Prince and His Fool

Chapter 8: Like A Sack Of Potatoes

Rong Zian was busy wondering if a voodoo doll would work if he didn't know his victim's name when he heard a soft voice calling for him. It was the young maiden from their household anxiously waiting by the gate of the Rong mansion. "Young master where have you been? The mansion is in chaos and Madam Rong is fending off a riot," she said while rattled to the core.

"Don't exaggerate, what sort of riot can't be controlled by that scary woman. All she has to do is gaze into your eyes and you will instantly fold your tail like a scared puppy," he said unfazed as he entered through the gate. She was right, there was a group of parents ganging up on a stubborn Madam Rong while his half-brother Rong Erzi sat on the stairs watching the show.

He politely saluted the angry individuals and somehow their fury dissipated as they smiled at the sight of Rong Zian. In only a few minutes, he got the gist of what was happening. The group of people were from families surrounding them that had sent out marriage proposals to the Rong family but had been rejected countless times because the proposals were for Rong Zian, not Rong Erzi. As always Madam Rong wanted nothing good ever happening to her stepson so she did what she does best but the families were fed up and wanted answers.

Rong Zian thought it hilarious that these families eagerly wanted him to marry their daughters but the whole town mocked him as the idiot who couldn't hang himself right. Judging from his appearance now, he couldn't imagine what made him so appealing that they caused such a ruckus. Was he that handsome or it was just because of his father's status.

"Please ladies and gentlemen calm down, let me speak for myself and put your minds at ease," intervened Rong Zian as things were escalating out of control. Madam Rong didn't help the situation, she had a sharp tongue and added fuel to the fire.

"This has nothing to do Madam Rong, you misunderstand her. She was only acting on my behalf and we are in agreement. I don't want to get married to anyone at this moment that's why she rejected your proposals," he said but the response he got was unexpected, he had made things worse.

The maiden leaned towards him and whispered, "Young master, I don't think they believe you."

"Aah, fuck it," he said giving up as he sat down on the staircase watching them quarrel. No one believed him because it was a well-known fact that Madam Rong treated her stepson like garbage, for the son of a nobleman, he wasn't treated the same as his other siblings.

They had instructors to teach them and practised calligraphy but Rong Zian was left to teach himself with his father turning a blind eye. They were only standing up for him so why should he be bothered. 'Time to watch a good show,' he thought as he lay back.

Just as the crowd was getting rowdy a convoy from the imperial palace arrived clearing the path for an excellently dresses eunuch descending from his stallion. At first glance, Rong Zian could tell the eunuch was of the highest rank and must be working for the emperor. His heart skipped a bit as a bad premonition whirled up within but he quickly calmed down as he thought, 'they can't be here for me, right? Maybe daddy's spoilt brat finally got a job in the imperial palace."

An excited Madam Rong warmly welcomed the eunuch as though he was there for her. 'Pfft..who knew she had manners,' thought Rong Zian as he watched this cosmic event. He heard a few whispers from the ladies closest to him, "Do you think it's an imperial marriage proposal? What shot do we have if the emperor is also eyeing this boy?" said the first lady.

"Well if it is what you say it is then, we all have to accept it, even the groom himself has no choice," replied the second lady as the eunuch cleared his throat.

"By order of the second Emperor of Hepeng, Wu Qiangda. Rong Zian is hereby ordered to report to the imperial palace immediately to serve his King," announced the eunuch looking straight at a dumbstruck Rong Zian.

Rong Zian looked away and swore under his breathe, "Shit why have I been so unlucky lately?" Swallowing hard, he nervously laughed and bowed before the eunuch, "It will be my honour to serve his majesty."

He walked out of the gate following the eunuch while watching him closely, as soon as he was interrupted by an infuriated Madam Rong, Rong Zian made a run for it heading for the city. Going to the imperial palace was not a good thing in Rong Zian's eyes, it only meant death. He wasn't smart, crafty, or special in any way so why would the emperor what to see him personally?

"Go get him but be gentle, he's too fragile," commanded the eunuch addressing a tall muscular man with hideous scars on his face. The man followed his instructions and in two strides, he had caught up with a trembling young man running for his life.

He grabbed the feisty little person and carried him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. 'Twice in just two days, I have been carried this way. This means a storm is coming and I can't save myself from it,' he thought as accepted his fate.