Episode 2: Marriage Decree

The personal maid, Qui, rushed into the Empress Dowager's chamber with her face lowered.

"Your Majesty, here it is." Qui stretched her hands out, giving the letter to the Empress Dowager.

"Let me see." She snatched it from her and waved at her to leave. Her lashes made waves as she read the letter.

"That brat!" She angrily hit her hand on the table after reading the contents. "Who's there?" She called out with a loud voice and Qui rushed in.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Qui bowed.

"Call Minister Zhang in!" She instructed seriously, Qui nodded and left.

She stood up from her armchair and walked over to the burning incense, a mischievous smile rested on her lips as she burnt the letter.

"You fool, do you think you can do anything under my watch?" She let out a dry laugh. "Even your mother tried and failed, don't piss me off." She mumbled to herself with her focus on the burning paper. "You may be the Emperor, but that title belongs to me." She gritted her teeth as she returned to her seat.

The Palace was filled with beautiful trees and marble floors, it was one of the most prestigious-dangerous places.

Concubine Yan and Concubine Lu strolled in the royal garden. The concubines reluctantly became friends because none of them were able to attract the Emperor. They decided to accept their fate and try every method that'd make the Emperor focus on them, even if it was just his eyes. They were satisfied.

"Lady Yan'er, you called me out. Hope you have a new plan." Lu said, caressing her hair as they walked. They were wearing beautiful red robes with silver hair pins inserted through their hair buns.

"I hope this will work this time," Yan sighed. She was the eldest of them all and was the first person to enter the palace, but after her father died, glory left her family.

"I'm all ears. I have been sleeping alone in my cold bed, I want the Emperor to bless me with his presence." Lu complained sadly.

They sat on a strong seat that was made of brick and stones. It was smooth and neat.

"I heard that the Emperor loves having yellow tea and butter cake. How about we try that?" Yan questioned impatiently, waiting for her response.

"We can have the kitchen cook that," Lu suggested.

As much as she loved the Emperor, she wasn't willing to spend her time doing something that'd be rejected in the end.

"I thought of that, but the palace maid said that the Emperor doesn't eat theirs. He loves it when it's specially made by his mother." Yan informed her in a whispering tone.

"Are you sure this method will work?" Lu asked her with her bright shining eyes and Yan nodded.

"Yes. And then…" She bent over to Lu. "I also heard he would be in the Jade pavilion to watch his fishes today." She added.

"Really?" Lu's eyes glinted in excitement.

Inwardly, Yan wished her idea would work because she was gradually approaching her menopause, and it would be very bad if she died a virgin. It was her late chance to get the Emperor. She felt if the Emperor paid attention to her co-wives, they might also speak well of her, so the Emperor would bless her with his presence.

The rain started drizzling, falling on the roof of the Rongs'. Hua was sleeping but she wasn't sleeping peacefully.

She was trembling and secretly squeezing the duvet above her. She gritted her teeth and tightly closed her eyes.

In her dream…

"Accept your punishment, Moon Immortal!" Several voices were echoing in her vision and she couldn't see their faces.

"Why did you do that, Hua? I trusted you so much." Someone was speaking to the person that looked like her in her dream. She was confused, and in reality, she shook her head continuously.

"Moon Immortal, Hua is banished from the first heaven. Serve her the "Forgetfulness potion"!" A very loud voice commanded, and that voice gave her fright, which forced her to wake up.

She was sweating and panting heavily. Besides her was her mother, who had been cleaning her sweat and hoping she would wake up soon.

"Mother…" Hua sobbed, falling into her mother's embrace.

"Is it that same dream?" Her mother asked and she nodded.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine." Madam Rong stroked her back, reassuring her calmly.

"Mother, why do I keep having this same dream? It's scary." She complained frantically.

"You are one special child dear, don't care about anything. It's only a nightmare." Madam Rong replied.

"But they kept on calling my name and I heard… I heard…" She tried to recall her dream. "I heard Moon and someone talking about Immortal. I don't understand anything." She shook her head in distraught.

"Shii… I told you not to think about anything. You will be fine." Her mother squeezed the towel in the clean water and whipped her face.

Hua was still baffled, it was obvious that her mother didn't know what was wrong with her. Maybe her mother was right, she didn't have to force herself to remember anything. She assumed that when the right time came, everything would begin to fall into place.

