C17 Prince Chen's Proposal(2)

She withdrew her hand in shock.

She thought of the three emissaries from Chen who had left not long ago. They had come to ask for a marriage, but they were also disappointed. They had seen the most terrible scene with their own eyes. After that, she was completely demonized. Even if she never left Deer Garden, the old palace maid still told her everything. She'd thought that she would die of old age in this lifetime.

He saw her fear in the depths of his eyes. He once again stretched out his hand and calmly pulled her. He slowly said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"

She was even more uneasy, her delicate hands tightly gripping the string of the kite. She didn't even notice that the kite had flown up.

He went to help her pull the strings, but he touched her ice-cold hand. "Xia Ji, I'll bring you to see your father today. You shouldn't stay in a place like the deer park. I'll take care of you before I marry you …"

The unease in her eyes deepened. She only shook her head. "No, I'm not leaving Deer Garden."

"Why?"

She said nervously, "I've never left the deer park, and I don't know the people outside either. I'm afraid …"

He sighed and did not force her. She knew that no matter how resplendent and magnificent the palace was, it still didn't suit her. Everyone viewed her as a monster, and they feared her; she was also afraid of those people.

It was one of the highest quality banquets in Zheng's history.

Jin Jiujiu, glass jade cup, countless beauties form a luxurious band, playing and singing. Zheng Mu sat at the head of the table and looked around nervously, afraid of any disrespect.

As everyone knew, the current Chen Guo was already in critical condition. Three years ago, it was Prince Chen who held the royal authority, commanding the world. No one dared to disobey.

Right now, the Crown Prince of Chen had arrived with the might to wipe out the enemy's huge army of one hundred thousand from Chu, and his own army was stationed at the border. For a small country like the Zheng Country, this was an extremely important matter.

More importantly, the envoy sent by the Crown Prince to propose had just witnessed a shocking scandal. How could the heroes of the kingdom allow themselves to be humiliated like this? Zheng Mu was afraid that the Crown Prince was here to interrogate him, so he went all out to choose two beautiful girls from among the concubines. He thought that if he had no other choice, he might even betroth this little girl to the Crown Prince as an apology.

At this moment, he heard the announcement, "The Crown Prince of Chen has arrived …"

He personally went out from the main seat to greet them. The Zi Ling greeted him politely, but he personally held her up. She hurriedly said, "Your Highness, there is no need to be so courteous. Please take a seat."

After the host sat down, he said, "Your Highness said that you wanted to take a look at the scenery of my country's imperial palace, is it still okay?"

Zi Ling calmly replied, "The imperial city of your country is magnificent, but the memory of the thousand-year-old peach tree at the deer park is still fresh in your mind …"

When Zheng Mu heard the two words, "Deer Garden," his face abruptly changed. Cold sweat oozed out of his forehead as he stammered, "This … Your Highness …"

The child spirit ignored his expression and continued calmly, "When I was ten years old, I followed royal father to the Zheng Kingdom for the first time. I left my follower and wandered around by myself. I accidentally walked to the deer park and saw that thousand-year-old peach tree. "During the Gu Nan's expedition to the north, he had seen countless flowers and trees, but in the past ten years, he had never seen such beauty or such a graceful peach tree. His memory of it was still fresh, so he could not help but admire it again early in the morning …"

Zheng Mu was even more hesitant. He didn't know if Prince Chen already knew about Zi Man and Xia Ji's scandal, but the paper couldn't contain the flames. It was impossible for the three envoys from Chen Guo to not spread it. Besides, even if the crown prince went on an expedition and did not receive any news of him for the time being, there would definitely be people who would report to him after he returned to the country.

He thought about it again and again, then raised his glass and said, "Your Highness, the widows have to apologize to you …"

Prince Chen gave a faint smile and replied with a bow, "Your Majesty is truly forgiving. "How dare you!"

Zheng Mu was adamant. "Even now, I dare not hide it from you. There is a daughter of a widow in Deer Garden. Ever since she was born, the Imperial Palace has been in a state of chaos."

Prince Chen stopped him from continuing, and said lightly, "I am somewhat aware of this matter."

His attitude was so relaxed that Master Zheng couldn't be sure if he was angry or not. He tried again, "It was originally my country's honor to have Your Highness propose to me. However, Zheng didn't have such good fortune …"

Prince Chen said indifferently, "Your Majesty is being too serious." "To be honest, the reason why the Gu family came this time was to express their sincerity. They personally came to propose marriage, and I hope that Your Majesty can …"

Zheng Mugong was overjoyed. "This is a blessing from the Zheng. "However, Xia Ji, the eldest daughter of the widows, is nothing to look at, and Xia Ji, the eldest daughter of the widows, is also only nine years old. If the crown prince does not abandon her, the widows are willing to serve Your Highness and deliver two beautiful maidens of the clan …"

"I want to marry Xia Ji and become the crown prince's consort."

Zheng Mu was incredulous.

The close officials sitting beside also found it hard to believe.

Crown Prince Chen's expression was calm and collected, his attitude completely sincere. "I came here specifically for Xia Ji to marry her as the Crown Prince's consort. I would like to ask for your favor, Prince Yu Cheng. I am extremely grateful."

