Chapter 7;The Emperor's will...

The 49 day period of mourning had been carried out and the day set to read the will had arrived .The officials and governors had gathered at the kings court ,after the arrival of the empress and the crown prince the eunuch announced that he would begin to read the will.

After the will had been read it was obvious that it . A farce planned by the minister but no one could do anything about it because there was no evidence. The emperor only bestowed a painting of mountain chungjiang to the crown prince.

Long tian xi was about to adjourn meeting when jiangxue the governor of lingbei spoke up

" your highness, the period of mourning for the late emperor has passed and you are to be crowned emperor as his legal and willful successor but according to the laws of qintong you must we'd before your coronation " all the other officials and governors nodded in agreement. Long tian xi was sure this was another one of the prime ministers plots to trap him but he would not fall.

According to the laws of qintong all the members of the court were to bring a representative from which the Emperor would pick a bride through a series of test. This was one of the reasons why the governors and officials who didn't usually agree were all in agreement a possible marriage alliance with the Emperor would foster good relations with the Imperial family and bring honor to their families. What this officials didn't know was that none of their daughters had a chance to be empress.

Tang Rhong Guang's second daughter, ruoxue was brought up in a way that was fit for a queen, Tang Rhong Guang meant to use her to bring the crown prince under his control. When ruoxue heard that the crown prince was to be married before his coronation she was simply overjoyed. She had a huge crush on tian xi ever since they were kids growing up together now her father would make her dreams come true by marrying her of to him.

Hao mei was distraught thinking about what to do about what long tian xi told her. Her people were being treated like slaves being forced to perform menial tasks and being worked to near death with hardly any food. This afternoon her father had been whipped by the soldiers because he couldn't walk fast. She didn't want her people to suffer if she could do anything about it. The crown prince had sent for her again,

" your highness you sent for me" she said bowing her head.

"have you thought about my proposition " he said looking at her expectantly. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you're saying." hao mei said feigning ignorance .she couldn't, no she wouldn't answer his questions.

"it's okay, I know what you're playing at so I'll play along long tian xi said to himself.

"I talking about what we talked about the last time we met, I was going to wait for your reply but things have changed I don't have time to wait. The members of my court want me to get married before my coronation. " he said, a subtle smile forming on his face. "since you don't remember I'll remind you, you have two options ; you can either get married to me and ensure the freedom and safety of your people as the empress and mother of this nation ,you can also choose to continue on the path you already walk and watch your people suffer they are finally executed, I'm sure the prime minister would have your father's head first from what I've heard they have a terrible past with each other. The choice is yours to make and you have an hour to do so. You may leave I'll send for you again after the evening meal" he said turning his back on her,

Hao mei was conflicted no matter how she looked at it this was the only way to save her people. She couldn't consult her father because she knew that that his reply was not going to be what she wanted. She had already made a decision in her heart but she needed someone to acknowledge her decision, to support her and tell her she was doing the right thing. The only person she could confide in at this moment of distress was her imperial aunt ,.

After the evening meal long tian xi stood in his quarters anxiously awaiting hao mei's arrival, she was more than an hour late .

"goodevening your highness " she greeted in a half bow.

"so have you made your decision " he asked cutting straight to the chase. "yes your highness " the subtle manner In which she replied sent a surge of warmness through long tian xi's body.

"Your highness if you agree to send my people back to our nation safely then I.. Princess Hao mei of East qing will marry you "

"you made a wise decision,"long tian xi said trying hard not to smile "hmm, I have arranged for you to be lodged at the lishui pavilion till the wedding, the courtlady will show you the way" he said dismissing her from his chambers.

"you're highness if you don't mind ,I would like to keep my aunt with me as a companion since I will be alone here after my people leave "

"of course, anything you want " he said without much consideration.

As hao mei left the room she remembered her aunts words

'he wouldn't ask you to marry him unless he has a thing for you, if this is true then you can you this to your advantage ' Hao mei smiled to herself this really was an advantage.

That night hao mei settled into the lishui pavilion and for the first time since east qing was destroyed she slept peacefully .