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Bingquing bowed before the Queen of Jungpi with a careful bow. The queen's look was made to look like she had the face of a brooding fox. It was harsh and sharpened her features. Her nails were long pointed and painted red. She yawned hugely at the introduction and didn't seem interested at all in the conversation she had with her officials.

"Official Chu, you are so knowledgeable of many subjects. I could easily speak to you for hours. For my lunch, why don't I give your daughter some chance to speak?"

"Of course."

A eunuch bowed and whispered in the queen's ear. Upon hearing what he had to say she immediately looked agitated. "The Chu family is invited to dine with us. Both of you . . . as requested by the kitchen staff as your food has already been prepared."

Official Chu and Bingquing exchanged glances.

Official Chu kneeled. Bingquing followed his movements. He collected his thoughts and then looked up to the queen as he spoke, "I have infinite affections for your highness. You are an excellent monarch. But having lunch with a foreign entity could cause nothing but harm to your serene reputation. I only speak this directly to you to avoid any complications to my daughter or this fragile life I live. I am unworthy of the honors that you give me and if I have offended you, feel free to punish me."

The queen stood. One of her maids held her hand as she walked towards the Chus kneeling. "Get up quickly."

Bingquing obeyed along with her father.

The queen offered her free hand to Official Chu which he took and she lead them. They walked outside to a pavilion where there was a covered roof. The pavilion also had a walkway that lead through the beautiful garden. Here there was a large table set up with food. A man was sitting in a blue tunic embroidered with gold thread who greeted the queen with a nod.

Bingquing looked at him in shock. "It's you the mister from earlier who questioned me in the waiting room."

The man smiled easily, "You should address me properly as your highness."

Bingquing immediately hit the ground in a bow along with her father, "Please forgive any offense that she caused you, your majesty. She was not--"

The king held up a hand and made a gesture for them to stand. "I could kill both of you, but then all this food would go to waste. Official Chu, I wanted to meet your daughter to garner an opinion on you. I have heard that you are an honest man with no ambition. But your talents dwarf those of men with ambition. A lion hiding in the midst of sheep. So I wanted to meet the daughter to see if a lion could raise a lioness without ruining her taste for blood."

Official Chu spoke with a confused expression. Bingquing could see the sweat dripping down his face. "Your majesty, I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean? Bingquing is a simple girl. We have no ambitions to raise our status. We only wish to retain our peace and plenty."

"Sit down already, the food will get cold. Bingquing sit next to me."

Bingquing did so and the king dropped some meat and vegetables into her rice.

The queen ate slowly, shooting her husband an exasperated expression, "Why do I have to be here? Yan Ming is getting fitted for new gowns. She has the most atrocious taste. May I excuse myself, husband? Or are you looking for a new addition to the harem?"

"The only woman is my harem is you."

Bingquing couldn't believe her ears. She covered her mouth as she blushed.

"Let us meet later to discuss what the country is doing. But do make sure to eat and get some fresh air."

The queen got up and left.

Bingquing looked at her forlorn, "Does she not like us?"

The king laughed, "On the contrary, we like you both very much. But we cannot understand why you both hide like rabbits. I think the Chu family has much to offer Jungpi."

Official Chu looked at the king. "Caiwong is prone to much competition between the princes. Our whole staff was massacred when the rebel invasion took the capital."

"My sources tell me that was staged by the crown prince."

"You are well-informed."

"This is a place free from listening ears so I will speak my intentions plainly. We know you wish to keep your profile low, but we do need someone from inside Caiwong to give us more insight."

Official Chu looked alarmed, "That would be--"

The king interrupted him. "I do not need you to betray your emperor. I have no interest as all information you would give me is easily gained. My daughter, Yan Ming, is to be married. It's a day all father's dread. Yan Ming will struggle to keep a level head as her way is blunt. We have recieved betrothal gifts from three princes of Caiwong."

"Three? That's going against the emperor. I should report this immediately."

"You will not." The king said darkly. "Or I will kill you and marry your daughter into my son's harem."

"Your majesty?"

"I hear the lamb, I'm waiting for the lion." He looked towards Bingquing, "or lionness."