His Rui

(Dear Readers, yesterday I had released two chapters but in the wrong sequence. Now the sequence is correct. If you read only one chapter yesterday then please go and read the one left chapter. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

The bright rays of the sun brightened the morning sky slowly and slowly and the people in Xin were now starting to wake up.

The preparation for the second day of the banquet had already started in the Imperial Palace.

The first day was filled with every kind of performance, dancing, singing, magic, paintings, and many other skills..  However, today, which meant the second day was going to be a competition day between the noble girls and noble heirs of the noble families. Not only noble families but the Prince and Princess were going to take part in this.

The maidens dressed very well even better than the first day because today was the only day they could present themselves and hence attract the attention of the higher-ranking noble families.

The Imperial banquet hall was now starting to get filled with people slowly.

When Xi Ying stepped inside the banquet hall with Li Rui, people didn't pay much attention to them.

Why would they? Now they couldn't say anything about Li Rui and talking about Xi Ying was not needed to be stopped by an Imperial edict. Those who love themselves, obviously knew that provoking Prime Minister Xi only meant that either the person was too stupid or he doesn't love his life any longer.

Hence, except for the few glances from the maidens at Xi Ying nothing like the previous day happened in the banquet hall.

When Xi Ying walked toward the front seat with Li Rui, he felt a scorching gaze on himself and naturally moved his eyes towards Li Clan's seats. Sure enough, General Li was glaring at him with so much devotion that Xi Ying could feel his frustration and anger towards him from far away.

A wide smirk spread on his lips.

Last night, when he had closed the door he had heard Second Madam Li's last words before she had walked away from outside the room. So it was predictable why General Li was looking at him like this.

He didn't mind the hateful glares instead smirked more provocatively one last time and then his face gained its coldness and indifference back as he helped Li Rui in sitting down and then sat down beside her.

Soon after the first Prince with his wangfei, the second Prince with Yi Huiqing, and Princess Wenling entered, the Imperial guard announced the arrival of the Emperor with the Empress.

As the Emperor walked down the large hall and sat on the throne, people kneeled down to pay respects except for Xi Ying and Li Rui.

When everyone rose and sat back on their seat they couldn't help but take a glance at the Empress who was smiling amicably. No trace of anger because of being asked to not attend the banquet for the first day could be seen on her face or perhaps she was very skilled in hiding her thoughts inside her heart.

However, their attention was soon picked away when they saw Princess Wenling standing up from her chair.

"Today's banquet is divided into three parts. In the first part, men no matter whether the heir or not, whether young or old can participate in different activities. Most generally they will be archery, sword fighting, or a skill chosen by your own that one wishes to present in front of His Majesty.

In the second part, only the maidens can participate and show any skill they possess in front of His Majesty and Her Majesty.

In the third part, girls whether married or unmarried can participate but the competition will be of playing guqin."

Everyone nodded their heads and seemed to be alright with whatever has been decided by the Princess. A few of them have frowned hearing that the competition was for the married girls also.

But it was good. For married women to compete in playing guqin was also alright. A few of them even praised Princess for her meticulous arrangement.

Seeing this Princess Wenling smiled proudly and continued.

"In the end, whoever wins in each part respectively will be rewarded by His Majesty and Her Majesty."

After finishing, Princess Wenling sat down on her chair while the servants started to prepare the stage amidst the large hall where all the activities for the first competition could start.

The hall was very wide and long so the stage didn't obstruct anything was at a safe distance from everyone. However, Xi Ying's face was cold all the time as he looked at the servants setting the targets, arrows, and bows.

Anything could happen in the disguise of competing.

As the competition started, his hawk-like gaze observed every direction of the banquet hall. Understanding the situation, An Ju also stepped forward casually and stood beside Li Rui while looking around.

One by one every man stepped on the stage and tried his luck in archery.

This single competition was also divided into three rounds. In every stage, the distance between the target and the archer would be increased.

Amidst the front seats, Yi Junjie suddenly stood up from his seat with a heavy sigh. Helplessness flashed in his eyes when he heard his Aunt and Old Lady Yi merrily cheering behind his back.

Since the moment the competition was announced, Yi Yang was nagging him to go and participate but he refused. In the end, when both the ladies joined forces and Yi Feng and Elder Yi also looked at him meaningfully, he had to stand up to participate in the competition.

Although he still remembered his parents' faces a little bit and respected and loved them a lot inside his heart, his respect and love towards everyone in Yi Clan were more than anything else.

How could he not love and respect them?

He, at the age of eleven, was brought to Yi Manor when he was at his lowest point.

Yi Junjie still remembered how his relatives had snatched away everything taking advantage of his condition when he was still grieving over the death of his parents. At that moment, it was only Uncle Yi Yang, a friend of his father who had stepped out and taken responsibility for him.

He had not cared at that time where he was going.

But if today, someone asks Yi Junjie whether he was grateful to Uncle Yi Yang then he would say 'Yes' without any hesitation.

Because he believes that he would not have overcome his parents' death if it was not for the Yi family.

Sometimes Yi Junjie thought if Yi Feng had not brought him to Yi Manor then what would have happened to him.

As he thought this, his eyes unconsciously moved towards the seats on his right side.

The person who became the reason for his strength, the person who didn't leave him no matter how he was to her….he would also have not found her.