CHAPTER 5 Hello My Brothers

Chun Xiao and the other maids had finished cleaning the Phoenix Palace. They thanked Eunuch Lee for lending his hand. As soon as she noticed the Emperor coming, she quickly greeted her. It was already dark when the Emperor came to the Phoenix Palace.

"Welcome back, Bixia! We've done cleaning this place and changed the appearance of the Phoenix Chamber."

Zhang Ruyi entered the Phoenix Chamber and looked around.

"Very good. Thanks for your help. Remember what I told you. Now, this is a forbidden place in this palace. No one can enter this area without my permission. Understand?"

"Yes, Bixia!" She curtsied to the Emperor.

Zhang Ruyi pulled something from her sleeve. Only Chun Xiao was there. The other maids had already returned to their quarter. She took Chun Xiao's hand and placed a medium-sized package in her palm. Chun Xiao widened her eyes and looked at Zhang Ruyi.

"Bi-Bixia?" She said.

"I went to the Lantern Festival with the Deputy General today and bought you some mooncakes. Since the other maids have gone back to their places, so these are all yours." She told her.

"Oh, Lord Anli?" Asked Chun Xiao.

"Um..." Replied the Emperor.

Chun Xiao was so happy. She smiled.

"Thank you, Bixia! I'll prepare a dinner for Bixia now!" She curtsied and rushed to Palace Kitchen.

Zhang Ruyi watched her maid slowly disappear from her sight. She looked the Phoenix Palace again as she sighed and monologued to herself.

"Mother. I step on this place again,..." (Clenching her fist tightly).

The next day, the whole palace was busy preparing for their Emperor's birthday. It was Zhang Ruyi's 16th birthday and the rulers of the country under her rule will come to celebrate it. This opportunity gave chance to the 1st prince of the late Emperor, Prince Zhang Liang to visit the place that used to be his childhood home. Although he was a year older than Zhang Ruyi, his father didn't pass the throne to him due to his mother's status. Other than that, his military skills were not as good as Zhang Ruyi's. Thus, he didn't get favour from the late Emperor to be the next ruler.

Zhang Ruyi was female but her military skills and martial arts were as good as male. Her political intelligence had caught the late Emperor and some of the Ministers in the palace. However, realizing her status as a female, it was difficult to make her take the throne. It was said that women were not allowed to be a ruler. Hence, the Empress was banned from being a ruler.

Zhang Ruyi however was not interested in political affairs. She was a carefree person. She only wanted freedom and happiness in her life. She loved to learn and explore new things. She liked to study literature and the military. She liked to play music and chess. These were all her hobbies. However, the tragedy of her mother and brother's death changed her.

Inside the Main Hall, some eunuchs were talking to each other.

"This year, we have enough expenses for Bixia's birthday celebration." - Eunuch no.1 was speaking.

"I know, right? Our new Emperor is very wise when it comes to spending. Since the closing of the Lotus Palace harem and the banning of the Beauty Pageants, we don't have to waste money on unnecessary things." - Eunuch no.2 was speaking.

"I didn't realize that our Emperor has ruled this kingdom for almost 3 years, and this is the first time the Emperor has opened her heart to celebrate her birthday." - Eunuch no.1 was speaking.

"Exactly! When I heard that Bixia wanted to have a big celebration for her birthday, I was very excited." - Eunuch no.3 was speaking.

The Imperial Secretary entered and passed the talking eunuchs. He looked at them while stroking his long white beard. When they realized the Imperial Secretary's presence, they bowed and greeted him.

"Greetings, Secretary Zhan!"

Zhan Ruo nodded.

"Raised." He said.

The eunuchs raised their head.

"Everything okay? I'm worried that there's a problem while preparing for Bixia's birthday party." Zhan Ruo asked them.

"Yes! Everything is fine. We...we were just talking about the birthday party. It's surprising that Bixia made a big celebration after 3 years." - Eunuch no.3 was speaking.

Hearing this from the eunuchs, made him smile.

"Well..., Bixia needs more time to adapt to this new change. After all, she is the first female Emperor in history and the youngest ruler ever. It must have been a difficult journey for her these 3 years." He explained.

Zhan Ruo was right. After ascending the throne, Zhang Ruyi had to handle many palace affairs such as politics, economy, and military. At such a young age, it was a big challenge for her. At the same time, she also doesn't like to get involved in big events. In addition to court matters, she also needs to maintain her identity and make sure outsiders don't know about it for the sake of the Su Empire.

*** In Changan ***

"Greetings, Your Highness. I think you already heard the news from Suzhou. The next 3 days will be the Emperor's 16th birthday. All countries under the rule of His Highness are welcome to celebrate it."

A young man in a blue robe standing next to the window raised his hand to signal him to rise and leave. The man in the black outfit bowed and left.

"What a beautiful scenery of peach blossom. I wonder what the peach blossom in Suzhou looks like. It has been 3 years since I left the place."

He turned around and sat on a chair. He poured tea on his own and drank it alone.

"The taste of this tea is just like the taste of my life." He murmured to himself.

