XIAO LI HUA'S POV

Hi, I'm princess Xiao Li hua, the princess of games, the daughter of Xiao Ling Jun the King of Ji Kingdom and Xiao Mei Lien, the Queen of Ji Kingdom.

I'm 16 years old, and not married yet. That's because I rejected every groom that proposed to me since I came of age. I rejected all the grooms because I have someone else in mind.

I was sitting on a chair in my room reading a book, suddenly one of my hand maids called out to me informing me about the meeting that is about to commence; "Your highness, the King has summoned every member of the royal family and every noble to the throne room for an urgent meeting." She said and I dismissed her.

I didn't want to go to the meeting, but I had no choice, I let out a sigh and I left for the meeting.

I stood at the door looking at the room that was overladen with nobles. I took a deep breath, and I walked In as soon as my name was announced "Attention! Attention! the princess of games, Princess Xiao Li Hua graces us with her presence "

I walked into the throne room gracefully, and I could hear people's whisper about my beauty. I sat on the chair close to my mother, and my younger sister, Princess Xiao Chu-hua.

I was getting bored, because of the introduction processes, I was really curious to know why father called for this meeting.

My father cleared his throat after the introduction was done, and everywhere was dead silent.

I looked into father's eyes, they were as blue as a lake under the moon light. His eyes were different from everyone else's because according to an old myth, every king was chosen by the ice dragon and they are identified by their deep blue eyes. I watched him closely as he removed his turban to tuck his hair behind his ear, he was looking so dreamy.

My mind was focused on father, and I totally forgot I was in a royal meeting. I wasn't paying attention to the meeting but as soon as I heard father say he is getting a concubine, I got up immediately and yelled "No!" And everyone looked at me, except father. "Princess Li Hua, what do you mean by 'NO' are you opposing the King's decision?" Prime minister Hong Bingwen said.

I sat back on my seat and cleared my throat " That's not what I meant prime minister Hong Bingwen, what I mean is that there is no reason for the king to have a concubine when he has the queen by he's side." The prime minister's daughter, Shu Bingwen said to me " tut tut princess, you weren't even paying attention, my father who happens to be the prime minister suggested to His Majesty the king to choose a concubine because according to the custom of our kingdom, a king must have at least more than three concubines. And also, the king has been married to the queen for 15 years and has not bore a son who would become the crown prince and the future king. That is all your Highness ." I couldn't feel my legs, my legs began to shake " I can not let him be with other women, if it's not me then no one else." I thought.

I was so annoyed, everyone could tell I wasn't happy about the decision. "Your Majesty i suggest you take my daughter, Shu Bingwen as your new concubine, in a few days she would come of age. She is a perfect Candidate for the position of senior concubine. That is all your Majesty." Prime Minister Hong Bingwen said. I knew he would recommend his useless daughter so I opposed " Prime minister Hong Bingwen, were you just suggesting a concubine to his Majesty so that your daughter will marry in to a royal family? The king never complained of not having a son, and the queen is still young and healthy, you don't think the Queen can be able to have a male child Prime minister Hong Bingwen? Your suggestion has proved that you don't think the queen can ever have a son. I really didn't expect this from you. " I said and tilted my head down. " Your Highness, if you weren't the princess, people would actually think you want the king to your self, but unfortunately you are his daughter, you have to respect every decision he makes." Shu Bingwen said and father turned to me, and everyone in the room followed suit and I gave Shu Bingwen a death glare. I was about to fulminate against her, in a flash, father thwacked his hand on the arm rest of his throne and said in a raucous tone " that is enough, Xiao Li hua." I was stunned father had never spoken to me that way, i could feel a lump in my throat, I wanted to scream and cry, my organs felt like they were about to burst. I looked up to father and tears flowed than my eyes, all because of Shu Bingwen, i will never forgive her, not in the this life or the next.

However, while i was still sulking, A man from the crowd, spoke up and said " We haven't heard the princess' reason for not wanting Lady Shu to be the head concubine." "Bless this man." i said to myself. Father sighed and waved his hand for me to speak and I raised my dress and stood gracefully. " It wouldn't be fair if we make Lady Shu the concubine without having a concubine selection contest. We have a lot of capable maidens in our country who can make a good wife for the king. So i suggest we hold a concubine selection contest for every maiden who has come off age. That is all your Majesty."

