27- If

The only thing in her mind right now is Lian Tian. She remembers clearly that she didn't agree to marry him, she only said what she wants at the heat of the moment. The empress didn't think he would actually do it, because.. that's what normal prince will do, right?

But the official that kneels before her says otherwise. The troops retreated and the river is now fresh.

She frowns as her heart beats rapidly. She looks down for the rest of the assembly, thinking by herself. Or truthfully, she can't face the emperor. The fact that she met another guy and share memories with him. The empress doesn't have face to look at the emperor.

I did not flirt with Lian Tian. I didn't commit a capital crime, it's just a misunderstanding.

She told herself repeatedly. Trying to get away from the feeling of guilt that's surrounding her.

"You are all dismissed." The emperor says.

All of the ministers bow at the emperor and empress as they walk out the hall.

"Empress, are you okay? You seem a little down today." The emperor stops and face her. But the empress still couldn't lift up her face and meet his eyes.

"This empress doesn't feel very well today, I will take my leave first." She answers, still facing the ground. The empress fails to see the emperor's worried face.

The empress walks back to her place, leaving the emperor.

"Bai Lu, I guess she really doesn't feel good today. Should this emperor visit her at the Phoenix palace?"

"That will be a great idea your majesty, this servant will prepare your clothes and various tea to bring!" Bai Lu quickly declares. He gets all excited by himself.

"This emperor will count on you then." The emperor smiles and walk faster to his palace. He actually know that Bai Lu respect the empress very much, Bai Lu is his number one supporter if it comes to being together with the empress. Bai Lu once said 'the emperor is only for the empress, no matter if the whole continent is under his harem.'

"Wait for me your majesty!" Bai Lu runs to catch up with the emperor.

"..."

"Your majesty, this servant think that the empress doesn't feel fit because of last night, maybe the empress is tired.."

"Hmm.. that might be the case." The emperor holds his chin, thinking. He slows his pace to listen what Bai Lu has to say.

"Don't panic your majesty!" Bai Lu tells him.

No one is actually panicked, why is Bai Lu exaggerating everything?

"This emperor is not panicking.." the emperor says, but Bai Lu is too busy to hear the emperor.

"This servant will also prepare ginseng extract for tonight, no need to worry!" He says that like it's the best idea ever.

"What are you thinking about?!" The emperor is bashful, like he is caught doing something terribly wrong.

"Red ginseng is known to make you fitter in-"

"Stop!" The emperor is too embarrassed to continue the conversation.

"Eh?" Seeing the emperor's red face Bai Lu laughs hysterically inside. "My apology your majesty, this servant only thinks that maybe the dragon wants to produce more heir. This servant only wish the best for your majesty." Bai Lu says formally.

"Hm.." the emperor doesn't answer.

They walk in silence for a few moments until they finally arrive at the emperor's study, "You are dismissed!" The emperor says. He walks inside and preparing to close the door.

"So your majesty, do you still want this servant to prepare the ginseng extract?" Bai Lu asks again for confirmation.

"..Sure." As he quickly closes the door.

Bai Lu laughs at the emperor once the door is closed.

"If you want it why not say it from the beginning, why must act cool and say it's a stupid idea.. that one weird emperor!"

______

"Mumu, this empress is going to the harem house right now, prepare everything!" She says impatiently.

"Right now your majesty?" The sun is still up, yet the empress wants to go to the harem house. There's something fishy going on.

"Just do it."

"Zhi."

The empress change to her hanfu and walk quickly from her castle.

At the time she arrives in front of the harem gate, the empress is almost running. She will wait for him. She just hope that Lian Tian haven't left from the forbidden city.

She gets closer and closer to the pavilion where she always met him. Beautiful melodies is playing from a guy who is sitting elegantly in the pavilion. Flute melodies of freedom that reminds her of- of that dream of hers.

It's like a deja vu. She stops her feet from going closer, stunned seeing how familiar this scene is. The empress tries to breath normally before coming to the origin of the beautiful melodies.

"You are such in hurry.." Lian Tian comments

"What are you doing?!" She needs a reason. The empress just want to make sure he doesn't have a wrong idea. But she perfectly understands how big of a deal is to have your troops retreated and stop the poisoning.

Lian Tian sees Niao Niao is so nervous, she doesn't even sit before talking. Her hands keeps moving, he never see her at this state. Niao Niao is always so composed before..

"Me? I'm playing the flute as you can see." He says like it's not a big deal.

"I mean, your soldiers and the river.. why?" Niao Niao keep on urging him, clearly doesn't satisfied with his answer.

"Why don't you sit first before talking?"

"Just answer me!" Niao Niao couldn't stand it any longer. She wants explanation, and because she so afraid that-

"You are very up to date with the political matter, aren't you?"

"..." Niao Niao suddenly realise her mistake. She must act unreasonably before. As far as she knows the crown prince still thinks that she is just a lowly concubine.

Because Niao Niao doesn't sit at all, Lian Tian stands instead.

"Niao Niao, as for the question that you ask, don't you think it's Lian kingdom's secret tactics? Why do you want to know?" Lian tian crises his arm and walk closer to Niao Niao.

"So it's not because you want to marry me!" Niao Niao feels relieved, her concerns are not valid.

"I still want to marry you."

"What? But I'm old." She just says whatever comes to her mind that can make her look bad.

"How old?"

"Years past my second decade."

"Not too bad."

"It's bad. Believe me. Some one who is as old as me can't even pass the first selection of being six ranked concubine."

Lian Tian only smile at her, making Niao Niao feels weird. He smiles because he finally makes the atmosphere more playful.

Niao Niao doesn't talk after that. They stay silent for a good minutes before Lian Tian continues,

"I don't understand why you can share your man with 500 other woman.."

Niao Niao look up to him, she can't. Yet she answers differently. "It's just how it's supposed to be."

"Is it?" Lian Tian couldn't believe her. "What if you can live the other way, what if your husband can only have you?"

"..." that would be awesome. She thinks, but unable to say anything for a few seconds.

" Crown Prince, if it comes to the emperor, another concubine doesn't matter much. The reason of marriage might be to gain more power or to get allies or to end wars or-"

"How can you marry a womaniser like him?" Lian Tian cuts her off. "Treating woman like an object and tools to gain power is disgusting. After all, it's only for his lustful desire.."

"You are too much! Asking other person's wife to marry you is what a womaniser would do! Choosing your empress in other emperor's harem is what a lustfull man do!"

"Hmm?"

"An empress is someone who trained her whole life to rule the country, to bring peace, harmony." Niao Niao catches her breath, she is so emotional right now. "You can't choose your empress based on your feelings like that! It's not fair!"

"Niao Niao, you have lived your whole life like that, but just because it's the only way you know doesn't mean it's the only possible way, or even, the right way.." he says, triggering Niao Niao. She had always complained about this, about the fact that she can't choose her life.

"Just because you have been told to love him, doesn't mean you truly love him. Maybe it's just because you think you have to."

What is love?

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