Everyone was greeting each other. As soon as General Li reached near Father Yi and Mother Yi, he also greeted them. Mother Yi responded to the General’s greeting with a smile while Father Yi ignored him. On seeing his daughter’s disappointing gaze on himself, he cleared his throat and acknowledged his greeting reluctantly. The sadness in Yi Jie’s eyes immediately turned to happiness. General Li sighed. His wangfei was very easy to please.

The Yi family didn’t have a daughter for many years. Yi Jie was the first daughter born after many decades. That’s why Yi Jie was adored in her family like a princess. Although Father Yi adored Yi Huiqing also, Yi Jie was the first child and daughter he had with his wangfei. So her place was irreplaceable in his heart. However, the daughter he had adored for seventeen years was suddenly stolen by General Li. Even after so many years, Father Yi could not wipe out this dissatisfaction towards General Li in his heart. He knew that Li Heng loved his daughter very much but he didn’t want her to marry a man whose life was always in danger.

Every time, General Li went to the battlefield, he feared that Yi Jie would be left alone for her whole life. Father Yi never wanted her daughter to live such a life. He knew that Yi Jie would have agreed if he had married her elsewhere, but he also knew that Yi Jie would never be happy because she had fallen in love with General before he could do anything to separate them. Of course, he couldn’t blame his daughter. This was all this General’s fault who trapped his innocent daughter in his snare.

While Father Yi was recalling all the grudges and grievances he has in his heart against General Li, a young man came behind Li Rui with silent footsteps. No one noticed him. When he was just behind her, he suddenly roared loudly in her left ear which startled every lady around her. But Li Rui for whom he did all this was still standing with no change in her smile. She rolled her eyes at his childish attempt.

He waited for her to scream like others, but what came was a shriek from his own mouth. His left ear was being pulled by someone and that someone twisted his ears in such a way that it made onlookers pity him.

“Ahhh… Elder Brother, Please leave my ear. Do you want to detach it from my body? ”

The youngest son of Yi Feng, Yi Lie was on the verge of tears as he looked at his elder brother, Yi Junjie who narrowed his eyes at him for a few seconds to find out if he was pretending to be in pain. Finally, he left his ear which was red by now.

” Only your name is Lei, but you are not strong at all.”

Ignoring how his elder brother was ‘praising him’, Yi Lei just rubbed his ear that was still aching. Coming in front of Li Rui, he looked at her with misty eyes.

With a gentle smile on her face, Li Rui petted his head.

” Good boy, don’t cry. Try again next time. ”

When Yi Lei nodded at her words, Yi Junjie snorted and looked at him with mocking eyes. Blocking Yi Lei’s vision, Li Rui turned around and looked at Yi Junjie.

“Elder brother, I missed you. ”

As the gentle voice fell in Yi Junjie’s ears, his fingers trembled. Hiding the excitement on his face, he smiled a little.

Everyone also saw Yi Huiqing behind them. Looking at her pale face, their heartache. Even though she was smiling at the ongoing interactions but one could tell how much she wanted to avoid this event. No one raised the topic of imperial marriage decree during this whole time. As much as they didn’t want to go inside they knew that they had to.

When everyone moved towards the entrance of the palace, Yo Junjie who was standing at the same spot looked at Li Rui’s back with intense emotion in his eyes.

“Brother also missed you a lot, Rui.”

The Royal Palace was decorated very beautifully. The sitting arrangements for males and females were made separately.

In a corner, Yi Yang held her daughter’s hand tightly and told her with a serious expression.

” Qingqing, this is the best occasion. You have to make very good use of this banquet to leave a good impression on the Second Prince. Alright? ”

Yi Huiqing silently nodded her head at her mother’s words. Looking at her sensible daughter, Yi Yang’s heart clenched and she softened her tone to talk very gently this time.

“Qingqing Mother is thinking for your best. To live in the Palace, you can only rely on your husband. If he favors you, life will be easy else … ”

Yi Yang couldn’t complete her words.

In another corner of the palace, Li Na with her sister Li Caihong was looking all around the Palace.

” Sister where is that man? You were saying that he will be here before us. ”

Li Caihong said while looking around. At this moment, a masculine man in guard’s clothes stepped in front of them and bowed her head in front of them.

” Young Miss, The banquet is about to start. I request you to go to your seats. ”

Li Na eyes flashed looking at the guard.

” Good, then we’ll go. ”

Saying this, she pulled her sister’s hand and walked in the direction of other females.

” Second Sister, where are you taking me? We have not even met that man.”

Li Caihong tried to pull her hand out of her sister’s grip. Li Na held her forehead looking at her stupid sister.

” That guard just now… Did you see him? ”

” Yes…But …..What? ”

Her eyes widened and then she looked at her elder sister to confirm her thoughts. Her face twisted with anger at her confirmation.

” Second Sister, you arranged a royal guard for her ? ”

From her point of view, Li Rui didn’t deserve to be with a royal guard. What she deserved was a poor lowly ugly man. Li Na knew her sister’s thoughts because she wanted the same thing.

” Caihong, try to understand? Is it easy to enter the palace for a man who does not belong to a noble family?”

This was also true.

” Don’t be sad. This man is also not bad for our plan. He is already involved with many ladies. Li Rui will just be another addition to them. ”

Li Caihong was relaxed at her sister’s words.

The banquet was very quiet as the guard announced the arrival of Empress. Clad in dark blue clothes she looked very young than her age. As she sat on her seat which was located in the middle of the hall at some height, the guard announced the royal princess’ arrival.

Everyone could not take their sight away from the First Princess Wenling who was in the center among all other princesses. Very elegantly she walked towards her seat. Wearing a jade green dress she looked very beautiful.

After taking her seat Princess Wenling passed a small smile to everyone looking around the hall. There was a moment of surprise in her eyes when she looked towards someone. Looking at that person for a few seconds, she took her eyes away as if nothing happened.

In her heart she said.

‘Li Rui so you finally decided to come out.’

The Empress gave orders to start the banquet. Several dancers came in the hall in beautiful clothes. It was a very lively atmosphere. Dishes and drinks were being served to the guests.

No one saw the momentary eye communication of Li Na and the maidservant who was serving drink to Li Rui.

Filling her glass to the brim she walked away. Finally, after few minutes, Li Rui took few sips from her glass. Li Na eyes could not hide her joy at this moment.

At the same time, a maidservant came beside Princess Wenling and uttered something in her ears. Princess smiled brightly on hearing her words.

It was a very long night.