The Empress Palace, Lu Xiaolian Courtyard
Bie liu stepped out to the courtyard in search of Yao Yao who had been gone for too long. She was beginning to worry that Yao Yao may have been detained somewhere.
Bie liu walked towards the Entrance when she cought sight of Yao Yao walked into the courtyard with a basket of flowers. She hastened her step to reach Yao Yao and said
"Yao Yao where have you been, I was beginning to worry"
"My apologies elder sister Bie liu, I was picking flowers from the garden. Young Miss has been feeling down since Madam Lu and Seventh young Miss visit so I picked up some flowers to cheer her up" Yao Yao said raising up the basket to let Bie liu see the flowers.
Lu Xiaolian like wild flowers so Yao Yao had to search for her young mistress favorite flowers.
"These are really beautiful it must have been difficult to get these. This could truly raise Young Miss spirit" Bie liu said joyfully.
"I hope so, come let me hand it over to her"Yao Yao said and the both of them walked into the room.
Lu Xiaolian was seated on a seat with her elbow placed on the table and her head cradle on her palm very deep in thought.
Bie liu and Yao Yao walked up to where Lu Xiaolian sat and smiling brightly said "Young Miss look what we got you" presenting the basket of flowers to Lu Xiaolian.
Lu Xiaolian gazed silently at the basket of flowers and for the longest time Bie liu and Yao Yao thought that she was displeased with the flowers until tears began rolling down her face. Bie liu and Yao Yao dropped the basket of flowers on the table and said
"Young Miss what's wrong don't you like the flowers"
"No, it's not that , I love them they remind me of Home. We had a lot of wild flowers at home" Lu Xiaolian replied wiping her tears with the back of her hands.
"oh that's true" Yao Yao said thoughtfully.
"I am just being a bit nostalgic, I never knew how much I missed home until now. I wasn't even aware that father and elder brother had gone to the battlefield. I always prepared their provision and herbs when they left for any battle but it has now drawn on me that I wouldn't be able to do that anymore. A married daughter is spent grains" Lu Xiaolian said sadly looking out the open doors.
"Don't be sad Young Miss, Master understands" Bie liu said in consolation.
"Yes, Bie liu jie jie is right Master understands that you are now in the palace and won't be able to know what happened outside" Yao Yao said.
"Little Yao Yao is growing up so fast, I maybe in the palace but I would still have been able to know what was going on outside the palace. The truth of it all is and still remains that I wasn't very attentive, I was too busy with the Events of the royal family that I forgot that of my Lu family" Lu Xiaolian said looking down at her hands.
"Cheer up Young Miss, it's not good to worry too much let's head to the Empress Private gardens, that will cheer you up" Yao Yao said helping Lu Xiaolian up and leading her out of the room and towards the Empress private garden together with Bie Liu.
The Empress Private gardens
"You were right Yao Yao, I feel much better now" Lu Xiaolian said smiling wide as she in the middle of the garden.
"am glad, I haven't seen you smile this wide in a long time. It was good that we came out" Yao Yao said smiling.
"You have always been happy when you are in nature. The crown Prince Manor is quite popular for it's natural and serene environment. We don't have to worry about that" Bie liu said.
"Yes his highness the crown Prince patient and nice, most of all he thinks highly of you or he wouldn't send you flowers often" Yao Yao said brightly.
"Your just being silly. The crown Prince only sends me flowers because her highness Empress Ye tells him to. I only hope to have a peaceful and happy marriage nothing else" Lu Xiaolian said flicking Yao Yao on the forehead.
"Xiaolian is now all grown up" A voice said from behind.
Lu Xiaolian hearing a familiar voice turned to see her her Childhood friend Sheng Xiaoli.
"Young Master Sheng" Bie liu and Yao Yao chorused with a bow.
"mmn" Sheng Xiaoli said in reply.
"Master Sheng" Lu Xiaolian said with a slight bow.
"I paid the Empress a visit after court and wanted to pay you a visit when the servants informed me that you were out in the garden" Sheng Xiaoli said.
"I came out to get some fresh air, I heard from mother that you were back from your tour I trust that it was good" Lu Xiaolian said.
"It was good, and you how are you? Sheng Xiaoli replied.
"I am good" Lu Xiaolian said.
"Xiaolian has truly grown up, your getting married" Sheng Xiaoli said.
"Yes I am" Lu Xiaolian said blushing brightly. "I never would have guessed that this kind of marriage would be in my future, Thanks to the events of that year. Like you said I wasn't sure of what I wanted, we were truly only destined to be friends" Lu Xiaolian continued smiling brightly.
"Yes I guess so" Sheng Xiaoli replied.
"I used to be angry with you but not anymore. I will take my leave now" Lu Xiaolian said and began walking out of the garden.
The Empress dowager palace.
"Luli greets Mother Empress dowager" Empress Ye said bowing in greeting to theEmpress dowager.
"Do rise Luli" said Empress dowager Li from her seat.
"Thank you mother Empress dowager,I apologise for keeping you waiting" Empress Ye said took a seat at the Empress dowager right.
"It's alright, I understand how tough it's been for you this days. I actually called you because of the crown Prince marriage. With everything going on I think it's the right time for a wedding so as to lift the people's spirit" the Empress dowager said gently. She had long been observing the Emperor's actions and she was very pleased with everything. The values of Wei Empire were getting list and dead all thanks to the actions of certain members of the nobility. She however was glad that the Emperor had decided to restore that that was lost.
"Mother is wise, I had decided to discourse that with you before talking with his majesty the Emperor" Empress Ye said.
"I have already consulted with the Ministry of rites and the following dates were picked as good days for a marriage we can look through and narrow it down before Finally informing the Emperor of our decision" the Empress dowager said handing down the list of dates to the Empress.
The next day it was announced that the Marriage of His highness the crown Prince and Her highness Princess Xi'an, the sixth young miss of Duke Wu family Lu Xiaolian has been fixed for the first day of the new month.