The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 82: Small Gift to Represent My Respect

Small Gift to Represent My Respect . . .

At last, a hearty laughter bubbled forth from Cha-Eun Xiao's lips. "[My Uncle Steward is truly endearing]," he mused privately.

Had Song Jue been privy to Cha-Eun Xiao's inner amusement, he would likely have been quite embarrassed. Despite the futility of his own predicament, Song Jue would almost certainly have sought a means to vent his frustrations, often directing his ire at the unfortunate blood guards. They were, after all, convenient targets for such release.

It was now the afternoon, and Cha-Eun Xiao was preparing to attend a dinner hosted by none other than the crown prince himself. He approached the upcoming engagement with a degree of nonchalance. After all, what was the crown prince to him but a mere footnote in his life?

As he had declared earlier, should the crown prince dare to act against him, Cha-Eun Xiao harbored no reservations about retaliating. Both the crown prince and his consort would bear the consequences of such folly. There was simply nothing that warranted his concern.

Why worry about something as inconsequential as a fleeting breeze?

The skies gradually darkened, and Cha-Eun Xiao, mounted atop his horse, presented a striking figure. His garments billowed in the wind, and his flowing locks danced in harmony with the breeze. With the Crown Prince's Palace as his destination, he set off.

During his journey, he took a momentary pause to purchase a bag of fresh fruits, a whimsical indulgence to enhance his evening.

Lan Lang-Lang happened upon him along the way and approached curiously, "Xiao Xiao, where are you headed?"

A mischievous grin graced Cha-Eun Xiao's lips as he responded, "The crown prince has graciously extended an invitation to dinner. I plan to enjoy a few drinks. Care to join? Has he extended an invitation to you as well?"

Lan Lang-Lang's countenance reflected a touch of disappointment. "No, I wasn't invited. I can't help but wonder why he invited you but not me…"

Without further ado, Cha-Eun Xiao continued on his journey.

As he covered a considerable distance, another rider approached and called out, "Xiao Xiao, where are you headed?"

This newcomer was none other than Zuo Wu-Ji.

In response, Cha-Eun Xiao raised his voice, carrying over the street's clamor. "The crown prince has invited me to dine. I'm off to enjoy some drinks."

Zuo Wu-Ji's eyes widened in astonishment. "Ah? The crown prince extended an invitation to you? For what purpose?"

A crowd had gathered on the street, their gaze fixed on Cha-Eun Xiao with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "[The crown prince invited him to dinner? Unbelievable!]"

With an infectious chuckle, Cha-Eun Xiao replied, "You pose a rather simple query. Naturally, the crown prince has summoned me to discuss pressing national affairs. Given the tumultuous state of our kingdom, the motive is plain to see."

Zuo Wu-Ji broke into effusive praise. "Indeed! I'm filled with admiration. Brother Cha is truly the pillar of our kingdom!"

The words spoken by Cha-Eun Xiao had a profound impact on the Crown Prince, causing him to stagger momentarily. His countenance shifted from its usual pallor to a sickly shade of green, and under his breath, he muttered, "Bastard!"

Close behind him, the Crown Princess watched in stunned silence, her astonishment evident. Her internal monologue expressed her surprise, [This Ye Xiao truly knows how to make an entrance, doesn't he? Without any action taken yet, he's managed to broadcast his presence to the entire capital!]

She pondered the situation further, reflecting on her guest's unanticipated boldness.

[He's been invited to dine with us? Well, so be it. But who gave him the impression we'd be discussing national affairs? Does he think us fools or is he simply too dense to grasp the situation?]

The Crown Prince was visibly perturbed, his displeasure evident.

"This Ye Xiao is truly insufferable! Does he think that by spreading such rumors, he can evade any consequences? Who does he believe himself to be?" The Crown Princess's visage was etched with disdain, and her words dripped with venomous intent.

"But we are unable to take direct action against him. After all, he is the only son of Cha Nan-Tian, and that alone presents complications," the Crown Prince stated, rubbing his temples as if attempting to alleviate a burgeoning headache.

"That is indeed one reason we must tread carefully. The other is that I suspect someone quite astute is supporting him from the shadows. Should we decide to confront him, we must devise a cunning strategy."

The Crown Prince let out a bitter laugh. "We mustn't underestimate the influence of this seemingly frivolous young lord. He has managed to ensnare us in his web with a few well-placed words. His actions are truly impressive. On the surface, he flaunts his invitation by me, but in reality, he has orchestrated a far deeper scheme—one that shields him from harm while allowing him to relish the upcoming dinner. It's not an ordinary strategy, I must admit."

