Chapter 16 - Meeting the Empress Dowager

Chapter 14:

As morning came, Eun Won was woken up by Na-Ri. "Mistress, it's time to get ready to meet the Empress Dowager." said Na-Ri. "Must I really go. "Can't I just stay and sleep night," said Eun Won. "No, mistress, it is an order from the emperor himself." said Na-Ri. "Fine, let's get it over with," said Eun Won. She took a warm rosemary bath and got dressed in a light peach dress. She braids her hair. The room door opened, and in came a servant with food and tea. They started eating.

Eun Won felt anxious about meeting Yu-Jun's mother. She didn't know what to expect from the late empress. When they were done, they started their way to the Empress Dowager's chambers. On the pathway, Won noticed that flowers were placed along the sides of the path. "I guess the Empress Dowager loves flowers," she thought.

Arriving at the Empress Dowager's chambers, Eun Won knocked on her door. "Come in," said a soft woman's voice. Her soft footsteps could be heard against the polished wooden floors. She noticed a fragile figure in royal clothing and a phoenix hairpin in the hair. She knew she was now in the presence of the Empress Dowager.  The chambers were very lively with flowers decorating the room. A small table in front of the chair was the Empress Dowager sat.Eun Won knelt down on her knees and bowed towards the Empress Dowager and said "My heavens bless the Empress Dowager with thousands of years of life". "Thank my dear, you my rise." Eun Won stood up and made eye contact with the Empress Dowager.

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Empress Dowager's Point of view:

Today was the day that I was going to meet the look-alike Eun Won that my son was so fond of. The girl knelt down in front of her and bowed. "My heavens bless the Empress Dowager with thousands of years of life," said the girl. "Thank you, my dear, you my rise." I said. As the girl stood up, she looked me straight into the eyes. I noticed her facial. Her face was beautiful. A small button nose, small full lips, and phoenix eyes. I asked her about herself, and two names caught my attention : "Mo Yi Huai, the emperor's guard, and Jiwoo, the emperor's best friend."  I was glad she made friends with those two. Could she be the real Eun Won that my son was looking for? I thought. Everything she said reminds me of my son's words from that day.

Empress Dowager's point of view stops. 

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"Take a seat, my child," said the Empress Dowager. Eun Won took a seat next to her. "Tell me about yourself, child," said the Empress Dowager. "I'm seventeen years old. I love cooking and baking. It is only me and my mother. My favourite colour is light pink and black. My favourite animal is cats. I love reading and learning new things. I know how to identify a poison and how to cure it. My birthday is on the 30th of October. My favourite scent is vanilla. My favourite tea is lemon green tea. I have three friends 'Kim Na-Ri, Mo Yi Huai, and Jiwoo. I do not like to wear too much jewellery. I like my face naturally without too much makeup. 

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Yu-Jun's point of view:

The morning was like any other day. I always have conversations with Jiwoo, and we have tea. Then, I would start doing royal business, but one thing was different from other days. The look-alike Eun Won was stuck in my mind. I wondered if my mother would like her. I wondered what they were doing or what they were talking about. I was feeling anxious, excited, and a little scared for her because I knew how my mother would react if she did not like a person. I shook my head and thought back at last night's event. That reminded me that it was her punishment for disobeying me.

Yu-Jun's point of view stops. 

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When they were done talking, the Empress Dowager let the look-alike Eun Won return to her room. The Empress Dowager spent her afternoon reading poetry and drinking tea. The Empress Dowager took a liking to her. She was amazed by this woman in front of her, and it reminded her of the way she was when she became the Empress.

Arriving at her room, Eun Won spent her time reading about the history of the late empress Dowager's reign. She was amazed by Yu-Jun's mother and how she handled all the royal business. She wondered if Yu-Jun thought of her and how he would react when he found out that the Empress Dowager was fond of her. She had some lemon green tea and had taken a long nap in her bed. When she woke up, she noticed that it was night. She then took a warm bath and got dressed in her night clothes. When she was done, she noticed that the kitchen had prepared some food and she ate it before going to bed.

As the day came to an end, Yu-Jun spent his time doing royal business. When he was tired, he took a warm bath and got dressed in his night robe. He then ate the food that was  prepared by the kitchen servants, and when he was done, he went directly to bed. 

They both wonder about today's events. They wondered what tomorrow would bring for them. Would they see each other again? Yu-Jun was wondering what his mother was thinking about the look-alike Eun Won. Eun Won wondered when she would see Mo Yi Huai and Jiwoo again. She wondered if Yu-Jun was still angry at her. He wondered if look-alike Eun Won had learned her lesson. All these thoughts floated around in their minds. They started to fall asleep without noticing it. They started dreaming about their childhood. That night, everything was just perfect, and everyone slept peacefully in their warm beds.