Zhi Ming made his way to the banquet hall, his hair had  a bright streak of his favorite color, purple. His black robe making him look like the black knight.

Although his father has been pressuring him to get married early, Zhi Ming always feels guilty knowing that he's postponing getting married hence the chance of his father meeting his grandchildren is getting slim by the day yet he doesn't do anything about it, he just hopes his father will be patient with him.

"Omph!"

He fell down on his backside and looked up to see who dared drop him to the floor. It was Wei Young.

"I apologize sincerely Prince Zhi Ming, my mind wandered off" Wei Young said helping him to his feet.

He dusted off his robe and stood up straight.

"Princess Wei Young should be careful when walking around here, this is Yang Wu, we have many people roaming  around"

"I'm sorry" she bowed.

During last year's harvest festival, the two met for the first time and Wei young was quite smitten by the prince.

"We should head to the hall, the festival is about to start"

"Yes, after you"

The two walked in silence, in a matter of minutes they arrived at the hall and they sat at their respective seats.

The doors opened again and two slim figures entered, the palace gaurds breaths hitched watching these two people.

Murong Chon smiled and bowed respectfully at the other royals.

"Thank you for inviting us King Wang Yong" he said.

Wang Yong smiled and gestured to a table for two.

"It's my pleasure to have you here, please feel at home"

Murong Chon and his son sat at the table, they were across the Jingnan king and prince.

Seeing Murong li holding a flute in his hand made Liu Wei smile, the sound he heard earlier on must've been from this flute.

"Men do not smile at other men like that, compose yourself" his father scolded as he took a sip of his tea.

Liu Wei was shocked, this was the first time his father had scolded him.

"Yes father, i apologize"

Murong Chon poured white wine for his son.

"You seem like you need it, have a sip, it calms the nerves"

"Mn"

With a swig, the wine was downed by the beautiful prince, everyone was impressed, especially Zhi Ming.

When Zhi Ming saw the two walk in the hall, Murong li's beauty struck him to the core, he had never seen such a beauty. He finds himself wanting to shield Murong li away from the gaze of other men and he doesn't know why.

King Wang Yong stood up, gold cup in his hand and raised it.

"As we celebrate the great harvest we enjoyed this year, lets toast to a greater harvest next year"

The royals raised their cups and drank wine.
After that the grown ups had to talk privately so their children were forced to leave the hall.

       ╬╬═════════════╬╬

"Prince Murong li please play me a song"

After leaving the hall, Murong li thought it'd be better to wait for his father at the guestroom but on his way, a palace guard grabbed him by the arm and pulled him behind the hall and he was begged to play a song for him.

"No" Murong li replied calmly, the guard sighed. The beauty infront of him seemed quite stubborn, he wonders if that's the case in the bedroom.

"Murong li, should we find somewhere private? Or do you prefer a nearby bush?" the guard asked, his hand had snaked around the Prince's waist.

"No" Murong li replied still as calm as before.

Just as the gaurd was about to lean in, a sword sheath hit him on the head.

"What do you think you're doing to the prince of yaoguang?" Zhi Ming asked in fury.

In panic the guard apologizes profusely and ran off leaving Murong li and Zhi Ming there.

"Sorry for the trouble"  Murong li said bowing.

Zhi Ming blushed and bowed back.

"It's no problem....but...why didn't you fight back?" He asked looking at the long brown object inside Murong li's sleeve.

"I do not own a sword, this is just a flute, where i am from, we rarely use swords so my father didn't order one for me"

"I see....very well then, be careful next time"

"Thank you"

       ╬╬═════════════╬╬

Lui Wei sighed in disappointment, after they were told to leave the hall, he figured that he and Murong li will have a chance to talk however the pink robed prince was nowhere to be found.

Wei Young looked at him and shook her head. From what she heard, the people of yaoguang where not normal people, they married the same gender and the men could give birth, it was really unnatural.

"Stop daydreaming and lets practice our swords" she said.

Growing up, Wei young was not allowed to play, she was forced to practice swordplay to be the best, hence she offers to practice swords than do normal teenage things like hunting for rabbits.

Liu Wei gave her a look and sighed, he unsheathed his sword and they began their practice.

      ╬╬═════════════╬╬

He placed the flute on his lips and a sweet soft melody could be heard. It was the first song he had learned once he got this flute, the melody of tranquility.

The doors slid open and his father came in. Murong li could tell his father was angry so he decided not to ask.

Murong chon sighed as he laid on the bed, the melody of tranquility bringing peace to his mind.

"Murong li?"

The sound of the flute came to an erupt stop, Murong li turned to face his father.

"Yes?"

"We will be heading to war with Queen Li Na in a fortnight"

The flute dropped to the floor.

"But why?"

Murong Chon sighed.

FLASHBACK

"Murong chon, I'm surprised you attended this year" King Li Jie said calmy.

Murong Chon smiled.

"I had the same reaction once I received an invitation after five years" he said and shot a glance at Wang Yong.

"Wang Yong why did you invite this insect and his demon child" Queen Li Na asked, her voice filled with venom.

Murong Chon's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

"Don't call my child a demon you jezebel of a queen"

Li Jie choked on his tea while Wang Yong muffled his laughter with the sleeve of his robe.

Queen Li Na blushed in embarrassment.

"You!"

"I what? Did i hit a nerve? If you don't want your secrets to be exposed then i suggest you keep your mouth closed"

Queen Li Na glared at him and he returned the gesture.

"We shall settle this in the battlefield"

"So be it"

END OF FLASHBACK

Murong li was baffled, their kingdom didn't even have an army, yet his father accepted a war challenge so easily.

"Father...what are going to do?"

"I don't know...I will think of something....trust me"