Chapter 55: The Realisation
The next few days preparations for the family banquet was done in the Prime Minister’s Manor. Xing was trained with various etiquette lessons and rules of the Huang family by Xu mama. The only good thing was that she had her morning training practices with Shengli. As distressed Xing was, even her brother’s annoying habit of making her do his work seemed like an oasis in a desert to her.
Xing had already sent letter to Lady Shaoyao to arrange a meeting for Lord Chu with her on the Heavenly Flowers Palace. As she had mentioned about the family dinner too, Lady Shaoyao sent a box full of beauty products and also a beautiful peacock hair dress to wear for the banquet.
Xing, even though lived wildly never forgo her attention towards her skin as trained by Lady Shaoyao. Beauty is a weapon women could use is what she always said. Xing prepared her own cosmetics, bath salts, fragrances and oils and always kept herself clean. So for the upcoming banquet, she prepared herself to be more presentable.
Shengli noticed that her complexion had become more pearl-like and her hair had a nice fragrance to it and he could not keep his hands away from her. But his efforts were of no avail and Xing carefully avoided his touch making him sulk. The more she kept away from him the more his desires grew. Wait... It’s not what she is planning right?
A couple of days before the banquet, Rijun brought home an edict with a pouch and they were in their father’s study. Shengli was present too and Rijun gave it to Shengli and AoTian was curious too.
Shengli opened the pouch to see a jade pendant. It was exquisitely made with white jade encrusted with gold to make it more robust and one look could say it was really expensive. There was a lively tiger carved in it with purple tassels hanging with purple string attached on the top so it can be hanged in the waistband. It wasn’t too big to be glaring or too small to go unnoticed and it looked gender neutral even if there was a tiger carved in it since it was oval shaped. Obviously a lot of care was given to make this pendant.
" He’d put a lot of thought into it", Shengli smirked.
Xing who had lost her patience got that edict and gave a quick read. Can enter the palace anytime they want, where ever they want, even disturb the Emperor in the middle of the night, can arrest and handover to justice department, can ride a horse inside the city and the list went on.
"Wait! He gave you all of his powers except the dragon seal and you can go anywhere except his bed chambers and you can have anything except his women", Xing told Shengli with her eyes wide. AoTian was surprised too.
"Silly girl! Did you read the name?", Shengli asked smiling.
Xing read the first line... "This White Tiger Token is awarded to Táng Jia... Wait!", she screamed, "It’s for me? ", she pointed at herself.
AoTian clicked his tongue, "What is he up to now?"