"Your Highness."

Princess Lingchen retracted her gaze and turned around to her maidservant, Ah Zhen.

"It's time to consume your medicine," Ah Zhen reminded.

The princess glanced at the bowl of medicine on the tray and frowned as she recalled the bitter taste of the medicine. If she were given a choice, she would rather skip drinking the potion. However, Mingyue had reminded her that she could not skip drinking them on time, or else, she might not be able to conceive after she got married.

In the past two weeks, Mingyue had stayed in her palace to nurse her back to her health. During this time, she was confined in her room to keep warm. The treatment was harsh and tiring. Mingyue had performed countless acupuncture and moxibustion procedure to suppress the poison inside her body. If she did not drink the medicine, then, Mingyue and her grandfather's effort will be in vain.

A cold glimpse crossed her eyes as she thought about the poison in her body. It seemed that her enemy wanted to bring her down no matter what. They continuously tried to harm her body and robbed her chance to have an heir.

Princess Lingchen lifted the bowl and drank the medicine in one go. Her body started to warm up as she swallowed. She placed the bowl back on the tray and turned to Ah Zhen. "Let's go." She stepped forward and glanced at the eunuch, who stood at the entrance.

Soon, the eunuch announced the arrival of the Crown Princess of Da Cheng. Instantly, the music stopped. The dancers retreated at the side, and the chatters slowly died. Everybody's attention s.h.i.+fted towards the entrance as the Crown Princess walked in.

Princess Lingchen was dressed in a lilac dress with gold lining. Her makeup was subtle, and it hid away her pale complexion. Her hair braided into a loose half bun with beautiful hair ornaments made of various stone.

The princes looked at her with antic.i.p.ation. A few of them had a satisfied smile on their face as they looked at the beautiful princess. After all, by the end of the Spring Hunt, one of them had the chance to marry the crown princess.

Princess Lingchen stood before her parents and bowed. "Greetings to the Emperor and the Empress. May you live long and prosper." She stood up straight with Ah Zhen's help once the Emperor granted her to rise. "Forgive my tardiness."

The Emperor nodded and allowed her to sit down. With a wave of a hand, the dancers returned at the center, and the music resumed.

Ah Zhen stood beside the princess. While the princess ate the food on the table slowly, Ah Zhen would tell her of the name and traits of the princes.

Soon, the music and danced ended. A prince who was seated across her stood up with a cup in his hand.

Ah Zhen flicked her gaze towards the prince and whispered to the princess, "Prince Huo Yuan of Western Zhou."

Prince Huo Yuan turned to the stage where the Emperor and Empress were seated. He held the cup in his hand and bowed. "Your Majesty, as the representative of Western Zhou, thank you for the invitation to Da Cheng."

The Emperor raised his cup and drank in one gulp and laughed merrily. He looked at the princes who sat at the hall and spoke, "I hope everyone will enjoy their stay in Da Cheng. If there is anything you need, tell them to the attendant."

The princes thanked the Emperor. They lifted their cup and offered a toast and thanked the Emperor for preparing the banquet to welcome them.

"The Spring Hunt will begin soon. We will depart to the hunting ground two days later," the Emperor said. He glanced at his daughter and smiled. "When the time comes, I hope that everyone could show their skill."

The prince turned to look at each other. Right now, they were all rivals. Although their father had reminded them of their priorities to visit Da Cheng was to form an economic and defense alliance, each of them could do not want to lose to each other. If they win the Spring Hunt, they will obtain fame and glory for their country and perhaps win the Crown Princess' hand in marriage.

After all, each of the princes had no chance to inherit the throne in their countries. But if one of them were married to the Crown Princess, they can elevate their status and rule Da Cheng alongside with the Princess. Then they will have more power and wealth than they have now.