The Flower Of War

Chapter 24: I'm Not a Loser

The smiles of Prince Huang and Yiu were clearly imprinted on their faces welcoming the arrival of their Father and DaGe (Oldest brother/first brother).

Prince Xiao Ce pulled the reins of his horse and descended from the saddle then walked towards Prince Huang and Yiu who were standing not far in front of him with a still faithful smile emanating on his face them.

While Emperor Wang's horse carriage had already entered the area of the Dragon Pavilion first.

Behind him the Generals of the allied kingdoms also walked over to Prince Huang and Yiu.

Prince Huang and Yiu bowed in greeting to Prince Xiao Ce and the Generals were followed by Prince Wu Xiao and General Rong behind them.

Prince Xiao Ce bowed slightly, the Generals bowed in return for their greetings, Prince Huang opened his voice first.

"Welcome back, Prince. Congratulations on the victory you won, Prince. We are so happy to hear of your victory .. and are you okay? What about father's situation? Why didn't he get off his horse-drawn carriage?"

Prince Xiao Ce looked at Prince Huang gently then turned towards Yiu and smiled faintly.

"Thank you for your wonderful greeting and welcome Prince Huang and Princess Ying. I am fine and the situation of Ayahanda has also started to improve but he still can not get out of bed due to stab wounds severe enough in the right abdomen so therefore he was not can get off the train to see you."

"But is Father really in good health, Prince? When will you recover?" Yiu started to make a sound to make sure of his father's condition.

"Just calm Princess Ying, maybe the injuries on Father's body will recover in the next few days and the rest is just recovery power alone."

Prince Xiao Ce's words softened but still displayed a half-flat countenance but it was enough to make Yiu's heart relieved.

Prince Xiao Ce again said, "What about Mother? Is it starting to improve as well?"

"So far, Mother's health has gradually improved, only to experience severe shock and need a total rest for two weeks" Yiu said in a small nod from Prince Xiao Ce.

"Then let's go in and celebrate your victory, Prince. We've prepared a banquet for you and the Allied Kingdoms."

General Rong lowered his head and his hand led into the palace allowing Prince Xiao Ce and the others to enter the palace hall to celebrate their victory.

"Let's go in!" Prince Huang lowered his head slightly to invite Prince Xiao Ce and the others in and replied to a small nod from Prince Xiao Ce.

They all walked hand in hand into the palace area, a rain of flowers and a shout of victory echoed throughout the palace hallway.

Prince Xiao Ce walked ahead with Prince Huang and Yiu to his left right.

While walking behind them were Prince Wu Xiao, General Rong, General Yao, and General Xuan.

Followed by Warlords and dozens of Soldiers from each kingdom. Finally they had reached the Qiu Wang Palace Hall.

Decorating the room full of yellow color which is a symbol of victory or glory.

Curtains around the palace are yellow with sparkling trinkets, hanging candles emit light from the corners of the room and also in the middle of the room.

The firewood-scented cinabar smoke rose as soon as it entered the Palace Hall, making the mood of anyone who breathes it calmer.

Eunuch Sin directed the guests to their respective tables, while Prince Huang, Yiu and the rest of the Generals had already occupied a table and a pedestal sitting on the left right side, respectively, creating a large enough space that separates the two sides, each side is quite filled by about 20 people with beautiful carvings at the foot of the table, with Prince Xiao Ce sitting in the middle of the room as the center.

Various kinds of appetizing food and wine and tea began to be removed from the kitchen to the palace hall for palace guests.

Before eating the dish presented by Prince Xiao Ce stood up from his seat.

"Everything, His Highness Prince Xiao Ce has a few words to hear"

Everyone fell silent after hearing Eunuch Sin's remark and turned towards Prince Xiao Ce, spontaneously the entire room immediately stood up.

"Before I would like to thank you for all of you're help because without you I can't imagine what will happen to the next Qiu Wang Kingdom if this Kingdom falls in Tian Lu's hands, so I say a lot of thanks to all of you for your help, let's toast."

Prince Xiao Ce raised his wine cup while bowing in salute to Prince Wu Xiao, Prince Huang, General Yao, and General Xuan, they did the same.

"Thank you for the flattery, Prince, it is already the duty of the servant to help guard this Qiu Wang Kingdom with his own servant life like guarding HuanZou Lin Kingdom," general Yao said and followed the nod from General Xuan.