*** In Guangzhou ***

A sunny day that is suitable for playing chess. It would be more fun if you could have a cup of liquor. It has been an hour since Yuan played chess, alone in his peony garden. With long straight black hair and a pair of dark brown eyes, he looked like a Goddess from heaven. It was his tender smile that made him become a centre of attraction among the ladies in Guangzhou.

"My Lord! My Lord!"

Yuan paused his game and looked at the person who was calling his name.

"My Lord! My Lord! The Emperor of Suzhou sent an invitation for his 16th birthday!"

The man in a green outfit gives the invitation letter to Yuan. Yuan accepted it with a smile.

"After all the things my mom has done, Her Majesty still treats me in a good way."

It was true. He never saw an Emperor who was as kind as Zhang Ruyi before. Without Zhang Ruyi, he might be following his mother's fate. Perhaps, that was why heaven chose her to take the throne.

"Jian, please prepare Guangzhou's best liquor tomorrow."

The man called Jian bowed.

"Sure, My Lord!"

*** Court, Suzhou ***

"Secretary Zhan! Come."

"Yes!"

Secretary Zhan came to the Emperor and bowed. Zhang Ruyi puts down the scroll in her hands and approaches Secretary Zhan. Secretary Zhan stays still.

"During my birthday celebration, many kings from other countries will come. We need to be aware. I know you understand what I'm trying to say."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Ruyi came closer and whispered in Secretary Zhan's ears.

"Also, all males and females need to take off their hairpins and fans before entering my palace."

Secretary Zhan wrinkled his face.

"Su...sure. Your Majesty!"

Secretary Zhan returned to his place with a puzzled face. Hairpins and fans? What is exactly inside Her Majesty's head?

***The birthday banquet***

"Stop! Dear Lords and Ladies, we are sorry. This palace has its own rules. Before dear Lords and Ladies come in, we need to make sure nobody brings any sharp objects or weapons."

Yuan and Jian look at each other. They nodded and passed their swords to the Imperial Guards.

"There is another request from the Emperor. Hairpins and fans are not allowed. If dear Lords and Ladies had these items, I would like to ask permission to take them off too. Dear Lords and Ladies can retrieve these items after the banquet is over. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

"We understood. The Emperor is a wise person. Everything of her words must have a reason."

Yuan smiles and hands over his hairpins to the guard. The guard accepted it and bowed to him.

"Thank you for your understanding, My Lords!"

Another guard escorts them to enter the palace.

"I've told you. The Emperor is not an ordinary person. Don't underestimate her." - The man in a blue robe (whispered)

"I've got it, Your Highness!" - The man in a black outfit (whispered)

Some of the kings already entered the birthday banquets. Each of them had their seat based on their title. High-rank rulers will sit in the front. Meanwhile, low-rank rulers will sit at the back.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! I'm Yuan, from Changan come to wish you a birthday and good health. Thank you for inviting me. Changan is known as its good peach blossom liquor. Thus, I bring the best peach blossom liquor of Changan for Your Majesty."

Zhang Ruyi raised her hand.

"Thank you, Lord Yuan. Please have a seat."

Next, is the turn of the man in the blue robe to greet the Emperor. He has sharp almond-shaped eyes like Zhang Ruyi and a light brown iris.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! It's been 3 years since we last met. Happy 16th and wish you good health. Thank you for inviting me to this beautiful banquet. Here, I bring you a set of Jade Chess since Your Majesty loves to play chess."

Again, she raised her hand.

"It's been a while, Prince Liang. We haven't seen each other for 3 years. Now you look mature and more handsome."

Zhang Liang smiled shyly.

"Your Majesty must be joking. You praise me too much. I'm still the same as before."

"Prince Liang is too humble. You may have your seat now."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Liang back to his seat, poured wine by himself and drank it slowly. He then a glanced at the Emperor for a second.

The banquet went smoothly. The guests were entertained by a fan dance performance by the beauties of Suzhou. Once the dance performance was done, Lord Shen from Luoyang stood.

"What a beautiful dance performance. Suzhou truly has many talented beauties. Dancing feet without music is bland, and music without performers is empty. Your Majesty is still young. Strong and intelligent. Why still choose to be alone?"

Zhang Ruyi poured wine into her cup and looked at Lord Shen.

"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Shen. Even though the moon has stars as its company, the night is still dark. Why not just be like the sun?"

Lord Shen was silent for a while. The other guests chuckled. The Emperor had a point!

"Err...Ha...ha...ha...Your Majesty is correct. Cheers!"

Zhang Ruyi and Lord Shen toasted each other.

Zhang Liang's assistant whispered.

"Was he just getting roasted by the Emperor just now?"

Zhang Liang pinched Tianqi on his waist.

"Ou-Ouch!" - he complained in pain.

After the banquet is over, everyone retrieves their belongings before going back to their country. Secretary Zhan quickly met the Emperor to ask something.

"Greetings, Bixia! May I know why they need to take off their hairpins and fans before entering the palace?"

"Sure. Hairpins are hidden weapons for self-protection and are mostly used by females. Males rarely use hairpins and it's not a common item for them, compared to fans. People can poison someone using fans without touching their food or drink. Besides, people with a good martial art can use it as their weapon."

Secretary Zhan was surprised by the explanation from the Emperor. This Emperor always had one step ahead!