Source of Eternity

Chapter 5

The next day my maids, Mao Mei and An So, awoke me.

"So...Mei...is it morning already...?" I asked groggily.

"Young Mistress, have you forgotten about the coronation...?" Mei asked.

I shot up. "What?! Why didn't you wake me earlier?!" I shouted as I quickly got out of bed and my maids started to hurriedly dress me.

"We're sorry, Mistress. We didn't wish to wake you, but this is important," So said as she looked down, not daring to look me in the eye.

I huffed. "What am I supposed to do with you two, uh?" I asked with a small laugh as they continued to dress me. They dressed me in a navy blue hanfu to compliment my eyes.

Then, they had me sit down on a chair as they put a yi of the same color on my head.

After that, they had me sit down as they put makeup made from herbs and spices on me.

"Ladies...may I ask where you got all this?" I asked, referring to the makeup.

"We'd rather not say, Your Highness," said Mei.

"Come now...tell me..." I said with a smile. "I won't tell anyone else..." I whispered.

"It was a spice merchant. He looked kind of suspicious..." she answered. "That's why we were hesitant to tell you..."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Then, a guard came to retrieve me. "We'll talk about this later..." I said to my maids as he led me from my room to the throne room.

I, along with the royal family, entered. One of the other princesses glared daggers at me. Her mother slapped her hand. She quickly softened her gaze. Xi and I stood next to the rest of them.

Then the doors opened. Standing there solemnly was Lord Jun. "His Highness, Prince Jun, enters," announced a herald.

We all looked silently in the direction of the prince. He started walking silently into the room. The attending nobles and royal family bowed low when he passed by. Then, he got to the front of the room. We all watched the priest. He looked at Jun with a smile, which quickly disappeared. He cleared his throat. "We are all gathered here today to witness the birth and crowning of a deity of the Zhou dynasty." Then, he picked up the crown. "On this day, the heavens smile. On this day, Zhou Jūn rises like a phoenix." He put the crown on Jun's head. "I present to you, Emperor Zhou Jūn, fourth emperor of the Zhou dynasty!" All attending immediately knelt down on the floor, low before the throne. "All hail Emperor Zhou Jūn! Long may he reign!"

"Long live the king! Long live the king!" we all chanted with loud voices.

Jūn smiled. "Come now...you are my family...and we are the distinguished, dignified Zhou family, are we not? Rise."

Everyone chuckled as they rose to their feet. "Let us celebrate..." he said as a servant came forward with rice wine. Then, he had another servant pour wine for all of us.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," we all said together.

"My pleasure," he said with a smile. Then, all of a sudden, someone burst into the room.

"News! News!" announced a sentry.

"What is the meaning of this?" hissed the newly crowned Emperor as he turned to the sentry.

"Your Majesty," replied the sentry as he knelt before the emperor's feet. "The Wu clan...they're coming for us. The imperial scouts reported seeing them cross the eastern border. They're about a day's ride away."

Jūn closed his eyes, trying to think. "Guards!"

"Yes!" Answered two of the guards.

"Assemble your strongest warriors," said the emperor.

"Yes!" replied the guards with a bow as they left to carry out the king's command.

Then, the emperor said, "Leave me..." and we all left the throne room and went to our own chambers. "Except you, Xi..." he said as we were walking back.

My eyes widened as I looked back at Prince Xi with wide eyes. His gaze assured me that he would be fine. I sighed. Gods, please protect him, I beg you, I prayed.

Then, I quickly walked back to my chambers, scared for my half-brother's life. Then, when I was safe in my own room, I sat on my bed as So and Mei helped me undress into my normal clothes. They brushed out my hair, as well. Then, I told them about what happened in the throne room.

"That's terrible," said Mei.

"Yes, I hope that His Majesty and His Highness, Prince Xi, will be able to fight them off," agreed So.

"Yes, or we are all going to be in grave danger..." I said. Then, I went to my bed, and slept.