Meeting the Emperor (part 2)

The Emperor scrutinized Chou Lian as she kept kneeling. The girl kneeling in front of her was the infamous eldest bachelorette in the capital. Though she belonged from a noble family she was wearing really plain worn out clothes, and if one looked closely there was dried mud stains near the edges of her robe. Her hair was kept in a bun which contrasted from the hairstyles of the girls from the noble households. As her head was kept down he could not get a good look of her face. From all aspect, the Emperor found Chou Lian to be really ordinary. No aura of grace or elegance could be traced from her. If someone told the Emperor that the one in front of him was a servant he would even believe it. Sigh.

"First Lady Shen, there is no need to keep on kneeling. You can stand up.", the Emperor said in a deep mighty voice.

Chou Lian stood up, but instead of keeping her down like before she looked straight ahead at the Emperor. Now finally looking at her face really surprised the Emperor though, there was no change in his facial expression. Those red phoenix eyes looked calm and kind as it looked straight at him. She did not look timid at all for standing in front of the Emperor, instead her tall posture exuded confidence and elegance. She had a perfect jawline with pink and youthful cheeks, her lips were rosy and had an elegantly straight nose. Her looks were really pleasing to ones eyes. This made the Emperor like her a little.

'Her looks could really compete with the most beautiful woman in the capital. She should really wear some better clothes to complement her looks.', the Emperor thought as he noted in his heart to send over clothes and jewelries to the would-be 6th princess' wife.

" You know why you have been called in front of Zhen?", the Emperor questioned as he took over the cup of tea from the high priest, and smiled at him as a thanks.

" Yes, Bixia.", Chou Lian calmly replied.

"You have any grievance against Zhen?", the Emperor asked Chou Lian taking a sip of warm tea.

"This lowly noble dares not, Bixia! It is my fortune to be able to get married to the 6th princess! It is surely a blessing!", Chou Lian said as she cupped her hands near her heart, which indicated she dare not lie.

Seeing Chou Lian answer so smartly made the Emperor smile, "How can Zhen believe this? Do you too not wish to marry a man and have your own children?"

Chou Lian took a deep breath before saying firmly, "This lowly noble apologies in advance for being straightforward and for lacking etiquettes. It is a well known fact that this lowly noble is the oldest bachelor in the capital. Therefore, this lowly noble knows she will never able to get married to someone of good status as their consort, rather even if someday I did get married it would be to someone as a lowly concubine. My mother was married to a man, and had a child of her own yet, she suffered and died early. This lowly noble has always dreaded such a life. Bixia, may not be aware of it, but since childhood I have had a life worse than a servant so I have always wanted to have a family where I could fill my stomach full and somewhere I will be treated as a human being, and more importantly I will be happy as long as I can have a companion with whom I can go through all the ups and downs of life. The feeling of being lonely and starving is sure not a pleasant feeling, Bixia.

As a woman, bearing my own children will be a blessing, but even if I cannot have one, as long as I am full I will be happy. Now that the imperial family wants me to marry the 6th princess, even though she is a woman, if I can have a family where I can feel warmth, loved and my stomach can stay full I will accept it. I have never interacted with other noble ladies so, I do not know what other noble ladies would have thought about this marriage. Though, the news about marriage was quite surprising still, this is sure a blessing in a disguise. Bixia, forgive me, but can I know the reason why someone of such heavenly noble birth would be allowed to marry this lowly noble?".

The Emperor observed Chou Lian throughout as she spoke. He could see little changes in Chou Lian's eyes as she spoke. There was despair, anger, hurt, melancholy and craving for affection. Even though Chou Lian talked monotonously her expressive eyes portrayed every emotion that she was actually feeling. At that moment, the Emperor felt the young woman, in front of him, looked broken from inside, but still not willing to give up on life. He could feel the will of that woman to survive in such a cruel world. This really softened his heart. He really liked how straight forward the woman was, and with his so many years of experience as King he could detect no lies in what the First Lady Shen said. He still did not how this woman would save his beloved daughter, but having someone like her accompany Yue-er may actually good for both of them.

" Let me answer your question, First Lady Shen.", the high priest said with a smile from where he was now standing by the window after giving the cup of tea to the Emperor.

" You may not know, but our 6th princess has always been sickly since her birth, and over the years her health just kept on deteriorating. The imperial doctors, and even the best wandering from the nearby countries are not able to detect what is exactly wrong with her. This past few years she almost died for the total of 6 times. If this goes on it is estimated that within a year she might actually...

Well,  that's to save her we decided to perform the Mingyun Ceremony for her her. Now First Lady Shen, do you know about First Lady Shen.", the high priest asked First Lady Shen.

"Mingyun Ceremony? ..I am afraid not honourable high priest.", Chou Lian said with a confusion.

"I heard you do not leave or interact much with anyone in the capital so it is not surprising. Well, the Mingyun Ceremony is an ancient ritual through which it is able to look for a person's other half who has the ability to protect that person. First Lady Shen, I suppose you have seen a red squishy ball before? It was actually three drop of 6th princess' blood and holy water which during the ritual leapt out of the holy bowl, and went after you which indicated you are the chosen one. In simple words, you, First Lady Shen, is the chosen other half of 6th princess, by the will of heaven."