"Xiao Feng come over here," I asked. Tian Jing looked at Sun Mu Chen and she gently brought Xiao Feng to me. Looking carefully I noticed that Xiao Feng looks just like Tian Jing when she was younger. I crouched down to Xiao Feng's height and I slowly held my hand out to touch her cheek. Xiao Feng flinched but stayed still. My hand came in contact with her cheek and it was so soft not like other commoner children. Looks like she has been brought up well and full of some nutrition which is quite surprising where did they get the money? "You are quite pretty so how about you choose your name," I asked Xiao Feng "How about Li Ming Yu? Do you like that name? It means beautiful jade,". "Li Ming Yu is a good name ge ge," Sun Mu Chen confirmed. I flinched when he said ge ge but I didn't voice my opinion. "Xiao Feng from today on you'll be called Li Ming Yu is that ok?" Tian Jing asked Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng seems to be considering her choices and then she nodded. Reminder to myself: send a letter to Imperial Uncle about what has happened recently.
*At dinner:
"Jia eat some of this I remember Gong bao chicken was your favourite," offered Tian Xia. 'Looks like she has gone back to curing Tian Jing's favour. I remember before they were always at odds with each other. Well her mother has died she needs enough support in this house so that she can marry well. Dinner ended peacefully and we all played a card game together. Ming Yu didn't seem to be that scared of me. "Tian Jing prepare Ming Yu for the ceremony where she will be acknowledged as our descendant," I ordered as she asked, "Does that mean we've to take a trip to the imperial palace?". I nodded in reply. Her face fell but she will still have to confront what people will say.
As we all returned to our chambers for the night I asked Yu Xuan to take my token and enter the palace bright early tomorrow morning. To hand in the letter I wrote to His Majesty. I also asked Shang Gu to find a female bodyguard to protect Ming Yu.
*
Meanwhile Tian Jing:
"Niang is this where you used to live?" Ming Yu asked "Yes," she replied solemnly as she looked around the purple Pavillion. Nothing had changed the little Koi fish she once had were now grandparents. The whole pond was filled with little fish that looked as if they were being fed well. Her room was the same just tidied up. "Miss Tian Jing and Mister Sun, the young master has said that you guys can stay in this pavilion there are 5 more rooms. Miss Ming Yu, please follow me to your new room," Zhou Mama explained. The whole gang followed her to Ming Yu's room. Her room was decorated in light blue per Ming Yu's request. There was a standard bed with white bedsheets embroidered with blue polka dots. There was a dressing table next to the wardrobe. This was on the other side of the room with curtains in the middle. The wardrobe was filled with clothes that fit her age. "Then Ming Yu we will leave you here to sleep," Sun Mu Chen announced as she leapt into bed.
Back to their room:
As they changed into their nightgown Sun Mu Chen asked Tian Jing why her brother was so harsh on her, having her copy so many books. "Since young ge always loved me. I think I really did piss him off but then again copying text is already quite light," she replied.
The pair fell into deep slumber just like most people in this mansion.
*
*
The next day:
The day began as usual and after breakfast, everyone gathered in the main hall as I distributed some maids to Ming Yu and Tian Jing. Just as they were going to head off to the garden a guard standing at the front of the gate rushed in carrying some news. "Young Master, your Highness, all the misses and master His Imperial Majesty sent Wei Eunuch here to read the imperial edict," he announced. I dismissed him and urged him to invite Wei eunuch in. I looked around and Tian Yao seems hesitant but still asked "Is everything going to be ok?". "What is due to come will come. There is no point fretting about it," I replied smiling "I'm sure it's nothing,".
Wei eunuch came in and he said "I'll read out the Imperial edict now," in which we were all meant to kneel and listen to His Majesty's words:
" From the heavenly word of His Majesty, I announced that Prince Tian You will inherit all of his father's assets and in turn will marry My daughter Princess Chiu Yeung. With the dowry fit for a princess. After they wed Prince Tian You will inherit Jiang Zhou and become the city lord. I hope that he will continue to work hard for the imperial court. Chang Le Jun Zhu Li Tian An will be crowned Princess Chang Le. Her husband will be given the title of General. After they wed her husband will be a Prince consort along with being a general. As for Sun Chun Hua, she will be crowned Yun Ping Jun Zhu named Li Tian Hua. I'm glad to hear that Tian You has found both of his sisters. Li Tian Jing I believe that Tian You has punished you already so I'll not deal with this. However, your husband will marry into your family so any children you've in the future will have Li as their surname. Sun Xiao Feng will be crowned as Qing Yun Xing Zhu*(1) Li Ming Yu. That is all. Prince Tian You please receive the imperial edict," announced Wei eunuch as he handed the edict to me.
Glossary:
1. Xing Zhu is a third-grade princess because Tian Jing is a jun zhu then her daughter can only be a Xing Zhu.