The beginning of the End.
**HAN STATE**
"This small one greets your highness Prince Xi," Eunuch Su bowing at the second prince. He had led a few palace servants to welcome Prince Xi, Liu Liang Liu. They stood a few blocks from the palace.
Prince Xi led the army back from battle into the capital city of Chang'an. They returned in victory after nearly a year of battle with the Wo bandits.
The entire state celebrated their victory. As they rode In, firecrackers were lit and music began to play. The streets filled with a huge crowd cheering them on and calling on Prince Xi.
The celebration is in full swing at the palace. The Empress arranged a banquet to celebrate his victorious return.
The Empress dowager couldn't wait to see her grandson who has been away. She sent her chief eunuch to receive him and lead him directly to Changxi palace.
"you may rise," Prince Xi said from the top of his horse. Half a year on the war front had changed his appearance. The prince looked rougher, he was even sporting a beard.
"Many Thanks, your highness. I was sent by her majesty the Empress dowager to personally escort you back to Changxi palace. Her highness the empress is hosting a banquet to celebrate your return.
"The Empress dowager would like to see you before the banquet," Eunuch Su said standing head bowed in front of the palace Sedan carriage sent to take him into the palace.
'it would seem that my grandmother wished to see him urgently' Prince Xi thought.
"Zhou Jie lead the men back, this Prince will head out first. Eunuch Su lead the way" Prince Xi got down from his horse and threw his sword to His guard Zhou Jie.
It was considered treason to bring weapons into the palace, after giving the order he turned around and walked behind his grandmother's Eunuch towards the palace sedan which he got into, and began his journey to the imperial palace.
*******
"Prince Xi has arrived your majesty," Yang mama said to the Empress dowager who was currently reclining on a seat as a servant gently fanned her while Her grandniece Fang Xiao Ting played a sooting piece on the guipin.
"mm let him in," The Empress dowager said softly eyes closed
The matron promptly left to let the prince in, the Empress dowager was guided up by her grandniece and led to her relieving hall.
As she walked into the receiving hall the now mature and greatly missed voice of her grandson was heard as he made his greetings
"Imperial grandmother, this unfilial grandson great you. My apologies for not being there to accompany you," Prince Xi said paying his respects.
The Empress dowager was led by servants to her throne, where she sat and stretching out her hands beckoning him close.
"liu'er don't stand on ceremony quickly come closer, Grandmother missed you all these months. Come let grandmother see you better," the Empress dowager replied.
Prince Xi straighten up and walked to the Empress dowager's throne. As he got closer, she quickly pulled him into a hug. she had not seen him or heard from him except through official reports relayed by the emperor.
Which didn't make her worry less, she gotten mire worries when the rumors of his death in the burned camp began to spread.
The rumors had the entire imperial royal family worried but she had to appear strong even when her every thought was on his safety.
Like her worries weren't enough that unfilial grandson of hers Prince Ji went off to battle with bandits without thoughts as to how his family felt.
They weren't ready to lose another Prince when the Fate of one was still unknown. The report of Liu'er victory was truly minded settling.
"Liu'er you gave grandmother a fright this time," The Empress dowager said as she held on to his hands after the hug
"This Prince apologies for making grandmother worried" he replied giving her a reassuring smile
"You are here now, grandmother can now relax," the Empress dowager said panting his hand gently.
"Xiao Ting greats elder brother Liang Liu," Feng Xiao Ting said bowing.
"Xiao Ting is here too," Prince Xi said with a smile Feng Xiaoting was his favorite female cousin and study partner to his sister. She was like a younger sister to him, he had watched her grow up.
Her father was the left prime minister and his maternal uncle. Prime minister Feng was also his grand tutor so the Fengs close to the imperial family.
"Xiaoting entered the palace to keep Imperial grandaunt company and play her good music," Xiao Ting replied smiling shyly.
"This Prince thanks you for keeping Imperial grandmother company " the prince replied with a smile before asking how his uncle and aunt were.
The Fangs were his maternal family from the Empress dowager who is was Fang before marriage, the current Right prime minister Fang was the Empress dowager's nephew and hence his uncle. Fang Xiaoting was his maternal cousin.
"Let's head out to the banquet," the Empress dowager said as Xiao Ting and Prince Xi guided her out to the banquet.
*************
Wu Shuang Hall
A few minutes later they arrived at the banquet hall and a Eunuch announced loudly,
"The Empress dowager, Prince Xi, and Conferred Princess Feng has arrived"
The occupants of the banquet hall all rose and greeted the Empress dowager who had the highest rank than even the Emperor also had to greet her.
The Empress dowager was escorted to her throne and by Prince Xi and Princess Feng, as soon as she sat down she announced that everyone should have a seat. Prince Xi then kneeling greeted his royal parents
"Greetings Imperial father and mother"
"Liu'er you may rise," the Emperor said with a smile.
His heart is finally at rest now that he has seen his second son, his Empress can now relax, for the past weeks, she had been visiting the temple and skipping meals none stop even though she tried to be strong.
That can not be said for the rest of the imperial family the Noble consort has been sending letters to her family to track his where about .
The pure consort has been visiting fortune-tellers not to mention his children, Prince Ji ran off to search for him in the name of fighting the northern bandits.
"Thank you imperial Father," Prince Xi said rising.
"Liu'er has returned now mother and
Mei Mei's can relax" the Empress said smiling.
"that is true jei jei " Noble consort Lin said smiling.
she finally feels at ease after months of worry, the Wo bandits had been terminated and peace has been brought to northern Han and all thanks to her godson Prince Xi for a while she was scared that they had lost him, it wasn't until the Emperor received the military report of his victory that she felt at ease.
"A toast to your safe return," the Emperor said smiling
"thank you Imperial father," Prince Xi said raising his cup to drink, he had long since taken his seat next to his Imperial elder brother the crown prince, and the crown princess.
"Now that you are back it's time to settle down, you are not getting younger and this grandmother wants to carry your children," the Empress dowager said.
" imperial grandmother is wise Liu'er will abide," Prince Xi said smiling
"that is good Ting'er is kind and beautiful you both are a good fit Your Majesty what do you think," The Empress dowager said with a smile as she looked towards the Emperor.
"Mother is right your majesty I have watched Ting'er grow up, Ting'er and Liu'er is a good fit they also get along well with mutual respect that will later grow into love,e," the Empress said smiling.
"Very good Prince Xi and Xiao Ting hear my command," the Emperor said smiling and the eunuch came up to the Emperor with a paper and ink, while Prince Xi and Conferred prince Fang Xiao Ting walked up to the throne and knelt to receive the command
"Prince Xi has served his country and promoted peace, it's time he settled down and this Emperor has found him a good loving wife in Fang Xiao Ting and has Conferred her Princess consort Xi," the Emperor said handing out the decree to the Eunuch
"We accept your decree " Prince Xi and
Fang Xiao Ting replied kneeling with their hands clamped together, the Prince then accepted the decree and walked to their seat.
"very good the ministry of rites will pick an auspicious day for the wedding," the Empress dowager said smiling.