Princess YuanMing

Prologue

In a small country, called Yuan Kingdom, there was a princess. She was the sister to a sickly emperor. If she wasn't born as a girl, the princess would have become the emperor instead of her brother as she was outstanding in all aspects whether it was her scholarly studies or martial arts. She excelled in both. Growing up she was given a lot of freedom as her Queen mother had died from giving birth to the child. Her Emperor father loved her dearly and doted her dearly.

The girl grew up like a boy as she ran across the palace flying kites and climbed trees and since she had a cheerful and active personality, the emperor allowed her to dress like a boy and she grew up wearing pants more than a flowy skirt.

Using her talents, she led a squad of her own, with generals, she fought against enemies.

Today she came back to the court, and everyone was in the morning court. One of the ministers had accused her of a crime. With his head held low, he stated to the emperor, "Your majesty, the Princess had lost more soldiers in the battlefield. You should retract her status as a general and disallow her from joining in our morning court sessions."

"I agreed," stated another minister who supported him.

The emperor looked pale as he suppressed his cough. He stared at his sister, and she instinctively walked out from the line and kneeled beside the emperor. With her hand in a fist, she stated, "It's a general duty to protect their soldiers. I am in the wrong. Please punish me, your majesty."

Her brother, YuanJun was angry at her words. "You should repent. Kneel her till you realize your mistake."

He stood up and left the court and all the ministers followed suit while the princess continued to kneel at court. Day become night as the candles were lit in the court. Shadows were casted on the white panes. As if she had turned to stone, the princess was still there. The maids avoided her, only one was left beside her. Her personal maid and subordinate. Since the princess became a general, her maid too become a soldier to follow suit. And ever since joining camp, she become her trusted subordinate while taking care of her at the same time.

She stood beside her.

"Ah Hua, go back. I am the only one being punished."

"I have to stay by my master's side," replied the maid.

She knew that she couldn't argue with her and continue kneeling.

Hurried steps were heard across the corridor, and rustling into the court, were few maids and eunuch. The head eunuch bowed towards the princess and stated, "According to his emperor edict, the princess has been punished enough and should leave and head back to her residence. That is all."

"This princess is grateful to the emperor's grace," thanked the princess before trying to stand up on her own. The eunuch tried to help but she refused, even Ah Hua's help. She stood up on her own and walked out from the court room, followed by the quiet Ah Hua.

The junior eunuch asked the head eunuch, "His majesty, hates his sister so much that he forced her kneel for such a long time." His words gave him a hit on the head, "Stupid. His majesty did this to show the others minister that she was punished so they will not bring this matter again in the future. It's a way to save the princess without compromising her status," stated the head eunuch.

"I see. You are really clever master," said the junior eunuch.

"But his majesty efforts, I don't know how long he could keep this up as our enemies are closing in on our borders and the emperor's sickly physique and with no heir in sight. Our country's future is looking bleak. The only way to stabilize our position is through marriage and the only princess of marriageable age that, we have is her highness, Princess YuanMing."

"Master what do we do?"

"We cannot do anything. We are humble servants. We survive to serve the one who sits on the throne, no matter who it is," stated the eunuch as he sighed. "Let's go. We still have many things to do."

Both left the court as well while some maids stayed to clean up the place, to be ready for use in tomorrow session. The day repeats itself as if nothing had happened the day before.