Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

Vacation

(PRINCE GUO)

Upon hearing that the Emperor prohibited me to go out of the Capital and risk getting demerits on my rights on being the Crown Prince, the first thing I wanted to do is get on a horse and leave the Capital.

But my mother, the Empress, blocked my way and wave a letter on my face. "The Emperor left me a letter, asking me to take care of you. To keep you safe."

"I am always safe," I said to my mother.

"Well, you father wanted you to be more careful," the Empress smiled at me. A genuine smile of happiness. "Do you know what that means, Guo?" She asked me.

I shook my head, "What?"

"It means the Emperor had finally chosen the Prince who will sit on the Crown Prince throne. And it will be you. That is why he is asking you to be extra careful." My mother sounded pleased in her threory.

While I blanched in fear inside.

Is it really true? Does Baba finally made a choice and he chose me? Why? Why me? Why not Prince Jin? He is older than me?

I felt panic entering my chest and body.

I don't want to be the Crown Prince. No! I don't want to be tied down in this place. Manage everyone. Think of everyone. Be everyone's Emperor.

And mostly, I don't want to be a puppet to my grandfather and mother. They will put me in that throne and control me. They will run this whole Kingdom for me and I will be just a stamper for them.

That is not a life! I don't want that kind of life. Now, more than ever, I realized that I don't want this Palace life.

I want to move away. Travel. Go to exotic places. Meet other people from other nations. Learn more cultures. Be more worldly.

Not stuck here in the Palace having meeting after meetings and approving petitions and passing laws.

I would hate that life.

"Mother..." I gave my mother one pleading look. "Can I not be the Crown Prince..."

"Shut that mouth, Prince Guo!" My mother hissed angrily at me before dismissing every servants in her room. Once we are alone, she raised her hand to slap me and I close my eyes and wait for it.

But the slap didn't came. I open my eyes again to see my mother smiling at me before she caressed my cheek gently. Lovingly.

"I cannot slap you anymore. I should stop disciplining you this way. You will be the next Emperor of this land. You have to be confident, son." She said in loving compunction. Then her eyes hardened in controlled rage, "But disobey me and I can send your siblings away, Guo. I can place my displeasure on Cai and Han."

"They are your children as well," I reminded her.

"They will not be Emperors," Mother countered easily. And that confirmed what I have always known. She only took care of me because I can give her what she wants. More power.

With me out of the way, the path is clear for Prince Jin to take the Crown Prince throne. I know my older brother is kind but I am not sure what he will do to my siblings, his half siblings, when he got to the throne.

Will Prince Jin hate us, because we are the children of the woman who replaced his mother? Will he be kind to Cai and Han? Prince Jin never dismissed us but it's different when you are in the highest position. Every sibling can be a threat to your position. Will Prince Jin spare Cai and Han when he got the Emperor's throne? Or will he banish us? Or worse, kill us?