Chapter 4: Unstoppable Royal Wedding

"Please spare me your majesty, the ladies that are to dance have all contracted flu" the party steward reports fearfully on his knees as the emperor stay stun on his seat.

"What nonsense!"

"This is absurd."

"Impossible!"

Ministers and royal members curse in disbelief and bitterness.

"I will do it" Churong said after observing their psychological behavior while standing up from her seat which is closer to General Jin.

"Stop it and sit" he commands nervously in a low tone but she disagrees and adamantly walks to the hall central point courageously, General Jin sighs sadly while Quinlong smirks mockingly.

"She can't move a leg" and others become anxious including Prince Xie.

"Lady Jin, you are as beautiful as ever" he appraises her with a warm smile.

"Go ahead and show us what you have learnt" the Emperor commands politely, she bows and walk backward in other to create a dancing space.

"Let's drink wine and be drunk".

"Yes, I want to be drunkenly in love with you".

"As peach blossom, I want our love never to wither".

"You are mine just like egg needs the yoke".

"You are mine just like the sky yearn for the stars".

(Lyrics: Ibiso Bob-Manuel)

The musical instruments were played emotionally and pleasantly by the musicians while the song intrude as Churong dance perfectly in circles, she spin majestically and greatly, she smile at every turn and moves her waist rhythmically, it is as if she has no bone as her flexibility rate were high and alluring.

She place her head softly and perfectly on her clasped hands in a dancing way as she winks flirtatiously at General Jin, he smiles slowly and Prince Xie on seeing that frown sadly gulping his wine.

"Excellent, excellent!"

"Good job".

"Great performance".

"Incredible Madame Jin".

The ministers, emperor and royal members applauds impressively and happily while nodding their heads as Churong bows with a bright smile and faces the Emperor, Lady Quinlong continues rolling her eyes enviously and surprise.

"Lady Jin, what do you want?"

"Name it" the Emperor decided to reward Churong for her pleasant performance thus Prince Xie rushes over to the central point anxiously.

"Father" he bows courteously.

"The reward Lady Chu seeks is freedom as she isn't willing to marry Prince Jin" Prince Xie reports happily, Churong turns to him in surprise while General Jin drinks the wine but one could tell from a distance that he was angry.

"Is that true, Lady Jin?" the Emperor asks politely and anxiously, Churong stutter as General Jin stands up from his seat and walk to the central.

"Father" he bows and unconsciously blood roll down slowly from his nose.

"What happened to you?" Churong asks impulsively as she walks closer to him, he nervously touch his nose and stagger.

"Are you okay?" the emperor asks anxiously while Prince Xie stares in astonishment.

Before General Jin could make a statement, he falls helplessly on the floor, Churong knees immediately trying to wake him up along with Prince Xie as the hall scatter in fear and curiosity, the impatient emperor stands up in wary as the guards protect him from behind while few carry General Jin out of the hall.

"Call the imperial Physician!" Queen Shi assigns the maidens anxiously while sitting closer to her son.

The Emperor and Empress Dowager were also present as they seat on the wooden armchair anxiously waiting for brief report from the present minor physician.

"Your majesties".

"Prince Jin was poisoned by a rare leaf".

"I would like to see the cups used for the celebration in other to start decocting his medication" the minor physician explains courteously with a bow.

"Someone!" the Emperor calls.

"Who poisoned my son?"

"Prince Jin, please wake up".

"Jine'r".

"My prince, please be fine".

They start panicking towards the current situation as the emperor commands the maidens and guards to provide the cups.

"The imperial Physician is here" Yan announces sadly as he stands at a distance.

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"Excellent Job Won" Queen Hua smile mischievously as she drinks the tea slowly.

"Hope you left no trace" the guard nods with a tough smile making Queen Hua to laugh mockingly.

"You deserve a reward but call my uncle first" she said sarcastically and Guard Won nods affirmatively with a bow and leaves the Queen's manor.

Master Long calligraphy's perfectly and slowly on a plain brown sheet with a pale expression as Quinlong enters the library with a tray that holds a small deep bowl.

"Father" she bows with a small smile.

"I made white soup for you" she serve the tray close to his left hand and walk to his back, she starts massaging his shoulders nervously, he smirks with a small nod.

"What do you want?" he keeps the brush on it's position and opens the soup bowl.

"Father, the imperial physician couldn't treat Brother Jin as his sickness hasn't been identified".

"I heard your peju pills can at least help to nourish him" she explains nervously and sadly as she quickly sits closer to him.

"Quin, Quin" he calls her with a weak smile.

"Our family physician said your father is close to his prime and needs that pill to sustain him for months" he coughs hardly and she massage his back softly with a sad facial expression.

"Do you want me dead or what?"

"I will do anything you want, you know" he added with a small smile as he caresses her soft hair.

Churong move into General Jin's bedroom in other to personally take care of him, she bathe and feed him his medication with care needing no one's assistance as she refuses Yan and Lin from stepping into the bedroom without being called.

"Churonge'r, my brother is now lifeless".

"I am here for you, let's get married".

Prince Xie said apathetically as soon as he enters into the bedroom without knocking or checking the condition of his brother, Churong exhales sadly.

"Look at you, all pale for someone you don't love" Prince Xie approaches Churong sadly and she stands up with a small smile.

"Brother Xie, we shouldn't be selfish at this stage".

"Last I heard the Emperor fell sick due to too much thinking and worry while Empress Dowager starves herself for days".

"As for his mother, she visited the Lunha temple for two weeks now without accepting any food or visitors" Churong pauses sadly.

"As his only brother, what have you done for him other than taking his wife in his absence" Churong sighs disappointedly and sits on the bed closer to General Jin, Prince Xie clears his throat nervously.

"Churonge'r".

"You know I am not as you said".

Prince Xie manages to steal the healing pill from his mother's lock thus he strike a deal with Churong.

"I'll feed my brother this pill and you'll in turn be my wife".

Churong sits speechless as she couldn't understanding what's going on, she loves Prince Xie so much but why is she refusing to be his wife forever.

This isn't right she thought and at the end, in other to save General Jin she accepted the deal and Prince Xie put the pill into unconscious General Jin's mouth.

"Master" Yan calls happily and anxiously as General Jin slowly opens his eyes.

"Master, how are you feeling?" Yan asks anxiously and General Jin nods slowly in responds as he looks around the room.

"Where is she?" he asks anxiously and Yan's facial expression saddens.

Yan explain to General Jin all what had happened during his unconscious days, General Jin couldn't say a word and scratch his hair trying to come up with an idea.

"Prepare the horse" he commands Yan angrily.

"But master –"

"Now!"

Prince Xie commands the carriage steward to halt and he comes down at Xie mansion stretching his hand out in other to pillar Churong on stepping down from the carriage but Churong rejects his offer and jump down from the carriage along with Lin.

"Your highness" the door guards' bow courteously as Prince Xie, Churong and Lin were about entering into the mansion.

Prince Jin girdles his horse to a stop and it neigh loudly "Halt!" he shouts anxiously and hurriedly jump down from the horse.

"Jin" Churong calls happily but Prince Xie pulls her to his side, General Jin smirks and approaches them.

General Jin pulls Churong to his chest and said romantically;

"She is mine", Churong shine her eyes in surprise and happiness and General Jin kisses her passionately.