Mid Autumn’s Blessings

15 September 1745

[Yongqi's POV]

"No! No! No!" I shouted desperately into Elizabeth's ear.

"Don't believe all that crap"

"Elizabeth, stay with me, don't believe it"

"Don't you dare listen to all that"

I felt my efforts were all in vain as I faded out of Elizabeth's world and into consciousness of the familiar surroundings in my bed chamber. I breathed in the light agarwood scent coming from the incense burner in the room, my eyes fluttering to open.

"Your highness!" I hear the emotional voices of K'anggan and Eunuch Li.

"Arrgh!" I groaned, feeling the aches and sores shooting up my spine as I started moving my arms and legs.

"Young master Fuca, your humble servant shall take his leave to inform Noble Consort Yu and summon the Imperial Physician over" Eunuch Li bowed.

"You are awake!" K'anggan came closer to the bed, holding a tea cup filled with lukewarm water.

"How long have I been asleep?" I asked.

"15 days, your highness." K'anggan replied. "Here, take a sip of water."

"Who else was here in the past 15 days?" I asked.

"His Majesty and Noble Consort Yu have been here a lot. The head Imperial Physician was tasked with a verbal edict to ensure your recovery while a full scale investigation into the accident was ordered." K'anggan updated me.

"Between us, we are not monarch and subject. You are like my brother, K'anggan." I looked into K'anggan's eyes.

"But not within palace walls, your highness." his eyes widened with concern. " You have been calling out for Yi Li Sha Bai in your sleep. I have bribed Eunuch Li and the chambermaids to keep silent over this matter."

"Thank you so much!" I said, holding the images of Elizabeth in my head. "Father Emperor and Mother Consort do not need to worry over her."

"Her?" K'anggan raised his eyebrows.

I covered my mouth and looked away. If word about Elizabeth were to get into Father Emperor or Mother Consort's ears, they would launch a full investigation into her and if they find out that she does not exist in my world, it would have touched on another important societal taboo.

[Fuk'anggan's POV]

I came with the intention of being genuine to the 5th Prince. Born into an Imperial Yellow Banner noble clan under the Fuca family name, I had witnessed firsthand the ugliness of politics and schemes that men and women alike would go all out for, in the name of gaining imperial favor. Everyday is like a jungle. The survival of the fittest.

"Between us, we are not monarch and subject. You are like my brother, K'anggan." Yongqi's voice played over and over in my head.

"You are my brother too, Yongqi." I smiled and whispered as softly as I could. It was worth all the extra effort looking out for Yongqi's back just as I know he will one day look out for mine too.

I retreated to a corner of Yongqi's chambers as Noble Consort Yu's arrival was announced. Soon after, the arrival of His Majesty and Consort Chun was announced with the Head Imperial Physician scrambling into the chamber to examine Yongqi.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty." the Head Imperial Physician said after a round of careful examination. "The 5th Prince has recovered very well from the injuries."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, sister Yu" Consort Chun put on a wide smile, making a small dainty curtsy. "It is a great sign from heaven that through the blessed fortune of His Majesty, the Imperial household can now have a happy reunion for the mid autumn festival today. The Empress Dowager will be smiling from ear to ear!"

"Very well said, Consort Chun." The Emperor laughed.

"Take good care of the 5th prince. I'll make a visit to Mother Dowager to relay the good news to her." the Emperor said, turning to Noble Consort Yu who lowered into a slight curtsey.

I made a low bow with my hands clasped as the Emperor and Consort Chun took their leave.

"Your Majesty!" Consort Chun put on a coquettish voice. "Regarding the project…..you know….the completion of the conversion of the Palace of Harmony into a Buddhist Temple."

The Emperor paused to look at Consort Chun.

"It's for the future blessings of the royal sons. Isn't today proof from heaven?" she added sweetly.

The Emperor gave a slight nod.

I shrugged and scrambled to retreat from view. Conversely to popular belief that women have no say in political affairs, the Emperor is the head on a body while the women here are like the subtle necks fighting to turn the head.

Consort Chun is no simpleton. Having an Imperial Edict inscribed on a stele to commemorate the conversion of the Palace of Harmony would bring about peace amongst the Mongols in the Empire and further benefits to the Su clan that Consort Chun came from. Moreover, it would further secure Consort Chun's elevation to the status of Noble Consort especially after she had also successfully given birth to the 6th Prince last year and is heavily pregnant again.

28 October 1994

[Elizabeth's POV]

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot. And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot. And days of auld lang syne?" the children of Pearson's sang at the top of their voices while the music teacher played the piano.

There weren't enough sheets of the lyrics printed out and the children had to share a piece of paper in groups of 4 or 5. Unlike other preschools, graduation at Pearson is a low key affair starting with the principal's address and ending with the singing of the Auld Lang Syne. There are no graduation robes or hats to be worn and neither are there any photographers to capture the event nor graduation bears and flowers.

"Well, that marks the end of your graduation ceremony. Your new journey begins now, that you shall be enrolled into a Primary School." Mrs Pereira announced with a microphone as the children cheered.

"Please remind your parents that enrollment into a Primary School is part of the compulsory education program. All the best for your future, children." Mrs Pereira looked at the children fondly.

"You have 1 hour to say your farewell to your friends and your teachers.Your parents will come and fetch you for school dismissal."

For the past 2 weeks, the entire country has been abuzz with continuous news coverage about the situation of the primary school enrollments.

Traditionally, students who get into the best primary schools often end up in top schools throughout their entire education journey. This creates intense competition among parents who want the best future for the child. In the process, there are parents who got into physical altercations with other parents which makes for further national headline news.

Daily newspapers sent to my home were all about school placements splashing headlines with racy scandals and crazy stories.

For the poor children of Pearson's, any school that is willing to take them in is considered a huge blessing.

My parents, on the other hand, never mentioned anything about school enrollment to me and I was getting worried.

"Which school are you going to?" I asked the children in my group who are sharing the lyrics with me.

"Johansson's Primary School"

"Yeah, me too!"

"Me, three!"

"I'm going to St. Paul's." the blonde haired girl replied.

"Wow! My mommy and daddy says that it is an excellent school!" a blonde girl from another group leaned over and said.

"What about all of you?" I asked the girls in her group.

"Johansson's!" they replied in unison.

In my mind, I started to formulate the idea that I should have the best luck trying for Johansson's.