But she hoped it was a good past and not something that'd ruin her life.

"My lady! Madam Rong!" One of the Rong family servant's voice could be heard from a distance, approaching Hua's chamber and soon there was a knock on the door.

The servant stepped in.

"What is it?" Madam Rong stood up and handed the bowl of water and towel to the servant.

"It's .. It's.." the servant couldn't explain.

"It's what?" Madam Rong urged him with her sharp eyes.

"It's the royal eunuch. They are here with the Emperor's decree." The servant finally spilled bluntly and sighed in relief.

"Emperor's decree?" Hua and her mother gasped before rushing out of the room.

When has glory fallen on their family again? Since the Emperor made her father the "Ambassador of War" and gave him the Rong Mansion, he was no longer associated with the court meeting. Her father was no longer a minister of the Wen Dynasty, so there was no need for the Emperor to give them a decree.

Lord Rong was also confused. He knelt, and his family followed him as the eunuch started reading the decree.

"... The daughter of Lord Rong has finally come of age and is eligible for marriage. Hereby, I decree that Hua Rong will become my wife and Empress in 10 days, fulfilling the promise of the late Emperor Chen II." The eunuch finished reading the decree and faced them.

They gasped and Lord Rong's lips trembled.

"That was in the past. My first daughter is late. Hua Rong can't get married now. Not Hua'er." Lord Rong protested sadly.

"Lord Rong, accept the Emperor's decree!" The eunuch instructed him with a loud voice.

"Father…" Hua cried out, shaking her head in disapproval.

Her father accepted the decree with his hands vibrating. There was no smile on their faces at all.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." They grumpily bowed.

"Congratulations, Lord Rong. I promise to take care of your daughter in the future." The eunuch bluffed.

"That's too much. Thank you." Lord Rong smiled in pretense.

"The Emperor wants Lady Hua to come to the palace first thing tomorrow." The eunuch informed them and, without waiting for their response, he left with the royal guard.

"Father… Mother…" Hua's eyes turned red as she urged them to do something.

She doesn't even know the Emperor or have any idea how marriage works. They can't send her away.

To her, the palace was another bondage.

"I never accepted to send Hua to the Palace. We never made such a decision. The Emperor was to get married to Ying Yue but since she died prematurely, the marriage arrangement was called off." Lord Rong explained to his wife and child. "I don't know why the sudden decree without hearing from me." He panicked.

"The Emperor is becoming a tyrant and monopolistic by the day. Who chooses a wife without the consent of the lady's family? That's absurd!" Madam Rong hissed.

"Mind your word, dear." He said calmly.

"Father, I can't get married to someone in the palace. For heaven's sake, I'm just eighteen, and I haven't explored anything yet. Who knows what the Emperor is like?" Hua refused sadly.

"My dear, Hua'er." Her father patted her hair tenderly. "It's so unfortunate that there's nothing we can do. If we ever protest, the Emperor will not hesitate to kill all of us." He spilled bluntly, and his wife shook her head sadly.

It was time she got used to reality and adapted to the new world she had found herself in.

"But, husband, can you talk to the Emperor to give her some time? I don't know when she will ever visit us again." Madam Rong suggested sadly, her eyes were filled with tears as she pulled Hua close to her side.

"I have been restricted from entering the court except when I'm being called. There's no way I can speak to the Emperor." Lord Rong sighed in dissatisfaction.

The fact that he couldn't protect his family as he did in the past or have a say in the Emperor's decision made him feel useless.

"So, does this mean I will be entering the Palace tomorrow?" Hua's voice resonated in the room and they faced her. A big frown enveloped their faces.

"Sadly, yes." Lord Rong lowered his face.

In the quiet evening street, Hua strolled around the city. The round clear moon rested on the dark sky, thereby giving light to Earth excluding the light generated from the street lanterns. The place was somewhat empty since some salespeople had closed for the day.

Hua sighed heavily as she reminisced on what happened earlier. The fact that she hadn't enjoyed her freedom and was sent immediately to the palace.

The most ridiculous of them all was that she didn't know the Emperor nor have any idea what he looked like. She felt being betrothed to someone doesn't just happen without a collision.

Hua Rong was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't see a horse rider approaching her.

