Sanggana Swordsman
72. Waiting at the Palace Tied
*Holy Blood Ring*
The sound of the beauty of the clear guzheng string passages and the flow of dizi bamboo flutes, filled the entire large space of the Bound Palace which was dominated by blue. The sound of music that became accompaniment to the dance of five women dressed and scarred, was heard outside the palace specifically to entertain the guest.
The grace and softness of the movements of the dancers who always smile beautifully is not unusual to see, also makes Tutsi Emperor Long Tsaw and Empress Fouwai always smile.
The 65-year-old emperor was seated leisurely on his throne in a blue robe embroidered with a golden dragon head on his right shoulder and a dragon tail on his left shoulder. The slightly fat man has been the ruler of Jang Country for 31 years. Empress Fouwai was seated at a distance on the other seat to her right. The person closest to the Emperor was an old man dressed in black robes, Head Eunuch Yo Gou. He was a loyal and trusted Emperor. Compared to Empress Fouwai, it was Eunuch Gou who was more on the side of the Emperor.
While on the side of Eunuch Yo Gou stood the gallant Chief of the Imperial Guards General Bo Yung who was dressed in dark green, coated in thick leather protective clothing in black. His sword hangs on his left waist.
Emperor Long Tsaw's throne position was ten steps higher than all the banquet tables below. The banquet table in the two-row layout is facing each other with a considerable distance. Delicious food and drinks are served on the table.
The distance between the dancers and the banquet tables with the throne stairs was quite far, it took five jumps to reach the throne stairs.
On the right row of tables are occupied by the royal family. From the table closest to the throne stairs is Consort Ni who is 47 years old. She was dressed in a soft pink dress. At her side sat 41-year-old Consort Yim in white. Behind each of them stood a servant.
Next, the table on which the cushion is sitting is still empty. At that table, Princess Yuo Kai will have to sit down.
Next, the table belonged to Prince Tutsi Han Tsun who immediately returned to the palace to attend the banquet. Behind him stood his personal bodyguard, Tan Ma. And the end table on the right side was occupied by Princess Tutsi Ling Mei who was 17 years old. She looks beautiful in light green clothes. Behind him was a servant standing.
On the left side, the closest table to the steps of the throne is Prime Minister La Gonho, a 70-year-old man with a thin stature and a rather long white beard.
At the next table was the Crown Prince of Ci Cin Country, Prince Baijin. He was a handsome man with a thin mustache at the age of 40. It has a fairly large and full physique. Her fine blue clothes are beautifully embroidered with red phonix birds. On his lap lay a fine green sword.
Behind Prince Baijin stood a finely dressed man in green. He held a sword in his left hand. He was named Sala A Jin at the age of 38, the prince's personal bodyguard.
At the next table, sat a much younger handsome man by the age of 27, the younger brother of Prince Baijin. He is Prince Bairin. He intentionally accompanied his brother. No weapons were seen on his hands or body.
The last table was occupied by a gallant man with a pair of thick eyebrows. He's 50 years old. Dressed as a military officer. He was General Wae Yie, the Head of the Black Dragon Army in charge of the security of the palace.
All seemed to smile watching the entertainment presented by the dancers and players guzheng (16-stringed lute) and dizi are very proficient. However, there was not a smile on Prince Bairin's face. His regret that he had long ago was that they had to wait for the arrival of Princess Yuo Kai.
The regret was also actually on Prince Baijin, but she still showed her patience and respect to the host. Hence, a thin smile still adorned on her lips.
Until in the end, the dance of the dancers ended with the cessation of the music game. The dancers bowed respectfully to Emperor Tsaw. The emperor gave a signature gesture allowing the court entertainers to leave. They had already performed five different dances during the waiting period for Princess Yuo Kai's arrival. They left in an orderly and respectful manner.
“Pardon me, Your Majesty!” sahut Prince Bairin while respecting with hands met in front of the chest, breaking the silence that had been created.
“Please, Prince!” Emperor Tsaw.
“Will Princess Kai definitely be present at this banquet?” ask Prince Bairin.
“Hahaha!”
That question made Emperor Tsaw laugh flatly, making Prince Bairin frown.
“Although Prince Baijin had the main intention to meet my daughter, but it was precisely Prince Bairin who was impatient to meet,” said the Emperor who made them laugh, including Prince Baijin.
The Emperor's comments made Prince Bairin somewhat misguided, which then culminated in a forced smile.
“Easy Gou!” call Emperor.
“Iya, Your Majesty?” eunuch Yo Gou asked as he hurriedly approached half the distance to the Emperor.
“Have you made sure Kai would come?” ask the Emperor to whisper.
“Already, Your Grace. If Princess Kai doesn't come too, I will punish Eunuch Ho,” Kasim Gou replied ascertaining.
Emperor Tsaw nodded and moved his finger to have Eunuch Gou return to his position. He then said to Prince Baijin, “Although I am the ruler of this great Country of Jang, but I cannot force my beloved daughter to live with a man who is not her choice. If I force him, does the Prince know what will happen?”
That question left Prince Baijin speechless for a moment. He tried to find the answer to Emperor Tsaw's question.
“If the Prince can answer, I will reply to give a big gift,” said the Emperor again.
Smile at Prince Baijin, though he may not know the answer.
“I know, Ayahanda!” exclaim Prince Tsun quickly.
“This matter is not for the family palace!” hardik Emperor Tsaw rather glared.
“How can Prince Baijin answer, meet Princess Kai only never, what else can know as hard as my brother's head,” said Prince Tsun.
“Prince Tsun!” hardik Concubine Ni, but a little slow. “Do not create a bad picture of your brother.”
“I'm sorry, Ms. Ni,” Prince Tsun said. However, he again said, “But I seem to have a bad feeling today.”
Concubine Ni did not respond anymore, as Prince Baijin had already said first to the Emperor.
“The matter from His Majesty is so difficult for me. However, I tried to guess, maybe the heavens would side with me. If His Majesty forces Princess Kai to marry a man of his own choice, the Princess will leave the palace,” Prince Baijin said.
“Mistaken!” emperor Tsaw exclaimed rather loudly. “The answer is, I will be taken by my own daughter.”
“Hahaha!” laugh Prince Baijin heard the correct answer from the Emperor. To him it was a joke answer from Emperor Tsaw.
Finally Emperor Tsaw also laughed at Prince Baijin's laughter, followed by another laugh.
For Pageran Baijin, Bairin and Sala A Jin Guards who were distant guests, they thought, there was no way that Princess Kai would take her father forcibly marrying a man was not her choice.
However, to the royal family, the answer revealed by Emperor Tsaw was true. Because that event almost happened.
Three years ago, Princess Kai was asked to accept Crown Prince Moh's proposal, but the princess refused. Emperor Tsaw then insisted on issuing a decree that no one, including his own daughter, should refuse.
However, unexpectedly, Princess Kai actually threatened to coup his father if the official order was not revoked. Even Princess Kai dared to put the emperor on the edge of death with the knowledge of the Wind Goddess Knife, the knife science that today he showed in front of Eunuch Ho's face. The Emperor retracted his decree and promised not to force Princess Kai again on the future husband.
“Your Highness Princess Yuo Kai arrives!” shouted the soldier who was standing at the gate of the room. (BH)