"Honghui's POV
I haven't been able to rest easily since we returned from Xuzhou. Genji and I had said our goodbye and today I was going to announce my marriage to Danji. Everything was ready. The officials including Genji were waiting for me in court.
I first go and pay my respect to grandma. Reaching her hall, the servants announce my presence and I enter.
"Greetings grandma" I said.
"Hui'er, don't you have morning court to attend to?" She asked.
Sitting beside her, I look at my hands.
"What is bothering you Hui'er?" She asked.
"Grandma, you know me so well. I don't know what to do grandma." I said.
"Is it about Li Juan? Hui'er, I know in the past you praised me because I kept your mother safe. I married the woman your father loved to the defender of the realm because I wanted to bring about peace. I didn't understand your father so much. Never did I think you would fall in love with the daughter of the woman you despised so much. Now, you are giving her away with your own hands. I know this isn't easy for you." She said.
"Grandma, it isn't easy. But I am the emperor of Han. Love should not be put before the people." I said.
"But the empress dowager wants you to marry Li Juan. The prophecy about the phoenix she carries, how will the kingdom manage if you give her to the duke?" She asked.
"Grandma, I am the son of heaven. My rule was ordained by heaven. I will govern this nation and the people without the stupid phoenix. If I place the future of our nation in the hands of a woman just because she is the phoenix, what type of a king am I?"
"You have always been strong willed, independent and courageous. I have no doubt that you will govern the nation well. I also know you love Li Juan. Lemme take the burden off your shoulders. You wrote to me before that you plan to marry the princess of Chu. I will make a royal decree to support you and help you two part peacefully" she said.
"No, this is something I must do grandma. Its even better if she hates me." I said.
Grandma just gives me a hug. It was her own way of comforting me and I really needed it.
Entering the court I sit and my eyes immediately find Genji. She doesn't even look at me. She must treating me like a stranger. I didn't love her. I just didn't want her to ignore me.
"Greetings your majesty. Long live your majesty" they said kowtowing.
"Raise! Today, I want to announce something. I have decree. I will marry the imperial princess of Chu. She will be arriving soon so all of you should welcome her" I said.
This brings about murmuring. While the ministers are murmuring about the matter, I look at Genji. She looks at me surprised. I can already guess what's going on in her head but I just look away.
"Your majesty, what are you doing?" Someone says opening the door. Standing up I'm surprised to see mother. I get down from my seat and walk to her.
"Greetings mother" I said.
"Greetings empress dowager" the ministers said.
"Raise. All of you please rise. I came here to talk to his majesty. Your majesty, what nonsense are you saying? The marriage of the emperor is no joking matter. How could you make a decree without consulting with me first? Do you still see me as your mother?" She asked angrily.
I kneel down immediately. The ministers also do the same.
"Mother, please be calm" I said.
"Empress dowager, please be calm" the ministers said.
"Mother, I dare not do this without consulting you. I have talked to grandma on this matter. I love the princess of Chu and I want to marry her. Mother, please approve." I said.
"But.... Li Juan, I thought....." She said shocked.
"But nothing mother. She is the imperial princess of Han. She is my god sister. I wouldn't dare hold any improper thoughts towards her. The one I love is the princess of Chu." I said looking at Genji who is very much shocked. My heart hurts all of a sudden when I see tears in her eyes. She just stands there on the verge of crying.
But I can't show I care. I see general wu touch Genji. He whispers something into her ear and she nods.
"Mother, I and the emperor are siblings. Children of the late emperor. Whatever happened in the past was nothing but a misunderstanding. I am getting married to the duke of meisheng. You need not worry mother" she said kneeling down.
"Juan'er, are you sure?" Mother asked
"Yes mother. Please approve of the marriage." She said.
"If you both are really sure, I will approve. The emperor will marry the imperial princess of Chu at the same time Li juan will marry the duke. We will hold the weddings together" mother said.
" Thank you mother." We both said.
"Thank you empress dowager" The ministers said.