CROWN PRINCE'S CONCUBINE

Luo Xiang looked far ahead, where all the tall trees with dense leaves swayed due to the slightly strong wind, the crowding leaves made a pleasant sound for heard coupled with the song of birds perched on the branches.

“Who told that Prince Chen Ming didn’t have the capability to protect him, he has to accept the fact that he might become Ying Ying’s burden by having to protect him in battle.”

Princess Wu Lan swallowed hard, she already knew how the Crown Prince really was, so it wasn’t strange. he heard those cold and honest words, a bit harsh, but that’s who he was, and, she felt he knew why her grandson could cry because of it, Bai Ying was by nature a very sensitive and spoiled child, he’s gentle but have a very strong will, and looks like both just as stubborn as they are.

“Heh yeah, I think Xiao Ying also thinks that way, he doesn’t want to see his brother get hurt because of him, the brothers love each other too much”

Luo Xiang looked at Princess Wu Lan.

“Princess, if the princess is pleased, Xiang er must immediately return to the palace for state affairs, and, Ying Ying will come with me”

Princess Wu Lan nodded.

“Of course, since Xiao Ying is His Highness the Crown Prince’s concubine, this old granny can’t do anything to prevent you from bringing him back to the palace, but, don’t you ask Xiao Ying if he wants to come back with you or not? That kid, I’m so worried about him, he’s very stubborn, I’m afraid he’ll run away”

.....

“I won’t make my Ying Ying run away again” Luo Xiang interrupted Princess Wu Lan’s words, he turned his head to look at the Princess sharply.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I know you love my little Ying so much more than anything else, but, right now in his mind Your Majesty is no more than a stranger he has only known for a couple of days, of course, he will feel uncomfortable and depressed, I just wish, you can take care of his feelings, all for the good of Xiao Ying, forgive this old granny for speaking the truth, but, for now, you, need to understand him better than before”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do all along Princess, Ying Ying is my concubine, he is my love, I will do whatever it takes to make him remember me as his brother Xiang Xiang, for that matter you don’t have to think too much about it, I know what I have to do.”

Princess Wu Lan pulled her lips, she took a deep breath.

“Heh, it can’t be helped, this old lady can only watch the excited young people around me do whatever they want, it just, Xiao Ying’s condition makes me can’t stop thinking about him, that poor kid, don’t know what else will happen after this, and when that happens, this old woman will not be by his side to comfort him, what a poor kid” the old woman wiped the tears that were held in the corners of her eyes.

Luo Xiang pulled his lips, he knew the Princess is like Bai Ying who was ignorant and liked to act strangely, whether it was real tears or just an act because her grandson was not as unfortunate as she thought.

.....

On the training grounds, the palace built a training camp large enough for Xin Hua’s new warriors. It is located not so far from the west side of the Pai Hua valley apart from the palace complex.

The large muscles of the massive bodies of the young soldiers who were no older than twenty years old stood out from the tall and stout bodies that lined up to train in the large field. The sound of excited shouts could be heard all the way to where Chen Ming, Xiao Hong and Su Lang were standing.

Seen from afar was Shi Shen, the Young Minister of Defense was standing at the front while General Ge Lu was standing at the very front where his men were busy training the young soldiers.

Shi Shen who was serious about his work turned his head and found Chen Ming arrived, immediately the young Minister stood up from his place and approached.

“Greetings Your Highness the Prince, what on earth made the Prince come to this hot training camp?” said Shi Shen.

Chen Ming turned his head, seeing the young Minister lower his head to greet him.

At least the Minister could prove he was reliable in his position, it wasn’t wrong to put him in this position because the idea he presented wasn’t bad either. The training camp is one of the ideas that the Minister put forward to get strong and reliable soldiers in battle, even though the country is in a state of peace at this time but strong soldiers can also be used to help anyone in need.

“Minister Shi, I will ask Guard Su Lang to record everything you need and plan in the report, hope you can cooperate with him.”

Shi Shen turned to Su Lang and lowered his head again to Chen Ming.

“Of course Your Majesty, it is my pleasure, Guard Su”

.....

Chen Ming and Xiao Hong enjoyed the warm air around the valley, occasionally glancing at the young soldiers who had been seriously training physical strength since earlier. The two walked leisurely back towards the palace which along the way was overgrown with tall plants that were quite shady.

“Your Majesty, see that the tree is already full of fruits, does Your Majesty want it? I will pick it for Your Majesty,” said Xiao Hong, pointing at the apple tree growing in front of them.

Chen Ming looked up upwards, squinting his eyes to block out the harsh sunlight as he looked up.

“Emh this is very high Hong, isn’t it dangerous to climb?” Chen Ming asked.

Xiao Hong is a red bird that can fly, of course, it’s not a big problem for him, but the young man is instead preparing to step on a tree trunk to be able to climb up.

“This is very easy Your Majesty, the fruit is red and big, it looks sweet, Your Majesty just wait here, just a moment”

Chen Ming was too late to stop the young man who was already climbing up, it was indeed not a problem for him, with his long legs and arms he clung to the tree trunk and stepped on the part that was sticking out.

Chen Ming looks up to Xiao Hong who manages to sit on the biggest lower branch of the tree.

“Hong, help me up, it looks like it’s fun climbing trees, Xiao Ying said it is, even though he often falls, how hard is it to climb the trees?”

Xiao Hong stretched out his hand to help pull Chen Ming up.

“Be careful Your Majesty”

But Chen Ming’s clothes were so majestic and heavy, that it was difficult for him to get his feet out to step on the tree trunk and he slipped several times.

“Ouch, it’s so hard.”

Chen Ming lifted his undergarment and tried again, holding Xiao Hong’s outstretched hand tightly.

“Hold on tight, Your Majesty, I will pull you up.”

Chen Ming nodded.

“Yeah, ouch, these clothes are so heavy.”

Chen Ming managed to hold Xiao Hong’s hand and tried to climb up, he was so strong-willed that he didn’t care if his clothes were too heavy for him to climb a tree.

“This is fun” he was just about to step on the small trunk above when suddenly one of his other legs slipped.

“Ah!”

His grip on Xiao Hong’s hand was loose because it was too slippery that his body fell backwards.

“Your Majesty” Xiao Hong was startled, he was preparing to slide down to catch Chen Ming’s body but someone had already preceded him.

Someone grabbed Chen Ming from behind before he fell humiliatingly to the ground. Xiao Hong jumped down.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?” Xiao Hong asked.

It’s Bei Yau, who was already holding Chen Ming’s body looked at Xiao Hong sharply. Realizing the person, Chen Ming quickly straightened himself and pushed Bei Yau away from him.

“Don’t touch me”

Xiao Hong held Chen Ming’s hand which was a bit wobbly after almost falling, he groaned after realizing that one leg hurt when he stepped on the ground.

“Akh”

“Your Majesty is injured, forgive me, Your Majesty, for not holding His Majesty’s hand tightly enough,” said Xiao Hong lowering his body to check on Chen Ming’s left leg which was slightly on tiptoe.

“It’s okay Hong, it’s not your fault, I was in too hurry,” said Chen Ming, who seemed to be groaning in pain. Too bad, he thought, he’d underestimated his brother who always fell while climbing a tree, and now, he himself hit the rock.

“Come Hong, help me to sit down”

###############