Chapter 3: "Birthday surprise— Ling Feng the Mr. Pokerface"

          (7 years later)

        The sun rose up into the blue sky, Birds happily flap their wings as they warble pleasantly. Drums are banged, bells were rattling, wind instruments are played as thousand of petals of flowers were scattered in the air creating a wonderful and eye striking visual appeal. People are gathered around excitedly waiting for the most anticipated luxurious parade.

       Today they are celebrating their most beloved Crown Prince's special day, his 15th year of birth.

      Amongst the crowd, there wanders a guy in a violet robe. His dark long brown hair tied by a red knot. His long eyelashes move as his golden brown eyes glance around betraying no emotion at all. Women stopped to look and admire his good looks and figure. He was like a noble impassive man surrounded by crazy jaguars craving for his attention.

But unfortunately, the guy wore an stoic look and just ignored them. He walked passed the crowd of women as if they didn't exist and continued his way towards the palace.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

"My prince, please don't leave until we finish the parade"

      Eunuch Yin politely said to the prince, obstructing the doorway.

"Oh come on Eunuch Yin, it'll be just for a few minutes! Let me go out pleaseeee, I'm dying of boredom!"

   Wen You pleaded trying to get pass through the door.

"Not happening Your highness, the parade will begin in just a few minutes, it'll be troublesome for the Crown Prince to be missing"

"But Eunuch Yin can make me some time right?"

     Wen You said raising his eyebrows as he put his right hand on Eunuch Yin's shoulder.

*Sigh* "Your highness, I can not do that. Please spare me from troubles"

      Eunuch Yin replied helplessly, gently taking the Crown Prince's hand off of his shoulder.

"Alright alright, I'll stay put."

    Wen You said disappointedly as he went back to sit on his bed.

"Eunuch Yin, you have no conscience..."

    Wen You dramatically said.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

            Upon the towering platform, a row of finely dressed royals and nobles, all wearing courteous smiles on their faces, overlooked below the crowd.

        Within the palace, a long line of hundreds waited silently. When the bell finally chimed, The head master Yushi, smoothened his finely made robe and called "Royal Path-opening Warriors!"

"Present!"

"Crown Prince's Royal Celestial Fairies!"

"Present!"

"Musicians!"

"Present!"

"Cavalry!"

"Present!"

"The God-pleasing Prince!"

"I'm here"

The crown prince replied sitting inside the grand equipage designed with red carpets and gold painted dragons.

"Good, now that everything's ready, Begin the parade!"

Yushi ordered as the instruments began to play.

The procession began, colorful flags are raised and shiny little gold stuffs began to fall from the sky looking like some showers of golds falling from the heaven. The virgin maidens that was especially chosen, beautiful and elegant, were carrying a basket in their hands, tossing colorful flower petals in the air like fairies. Making the path filled with blossoms as they make their way out. The musicians were riding in golden carriages.

 The moment the procession left the palace gates, the crowd began to scream in excitement. However, no matter how glamorous and elegant it is, it was only a warm up.

    The grand float, a glorious stage was about to emerge. Sixteen white scallions decked in gold pulled the grand stage from the depth of the palace gates, slowly coming into sight before the eyes of millions.

      Standing on the stage was Crown Prince Wen You, wearing a golden attire, a golden mask upon his face, and his pink shiny hair, tied by a red tie with golden ornaments hanging on it, making his glamorous appearance catch the eyes of the audience. The moment the crown prince was spotted, the screaming and cheering of the millions went crazy. Above on the high platform, the royals and clan leaders smiled and their eyes went in awe by the sheltered prince's appearance and grace. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm.

A loud bang came from the large drum signalling the prince to start. The moment it was heard, the Crown Prince started to move, presenting a sword dance on the stage. It was not just an ordinary sword dance that anyone could see anywhere, it was a sword dance filled with elegance and glamour coming from the sheltered prince of the Empire.

Amidst the crowd, there stood the guy in violet robe staring intensely at the crown prince who was concentrated on dancing. For an instant, their eyes met. Beneath the mask, there hides a blue ocean eyes, meeting the brown eyes of the guy in violet.

"I....think I saw him somewhere in my past...." Wen You thought to himself as he continues to perform.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The parade is finished. The palace's gates are closed.

As soon as the entire royal group has entered the palace gates, the crown prince was immediately summoned to the emperial main hall.

As the Crown Prince arrived, he saw the man in the violet robe kneeling before the Emperor and Empress.

"My child, come."

A soft voice called out, it was the empress telling the Crown Prince to come nearer.

"Yes, father"

Wen You obediently replied as he walked and stopped beside the guy in violet.

"Greetings"

Wen You politely said to the guy into which the guy bowed to him as a greeting.

"So, this child here is Ling Clan's young master, Ling Feng. His father and I are good friends and this young master here is kind enough to agree to be your personal guardian"

The Emperor said in a slow and clear voice as he gestured towards the guy in violet.

"Wait- personal what??"...... "Father, I seem to have misheard you, can you please repeat what you've said?"

Wen You said in a hurry as his gaze fall at the guy in violet.

"My child, you've heard me right, this young man here will be your personal guardian from now onwards"

The Emperor repeated with a smile.

"B-b-but father...! I do not need a personal guardian...! I'm good by myself."

Wen You stubbornly said

"My child,....it is for your safety and so as for the kingdom's."

The empress spoke in a soft tone full of concern for his dear son.

"We never know when an assassin might be sent by an enemy, this is to ensure your safety, You"

The emperor said in a concern tone. If the crown prince is killed, then he won't be able to inherit the throne which is troublesome.

After listening to his father and his mother's words and explanations, Wen You finally gave in and sighed.

"Alright then mother, father. I shall accept him as my personal guardian"

"That's great, You.... We're so glad"

"Thank you for your understanding, son"

The Emperor and Empress said happily.

Wen You then smiled and turned to Ling Feng, his new personal guardian and saying;

"Nice meeting you, Ling Feng"

"It is an honor to meet you, your highness"

Ling Feng replied politely as he bowed.

"May I ask? Have we met before?"

Wen You asked directly with a complicated expression.

"......." "No, I believe this is my first time meeting you, your highness"

Ling Feng replied in a polite manner, his face betraying no emotion.

"Oh, I see..."

Wen You simply said before turning to his Parents, his brain deep in thought.

"I'm sure I think I've seen him before... By the way, he looks so emotionless, he looks like Mr.Pokerface"

Wen You thought to his self as he secretly glanced at Ling Feng at the corner of his eyes.

 ~~~[~~2 years later~~]~~~

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