We had been facing away from father and His Majesty the whole time we were talking so I hadn't paid attention to them until Eunuch Wang shouted that there were assassins. I turned back as a black-clothed man, who was covering most of his face apart from his eyes, lunched with his sword right where I was standing a moment ago. " ahhh," Princess Chiu Yeung shouted ' of course, she would shout for a young princess she hasn't seen much of the world, but luckily she has a good servant'. A Ping immediately pushed the print ess back and stepped in front of her and blocked the assassins' attack also attacked the way, I was busy trying to get rid of these assassins. " Yu Xuan protects the third Princess," I commanded as he nodded also gaining place and sticking closer to Chiu Yeung than before but also blocking all the attacks. " Shang Gu, go and find some guards," I commanded as she ran off. I also ran off to help the emperor.
"Your majesty, father are you guys alright?" I asked whilst throwing a sword I found in my space to father so he can protect himself. I made sure it was unbonded though. "We are fine Tian You," Imperial uncle replied. "Imperial Uncle do you have the firework signal*(1)?" I asked, he nodded and handed it over for me to light it. It was successfully lighted but it can only be used once well let's hope they saw that. But in case they didn't I released mine as well. The guards are meant to know the emperor's schedule a day before so they would be here pronto especially since I've also asked Shang Gu to get them. father had been covering us so we can light the fireworks, but I quickly pulled out my fan and joined him. We were fighting back to back against 10 or more people. I glance over towards Yu Xuan's direction and I saw everything was under control and they were leading the princess away from here. He gave me a thumbs-up as I nodded back. But just as I turned my head I saw my father standing in front of my imperial uncle being pierced by a sword. At that moment the guards rushed over and the remaining assassins fled taking out the sword piercing near father's lower abdomen and they gave chase. I dropped my fan and rushed straight to my father's side trying to stop the bleeding and holding his hand at the same time.
"Someone call the imperial physician," I shouted. "Tian You don't bother," father began sputtering " I know I don't have enough time. Tian You I'll leave all of my estate and properties to you as my heir. All the shops that your mother owned can be given to Tian An for her dowry*(2). In the end, I still won't be able to watch her get married... Your mother's money and jewellery in her dowry would be given to Tian Yao for her dowry... Tian Ming and Tian Xia I don't have anything to give to them apart from the villa in Chang Shi for Tian Xia's dowry. Tian Ming can have all of the paintings and books I've owned, he is more of a scholar than a military man. Tian You look after all of them would you.... as for Tian Jing find her for me, I miss her. Find her and tell her I've long forgiven her after all she is my blood and flesh. Another thing... you've another mei her name is Wen Chun Hua... her mother was a woman I met at the brothel when before Tian Ming was bored, she's 17 this year... find her for me. I didn't even know she was my child until when she was 5 her mother brought her to me but I was forced to turn them away as I didn't want Ying'er*(3) to know, I know I betrayed them so find them for me and look after them well. Lastly, Chiu Yeung would you marry my son?" the father asked as Chiu Yeung nodded also coming to his side. ' Why are you still so concerned about my marriage to your death? Yu Xuan must have brought them back after hearing the first ringing of the bell knowing it would be safe'. " Then I'll be relieved that You'er is in good hands, Imperial brother look after my kids for me..." he called out as his majesty tightly held his hand and answered, " I will,". " Tian You could call me de*(4) again? You haven't called me that since your mother died..." he asked. " de," I croaked as more tears spilt down my face. "After my death, I want to be buried beside your mother... Yue Lin I'm coming for you wait for me..." he whispered. " De de I've long forgiven you please don't go I haven't served you faithfully enough...." I yelled as he replied " Good, I'm glad...". " de don't close your eyes..." I whispered as his hand went limp and thumped against my clothes. " imperial father wait...I haven't said goodbye yet..." Tian Yao screamed, someone must have notified her, she pushed away third Princess taking her position as we cried together...
That night two rings*(5) of the bell could be heard as Prince Zi Li Chong Hai's death was announced. Imperial Uncle had issued an edict that everyone was to mourn his death for 100 days no celebration and parties were forbidden to commence at that time.
" Imperial father please arranged a marriage with Li Tian You and me," Princess Chiu Yeung began but was furiously shouted at by Tian You "My father just died yet you still wanna get engaged? Can you not wait?". " Since it was Prince Zi's death wish then it must happen..." she replied the emperor nodded and asked if I had any objections to which I silently replied "No,". "Your majesty I'll be bringing father home to be buried with my mother. Do you've any objections?" as in which he shook his head.
Glossary:
1. The firework signal is given to every royal family member but it releases a different colour compared to the emperor. People in the imperial family get given one when they enter the palace which releases a purple colour to say they are in trouble. The emperor one realises a dark red which alerts people in the bell tower to ring once which alerts guards that the emperor is being. assassinated.
2. A dowry is a payment, such as property or money, paid by the bride's family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage.
3. Prince Zi's concubine, comes from a baron family. Li Tian Xia, Li Tian Ming and Li Tian Jing's birth mother.
4. Ancient way of calling father in mandarin.
5. The bells were a way of saying to the whole country if something bad happen. One ring of the bell means a new emperor is ascending. Two rings mean someone form the royal family had died and three rings means that the current emperor has died.