ENLIGHTENED

ONE

 It was a day of great joy. A bountiful feast was held in and outside the palace as it was the day of the Crown Prince's return from a year's journey from the east to conquer more land and to gain people's trust to the growing empire. The Emperor, who was old and a little frail, gathered all his friends as they all waited for the prince's safe return as he longed for his son to prove his worth to the empire. He knew well that the prince was not hungry for the throne; many had come and took hold of their arms to bring the whole empire down. But his son stood by him and finally realized that the empire was his to take as soon as the father is now ready to abdicate because of his declining health.

"You must have had a hard time," the emperor said to his son fondly who offered him a bowl of dumplings. "The people from the east have shown reluctance over the years and here you are, bringing me news of it as if you have just brought home a good amount of produce from the uplands."

"I feel humbled of your words, father," the prince said discretely, bowing low to revere his great father. "I have spoken to the people and heard of their concerns. There was nothing much, but to offer them safety and good living."

"Their land has been known to be fertile, the best in all of the places we've been to," the older one said, sipping on his cup. "What you've offered them is quite out of the measures that I could think of, but you have done more."

"It's because they can give us the assurance of having more people believing in the power of the empire," the son replied. "The east is big enough to bring us more manpower and more produce to the capital."

"Spoken like a learned politician," the emperor said, highly impressed of his son's rationalization.

"If I may speak, your highness," said the emperor's eunuch, "I think the Crown Prince is left with one more task."

The monarchs' attentions were now focused on the eunuch, curious of what that task might be. Was it possible that the Prince would engage into fighting into a war? His skills and swordsmanship were all refined by battle, but was it possible for him to go back to a combat he knew nothing of?

"What would that be?" asked the prince's loyal friend, Yuan, who poured himself another glass of wine.

"I think it's time for the prince to find a princess and take her as his queen." The whole place lit up in interest as all of the governors and ministers seated on the room as they listened to the eunuch. "Majesty, the Crown Prince is now of age to look for a Princess. It was perhaps, the late Queen's bidding, that the Prince should take one before the time comes for you to pass to him the throne. There are a lot of princesses from nearby kingdoms, and perhaps we can negotiate from other empires of your interest to unify."

The emperor smiled at his subordinate and asked him to sit down. "Perhaps he is right. The Prince does have to find a Princess or someone from a family of good reputation. We don't need to find it overseas; our empire has graced us with beautiful daughters and surely one of them is for this Prince."

"Shall we present our daughters for that matter, Your Highness?" A governor in dull red robes asked.

"Well..." the emperor was in doubt whether or not he should have the task of picking the princes, but looking at his son, who has fought hard and well, he breathed deeply and gave out a small sigh of relief. "I know too well that the emperor should be the one to decide who should take the queen's throne soon. But in memory of my late wife, I think she would want her son to pick one for herself. The late Queen would always remind me that our son was not someone we would force into making choices as our own, most especially the matters that concern his well-being. And also, she said that the women in China is not like cattle, silk, or produce which can be for sale or for trade." The wise Emperor saw that his subjects were uncertain, and he knew that these men are not pleased if they cannot present one of their daughters to the prince. After all, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. "And all of you can bring your daughters to the palace so the Prince can select and give his favor to that one lady he finds worthy to be his companion for a lifetime."