Chapter 56: Arrival of the Huang Family
The next day the entire Huang Family was to be welcomed by the Prime Minister’s Manor. That morning, Xing was in a casual women’s attire and she could see the prideful look in her father’s eyes and wondered why. Rijun knew what his father was thinking, ’My daughter is the most beautiful one in this kingdom!’
After breakfast, AoTian gave a red jade necklace to Xing and a jade belt to Rijun,
"I never cared about what others say and I may not always be right. But you two should know in my eyes both of you are the same, boy or girl.. adopted or sired both of you are My Children. I gave the family token to you both for the same reason. And remember, no one - family or outsiders can mess with you as long as I am alive. About the banquet tomorrow as Mingxia requested, I’ll let you two defend yourselves. You’ll only have to remember that you are my children and nothing is overboard for you two. So be at ease", AoTian spoke in a warm manner with a smile that reached his eyes that clearly showed both of them how much he means what he says.
Xing could feel the warmth radiating from her father. This is the one who told her that she can even kill the emperor without repercussions. Now he is trying to let them know that he will be on their side no matter what. Although she does not cry, she could feel her eyes well up and Rijun was in the same state too.
"Yes, Father"
"Understood father"
Both of them replied with their chest feeling heavy with emotions. So having a father would give this much of security, huh! Guess fathers really are like mountains on whom you can rely on, Xing felt happy that he was her father.
The entourage that reached their on early evening to their Manor included Lord and Lady Huang, their two sons Huang MingLuan and Huang MingLian, Huang MingLuan’s son Huang RuYang, Concubine Lan, her daughter Huang WanRou and Huang Feiye’s daughter who always stayed at her uncle’s place - Huang Ming Xue. The two daughter-in-laws weren’t able to attend because the elder one just delivered a baby girl and the second one was pregnant and could not travel.
Even though her father told her it was enough for her to join them for dinner, Xing got curious and watched them being welcomed by hiding in a tall tree. All of them were dressed extravagantly and their jewellery showed that they are indeed rich. Her Uncle walked in the front upright and with his eyes forward and hands behind his back. Even though he was nearing fifty he seemed young and healthy like he was in his early forties. Xing had heard a lot about him but had never seen him even though he frequented Heavenly Flowers Palace. Even Lady Shaoyao never let them meet before when she would go to the Heavenly Flowers Palace and he was there too. Xing looked at Lord Huang and wondered that he had that noble and soothing aura around him and did not seem like someone who would abandon his son. But then again humans are never what they look like. Just then she heard a commotion and saw Huang WanRou graciously slipping in front of Shengli who was welcoming them.
Xing was not new to those tricks women use to make a man notice them. She herself had experience in that area since she was an ’eligible man’ for many back in the west and also she had learned many tricks from women in the Heavenly Flowers Palace. She observed that girl who was barely sixteen and had good facial features, nice skin and a beautiful brown hair. Her ’slip’ was executed perfectly and anyone near her would instinctively try to catch her. Xing looked at how Shengli would react. Somehow she felt a strong feeling that wasn’t all that pleasant, a feeling she had never felt before in her life and she could not name what it was and it made her heart ache. The moment that girl slipped Shengli turned as if he didn’t notice her at all and said something to Rijun by his side and Huang Wanrou was caught at time by Huang Ming Xue. Xing saw the look on WanRou and realised that she has interest in Shengli and she felt... angry. Angry at Shengli. That damn Shengli, just going on seducing other women. Why is he standing there showing himself off, huh? Doesn’t he have work to do? You Fox!
She could not watch any longer and went back to her courtyard and ordered Xu mama angrily to increase the guards around her place and not to allow anyone to enter her courtyard, not even a mosquito. So Xu mama compiled to her wishes even though she was confused. When it was time for dinner, she asked her Young miss to get ready, but only got met with her burning eyes,
"Tell them your young miss is gravely ill and cannot attend the dinner. Who will care about me?".