The next morning, suzhen got dressed in a red and black hanfu with a warm white and blue cloak.
Before leaving,she ate breakfast, explained to her brother on why she was leaving and bod her family goodbye.
when she arrived at the palace.all the guards and maids bowed their heads "greetings, young miss suzhen".
suzhen stood in front of the door of the throne room and kept inhaling as she repeated 'stay positive.everything will be alright' to herself.
she nodded at the Eunuch who took it as a signal and announced "announcing the arrival of the young miss,Li suzhen"
suzhen walked in the moment the two-sized door opened.
she walked with elegance - hands tucked between her sleeves,chin up and straight face and don't forget to mention...an alluring smile.
"wow,she is beautiful"
"she resumbles both her parents"
"all yeah, that's right"
"I heard that she has a twin brother"
"I heard that too, he's so handsome.if no one knew him, people would mistaken him for a royal"
"that's right"
suzhen chuckled inwardly. that's right,Horus is handsome.
letting out a graceful curtsy she greeted "greetings to the sun.." she turned to the empress " ...and moon of the Wang Jiang empire" she heard a loud and majestic "you may rise, little girl" order from the emperor.
suzhen slowly lifted her head.
"you're growing even more beautiful, suzhen" the empress complemented.
"you flatter me, your grace" suzhen smiled.she turned to look at the emperor who was smiling with his right cheek resting on his propped up arm.
"little one,did the duke tell you?" he asked.
' what is he talking about?'
suzhen looked at the empress whose smiled had already slipped away.
' what's going on'
she turned back to the emperor and replied "I'm afraid a don't understand what his Majesty's implying"
that's strange.
The empress turned to the emperor and said mummured " majesty,I don't think the duke is ready to let go of his daughter. I understand their pain cause if I were him,I would also not have allowed this".
The emperor silently agreed with the empress. he asked suzhen again "little one,are you sure the duke and duchess didn't tell you anything concerning you?" sadly suzhen nodded a little confused.
looking at how confused he was he began "little one ,I think it's best if the empress tells you this Privately....but remember," he looked at the empress who looked disgruntled with the new and continued as he looked at suzhen firmly "this is for the sake of both countries"
both countries?
suzhen's head slowly drew a question mark.
????
she looked at the empress. the empress also looked at suzhen who she had made eye contact with but looking at suzhen's confusion was not helping.she tries to smile but failed. the poor child won't be able to handle the new.
"child, meet me at my estate.you know where I'm talking about?"
"of course, your grace" suzhen curtsied "excuse me, your majesties" with that said she exited the room.
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suzhen knew the palace like the back of her hand. when she was young,she would visit the empress and play around all day.
suzhen is loved by the empress who treats her like her real daughter and everyone in the palace treats her like a real princess..... except for haters....of course.
As suzhen was walking,she spotted two familiar figures.she squinted her eyes and saw ladies,one looked younger than the other.
"Big sis,Xiao zhen! " the younger exclaimed as she waved at suzhen who waved back.
when they got closer,the you younger one hugged.
"suzhen I missed you so much"
"princess Xiao Ling,how have you been doing?"
"me too.but Xiao Ling,why didn't you come to big sis' coming of age ceremony?"
princess Xiao Ling leg go of suzhen's waist and replied "those are father's orders. He didn't tell me only all the people that were supposed to come except for Haoran and Feng Mian."
suzhen nodded in understanding and then she looked at the lady behind princess Xiao Ling. "how have you been, Lynn?"
Lynn,the personal maid of princess Xiao Ling but was known to be the daughter of Marquis Ge. Everyone wondered why she left her family just to a servant girl.
Lynn lightly bowed "thank you for your concern, young miss. I'm perfectly fine,hope that you are also doing well"
"hey Lynn,no need to be so formal. let's talk casually like the old days. ok"
Lynn nodded.
suzhen remember were she was heading to then said "I'll be off now. see you guys later-" she took a step front but Xiao Ling grabbed her arm "where are you heading to?" she asked.
suzhen looked down at Xiao Lings excited face and replied "to the empress's estate.."
"can I come, there's nothing that I'm doing.... Soo"
suzhen once again looked at princess Xiao Lings eagered eyes that slipped away the moment suzhen firmly denied "NO"
"why no?" Xiao Ling pouted.
"Xiao Ling, don't act spoiled and besides I'm going there for serious business and NOT to play" suzhen emphasized the word 'not'.
Xiao Ling gave up and slowly let go of suzhen's arm before sighing.
suzhen thought of something before suggesting "how about this,after talking with the empress I'll come by at your Chambers ok"
princess Xiao Lings eye immediately lit up and clasped her hands "thank you so much,big sis" she hugged suzhen and left.
suzhen stared at Xiao Lings back for some time.after completely leaving her sight did suzhen leave.