HHYL Fanfic chapter 5
Datong Dynasty, Emperor Jing Zong, 11 Year.
The first day of spring.
The entire Empire was lively with celebration and bustling to the utmost. Especially, the Capital of Tong'an, inside the Forbidden City. The whole street was filled with colorful banners embroidered with magnificent dragon and phoenix patterns, as well as strong and fine characters of words to describe their prosperity. Red lanterns to wish good luck were hanging all over the place too.
After their previous Empress, which shocked the entire nation, decided to step down from the throne to enter into a nunnery to pray for her deceased Royal Father, for six years the position of Datong's Empress remained vacant. Finally, today, Datong's Empire would enthrone a new Empress.
Multitudes of people were swarming in the center of the Imperial Capital, waiting for the new Empress to bestow them with her presence after her coronation ceremony, to congratulate her as well as to wish their new 'Mother Figure' of the nation good luck and long life.
In contrast with the magnitude of excitement buzzing all around him, all through the process of the coronation ceremony, Lu Cang's mind was in great chaos. ---He couldn't believe his eyes - they must be playing a cruel trick on him. During the ceremony, he was standing amongst the crowds of Ministers, Officials, and courtiers ---Front row, naturally, a clear view, absolutely no obstruction what-so-ever, of the newly enthroned Empress.
The new Empress, now walking daintily besides the elegant Emperor, on their way to bestow their people with their presence, though looked very different in her fully heavy formal dress, was without doubt, Xiao Wen!
Walking regally, in all their Royal posture, the Emperor and the new Empress, donned in their awfully exquisite Royal Robes, radiating their Royal aura, truly a sight to behold. The Emperor's bright golden yellow Royal Robe was embroidered with a bright red dragon whilst the Empress' Royal Robe, in matching bright golden color with the Emperor's, was embroidered with a bright red phoenix, the symbol of an Empress, the Emperor's destined "mate".
In all her majestic manner, there wasn't a single shred or trace of the usually happy go lucky Xiao Wen, but it was still clearly her. When their eyes briefly crossed path, Xiao Wen dignifiedly gave him a slight smile and acknowledgment whilst her eyes shining brightly, were brimming with a mixture of uncontained happiness and volatility of the world. She was indeed of Royal bearing.
So, all this time, he was wrong yet again?? When would he ever learn from his past mistakes? He repeated the very same stupid mistake as he did before with Jing and Xi Zhen! Xiao Wen was actually not a maid, but the Princess herself? --- Thinking back, Xiao Wen never said that she was a maid. Lu Cang just assumed and concluded based on her simple clothing and carefree attitude. No wonder she acted the way she did – with no sense of fear for someone of the nobility as if she held a higher rank, which she really did! Lu Cang suddenly had this urge to kick himself for his own stupidity, merely judging people by their outer appearance. A blunder that led to today's astonishment and sorrowfulness.
Of course Jing would be attracted, even loved her. Xiao Wen had an uncanny strong resemblance to Xi Zhen, Jing's cousin and his ex-Empress. It was this similar sense of familiarity and friendliness that Lu Cang felt towards this likable and enticing girl. Who knew, perhaps, Jing felt the same way too.
Lu Cang was shaken to the point where his face was drained of all its color. His knees almost gave way. Abruptly, he remembered what Jing had warned him about being too friendly with the new Empress. So, was this what Jing meant?? Given Xiao Wen's strong resemblance to Xi Zhen, Jing anticipated that Lu Cang might try to befriend her? So, Jing did not want him to be close to his new Empress?
