Episode 8

"I am so happy and proud" the Empress said, getting up from her seat and moving down the small set of stairs to hug her daughter before giving a hug to the Prince.

"Welcome to our family, we will have you stay in one of the guest rooms" the Empress said as the Prince nods his head in approval.

'Now I just have to get her to fall in love with me, then find out how to break her heart' Dijun thought to himself as the Empress declared a banquet for her daughter's engagement.

As the Empress sent out the invitations to many royal families across the country along with Prince Shen Ye's parents, Xiaobai had Cha Cha help the Prince move into his own Palace near hers.

As Xiaobai was in her room reading at her table, Cha Cha came in and bowed to her in greetings.

"Your Highness, his Highness Prince Shen Ye had come to visit you" Cha Cha said with a smile on her face as Xiaobai set her book down and nods her head as she turned to bring the Prince into her Palace.

Cha Cha walked outside of her Highness's Palace and bowed to the Prince as he followed her inside and he seated himself on the opposite side of the Princess. Cha Cha left to bring back food and a jug of wine for them to share.

Dijun looked to his lover, her eyes set on looking at the table and her hands in her lap as her maid walks in and sets the plates on the table and poured two cups of wine and set them in front of the Princess and Prince.

Cha Cha held the cup of wine to Xiaobai who took it with thanks and did the same to the Prince who thanked her wholeheartedly.

'Feng Jiu, if only you knew the real me and had your memories back, you be so happy right now being with me' Dijun thought to himself as he drink from the cup.

"Since I have agreed to this, is there anything you would like me to do for you?" Xiaobai asked, setting her empty cup down and looked him in the eyes. Cha Cha poured another cup for the Prince and Princess.

"There is nothing that requires you to do anything, you get your terms of adventure as you please, then you will agree on the day to marry me" he said, setting his second empty cup down.

'This guy wants nothing from me? I thought the Imperial Princess of this Kingdom would give him some reason to get something from me' Xiaobai thought as she picked up a cookie in the shape of a flower and bit into it.

Standing outside the Palace doors, Cha Cha was waiting for her Highness to call her back in, she had decided to let the two chat and had even used her Highness's rare china that was used for family relatives.

Sitting by the lotus pond in the front yard to her Highness's Palace, Cha Cha fed the fish and made sure the yard was clean and the pond was clear of dirty water.

Soon after doing the jobs, she had fallen asleep before both Prince and Princess walked out of the Palace, Xiaobai had thrown a soft ball at her, startling her as she squeaked awake.

"My friend, you have been asleep for a few hours, please escort the Prince back to his Palace" she said as Cha Cha stood up and bowed before the Princess.

"Yes your Highness" she said before motioning the Prince to follow her as she led him back to his Palace.

Before the maid left, the Prince took the girl by the arm to stop her and she turned to him and asked him if he needed something.

"What does her Highness like?" he asked her and she smiled at him, happy he asked her.

"Are you planning a present for the Princess's birthday coming up?" she asked and he nodded to her.

"Well, her Highness does love lotus flowers and she loves to make things, she also loves festivals most of all, but she desires travelling above everything else" she said as he nods and thanked her, asking her not to speak of the matter to the Princess.

Cha Cha smiled happily to herself as she walked back to the Princess's Palace. Upon arriving, she walked in and cleaned the table of the wine jug, the cups and the plate that had the cookies on them.

Asking the cooks in the Imperial Kitchen to make sure they were to not break her Highness's favoured china plates, she then walked back to the Palace and found her sitting in front of the vanity table.

Xiaobai saw her maids reflection in the mirror and turned in her seat, giving Cha Cha a smile as she got up, walking to her.

"Is he home safe?" she asked as her maid nods, smiling to the Princess.

'I must not say anything of the plans his Highness has for her birthday' Cha Cha thought to herself with a giggle as she helped the Princess to her bed for a nap.

Back at his Palace, the Prince made travel plans for the Princess, hoping to take her to visit his Kingdom to show her to his family and the village surrounding the Palace.

The next day, the Empress required the presence of him and the Princess as he walked with her to the Throne room.

As they were announced and allowed in, Xiaobai slipped her arm into his as he helped her inside and walked with her to stand in front of the Empress and bowed before her.

"Greetings mother" Xiaobai said as Dijun greeted her as Your Majesty. The Empress smiled, seeing their joined arms, happy that her daughter will have a future as the Empress.

As Xiaobai was asked to sit down, he bowed to the Empress and asked for a favour, in which she agreed with a nod as she cleared his throat.

"I plan to take her Highness travelling for her birthday this year, I would like to show her my Kingdom as well as my family, seeing as we are engaged to be married" he announced as the Empress smiled happily.

"I think this is a wonderful idea, what do you think my dear?" the Empress asked, looking to her daughter to give an answer.

"I will accept his Highness's gift" Xiaobai said, standing up to bow to the Prince as her mother smiled happily.

The young Princess would be travelling soon to view the Kingdom from whom her husband to be is from. News floated around the Palace of the Princess's travels so people would no assume that she was running away.