Return

It hadn't even been a week when Da Ying got the news that the emperor was reinstating her title. He was finally bringing her back to the palace.

She was sitting on a small stool inside the rundown hut. She had been downgraded to living poorer than a commoner. But even then, she felt grateful. It was true she was full of vengeance but somewhere along the way, this place no matter how poor it was gave her peace. She knew the moment she returned to the palace, she would never be able to get away from the schemes within. The palace really did drain one's energy.

Her "caretaker" that Empress Mei Wu sent to accompany her was none other than Mama Zhou. That woman gave her hell. Just thinking about that woman turned her mood foul.

The old skinny woman named Mama Zhou entered. "Shifu." The elder woman surprisingly said as she bowed respectfully.

This was no Mama Zhou. Originally, the caretaker the Empress sent was Mama Zhou but with luck, she was able to get rid of the real Mama Zhou. The Mama Zhou standing in front of her was a fake. The only thing they shared was the face.

This fake was none other than mask changer, Zhang Man Xie.

Four years ago when Da Ying was in the woods gathering wood for fire, she stumbled upon an old man.

An unconscious Mr. Zhang.

Without a second thought, she helped the man and snuck him back to her hut without Mama Zhou finding out. Da Ying sucked the snake venom out of his system and healed him to health the few days he was unconscious.

What she didn't know then was that he was a genius doctor.

He stayed at the hut for another day to recuperate. So happens to be the day she got caught. Mama Zhou scolded and accused Da Ying of immoral acts. She allowed the man to stay only so she could send news and get Da Ying killed. Mr. Zhang overheard Mama Zhou saying she was going to report Da Ying's "affair" to the empress. Within that day, he had gotten rid of her with poison, replacing her with his son, Zhang Man Xie.

Man Xie was a handsome and young 17 year old, destined for greatness in the future. He had followed his father's footsteps to learn medicine since young. Somewhere along the line, he learned the technique of face changing. Naturally Mr. Zhang didn't think that killing Mama Zhou was going to be such a big deal until she told him her identity.

After careful consideration, he had come to the conclusion to assist Da Ying. He let his only son, Zhang Man Xie stay with her, pretending to be Mama Zhou. Zhang Man Xie at first protested but after hearing about Da Ying being his father's savior, he willingly agreed.

***Present***

"How long until they arrive?" Da Ying asked Mama Zhou while taking a sip of water.

"They should be arriving at the village no later than thirty minutes."

"Good. That woman sure moves fast. Spread word to our people that I, the rightful Princess of Han is heading back. Make sure they understand that no one is allowed to make a move unless I say so."

Man Xie bowed before leaving.

When the empress's people came to pick her up, she was not worried the Empress would harm her. Da Ying knew how much the empress hated her but that woman had more common sense than to kill her off. Especially since Da Ying was her scapegoat.

Da Ying was still sitting on her stool, relaxing when two imperial maids and a royal eunuch walked in. "Princess Da Ying, receive his majesty the emperor's imperial edict." The eunuch announced as he walked in with the golden scroll in hand. "Da Ying receives." She spoke slowly before getting up and kneeling in front of the eunuch.

"In honor of the grand empress's 70th birthday, Princess Da Ying will be reinstated. The emperor has has declared your sentence has been long enough. You are to return to the palace immediately. The title of Princess is hereby returned to Princess Da Ying,"

"I thank the emperor." She carried an evil smile under her breath.

It took three days by carriage before she arrived at the palace. When they entered the gates, she had the carriage carriers stop. She got out of the carriage with the help of her personal maid Ban Shiang, who had been waiting at the gate for her since morning. Ban Shiang was one of Da Ying's two personal maids when she lived at the palace. Ban Shiang was 17 this year. She still carried traces of a baby face with her hair in two braided loops.

Da Ying took a deep breath as she looked at the long gravel path reaching the emperor's Royal Hall.

It has been five years since she last stepped in the palace. The first person she wished would greet her was her brother Prince Muyan. But she knew he had been sent to the sideline once again. After that year, her brother lost his crown prince title and was constantly sent to guard the city gates.

Every night she prayed for his safety, wishing to see him once more.

Five years later... she would be able to finally see the younger brother she longed to protect.

[Mother...Muyan...Da Ying has finally returned. I won't let you both suffer in vain.] She promised herself before heading towards the hall. Every step she took, the stronger her urge to become stronger became.

Da Ying slowly walked up the stairs and when she got to the top, no one was there to greet her. No one was there but inside...she could hear the merry laughters.

She stood next to the door waiting for the eunuch to announce her arrival. "Princess Da Ying arrives." After he called her, the doors opened.

Da Ying was now face to face with the whole Royal family; her father Emperor Wu, Empress Mei Wu, his three royal consorts; Luyi, Ru'er, and Yao Li. Along with the four princess's of Southern Han; Wen Wan, Yueli, Ying Me, and Jie You.

Silence.

Most of the looks were full of disgust and hate. The only person in the room who didn't show any emotions was the emperor. Da Ying walked in slowly, ignoring the faces she had "longed" to see,

"Da Ying greets father, mother, royal consorts and younger sisters." She faked a sweet smile. No one made a sound nor did they help her up from her bow. After a long pause, the emperor finally spoke.

"Ying'er. It's good you are back. Stand." He gave her permission to get up.

"Da Ying thanks the emperor for allowing Da Ying to come back. Da Ying has truly repented." She stood up while giving off an innocent air. Nothing like the her in the village.

Emperor Wu only nodded. "It is good you have repented. You may go rest. Tonight there will be a banquet to welcome you back." His voice stern with no hint of care. Da Ying forced a smile at him. Behind that smile was nothing but a strong urge to stab him. She never knew her father was this sort of man until that year he killed her mother.

She would remember for her whole life.

The empress took the initiative to stand up and walk down towards Da Ying. Empress Mei Wu still had the elegance and beauty she carried 12 years ago when she first married the emperor. She was dressed head to toe with luxury. Her hair was in a top looped design with a golden phoenix crown sitting in the front. Her three layered tunics were of the finest silk. All three different shades of red complimenting each other.

"Child, no one will blame you for your past mistake. Let mufei take a look at you." She gently grabbed Da Ying's hand.

"Da Ying thanks mufei for the worry."From an outsiders point of view, this was the reuniting of two longing souls. But Da Ying and the empress did not feel that way. They wanted nothing more than to strangle one another. But of course, Da Ying would never alarm the empress by showing her how she truly felt.

"I'm taking my leave." She quickly slipped her hand and left.