Zheng Mu took a long time before he could react. He cautiously asked, "Your Highness, are you sure you want to marry Xia Ji?"

"Xia Ji!"

He was decisive.

Zheng Mu gongzi looked around, while all the other officials looked puzzled. The gongzi wasn't able to attend the dinner. Firstly, Zheng Mu gongzi didn't dare to let Crown Prince Chen see him, and secondly, he didn't even know that Zi Man had been injured by Crown Prince Chen.

He lowered his head, picked up the cup of wine, and drank it all in one gulp. Only then did he say, "Your Highness, your envoys probably haven't had the time to report to you about the last time they came to propose, have they?"

Prince Chen's expression did not change, "Gu has also heard some rumors. However, Gu Ruoyun had known Xia Ji since her early years, and knew her temperament very well. However, I promise that I will never let any thugs bully her again. "

Zheng Mu's forehead was covered in sweat as he forced out a smile. "Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness."

"We should thank His Majesty. "I am indebted to Your Majesty. After the Gu Family returns, they will immediately send someone to deliver the betrothal gift and set a date for the wedding ceremony."

The palace was in an uproar.

The concubines moved to watch Prince Chen's gift to Xia Ji.

Gold Jade Jewelry, Superior Silk, Multicolored Cloth, Special Products … Just the large pearls of the East Sea were enough to make one fight, not to mention the two extremely rare emeralds … Over the years, Zheng Mu had married quite a few daughters. Of course, he had also received a few betrothal gifts. However, none of them were as good as Prince Chen's —

And this, was merely a personal gift he had given to Xia Ji.

That was the best combat weapon he had obtained from Victorious Return's battle.

The evildoer of the deer park's notoriety had actually turned the tables. The girls were all envious and jealous.

Only Xia Ji watched the upheaval in the deer park uneasily.

A large group of people moved like the wind, renovating the deer park, painting the walls, replacing the furniture, putting on new decorations, lighting the palace lamps … Even the overgrown gardens had been tidied up and planted with temporary strange trees and flowers.

Xia Ji blankly watched these strangers come and go. She didn't dare to interfere with their actions, nor did she dare to do so until a group of people carrying large scissors walked up to the thousand-year-old peach tree. She stood under the peach tree and said the first word in her life, "No."

— —

If it was any other day, these people would not even put a "monster" in their eyes. But things were different now. She had become the most popular person in the eyes of Master Zheng Mu, and was the future Crown Princess of Chen …

The servants immediately withdrew.

In the entire Deer Garden, only the old peach tree's spring breeze did not change.

The old palace maid was brimming with joy. Everyone looked up at the seventh rank official in front of the Prime Minister, fawning on her and praising her for having such a sweet and bitter day.

Xia Ji, however, continued to pace forward frantically. He felt that this place no longer belonged to him.

Only after everyone had left did she stand under the old peach tree and look up at the deep blue sky. At that time, Zi Ling was quietly watching her from outside the door.

After a long time, he finally walked over. Her gaze followed his footsteps, retracting from the sky.

"Xia Ji, I'll come pick you up as soon as possible."

She suddenly asked, "How is Chen Guo?"

He was momentarily stunned. After a long time, he finally replied seriously, "I don't know if I'll be better than Deer Garden, but I'll definitely treat you very well."

She laughed, revealing her snow-white teeth as a blush appeared on her face.

He reached out and gently embraced her.

Blue skies and white clouds, each other's hearts beating, time reversing … Xia Ji suddenly felt as though this man was someone she had known for a very, very long time … He became an old friend on the first try. However, she couldn't remember where she had seen it before, and it had never even occurred to her in her dreams.

As soon as Prince Chen left, the imperial city of Zheng went into an uproar.

The news spread like wildfire. The crown prince of Chen had already hired Xia Ji.

Even the palace was in an uproar.

These days, the biggest news of the royal family was the scandal between Zi Man and Xia Ji. Although Zheng Mu ordered for it to not be spread, how could it prevent the concubines from whispering in private?

Just as everyone was about to lose interest in gossip, Prince Chen's marriage immediately lit a new fire. Everyone began to privately gossip: [the demon-level character who grew up in a deer garden must have used some kind of demonic technique to make Prince Chen fall for such a shameful thing.]

Hearing this news, Zi Man, who was recuperating in her bedroom, felt even more jealous. However, he no longer dared to take even half a step into the deer park. Not only because of the additional guards at the gate to the deer park, but also because of his hands that had begun to rot.

The first time, his hand showed signs of recovery, but the second time, his charred hand began to deteriorate completely, causing him to roll around in pain.

He couldn't figure it out. Xia Ji was obviously weak, how could he be ambushed like this? Moreover, this attack wasn't launched by her. As long as it touched her body, it would create a powerful resistance.

After thinking about it, there was only one explanation that everyone knew – he was a monster!

The freakish Xia Ji. She was a beautiful, bloodless snake that killed people. Even though his heart was itching, he didn't dare to take even half a step into the deer park.

Due to Prince Chen's prestige, Zheng Mugong was afraid that he would cause trouble again. He also took strict care of his son and ordered him not to leave the palace until Xia Ji officially married.