When i said this the crowd began to murmur in agreement, and a woman raised her hand for permission to speak and father granted it to her " Your Majesty, the princess is right, It won't be fair to other maidens if Lady Shu is declared senior concubine without a contest. I have a daughter at home who came off age last month, and I'll like my daughter to participate in the concubine selection." "Yes!" the people yelled. Shu Bingwen and I locked eyes and i smirked and it really pissed her. No matter how angry she gets, I'm still higher in power.

Father passed a decree that the concubine selection contest would be in three days, and there would be a massive feast. Everyone was happy and every maiden looked forward to the contest, especially me.

"LET THE GAMES BEGIN." I said with a wide smirk.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

The next day, Later in the afternoon, Li hua was in her court yard having tea and cakes, then her hand maid, Biyu Mùchén who happens to be her best friend runs in to the court yard panting; "Princess, I saw Lady Shu threatening the maidens of the lower class not to participate in the forth coming contest if they want their heads to remain on their bodies." She said.

Li hua laughs and pours some tea into a cup and hands it to Biyu "Have some tea and watch my game unfold." Biyu sips from the cup and keeps it on the table. "Let's go to the town, I want to see how the other girls are preparing for the contest." Li hua said and Biyu replies "Princess the king has forbade you from leaving the palace since the day you almost drowned at the boarder lake." Li hua sighed and rolled her eyes "Poor and naive Biyu, I know father forbade me from leaving the palace, that's why I prepared a disguise before hand. We will disguise ourselves as men and apply some makeup to make our face look stiff like that of a man, and no one would tell who we are." Biyu nodded in agreement, but the only problem was how they would leave the court yard dressed as men without being noticed.

So Li hua thought of a brilliant idea. " Biyu, the two guards standing outside the court yard, aren't they brothers? Xiu Feng and Chao Feng? Why don't you invite them for a snack break." Biyu understood Li hua's plan, but she didn't think it would work, but she eventually invited them in for a snack break. "Your Highness you summoned us, is anything the matter?" Chao Feng asked and Li hua replied "Yes, I summoned you to have tea with me, is there a problem with that?" " No your Highness." He said and blushed.

Xiao Li hua and Chao Feng engaged into small talks, while Xiu Feng and Biyu kept staring at them.

Li hua found out from Chao the sufferings of the villagers, they were neglected, they suffered from famine, droughts and plagues but they were never given supplies, and they didn't give them elixir to cure their diseases, instead the infected ones were burnt. "But father gathered physicians and alchemists to brew elixirs and medicine for the people. I was present when father gave Prime minister Hong Bingwen a chest of gold coins to buy food for the poor people who were affected by the drought." Li hua said. "That is true your Highness, i was also present when the king did all of these, forgive me your highness, but i think 80 percent of the blame is on he's Majesty because didn't supervise. But I also think the prime minister is responsible for everything." Chao said.

Li hua changed the topic to Chao's personal life, she found out he was not engaged to anybody, but he had a girl in mind but she's out of reach because her status is much more higher than his. Li hua's discussion with Chao almost made her forget she had something to do... "Can you do me a favour?"...

IN THE TOWN***

Li hua runs around and people looks at her like an insane man, that's because she was dressed as a man running around the market. "Princess, slow down you might get hurt." Biyu yells and Li hua glares at her and said " I told you not to call me Princess, what if someone heard you, we would be in so much trouble. My name is Xiu Chao and you are Feng Feng, got it?" " I'm so sorry princess, i mean Master Chao. I can't believe Xiu Feng and Chao Feng would let us wear their clothes why they fill up for us." Biyu said looking all happy. They went to a stall where There were plenty young ladies shopping for the contest and they decided to gather information about their preparation for the contest. " So a princess and a maid disguised as men. Can this day get any better?" A man eavesdropping behind a bush said smirked.

After gathering all the information they needed, Li hua and Biyu decided to take a rest near a lonely alley, Li hua started feeling uncomfortable, like someone was following her. "Why do you hide like a coward? Why don't you face me head on." She said and a man, nope that's an understatement, a drop dead handsome man, but not as the king, with eyes as red as a flame stepped out of the shadow and said "Nice to meet you princess."

THE DAY OF THE CONTEST***

The whole palace was decorated with lanterns and flowers as the queen had instructed. Kings, queens, princes and Princesses of many kingdoms were present at the function. Drinks and all kinds of delicacies were all set for the feast.

