The whole capital of He Empire is painted with wealth, fortune and success. The color gold and red have dominated the once common and dull streets and alleys of the capital. The people are happily waving along the street as a carriage decorated with love, honor and loyalty pass by. Inside the carriage is the second princess of the Qing Empire. She silently listens to the noise outside but somehow the beating of her heart is way louder than any sound she could hear.
Although it is not their emperor who will be married that day, the ministers have taken their initiatives to make such grandiose occasion. They have even paid people to make the street suitable for the wedding. After all, it is the wedding occasion of a royal family. The emperor did not have to instruct them. When the emperor's edict was known, all of them work hard for the preparation for that day.
Finally, the carriage arrived in a hall where banners with wishes are hung on the wall, windows and doors. Qing Lou is finally married to He Lan! The two are officially husband and wife! As Qing Lou sat in the matrimonial bed, a smile appears in her face. After all the things she had gone through, she finally found the man that belongs to her. The man that she knows will cherish her.
She closed her eyes and a flashback scene on the garden appears in her mind. It was the day she learned that He Lan is the third brother of the emperor. They had enjoyed the scenery of the flowers and before the two of them separated, the man gave her a promise. This is the kind of promise that she will cherish in her life time.
"Lou'er, we will have a happy union for a hundred of years."
Even the tone of the man when he said this promise has been carved in the depth of her soul. Qing Lou laughed slightly. She is finally home. She finally understands why the term home and house exist. Such terms have a bigger difference. She finally realized that the empire where she is born can be called a house but cannot be called home. For her home is not a building, but a person. Her home is He Lan himself! He is the only person where she rightfully belongs.
As Qing Lou is preoccupied with her thoughts, the man that she is thinking enters the room quietly. She could not see him yet, but she felt his hands removing the decorations in her hair. Then he removes the piece of clothing that is covering her face. When their eyes meet, a gentle smile broke in their faces. The lady looks so beautiful and the man looks so handsome. They are such a perfect pair!
(Author's Note: The complete details will be in their own story soon. This story will focus on emperor He Mo & Ye Shin. Hehehe)
In the morning, the two went for a customary visit to the emperor. In a very long table, the three of them is sitting while one lady is standing behind the emperor. They are eating breakfast. After they finish eating their meal the emperor told them the responsibilities they will need to do.
"This afternoon, I will set my journey towards the Ru Empire. Ru Shi will be ascended in the throne and he sent me his invitation to join the celebration. Little brother, you shall manage the empire's affair when I am away. The shadows will help you. And of course, your wife." the emperor said while glancing at Qing Lou. The princess nods her head but her attention is in the man sitting beside her.
The young emperor gave them few more instructions and they listened attentively. He Lan did not also speaks any complaint. It was like he had evolved after his wedding. When everything is settled, the emperor leaves the room together with his bodyguard. He Lan and Qing Lou remained on their seat.
"My wife, do you want to visit to your family?" He Lan asked his wife. It is a tradition in their empire that he needs to follow. If the wife wishes to visit her family after the wedding ceremony, the husband needs to accompany her. As he looked at her with gentle eyes, he saw the lady shakes her head.
"Bro-... Ahem! My husband, there is no need for us to visit my family. In this lifetime you are the only family I'll acknowledge." he heard his wife said softly. He nods his head, seemingly understanding the relationship of the Qing emperor and her daughter.
Later that afternoon, the emperor and Ye Shin are riding in the two beautiful black horses towards the exit of the palace. The emperor is wearing an ordinary clothes just like a common people wear so that they do not to attract any unnecessary people or unnecessary attention. Sooner, they reached the capital of the empire. The two of them are like ordinary male and female going for an adventure. Upon reaching the border, only the soldiers recognized them as they exited the empire.
When the sun started to set, they did not stop. They still continue their journey even if it's getting dark. Ye Shin did not mind stopping also. She has been exposed to this kind of journey. Soon, the two of them reached to the entrance of Hei Empire. This is a small empire situated opposite to the Qing Empire. When they are about to enter, an old soldier stopped them.