With a furrowed brow, the Crown Princess retorted, "Relish? We shall see just how clever this Ye Xiao truly is. I'm eager to witness how he can possibly enjoy himself in our company!"

Her words dripped with disdain.

...

A while later, a report reached them.

"Your Highness, Lord Cha-Eun Xiao has arrived at the gate."

The Crown Prince's demeanor remained composed as he issued his command. "Open the gate and usher Lord Cha in. I will receive him in the central hall."

The Crown Princess chimed in with determination. "I shall accompany you."

Both of them prepared to welcome Cha-Eun Xiao, appearing to pay him great respect. Yet their intentions were far from respectful.

They positioned themselves at the entrance to the central hall, awaiting the arrival of their guest. The guard accompanying Cha-Eun Xiao led him forward with a swaggering gait, an air of nonchalance, and a hint of self-satisfaction.

From a distance, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess could hear Cha-Eun Xiao's voice drifting toward them, filled with pride and concealed mirth. "I never would have expected an invitation to dine with the Crown Prince. Hahaha… It makes perfect sense, though. I've certainly earned my place in the city. Over the years, I've immersed myself in scholarly pursuits, delving into military strategy, ancient philosophies, and more. My true abilities have remained hidden beneath a modest exterior. I've thought that perhaps my talents would go to waste in this lifetime. Yet, it seems the Crown Prince possesses a discerning eye, capable of identifying the best talents wherever they may be. True gold will always shine. Hahahahaha..."

His voice initially carried a humble tone, but as he continued speaking, a newfound confidence crept into his words. It was as if he had sprouted wings and was soaring on the wind. While you didn't need to lay eyes on him to visualize his demeanor, his voice painted a vivid picture of his self-assuredness.

If he hadn't been tethered to the ground by the constraints of his own body, he might have just taken flight into the heavens.

The Crown Prince's face underwent a startling transformation, shifting from its usual pallor to a shade of blue that rivaled the evening sky. Internally, his thoughts raced. [You? Well-read? Knowledgeable about strategy and warfare? Concealing your talents? The best among us? Real gold shining amid the dross?]

His mind was in turmoil. [I am the Crown Prince; I must not give in to anger. But this... This is truly testing my patience!]

Meanwhile, the Crown Princess found herself slowly contorting her expression. [Could such a foolish man really pose a threat to my brother? Or... might my brother meet his demise because of him? That would be a grave injustice...]

As Cha-Eun Xiao drew nearer, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess finally caught a clear glimpse of his countenance.

His hair was coiled into a knot atop his head, appearing well-intentioned, yet it bore a slight skew, a minor imperfection that rendered it peculiar.

Not all of his hair was tied up neatly; a handful of strands cascaded down his left shoulder, framing his left cheek in a cascade of locks that exuded an air of mischief.

This unconventional hairstyle left both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess feeling perplexed.

It was, without a doubt, an entirely unique coiffure.

But their bewilderment didn't end there; they scrutinized his visage. He was, in fact, rather handsome, with long, expressive eyebrows, large and lively eyes, a well-defined nose, and a comely face adorned with small, rosy lips.

His attire, predominantly white, added an air of elegance to his presence. Yet, it seemed that his gait, characterized by an odd splayfooted walk and exaggerated body movements, marred his overall appearance.

"Lord Cha," the Crown Prince extended his hand in a gesture of greeting.

"Aha... Your Highness, Crown Prince," Cha-Eun Xiao responded with a genuine smile, his voice oozing with warmth. "I've heard countless commendations of your reputation, and it's a true honor to finally make your acquaintance. They say that in perilous times, the true nature of men is revealed, while during turbulent periods, their loyalty shines through. Your invitation to dinner during these trying times must surely signify an important matter you wish to discuss. Fear not; I shall share all that I know and offer my unreserved counsel. I shall endeavor to alleviate your concerns and anxieties, Your Highness."

His demeanor appeared sincere, adopting an attitude of camaraderie and indebtedness. He extended his hand to present a bag of fresh fruits as a token of goodwill. "Your Highness, as a small gesture for our first esteemed meeting, I've brought a gift—a bag of delectable fruits. There's an old saying that suggests bringing a gift when entering is customary. Hehe. I've sampled these fruits myself, and they are both fresh and delicious. Please accept this humble offering as a token of my gratitude..."