Princess too Young, Prince too Old Chapter 2: Young Prince II

Proofread by Claire.KK

Lu Zhishan Still remembered the scene when Princess Duanhui Heshuo left the capital city. It was the lunar June 6 of the first year of Jiasheng. According to the almanac, it was a lucky and suitable day for a wedding. Princess Duanhui Heshuo, wearing a red robe, was put into the carriage by four strong female servants. Behind the carriage was a beautiful middle-aged woman. She rushed through the escort and ran after the carriage, crying hysterically. Finally, she was compulsively taken back by several eunuchs and maids. Accompanied by the music A Hundred Birds Paying Respect to the Phoenix which was played with traditional stringed and woodwind instruments as well as the sharp crying, the bridal procession eventually got out of Shenwu gate (the north gate of the Forbidden City).

Lu Zhishan was curious and he then figured out that the beautiful middle-aged woman was no other than Princess Heshuo's mother, concubine Liang. She behaved so badly and it was really hard for her to keep her position anymore. Lu Zhishan felt pity for her and talked about it to Lu Mingwei later. Then Lu Mingwei didn't punish concubine Liang for what she did; instead, he rose her position to the higher-ranking concubine.

So Lu Zhishan had just met his aunt, who was only ten years older than him, for only one time. Recalling the old days, Lu Zhishan realized that four years had already passed since the day and his aunt had already given birth to a couple of kids. It suddenly occurred to Lu Zhishan that maybe he should visit his aunt who got marriage for Dali's sake. After all, Khyaagta was only two hundred miles away from the capital of Northern Di.

Lu Zhishan didn't tell his plan to Zhao Jingting. He secretly changed into a low-ranking official's robe and headed for the capital of Northern Di. The rules of Northern Di's imperial palace was not so strict as Dali, so even as a low-ranking official, Lu Zhishan still had the chance to get into the rear court room to see his aunt and her babies.

The little princess and the little prince were drawing lots (a game in which a baby must choose an object and it would symbolize his or her future). The king of Northern Di and his first lady was sitting on the superior seats, wearing gorgeous dresses and magnificent jewelry. They seemed to be talking something with each other, their faces glowing with health. In contrast, his aunt Lu Minglan was just sitting on an interior seat, lowering her head silently. She was slim but wore heavy, thick clothes, which looked quite unsuitable and made her look more delicate. Lu Zhishan was clear that princess of Han nationality couldn't be the respectable first lady, but he had never expected that his aunt could only be a lowest-ranking concubine of the king.

The rear court room was filled with women who wanted to have fun there. Standing beside the crowd, Lu Zhishan could listen to people's discussion clearly. These ladies were all surprised that their king could get pigeon pair at age fifty. The fat man next to them smiled evilly adding that the princess from Dali was really fragile. Her watery eyes were so appealing that no one could escape from being attracted. He was also curious whether their king could satisfy the princess's need on bed.

Staring at the lovely babies who were crawling around the blanket, Lu Zhishan could only feel his blood burning all over his body. They were babies of his aunt, who sacrificed her following life for Dali Empire. He then saw the little prince finally catch a little bone knife while the little prince approach his feet, touching his boot with her hand.

Lu Zhishan slowly squatted down and fixed his eyes on the pink, soft hand. His eyes got wet with tears but Lu Zhishan suppressed himself well. He was distressed for the fact that even the princess of Dali couldn't be protected well though it was such a vast country. Instead, such a weak woman took the responsibility to bear the heavy burden of the north border's peace.

Chapter end