" Young man, please identify yourself." The soldier said towards emperor He Mo. The emperor showed him his jade token.
"Oh, so it's the emperor of He Empire. Please excuse me your majesty for not recognizing you. I am General Pan of the Hei army, your highness." The old soldier said as he bows his head to emperor He Mo.
"No problem, the lady is my companion." The emperor stated. This is a very common protocol in a border entrance of every kingdom. Anyone who travels during night time is required to identify themselves. There is no exemption of this rule, whether a citizen of the empire or an outsider, once they enter a kingdom. This is to avoid suspicions.
"Your majesty, we can arrange a place for you to rest tonight." the old general politely offered. The emperor glanced at his bodyguard.
"Are you tired?" the emperor asked her. The lady shakes her head.
"There is no need for the arrangement. We will just be passing by." the emperor responded to the old general's offer. The old man subconsciously looks at the emperor's companion. There is something about her that gives a sense of familiarity to the old man. Then a sudden flash in his old memories made his eyes widen. The old man step forward towards her direction.
"My benefactor it is you! My benefactor, forgive this old man for not noticing you first." the old man not only bows his head but also his entire body. Even the emperor only got a customary bow from the old general. This kind of bow he gave to the lady shows how much he respected her.
"You know my companion?" the emperor asked the old general.
"Yes, your highness. The lady is a benefactor of our Hei Empire. When the barbarians started a revolution in our kingdom, we suffered a lot of loss. Then, your companion happens to pass by with her father. It took just a few breaths for them to subdue the revolution created by the barbarians." the old general explained. The emperor looks at the lady again after hearing what the old man said. So this place is where she first encounter the barbarians, the emperor thought.
"It's a coincidence in the past." the lady shrugged when the emperor look at her with questioning eyes.
"To which, we are always grateful, my benefactor. This old man has taken all your merits. I was promoted as the general of the army after the barbarians are subdued." the old general added.
"You are a good man, you deserve your position." the lady calmly said to him.
"Thank you, my benefactor. I shall not keep you from your journey anymore." the old man said and the two figures finally entered the Hei Empire. The old man looks at the two figures until they vanished in his sight. He looked at the sky and made a whistle sound. A bird flew towards his direction. He quickly writes a letter and let the bird deliver it to the emperor.
As the two continue riding their horses the emperor is somewhat exhausted. They have been out since the afternoon so it's normal for him to feel fatigue. Ye Shin noticed the stiffness in his body and realized that the man is probably tired.
"Your majesty, let's have some rest." she suggested. The two of them is already in the capital of Hei Empire so there are several inns available to rent. They stopped at the nearest place and saw an innkeeper.
"Honored guest, this is fate! We have two more rooms available." the young innkeeper said as she saw a customer approaching her.
"We will only take one room for the night." she heard the lady said. The innkeeper disdainfully looked at the lady. This lady has no virtue at all! She secretly thought. On the other hand the emperor's eyes twinkled upon hearing the lady requesting for one room.
"Our beds can only accommodate one person. It will be uncomfortable to stay in one bed." the innkeeper said as she discouraged the idea of taking one room and proceeds with her sales talking. The girl is younger than them and all she wants is to make money on her business. This is why she emphasized the comfort of renting two rooms instead of one.
"One room." the emperor said and placed the payment in front of her. The young girl took the money. After a few breaths, she gives him the change from his payment but the emperor did not take it.
"Provide us a meal for breakfast and the rest of it, you can keep the change." the emperor told the innkeeper. The innkeeper's dispirited mood suddenly lifted.
"Thank you honored guest. I shall guide you to your room." the innkeeper happily said as she started walking. She has made a great fortune! The money the man paid is enough to rent five rooms for a week but these guests will only use one room for the night! These people are definitely not ordinary. The innkeeper pondered.
"This way honored guests. Please have a good rest." the innkeeper respectfully bows her head to them before leaving. The little girl is smiling while walking back towards her post. Her servants that saw her can't help but wonder if their master is possessed. She is known to be a strict money maker and they have never seen her smiling openly.