Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

Beginning

(PRINCE JIN)

The day was decided. Today is the day that my father, the Emperor, will announce who among his sons will be holding the Crown Prince title.

Everyone are still guessing. Except for the few people who knows the truth: that Prince Han will get it, everyone is still unsure about who will get that coveted crown.

For the last two weeks, my Baba had spent equal time with me and Guo. He made sure he was seen with either of his two oldest sons in numerous occasions. He welcomed diplomats with me one morning in an informal day meal while he greeted noble families with Guo in a merry dinner feast last weekend.

The prevalent rumor is that the Emperor is still unsure on whom he will grant the Crown Prinde throne. What is confirmed is that he tripled the security for his two eldest sons. Even firing and imprisoning some of Prince Guo's guards for leaving the second Prince unattended one night where the Prince got drunk and almost fall to his death.

It's a bit of an exaggerated news but the Emperor had no qualms using exaggeration to make sure his sons are protected. Guo and I, we were adviced to separate ourselves from each other and that is what we did. For two weeks since that attack that led me to shielding Hua and taking a poisoned arrow for her, Guo and I had made sure to avoid each other.

And tonight, the Emperor sent eleborate garbs to his sons room to be worn for tonight's feast. This is the day that the Emperor will announce who will be his official heir to the throne.

The air is filled with undercurrent. A whisper of revolt in on the loose once Guo failed to get the Crown Prince Throne. A rumor of banishment is being fired on my way once I lost that chance of being my father's heir.

One thing is for clear, before the day ends, loyalties will be tested and this Imperial Family's core will be revealed. Who we are as a family and what each of us can do for power. And what sacrifices will the Emperor makes to ensure the stability of his reign.

I closed my eyes as Manchu and Yong escorted every helping attendant out of my private chamber after they prepared me for the dinner feast that will commence any moment now.

"My Prince," Yong stood beside me, my ever loyal friend. "It will all be right in the end." He said.

I opened my eyes and turned to him. "Yong ah, all I ever wanted is not to be a burden to my father and siblings. If I can guarantee the happiness of my siblings, then I will do anything for them to get that happiness. Guo, most of all..."

Yong nodded, "I know, my Prince. I always know about your love for your family. After tonight, your dreams will come true. Your siblings will be secured and you can have a clear path to your own happiness..."

Hua. Hua will be my happiness. She is my reward for all the hardships I had endured while living in a huge, cold and lonely Palace for almost two decades.

I never knew that I can be hungry in a place filled with delicious food. Or thirsty in a place brimmimg with sweet tasting wine. But I learned what hunger and thirst really is when I almost let myself be married to another noble born lady instead of Wang Hua.

I almost ruined my own life. Botched my own happiness. I can only kneel and thank the Great Buddha for waking me up in my delusions that I can be content and happy in a life filled with compromise and powerful alliance when I can have it all if I just follow my heart and shout the name of the lady inside it.

I look outside the wide window to the horizon ahead. The sun is already setting. After tonight, I can be free.

A bell was sounded. Manchu cleared his throat. "It is time, my Prince. The feast is about to begin."