They all sat quietly in their seats again, especially Prince Xiao Ce, who for the first time was seen smiling even though it was too thin to catch a glimpse.

"And also I would like to thank Princess Ying and General Rong for successfully resisting the attack from Tian Lu until the help of Prince Huang and Prince Wu Xiao came."

Yiu was stunned and at a loss for words for a moment, but immediately answered the words of Prince Xiao Ce a few seconds later while standing together with General Rong and bowing his head low.

"It is my duty as a citizen of Qiu Wang and thank you for your flattery, Prince."

Applause echoed throughout the palace.

"Alright, now let's celebrate our victory today. Enjoy it."

The words of Prince Xiao Ce were answered with cheers in the form of praise and thanks and such from the new royal guests then ate the dishes served on their respective tables while chatting royal affairs and just chatting relaxed.

However, there were some military officials and warlords who were surprised to hear Prince Xiao Ce's earlier statement about Princess Ying who was notoriously weak and began to gossip lowly about Princess Ying.

'Do not play swords, embroider and play music and singing that is generally controlled by all female nobles only he can not do it due to his physical weakness, which is too weak, then how could he suddenly be able to raise a sword waging war even kill Crown Prince Lu Fei who was famously adept at sword fighting?'

Perhaps that was the thought in the minds of all the military officials in the palace hall. But not a few also the commander who whispered to each other and accidentally reached the earlobe of the servant and palace guards, he said, making those who join the battlefield furious because of underestimating their Royal Princess who is now like a goddess of salvation for them.

The news of Princess Ying successfully killing Crown Prince Lu Fei when Tian Lu's forces attacked Qiu Wang Palace took advantage of the vacant state of the Palace due to the Emperor and the princes fighting quickly it was spread among the allied soldiers as well as the nobles and wealthy businessmen in the city.

"I heard that Princess Ying managed to kill Crown Prince Lu Fei with her sword? Is that true, Princess?"

General Xuan stared at Yiu who was across the table with him, he tried to start a chat so that stealing the attention of the entire room made Yiu increasingly bow his head trying to find the right answer so as not to get a tantrum from Prince Xiao Ce for breaking the prohibition to use the sword.

Not a word had Yiu been able to say, General Rong answered the question from General Xuan excitedly.

"Yes, General. Even Princess Ying had also saved my life as I was distracting Prince Lu Fei to the point of being seriously injured then Princess Ying came and killed Prince Lu Fei. I owe Princess Ying a great debt of life."

"I just found out if Princess Ying is very good at using swords .. ah forgive my sassiness, Princess, who doesn't know about this."

General Xuan smiled and lowered his head for a few seconds as an apology to Princess Ying.

"It's okay, General. After all I was just trying to protect this Kingdom from falling into Tian Lu's hands."

"Ah yes I also ask permission to ask you Princess Ying."

Now it was General Yao's turn to open his voice. After getting a nod of approval from Yiu, General Yao resumed his words.

"I'm sorry if I was too presumptuous in asking, Princess. When the Princess fights, do you also include female servants and ordinary people in the fight at that time? Wasn't the female servant and commoners unable to fight and back then the remaining troops in the palace weren't enough when compared to the troops from Tian Lu and I also heard that help from Prince Huang arrived 7 hours after the war drums sounded then .. how do you plot to survive with the relatively small army plus the Princes and Emperors are not in the Palace?"

Yiu was silent for a moment a little agitated by the question from General Yao and the gaze of the entire room was fixed on Yiu, his manic tried to look at Prince Huang with a look for help but Prince Huang who was very insensitive instead smiled and also looked forward to the answer from Yiu.

"I'm sorry if my question is too presumptuous, Princess, I'm just saying the thing that's stuck in my heart, if the princess is not willing to answer it I don't mind, Princess," General Yao said as he lowered his face.

"Quick tell us everything Princess Ying, I'm actually also curious about that."

Prince Hwang also opened his voice and without feeling sinful said the words even though Prince Huang already knew that Yiu would be punished by Prince Xiao Ce if using the sword for the second time.

Prince Wu Xiao and General Xuan were no less enthusiastic about hearing Yiu's story.

Yiu turned to look at General Rong hoping that the young man would answer this corrupting question on behalf of Yiu however, the one in view was cool to eat food that was abundant on his desk without glancing a little or intend to answer the question as before.

Food really blinds people here!

Yiu's bead turned to stare at Prince Xiao Ce's cold bead.

I should how?

TB