The Royal Palace

"But Your Majesty, what will happen with our funds if we have to give it all away?" The minister of Revenue, Lord Halric addressed the King.

"Halric, you need not to worry about matters like that. The people are important funds. We in the royal court must never work against our people. Without the people, there is no kingdom." The king had a stern look on his face. "Then we must let the people know that if they want to live in better conditions, there is a big price to pay." He shrugged. But then, the hall felt chilly, The minister looking back at the king, noticed a glare. "I have spoken out of turn, please forgive me, Your, Majesty." He immediately bowed down, fearing his life. And the other ministers looked away.

"Halric, I am actually happy you say these things out loud." The minister looks up. "Eh, Really?"

"Of course, now I can see your competence in your role, and above that this makes it way easier to know who is actually standing besides me." The minister looks confused. "Sir Wenzai will be promoted to new Minister of Rites, Halric is prohibited to work in any palace position ever again. This is my order as the King." Immediately guards came in to escort him out. "W-Wenzai? That dirty little brat. HE PLANNED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN MY KING, HE IS DECEIVING YOU, YOUR MAJESTY." The former minister's hands were held behind his back, and he was pushed to his knees, but he kept resisting. "I AM SAYING THAT HE IS DECEIVING YOU. THAT YOUNGSTER'S GOAL WAS TO STEAL MY POSITION! AND HE IS SUCCEEDING AUGH!" Desperately he is looking up to the King, while everyone else is just looking at him in disgust. "When- When I catch that scoundrel I will-" 

"You will do what, sir Harlic." A figure stepped from the thin screen that was hiding her appearance. The princess walked down from the stairs with her fan hiding half of her face, her dress lowering with her, as she took slow, but elegant steps. "Are you saying the royal family is being deceived?" She arrived right in front of him, but looked down on the man. "Princess-" She held her free hand in the air, to let the King know she could handle it. "I hope you know that your corruption was already known in court. Wenzai was just helping me present evidence. Your slip up was just the final move." She closed her fan. "If you want to go to the juridical court to object to this royal decision, be my guest, you won't win that case, I made sure of it." His mouth fell open. "How-? How did you get that person- No, how'd you guess what I was going to-?" 

She chuckled for a second and looked him dead in the eye. "Do you require an explanation? Sir, I don't want Halric Yu, the one who fills his pockets with the people's taxes in the royal court of Yingzhi and I have had all the means to accomplish it, that is all." She looked at the guards holding him in place and waved her hand once. "Escort this man to the royal cell, summon sir Wenzai to inform him of his new position and make those two men ready for a discussion in the juridical court. If there are any further questions, ask sir Wenzai." 

"P-princess, have mercy. No please, it cannot be publicised." He was pulled by the guards, the man looking more desperate to the King and other officials, as he saw the back of the princess turning smaller and smaller, as she returned to her seat.

