6 Chapter 6 Welcoming Banquet

Gu Jingsheng is a trusted subordinate of Yan Xing. He is the son of Deputy General of Black Eagle Cavalry, Gu Feng. Twenty-five years ago during the rebellion, Deputy general Gu defended the palace gates and he was severely injured. Though he managed to survive that night, he lost his martial abilities and remained in the capital. After six years, when Gu Jingshen was only a year old, he passed away. Xiao Shan had a good relationship with Gu Feng, there wasn't much age gap between them. Gu Feng was four years older than Xiao Shan and they were like brothers so when Gu Feng passed away, Xiao Shan didn't forget his family and often let Yan Xing and Gu Jingsheng play. They grew up playing and studying together. Apart from being a trusted subordinate, Gu Jingsheng is Yan Xing's closest friend. 

"Jingsheng, you are suspecting the second miss of the Prime Minister's estate!", asked Yan Xing raising his eyebrows. 

"Yes, because right now no one knows that the Emperor is going to bestow a marriage to you and the second miss of the Prime minister's household. Those who know about it are the Emperor, Prime Minister, and their close subordinates. We know of this because of a mole we planted next to the Emperor. So, if we can plan a mole next to Emperor, your father then, Second Miss Zhao can plant a mole next to her Father the Prime Minister", said Jingsheng deeply contemplating.

Yan Xing nodded his head in agreement. Jingsheng continued, "But what confused me the most is, Second Miss Zhao is considered to be a weak and sickly lady who hardly steps out of her courtyard. So, no matter how we look at it, it doesn't seem like her doing. But, at this moment I can only think about her. Your highness, this is only my conjecture, you don't need to take it seriously, I might be wrong"

Yan Xing had an evil smile hanging on his lips, "She will be at the banquet too. Let's keep a close watch on her and if there is anything strange with her take note of it. After the banquet, go and personally investigate if there is anything strange with her or some major events and incidents of her life. If it is her who had investigated me, then she might have gotten the wind that I investigated her too"

Jingsheng was quite surprised that Yan Xing would take his conjecture so seriously.

"Your Highness, I just said it casually but you seem to take this matter seriously!" asked Jingsheng.

Yan Xing chuckled lightly, "Not many people are aware of my actual situations. Even if they investigated me, they will only get to know what I wanted them to know"

Light dawned on Jingsheng, "Your Highness, what you mean is, Second Miss Zhao might be doing the same thing as you!"

Cracking a peanut and casually tossing it inside his mouth, Yan Xing replied, "I am not sure too but we should not let our guard down just because a person is weak. A person cannot be judged based on rumors and remarks others made. What we hear and what we see might only be a part of a person he or she wanted the world to know. In this world, there are many people disguised as a pig to eat tigers"

What Yan Xing just said, Jingsheng understood it very well. The best example would be Prince Yan Xing himself. What the world knows about him is not the actual him, only those people close to him knows very well what kind of person Prince Yan Xing is.  "What Your Highness said is correct. I will be more cautious in the future"

The carriage soon arrived at the palace gates. Yan Xing got out of the carriage and people nearby bowed and greeted him with a smile but Yan Xing knew that there isn't a single ounce of sincere respect in their words and action. Yan Xing was accustomed to this, and he doesn't care about it. With Jingsheng by his side, he slowly strode inside the palace.

Inside the banquet hall, many officials and dignitaries chatted with each other wanting to get acquainted and get familiar with one another to form connections. Each with their motives and designs approached one another engaging in flattery conversations.

As Yan Xing entered the hall, everyone shifted their attention towards him and greeted him with a light bow to which Yan Xing nodded in response. Everyone's gaze followed him as Yan Xing make his way towards his seat. His seat was arranged below the Emperor.  Next to him was General Xiao Shan's seat. Xiao Shan was already seated. Looking at the light smile hanging on Yan Xing's lips, Xiao Shan said in low voice, "What! Can't wait to meet your would-be wife?" 

Yan Xing couldn't help but twitched his lips, "Am I not allowed to smile"

As both of them were talking, the hall immediately turned quiet. Curious, both Yan Xing and Xiao Shan turned their attention back to the hall and saw that everyone was looking at the door. 

Everyone saw Prime Minister Zhao Chaun entering the hall with a young lady. Zhao Ling had always remained in her courtyard and hardly set her foot outside the Estate so, not many people had seen her appearance. Everyone in the hall was curious about Zhao Ling and why Prime Minister Zhao had brought her to the welcoming banquet. Some with smarter brains had more or less figured out her identity and the purpose behind her attending the banquet. 

"Who is that lady? Why is Prime Minister Zhao bringing her to the banquet?"

"She should be the Second Miss of the Prime Minister household"

"I heard the Second Miss Zhao had a weak body constitution and had always been sick which is why not many people are aware of her appearance"

"Today's welcoming banquet is going to be interesting. Just wait and watch"

Many people started discussing in a soft voice. Yan Xing's gaze calmly landed on Zhao Ling who entered the hall along with Prime Minister Zhao. A maid was supporting Zhao Ling by holding her arm. 

Zhao Ling took light steps as she walked towards the seat with the help of He Qing. She looked weak and her face was pale too. Where was the alluring beauty from before? she now looks like a lady suffering from a terminal illness who with even a light breeze could make her sway. 

Under the watchful eyes of many people, Zhao Ling took a seat beside her father and started coughing. He Qing immediately poured a cup of tea for Zhao Ling from the table and served her.

Yan Xing was silently observing everything from the corner of his eye. When Zhao Ling took a sip from the tea and put down the teacup, Yan Xing immediately arched his brows.

'Is it a coincidence?', thought Yan Xing as he observed both Zhao Ling and He Qing.

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