"Hi-ya!" The horse rider hit the riding rope on the horse, urging it to continue riding. He wasn't paying attention to the road and when Hua realize it, it was already too late…

Surprisingly, someone grabbed her waist and pulled her away from the road. The horse rider ended up going his way without colliding with her.

Hua's eyes widened in shock at the man before her, he finally removed his hand from her waist when she stood firmly on the ground.

"What a handsome man." She thought inwardly, staring at him intently.

He had bold long eyebrows and long lashes, his pale blue eyes, and medium matte lips were alluring. He had an amazing physique with his long hair packed in his hairband - but some rested on his back.

"Are you okay, Miss..?" He broke the silence nervously as he also found her attractive.

"I'm... thank you." She composed herself.

His eyes wandered around the empty street and back at her. "What are you doing here at this time, Miss? The city isn't safe for young ladies like you." He said rhetorically and she blushed unconsciously.

"I… I wanted some air." She stuttered. He nodded shortly as they started walking.

"Since it's like this, how about I walk you home?" He suggested politely. She gave him a long look.

"Sure." She paused. "I'm Hua Rong." She introduced herself impatiently and he almost gasped.

"Aren't you the Hua Rong that's getting married to the Emperor soon?" He questioned, taking a step away from her. She reluctantly shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm Kui, general of the city patrol guard." He said.

"Nice to meet you, General Kui." She smiled.

Hua started feeling something moving inside of her as if they were butterflies. She felt safe and very happy being with him even though they only met by chance. She couldn't take her eyes off him.

"General Kui, how can I see you again?" She asked.

He cleared his throat nervously. "Miss. Hua, I think I should keep my distance from you since you are the king's woman." He informed her courteously and her heart shattered.

She wasn't even allowed to love because of her new "forced" status.

"But, I would love to meet with you again, General Kui." She informed him boldly and he smiled.

His smile caused her heart to flutter and her emotion to lighten. She had seen her lover, there was no doubt about it.

"We will." By this time, they were already in front of the Rong Mansion.

"My lady!" One of the servants called to her while rushing out through the big entrance.

"See you." General Kui bowed and left.

Hua kept on staring at his silhouette until he was completely out of sight.

According to Empress Dowager Lui, the Emperor and his concubines must welcome Hua into the palace warmly and none of them dared to go against her instructions. Not even the Emperor could escape from his mother's grasp.

It was out of the ordinary for him to get married to a lady whose parents weren't so useful in the kingdom, yet everything was going smoothly. It was assumed that the Empress Dowager had some hidden motive rather than getting her grandson married.

Lady Yan, Lady Lousi, and Lady Lu stood at the entrance of the palace, patiently waiting for Hua. The Emperor sat in his castle carriage, enjoying his tea while waiting for her.

"Did the Emperor agree to take in another woman?" Lady Lu whispered in annoyance.

"It looks like it." Lady Lousi frowned.

"I hope she won't overshadow us. We have been here before her." Lady Yan batted her lashes.

"Never. We must put her in her place." Even before she had come in, they had already begun plotting against her.

The Palace was survival of the fittest. Hua Rong, who was very kind and nice, wouldn't be able to cope in such an atmosphere.

"Lady Hua Rong has arrived!" The eunuch announced with a very loud voice which brought everyone back to their senses as the Rong carriage rode to its position.

Yuwen Yu opened the Emperor's carriage curtain, Emperor Yu Cheng stepped down confidently from his carriage. He looked charming and handsome, his sharp blue eyes looking straight at Hua's carriage. His golden royal garment rolled on the ground as he walked majestically, the concubines couldn't help but gasp at his youthful beauty.

"Lady Hua Rong, please step down." The eunuch announced, and a servant opened her curtain as she gradually stepped down from the carriage.

Hua Rong had completely changed, looking so mature and beautiful. Her smooth thin face and small red lips, as she lifted her gaze. She flashed at him with her sharp brown eyes. Her long hair was gathered into a bun and decorated with expensive gold and silver hairpins. The last was a big jade.

Hua Rong almost gasped at the sight of the Emperor. He looked more handsome than rumor or, as she had imagined.

He reluctantly took out a hand, which Hua Rong accepted. He smirked, grabbing her hand.

"The Emperor returns to the Palace with Lady Hua Rong!" The eunuch announced and everything started moving as he had instructed.

Hua Rong finally entered the palace, the place she feared the most.