CROWN PRINCE'S CONCUBINE

727 [Bonus chapter] Annual meeting

Morning a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly, with its light reflecting off the clear lake water. Colorful cute ducks swim in flocks starting from the two big parents at the very front, followed by their adorable children from the biggest to the smallest.

A beautiful flower garden, with various kinds of colorful plants of all sizes growing, beautifies the garden which is situated on a snowy mountain far away near the sky. Water flows from the rocks which are neatly arranged from the top of the cliff to the bottom carrying flower petals that fall from the wind blows gently.

From a distance came the sound of lively music accompanied by boisterous cheers from guests in the hall which was located in one of the most beautiful buildings in the large garden. There are the small cute size of fairies playing one musical instrument together and other little fairies gathering on other musical instruments. Combining the sounds that are pleasing to the ear with the cheerful strains that made some of the guests inside sway with joy.

The event that morning went quite pleasant, at first. Until noon, when the meeting was already halfway through, there was a loud voice from the chairman of the morning meeting. Hei Wu, the black tortoise was sitting at the front. The black tortoise Hei Wu in human form was a large man with a bald head. Dressed in black with a grim face. He was large for his size, wearing a large gold chain around his neck, a pierced nose, and a bald head bearing the few letters that indicated his name, Hei Wu.

“This can’t be allowed, you know every time that kid appears he will eat all of our food. And he chose the most delicious one, not to mention that he likes to get angry when the water in the bathroom is empty, and there is no fragrance for bathing. And he also invited his maids here, how can we live in peace if the two maids go back and forth asking for cold water, hot water, and thick blankets? That little human is really troublesome!” Hei Wu exclaimed, not forgetting to chatter while enjoying the fried peanuts that were served in front of him.

Magnificent hall with fine exquisite decoration, shiny and squeaky clean, from the floor to the chairs and tables. Long beautiful curtain with number one silk quality waved gently by the every year summer warm wind, velvet chair, and jade table, not to mention all the utilities from pure gold to silver and jade. Very pleasant and sparkling to the eyes. Although it sounded crowded, actually there were only four of them in the huge hall room.

Attendees at today’s meeting, one of them Xiao Wu, the Giant Rabbit who was at that time formed as a fat woman just nodded slowly. Although she didn’t follow what the very enthusiastic old man talk about. The woman dressed in dark brown, with a short, bushy hairstyle, and a wide mouth and nose was just sitting near the food, and don’t know how many peanut cookies she had consumed since then. Her round mouth was full of nuts and she hadn’t stopped chewing since then. At first glance, it does look like a ground rabbit that likes to eat.

“Em, um, yum yum”

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Xiao Hong was seen sitting with a very calm face enjoying tea and his favorite snack, the pink lotus seed cake. Like Xiao Hong usually, the young bird looked exquisite at every turn. Long reddish hair, with a bun tied up high and wrapped around it by gold ribbons and red bird feather hairpins. Shiny red clothes that are more beautiful when exposed to sunlight, to a smooth white face without blemishes that make him look very beautiful in any condition.

.....

“Emh, this is delicious” the young bird also didn’t care about what old man Hei Wu was raving about earlier. The purpose of his joining the meeting is to improve relations among fellow guardians of the four corners. Also, because he really likes the food, the food in the Windward flower garden is always delicious. It’s not strange that the kid really likes going there and getting food there. If it weren’t for that, why would he be so diligent in attending the regular meetings like that? A garden made by the four of them with the help of the King of Realm, of course. And because it was located near the south, a cold area, old man Hei Wu become the person in charge of the garden.

“Hemh, this is really good, not too sweet. Old man Er Wang, what do you think?” asked Xiao Hong. He glanced at the white-haired old man in golden clothes who was sitting not far beside him. He is the dragon Er Wang who had been sitting with his arms folded in front of his chest very seriously listening to the contents of the meeting. Drinks and food are still intact on the table.

“Waah, you haven’t touched your food, can I have it?” asked Xiao Hong.

Er Wang stare at Xiao Hong’s eyes sharp when the young bird was about to take the cake plate. His sharp gaze made the young bird pull his hand back. Don’t let the dragon’s white flames spray on his face like last time. He’s a grumbling old man.

“Hehe, cool down.”

Er Wang shifted his cake plate inside. He hasn’t touched it at all.

Hei Wu’s voice reverberated through the hall in the middle of the garden. Usually, they use the hall either for meetings or for parties.

