th-that isn't what I mean."

Hong er: "Then what do you mean by your words? Tell Ben Gong."

Ming Zhu: "It-it is me who is the fool one."

Hong er coldly stares at her kowtowing to her. She moved her fingers to tell her to stand up. Ming Zhu's personal servants quickly went to help their Miss to stand up. Ming Zhu had to look up since Hong er is taller than her 10cm.

Hong er: "Minister Huang."

Hong er called Ming Zhu's father, he quickly went to her side and bowed.

Hong er: "Take better care of your family. Don't bring your personal problem to the palace. Ben Gong doesn't want this to be repeated again, do you understand?"

Minister Huang: "Ye-yes."

Then Hong er looked at Huayun and told her to take Ming Yu to guest room. She turned around and showed her bright smile.

Hong er: "My my~ Let's continue the stroll, shall we?"

Hong er extended her hand to guide them and her behavior was like nothing happened a few seconds ago. Meanwhile, Lu Cixi smiled in contentment and continued to walk around the garden.