October 4th, Year 4028 - Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion inside the Imperial Palace gleamed beneath the bright lights. The Royal Pavilion had been prepared meticulously with the grand hall decorated in a rich hue of gold and silver, combining elegance and royal prestige as the tall ceilings are adorned with crystalline chabdeliers.
Golden ornaments trace the eighteen meters high pillars and intricate patterns on the wall, catching the light and casting a warm regal glow. Each corner of the room was embellished with symbols of the Yin Royal Family, their family crest; an unknown creature with black wings. Every detail screamed wealth and power, reminding all guests of the legacy and authority of the Yin Royal Family.
Tonight was not only a celebration of the Crown Princess's 18th Birthday, but als a rare chance to glimpse into the heart of Huxia's power, The Yin Royal Family. Conversations keep flowing between clusters of guests, touching on the remarkable legacy of the Yin Family, as ancient as the Huxia's history itself, with roots reaching back thousands of years to the Founding Empress of Huxia, the respected yet mysterious ancestor of the Yin line.
Unlike in other countries where royalty had faded into mere symbols, and figureheads for traditions, the Yin family remained the core of Huxia's authority. For centuries, they held absolute control over governance, land, law, where a single royal decree could even overrule any written laws.
This supremacy had been preserved through their unique constitution, one that insisted only a child born from the Emperor and Empress would bear the true royal bloodline. By the time the heir was born, their blood was entirely that of the Yin lineage, unsullied by any outsider bloodline, preserving the royal purity bloodline. It was a mysterious unscientific event.
Unlike other countries, where the governments manage public land, The Yin Royal family proved their soverignity, as over 60% of Huxia's lands remained under their name, allowing them unmatched control over the resources and development of the country.
Even the remaining 40% was divided among Huxia's noble and wealthiest families, who have received the land as a reward from the Yin Royal family ancestors. The Yin family's control was so strong that no one questioned their authority, as it was a fact that the royal family not only ruled the Huxia, but also owned it, and the people of Huxia knew that the reason why their country remained as the most secured country is because the Emperor ruled them.
Always making the decision that benefits the Huxia and its people. From low taxes, free educations, healthcare, and countless charities that under the name of royal family were more than enough to beat other countrie's government charity projects. And this was proof enough that the Yin Family prioritize Huxia's welfare.
Standing quietly near the hall's entrance, a foreign ambassador couldn't help but whisper to his companion. "In our country, our royal family is just a status symbol. They're there to keep up tradition, but all real power belongs to the government. But here, the Yin Family, they literary own the whole country."
Across the room, a business tycoon was explaining to his newly wedded wife, while nodding toward a certain direction, "That's the Yuen family. They've serve the Yin family as a royal protectors and warriors since the days of the First Empress. Their soldiers undergo a baptism ritual, binding them to the Yin Family with undying loyalty that not even the annihilation of their family could turn them against the crown. Although, until now, no one really knows what that baptism means, or how the Yin family could make each Yin soldiers loyal to them."
Then he glance toward another group, noting the presence of several members of the Mu family that wears their formal military uniforms adorned with high ranking military symbols.
"And there's the Mu family. A military family that produce Empresses for the past ten thousand years. Their loyalty is unquestionable, and with an army of over thirty million, they are Huxia primary defense against any foreign threat. With the Yuen and Mu family's combination force, there is no harm that can come near the Yin family."
His wife followed his gaze, her eyes lingering on the proud insignia of the Mu family. A golden eagle crest is pin in the right chest of their uniform. "Thirty million soldiers." She murmured "Its hard to believe that a single family holds so much soldiers. It even exceed the soldiers that the other countries had."
The business tycoon whispered back, "There is a lot of people in the past questioning the military power that the Mu family holds, as it even exceed the Yin Army that belongs to the Yin family, but no matter what expeculations other people and countries had, The Yin Royal family trust the Mu family. And it was no secret that the Late Empress of His Majesty is from the Mu Family. The late empress was the 50th Empress that the Mu family produce for the past ten thousand years. Despite the speculation of others, the Mu family and Yuen Family remained close to the Yin Family."
"Anyway, Tonight, We will gonna meet for the first time the future leader of Huxia."
...
As the night started to come close to the indicated time of celebration, the guests felt the atmosphere grow heavy with anticipation. It was common knowledge that the female members of the Yin Family held even a higher status than the males. The reason went back to the history of the Huxia itself, where the founding ruler of Huxia was an empress, not an emperor! And even the second ruler was a female.
This legacy was why no one would ever dare look down on Crown Princess Yin Zhi despite her youth. Everyone here understood that even if she was only eighteen, she would carry the responsibility of Huxia on her shoulders as its rightful heir.
All eyes move to the grand staircase at the far end of the room, where they knew the royal family would soon appear. Tonight would be the night that they gonna finally saw the face of Crown Princess Yin Zhi. A face that had remained hidden from public until now because of the royal family tradition.
Everyone understood the privilege of being here, and each person in the hall felt honored to be present. For some, attending this event was not just a celebration to meet the next ruler of Huxia, but it is also a once in a lifetime chance to connect with powerful families and individuals around the world.
…...
The door at the end of the pavilion hall began to open, the murmurs quieted and all eyes turned towards that direction. The anticipation in the room couldn't be hidden. The royal guards dressed in ceremonial uniforms of white and gold, stood at attention with their polished swords gleaming under the chandelier lights. They moved with precise, synchronized steps, pulling the doors fully open to reveal two figures as one of the guards announced in a clear voice.
"His Majesty, Emperor Yin Shu, and Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Yin Zhi!"
Everyone's gaze is fixed upon the pair standing at the entrance. As Yin Zhi and Yin Shu stepped forward, The attendees finally saw the appearance of the next ruler of Huxia, and they couldn't help but gasp in admiration and awe as they took in the sight of the Crown Princess Yin Zhi. Her presence was both powerful and graceful, her bright purple eyes unwavering. The beauty of the Crown Princess was undeniable, but it was her poise and aura that left the strongest impression.
As they watch both the remaining bloodline of Yin Royal Family members walk in, several ambassadors and businessmen couldn't help but start calculating how they can secure an alliance or leave a favorable impression on them.
As Yin Zhi and her father Yin Shu reached the center of the hall, The Emperor raised a hand to quiet the crowd. The guest quickly fell silent, their attention on the Emperor as he addressed the crowd.
"My friends and honored guests" he began. "Tonight, we will celebrate not only the eighteen birthday of my daughter but also the beginning of a new chapter of Huxia. Just like the traditions dictate, tonight is the first time our people have seen the face of the future ruler of Huxia."
Emperor Yin Shu gestured to Yin Zhi, and she inclined her head as she met the gaze of the crowd with serene and calm confidence.
"I present to you, my one and only daughter, Crown Princess Yin Zhi."
A round of applause filled the hall, echoing against the high ceilings. Yin Zhi's gaze swept over the crowd, her face remained composed as she acknowledged the people with a gracious nod. With her sharp vision, she could see sincere admiration in some eyes, ambitions in others, as well as envy and greed.
But she doesn't care. Her purpose is clear, and that is to survive the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse. She doesn't have time to play with them or waste time on them just like what she did on her past life.