Chapter Hundred: The coronation

It was with an exultant sense of freedom that the emperor watched as his son, the emperor and the new empress marched towards their throne.

Once, as a young boy, a shaman had told him he would see his son's 'upliftment', but he had only laughed at it. No emperor ever watched his son ascend unless it's treason, but it seems it's true.

Sitting few steps below the throne platform, he watched the procession with his beloved by his side. For the first time in public, they get to share a table. This feeling, he will cherish for the rest of his live.

As a dowager empress, she can only sit slightly above them with the grand dowager empress. She watched their public display of affection with practically no feelings. Their hands entwined tightly, she didn't give a damn shit about.

The new ruler in his scarlet robe embroidered with a very big golden dragon on the front marched solemnly with his empress also in red robe embroidered with a Phoenix. A robe entitled and customized for only one woman in the whole of Shu.

Their large dangling crowns swayed in their heads as they held a Jade tablet in a praying fashion. Their shoes were also in red and embroidered with dragon and phoenix respectively. Their Jade ornaments glowed with the gleam of the light.

All parties looked up at them with great respect and admiration. The empress was considered one of the most accomplished and elegant woman. Her very name, people said carried tons of blessings with it. There was no woman in the entire Shu more admired or esteemed.

The procession soon ended, the vows taken, prayers said and congratulations offered.

The following day, the concubines made their arrival and waited on the empress to rank them as the head of the inner court( Harem).

There is a tradition in Shu forbidding crown prince from having a concubine or consort till crowned an emperor and it has been upheld since the beginning of time. The ladies that made the final selection are all his women, while one is picked as the crowned princess, the rest becomes his concubines.

Eun-hye ranked both of them as level 4 Sukwon. Until they are graced by the emperor or make an accomplishment, they would never advance.

The former emperor with his consort and few servants left the palace two days after the coronation amidst tears and well wishes. Their new home was in a beautiful cottage.

The cottage was not new as was evident from the abundance of foliage that wreathed it's wall, red and white roses framing the windows , passion flowers twinning around the rustic porch, jasmine and fragrant woodbines mixed with drooping vine leaves, but was neat and pretty.

It stood in the midst of a magnificent garden that stretched at the back of the house far down to the brookside , there the brook ran between green banks away into the clover meadows and lost itself in the broad clear river Nan.

"We've arrived home", Kang min said to his wife as they marched in happily to the place they will spend the rest of their lives, free from restriction, customs and shackles of living in a well decorated prison called palace.

...

"Master", a soft voice called out to a man.

"I will be your student".

Physician Dong looked in positive wonder at the young girl that will change his life.

"Really?", he asked tactically, "This might take longer than you wish, you might come back to find the emperor in the grasp of another woman", he said to her, trying to test the level of her conviction.

"Master, I really want to learn from you, all you know and the things in your mind", she replied him emotionlessly.

He chuckled wickedly. "Now I know what attracted me to you, you are clear about what you want".

"But may I chip in something?", he continued, "Emperor Daejong is a monster, a man that will use a woman's heart to play politics... if you are planning on falling for him ,then leave now".

Myung OK stood emotionless like a robot, "I also came to play politics with his heart, who says he's the only one good in that field?". She already decided not to hide anything from the man, he will find out anyway.

"I like your courage", he broke into her line of thoughts, "But be careful when we'll be back, a man that can make the prime minister resign is one to be feared. Everyone thought he resigned on his own but I know it has more to it than the eyes can meet".

Myung OK shivered slightly but didn't waiver in her thoughts. "I will say my goodbyes now".Then she left him with a bow.

...

"Are you leaving?", the empress held unto a young girl she could consider friend in the whole palace.

"Yes your Majesty, I got a letter from home stating my junior sister is terribly sick", she lied. A junior sister she never had comes in handy than using any member of her families.

"Really? Then when will you be back? Next month? In two months?".

"I don't know but I can assure you I will be back once my sister is better", she looked at the empress and found her almost breaking into a round of tears.

"Don't worry, I asked a friend of mine to take good care of you. Now that the emperor is searching for the culprit, noone will dare make a shady move on you". She saw her paled face recover some colour and her lips curve into a smile.

"Thank you Myung OK, you are my best friend" . She shivered when she heard the empress address her as a best friend and felt a little bit guilty.

"Thank you your Majesty, from making this lowly one a friend", she curtsied briefly before bowing to leave.

"I know you hate the prime minister", the empress suddenly said. "That day, as I saw you, I felt strong animosity coming from you. I swear if I hadn't interrupted you, you would have done something crazy".

Myung OK smiled at her. "I have no connection with him but I'm afraid he wouldn't let me be still if he finds out about my existence ".

The smile on her face made the empress swallow her next question and suppress her interrogation spirit. "It is well, just be safe".

"My child no matter the gender shall call you aunty because we are alive thanks to you". The empress promised.

"No your Majesty, I dare not answer that".

"Don't worry, you shall always be like a sister to me".

She smiled at the departing back of a friend.

....

Exactly 6 months later, the imperial palace welcomed the cry of a baby. The first imperial child in ages.

Naming ceremony took place and the world celebrated again.

The palace stabilized with the emperor holding tightly the rein of power, while giving his ministers a bit of it from time to time.

Sacking corrupt officials became the order of the day and the people enjoyed substantial amount of peace.