FENG YU JIU TIAN [VOLUME ONE]

Chapter Twelve

On December 20th the palace was welcomed with the chill of winter, additionally this date was the Empress of Xi Rei's birthday.

Rong Wang was concerned with organizing the palace into shape for this grand occasion which was part of Xi Rei's tradition. Naturally, the festivity was to be arranged by him, and with the Regent King's orders, each and every flag post hoisted a colorful flag, vibrant lanterns decorated the eaves of the palace, lively fine silk banners adorned mantles and silk screens were renewed. In addition to these stunning arrangements candles were alit throughout the halls, their fiery flame used to wish the Empress longevity and youth.

A hundred of the imperial courtesans and officials also brought tributes to Her Highness, most had arrived bearing fascinating trinkets or priceless treasures. The worldly presents had been gathered and delivered to the Empress early in the morning.

Throughout the year, the queen remained faceless, only on her birthday would she venture out to her subjects dressed in the grandest of ceremonial costumes. Topped with her sovereign crown she would sit on her throne and await company in the Empress's hall located in the centre of the inner palace, a region dedicated to women only.

Routinely on the day of the Empress's birthday, one hundred of Xi Rei's high court officials would be led by His Royal Highness to pay her eminence a visit. Today was no exception, everyone was waiting for the Prince to arrive and collect the well-wishers. However, that very Prince they were waiting on was gloriously throwing a fit of rage within the Prince's chambers and had yet to front his entourage.

"WHAT?" he screamed at Rong Tian.

"You are talking about my mother? "

The Prince was suddenly forced to wear a set of extravagant robes after taking a bath. Feng Ming was completely stumped by news which hit him out of the blue.

"I actually have a mother, the Empress?" he uttered in disbelief.

"What is so strange? Everyone has parents, although Xi Rei's King has been in a coma for countless years, the Empress has always maintain her duties within the inner palace. The Empress enjoys her peace and rarely makes an appearance outside of her confines."

Feng Ming stared at the Regent King firmly, showing his dissatisfaction and he paced back and forth bickering at the misfortune looming overhead.

"Why did you bring this up with me now? This is such a big matter and you suddenly want me to bring a hundred officials to accompany me to make a formal visit to my 'mother'." He stammered before hissing angrily, "My god! She will sense something is wrong!"

Feng Ming turned to the King and nervously grabbed the man firmly.

"A mother knows best, she'll see right through me!"

"That's why I am telling you now. This will test you for the past two months of study you've undertaken and to verify what you have learnt. You've covered palace etiquette so to have you bring out the basic framework of the Prince is not impossible. To conceal your true identity to the people, you need to be able to satisfy the Empress. If you can't even convince a woman who spends most of her time hidden away within the inner palace, in the future when you travel to represent the country on envoys of diplomacy, you'll indefinitely be exposed as an imposter."

Feng Ming was like a broken record, he repeated the strange words he just heard.

"In the future I will travel..."

"You are the Crowned Prince, naturally there are many places that you will need to visit to establish ties with other countries," Rong Wang stationed the younger man in front of himself, before reaching to assist the Prince to straighten the delicate garment which the boy had scrunched under his hold out of his near nervous breakdown.