My Female Prince

Today was the day that Xiao Jun turned 18, she was well over the age of marriage but in the Suo Kingdom, the men tended to marry women at the ages of 16-18 as they believed that someone older would be more mature and could manage the home better.

Xiao Jun was dressed in a red outfit that had pants under her skirt and she tied black ribbons to her calves in a criss-cross pattern before setting her legs down again. Yue brushed her hair and Mei'er helped put strands of her hair in elegant braids with matching red hair accessories as a bit of hair was wound up into a bun and the rest was let to flow freely. In the Suo culture, red was also a sign of luck and was worn on birthdays, no one else was allowed to wear red or else it was said to bring bad luck to the person who was born on that certain day.

[A: Just letting you guys know, I made this up. The Suo Kingdom is a fictional place.]

The outfit looked kind of tomboyish but that was because today, there would be lots of walking around and the birthday banquet would involve lots of events like horse riding, dancing, archery contests, and more.

The Huo people were free spirited and everyone liked to have fun, young or old, it didn't matter.

"Big Sister! You look so beautiful in red!" Mei'er smiled, her eyes lit up as she spun Xiao Jun around a couple times.

Xiao Jun laughed and Yue watched happily as she laughed along with them.

"Let's go, everyone is probably waiting for the princess to arrive." Xiao Jun put on a veil to hide her lower part of her face. Her birthday was also a day for her to find a potential husband but she didn't want to find one.

Deep in her heart, she already had one. She just didn't know it yet.

Walking out elegantly, the three made their way to the banquet hall where everyone was standing and waiting for Xiao Jun to arrive. The other nobles became excited when they heard that their Emperor and Empress had a daughter, they were excited to try and get their sons married, trying to get acquainted with the royal family.

"Her Highness, the 4th Princess has arrived!" a servant announced, everyone in the room turned and bowed down as they gave their greetings to her in loud voices.

Xiao Jun walked in and then bowed in front of her parents and brothers, "Come, come sit." the Empress smiled.

"Begin the festivities!" an eunuch yelled, maids walked in with trays of desserts and then musicians came in.

Sitting there lazily, Xiao Jun's eyes wandered the room and she caught sight of a familiar face but in her Suo Kingdom's clothing.

'Eh? Handsome brother? General Yun Long? What is he doing here?'

Xiao Jun looked over at Mei'er and noticed that she had disappeared.

'Where did she go?'

Shrugging, she looked back at Yun Long and noticed his guard was gone. Interesting.

Outside in a hidden courtyard, a pink faced Mei'er was being back-hugged by Yue Qi.

"Y-you! What are y-you doing?" she stuttered, not daring to turn back and look at him for if she did, her face would just turn a deeper shade of pink.

[A: I never said this but Yue Qi is actually younger then Yun Long by quite few years, he's even younger than Xiao Jun.]

Yue Qi was actually still quite a child himself, he was only 16 and had been with Yun Long since he was 8, having been saved by the General during a time of war.

Yue Qi didn't think he would've fallen for the 13 year old girl but his heart kept beating quickly when he saw her. He noticed that whenever she got overly excited, she would have this glint in her eyes and whenever she was upset, she would fiddle with her sleeves. He would smile subconsciously whenever he was around her and tried to act more manly.

"Just let me hug you this once. One day when you're older and of proper age, I'll come and wed you."

Coughs were heard from the side and their heads whipped to the side to see Xiao Jun and Yun Long walking side by side.

"I was wondering where my little sister went. Turns out she's with your guard."

Xiao Jun looked at Yun Long and then smiled, "Yue Qi! Where are your manners?" Yun Long said, making Yue Qi pull away quickly from Mei'er and he kneeled in front of Yun Long. "Yue Qi asks for General's forgiveness!"

Mei'er blushed and then went over to Xiao Jun, holding her hand and hiding her face.

"When we get back, you are to go and get 10 floggings for leaving your master unattended. Since you and Miss Mei'er like each other, when she reaches an appropriate age of marriage, you can go ahead and ask for her hand. For now, you must control yourself."

Yue Qi's eyes widened in disbelief when he heard Yun Long and then he hurriedly bowed, thanking Yun Long with a smile.

Mei'er smiled a little and then said, "Let's go back to the banquet then."

All four of them walked together and while walking, Mei'er decided to be mischievous and she "accidentally" tripped, pushing Xiao Jun right into Yun Long's arms as Xiao Jun's three elder brothers walked over.

Yun Long reacted quickly and caught Xiao Jun, holding her as he looked in her eyes. Xiao Jun blushed and she looked away quickly.

"Yo! Little Sister! Is he your lover?" a cheerful voiced exclaimed, Xiao Jun gasped and she stood back up to see Wang Wei smiling with Zhang Wei and Li Wei standing next to him.

Zhang Wei was the oldest out of the two and Li Wei was the crown prince.

"3rd Brother! What nonsense are you spouting?!" Xiao Jun pouted, Li Wei smiled and then walked over, "Little 4th, don't be so shy. It's your birthday today, of course it's normal if you find a potential husband. Now, introduce us brothers to this man here."

Unable to refuse her brother, Xiao Jun said, "He's a general from Han. General Huo Yun Long.."

"Eh? He's the man that 3rd Brother was telling us about." Zhang Wei said, walking over calmly as his eyes evaluated Yun Long like a predator looking over its prey.

[A: aiyo... run Yun Long...]