二 | minghao

Minghao was covered in sweat, despite the fact that his shirt's sleeves have been folded up to almost his shoulders, as he tried to dodge the blunt head of his sister's spear.

In an instant, Minghao had snapped the spear in half  with a swift kick, the wood creating an echoing sound throughout the courtyard.

"Hm, your kick's been getting better," Jifeng said, smiling. "Now maybe you can protect the Bearer from the oh so horrid prince Jinguo."

Minghao rolled his eyes. "Jifeng, I have no interest in prince Changan. Besides, his brother is a narcissist. I don't wish to be associated with him if I will become emperor."

"Well, you know, you're practically sounding as egotistical as him right now," Jifeng chuckled and tossed away the now broken spear. "But you're going to be missing out, you know. Prince Changan has been known all throughout China to be the prince prettier than all princesses. Not to mention, his hobbies and talents are so admirable." She went and sat down under the big tree in the middle of the courtyard.

Minghao scoffed. "Like that would sway my decision."

"You never know, Hao," Jifeng said, shrugging.

"And you'll never know, Feng."

"Jisoo, not that rough," Minghao whined slightly as his servant chuckled.

"Sorry, Prince Minghao," Jisoo hummed, gently combing Minghao's locks.

"I told you to call me by my name only," Minghao whined more and had his lips in a pout, slightly turning towards Jisoo.

"Fine, Minghao," Jisoo said in an amused tone at his childish master. "Ah, even at the age of twenty, you still need to be assisted when bathing. What will your future wife do with you, hm?"

"Shut up, Jisoo," Minghao scrunched his nose up and Jisoo laughed.

"I guess I should get your tea now," Jisoo stood up from Minghao's canopy bed and bowed before leaving his room, his silken robes flowing behind him.

Minghao stood up too, stretching before moving towards his window.

As per his request as a young child, Minghao had gotten the room with the best view in the entire palace.

The sun was just rising and the children outside were chasing each other, laughter filling the entire kingdom. Hawkers were selling their produce, their yelling filling the kingdom as well.

Needless to say, Liaoning became a noisy, yet joyous, kingdom.

Minghao was a bit sad, since he wasn't able to do his morning stroll because his sister insisted they practice, despite the fact that Jifeng already knew the outcome of their sparring.

Another reason would be the fact that he's quite lonely. No women nor man ever caught the young prince's attention. They tried, trust me, they did, but none were able pique Minghao's interest.

Until the topic about Changan of the Shenzen Kingdam came.

Minghao had already known a bit about Changan before his sister talked to him about the precious Bearer of Shenzen. Truth be told, he was quite interested in him, despite never seeing him in person.

The rumors of prince Changan being the "prettiest man alive" washed over China and eventually reached Liaoning, when Minghao learned about him.

Jisoo entered the room with a tray with an intricately designed teapot and two porcelain cups and Minghao turned around, instinctively sitting down at the small wooden table.

Jisoo put down the tray on the table and sat down on his knees, pouring a hot cup of what smelled like oolong tea while pouring one for himself.

"So what were you thinking about while I was gone?" Jisoo asked the prince, who took his cup and sipped the tea slowly.

It took a few moments before Minghao put down his cup onto the table. He then stared Jisoo straight in the eye, causing him to flinch at the seriousness in his eyes.

"Do you have any information on prince Wen Changan?" Minghao asked, his tone sounding rushed.

Jisoo had a shocked expression on his face before he giggled and pat Minghao's head, who was incredibly confused.

"Well, I have quite a bit since I used to be prince Wen Junhui's advisor before I came here to Liaoning," Jisoo said. "Ah, both of them were the greatest. I miss them already."

Minghao listened intently, sipping on his lukewarm tea from time to time as Jisoo told stories about his time with Junhui and Changan.

"Junhui was almost the same age as me but . . . well, he's very childish for his age, as compared to his younger brother," Jisoo laughed. "Changan was always so obedient and kind . . . he always read to the children in the orphanage nearby the palace when the orphanage owner, Seungkwan, tells him that the kids are being restless and want to hear their beloved prince sing or read them to sleep."

"He would always agree to sing or read them to sleep, out of the generosity of his heart. Because of that, he's really good with kids," Jisoo smiled. "He's also quite artistic and talented, but he can't defend himself. His most recent suitor, prince Jinguo of Hubei . . ."

"Wasn't he the one they kicked out for harassing Changan?" Minghao recalled.

"Yes, it's him," Jisoo uncharacteristically scowled at the thought of the prince. "Changan was defenseless against him but asked for help from his family, which resulted in Jinguo's tarnished reputation. And it also resulted in Changan's mother to try and find a suitable husband for him."

Minghao nodded. "How young is he though?"

"Well, he's barely 18," Jisoo said. "He turned 18 just a few days ago. That being said . . . nobles all across China will be going to the Shenzen kingdom's new year celebration."

"Mm, Jifeng and father had already told me," Minghao mumbled, tracing the mouth of his teacup.

"Well, there is another thing that your father hadn't told you about," Jisoo said, smiling at the thought.

"What is it?" Minghao questioned, eyebrows furrowing. He got suspicious when Jisoo shook his head. "Tell me!"

"Nope, I promised him I'd keep it a secret for him until you talk to him," Jisoo said to the prince that was practically shaking his shoulders.

Minghao frowned and Jisoo laughed, patting his head.

"Talk to him after dinner. He said to me that he'll mostly be at the throne room for the rest of the night," Jisoo said and stood up, taking the tray and walking out of the door.

Minghao nodded and followed Jisoo, to the dining room.

"Father, Jisoo told me you had something to tell me," Minghao approached his father, who sat on the throne.

"Ah, yes, come closer," The king sat up right and fixed his position on the throne as his son walked up the steps.

Minghao stood in front of his father, who had a ghost of a smile on his face.

"We'll be going to Shenzen tomorrow as the first guest at the palace," The king said. "They invited us before the other guests for a special reason. Not to mention the fact that in a week, we will be celebrating with a bunch of other nobles invited by prince Junhui personally for the new year. I'll have Jisoo ready your clothes and items."

"But . . . Father, you said that there was a special reason for us being there before the other guests, right?" Minghao furrowed his eyebrows.

"As expected from my genius son," The king chuckled. "Very well then you deserve to know." He stood up and walked down the throne room, Minghao following behind him. "I had made a proposal to the queen of Shenzen, and with the consent of your mother, we made a very good decision for you and your future."

"And that would be?" Minghao huffed, quickening his pace to catch up with his father.

"You'll be spending all of your time at Shenzen being at your future wife's side. You'll be married to prince Wen Changan."