Falling Snow

Chapter 16

Today, the magnificent gate opened slowly for the decorated carriage that arrived at the Royal Palace. Horns were blowing and drums ringing. In front of the main palace, a line of people consisting of many ladies from the most powerful family in the empire. In the middle stood the Emperor, his Queen and his son, awaiting for the guest to cross the gate and return to her rightful place. A fitting greeting for the Royal Princess of the Empire.

As the gate finally opened fully, revealing a slim and petite figure walking slowly and sternly from the gate toward the line of people. She was followed by a column of servants behind her. As the figure came close to the Palace, her attire became easy to see. The Princess wore a silk rose coloured long gown with gold lining, underneath, she was dressed in a luxurious white and pink dress. Her black hair draped on her back, a portion of it wrapped around a cherry blossom hair piece on the right side of her head.

When she approached the stair in front of the palace. Smiles appeared on the Emperor and the Prince's face. After she walked up to the top, she did a formal bow in front of the Emperor, and few smaller bows to the Queen and the Ladies. The Princess smiled warmly toward the audience and stood up facing her father.

"How was the journey, Dai? My darling daughter." The Emperor asked while holding his hands out held her delicate hands. Princess Dai let out of joyful laugh." The journey was comfortable, father, thank you for your concern." "How is my brother, The Lord of Liang, is your life there well?" , the Emperor asked his daughter, though not as warm as before. "Uncle Liang is doing well, although he is busy with the plague in the south. He treated me well, and I am happy there." The young princess answered honestly, and the change of her father's tone went unnoticed.

"I need to go take care of the politics now, Dai, you can catch up with all your aunts and your brother. I will leave you in the care of the Ladies, your servant have already prepared your Palace in the back court." The Emperor said as he nodded and turned around, ushered the guards and servant to open up the way, then he walked in the way a Emperor would held himself, powerful and full of pride.

"So, Dai, tell your favourite brother about your time in the south, how does it feel to finally get back here?" The Prince followed behind Princess Dai as she was ready to move along with the crowd of Ladies ushered her to descend into the back court. Dai let out a sigh and rolled her eyes playfully.

"Oh, brother, you are not my favourite, you are my only brother."Dai said to her brother, she turned around to see Yang was about to argue" but, I guess that means you are my favourite brother, unfortunately." Dai and Yang both laugh as she Yang extended his arm and gave Dai a hug.

"I miss you so much, Dai, you are the mischievous girl as always." Her Brother patted her shoulders and said to her dearly. Dai felt quite emotional at the moment. Like wise, she missed her brother for the past five years. The life without a big brother there to protect you was strange and frightening to her. The day she was send off to the south in the carriage, used to be the saddest day in her life.

But of course, she wasn't about to gave her brother the satisfaction. Teasing Yang was the best part of having a brother, after all. "Well, I don't really miss that stone head of yours." Dai mocked him as she quickly poked his forehead when he was not looking then swiftly turned her head and walked on to catch up to the Ladies who were just about to enter the back court.

"I almost thought that you became a lady over the past few years after hearing your conversation with father, but I see that you are still a devious little prankster." Yang wasn't angry, rather he was glad that even after all these years, his darling little sister was still innocent and pure, uncorrupted by the war, the power and the complicated relations in the court. But a small part of him was worried, now she's back, she will be exposed to more danger than ever. Was she too protected to detect and fend of the threats?