*Hong Hui's POV
Since the last court meeting where I announced I would be going to fight the bandits in Xuzhou, I had not been able to rest at all. The ministers has been submitting petitions for me to change my decision.
Even my royal concubines have been pleading with me not to go. Actually I had two main reasons why I had to go to Xuzhou personally; One, I had long heard that the Liu family had been accepting bribes from the bandits causing great disorder in Xuzhou. This would be the perfect time to go and check it out.
Two, because of the soul currently residing in Li Juan's body. She would soon be married to Chaoxing. Chaoxing was very observant and cautious, he would immediately know she is not Li Juan. I had to take her with me to learn the things I wanted her to learn.
But I was reluctant to leave because of the grand empress dowager, my grandmother. Her health was already failing. I feared I would not be here when she passes away. She had always worried about me and had taken care of me when my royal father was busy with his love feud.
I had never understood why royal father decided to neglect not only his nation but his family over Lihua. Royal mother had always been in love with royal father and had taken great lengths to ensure he remained as king but royal father only had eyes for one woman, Lihua.
Royal grandmother had then taken the responsibility of training me. I learned everything from royal grandmother and royal mother. These two women were greater than any of the men claiming to fight on the battlefield.
"Your majesty!! Please come to the palace of principles!!!" Bao jing said running in.
I immediately stood up. Grandmother! Something must have happened to her.
When I reached her palace, I saw doctors standing outside.
"Greetings your majesty" they said kowtowing.
"What has happened to the grand empress dowager?"
All of them seemed afraid to tell me what was wrong. That means it was very serious.
"Speak! What is wrong with the grand empress dowager?"
"Her health is failing. I have given her maids some prescriptions to strengthen her body but I can't lie to you, your majesty. She won't last long" The head royal physician said.
I had seen it coming. I just couldn't digest the fact that my sweet grandmother was dying. I suddenly felt my world spinning.
"Your majesty!!! Your majesty!! Are you okay?" I heard the doctors say.
"Your majesty, the grand empress dowager wants to see you" my grandmother's personal maid, Nanny Jo said.
Everything in grandma's palace was just the same way I remembered them. I always used to hide in her palace when I was running from royal mother. Grandma would always protect me from mother's wrath.
Very soon she won't be able to protect me.
"His Majesty arrives!!" Someone said announcing my presence.
I saw my grandma trying to get up from bed.
"Grandma, no need to get up." I said kneeling by her side.
"Hui'er.. Hui'er.." she said.
"Yes grandma. I am here. Grandma, are you okay?"
"Silly boy! grandma is fine. I am okay Hui'er" she said.
I knew she wasn't okay. She was slowly dying and I couldn't do anything. Tears suddenly filled my eyes.
"Grandma don't leave me. Don't leave your Hui'er. I promise I will be more filial to you. I will do anything you want. I will be more obedient grandma." I said crying
"Silly boy!! I won't leave you alone. You can barely hide away from trouble. If I leave you, who will take care of you?" She said.
"The empress dowager arrives!!!" Someone said announcing mother's presence
"Greetings grand empress dowager" mother said.
"Raise.." Grandma said.
"Greetings royal mother" I said.
"Raise. Hui'er, have you come to bother your royal grandmother?" Mother asked.
Grandma tried sitting up so I ran to help her. The two of them could been seen as real mother and daughter. They had always helped and defended each other in the past. Mother took a sit next to grandma.
"Wen'er stop bullying your son" grandma said.
"Mother, you have always spoilt him in the past. That's why he is always so unreasonable." Mother said to grandma.
I laughed after seeing them joke around. The royal family had always been full of scheming people but my family was a loving one. Always had been. Always will be.