“So? You all agree with me, right? Come on, here is a letter of mutual agreement, so next time when the kid comes we will all ignore him, not serve him let alone give him all the food to take home. And also the maids, tell him that we do not accept outside servants here. And again, he has to sleep in the guest room, doesn’t ask for hot water for bathing, and doesn’t ask us to always provide perfume for him” cried Hei Wu while holding up a piece of paper on which there were several pictures made soberly by Hei Wu.

Xiao Hong had to tilt his head to see the contents of the unclear paper.

“Old man, who made these drawings?” he asked.

Hei Wu pulled his lips looking at Xiao Hong who seemed to doubt the drawing on the paper, he turned to the corner where there was a woman with a slightly pale face, long jet-black hair in black clothes, and an expressionless face who still held a paintbrush and painted several copies of the agreement paper. She is the black snake, who becomes Hei Wu’s personal assistant. The woman raised her head looking at Xiao Hong sharply while hissing.

“Ich, so scary,” said Xiao Hong pulling his head.

Hei Wu lifted the sheet of paper into the air, shaking it around as he spoke excitedly.

“This is the masterpiece of the Black Snake, do you doubt its ability? Her paintings have been displayed all over the Windward garden, from the gate to the garden. You see her painting as a signpost in this garden, right?” Hei Wu exclaimed.

Xiao Hong and Er Wang looked at old man Hei Wu with big eyes. Not because he was interested in what he said, but because someone who was already standing beside him saw the contents of the painting in the man’s hand without him realizing it.

“Wow, this is really cute, old man, um, why does the hairpin look like Ying er’s?” he was Bai Ying who tilted his head looking at the contents of the paper in the tall man’s hand.

Hei Wu almost jumped in surprise, he didn’t hear the boy come in at all.

“Well, Y-Your Highness, you, where did you come from?” he asked. Seen two young maids, Yan and Bi were also standing behind Bai Ying, waving their hands at the old man.

“Good afternoon old man Hei, how are you today?” said Yan.

Bai Ying was curious about what was in the paper until he finally took it from the hands of the old man who was still shocked in his place.

“Hmm, this is a bathtub, then, um, what is this, sis? Like my favorite peanut cookies? Why is it here? And why is this crossed out?” asked Bai Ying showing the paper to his two maids. Yan and Bi looked at the picture carefully, until both of them shook their heads.

“Em, I don’t know, Your Highness, does this mean Mr. Hei forbade Your Highness to eat and bathe?” she asked.

Hearing that, Hei Wu widened his eyes, he waved his hand quickly.

“Oh, no, Your Majesty, that’s not the point, uh, that, uh...”

Er Wang approached carrying a plate of bean cakes. Xiao Hong too.

“Your Highness, here, I’ve saved it for you, it’s still new, it’s still warm, I think the maid in the kitchen is also making lots of them now,” said Xiao Hong.

Bai Ying widened his eyes, food, bean cake, words he loved more than anything else.

“Really? Wow, this time Ying er can bring home a lot for His Highness too. Then, old man Er Wang, why do you just give me one plate, this isn’t enough” said Bai Ying looking at the four piles of bean cakes on the plate, and it wasn’t enough for him.

Er Wang looked at Hei Wu who swallowed his saliva whole. Hei Wu blinked trying to signal Er Wang not to tell him. But who is Er Wang who listened to him?

“Old man Hei Wu said, Your Highness, is forbidden from going into the kitchen.”

Hei Wu was shocked, he almost choked on Er Wang’s answer, he was so sure he didn’t say that earlier. He shook his head looking at Bai Ying with his two big eyes.

“No, Your Highness, I didn’t say that, old man Er Wang what did you say? Do you want to slander me?”

Bai Ying pulled his lips, looking at Hei Wu with narrow eyes.

“Old man Hei you been very stingy, Ying er doesn’t ask for much either, isn’t it? One box for His Highness, for grandma, for Her Majesty the Queen, Second Prince, then, um, I wonder if Brother Ming Ming wants it or not? Also, I like it very much, and the journey to this valley is quite far, so as well as grab four boxes of supplies, why are you being so stingy?” Bai Ying said.

Xiao Hong held back a laugh. Indeed, the little King of the Realm was a bit troublesome, he really liked the lotus seed bean cake made in Windward garden so he always took it without leftovers, no wonder Hei Wu was a bit annoyed.

“Hehe let you taste it”