"Let's continue our discussion today." The King announced. "Thank you, Princess." The King chuckled proudly for a second. 

~~~

Today's tea party was at the first prince's residence. And his wife, Meixin was the host. After the princess freshened herself up, she arrived at the garden of her Eldest Brother's residence. 

"Princess Mireille, you have arrived." A formal and elegant smile appeared on the host's face. "Please take a seat." As she did she saw all her 8 other sisters in law. "Lady Seraphina, I heard from my brother that your childbirth has been hard on you." The wife of the 4th prince looked up from her sweet snack. "Yes, but I am recovering quickly thanks to the maids. I am happy I can even come here to clear my mind."

"I am happy for you Seraphina. I wish the seventh prince was around to begin with sometimes, I want a child to accompany myself sometimes. It is so boring without my husband." Seiran sighed and leaned her face to her hand. "Lady Seiran, I thought you loved not having much involvement with a husband?" Mireille asked, tilting her head. "You are right, princess. But I do love Prince Jinhai. Whenever he isn't doing trade on the sea and spends time with me, he is the sweetest." She looked up and smirked."Well, sometimes." This made all the ladies laugh, even some of the servants around them gave a slight chuckle. 

"I get where you are coming from Seiran, Prince Soren is so busy with his work that I feel like he has no time for me. You know what I am trying to get at? The 10th prince's wife, Yueli winked at her. "Yueli!" She breathed as Seiran's eyes widened. "Sorry, sorry."

"Prince Caelan and I are pretty much over that now. Kaijin is even going to be of age soon himself. We have had enough." Aiyue, the wife of the second prince took a sip of her tea. "I am in a similar situation with Prince Zhaoxun. I hope he isn't going to stop being romantic though. 

"The first prince and I are also done conceiving for a long time now. We have three great children and that is enough. Danjun is growing so fast in his diverse studies." Meixin smiled proudly. 

"Yes lady Meixin, I agree. Danjun is a really promising young man. I hung out with him many times." Mireille said. "I am glad that you recognise him. It really means a lot more when you say it."

"You flatter me, lady Meixin."

"Lady Liora, how is your daughter doing?" Upon the princess' question, the sixth prince's wife put her little cake on the little tray in front of her and turned to her in an elegant way. "Anira is doing good. She is a smart girl and she outmatched many girls her age I have heard." She smiled. "I am so proud of her." She looked at all the ladies. "I would like to remind everyone that my daughter is turning 10 next week. I hope none of you have forgotten and made time in your day to come and visit." She stretched her arms behind her back a little and then rested her head to the back of her hands, which were held up by her elbows. "I sincerely wish for gifts of high quality for my daughter." 

"Of course I didn't" A slam on the table came from the lady who sat up from her seat. "Liora I am always there for you and Anira, come on. And I already picked out dresses for me and Kaela." The wife of the fifth prince, Lunette put her index fingers on her face. "Oh and I also picked the perfect gifts, even Kaela is soooo excited." She covered her cheeks with her hands. "How could anyone forget about this joyful day?"

"Lady Lunette, please calm down." Liora, embarrassed by her close friend's excitement, eyed her to behave in front of the other important ladies. "How is it that you're more excited than me." And she sighed. 

"Lady Orianna? Are you alright?" The princess cocked her head to the newest wife in the royal family. "Oh, Princess, I am alright. It's nothing." The 12th prince's wife fidgeted with her hands.

"I can understand if you feel out of place when many of the consorts already know eachother." The princess walked behind to her most recent sister-in-law to put her hands on her shoulder. "They're not scary I promise. Hasn't your personal status been lifted as well? You're adored. The only ones who can understand you, are right beside you, sitting by this table." The princess shows the consorts of her brothers and the servants around them the most compassionate and beautiful smile. Everyone knows that her compassion to others is genuine.

"My Lady, you're right." Meixin, the eldest consort said. "Orianna, we all have been in a scared and lonely position, similar to yours before." She called her servant over for a refill of her drink. "You can count on us whenever. I can't believe we never said this before." All the other consorts agreed and started to chat with each other. 

~~

"I will retire for the night, ladies. Zhuzhu, let's go." The consorts waved as the princess left. The princess left the first prince's residence, where her personal knight and many servants were awaiting her. 

There were hurried footsteps behind her. "Royal Aunt! Wait!" There was panting from the eldest grandson of the King. "Wait a minute." Danjun looked with teary eyes. 

"Danjun, what is wrong? Did anyone bully you?" The princess turned to her nephew, worried about the tears in his eyes. The nephew who is a head taller than herself. "He bit his lip slightly, and looked away.

"Royal aunt."

"I'm here." Her mind became more worried.

"Please, don't get married." This made Zhuzhu chuckle.

"Zhenzhu, is there something?" Danjun, clearly offended. "No it was a cough, young prince." Kaelan, Mireille's personal guard, chuckled at that.

The princess only needed to hold her hand up for all the servants to stand back. And showed a smile to her. "Danjun, what makes you say that, you know that I have no desire to, right? I am the most free woman in the kingdom. Did you forget who you are asking this to? Besides, what man could be good enough for me, the princess herself? " She looked him deeply in his eyes, as she smiled and told him her vision of her life, something everyone knew already. This made him flinch and curl his fist. "Right. I forgot." He forced a smile. "I guess I had a bad dream during my nap and felt confused." 

"Then it's just a bad dream. Don't worry. I won't marry, even if I did, it's going to be a man that cherishes me." He embraced her. "I guess I was just stressed lately." She patted his back. "It'is okay, Danjun. You're always welcome at my residence." She broke the hug. "Do well at school. If there is anything you need, do come." A nod. "No need to cry, it is alright. I am here." His lips twitched and he sighed. "Yes, you're right." He blinked the tears away. " I need to retire for the night, as I am tired, but try to stay strong, at least for your little sisters. Okay?" She smiled at him again, with her eyes turning smaller. "You're so big, but still a kid, huh?"

"No, I just had a long day, I guess. And besides, we are only 3 years apart."

"You and my little brothers are indeed different." She hid her face as she giggled.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I just have another little brother-like figure, who makes himself so big and wants to protect me, while I need to do that."

"Be careful, Royal Aunt."

"Haha, I will do so. See you tomorrow." She turned to lead her servants towards her mansion, as he rubbed his forehead and returned to his chambers. 

"What was with the young prince, usually he is excited to see you, today didn't seem to be the case?" Zhuzhu asked curiously.

"Not sure, maybe scared of adulthood? He seemed really anxious. Have someone look into it, I hope it's not something bad."

"Of course."