Li hua who really wanted to make an impression dressed in a very revealing clothe made of the finest silk. She was adorned with all kinds of pearls and Jewels and it really made her happy because no one in the whole of the kingdom matched up to her beauty as she still remained the sun of Ji kingdom.

Everyone was so happy, especially Li hua, she really can't wait for the contest to begin, or she really can't wait to see Shu Bingwen fool herself. As Li hua kept thinking of how the contest would turn out to be, King Ling Jun walks in with Queen Mei Lien as their names were announced and everyone stands up "Attention! Attention, the descendant of the great ice dragon, King Xiao Ling Jun and he's wife and Queen, Queen Mei Lien graces us with their presence." "Father Is looking like a god in this attire." Li hua thought.

Ling Jun sits on his throne with Mei Lien next to him, and they look to the place where other royal familys are and greets everyone, Mei Lien smiled at her daughters who sat next to each other.

To commence the program, the king invites Li hua to read out the rules of the games as she is in charge of the games. As she walkes up to the centre of the hall, a loud gasp went across. Everyone was stunned to see the princess, she was like a fairy, even the king could hardly believe his eyes. " The rules of the games are: every contestant must perform a dance, play a song, sing a song, write a poem and draw a nice portrait of the king." Li hua said. And the first contestant which obviously is Shu Bingwen comes out to perform a dance. " Lady Shu will definitely win this round, she's the best dancer in the whole of Ji kingdom." The crowd said. "Don't be too quick to judge." Li hua thought and smirked.

Just as Shu Bingwen began to dance, her stomach began to growl, and she released gas which caused foul smell to circulate the hall. "Hahaha, pufftt. Lady Shu, I didn't know you are this talented, i really want to learn from you. Hahaha." Li hua said while laughing so hard. "No wonder her father named her Shu, it's the same sound as her gas, shuuuuu. hahaha." The prince of Bowen kingdom said. And Li hua laughed even harder and she said " Lady Shu, sorry to tell you this, but you are disqualified from the contest. A well trained woman must know how to control herself in public." Shu Bingwen fell on the floor and cried, and her father helped her up and took her out of the hall. " If Lady Shu could fail so massively, what about us? Do we even stand a chance? I'm quitting. " One of the contestants said and the other ten also quit. This made Li hua's work so easy. "Since the contest has been cancelled, let's move on with the feast." The King said, as if relieved from a mighty borden. "Wait your Majesty." A man said, and the king replied "How may I help you?" "I'd like to ask for your daughter's hand." The man said and walked up to the centre of the room, and Li hua said out loud "The red eyed man.!" "Can we talk about this later, we are about to observe a feast. You are invited to feast with us." The king said and the man nodded but declined the invitation.

When the feast was over, Li hua was sitting on a bench in the garden, watching her father send off the other royal familys who attended the feast, and then Shu Bingwen walks up to her and sits on the bench and said " I know you conspired against me princess Li." Li hua looks at her and said "why would i conspire against a nobody, remember I am the princess of this kingdom, the princess of games in the whole of the seven countries of our continent, why would I conspire against a daughter of a common prime minister, don't make me laugh Shu Bingwen.." "Princess, your status maybe higher than mine now, but I'll make sure to be the head concubine, and then you will now at my feet." Shu Bingwen said and Li hua couldn't hold back her laugh "you think being a concubine will make me bow to you? Go and ask how worthless a concubine is other than having children and satisfying the needs of the king." Li hua and Shu Bingwen didn't notice the king was eavesdropping.

Few minutes after Li hua went to her room to freshen up, she was summoned by the king.

Few minutes after Li hua got to her court yard to freshen up, the king summoned her.

When Li hua got to the kings court yard, he invited her to his chamber to question her concerning the incident that took place at the contest . "Did you sabotage Lady Shu? and why did you do that?" The king asked and Li hua bent her head trying not to make eye contact, and he asked again with harsh tone.

After some minutes, Li hua finally said in a loud voice "Yes, i sabotaged Lady Shu because I love you and want you for myself, I've always loved you, i want to kiss you, i want you to touch me. I know it's a sin, but I love you ." She began to cry and the King's face turned from anger to surprise.

Chapter will be released on the 27 of April 27/04/2023